History Comicbook / TheMultiversity

%% * GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.

* AllMythsAreTrue: Well, Franchise/TheDCU basically assumes this anyway, but the map of the Multiverse puts it up front, with Dream (the home of [[ComicBook/TheSandman the Endless]]), Heaven, New Genesis, Skyland (the home of the various pantheons), Nightmare, Hell, Apokolips and the Underworld (also known as the PhantomZone) all co-existing in the Sphere of the Gods. On another level, many of the Earths have heroes that are fictional in each other's worlds.

*** Chris Kent mentions he had a team up with ComicBook/TheSandman. Damian then asks if he specifically meant the Creator/NeilGaiman Sandman.

** Also in ''Pax Americana'', President Harley's dad wrote a Major Comics book featuring a male Major Max, presumably the [[Comicbook/Captain MarvelMarvelComics Mar-Vell]] to the current version's Comicbook/CarolDanvers.

* CompositeCharacter:
** Spore from Earth-41 seems to be a cross between Comicbook/{{Spawn}} and ComicBook/SwampThing.
** Superdemon is what happens when you take the concept of ComicBook/{{Superman}} and add ComicBook/{{Etrigan}} into it.
** ''Society of Super-Heroes: Conquerors from the Counter-World! #1'':
*** [[ComicBook/GreenLantern The Green Lantern]] of Earth-20 is Abin Sur with a costume heavily based on pre-New 52 Alan Scott's, so the predecessor of Hal Jordan is wearing the costume of... The predecessor of Hal Jordan.
*** The Immortal Man of Earth-20 was once called Anthro, and his origin and powers are altered to be much more similar to those of Comicbook/VandalSavage, who is now his alternate self from a MirrorUniverse.
** The Super-Sons in ''The Just #1'' are Chris Kent and Damian Wayne, rather than Clark Kent Jr. and Bruce Wayne Jr. as it was Pre-Crisis.
** In ''Thunderworld #1'', [[spoiler:Black]] Sivana of Earth-5 is a combination of two of Captain Marvel's deadliest foes.
** ''The Multiversity Guidebook #1'':
*** Ben Boxer/[=BiOMAC=] of Earth-51 is a combination of Ben Boxer and ComicBook/{{OMAC}}.
*** Walküre of Earth-7 is a cross between ComicBook/WonderWoman and ComicBook/{{Angela|AsgardsAssassin}} with a bit of [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Valkyrie]].
*** Earth-32 is an entire world of these: ComicBook/GreenLantern [[ComicBook/{{Batman}} Bruce Wayne]], {{ComicBook/Wonder|Woman}}{{ComicBook/Hawk|man}}, {{ComicBook/Aqua|Man}}[[ComicBook/TheFlash flash]], {{ComicBook/Black|Canary}} [[ComicBook/GreenArrow Arrow]]...
*** The Nimrod Squad from Earth-41 appear to be mergers of ComicBook/{{Justice League| OfAmerica}} members with Comicbook/{{Youngblood}} characters. Fletch is both ComicBook/GreenArrow and ComicBook/GreenLantern mixed with Shaft, Vague is ComicBook/WonderWoman mixed with Vogue, and Flinstein is ComicBook/MartianManhunter mixed with Badrock. There also appears to be a merged ComicBook/RedTornado[=/=]Diehard stand-in.
*** The Metal League of Earth-44 are a fusion of the ComicBook/MetalMen and the {{ComicBook/Justice League| Of America}}. Their leader, Doc Tornado, is a fusion of Doc Magnus and ComicBook/RedTornado.
** In ''Mastermen #1'', Blitzen, the [[GenderFlip female]] [[ComicBook/TheFlash Flash]] of Earth-10, is briefly shown on one page to have blonde hair implying she's an analogue of Barry Allen, but her costume seems to be based more on Jay Garrick.

** The characters of Earth-8 are all based off Creator/MarvelComics properties. The Retaliators (Comicbook/TheAvengers) consist of the American Crusader (ComicBook/CaptainAmerica), Machinehead (Comicbook/IronMan), Behemoth (Comicbook/TheIncredibleHulk), Wundajin (ComicBook/TheMightyThor) and Bug (Comicbook/SpiderMan), as well as {{Expies}} of ComicBook/{{Hawkeye}}, Comicbook/BlackWidow, ComicBook/TheFalcon and [[ComicBook/MsMarvel Captain Marvel]]. There's also the Future Family (the Comicbook/FantasticFour), the G-Men (the Comicbook/XMen) and Lord Havok (Doctor Doom).

* BewareTheSillyOnes: Captain Carrot, as bizarrely amusing as he may seem, is no slouch when it comes to heroics or combat. This became apparent in the very first issue, when he [[NoSell nonchalantly shrugged off]] an attack from Earth-8's Behemoth (an {{Expy}} of ''the freaking [[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk Hulk]]''), then proceeded to [[CurbStompBattle knock him flat on his ass]] [[OneHitKill with one punch]]. You don't argue with CartoonPhysics.

** The heroes of Earth-8 are all based off Creator/MarvelComics characters. The Retaliators (Comicbook/TheAvengers) consist of the American Crusader (ComicBook/CaptainAmerica), Machinehead (Comicbook/IronMan), Behemoth (the Comicbook/IncredibleHulk), Wundajin (Comicbook/TheMightyThor), Bug (Comicbook/SpiderMan), Deadeye (ComicBook/{{Hawkeye}}), Red Dragon (Comicbook/BlackWidow), Kite (ComicBook/TheFalcon), Major Max ([[ComicBook/CarolDanvers Captain Marvel]]), Ladybug (ComicBook/SpiderWoman) and Hyperius ([[ComicBook/SquadronSupreme Hyperion]]). There's also the Future Family (the Comicbook/FantasticFour), the G-Men (the Comicbook/XMen), Lord Havok (ComicBook/DoctorDoom), the Power Celestial ([[ComicBook/{{Galactus}} the Power]] [[ComicBook/SilverSurfer Cosmic]] and Celestials), and Stuntmaster (Comicbook/{{Daredevil}}).

** The most distinguishing feature of Earth-8, based on Creator/MarvelComics, on the interactive map is that its heroes "fight with each other as much as they fight the bad guys". Notably, the Behemoth (its version of the Comicbook/IncredibleHulk) [[https://i.imgur.com/M3ceSaS.jpg transforms into a raging, giant, blue baby]] instead of a jade titan when aggravated.

** 8. Taken UpToEleven in ''Pax Americana #1'', which even replaces ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'''s 3x3 grid with a 2x4 one.

** ''The Multiversity Guidebook #1'' notes that this is true for [[UpToEleven all of]] Earth-26. Being destroyed apparently isn't much of a problem for it, either.

* UpToEleven: According to ''The Multiversity Guidebook #1'', EVERYTHING is super on Earth-48. From the animals, to the plants, to the television shows. The superheroes here are of the "Fifth World" and were made to trade blows with Darkseid himself.

* {{Villains}}: According to WordOfGod, each one of The Gentry represents a villain archetype [[UpToEleven taken to its limit]]. Their agents in each universe also mirror those concepts.

** Creator/GrantMorrison's map of the Multiverse includes Wonderworld, a dimension that was featured in his ''[[ComicBook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica JLA]]'' run. News articles have also mentioned that some of his characters from ''ComicBook/AnimalMan'' would appear on one Earth.

** Earth-10's Pre-Crisis analog, Earth-X, was a world where the Nazis won and the Freedom Fighters were LaResistance, but had no [[ComicBook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica Justice League]]. It was destroyed in the Crisis. When it was restored in ''[[ComicBook/FiftyTwo 52]]'' it featured a Nazi version of the Justice League, which hadn't been done before. Conflicting portrayals in ''Comicbook/CountdownToFinalCrisis'' had a standard generic Nazi League and an America covered in concentration camps. In ''Countdown Arena'' a Nazi version of the Ray was chosen as a contestant by Monarch, and it was mentioned the current fuhrer was a woman. Morrison disregarded most of this and reestablished his own version of Earth-10 in ''Comicbook/FinalCrisis''.
** Earth-16 was classified as the universe home to the ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'' cartoon, although Morrison has stated he's working on a way that incorporates the TV show with his interpretation of this particular Earth. As of yet, the only incorporation is a one panel reference to the TV show being only a video game on the new Earth-16.

** As a further jab at the overdependence on hyper-realistic grimdark story-telling, Earth 31 - long established as the universe that Frank Miller's Dark Knight series is set in - has been retconned into a world where everyone's a sea-faring swashbuckler with a fancy costume. It also acknowledges human-influenced climate change as a serious issue, showing further disregard for Frank Miller and his right-wing comic fans.

** Also in ''Pax Americana'', President Harley's dad wrote a Major Comics book featuring a male Major Max, presumably the Comicbook/{{Captain Marvel|MarvelComics}} to the current version's Comicbook/CarolDanvers.

The story of the 52 Earths and the team formed in the aftermath of the story continued across several stories, but they received a self-titled series in 2021, ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueIncarnate''.

* TokenGoodTeammate: Among the many alternate Sivanas that have gathered together to invade Earth-5 is one who has won the Nobel Prize, and is quite disturbed to find out the rest of the Legion of Sivanas are all criminals.

** Also in ''Pax Americana'', President Harley's dad wrote a Major Comics book featuring a male Major Max, presumably the Comicbook/CaptainMarVell to the current version's Comicbook/CarolDanvers.

* EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys: Nix Uotan is assisted by Mr. Stubbs, a buccaneer monkey.

* [[invoked]] MutuallyFictional: Lampshaded in ''The Multiversity #1'' by Captain Carrot, as the Superman of Earth-23 [[http://mindlessones.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/5.jpg reads a copy]] of ''[[ComicBook/GrantMorrisonsActionComics Action Comics #9]]'':

** He revisits some concepts he introduced in ''Comicbook/FinalCrisis'', such as President Superman and Earth-23, and Overman and Earth-10, and some he introduced in [[ComicBook/GrantMorrisonsActionComics his run on]] ''ComicBook/ActionComics'', like the mention of Superdoomsday, and Optiman's allies Red Racer and Flashlight.

* BaldWoman: Alexis Luthor of Earth-16 in ''The Just #1''.

*** Walküre of Earth-7 is a cross between ComicBook/WonderWoman and ComicBook/{{Angela|MarvelComics}} with a bit of [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Valkyrie]].

** The Thunderer of Earth-7 is based on Wundajin of Earth-8, making him one of ComicBook/TheMightyThor as well. The differences in design between his world and that of Earth-8, and how the heroes of both worlds shared similar or identical codenames, suggested he was an [[UltimateUniverse "Ultimate"]] version, which was confirmed in ''The Just #1''. Similar characters from Earth-7 include Crusader (ComicBook/{{Ultimate|Marvel}} ComicBook/CaptainAmerica), Doc Future ([[ComicBook/UltimateFantasticFour Ultimate Mr Fantastic]]) and Golem ([[ComicBook/UltimateFantasticFour Ultimate The Thing]]). Strangely there also appears to be ersatz of non-ComicBook/UltimateMarvel characters including Walküre (ComicBook/{{Angela|MarvelComics}} who is from the main Marvel Universe) and Devilfist (Creator/DarkHorse's ComicBook/{{Hellboy}}).

* AdaptationSpeciesChange: In pre-''ComicBook/InfiniteCrisis'' continuity both the Champions of Angor/Justifiers and the Extremists were HumanAliens from Angor: [[AllPlanetsAreEarthLike an earth-like planet]] that also had [[ContrivedCoincidence similar technology and pop-culture]]. In their re-imaginings as the heroes and villains of Earth-8 here they are normal humans from that universe’s version of Earth.

** Earth-34, Earth-35, and Earth-36 deserve special mention, in that each of them is loosely based on an already-ersatz-heavy universe (ComicBook/AstroCity, Creator/RobLiefeld’s Awesome Comics imprint, and Big Bang Comics, respectively). This means that, yes, they are populated by ersatz versions of characters who are ersatz versions of DC characters.

** In ''Mastermen #1'', Blitzen, the [[GenderFlip female]] [[ComicBook/TheFlash Flash]] of Earth-10, is briefly shown on one page to have blonde hair implying she’s an analogue of Barry Allen, but her costume seems to be based more on Jay Garrick.

* {{Golem}}: According to ''The Multiversity Guidebook #1'', the CaptainErsatz of [[ComicBook/FantasticFour The Thing]] from Earth-7 is named Golem; this is most likely a reference to the Thing’s Jewish background.
* GoodCopBadCop: In ''Mastermen #1'' the Human Bomb heals rapidly from a beating by [[Franchise/{{Batman}} Leatherwing]]. [[Franchise/{{Superman}} Overman]] offers him a chance to make it easy on himself and speak instead of getting a second beating.

** Another superhero is named American Crusader and whilst he does have elements resembling a Holy Crusader, he doesn’t have any design elements that say America. Contrast this with his Earth-7 counterpart Crusader, who lacks the American part of the former's name, but is near-identical to ComicBook/{{Ultimate|Marvel}} ComicBook/CaptainAmerica with the WearingAFlagOnYourHead slightly toned down.\\

** In ''Society of Super-Heroes: Conquerors from the Counter-World! #1'', we have several in the finales of various villains of Earth-40.

** Lady Shiva, upon losing her plane, prepares to fight the Blackhawks with her sword, her close combat skills things of legend. [[spoiler:Unluckily for her, the Blackhawks have handguns, and prove that bringing a sword may not have been the best idea.]]

* NeverBringAKnifeToAGunfight: In the end of ''Society of Super-Heroes: Conquerors from the Counter-World! #1'', ComicBook/LadyShiva is facing off against the Blackhawk Squadron, with them having pistols, and her having a SinisterScimitar. [[spoiler:They shoot her dead in a hail of gunfire while she is gloating about how she is going to kill them all.]]

* RealityEnsues: In ''Society of Super-Heroes: Conquerors from the Counter-World! #1'', we have several in the finales of various villains of Earth-40.
** Doc Faust uses his high grade of magical prowess to make his way through to fight Doc Fate, and prepares himself for a WizardDuel. [[spoiler:Unfortunately for him, that is ''all'' he brought to the table, whereas Doc Fate brought his magical prowess, underhanded tactics, and a gun. He manages to hold off the zombies that come at him with the gun, and summarily defeats Faustus with a GroinAttack.]]
** Lady Shiva, upon losing her plane, prepares to fight the Blackhawks with her sword, her close combat skills things of legend. [[spoiler:Unluckily for her, the Blackhawks have handguns, and prove that bringing a sword [[NeverBringAKnifeToAGunfight may not have been the best idea]].]]

* StuffedInTheFridge: Discussed in ''The Just #1'', where Kyle Rayner has a traumatic flashback of his girlfriend's death at the hands of Major Disaster (Major Force in the main DC Universe). The issue even begins with Sapphire Mason, a.k.a. Megamorpho, committing suicide.

** The ComicBook/{{Superman}} of the main universe has black hair; however, several of his alternate universe counterparts are blond (Hyperius of Earth-8, Savior of Earth-34 and Optiman of Earth-36), green-haired (Super-Martian of Earth-31), white-haired (Supremo of Earth-35) and strawberry blond (Cyclotron of Earth-39).

** Earth-31 was established in Countdown Arena'' to be the world of ''Comicbook/DarkKnightReturns''. It's now a world loosely based on the "Captain Leatherwing" pirate Elseworld, apparently due to a veto by Frank Miller.

[[folder:Biblography]]

* AdaptationExpansion: Creator/GrantMorrison is featuring an ongoing theme of presenting ComicBook/{{Batman}} counterparts on each Earth who were all inspired by something besides a bat, as a reference to [[http://imgur.com/a/MkRrg a short story by Martin Pasko]] from ''Batman'' #256. In the context of the multiverse, Scorpion (inspired by a scorpion) is on Earth-41, Stingray (inspired by a stingray) is on Earth-34, Owl (another Bruce Wayne inspired by an owl) is on Earth-35, Shooting Star (inspired by a shooting star) is on Earth-47, and Iron Knight (inspired by a suit of medieval armor to become a literal knight) is on Earth-36. Morrison seeks to pose the question of how far the character can be stretched before they're no longer Batman.

* ArcSymbol: Doors. Among other things, comicbook pages are called "doors" and turning a page is compared to opening a door.

* BeyondTheImpossible: Nix Uotan wants to solve a Rubix Cube in 17 moves, the impossibility of which will destroy the universe.

*** The corrupted Nix Uotan threatens to unleash his final attack after completing a rubik's cube in seventeen moves (something that's supposed to be impossible), much like how he regained his powers back in ''ComicBook/FinalCrisis''.

* InadequateInheritor: The major theme of ''The Just #1''. It's not even that the successor heroes are worse or weaker or less effective than the last generation (they frequently aren't, but that's besides the point), it's that the last generation was so good at heroics that they've left nothing for their apprentices and offspring to do.

** Earth-40 Flintstein is based on Rob liefeld's creation Badrock. Both names are shout-outs to ''WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones'' cartoon: B'''a'''drock is a reference to the show's city B'''e'''drock, while his counterpart Flint'''stein''' is closer to Flint'''stone''' ([[BilingualBonus "stein" is "stone" in German]]).

** The most distinguishing feature of Earth-8, based on Creator/MarvelComics, on the interactive map is that its heroes "fight with each other as much as they fight the bad guys". Notably, the Behemoth (its version of the Comicbook/IncredibleHulk) [[http://media.dcentertainment.com/sites/default/files/GalleryComics_1900x900_Multiversity_Earth8_53ee83ef114175.70376783.jpg transforms into a raging, giant, blue baby]] instead of a jade titan when aggravated.

[[caption-width-right:350:You think this is just a trope page, but it's ''bait''. You're bait for ''them.'' ''[[TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou You!]]''[[note]] From left to right: ComicBook/{{Superman}} of [[RaceLift Earth-23]], [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Mary Marvel]] of [[Creator/FawcettComics Earth-5]], ComicBook/GreenLantern of [[TwoFistedTales Earth-20]], and [[ComicBook/CaptainCarrotAndHisAmazingZooCrew Captain Carrot]].[[/note]]]]

[[caption-width-right:350:You think this is just a trope page, but it's ''bait''. You're bait for ''them.'' ''[[TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou You!]]''[[note]] From left to right: ComicBook/{{Superman}} of [[RaceLift Earth-23]], [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Mary Marvel]] of [[ComicBook/FawcettComics Earth-5]], ComicBook/GreenLantern of Earth-20, and [[ComicBook/CaptainCarrotAndHisAmazingZooCrew Captain Carrot]].[[/note]]]]

[[caption-width-right:350:You think this is just a trope page, but it's ''bait''. You're bait for ''them.'' ''[[TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou You!]]''[[note]] From left to right: ComicBook/{{Superman}} of [[RaceLift Earth-23]], [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Mary Marvel]] of [[ComicBook/FawcettComics Earth-5]], ComicBook/GreenLantern of Earth-20, and [[ComicBook/CaptainCarrotAndHisAmazingZooCrew Captain Carrot]].[[/note]]