Post-Crisis

Post-Crisis is a term used to describe characters, items, realities or events that take place during DC Comics' publishing history following the 1985-86 Crisis on Infinite Earths limited series. The term is used by industry professionals and consumers, and is widely considered to be an out-of-universe phrase; which is to say – characters within the DC universe continuity (with rare exception), do not use the term "Post-Crisis" when referring to events preceding the Crisis on Infinite Earths.

The Crisis on Infinite Earths series effectively re-booted the internal DC universe from the dawn of time onward. A new history was written – one that rendered many of the older DC stories apocryphal. Characters, timelines, and events from the varying alternate realities were condensed into one modernized mainstream reality, excising many characters that would otherwise be construed as redundant.

The Great Migration
By the end of the series, all but five parallel Earths had been utterly destroyed for all time. Many of the characters from the surviving dimensions were folded over into one streamlined continuity.


 * The Justice Society: All characters and history relating to the war-time heroes known as the Justice Society of America and the All-Star Squadron migrated into the modern continuity. The Golden Age Wonder Woman was replaced with Miss America (and later with Queen Hippolyta) in the post-crisis timeline. Many of the JSA/JLA annual crossover events are considered apocryphal and non-canon.


 * The Freedom Fighters: The Freedom Fighters assisted the Justice Society of America as members of the All-Star Squadron in the new continuity. Although the team members' individual Golden Age histories were preserved, their common history as heroes on Earth-X is considered non-canon.


 * The 7 Soldiers of Victory: In the revised history, the Golden Age Green Arrow and Speedy were replaced by Wing (sidekick to the Crimson Avenger), and Stuff the Chinatown Kid. In some versions, Thomas Ludlow, alias the Spider, filled out the team’s roster.


 * Infinity Inc.: While most Infinity Inc stories are considered canon, their adventures took place on the Post-Crisis Earth, and not on Earth-Two.


 * Batman: Batman underwent minor alterations. Although the core plots behind many of his Pre-Crisis adventures are preserved in the modern canon, the tone and flavor of these stories is indicative of a darker, grittier storytelling structure. The extent between which adventures are preserved in the modern era, and which ones are considered apocryphal remains a matter of speculation. Many of Batman’s Silver Age adventures have been retold in various formats over the past twenty years.


 * Superman: Superman's history and background were completely retooled rendering nearly all Silver Age appearances apocryphal. As such, Superman’s entire supporting cast and gallery of villains were reimagined for a more palatable, modern setting.


 * Wonder Woman: The Post-Crisis Wonder Woman did not make her first appearance until nearly a year after the Crisis on Infinite Earths. Like Superman, her history and supporting cast were retooled for the modern era.