Crisis On Multiple Earths, Vol. 1 [Paperback]

Gardner Fox (Author), Mike Sekowsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2002

In this prequel to one of DC Comics' biggest hits, the first four team-ups between the Justice League of America and its Earth-Two counterpart, the Justice Society, are collected in this graphic novel, depicting their battles against cosmic, all-powerful menaces too big for either team to handle alone. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

As background for its multi-part epic Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC Comics released Crisis on Multiple Earths to introduce (or refresh) the reader to the concept of multiple Earths coexisting in the same physical space by vibrating in different dimensions. This volume collects four different story lines (each encompassing two issues) involving the Earth-One Justice League of America (the most familiar DC stars such as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman) and the Earth-Two Justice Society of America (older heroes, some with Earth-One counterparts such as the Flash and Green Lantern, but some unique heroes such as Doctor Fate and Hourman), all from the mid-'60s and written by Gardner Fox with pencils by Mike Sekowsky. The best story introduces Earth-Three, where only criminals have the super powers. Bored with committing easy crimes, the Crime Syndicate of America--a band of supervillains with knockoff costumes and dumb names ("Power Ring," "Johnny Quick")--challenges the JLA and JSA to battle. The other stories involve the Crime Champions of Earth-One and -Two, Johnny Thunder's Thunderbolt, and Solomon Grundy and Blockbuster. For more crossover action, Crisis on Multiple Earths was followed by a volume 2. Alex Ross did the cover paintings for all three Crisis... books. --David Horiuchi

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (August 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563898950
• ISBN-13: 978-1563898952
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 0.5 x 10.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #710,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic, wonderful Silver Age stories!, October 24, 2002

By 

Blake Petit "Novelist, columnist & reviewer" (Ama, Louisiana United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crisis On Multiple Earths, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

This book forms sort of a trilogy with two other DC trade paperbacks: "Crisis on Infinite Earths" and "History of the DC Universe." All three books are worth reading, but this is the one tailor-made for silver age fans and people who love the Justice League.

Many years ago, you see, DC established that their heroes of the 1930s and 40s lived in a different universe than the heroes of the 50s they were currently publishing -- an "Earth-2." (Why was the home of the ORIGINAL characters called "Earth-2"? Who knows?) Since the Flashes of the two worlds had met on occasion, the creators of the Justice League of America comic book decided it was time for the current heroes to meet their predecessors, the first superhero team in comics, the Justice Society of America. That first story was successful and became a more-or-less annual event that lasted until the Crisis on Infinite Earths eliminated multiple universes from DC Comics.

This book collects the first several JLA/JSA pairings, each two parts and all done with style, class and a touch of that campy silver age charm that still makes the stories a lot of fun 40 years later. It's great to see DC showing this kind of respect to the classic stories in its library...

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Brilliance of Gardner Fox, July 18, 2003

By 

DPK (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Crisis On Multiple Earths, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

Perhaps no man in the history of superhero comics has had as many brilliant ideas as Gardner Fox. Sadly, though, his conceptual and narrative brilliance is often over-looked and/or dismissed as "kids stuff" in favor of Stan Lee's approach Marvel Universe. While I enjoy lots of the old Marvel stories (certainly much more than much of what Marvel puts out nowadays), I'm of a mind that bringing together the residents of two imaginary universes is a slightly neater trick than simply plopping your characters into the New York metro area.

As another reviewer pointed out, these stories (early 60s vintage) are from an era when comics were pure escapist fun. While the dialogue is often cringe-worthy (a trait Mr. Fox and Mr. Lee shared), there's no denying the simple joy of these stories. And if they lack some of the (ostensible) complexity of Marvel's stories of the same era, so much the better. Some times it's more fun to read about heroes working together to beat the villains than to see them pulling apart and beating on each other.

As a final note, I'm happy to say that I've heard DC has a follow-up volume in the works. With any luck, perhaps they'll cover the whole run of JLA/JSA team-ups. In the meantime, this collection is just wonderful on its own.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Crisis on Multiple Earth Vol 1, May 11, 2004

By 

"pinephyo" (Malaysia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crisis On Multiple Earths, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

This review is for Crisis on multiple earth vol.1. I already have Crisis on Multiple Earth Vol 2 and just saw that amazon has Vol 3 soon to be released, I am very excited to get vol 3 as well.

Now onto the review of vol.1. This TPB reprints the 8 issues of JLA/JSA comics crossovers in 1950s and 1960s. Keep in mind that they are written almost 50 years ago.But they ain't called "Classics" for nothing. Each issue is filled with excitement, story and great art (silver age art) to go along.

Those were the times when one crossover is only 2 issues long and not like current day 8 to 10 issues crossovers with another 4 or 5 titles tie-ins. And even with that you don't even grasp the storyline except the heros pounds the villians. But these JLA/JSA issues are different. Sure, heros pounds the villians but at least with exciting storylines.

Of course, the 60s dialogue can make you puke. Dialogues like "I am a 'Hero' (Any hero's name, superman,batman,Green Lantern etc) and I am going to do this and that" and dialogues like "I am a 'villian' and I am going to do this bad thing and that" do not go well with today's comic readers but if you can get past that fact, you will really enjoy those stories.

The first story is about Earth One and Earth Two super-heros meeting. Earth One JLA and Earth Two Older JSA meet through vibration or whatever. I will give that story 4 out of 5 stars. And keep in mind that that is the first time JSA old timers are revived.

The second story is about Earth Three. If you didn't know anything about Earth Three even existed, you will be surprised. Otherwise, it is not moving but rather long tale that Earth One/Two super-heros fight with their counterparts in Earth Three. I will give 3.5 stars out of 5.

The third story is about creation of Earth A (A for Alternate). And this is my favourite earth ever with Johnny Thunder and T'Bolts. Though I don't really like the ending and it looks like DC has the agenda that at the end of this issue, everything has to go back to normal and the writer has to oblige. Anyway, I will give this one 5 stars out of 5.

The last storyline with Anti-Matter Man does not appeal much to me. Although the idea of being from anti-matter universe is fairly interesting, the story has nothing but fight sences with teamwork thrown in. And I must admit this earlier team books have more teamwork between super-heros. Most of the later 90s crossovers or team-ups do not show much of team spirit during heros' fight but just to show they are present in the comic book page.

But if you don't know Solomon Grundy (Hulk looks-alike or sounds alike) and BlockBuster, you will get a chance to meet them, together with Sandman (no..no.. not Neil Gaiman's Sandman!!) I will give this story 3 out of 5 star.