DC Comics has produced many crossover stories combining characters from different series of comics. Some of these are set in the fictional DC Universe, or any number of settings within the DC Multiverse.
Publication history Pre-Crisis Event Date Developments"Wonder Woman's Invisible Twin" 1953 In Wonder Woman #59, the Golden Age Wonder Woman meets her counterpart in a parallel world, later designated Earth-59, introducing the concept of the DC Multiverse. Diana's counterpart is Princess Tara Terruna, which translates into the titular "Wonder Woman" of her world. Together, they defeat the evil Duke Dazam. Tara refers to Diana and herself as "reflections in a mirror," leading Diana to conclude: "Earth must have a twin world, existing simultaneously alongside it! But developing differently! And everyone on it is a double of everyone on Earth! The electrical storm somehow hurled me from my world into yours!" The accompanying artwork by H. G. Peter depicting the famous "twin Earths" imagery that would later be associated with DC's concept of the Multiverse.Wonder Woman #59, vol. 1, May 1953
The story is credited to Robert Kanigher who used the pseudonym of "Charles Moulton" as an in-house author name following the death of William Moulton Marston, the original author of Wonder Woman. H. G. Peter, the original artist for Wonder Woman, is credited with this story's artwork but had a team of assistants aiding him in his final years on the magazine, most of whom remain unknown.Wonder Woman #59, vol. 1, May 1953(Shoyer, 2020 in https://www.cbr.com/wonder-woman-invisible-twin-multiverse/"Flash of Two Worlds" 1961 The Silver Age Flash (Barry Allen) meets his Golden Age hero Jay Garrick. Previously believed to be the story that introduced the concept of the DC Multiverse, but it nevertheless started the almost annual crossover between Earth-One characters and Earth-Two characters. The Flash #129 is a sequel to this story, some references are made to the Justice Society of America."Vengeance of the Immortal Villain!"1963Properly re-introduces the Justice Society of America."Crisis on Earth-One!" and "Crisis on Earth-Two!" 1963 The Silver Age Justice League of America meet the Golden Age Justice Society of America, beginning an annual team-up tradition between the two teams and starting a legacy of DC Crisis events. "Crisis on Earth-Three"1964Introduces the Crime Syndicate of America of Earth-Three.JLA: Zatanna's Search 1964 Zatanna attempts to reconnect with her father, Zatara, and seeks the aid of Hawkman, Batman, Robin, the Atom, Green Lantern and the Elongated Man along the way.Green Lantern #40: "Secret Origin of the Guardians!" 1965 Silver Age Green Lantern teams up with his Golden Age predecessor; and Krona, who created the DC Multiverse, appears for the first time.Green Lantern/Green Arrow: Snowbirds Don't Fly 1971 Oliver Queen and Hal Jordan must deal with the shocking revelation that the former's ward, Roy Harper has become a drug addict and do what they must to help him.Showcase #100 1978 In issue #100 of the Showcase comics, "There Shall Come a Gathering", many of the heroes who previously appeared in the comic's original run must stop an alien from towing Earth out of its orbit. Some of those who appear include the Challengers of the Unknown, Lois Lane, the Teen Titans, Rip Hunter, the Spectre, the Metal Men and the Inferior Five, along with cameos by others.Crisis on Earth Prime 1982 Per Degaton threatens Earth Prime, so the Justice League of America, the Justice Society of America, and the All-Star Squadron must team up to stop the threat."Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" 1986 In the final adventure of Superman before Crisis on Infinite Earths, the Man of Steel must face his most dangerous foes one last time.Crisis on Infinite Earths 1985-1986 The Anti-Monitor tries to destroy the DC Multiverse, but only succeeds in merging it into a single universe; numerous characters die, including Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) and the Flash (Barry Allen). Series to spin out of event: The Man of Steel (#1-6) The Green Lantern Corps (#206-224)
Post-Crisis Event Date DevelopmentsLegends 1986 Darkseid and his servant Glorious Godfrey attempt to ruin humanity's faith in superheroes. First post-Crisis appearance of Captain Marvel in normal continuity and the forming of a new Justice League roster. JLA: Incarnations #5; Legends of the DC Universe 3-D Gallery #1; Justice League #1; Suicide Squad #1 Series to spin out of event: Suicide Squad (#1-66) Justice League (#1-6) Justice League International (#7-25) Justice League America (#26-113)Millennium 1988 After the Guardians and Zamarons exile themselves from this dimension, one of each remains and seeks out 12 Chosen to become the New Guardians. The robotic Manhunters aim to prevent this and several supporting characters are revealed to be Manhunters. Series to spin out of event: Manhunter, vol. 1 (#1-24) The New Guardians (#1-12)Invasion! 1988 The Dominators have put together an alliance to invade Earth and eliminate the threat posed by metahumans. Series to spin out of event: L.E.G.I.O.N. (#1-70)Cosmic Odyssey 1988-1989 Darkseid strives to gain the Anti-Life Equation. Series to spin out of event: New Gods (#1-28)Suicide Squad: The Janus Directive 1989 Suicide Squad leader Amanda Waller sends her agents on missions in the apparent pursuit of her own private agenda, the so-called "Janus Directive".Batman: A Lonely Place of Dying 1989 Following the tragic events of A Death in the Family, Batman begins making reckless decisions. Dick Grayson and another must work to bring Batman back from the edge.Armageddon 2001 1991 Monarch threatens to destroy the future and Earth's superheroes must stop him. Limited series with crossovers in the 1991 DC Annuals.War of the Gods 1991 Wonder Woman and the Amazons are caught in the middle of a war between the ancient Roman gods and the Olympian gods. Meanwhile, Circe frames Themyscira for crimes that leads to a war between America and Wonder Woman's home.Justice League: Breakdowns 1991-1992 A 16-issue crossover between Justice League America #53-60 and Justice League Europe #29-36, changing the tone of both series from a humorous one to a more serious one. Green Lantern (vol. 3) #18Eclipso: The Darkness Within 1992 Earth's superheroes fight Eclipso and his pawn Lar Gand. Limited series with crossovers in the 1992 DC Annuals. Eclipso (#1-18)Superman: Panic in the Sky 1992 Brainiac returns to invade Earth with his ultimate weapon, Warworld, a planet-sized satellite built for destruction. With the help of super-powered friends like Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Lantern and many more, Superman must lead the attack on Brainiac and protect Earth!The Death of Superman 1992 Superman engages in battle with a seemingly unstoppable killing machine named Doomsday in the streets of Metropolis. At the fight's conclusion, both combatants apparently die from their wounds. The crossover depicted the world's reaction to Superman's death in Funeral for a Friend, then the emergence of four individuals believed to be the "new" Superman and the eventual return of the original Superman in Reign of the Supermen!.Trinity 1993 The Green Lantern Corps, the L.E.G.I.O.N., and the Darkstars go up against the beings called "the Triarch".Batman: Knightfall 1993 Bruce Wayne (Batman) suffers burnout and is systematically assaulted and crippled by a Venom-enhanced villain named Bane. Wayne is replaced as Batman by an apprentice named Jean-Paul Valley, who becomes increasingly violent and unstable, tarnishing Batman's reputation. Eventually, Wayne is healed through paranormal means and reclaims his role as Batman. Prodigal (1994): In the aftermath of Knightfall, Batman hands over the cowl to Dick Grayson.Bloodlines 1993 The DC superheroes go up against alien parasites; new superheroes are created from some of their victims. Limited series with crossovers in the 1993 DC Annuals.End of an Era 1994 High above New Earth, the teenage Legionnaires from Batch SW6 prevent the Time Trapper from destroying the domed cities. They are shocked to learn that the Trapper is a future version of Cosmic Boy. Superman: Fall of Metropolis (AKA Worlds Collide) 1994 With the Man of Steel out of commission due to injuries, LexCorp and Project Cadmus' conflict spills over into the city streets. If Superman does not recover in time, this may spell doom for Metropolis. Crossover of 14 comics spanning Superman: The Man of Steel, Hardware, Superboy (vol. 4), Icon, Steel (vol. 2), Blood Syndicate, and Static.Zero Hour: Crisis in Time! 1994 Extant and Parallax attempt to recreate the Multiverse; a new timeline emerges. Crossover involving 45 issues/titles across the DC Universe, followed up in October by Zero Month (31 titles) which kicks off the new timeline.The Way of the Warrior 1995 The Tormock alien race invades Earth and Guy Gardner, Hawkman, Justice League America, Lobo and former Green Lantern Probert battle to save the world.Underworld Unleashed 1995 Neron, a demon-lord from Hell, offers the DC universe villains "upgrades" in exchange for their souls.Batman: Troika1995A 4-comic Batman crossover in February 1995: Batman #515, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #35, Detective Comics #682 and Robin (vol. 2) #14The Death of Clark Kent1995An 8-comic Superman titles crossover starting in May 1995: Superman (vol. 2) #100-101, The Adventures of Superman #522-523, Action Comics #710-711, and Superman: The Man of Steel #45-46The Trial of Superman1995A 12-comic Superman titles crossover starting in November 1995: Superman: The Man of Steel #50-52, Superman (vol. 2) #106-108, The Adventures of Superman #529-531, Action Comics #716-717, and Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #3The Flash: Dead Heat 1995 A new villain comes to town. His knowledge of the Speed Force rivals that of Wally West, and now he has put the entire team in peril.Siege of the Zi Charam1995Can even the combined might of Supergirl and Green Lantern rescue the New Titans from the clutches of the deadly Progenitors.
The New Titans #124 - "Prometheus Gathering" Green Lantern (vol. 3) #65 - "Rescue" Darkstars #34 - "Strangers in a Strange land" Damage #16 - "The Elements of Power" The New Titans #125 - "Xenocide"The Final Night 1996 A Sun-Eater threatens life on Earth by devouring the Sun. Hal Jordan sacrifices his life to destroy it.Batman: Contagion 1996 Beginning in March 1996, this Batman crossover involves a virulent strain of ebola sweeping across Gotham City, forcing Azrael, Batman, Catwoman, Huntress, Nightwing, and Robin to deal with a threat they cannot see:
Batman: Shadow of the Bat #48-49 - "The Apocalypse Plague" and "Angel of Death" Detective Comics #695-696 - "The Gray Area" and "Babylon Falls" Robin (vol. 2) #27-28 - "Natural Born Healer" and "Bitter Dregs" Catwoman (vol. 2) #31-32 - "Flesh and Fire" and "Fever Pitch" Azrael #15-16 - "Requiem for an Immortal" and "Contagion" Batman #529 - "Tears of Blood" Batman Chronicles #4 - "Hitman", "Huntress: Exposure", and "Beggar's Banquet"Batman: Legacy 1996 A sequel to Contagion, this 10-part crossover starting in August 1996 follows a new strand of the Apocalypse Virus, controlled by Ra's al Ghul who attempts to find a suitable father for his grandchildren: Batman: Shadow of the Bat #53-54, Batman #533-534, Detective Comics #700-702, Catwoman (vol. 2) #36, and Robin (vol. 2) #32-33.Genesis 1997 Darkseid battles Earth's heroes when the Genesis Wave strikes; many superbeings have their powers altered or negated.Brotherhood of the Fist1998The story centers around a mysterious organization called the Brotherhood of the Fist. This group of elite martial artists declares war on all the greatest hand-to-hand combatants in the DC Universe. This includes heroes like Green Arrow, Nightwing, Robin, and Batman.