Post by Admin on Aug 25, 2005 18:15:28 GMT -5
There are points when the history of the DC2 diverges significantly, but not drastically, from that of the DCU. A good rule of thumb is to assume that things are the same--- until they are directly contradicted in a continuity title, at which point, the new circumstance becomes DC2 canon.
The first significant point of divergence comes in the glory years of the Golden Age. The JSA evolved pretty much as it did in the DCU--- with one glaring difference: in 1936 Egypt, intrepid husband and wife archaeological team CC and Marilyn Batson unearthed the cave of the ancient wizard Shazam and CC was granted marvelous powers to become the heroic champion known to the world as Captain Marvel. Alongside the JSA, Captain Marvel helped defend the world against one menace after another, frustrated only by the sinister might of Hitler and his Spear of Destiny, which kept the heroes out of Nazi-held Europe.
In October of 1951, radical elements of the US government called the JSA before the House Un-American Activties Committee, and rather than unmask, the JSA disbanded, most of them retiring to a well-deserved rest. But Captain Marvel, recently bereaved by the tragic loss of his son Billy in the time-stream, soldiered on, for even as his alter ego CC Batson aged normally, when he cried the wizard's name, Captain Marvel was always in his fighting prime!
Other heroes rose to take the place of the mighty JSA. The Silver Age dawned as the Challengers of the Unknown forged ahead into new frontiers, capturing the imagination of America. The ill-fated Doom Patrol strove thanklessly against arcane and interstellar threats most people never even knew of, until their tragic disappearance in the blood-drenched Balkan nation of Zandia. And a refugee from a dead world named J'onn J'onzz secretly came to earth and vowed to protect it as the grim Martian Manhunter.
A new era began in a Kansas wheatfield, when a lonely farm couple pulled from the wreckage of a spacecraft a strange visitor from another planet... Young Clark Kent grew up knowing little about his Kryptonian heritage, but idolizing Earth's Mightiest Mortal, Captain Marvel. Someday, he dreamed, exercising his own growing powers, he would be just like him...
In Gotham City, a dark new urban legend springs to life. Denizens of the night report sightings of a unforgiving bat-man. His legend grows, and millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne takes a ward, Dick Grayson, who dons a mask and cape to help his mentor take back the streets.
On the day Clark Kent comes to Metropolis for his first day at work at the Daily Planet, a genetic experiment gone wrong escapes from S.T.A.R. Labs, and the Parasite is loosed. Captain Marvel is called in from Fawcett City, but he is no match for the villain, so seeing the idol of his youth in need, Clark Kent dons a familiar red and blue costume and together, the two heroes overcome the menace.
And as one era begins, another ends. With the advent of Superman (six years before the present time), Captain Marvel finally retires, saddened that it isn't his lost son Billy taking the mantle of a hero, but secure in the knowledge that Earth has a new, valiant protector.
From fabled Themyscira, Paradise Island of myth, comes Princess Diana of the Amazons to Patriarch's World, just as her mother had in the dark days of the second world war, to foil a threat form Ares, mad god of War, and his disciples.
So dawns a new sterling age of heroes, and the villains that rise up to oppose them. Green Arrow, the Flash, Blue Beetle, the Huntress, Zatanna, the Atom and many more!
And on the streets of Fawcett City, a lost little boy from 1951 emerges from the time stream, alone but filled with hope in a brave new world...!
The first significant point of divergence comes in the glory years of the Golden Age. The JSA evolved pretty much as it did in the DCU--- with one glaring difference: in 1936 Egypt, intrepid husband and wife archaeological team CC and Marilyn Batson unearthed the cave of the ancient wizard Shazam and CC was granted marvelous powers to become the heroic champion known to the world as Captain Marvel. Alongside the JSA, Captain Marvel helped defend the world against one menace after another, frustrated only by the sinister might of Hitler and his Spear of Destiny, which kept the heroes out of Nazi-held Europe.
In October of 1951, radical elements of the US government called the JSA before the House Un-American Activties Committee, and rather than unmask, the JSA disbanded, most of them retiring to a well-deserved rest. But Captain Marvel, recently bereaved by the tragic loss of his son Billy in the time-stream, soldiered on, for even as his alter ego CC Batson aged normally, when he cried the wizard's name, Captain Marvel was always in his fighting prime!
Other heroes rose to take the place of the mighty JSA. The Silver Age dawned as the Challengers of the Unknown forged ahead into new frontiers, capturing the imagination of America. The ill-fated Doom Patrol strove thanklessly against arcane and interstellar threats most people never even knew of, until their tragic disappearance in the blood-drenched Balkan nation of Zandia. And a refugee from a dead world named J'onn J'onzz secretly came to earth and vowed to protect it as the grim Martian Manhunter.
A new era began in a Kansas wheatfield, when a lonely farm couple pulled from the wreckage of a spacecraft a strange visitor from another planet... Young Clark Kent grew up knowing little about his Kryptonian heritage, but idolizing Earth's Mightiest Mortal, Captain Marvel. Someday, he dreamed, exercising his own growing powers, he would be just like him...
In Gotham City, a dark new urban legend springs to life. Denizens of the night report sightings of a unforgiving bat-man. His legend grows, and millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne takes a ward, Dick Grayson, who dons a mask and cape to help his mentor take back the streets.
On the day Clark Kent comes to Metropolis for his first day at work at the Daily Planet, a genetic experiment gone wrong escapes from S.T.A.R. Labs, and the Parasite is loosed. Captain Marvel is called in from Fawcett City, but he is no match for the villain, so seeing the idol of his youth in need, Clark Kent dons a familiar red and blue costume and together, the two heroes overcome the menace.
And as one era begins, another ends. With the advent of Superman (six years before the present time), Captain Marvel finally retires, saddened that it isn't his lost son Billy taking the mantle of a hero, but secure in the knowledge that Earth has a new, valiant protector.
From fabled Themyscira, Paradise Island of myth, comes Princess Diana of the Amazons to Patriarch's World, just as her mother had in the dark days of the second world war, to foil a threat form Ares, mad god of War, and his disciples.
So dawns a new sterling age of heroes, and the villains that rise up to oppose them. Green Arrow, the Flash, Blue Beetle, the Huntress, Zatanna, the Atom and many more!
And on the streets of Fawcett City, a lost little boy from 1951 emerges from the time stream, alone but filled with hope in a brave new world...!