Culture Shock

Parents? Do you have to ask your nieces who the Jonas Brothers are? Do you know the difference between Black Suit Spider-Man in the comics and Black Suit Spider Man in Spider-Man 3? Do you know who the new Batman is? No? Okay then. Sit back and read.


DC Comics.

Superman – Turns out alien computer Brainac has possession of the Kryptonian city of Kandor, whose population was released into the public after Brainac’s defeat. Relations between the Kandorians and the Earthlings soured quickly (the world was uneasy about 100,000 people with the powers of Superman) so the Kandorians “grew” a new planet called New Krypton. Superman agreed to live on New Krypton as a way to appease relations with the people and aid them to master their growing superpowers.

However, the new society is ripe with difficulties. Led by the freed General Zod, the Kryptonians are quick to use violence to solve the problems of criminals and assassination attempts. Superman faces an uphill battle by playing peacemaker to the various factions; his failures largely overshadow his victories. Just as the populace was calming down a Brainac robot appears. Thus is the end of the World of New Krypton story arc.

Batman – Bruce Wayne “died.” He was struck down by intergalatic warlord Darkseid with his Omega Sanction (an energy beam that disintergrates it’s targets. However, DC was not going to let such a beloved character (and his franchise) die, so Bruce Wayne was instead catapulted to prehistoric times. From there is was thrown into Colonial America, the Wild West, the 1920s and the end of the universe, where he was rid of the Omega Energy that Darkseid planned to use Batman as some universal-range bomb. Through the efforts of his fellow heroes, Batman had arrived once again to defend Gotham City.

This did not happen instantly. Wayne’s return occured in an indefinite time from his “death.” In the meantime Dick Grayson, the first Robin, wore the cowl of Batman and acted in Wayne’s stead. Grayson’s Robin was Daiman Wayne, Wayne’s
love-child with Talia al Ghul, daughter of Ra’s al Ghul, most famously portrayed by Liam Neeson in Batman Begins.

Upon returning to the living, Batman decided to go global and create Batman, Inc, a foundation dedicated to training one person to be the Batman of that country.

Green Lantern – The “Blackest Day” story arc reveals several other Lantern Corps, all distingushed by the color of the rainbow: Red is Rage, Orange is Greed, Yellow is Fear, Blue is Hope, Indigo is Love, Violet is Compassion.

A long-hidden prophecy reveals the existence of the Black Lantern Corps, who resurrects dead heroes as their members. The whole of DC Universe had to battle their long dead allies. It wasn’t until Sinistro, leader of the Yellow Lantern Corps, assumed the power of a cosmic entity and became the first White Lantern. After recruiting several DC heroes, the White Lanterns were able to defeat the Black Lanterns and their leader Nekron.

Part Two coming soon.