Canceled DC Comics Planned Before the New 52: 6 Unseen Worlds That Could Have Been

Introduction:

The New 52, a massive reboot of the DC Comics universe, was launched in 2011 to revitalize the publisher's struggling titles. However, before the New 52 came to pass, many other comic book projects were in the pipeline, some of which never saw the light of day. Here are six canceled DC Comics that were planned before the New 52's arrival.

1. Justice League of Three Worlds (2009)

This ambitious crossover event would have united the Justice Leagues of the regular DC Universe, the WildStorm Universe, and the Tangent Universe. The story was to feature the return of Superboy-Prime and his Legion of Super-Villains.

2. Superman: Earth One Volume 4

The first three volumes of the acclaimed "Superman: Earth One" series were published between 2010 and 2013. However, plans for a fourth volume were scrapped due to creative differences between writer J. Michael Straczynski and artist Shane Davis.

3. The Demon: Rebirth

A revival of Jack Kirby's classic supernatural character, "The Demon: Rebirth" would have been written by Paul Cornell and penciled by Sean Phillips. The series was set to explore the character's origins and his connections to the supernatural realm.

4. Batman: The Dark Side

This three-issue miniseries would have delved into Batman's descent into darkness and his transformation into the "Batman of Zur-En-Arrh." The storyline was to be written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Andy Kubert.

5. Phantom Stranger: The Lost Year

Planned as a spin-off of the "Brightest Day" event, "Phantom Stranger: The Lost Year" would have chronicled the Phantom Stranger's travels through time and space. The series was to be written by Robbie Thompson and illustrated by Patrick Gleason.

6. Supergirl: The Lost Prophecy

This three-issue miniseries would have explored Supergirl's origins in the New 52 universe. The story was to be written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner and illustrated by David Finch.

Why Were These Comics Canceled?

The reasons behind the cancellation of these comics are varied. Some were canceled due to creative differences between the writers and artists. Others were scrapped as part of DC's broader restructuring leading up to the New 52.

Conclusion:

These six canceled DC Comics represent a glimpse into what could have been. They offer tantalizing hints of alternate realities and unseen adventures that never made it to publication. While some of these projects may remain lost forever, they serve as a testament to the creativity and ambition that continues to drive the DC Comics universe.

Table 1: Canceled DC Comics Planned Before the New 52

Table 2: Creative Teams Behind Canceled DC Comics

Table 3: Reasons for Cancellation

Table 4: Alternate Realities Explored in Canceled DC Comics

FAQs

Q: Why didn't these comics get published?

A: The reasons vary depending on the comic. Some were canceled due to creative differences between the creators, while others were scrapped as part of DC's broader restructuring leading up to the New 52.

Q: Are there any plans to revive these canceled comics?

A: Currently, there are no official plans to revive any of these canceled comics. However, given the ever-evolving nature of the DC Comics universe, it is possible that some of these projects could be resurrected in the future.

Q: Where can I find more information about these canceled comics?

A: There are several online resources that provide information about canceled DC Comics. The DC Comics Wiki, Comic Book Resources, and Newsarama are all good starting points for further research.

Q: Are these canceled comics worth reading?

A: While these comics never saw the light of day, they represent a glimpse into what could have been. They offer tantalizing hints of alternate realities and unseen adventures, and as such, they may be of interest to die-hard DC Comics fans.