Crisis On Infinite Earths: Universes We'd Want To See In An Animated Version

There are DC animated universes, and then there's the DC Animated Universe. Created when "Batman: The Animated Series" debuted in 1992, the DCAU is the most notable attempt to create a wider DC cartoon universe extending across multiple series and movies, including "Superman," "Batman Beyond," "Justice League" and "Justice League Unlimited." It's even spawned a series featuring a character unique to that universe, "The Zeta Project," and incorporates "Static Shock" — a show that was originally created to stand alone – into its cannon.

Given the universe's longevity and enduring popularity, there's no way the DCAU wouldn't play a role in a Crisis centering on preexisting animated DC worlds. Seeing as its Justice League evolved into a mini-army in "Justice League Unlimited," the DCAU would probably be among the first line of defense against a multiversal enemy, such as the Anti-Monitor. Furthermore, since the original "Crisis on Infinite Earths" even involved characters from different time periods, it'd be easy to bring in familiar faces across DCAU history, from Jonah Hex to Warhawk. It'd also be an opportunity to answer some lingering DCAU questions. For instance, is the Crisis the same as the Near-Apocalypse of '09 Terry McGinnis references in "Batman Beyond and "Justice League Unlimited"? And is Supergirl absent from the Legion of Superheroes' roster in "Justice League vs. the Fatal Five" because she dies in this version of the Crisis, like in the comic version? Perhaps DCAU fans won't have to wonder for much longer.

While the Justice League in the movie "Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths" is pretty similar to most classic Big Seven versions of the team, the Crime Syndicate is basically the League viewed through the most warped mirror imaginable. Bringing the Syndicate's universe into another even bigger Crisis story would bring some intriguing variety to the mix, as pretty much every superbeing still around on their planet is a supervillain. While they'd naturally be pretty untrustworthy as allies, most major Syndicate members have proven willing to set their selfish goals aside when the fate of their universe is on the line, as seen when they help stop two former members — Owlman and Superwoman — from destroying the multiverse with a superweapon. Not to mention the Syndicate has numbers that'd make even the "JLU" Justice League weep, with 50 main lieutenants (aka Made Men) and thousands of other subordinates under their command. Sure, most of the Syndicate's arrested at the end of the movie, but President Slade Wilson could set them free if he feels they can contribute to saving his reality.

Incorporating the Crime Syndicate's universe into a "Crisis on Infinite Earths" adaptation would also bring in their greatest hero, Lex Luthor, whose genius would be a great asset to the heroes of the multiverse. The event could even introduce his son from the comics, Alexander Luthor Jr., who's instrumental in both the original "Crisis on Infinite Earths" and its sequel, "Infinite Crisis."

As far as animation style goes, "Green Lantern: The Animated Series" might be tricky to fit with others on the list, given that it's a completely CGI show. That aside, the series would be a welcome addition to a "Crisis on Infinite Earths" adaptation, given its strong, serialized storytelling and spiritually faithful depiction of several Green Lantern concepts from the comics. There are certainly plenty of versions of the Green Lantern Corps across DC's animated multiverse, but few shows explore the group the way "GL:TAS" has. In addition, its participation in the Crisis would also offer some consolation for its fans, given the show's premature end. 

There's also a huge advantage to bringing "GL:TAS" into a version of the Crisis, namely that the show features the Anti-Monitor as one of its major antagonists. While producer Giancarlo Volpe used Tumblr to say the character's demise in the episode "Ranx" is meant to be definitive, Anti-Monitor does have a talent for cheating death, as he demonstrates multiple times in the original "Crisis on Infinite Earths." Perhaps he could return with a new army of Manhunters, or with the Weaponers of Qward and their Supreme Chairman from "Batman: The Brave and the Bold"?

Beginning with "Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox" and concluding with "Justice League Dark: Apokolips War," the DC Animated Movie Universe (or DCAMU for short) does for animated DC movies what the DCAU does for television — bridges several different properties under a shared continuity. While most of the DCAMU's stories and character designs are primarily influenced by DC's "The New 52" comic relaunch from 2011, the universe also adapts older, classic storylines using the "New 52" aesthetic, such as the famous Teen Titans story "The Judas Contract" and the "Death and Return of Superman" trilogy. 

One of the things that set the DCAMU apart is the fact that it has always been targeted at a slightly older audience, allowing the films to depict themes, language, and violence that are less typical of DC cartoons. While "Apokolips War" is meant to be the DCAMU's last hurrah — especially since it ends with the Flash effectively "rebooting" the timeline — "Crisis on Infinite Earths" could bring this version of the universe back for a victory lap and set it up as a major player in the war against the Anti-Monitor. Perhaps the heroes of the DCAMU and those of its replacement, the Tomorrowverse, could fight side by side?

When it comes to saving the world, is there such a thing as going "too far"? That's what the show "Justice League" asks in the episode "A Better World" when it introduces the Justice Lords, an alternate reality version of the League that has attained virtual world peace ... at the cost of most people's freedoms. The Lords also resort to measures the Justice League never would, such as lobotomizing and even murdering criminals. 

While most of the Justice Lords are depowered and detained at the end of the story, they could be given their super-abilities back in a "Crisis on Infinite Earths" adaptation by their world's Batman, who sees tactical value in using their might to save their universe. The Lords would also be able to bring along the technology their Batman created to travel between universes and propose uncomfortable solutions to Crisis-related problems. This presence would create an interesting layer of tension between them and the other superheroes. 

Other than the Justice League from "JLU," you'd be hard-pressed to find a DC animated team out there with a power set as diverse as the Legion of Super-Heroes'. That's especially true of the Legion from the "Legion of Super Heroes" cartoon, which not only features many powerful classic members of Legion lore from the 31st century — like Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, and Cosmic Boy — but two Supermen. Specifically, the modern-day Man of Steel and his 41st-century clone Superman X, who has energy projection powers the original Superman doesn't and is immune to kryptonite. 

The Legion also benefits from the genius of Brainiac 5, who on the show is a robotic being who can alter his body into more battle-ready forms than many other versions of the character, who tend to be completely (or at least mostly) organic. Though the Legionnaires aren't the biggest players in the original "Crisis on Infinite Earths," this Legion would have a lot to offer in an animated version, including Time Bubbles and Warp Keys. Indeed, these devices would be pretty helpful if the Anti-Monitor decides to repeat his trick from the original Crisis and travel back to the beginning of time.

There are definitely some commonalities with the alternate universe Superman from the "Superman: The Animated Series" episode "Brave New Metropolis" and the Justice Lords. Like the Lords, the "Brave New Metropolis" Superman incorporates totalitarian methods into his superheroing. Notably, what most sets him apart — aside from limiting his reach to only Metropolis, rather than the entire world — is that this Superman is working with Lex Luthor, whereas the Justice Lords begin their control of Earth when their Superman kills Luthor. Another major difference is that the Superman of "Brave New Metropolis" reforms at the end of the episode after meeting the Lois Lane of the main DC Animated Universe.

Including the "Brave New Metropolis" universe in a cartoon "Crisis on Infinite Earths" trilogy would give fans the chance to check in on its version of Superman and continue his redemptive arc, as well as show whether or not Metropolis has chosen to forgive him for his past transgressions. He could even reunite with the DCAU Lois Lane, whom he shares a kiss with at the end of "Brave New Metropolis," and get to know her Superman and the Supermen of other universes better. He could also be a cautionary tale for the Superman and Superman X of "Legion of Super Heroes" and maybe convince the Justice Lords' Superman to change his ways, given how he once walked a similar path. 

A universe where Black Manta and the Ocean Master are working with Aquaman? You better believe one's out there, or at least there used to be in "Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox." Based on the DC Comics crossover "Flashpoint," the film sees Barry Allen, aka the Flash, alter time so his mother is never murdered, which causes several changes. In the universe of "Flashpoint," Bruce Wayne's father, Thomas, is Batman, and the world is caught in the middle of a war between the Atlanteans (led by their king, Aquaman) and the Amazons (ruled by Queen Diana, aka Wonder Woman).

The movie's unique take on the previously mentioned characters — along with Cyborg, Superman, and Shazam (aka Captain Thunder) — definitely makes its universe worthy of inclusion in a "Crisis on Infinite Earths" movie trilogy for the variety it provides. It's also the only one of DC's known animated universes where characters like Grifter and the Canterbury Cricket appear. The combined might of the Atlanteans, Amazons, and Resistance would be formidable against the Anti-Monitor or whomever the Crisis threat ends up being, while the inclusion of Thomas Wayne as Batman would give him the chance to meet the multiverse's many Bruce Wayne Batmen. While most of this universe's characters are killed off and then erased from existence at the end of "The Flashpoint Paradox," the usual time-spanning nature of DC's Crisis events can certainly get around those details. Or perhaps a duplicate version of this universe exists out there.