# List of DC Multiverse worlds

The DC Multiverse is the collection of parallel worlds in [DC Comics](https://www.edgepedia.org/dc-comics)' shared fiction, including the 52 Earths on the Multiversity-era map, which occupy the same space but vibrate at different frequencies, together with the Dark Multiverse and other realms beyond them.<sup>[1](https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/01/14/unlocking-the-history-of-the-multiverse)</sup> This article lists the worlds of that [Multiverse](https://www.edgepedia.org/multiverse), describes how its structure has changed since 1961, and notes where screen adaptations have been folded into it.

| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mapped count (2020) | 52 Earths in the mapped Multiverse, occupying the same space at different vibrational frequencies<sup>[1](https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/01/14/unlocking-the-history-of-the-multiverse)</sup> |
| Main world | Earth-0, also called Prime Earth, the setting of current ongoing DC comics starring Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman<sup>[1](https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/01/14/unlocking-the-history-of-the-multiverse)</sup> |
| Origin of the concept | The Flash #123, "The Flash of Two Worlds" (1961), in which Barry Allen met Golden Age Flash Jay Garrick<sup>[1](https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/01/14/unlocking-the-history-of-the-multiverse)</sup> |
| Restoration | The weekly series 52, by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid, reestablished a Multiverse of 52 Earths after Infinite Crisis<sup>[1](https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/01/14/unlocking-the-history-of-the-multiverse)</sup> |
| Current map | Created under Grant Morrison's guidance for The Multiversity, after the 2011 Flashpoint reset; revealed with Entertainment Weekly in July 2014<sup>[1](https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/01/14/unlocking-the-history-of-the-multiverse)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2014/07/25/entertainment-weekly-reveals-a-mapped-dc-multiverse)</sup> |
| Dark Multiverse | Introduced in Dark Nights: Metal as unstable infinite Earths incompatible with the core Multiverse; it birthed the Batman Who Laughs<sup>[1](https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/01/14/unlocking-the-history-of-the-multiverse)</sup> |
| After Dark Crisis (2022) | Previously defined Earths unchanged; Earth-53 and beyond are newly infinite realities, restoring roughly the pre-1985 status<sup>[3](https://www.cbr.com/dc-debuts-chart-multiverse-studied-flash-crisis/)</sup> |

## History of the Multiverse

The Multiverse concept is generally accepted to have taken root in 1961's [The Flash](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-flash) #123, "The Flash of Two Worlds," in which Barry Allen met the Golden Age Flash, Jay Garrick.<sup>[1](https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/01/14/unlocking-the-history-of-the-multiverse)</sup> The 1985 series [Crisis on Infinite Earths](https://www.edgepedia.org/crisis-on-infinite-earths) wrote the [Multiverse](https://www.edgepedia.org/multiverse-dc-comics) out of existence.<sup>[3](https://www.cbr.com/dc-debuts-chart-multiverse-studied-flash-crisis/)</sup>

**Restoration and mapping.** After Infinite Crisis (2005), a writing team of [Geoff Johns](https://www.edgepedia.org/geoff-johns), Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and [Mark Waid](https://www.edgepedia.org/mark-waid) reestablished the DC Multiverse in the weekly comic 52, which by its end introduced a new Multiverse of 52 different Earths.<sup>[1](https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/01/14/unlocking-the-history-of-the-multiverse)</sup> Following the 2011 Flashpoint reset, the current map was created under [Grant Morrison](https://www.edgepedia.org/grant-morrison)'s guidance as part of The Multiversity; in July 2014 DC and Entertainment Weekly revealed Morrison's realized vision of the 52 alternative Earths of the known Multiverse.<sup>[1](https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/01/14/unlocking-the-history-of-the-multiverse)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2014/07/25/entertainment-weekly-reveals-a-mapped-dc-multiverse)</sup> Dark Nights: Metal added the Dark Multiverse, an entire Multiverse of frightening, unstable infinite Earths that were never meant to exist and are completely incompatible with the core worlds; it birthed the Batman Who Laughs.<sup>[1](https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/01/14/unlocking-the-history-of-the-multiverse)</sup>

## The core worlds

**Earth-0 (Prime Earth).** Earth-0, or Prime Earth, is most likely the setting of any current, ongoing DC comic set in the shared universe, and the home of Superman, Batman and [Wonder Woman](https://www.edgepedia.org/wonder-woman); it is also the [Justice League](https://www.edgepedia.org/justice-league)'s home world.<sup>[1](https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/01/14/unlocking-the-history-of-the-multiverse)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[3](https://www.cbr.com/dc-debuts-chart-multiverse-studied-flash-crisis/)</sup>

**Earth-1 through Earth-4.** Earth-1 is home to the younger heroes of the Earth One graphic novels. Earth-2 is the reality of the Justice Society, Earth-3 that of the Crime Syndicate, and Earth-4 the home of the former Charlton heroes.<sup>[3](https://www.cbr.com/dc-debuts-chart-multiverse-studied-flash-crisis/)</sup>

**Multiversity-map worlds.** The 2014 map highlighted distinctive worlds including the rampaging Retaliators of Earth-8, the Nazi New Reichsmen of Earth-10, Earth-16 (Earth-Me), the Justice Riders of Earth-18, the pulp-influenced Society of Super Heroes of Earth-20, the Vampire League of Earth-43, and Earth-Prime, where readers "meet yourself."<sup>[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2014/07/25/entertainment-weekly-reveals-a-mapped-dc-multiverse)</sup>

**Later designations.** The fan-maintained DCU Guide catalog assigns individual numbers to specific published works: Earth 49 to [Injustice: Gods Among Us](https://www.edgepedia.org/injustice-gods-among-us) #1, Earth 55 to DCeased #1, Earth 27 to Jurassic League #1, Earth 28 to DC: Mech #1, and Earth 38 to Superman & Batman: Generations #1.<sup>[4](https://dcuguide.com/Multiverse_(Prime_Earth))</sup> In Dark Crisis: [Big Bang](https://www.edgepedia.org/big-bang) #1 (2022), by Mark Waid, Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund, a new chart of the Multiverse compiled by Barry Allen overlays the Multiversity-era map and culminates with Earth-1996, home to DC and Marvel's jointly owned Amalgam characters such as those first seen in 1996, and Earth-2020, featuring the Superman of Superman #354.<sup>[3](https://www.cbr.com/dc-debuts-chart-multiverse-studied-flash-crisis/)</sup>

## The Dark Multiverse and other realms

The Dark Multiverse differs from the core 52 in kind, not just in number: its Earths are unstable, infinite, and incompatible with the core Multiverse.<sup>[1](https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/01/14/unlocking-the-history-of-the-multiverse)</sup> Alongside the 52 Earths, DC's cosmology includes the Monitor Sphere, the Source Wall, and realms of beings such as the [New Gods](https://www.edgepedia.org/new-gods), Dream of the Endless, and Lucifer Morningstar.<sup>[1](https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/01/14/unlocking-the-history-of-the-multiverse)</sup>

## By the numbers

The roster of worlds has changed repeatedly: the Multiverse was written out of existence after 1985's Crisis on Infinite Earths, restored as 52 Earths after 52, mapped as 52 in 2014, and stood at a finite 52 immediately before Dark Crisis.<sup>[1](https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/01/14/unlocking-the-history-of-the-multiverse)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://www.dc.com/blog/2014/07/25/entertainment-weekly-reveals-a-mapped-dc-multiverse)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[3](https://www.cbr.com/dc-debuts-chart-multiverse-studied-flash-crisis/)</sup> Dark Crisis: Big Bang #1 then restored the Multiverse to essentially its same pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths incarnation: the previously defined worlds remain unchanged, while Earth-53 and beyond comprise the newly infinite realities. Earth-55, for instance, is described as home to zombified versions of the Earth-0 heroes, according to DCeased, while Earth-63 is where the vampire heroes of DC vs. Vampires reside.<sup>[3](https://www.cbr.com/dc-debuts-chart-multiverse-studied-flash-crisis/)</sup>

## Screen and transmedia universes

[The CW](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-cw)'s Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover suggested that past DC films and shows, including Titans, Lucifer, Smallville, Superman Returns, and [Tim Burton](https://www.edgepedia.org/tim-burton)'s Batman, share the same live-action Multiverse.<sup>[1](https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/01/14/unlocking-the-history-of-the-multiverse)</sup>

## References

1. [Unlocking the History of the Multiverse, DC.com (January 14, 2020)](https://www.dc.com/blog/2020/01/14/unlocking-the-history-of-the-multiverse)
2. [Entertainment Weekly reveals a mapped DC Multiverse!, DC.com (July 25, 2014)](https://www.dc.com/blog/2014/07/25/entertainment-weekly-reveals-a-mapped-dc-multiverse)
3. [DC Debuts a New Chart of the Multiverse, Created by the Flash, CBR](https://www.cbr.com/dc-debuts-chart-multiverse-studied-flash-crisis/)
4. [Multiverse (Prime Earth), DCU Guide](https://dcuguide.com/Multiverse_(Prime_Earth))

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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Film characters and fictional worlds › DC Comics characters › Justice League and other DC heroes › Titles A to I*

*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 19, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*

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