2005 was the 20th anniversary of the original Crisis on Infinite Earths, a book that I had never read but had heard an awful lot about growing up. It was a story that had shaped everything in the DC Universe that I grew up reading, whether I knew it or not. The concept of a multiverse of parallel earths that was ultimately collapsed into one (to put it as simply as I can) was mind blowing when I first heard about it, especially when one considers the team of creators and editors who crafted the story and who were at the top of their game when they did. It was a signature event for DC as a company, and to this day perhaps one of their most defining stories. It changed everything, long before it had become a cliche to advertise crossovers and events that would “change everything.”

At the conclusion of the original Crisis, there are four survivors of the DC multiverse who go off into a parallel universe to essentially live happily ever after. When DC creatives wanted to do a sequel/anniversary tribute to the original, it was decided that the premise would be the return of the four Crisis survivors, now of the belief that they had saved the wrong earth and needed to correct their mistake. A brilliant idea, to be sure, and arguably one that many fans would be tempted to agree with, given how dark many signature stories of the DCU had become- the death of Superman, Bane breaking Batman’s back, Hal Jordan becoming Parallax, the murder of Sue Dibny and Ted Kord, and Wonder Woman snapping Max Lord’s neck. Antiheroes and tragedy had become part of the fabric of DC’s stories, and a “Silver Age” perspective from the four survivors mixed into it made for some wonderful tension.

I didn’t realize it at the time- which goes to show how effective and far reaching the story was- but all four survivors of the original Crisis were Superman characters- Kal-L/Superman (Earth-2), Lois Lane (Earth-2), Alexander Luthor (Earth-3), and Superboy (Earth-Prime). As such, the groundwork for any future Crisis story was always going to involve the Man of Steel in heavy doses. While neither Infinite Crisis or its predecessor are really Superman stories, there are some phenomenal moments to enjoy as fans given the character’s central place in the DC Universe.

After the highly enjoyable buildup to a new Crisis over several years, when Infinite Crisis finally hit, I was over the moon. It was a universe-spanning story written by two young creators at the top of their games (and, in many ways, spiritual successors to the original creators), and a great examination of Superman’s, and his universe’s, importance. We got an absolutely amazing battle between the two Supermen of Earths 1 and 2, a celebration of the love story between Clark and Lois, and perhaps best of all, a phenomenal addition to Superman’s rogues gallery in the form of Superboy-Prime.

Let’s take a look at these three central points from the book:

Kal-El vs Kal-L

The beauty of this rivalry wasn’t so much Superman-level powers facing off but the conflict between the ideologies of the two characters. One Superman, coming from a time period that was seemingly more black and white, believed in more exertion of physical power to shape the universe in a way that he felt was right. Kal-L chastises Kal-El for allowing all the tragedies of this new earth to occur, claiming that it wasted the sacrifices of the other earths. Our Superman counters by saying he never had a right to interfere with the sovereignty of the beliefs of individuals or nations, and that the heroes of his earth had done the best they could. This tug of war ultimately culminates in a great battle following the death of Kal-L’s Lois.

In addition to awesome nods to much of Superman’s history, and an overlooked gem of a story from the Superman monthly books called “This Is Your Life, Superman,” Geoff Johns wraps up the duel of the Supermen in a perfect way. All the while Kal-L has been arguing that Earth-2 should return as it is the perfect earth, Kal-El responds with “It’s not a perfect world. Because a perfect world doesn’t need a Superman.”

Just pitch perfect writing amidst a fist fight with universal consequences. Superhero stories really don’t get much better.

Superman and Lois Lane

As a Superman fan, it’s really quite flattering that in a story of universal significance, the central relationship is that of Superman and Lois.

Throughout Infinite Crisis, it is stated many times that the love between these two characters is what the universe revolves around, certainly the case for the survivors of the first Crisis. It is Superman’s love for his wife that motivates him to recreate the perfect earth. It is Lois’ love that energizes and inspires him to do what he does, and, according to DC, everything across all multiverses begins with Superman. It is an incredible, foundational element to so many stories that involve the DCU, almost in a meta way stating the importance of Superman and Lois starting the genre in Action Comics 1.

On a side note, it’s really quite amazing that this is an element of the character that has stuck now for many years. Superman and Lois’ marriage is a given that has been part and parcel of any adaptation for nearly four decades (if you go all the way back to his identity reveal). Fans expect Clark and Lois to be together and are upset when something else becomes the status quo (see New 52 Superman). Unlike other reboots and experimentation, Superman as a married man fits so well that it is now central to the character, something I absolutely love.

It’s also heartwarming in this story to see Lois as a mother figure to the other characters as well. Superboy Prime left his own parents behind, and essentially was adopted by Superman and Lois, who try to fill that role for him (ultimately unsuccessfully- more on that below). Even Power Girl, part of a group of pet characters for Geoff Johns in the JSA, discovers her true origin as the Supergirl of Earth-2 when she touches Lois’ hand.

Although Lois isn’t in the story a whole lot, she is of central importance nonetheless, and one more way that the DCU revolves around Superman’s world.

Superboy-Prime

It can be hard with a character like Superman to come up with good new additions to his mythos. There is a lot of debate over how “difficult” of a character he is to write, but I tend to believe that a good writer who respects the character can do it well. Geoff Johns is just such a writer.

A seemingly throwaway character from a parallel universe story from the 80s, the Superboy of Earth-Prime was chosen by Johns to be the ultimate baddy for the finale of Infinite Crisis, and it worked. There have been all kinds of annoying stories about an unhinged, evil Superman wrecking people and taking over the universe, but what about an even more powerful counterpart from a parallel world? To take it one step further, what if said counterpart was not dangerous because of mind-control, but because of pain, loss, and immaturity? Fans since have said that Superboy-Prime was meant to be an insert by Johns of annoying fanboys, and maybe there’s some truth to that, but either way, he made for a phenomenal baddie.

When the dust had settled, a legitimate new addition to Superman’s rogues gallery had emerged, and made for some great tension and drama. Masterfully done by Johns.

At the end of the day, Infinite Crisis deserves to be mentioned with the other epics in Superman’s history. It may not have entirely been a “Superman story,” per se, as it did involve the entire DCU, but Superman was at the center of all of it, and there was plenty in here for his fans. There were high stakes galore and great character moments, wonderful crossover issues in the Superman books and a thoroughly enjoyable ride.

Nearly two decades on, it still holds up as a story, and its ramifications are still far reaching. A great read.