What changes would you make to the dc universe?

[Factor]

I’d lean on the Omniverse to create a new line of comics set in other Earths, keeping the Metaverse explanation that every continuity reboot preserved the previous version of the Metaverse and its surrounding universes in its own alternate Multiverse. So the Omniverse is composed of 5 Multiverses and each Multiverse is centered around a former Metaverse Earth:

GOLDEN EARTH is the OG Golden Age DCU, the Earth where the Trinity debuted in the 30s, the JSA fought in WWII and so on. The first Earth of the Omniverse and one that is allowed to change according to historical events.

EARTH ICON: Pre-Crisis Earth. The one with the more “iconic” version of DC heroes, ala Waid’s World’s Finests. An Earth where the Satellite League reassembled after the Crisis with some important new additions like Vixen. This Earth is the center of a vast Multiverse and often crosses over with their own Earth-2, Earth-S, Earth-X and so on.

LEGACY EARTH: Post-Crisis Earth. A world alone in its Multiverse with a vast and rich history. A place where legacy is allowed to thrive, even if that comes accompanied with the death of legends. The story would pick up years after Flashpoint, when the original JSAers are dead and the older Leaguers are about to retire or move on to new roles (like Diana being queen of Themiscyra). The Titans have established themselves as the world’s premier superteam and the former YJ are ready to continue the legacy of Justice.

EARTH EDGE: Center of the multiverse of 52 Earths. A New 52 Earth where heroes debuted less than a decade ago and things can take unexpected turns. An Earth designed for experimentation and for fresh takes on DC’s icons.

EARTH ZERO: The current Metaverse. Not an Earth where “everything happened” but one taking important elements from all previous iterations, using pre-Flashpoint as a starting point. Every hero would get an official comprehensive timeline saying what were the major moments in their history.
In this Earth, the JSA debuted less than 40 years ago to stop Per Degaton from inciting WWIII. After 15 years as active heroes, they would become no more than urban legends thanks to the Secret Society’s manipulation of Johnny Thunder.
The JSA would “reawaken” with the coming of Superman and the debut of the Justice League around 15 years ago. Their kids would be the same age as the Titans (early to mid 20s).
Wonder Woman would be the same age as her peers (around 35).
If Jon is around, he would still be a kid and without the convoluted origin and 5 years of trauma on Earth-3.
LOSH would be essentially the Levitz version, with some additions of new characters from later versions like Quantum.

- Golden Earth’s book would tell the history of that universe, starting with Superman’s debut but with new angles.
- Earth Icon’s book would be like JMS’s Brave & the Bold or Waid’s World’s Finest. A book full of team-ups and world building where characters would come and go, but there would be a strong connective tissue between issues.
- Legacy Earth’s book would be Justice Legacy, a book about the former YJ finally graduating as the main heroes of their Earth.
- Earth Edge’s book would be Superman & Wonder-Woman. The biggest concept from the New 52 that can never be properly explored for long in the main DCU.
- Earth Zero Barry Allen would get his own book again: Flash Infinity, where he’d be patrolling the Omniverse alongside New 52 Vibe. The book would connect the main universe to this new “Multiversity” line.

Those would be the 5 initial launches, but the idea would be to build up the importance of the larger Omniverse.

[Vakanai]

First, I would slowly create a sort of "Ultimate Marvel" DC line to co-exist with the current line/universe. We'll start it off with some one shots and minis, maybe a few OGNs, to handle origin stories and such. Think Earth One, but minus the whole waiting for years for a new book thing. Then we start with a few titles, say New Batman, New Superman, New Wonder Woman in the first year of publication. Every year a few more books come on line. Everything is early career stuff. Year three of the universe we introduce a Justice League mini, and do a JL special every year after that, but no ongoing JL book until, well, read on...

There'll be rules for the new line. First no deaths of heroes/villains, ever, because that's stupid. You either take away someone's favorite characters forever with that approach, or you make death a revolving door. So no killing off named characters. No dead Alfreds. Second, no Crisis events, period. PERIOD! Third, keep families and legacies small. No way in hell should Batman have FOUR Robins/former-Robins, never mind three Batgirls/former-Batgirls. Lets say that every main/big superhero gets four superhero relatives in their families tops, and that's it. So Batman could have Nightwing, Oracle, Robin, and Batgirl and that's it. Or Red Hood, Red Robin, Batwoman, and Signal. Or Bluebird, Clownhunter, Spoiler, and Orphan. You get the point, four of those can exist in the new universe. Add to that one pet only - Ace the Bathound or Batcow for example. And every character can support no more than 3 ongoings, while their family members only get a book apiece, not counting team books. Also, the characters in this universe and the other ongoing universe can never cross over/meet.

Again, that new universe is slowly being built up year by year book by book while the main/current/old universe is ongoing. Kind of like 616/Ultimate, only with the old books slowly winding down. This is the plan - let it be known that the old universe will be retired, but have a plan. No epic Crisis event! Instead create a 10 year plan and have the best writers pitch stories that will end each character's run over time. Instead of an event and deaths galore, have DC Classic come to a natural, satisfying conclusion by giving the heroes happy endings. Batman finally makes serious headway in Gotham, the corruption in the GCPD is dealt with, Arkham becomes more than a revolving door - it actually gets good security and starts truly rehabilitating the crazies! Batman marries Catwoman, and wonder of wonders he actually wins his war on crime in Gotham City! Gotham no longer needs a Batman, so he retires! Something similar goes down for Nightwing/Red Hood/Robin/et al. Now take that general idea and apply it to every other hero and family. Over a ten year period they all get, more or less, happy endings, and DC Classic ends because there's just not enough trouble or problems left to shake things up. These characters are happy, and they're just no longer needed to put on the capes and tights.

So that's it, slowly build up New DC and slowly wrap up DC Classic over a decade. As books in one universe winds down and ends, books in the new spin up. And the last title to end happily in DC Classic is Justice League, and that's when New DC can start doing JL as an ongoing instead of a big yearly special. A new universe is made without rebooting the old, nobody is pissed over what happened to their favorite characters because they all got happy endings in the Classic Universe, and the new one was built up over time with an actual plan, has many characters in it but not the glut of family/legacy characters that are so many most go long stretches without appearing in a title. Okay, so not every fan will be happy, but I think this is the best plan considering, and it's what I'd do.

[KC]

I would adopt an "everything happened" approach.

No killing off characters /retconning characters out of existence. A writer would have to have a really good reason to kill a character. And especially a character couldn't be killed/retconned out of existence because a writer/editor doesn't like the character, they were dead/not created yet when the writer/editor started reading comics, or the writer/editor wants to "simplify" the mythos. None of these reasons are good enough for me.

No Crisis events. I think they are boring.

The multiverse would be infinite.

[phonogram12]

Nothing. I would make absolutely no changes what so ever because they're just likely to get undone in two years time, anyway.

[Restingvoice]

Earth-0

First superhero - Superboy of Smallville - Age 13 to 19

Second generation superheroes - Jay Garrick, Alan Scott, Giovanni Zatara, Johnny Thunder - Basically the golden age heroes - Age 25+

Third generation superheroes - Superman, Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Arrow, Speedy, Barry Allen, Hal Jordan, Carol Ferris - Basically the Silver Age heroes - Age 18+ for the adults

The sidekicks can start from age 8, they just have limited role, as a helper, mission control, maintenance, trainee, spy, scout and so on. There will time where they're in the field but they're mainly hidden. Of course, this doesn't mean they're gonna obey all the time. They're teens after all.

I will only diverge to different earths when it's necessary. So far it is not.

Earth-1 = Earth-One
Earth-2 = New 52 Earth-2
Earth-3 = Crime Syndicate

[Kirk Brent]

I’d lean on the Omniverse to create a new line of comics set in other Earths, keeping the Metaverse explanation that every continuity reboot preserved the previous version of the Metaverse and its surrounding universes in its own alternate Multiverse. So the Omniverse is composed of 5 Multiverses and each Multiverse is centered around a former Metaverse Earth:

GOLDEN EARTH is the OG Golden Age DCU, the Earth where the Trinity debuted in the 30s, the JSA fought in WWII and so on. The first Earth of the Omniverse and one that is allowed to change according to historical events.

EARTH ICON: Pre-Crisis Earth. The one with the more “iconic” version of DC heroes, ala Waid’s World’s Finests. An Earth where the Satellite League reassembled after the Crisis with some important new additions like Vixen. This Earth is the center of a vast Multiverse and often crosses over with their own Earth-2, Earth-S, Earth-X and so on.

LEGACY EARTH: Post-Crisis Earth. A world alone in its Multiverse with a vast and rich history. A place where legacy is allowed to thrive, even if that comes accompanied with the death of legends. The story would pick up years after Flashpoint, when the original JSAers are dead and the older Leaguers are about to retire or move on to new roles (like Diana being queen of Themiscyra). The Titans have established themselves as the world’s premier superteam and the former YJ are ready to continue the legacy of Justice.

EARTH EDGE: Center of the multiverse of 52 Earths. A New 52 Earth where heroes debuted less than a decade ago and things can take unexpected turns. An Earth designed for experimentation and for fresh takes on DC’s icons.

EARTH ZERO: The current Metaverse. Not an Earth where “everything happened” but one taking important elements from all previous iterations, using pre-Flashpoint as a starting point. Every hero would get an official comprehensive timeline saying what were the major moments in their history.
In this Earth, the JSA debuted less than 40 years ago to stop Per Degaton from inciting WWIII. After 15 years as active heroes, they would become no more than urban legends thanks to the Secret Society’s manipulation of Johnny Thunder.
The JSA would “reawaken” with the coming of Superman and the debut of the Justice League around 15 years ago. Their kids would be the same age as the Titans (early to mid 20s).
Wonder Woman would be the same age as her peers (around 35).
If Jon is around, he would still be a kid and without the convoluted origin and 5 years of trauma on Earth-3.
LOSH would be essentially the Levitz version, with some additions of new characters from later versions like Quantum.

- Golden Earth’s book would tell the history of that universe, starting with Superman’s debut but with new angles.
- Earth Icon’s book would be like JMS’s Brave & the Bold or Waid’s World’s Finest. A book full of team-ups and world building where characters would come and go, but there would be a strong connective tissue between issues.
- Legacy Earth’s book would be Justice Legacy, a book about the former YJ finally graduating as the main heroes of their Earth.
- Earth Edge’s book would be Superman & Wonder-Woman. The biggest concept from the New 52 that can never be properly explored for long in the main DCU.
- Earth Zero Barry Allen would get his own book again: Flash Infinity, where he’d be patrolling the Omniverse alongside New 52 Vibe. The book would connect the main universe to this new “Multiversity” line.

Those would be the 5 initial launches, but the idea would be to build up the importance of the larger Omniverse.

I love a lot of this! We're on the same page in many ways.

First, I would slowly create a sort of "Ultimate Marvel" DC line to co-exist with the current line/universe. We'll start it off with some one shots and minis, maybe a few OGNs, to handle origin stories and such. Think Earth One, but minus the whole waiting for years for a new book thing. Then we start with a few titles, say New Batman, New Superman, New Wonder Woman in the first year of publication. Every year a few more books come on line. Everything is early career stuff. Year three of the universe we introduce a Justice League mini, and do a JL special every year after that, but no ongoing JL book until, well, read on...

There'll be rules for the new line. First no deaths of heroes/villains, ever, because that's stupid. You either take away someone's favorite characters forever with that approach, or you make death a revolving door. So no killing off named characters. No dead Alfreds. Second, no Crisis events, period. PERIOD! Third, keep families and legacies small. No way in hell should Batman have FOUR Robins/former-Robins, never mind three Batgirls/former-Batgirls. Lets say that every main/big superhero gets four superhero relatives in their families tops, and that's it. So Batman could have Nightwing, Oracle, Robin, and Batgirl and that's it. Or Red Hood, Red Robin, Batwoman, and Signal. Or Bluebird, Clownhunter, Spoiler, and Orphan. You get the point, four of those can exist in the new universe. Add to that one pet only - Ace the Bathound or Batcow for example. And every character can support no more than 3 ongoings, while their family members only get a book apiece, not counting team books. Also, the characters in this universe and the other ongoing universe can never cross over/meet.

Again, that new universe is slowly being built up year by year book by book while the main/current/old universe is ongoing. Kind of like 616/Ultimate, only with the old books slowly winding down. This is the plan - let it be known that the old universe will be retired, but have a plan. No epic Crisis event! Instead create a 10 year plan and have the best writers pitch stories that will end each character's run over time. Instead of an event and deaths galore, have DC Classic come to a natural, satisfying conclusion by giving the heroes happy endings. Batman finally makes serious headway in Gotham, the corruption in the GCPD is dealt with, Arkham becomes more than a revolving door - it actually gets good security and starts truly rehabilitating the crazies! Batman marries Catwoman, and wonder of wonders he actually wins his war on crime in Gotham City! Gotham no longer needs a Batman, so he retires! Something similar goes down for Nightwing/Red Hood/Robin/et al. Now take that general idea and apply it to every other hero and family. Over a ten year period they all get, more or less, happy endings, and DC Classic ends because there's just not enough trouble or problems left to shake things up. These characters are happy, and they're just no longer needed to put on the capes and tights.

So that's it, slowly build up New DC and slowly wrap up DC Classic over a decade. As books in one universe winds down and ends, books in the new spin up. And the last title to end happily in DC Classic is Justice League, and that's when New DC can start doing JL as an ongoing instead of a big yearly special. A new universe is made without rebooting the old, nobody is pissed over what happened to their favorite characters because they all got happy endings in the Classic Universe, and the new one was built up over time with an actual plan, has many characters in it but not the glut of family/legacy characters that are so many most go long stretches without appearing in a title. Okay, so not every fan will be happy, but I think this is the best plan considering, and it's what I'd do.

Interesting ideas here. Would there ever be an option for one-shots or limited series to check in on the DC Classics from time to time?

The multiverse would be infinite.

This is the key, and I don't think establishing an Omniverse was necessary. Just establish that the Multiverse is infinite and move forward.

Earth-0

First superhero - Superboy of Smallville - Age 13 to 19

Second generation superheroes - Jay Garrick, Alan Scott, Giovanni Zatara, Johnny Thunder - Basically the golden age heroes - Age 25+

Third generation superheroes - Superman, Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Arrow, Speedy, Barry Allen, Hal Jordan, Carol Ferris - Basically the Silver Age heroes - Age 18+ for the adults

The sidekicks can start from age 8, they just have limited role, as a helper, mission control, maintenance, trainee, spy, scout and so on. There will time where they're in the field but they're mainly hidden. Of course, this doesn't mean they're gonna obey all the time. They're teens after all.

I will only diverge to different earths when it's necessary. So far it is not.

Earth-1 = Earth-One
Earth-2 = New 52 Earth-2
Earth-3 = Crime Syndicate

Intriguing. Would Superboy be older than the second and third generation heroes or would he inspire the second generation heroes?

[Restingvoice]

Intriguing. Would Superboy be older than the second and third generation heroes or would he inspire the second generation heroes?

Inspire. I haven't determined the age difference, but he's younger than the second. Like for example, he showed up and became public figure at 13 while Jay and Joan were in college or something.
Clark 13 Jay 21
Clark 25 Jay 33

Let's say Jay and the others formed JSA when they're 22-25

Clark and Bruce debuted at 25, met each other at 26, and joined JSA as honorary member at 27 while the Jay and the others are 35+ and Dick was 12

They remain honorary member since they also formed their own group JLA, in the same year or one year later. Their main commitment is in JLA, but they can switch team.

Something like that. I haven't thought further than this.

I can lengthen the time of Clark's teenage years to World War II and enlarge the age gap to make the JSA older using his Kryptonian slow aging, but that means The Kents are really young when they adopted him. As young as Jay. Maybe a year or two older and they got married young because it was a different time and war is coming.

Wait, no... that wouldn't work for Lana and Pete. Luthor was older in Byrne's run so it can work for him, but people would still notice the Kent boy not growing. Nevermind.

[Vakanai]

Interesting ideas here. Would there ever be an option for one-shots or limited series to check in on the DC Classics from time to time?

Of course there'd be one shots specials and minis! Anyone who doesn't play on nostalgia from time to time is just leaving money on the table. I can't believe that DC/WB has/had been so foolish as to not create specials set in pre-Crisis or pre-Flashpoint. Makes sense to at least make a yearly special set in the old continuity for at least the first decade after retiring a continuity. Keeps fans happy and excited, let's writer explore ideas only possible in the previous continuity and nets the company more money.

Of course with my idea of giving most of the main heroes success stories and happy endings, I predict most such specials would focus on legacy characters instead, but I suspect that would largely appeal to the people interested in that sort of thing anyway.

[marhawkman]

My first thought is making an official list of universes, and publish a guidebook showing which comics take place in each. Then going forward use that as part of the cover art on comics.

[thefinalguy]

Similar to many of the ideas in this thread just an emphasis on the multiverse and creating different Earths based around prior continuities, outside media (like Batman '89 or Superman '77), and of course original stories.

Big push towards writers being able to have creative freedom. Different Earths open the door for more storytelling and breathing room.

Books can also be set in the past, in the main universe just at a different time, allowing the ability to flesh a story or character out without having to turn to an entirely different Earth.

Our main Earth wouldn't be everything that happened but important events that are necessary for the universe to function where it's at. Stories set in the past allow iffy points in continuity to be explained.

Each book would have a marker of what Earth is on so readers are aware of what is main and what is out of continuity. Markers for minis and ongoing would also be a thing.

Clear visions for characters, maybe take seasonal approaches to stories, especially for mainline books. 12-month spans of a cohesive story and character direction to keep things cohesive and well-written. Of course, seasons can be longer or shorter depending. Breaks can be encouraged as manga writers do from time to time. Allow the writers to rejuvenate.

I wouldn't mind team books alternating artists in the same issue. It just needs to be good. Not sure if comic artists are hard to find but some of them gotta go. More structured stories and better art.

Like the poster ahead of it a guidebook would be created, maybe something readers can access online.

DC Universe Infinite would get a structural change. Easier to track books by characters, storyline, or team. Users can create reading lists etc. Very community-based. Multi/Omniverse map would be on there.

I don't think you can buy books there but I feel like print books, trades, and graphic novels should come with a digital code. Maybe up the price a bit (although I'm not for that personally).

Exclusive digital books only, some can be printed as trades later. To some extent, that's there but I feel like with less restraint for release dates would get better long-form stories. Also, allow characters who wouldn't get stories otherwise. Different samples can be published, if readers like it more can be published down the line. Similar to the Round Robin but I do think digital allows more freedom in what gets told.

Most importantly no major Crisis events for 15 years at the very least. Since we're pushing various stories in various canons there's no need to try and take over the main universe. Characters successful in different continuities can crossover and be reinvented to fit, but having their own sanctioned universe allows some creativity as I said before.

[Falcon16]

Make everything like the DCAU. Next topic?

[Stanlos]

Make everything like the DCAU. Next topic?

Which one is that? The Dini/Timm/McDuffie awesomeness? Or the 52 based stuff?

[SiegePerilous02]

I’d lean on the Omniverse to create a new line of comics set in other Earths, keeping the Metaverse explanation that every continuity reboot preserved the previous version of the Metaverse and its surrounding universes in its own alternate Multiverse. So the Omniverse is composed of 5 Multiverses and each Multiverse is centered around a former Metaverse Earth:

GOLDEN EARTH is the OG Golden Age DCU, the Earth where the Trinity debuted in the 30s, the JSA fought in WWII and so on. The first Earth of the Omniverse and one that is allowed to change according to historical events.

EARTH ICON: Pre-Crisis Earth. The one with the more “iconic” version of DC heroes, ala Waid’s World’s Finests. An Earth where the Satellite League reassembled after the Crisis with some important new additions like Vixen. This Earth is the center of a vast Multiverse and often crosses over with their own Earth-2, Earth-S, Earth-X and so on.

LEGACY EARTH: Post-Crisis Earth. A world alone in its Multiverse with a vast and rich history. A place where legacy is allowed to thrive, even if that comes accompanied with the death of legends. The story would pick up years after Flashpoint, when the original JSAers are dead and the older Leaguers are about to retire or move on to new roles (like Diana being queen of Themiscyra). The Titans have established themselves as the world’s premier superteam and the former YJ are ready to continue the legacy of Justice.

EARTH EDGE: Center of the multiverse of 52 Earths. A New 52 Earth where heroes debuted less than a decade ago and things can take unexpected turns. An Earth designed for experimentation and for fresh takes on DC’s icons.

EARTH ZERO: The current Metaverse. Not an Earth where “everything happened” but one taking important elements from all previous iterations, using pre-Flashpoint as a starting point. Every hero would get an official comprehensive timeline saying what were the major moments in their history.
In this Earth, the JSA debuted less than 40 years ago to stop Per Degaton from inciting WWIII. After 15 years as active heroes, they would become no more than urban legends thanks to the Secret Society’s manipulation of Johnny Thunder.
The JSA would “reawaken” with the coming of Superman and the debut of the Justice League around 15 years ago. Their kids would be the same age as the Titans (early to mid 20s).
Wonder Woman would be the same age as her peers (around 35).
If Jon is around, he would still be a kid and without the convoluted origin and 5 years of trauma on Earth-3.
LOSH would be essentially the Levitz version, with some additions of new characters from later versions like Quantum.

- Golden Earth’s book would tell the history of that universe, starting with Superman’s debut but with new angles.
- Earth Icon’s book would be like JMS’s Brave & the Bold or Waid’s World’s Finest. A book full of team-ups and world building where characters would come and go, but there would be a strong connective tissue between issues.
- Legacy Earth’s book would be Justice Legacy, a book about the former YJ finally graduating as the main heroes of their Earth.
- Earth Edge’s book would be Superman & Wonder-Woman. The biggest concept from the New 52 that can never be properly explored for long in the main DCU.
- Earth Zero Barry Allen would get his own book again: Flash Infinity, where he’d be patrolling the Omniverse alongside New 52 Vibe. The book would connect the main universe to this new “Multiversity” line.

Those would be the 5 initial launches, but the idea would be to build up the importance of the larger Omniverse.

I love all of this.

Make everything like the DCAU. Next topic?

The Batman stuff? Yes for the most part (everything except Bruce/Barbara).

Everything else? Hard pass.

"But wait! Nobody cares about new characters with new mantles!"
I don't think that is true. Rather, I believe DC has not been able to make them work well due to weak ideas, poor planning, lack of long term investing, and general failure at growing its audience.

It's hard to make new characters work in the current market because comics are just not a mainstream form of entertainment anymore. Even the iconic characters aren't as "healthy" as they otherwise could be.

I think if new diverse characters with new mantles were created in other media and were well done, they'd take off pretty quick and may achieve iconic status. In the mainstream comics, it's considerably harder. So we get legacy mantles, with pluses and minuses to that.

[Vakanai]

Which one is that? The Dini/Timm/McDuffie awesomeness? Or the 52 based stuff?

The New 52 DCAMU wasn't all bad - their Batman costume was probably the best he's ever been dressed. And, uh...that's all I got.
Superman also got an amazing rendition of his Rebirth costume, but I can't really count that since we only had it for all of five minutes...

[Filbert]

Re. Multiverse: Restore to original use--any story that doesn't fit with current continuity is an alternate universe. No crises, no crossovers, no nonsense.
Our main universe is inspired by Superman & Batman Generations, the Wold Newton Universe, and 5G, the event that never happened, and my own nonsense; Superboy and pulp heroes in the thirties, lead to JSA in the forties, JLA in the sixties, etc. Characters age in real time, with limited exceptions (a good, consistent rule for when applied is still needed. Then there are characters with extended lifespans) so we're a few generations in.
This is a semi-shared universe, like Dwayne MacDuffie suggested https://web.archive.org/web/20120129...ives/BTYB3.php
It's a smaller world, fewer Superheroes and more scientifically defensible. No weird 'forces' or cosmic thingies.
We cut back down to 10 or fewer anthology titles, with a variety of genres. Solo titles must be earned. There's one superhero team, featuring B-listers (not quite popular enough for their own titles, like the original rules for the JSA).
Good points about online reading. Simple, flat-rate reading site. Maybe paid and unpaid tiers.