We depart once more for our favorite subjects here at DC M, that being Earths One and Two, to briefly visit two more intriguing worlds in parallel dimensions that were quickly wiped out by the Crisis on Infinite Earths before they would've had the opportunity to merge into the remaining universes. Some of their occupants do survive into the New Earth.Earth-Twelve was a unique world, blending some components of Earth-One with those of Earth-616 (otherwise known as the mainstream comics of Marvel Comics), sort of a precursor to the proposed "Earth-Crossover" where many of the DC-Marvel specials of the 1970 such as Superman-Spider-Man and Batman-Hulk appeared.
This variant world was initially a mere set-piece for the comical Inferior Five. However, their forebearers made up a golden age team known and Freedom Brigade. Included were the guy-girl duo, super-speedster, Amazonian, battling bowman, man of might, and fish out of water. Fairly typical fictional templates.
Decades after the effects of the Crisis had finally shimmered down to create today's DC products (which we prefer not to review here, in most instances), it was decided that they revisit the initial epic once more... inserting issue 4.5 into the series. And hence, we are introduced to Earth-D!
The Justice Alliance of America had the typical make-up of a Justice League imitator, including the guy-girl duo, super-speedster, Amazonian, battling bowman, man of might, and fish out of water. Of course each world had relatives to the legends, such Earth-D's Supergirl (wife of their Man of Steel), Robin, and the children of the Flash to name a few; and Earth-Twelve's Inferior Five of Dumb Bunny, Merryman, Ackwardman, Yellow Feather and the Blimp. Kinda strange how superstrong (and superclumsy) Ackwardman and Batman had the same fashion sense, ain't it?
While each were barely featured they capture the whimsy of the silver age comics missing from contemporary comics, both its humor and its innocent charm.
1 comment:
The Inferior Five and Plastic Man might have appealed to the adults who liked the Batman TV show (and other tongue-in-cheek action-adventure series, like Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Wild Wild West). But adults didn't read comics, and kids wanted their super-heroes played straight. Today, DC's house style is grimdark, and the comedy characters would be even more out of place now than they were then.
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