New History of the DC Universe (2025-) #2

New History of the DC Universe (2025)

by Mark Waid, Brad Walker (Artist), Michael Allred (Artist)

The DC Universe as we know it begins to take shape as a mysterious ship crash-lands in Smallville, and years later, Superman makes his debut. Meanwhile, inGotham City, Batman emerges from the shadows to clean its crime-ridden streets,and after years of isolation from Man’s World, Wonder Woman leaves the paradiseof Themyscira for modern society. A new age of heroes dawns as Barry Allenrecounts the formation of the Justice League through the events up to and leadingto his death during the Crisis on Infinite Earths!

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Superheroes, Horror, Fiction, Fantasy, Comic Book

Kindle Edition

Published July 23, 2025

About the author

Mark Waid is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.

Reviews

[Murphy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

3/22/26

[Jeff Brawner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what I’ve been looking for- for so long. Thanks Anna and Lizzy. 1 of 4 books going over the history of DC.

[Cristhian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Batman & Superman

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a decent explanation of the DC universe. This concludes the silver age right up until the initial crisis on infinite Earth

[Vijay Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The worst part of this new history is Cyborg being a Leaguer before he was a Teen Titan. WTF

[Roland Baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of these changes are a step back. But still very interesting. Len Wei’s Legacies does this better

[C. John Kerry]

The narrator for this book is once again Barry Allan/The Flash. While the previous book left off with the end of the first age of heroes this volume picks up with the second age. It makes clear from the get go that there were no versions of either Superman or Batman in the Golden Age. As well the heroes of the first age are now retired. We are quickly introduced to many of the heroes of the second age. It details many of the heroes that first made their appearance then, as well as some of the villains. I have to admit there are some questions that arise from this. For instance it mentions that Professor Caulder actually engineered the accidents that brought about the members of the Doom Patrol. I can honestly say that I don't recall this from my years reading comics, though there have been some revivals of the Doom Patrol which I didn't bother to get into and possibly that comes from one of them. Also it is said that Cyborg was part of the Justice League from the beginning but had to be put in a cryogenic sleep when problems arose with his armour. Not sure when this cropped up either. It has to have been in a later storyline as when he first premiered he was presented as a brand new character. The book ends with the Crisis on Infinite Earths. Barry Allen does mention that he died in that event, which probably leaves some to ask if he died how is he narrating this. Good question. I now he was revived but I wasn't reading comics at that point of time so I am looking forward to finding out in a future issue (I hope).
For the DC fan, or someone interested in the history of the various comics universes, this is another volume to pick up. I do find this one to be a bit more rushed than the first one, but then it is dealing with a longer period of time. I do think DC should have planned for more issues of this title and thus broken the history up differently. However it is what it is and we shall have to make do with four issues. As this is a recent release you may still be able to find it in your local comic shop. Happy reading.

[Phillip Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

New History of the DC Universe #2 | Comic Review

I finally got back to checking out New History of the DC Universe # 2. This is such a great series, and I think I’m going to knock the final two issues out quickly.

This hits some comic stories that I’m familiar with.

Well, the first book dealt with an era that I don’t have a lot of experience with, the second is full of the most basic knowledge of the DC Universe.

It dealt with the introduction of our major heroes of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, and Aquaman along with their major villains Lex Luthor, the Joker, Cheetah, Gorilla Grodd, and Ocean Master.

We also see the introduction of the Teen Titans, Darkseid, Green Lantern, Black Lightning, and Swamp Thing.

We end at Crisis.

I had heard about the Crisis on Infinite Earths event, but my first experience was not in the pages of comics! Mine was through the Arrowverse on the CW!

I know that’s insane, and I will drive into the actual books at some point.

Time to finish the second half.

I’ve got two more books in the series to go, and I can’t wait to see what’s next. I honestly don’t know!

[Cybernex007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

AMBUSH BUG MADE THE CUT!! WHOOOOO!! Even got half a page solely dedicated to being someone Barry Allen describes as bugs bunny in an alien suit!! THAT’S MY GUY! Overall this was another fun installment, this one feels a lot slower than the first one, opting instead to just mention milestones for when every character was introduced. And as this issue ends with crisis on infinite earths, they introduce A LOT of characters. Like I said previously, this is quite an ambitious project and I love looking through the more detailed editorial notes. I knew it had to come at one point, but I do find it odd that they would include the Justice league’s battle with darkseid, which included cyborg, only to say he went on ice and came back up fully repaired to join the teen titans. That just feels off to me. But overall it was fun little timeline.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opening with the beginnings of Superman and Batman we go deep into the first appearances of many heroes and their foes from the second versions of such heroes as The Flash, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, etc… and a nod into the appearances of such characters as Warlord, Black Lightning, Firestorm, Plastic Man, and Metamorpho to name just a few in this second issue of four making historical sense and fitting the pieces together with such things as Cyborg’s origin and even the ‘80’s first Crisis event by Wolfman and Perez.

[alejandro galvez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good.

Very good series. Mark Waid has been killing it at DC comics. A great writer. He is becoming one of my favorite writers at DC right now. You can tell his love for DC on every page. A lot of thought and research went into this comic. I am loving every minute of it. Very well crafted.

[Richard A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well for an anthology of heroes in the DC Universe it is fine but for a comic book it is a waste of money🤷🏼‍♂️

[Andy Waldron · Rating 4 out of 5]

good lord the continuity porn is real. got a little whiplash with this ish going back and forth with the artists, but i enjoyed both of their paages, so, whatevs.

[Paloma Montecino · Rating 4 out of 5]

No pueden terminarlo así y dejarme esperando por el tercer tomo…no lo admito

[James B · Rating 5 out of 5]

loving these books

[Jerry Aguirre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty average. Some of the characters have irregular limbs. Would have given it a three but the amount of work done gives it another star. Nice job Waid and co.

[Ryan Gässer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knowledge is power.

[Mark Cubillos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much better than the first issue but is very rushed. That’s okay, it has helped establish a good base for new fans.