Believe this is 1st time these appeared together
Which events in this continuing epic will lead us to One Year Later? What worlds live? Which hero dies?
Page 14 – Panel 1: As Black Lightning states, when he debuted in the 70s he was the only African-American hero around.
Page 14 – Panel 7: Mr Terrific’s power, as he states here, of not being visible to machinery is certainly handy when going up against a sentient satellite like Brother Eye.
Several heroes band together aboard a space-borne version of Blue Beetle's Bug. Accompanying them is Jaime Reyes, the new Blue Beetle. They are en route to destroy the Brother Eye satellite. As they approach, dozens of OMACs soar outward attacking them.
On Earth-Two, the younger Superman consoles with the Earth-Two Superman over the death of his wife, Lois Lane. New Earth Wonder Woman appears as well and convinces him to rejoin the fight. The older Superman realizes that he has been acting irrationally, and that it is time once again to be a hero. He also knows that he must stop this new Multiverse from expanding or else it will end up destroying itself.
Across countless parallel worlds, scores of super-heroes deal with the cosmic upheaval of the multiple replicating Earths. Alexander Luthor uses his abilities to mix and match varying realities, but his efforts to create a perfect reality all end in failure. He even tries to merge Earth-Two and Earth-Three together, which makes Donna Troy realize that he is going to kill Superman and Wonder Woman. To prevent this, her team of heroes at the center of the universe fire at Luthor's hands, causing him to lose his right index finger and to distract him long enough to save Wonder Woman and the two Supermen.
On Earth-One, many of the world's mystic characters gather at Stonehenge and summon the Spectre. The Spectre is tethered to a former Gotham City police department detective named Crispus Allen. The Phantom Stranger begs the Spectre's aid, but the Spectre is more concerned with fulfilling his obligations of vengeance. He arbitrarily kills Deborah Darnell – the new Star Sapphire.
In the Arctic, Kon-El, Nightwing and Wonder Girl reach Alexander Luthor's power station. Wonder Girl begins freeing the imprisoned super-heroes, who subsequently begin attacking Luthor. Black Adam brutally murders Psycho-Pirate.
Superboy Prime emerges with his new solar-collecting armor and tries to kill Nightwing. Kon-El intercepts him and the two renew their battle. Kon-El succeeds in repelling Superboy-Prime and destroying the tower – but sacrifices his own life in the process. As the tower is destroyed, the multiple Earths all merge back into one single Earth.
The storyline detailed reflects a pivotal DC Comics crossover event rich in lore and character development that resonates deeply with fans of the multiverse concept. Central to the narrative is the struggle against the destructive Brother Eye satellite, a powerful sentient AI controlling OMACs—cybernetic soldiers designed for mass destruction. The appearance of heroes like Black Lightning, noted for being a groundbreaking African-American character since his 1970s debut, and Mr Terrific, with his unique power to avoid detection by machinery, highlights the diverse skill sets involved in this cosmic battle. The plot also intensifies with the involvement of multiple versions of Superman from different Earths, illustrating the emotional weight of loss and the reluctant return to heroism, especially after the death of Lois Lane. This narrative thread underscores themes of grief, redemption, and resilience. Additionally, the storyline incorporates complex multiverse dynamics where Alexander Luthor’s dangerous attempts to manipulate and merge realities pose existential risks, bringing forth ethical questions about power and control. The inclusion of mystical elements, such as the Spectre and other mystic characters gathering at Stonehenge, adds a supernatural layer to the conflict, showcasing the blend of science fiction and fantasy that DC often masters. Characters like Kon-El and Nightwing engaging in heroic sacrifices heighten the stakes and bring a profound emotional depth to the saga. This storyline is recognized for uniting legendary characters across parallel worlds, marking significant 'firsts' in team-ups as noted by the unique convergence of these heroes in one narrative. It reflects broader themes of unity amidst diversity and the importance of collaboration in overcoming cosmic threats. For enthusiasts and new readers alike, this event enriches the DC universe by expanding character arcs and reinforcing the intricate tapestry of intertwined realities. It also highlights the ongoing consequences of multiverse instability, a subject increasingly relevant in superhero comics and adaptations across media. Overall, the epic battle against Brother Eye and the salvation of collapsing Earths deliver a compelling tale of heroism, sacrifice, and hope in the face of annihilation.
