A Continuity-Cleaning Time-Line for the DC Universe

Useable as a Campaign Background
By Rick Jones and Meyrick.
Submitted by: Jim Ogle.

Well, this would be hard to do, since it messes with a lot of continuity, but it works, thematically. It blends Earth's 1 and 2 and the Post Crisis Earth.

Tales from Earth-5

1940 - 1950 The Golden Age

First Appearance of Superman I, Batman I, Wonder Woman and the rest of the Justice Society (Flash I, Hourman I, Spectre, Sandman, Green Lantern I, Dr Mid-Nite, Hawkman I, Dr Fate, Atom I, Starman I). As WWII continues, the All-Star Squadron is formed, encompassing all active Mystery Men and Super-Heroes. After the war ends, the popularity of heroes is at an all-time high. However, the House Un-American Activities Comittee manages to smear the reputations of the Justice Society, and, rather than unmask to the Committee, the Justice Society quietly retires.

Superman marries Lois Lane, and becomes the Editor of the Daily Planet.

Batman becomes Comissioner of Gotham City. He later marries the ex-criminal, Selena Kyle/Catwoman.

Wonder Woman marries Steve Trevor (taking him to live on an near Paradise Island).

The other members of the JSA marry.

1950 - 1960 The Secret Age

Paranormal Activity declines, though is not completely eliminated. Small groups of highly trained normal humans, and the rare metahuman, act in secret to help the humanity that rejects them. Notable groups include the Challengers of the Unknown, Task Force X/The Suicide Squad, the Sea Devils, Rip Hunter - Time Master, J'onn J'onnzz the Martian Manhunter, Animal Man, Swamp Thing, Deadman, Captain Comet and the Doom Patrol.

With help from Doctors Fate and Mid-Nite, Lois Lane carries Clark Kent Jr to term. Lois and Clark move back to Smallville to raise Clark on the family farm.

Dick Greyson (Robin I) enters politics.

1960 - 1970 The Dawn of the Silver Age.

Clark Kent Jr is contacted by the 30th Century Super-Team, the Legion of Super-Heroes. He spends most of his mid-teenage years in the 30th Century.

In the late 60's, Superboy reveals himself to the world (against his father's wishes).

The Doom Patrol gave their lives for the 14 citizens of a small town.

With the sacrifice of the Doom Patrol and the public acts of Superboy, the poltical climate has changed enough such that superhumans are hailed again as heroes.

Jason Todd, a circus acrobat and friend of Dick Greyson, partners with Helena Wayne as Robin II and the Huntress.

Other children of the Justice Socity band together as Infinity, Unlimited. They have a brief, but memorable career, before retiring themselves in the late 70's.

Many of the Lone Paranormals of the 50's also come together as The Forgotten Heroes.

A space capsule from Krypton brings Supergirl to Earth.

1970 - 1980 The Silver Age

Inspired by the Justice Society, a group of new super-heroes band together as the Justice League of America. Superman II brings together The Huntress, Aquaman and the new Green Lantern, Hawkman, Flash, and Atom. The "old time" heroes, the Martian Manhunter and the original, immortal, Wonder Woman join this new team, and are considered the "elder statesbeings" of the team.

Jason Todd, the Second Robin is killed by the Joker. The Huntress adopts Tim Drake as the third Robin.

In the mid-eighties, the teenage sidekicks of the Justice League band together as the Teen Titans (Robin III, Wonder Girl [Donna Troy, saved from a fire by Wonder Woman], Kid Flash, Aqualad, Speedy).

Some of the more robust members of the Justice Society come out of retirement to reform the Justice Society. They spend most of their time in less active, but more inspirational roles.

1980 - 1990 The Modern Age

As the Justice League grows, it becomes Justice League International, and the elder Leaguers make room for the new "young turks" like Firestorm, Zatanna, Vixen, Steel, and Gypsy.

After a brief breakup, the Teen Titans reform as just "the Titans," and welcome new members Jericho, Cyborg, Changeling, Starfire, and Raven. Raven later dies, sacrificing herself to save the world from her father Trigon.

The Flash is accused of the murder of Professor Zoom. He is found innocent, and retires to the 30th Century with his wife, Iris.

In a war against Darkseid and his Anti-Life Shadow Demons, both Supergirl and The Flash II give their lives to save the world. Wally West becomes the Flash III. (Harbinger's a New God, btw.)

Huntress forms the Outsiders.

The Suicide Squad re-forms.

The Marvel Family forms.

1990+ The Post-Modern Age

Overwhelmed by its now huge membership, the Justice League splits into: Justice League America (chaired by Superman), Justice League Europe (chaired by Wonder Woman), and the Justice League Task Force (chaired by the Martian Manhunter).

A time travelling Per Degaton becomes Monarch, and dupes another time traveller named Waveryder into being a stalking horse to discover the secrets of the super-heroes. His plans are thwarted by Hawk, Dove, and Captain Atom.

A member of the Order St Dumas named Azrael briefly takes the name of Batman. Huntress, Robin III and an aging Batman discover the Order was a front for Ras Al Gul. Batman is rejuvinated to his prime by the Lazarus Pit, and restarts his career as Batman.

Superman II marries his childhood sweetheart, Lana Lang.

An Apokoliptian battle-beast named Doomsday is sent to Earth to murder Superman II. Superman II is nearly killed, but with the help of Captain Marvel, Superman I, and The Flash (who were the only heroes fast enough to arrive on the scene in time), they were able to defeat the beast. Justice League Mr Miracle promptly Boom Tubed it back to Apokolips. While recovering from his injuries, Metropolis was protected by an inventor turned steelworker called The Man of Steel and an imperfect clone of Superman II dubbed Superboy.

Green Lantern Hal Jordan is briefly driven "mad" by the renegade Green Lanterns Sinestro and Malvolio. Alan Scott Guy Gardner, and John Stewart were able to save Hal. Kyle Rainer, an artist who was at the right place at the right time (with a jar of yellow paint), demonstrated such heroism, that he was awarded membership in the corps. John Stewart is currently on Oa, helping the Guardians with their plans for a United Planets. Hal Jordan is recruiting and training new Green Lanterns. Guy Gardner is currently using Sinestro's ring.

Jack Knight, the grandson of Starman, becomes the 4th Starman after Starman II is murdered by the Mist. (Starman II was David Knight, son of Ted Knight. He was Starman in the reformed Justice Society. He retired after the Crisis. The hero currently known as Darkstar, Will Payton, used the name Starman for a few weeks, until David's lawyers contacted him.)