DC Universe

The DC Universe (DCU) is the fictional shared setting where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are well-known fictional superheroes from this universe.

Related Topics:
Fictional - Comic - DC Comics - Superman - Batman - Wonder Woman - Fictional - Superheroes

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The concept of a shared universe in comics involves writers and editors, together with artists, who together create a series of titles where events in one book would have repercussions in another title and serialized stories would show characters grow and change. Headline characters in one title would make cameo or guest appearances in other books. This idea was strongly developed in the Marvel Universe in the early 1960s, and seen also in other publishers in recent years, but it was pioneered by the DC Universe and in particular by writer Gardner Fox.

Related Topics:
Comics - Marvel Universe - Gardner Fox

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The leading heroes of the DC Universe were originally (in the 1940s) published in a team book known as the Justice Society of America. In the 1960s, this concept was revamped in the book named the Justice League of America. The DC Universe typically has its comic books set in fictional cities, such as the twin cities of Gotham City (based upon New York City) and Metropolis (based in part upon Toronto, though like Gotham, it also serves as a New York City analog in the comics). These cities were effectively fictional archetypes of cities, with Gotham City embodying the negative aspects of life in a large city, and Metropolis reflecting more of the positive aspects. The presence of superhumans affected the cities, but the general history of the fictional United States was similar to the real one.

Related Topics:
Justice Society of America - 1960s - Justice League of America - Twin cities - Gotham City - New York City - Metropolis - Toronto - Archetypes

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Over the years as the number of titles published increased and the volume of past stories accumulated it became increasingly difficult to maintain internal consistency. In order to continue publishing stories of its most popular characters, maintaining the status quo became necessary. Retcons were used as a way to explain apparent inconsistencies in stories written.

Related Topics:
Status quo - Retcon

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