New costumes have been revealed for some of the Justice Society of America and the All-Star Squadron. In the new one-shot Tales From the Dark Multiverse: Crisis on Infinite Earths #1, fans can see a “what if” version of events featuring the often neglected teams which predated the Justice League.
Although the Anti-Monitor had been defeated in the multiverse-centric event from 1985, an alternate timeline shows what happens when Jor-L of Earth-Two survives in place of Superman from Earth-One. With little hope on the horizon after Surtur, an Asgardian god, decimates the Justice League, the superheroes of the old days rise up and the fight. While the story paints a dim fate for the DC Universe, it also provides a fascinating look at an alternate history for one of the most integral storylines ever published, which helped revolutionize the idea of a multiverse. The one-shot is written by Steve Orlando and illustrated by Mike Perkins. Just as the original Crisis on Infinite Earths was intended to reset the DC Universe as longtime fans knew it, this glimpse at an alternate reality shows a grimmer reboot.
In this tale from the dark multiverse, of the Justice Society receive ungraded costumes, in the style of how they could’ve looked back in 1985. While Superman essentially still wears his classic uniform with a black crest to a red “S," Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl receive updated suits. Among the heroes are also new incarnations of Robin, Doctor Mid-Nite, and Wildcat, who have gone from male characters to female characters.
Fans who know their history might recognize the future female Robin’s suit of Earth-Two, as it’s based on an old concept of what Dick Grayson might wear when he fights crime alone someday. With an “R” cleverly placed in front of the bat symbol, this take on the boy wonder was illustrated before the creation of Nightwing. Fans of DC today are likely to notice new versions of Doctor Mid-Nite and Wildcat, also portrayed by women, clearly styled after the live-action incarnations of the characters in the Stargirl TV series. Some might also point out Hourman who looks considerably sleeker, and more in line with his live-action counterpart.
If this installment of Tales From the Dark Multiverse is any indication, there isn’t anything DC fans can’t consider that might actually happen. Much like Marvel’s famous What If? comics that reimagine their iconic heroes, these one-shots have the potential to completely reinvent continuity and pose new questions that fans might not be asking. With the vastness of DC's history in the Justice Society alone, there is a lot for the multiverse to draw from. Lately, it seems like a trend from DC to look at stories set in the 1980s from angles that haven’t been explored. Tales From the Dark Multiverse: Crisis on Infinite Earths #1 is available for purchase.
