Infinite Frontier
{{Short description|2021 DC Comics storyline & universe relaunch event}}
{{Infobox comic book title
| italic title = no
| title = {{no italic|Infinite Frontier}}
| image = DC Comics Infinite Frontier logo.png
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| caption = Title logo for Infinite Frontier #0
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| publisher = DC Comics
| startmo = March 2,
| startyr = 2021
| endmo = January 24,
| endyr = 2023
| Superhero = y
| main_char_team = DC Universe
| writers = Various
| artists = Various
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Infinite Frontier is a 2021 relaunch by the American comic book publisher DC Comics of its entire line of ongoing monthly superhero comic book titles. It is the follow-up to the 2018 New Justice relaunch. The relaunch and event was shepherded by writer Joshua Williamson. The continuity and repercussions established by Infinite Frontier continue into the 2023 Dawn of DC relaunch.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/infinite-frontier-launches-next-era-of-the-dc-universe-exclusive-4107195/|title = 'Infinite Frontier' Launches Next Era of the DC Universe (Exclusive)|website = The Hollywood Reporter|date = 18 December 2020}}
Changes in the DC Universe
Infinite Frontier begins after the events of Dark Nights: Death Metal, Generations and Future State.
The DC Multiverse has expanded into a larger "Omniverse" where everything is canon and it will still deal with the repercussions of DC Rebirth.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-28|title=Doomsday Clock's Influence Will Be Felt Across DC's New Continuity|url=https://www.cbr.com/doomsday-clock-infinite-frontier/|access-date=2021-02-27|website=CBR|language=en-US}}
The new Multiverse has two opposite worlds that represent the Metaverse and sustain the balance: one is the Elseworld, and the other is Earth Omega, where Darkseid is imprisoned.
In the new status quo, all of DC history "counts" when understanding a character's backstory, and legacy and history within the franchise is being emphasised by editorial mandate, with many characters now sharing the same codenames. For example, Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain share the Batgirl title, while Oracle (Barbara Gordon) reserves the right to also wear the Batgirl costume from time to time. Jonathan Kent and his father Clark Kent are both Superman, while Conner Kent is once again Superboy. Wally West has stepped up as the primary Flash while Barry Allen and the Flash of China, Avery Ho, participate in Justice League Incarnate. While Diana of Themiscyra continues in her role as Wonder Woman from the afterlife, her mother, Hippolyta, serves in Wonder Woman's place on the Justice League, and her sister, Nubia, explores the idea of succeeding Diana as Wonder Woman. The new Batman Jace Fox succeeds Bruce Wayne for a short time, before later serving as the Batman of New York City while Bruce remains in Gotham. Another example of a relaxed approach to codename sharing among legacy characters is Robin: Tim Drake is officially Robin once again, but the previous Robin (Damian Wayne) continues to head up the Robin comic book without an official codename, while newcomer Maps Mizoguchi steps into the role briefly in a short story.
The soft relaunch and new approach to history also completes what began with DC Rebirth in restoring the status quo of characters prior to popular New 52 changes, re-establishing characters' memories and relationships with each other, while selectively retaining some of the simplified backstories from the modern era and many of the new characters. An example of this is Tim Drake once again serving as Robin. Some characters have simply returned to being as fans remembered them; for example, the Black Canary, who in The New 52 had been presented as a singular new version of the character, has been restored to being the daughter of her Golden Age predecessor. Other changes were made to address longstanding inconsistencies. After many decades of back-and-forth changes to her backstory involving false memories, magical cloning, and multiversal anomalies, Donna Troy's original backstory – an orphan girl raised by the Amazons – was restored to continuity.
Plot
After the recreation of the infinite Multiverse, and a look into a possible future of her universe, Wonder Woman, who has ascended after the defeat of The Batman Who Laughs, is offered a role by the Quintessence (Ganthet, Hera, Highfather, the Phantom Stranger, the Spectre, The Wizard) in return for saving the Multiverse. The Spectre takes her to a journey where it is revealed that Roy Harper is resurrected as well as Batman dealing with a mysterious group of enemies. Wonder Woman rejects becoming a part of the Quintessence since she wants to live it rather than just witness it. As she leaves, the Quintessence go to Earth Omega, where they are attacked by Darkseid, who has finally achieved his true form after his past versions were combined into one.{{Cite web|date=2021-02-22|title=INFINITE FRONTIER #0|url=https://www.dccomics.com/comics/infinite-frontier-2021/infinite-frontier-0|access-date=2021-06-22|website=DC|language=en}}
On Earth, everyone is now aware of the Multiverse (as a result of events in Dark Nights: Death Metal), and Alan Scott (who came out to his children) is struggling with living in this new world. He talks with his son Obsidian when the Justice Society of America's headquarters explodes in green flames, and Alan asks where Jade is. In Paris, as Director Bones is talking to Cameron Chase about the recent events that have transpired, Batman (from the Flashpoint era) crashes on Earth 23, where he meets the Justice Incarnate (Calvin Ellis, Mary Marvel from Earth 5, Machinehead from Earth 8, Aquawoman from Earth 11, and Captain Carrot from Earth 26) and asks where the Barry Allen is. While running throughout the multiverse, Barry Allen vibrates through the worlds and arrives in Earth Omega, where he is attacked by the Psycho-Pirate, who wants Barry to find someone. In a diner, Roy Harper deals with an angry customer when an enemy named X-Tract attacks him. Roy Harper wards off the attacker, realizing that he has a Black Lantern ring.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-27|title=INFINITE FRONTIER #1|url=https://www.dccomics.com/comics/infinite-frontier-2021/infinite-frontier-1|access-date=2021-06-22|website=DC|language=en}}
Cameron Chase contacts Batman and Superman about the public being worried about the Multiverse, but Superman and Batman dodge her questions. Thomas Wayne admits that seeing his whole world turned him evil and he does not want his son to know he is alive. Magog of Earth 22 attacks Calvin Ellis and Thomas Wayne, having gone back to his villainous roots. Back on Earth-0, Mr. Terrific tells Vandal Savage, Obsidian, and Alan Scott that there are still people who do not have their memories restored or are missing after the restoration of the Multiverse. Roy Harper starts training with his Black Lantern Ring, but gets overwhelmed by its power. Meanwhile, Cameron Chase confronts Captain Atom but after realizing this Captain Atom is an impostor, the impostor blows himself up.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-30|title=INFINITE FRONTIER #2|url=https://www.dccomics.com/comics/infinite-frontier-2021/infinite-frontier-2|access-date=2021-07-13|website=DC|language=en}}
The Psycho-Pirate puts the Flash on a treadmill in Earth Omega and uses his power to take Barry somewhere else. Obsidian and Alan Scott meet a man named Shade and they realize that an enemy of Obsidian has stolen Jade. The duo goes to Command D, where they are attacked by Director Bones, X-Tract, and Cameron Chase. The Justice Incarnate calm down Magog and, after Magog allows them to touch a mysterious spacecraft, Calvin Ellis tells everyone they need to go back to his Earth. Roy Harper regains control of his Black Lantern ring, but is captured by Hector Hammond when he is saved by the Infinite Incorporated (Power Girl, Jade).{{Cite web|date=2021-06-30|title=INFINITE FRONTIER #3|url=https://www.dccomics.com/comics/infinite-frontier-2021/infinite-frontier-3|access-date=2021-07-27|website=DC|language=en}}
Thomas Wayne and Calvin Ellis go to his office to find Lex Luthor of Earth 23 to get a transmatter symphonic array to travel through universes. They find Lex Luthor of Earth 23 dead, while Cameron Chase is saved by X-Tract from the fake Captain Atom and meets with Detective Bones, who then shoots him in the leg when he finds out that he plans to leave other universes to die. The Infinite Incorporated arrived on Earth Omega, but they are soon attacked. Likewise, Thomas Wayne and Calvin Ellis plan to go to Earth Omega when Machinehead attacks them. Machinehead reveals his world was destroyed when Earth-0 invaded his home and plans to keep the universes separate before calling in the Injustice Incorporated.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-27|title=INFINITE FRONTIER #4|url=https://www.dccomics.com/comics/infinite-frontier-2021/infinite-frontier-4|access-date=2021-12-19|website=DC|language=en}}
On Earth Omega, the Psycho-Pirate explains his world was the original Earth-Two before "Crisis on Infinite Earths", and his world was replaced by a new version. Detective Bones was revealed to have shot down Cameron Chase's ship and says that he made a deal with Darkseid to spare their Earth in exchange for others. Jade knocks down Detective Bones, and X-Tract reveals she was Cameron Chase from the original Earth-Two, and the Psycho-Pirate explains that the Flash is running so Darkseid can cross-dimension to gain enough power to control the Multiverse. Machinehead attacks Calvin Ellis, explaining that when the Flash created Flashpoint, it caused changes to his Earth which made it darker and restrains Calvin Ellis. The Psycho-Pirate nearly persuades Roy Harper to join his side, but slips out that Roy's daughter is still alive. Roy Harper frees everyone, but his overuse of the Black Lantern Ring causes Darkseid to appear.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-27|title=INFINITE FRONTIER #5|url=https://www.dccomics.com/comics/infinite-frontier-2021/infinite-frontier-5|access-date=2021-12-19|website=DC|language=en}}
Obsidian frees Roy Harper from Darkseid, while Thomas Wayne and Calvin Ellis defeat Machinehead. Calvin Ellis destroys the treadmill the Flash was on, which causes the Flash to disappear. Darkseid kills Machinehead and teleports everyone back home while the Psycho-Pirate flees in terror of his failure. X-Tract acquires Roy's Black Lantern ring and meets up with Darkseid, Granny Goodness, DeSaad, Grail (Darkseid's daughter), Steppenwolf and Kalibak, where Darkseid reveals to his elites that Earth-0 is not on Earth but in a place where the Great Darkness rests, which he vows to find the Flash and crack the Omniverse to take control of the Great Darkness, believing that there are other dark forces who were seeking to control it. X-Tract swears her allegiance to him. Director Bones was mentioned to have escaped. The Flash arrives in the Multiverse-2, the ruins of the first Crisis, where he meets Pariah, who transports the Flash to a different Earth for sinister reasons.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-01|title=INFINITE FRONTIER #6|url=https://www.dccomics.com/comics/infinite-frontier-2021/infinite-frontier-6|access-date=2021-12-19|website=DC|language=en}}
Titles
;Key
class="wikitable"
! Color ! Meaning |
bgcolor="lightblue"|
| Title continued into Dawn of DC. |
=Ongoing series=
=Limited series=
=One-shots=
class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal;" width=99% |
scope="col" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" width="15%"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" width="5%"| Issues ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" width="15%"| Publication date ! scope="col" colspan="3" style="text-align:center" width="50%"| Creative team ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" width="15%"| Notes |
---|
scope="col" class=unsortable | Writer(s)
! scope="col" class=unsortable | Artist(s) ! scope="col" class=unsortable | Colorist(s) |
scope="row" | Are You Afraid of Darkseid?
| rowspan="13"| #1 | October 2021 | Elliott Kalan | Mike Norton | Allen Passalaqua | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Aquaman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular | August 2021{{cite web|url=https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2021/05/18/dc-celebrates-aquamans-80th-anniversary-with-a-100-page-super-spectacular|title=DC Celebrates Aquaman's 80th Anniversary With a 100-Page Super Spectacular!|publisher=DC Comics|date=May 18, 2021|access-date=May 19, 2021}} | Jeff Parker | Evan Shaner | Evan Shaner | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Batman: Fear State Alpha
| August 2021{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/dc-august-2021-solicitations/|title=Upcoming August 2021 DC Comics revealed: The Suicide Squad takes center stage|publisher=GamesRadar+|date=May 26, 2021|access-date=May 27, 2021}} | James Tynion IV | Riccardo Federici | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Batman: The Audio Adventures Special
| October 2021 | Dennis McNicholas | Leonardo Romero | Mike Spicer | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Batman: The Long Halloween Special
| October 2021 | Tim Sale | Brennan Wagner | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Batman: Fear State Omega
| November 2021 | James Tynion IV | Guillem March | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Batman Secret Files: Clownhunter
| August 2021 | Rosi Kämpe | Andrew Dalhouse | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Batman Secret Files: The Gardener
| November 2021 | James Tynion IV | colspan="2"| Christian Ward | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Batman Secret Files: Huntress
| July 2021 | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Batman Secret Files: Miracle Molly
| September 2021 | James Tynion IV | Dani | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Batman Secret Files: Peacekeeper-One
| October 2021 | James Tynion IV | Joshua Hixson | Roman Stevens | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Batman Secret Files: The Signal
| July 2021 | Tony Patrick | Christian Duce | Luis Guerrero | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Batman/Superman: The Authority Special
| November 2021 | Phillip Kennedy Johnson | Jonathan Glapion | Rain Beredo | |
scope="row" | Dark Crisis FCBD Special Edition
| #0 | May 2022 | Joshua Williamson | Daniel Sampere | | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | DC Festival of Heroes: The Asian Superhero Celebration
| rowspan="3"| #1 | Mariko Tamaki | Marcus To | Sebastian Cheng | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | DC Pride
| James Tynion IV | Trung Le Nguyen | Trung Le Nguyen | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | DC vs. Vampires: Hunters
| May 2022 | Neil Googe | | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | DC vs. Vampires: Killers
| Rowspan ="1" | #1 | June 2022 | Matthew Rosenberg | Eduardo Mello | | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Flashpoint Beyond
| Rowspan ="1" | #0 | April 2022 | |
scope="row" | Gotham City Villains Anniversary Giant
| Rowspan ="2" | #1 | November 2021 | Danny DeVito | Dan Mora | Tamra Bonvillain | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular | June 2021{{cite web|url=https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2021/03/12/celebrate-80-years-of-green-arrows-emerald-excellence-with-a-100-page-super|title=Celebrate 80 Years of Green Arrow's Emerald Excellence With A 100-Page Super Spectacular!|publisher=DC Comics|date=March 12, 2021|access-date=March 15, 2021}} | Mariko Tamaki | Javier Rodriguez | Javier Rodriguez | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | I Am Batman
| rowspan="2"| #0 | Travel Foreman | Rex Lokus | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Infinite Frontier
| Joshua Williamson | John Timms | Alex Sinclair | style="text-align:left" | |
Infinite Frontier: Secret Files
| rowspan="2"| #1 | June 2021 | Joshua Williamson | Valentine De Landro | Marissa Louise | style="text-align:left"| Released digitally as six issues from April 18, 2021 |
scope="row" | Justice League: Road to Dark Crisis
| May 2022 | Joshua Williamson | Clayton Henry | | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Nubia: Coronation Special
| rowspan="15"| #1 | May 2022 | Stephanie Williams | Alitha Martinez | | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Peacemaker: Disturbing the Peace
| January 2022 | Garry Brown | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Sensational Wonder Woman Special
| March 2022 | Paula Sevenbergen | Scott Kolins | | |
scope="row" | Shadow War Alpha
| March 2022 | Joshua Williamson | Viktor Bogdanovic | Mike Spicer | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Shadow War Omega
| May 2022 | Joshua Williamson | Stephen Segovia | | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Shadow War Zone
| May 2022 | Joshua Williamson | Trevor Hairsine | | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Stargirl Spring Break Special
| May 2021{{cite web|url=https://dccomicsnews.com/2021/02/11/stargirl-spring-break-special-geoff-johns-todd-nauck/|title=Stargirl Goes On Spring Break In New Special Coming From Geoff Johns & Todd Nauck|publisher=DC Comics|date=February 11, 2021|accessdate=April 6, 2021}} | Todd Nauck | Hi-Fi | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Strange Love Adventures
| February 2022 | Stephanie Phillips | Jon Sommariva | Rex Lokus | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Superman & Robin Special
| January 2022 | Viktor Bogdanovic | Ivan Plascencia | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Tis the Season to be Freezin
| December 2021 | Alan Burnett | Jordan Gibson | Monica Kubina | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Spectacular | Becky Cloonan | Jim Cheung | Marcelo Maiolo | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Wonder Woman: The Adventures of Young Diana
| October 2021 | Paulina Ganucheau | Kendall Goode | |
scope="row" | Wonder Woman Day 2021 – Diana: Princess of the Amazons
| October 2021 | Shannon Hale | Victoria Ying | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Wonder Woman Day 2021: Tempest Tossed
| October 2021 | Leila del Duca | Kelly Fitzpatrick | style="text-align:left" | |
scope="row" | Wonder Woman Day Special Edition
| October 2021 | style="text-align:left" | |
Critical reception
According to Comic Book Roundup, the entire event received an average rating of 8.6 out of 10 based on 110 reviews.{{Cite web|title=Infinite Frontier (2021) Reviews|url=https://comicbookroundup.com:443/comic-books/reviews/dc-comics/infinite-frontier-(2021)|access-date=2021-12-19|website=ComicBookRoundup.com|language=en-US}}
Collected edition
class="wikitable"
|+ !Title !Material collected !Published date !ISBN |
Infinite Frontier
|Infinite Frontier #0–6, Infinite Frontier: Secret Files #1 |April 2022 |{{ISBNT|978-1779514240}} |
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist|refs=
{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/dc-march-2021-solicitations-and-covers-revealed/|title=DC March 2021 solicitations and covers revealed including Infinite Frontier|publisher=GamesRadar+|date=December 18, 2020|access-date=December 20, 2020}}
}}
{{Infinite Frontier}}
{{DC events}}