Scorecard for the 1990s DC Universe

[Lumbering Jack (M'odd-R8-Tr)]

In 1997, DC Comics offered this interesting image as bait to get people to subscribe to their books. Compare this image with the DC Universe of today, and there's been a lot of changes. Many of these "fresh new faces" have been kicked to the curb, resigning their legacy titles to their ancestors. And as for the bigger characters, they've had some changes too. With that in mind, I offer up a scorecard of the 1990s DCU which shows how certain stars have risen and others have fallen since that time.

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[Martin Gray]

What a fun piece - I don't recall that ad at all. I'm amazed Alpha Centurian got on it, I can only think of one solo appearance by him.

As for the Guardian, that's not the same fella as the Manhattan Guardian.

[Lumbering Jack (M'odd-R8-Tr)]

Whoops, I forgot to mention that Guardian got replaced! I'll have to go in an edit that!

[Rich Lane]

I think that image was actually a splash, maybe even a two page spread, from the issue of Superman where he and Lois married. Batman was telling Superman to enjoy his honeymoon because Metropolis would be safe in his absence. As he said that, all these heroes fly in overhead.

I remember thinking at the time that this would be a good time to be a super crook living anywhere BUT Metropolis. Everywhere else was unprotected.

[Figserello]

Good list.

I love the way the camera shutter always 'clicks' just as the Flash is rushing past in those group shots! A second to soon or too late....

I think Steel did well with the meaty role in 52 and I like the fact he's 'resting' now. More characters should get that.

The Guardian (the white guy!) is in current issues of Superman. I was annoyed when I saw it wasn't the Seven Soldiers one, but I guess one is the Metropolis Guardian and the other is the Manhattan Guardian. Are they a franchise? When are we going to see the Gotham Guardian? Now would be a good time, no?

Very cynical notion about poor old Kyle, you bad man!

I'd also like to add that I liked the mid-nineties DCU. It's 'my' DCU as this is the first time I became invested in it, with Morrison's JLA and RObinson's Starman etc. That there were young guys trying to fill the boots of Hal, Ollie and Barry, and the other heroes occasionally grieved their absence added depth to the era, and gave a nice illusion of time and death affecting our heroes as much as they affect us out here.

They've thrown that out with the new reboots.

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

Rich Lane Johnson is right! I remember that scene, too, now that he mentions it. That also explains Alpha Centurion's appearance -- while he might've made one solo appearance, he was essentially a rival-hero supporting character in Superman's books at the time.