They're at it again! Way back in the
early 1980s DC Comics found itself in a dilemma. Several decades earlier a decision was made
to explain how there could be two Flash, two Green Lantern, etc.Someone came up with the clever idea of introducing alternate realities (a common sci-fi device) so that multiple characters by the same name and powers could exist simultaneously.
It worked perfectly-at first. But, sometimes a good thing can be stretched too far resulting in disaster.
Fast forward to the early 1980s. DC Comics' editorial and writing staff found themselves bogged down in so many alternate realities continuity nightmares that something had to be done.
The solution was DC Comics' Crisis On Infinite Earths maxi-series which melded all the alternate Earths into one cohesive Earth thus effectively cleaned house.
It was a stroke of genius and DC Comics sale increases proved it.But, it wasn't too long before continuity problems resurfaced. DC tried to reboot once again with minimal success. This would go on for several more decades with DC Comics periodically trying to revamp and reboot its universe.
The last such effort was labeled 'The New 52'. Some fans loved it, some hated it.
After DC Comics initially revamped and condensed its universe with Crisis, writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Perez created a two volume set that brought the entire DC Universe into one timeline and cleverly wrote the history of the DC Universe so fans could have a ready available reference to understand DC's new continuity.
Titled 'The History Of The DC Universe Book One and Two' the squarebound set, through prose and pictures, led readers through a coherent, logical and detailed account of the DC Universe and its history, characters and pivotal storylines.
I consider it the bible of DC History and prefer it over all other DC Universe manifestations since its creation.