Somewhere Across the Multiverse
While DC has its staple heroes in their everyday universe, they have taken the time to explore different reimagining's throughout the multiverse. Sometimes, it’s great seeing our favorite characters in a fresh light and exploring all the “what ifs”. To help you find the perfect reading list, here are the 20 coolest DC Elseworlds stories.
1. Superman: Red Son
Superman is undoubtedly America’s sweetheart – but what if he landed in Russia during the Cold War instead of the U.S.? In Mark Millar, Dave Johnson, and Kilian Plunkett’s 2003 book, that’s exactly what happens. Through the tale, a Soviet-supporting Superman has to go against an altered version of Batman and Wonder Woman to find his true place as a moral compass.
2. Absolute Batman
Absolute Batman is a very recent series that is currently ongoing. The first issue was released in October 2024 and is written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Nick Dragotta. This story imagines Bruce Wayne without the money and tech, showing how far he’ll go even as a regular man.
3. Kingdom Come
Kingdom Come was published in 1996 by Mark Waid and Alex Ross, and it showcases a future where superheroes have let their powers get to their heads. Noticing how reckless these new heroes are, the original trinity reemerges to restore order.
4. Superman: Last Son of Earth
In this 2000s story by Steve Gerber and Doug Wheatley, the roles of Clark Kent and Kal-El are reversed. Instead of Kal-El landing on Earth, this book follows a human boy named Clark Kent as he is rocketed to Krypton to escape a doomed Earth.
5. Batman: Gotham by Gaslight
If Batman truly is the world’s greatest detective, then reimagining him back in time to solve one of the most prolific mysteries only makes sense. In 1989, Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola explored a Victorian-era-inspired Batman as he fights Jack the Ripper in this old-school Gotham.
6. JLA: Earth 2
Written by Grant Morrison and sketched by Frank Quitely, JLA: Earth 2 was published in 2000 and follows the Justice League as they go against their evil doppelgängers. Turns out their versions from Earth 2 have chosen tyranny and crime instead.
7. Wonder Woman: The True Amazon
It’s good luck that Diana came to the world of man with humility and a heart of gold, albeit unrealistic. In this 2016 story, Jill Thompson explores a world where Diana is flawed, arrogant, and everything we would expect a headstrong princess to be.
8. Superman: Kal
In 1995, Dave Gibbons and Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez explored a medieval Camelot with Superman in it. The perfect blend of fantasy genres, this epic follows Superman as a knight!
9. Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham
Batman has put up with a lot in his time, and even the Elseworlds have placed him at odds – but what’s Bruce to do against a Lovecraftian horror? In 2001, Mike Mignola and Troy Nixey explore this very concept, pitching the Dark Knight against supernatural horror.
10. JLA: The Nail
Most fans would agree that Superman is the glue that keeps the team together – whether that be due to his indomitable strength or his moral compass-like attitude. But in JLA: The Nail, Alan Davis explores a world where the Kents never find Superman, leaving the Justice League and the world without a powerful leader.
11. Flashpoint
While not a traditional Elseworlds story, the Flashpoint Paradox has Barry Allen traveling through time to save his mother, only to realize that changing the past has completely altered the future. For instance, instead of Bruce Wayne’s parents passing in the alley, it turns out Bruce is the one to perish, leaving his father to become Batman and his mother to go crazy and become the Joker.
12. Green Lantern: Evil’s Might
Written by Howard Chaykin, David Tischman, and artist Marshall Rogers, this 2002 book explores the Green Lanterns pitched against the gangs and mobs in 19th-century New York.
13. Batman: In Darkest Knight
Speaking of Green Lanterns, imagine if Batman was one.
It makes perfect sense when you consider just how much willpower Bruce is packing. With that in mind, Mike W. Barr and Jerry Bingham explore this very concept in their 1994 story.
14. Superman & Wonder Woman: Whom Gods Destroy
With all the power between Diana and Clark, it’s not hard to imagine a world where both characters are elevated to mythological gods. In this altered world, both characters live in a society ruled by gods and must navigate the complexities of such a state.
15. Absolute Wonder Woman
The latest Absolute series is also exploring a new Wonder Woman, one who was raised in Hell rather than in Themyscira, by none other than Circe. This warrior still retains her heart and humility, but she has different weapons at her side and an aptitude for dark magic.
Sergey Galyonkin from Raleigh, USA on Wikimedia
16. I, Joker
Many writers have attempted a character study of the Joker, and one of the most interesting takes is undoubtedly Bob Hall’s 1998 work. In this story, Joker is a brainwashed servant living in a cyberpunk world where Batman is revered as a god.
17. Wonder Woman: Amazonia
Many writers love pitching heroes in Victorian England, and William Messner-Loebs and Phil Winslade explored a similar concept in their 1997 work. Diana finds herself facing off against the tyrannical King Jack in this dystopian steampunk society.
18. Batman & Dracula: Red Rain
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to notice the similarities between Dracula and Batman, so pitching the two against each other only seems natural. In this 1991 work, Doug Moench and Kelley Jones follow Batman as he fights to avoid becoming a vampire himself.
Cederic Vandenberghe on Unsplash
19. JLA: Act of God
Everyone has probably asked this question – but what if all the heroes suddenly lost their powers? Doug Moench and Dave Ross explore this concept in their 2000 work as heroes like Wonder Woman and Superman struggle to adapt. Batman, on the other hand, is probably doing just fine.
20. Absolute Superman
Another recent run that definitely deserves a look is Absolute Superman! In this story, Kal doesn’t leave Krypton until he’s much older, giving him the chance to grow up with his original parents. When he does get to Earth, he’s a bit jaded and sad, but still desperate to help whoever he can. Unfortunately, this Earth is a dystopia where Lois Lane is the one tasked with bringing him down.
