An alternate take on a classic DC story shows the Justice Society might actually be stronger than the Justice League. That appears to be one takeaway from Tales from the Dark Multiverse: Crisis on Infinite Earths #1, on sale now. Tales from the Dark Multiverse is an anthology series published in the aftermath of Dark Nights: Metal that adds a dark twist to some of the most famous stories from the DC Universe.
Following the original Crisis on Infinite Earths, where the multiverse merged into one universe based primarily on Earth-One, the Justice Society found itself whisked away to Asgard. There they fought in Ragnarok, the final battle of the gods, and managed to survive. They then defeated the fiery demon Surtur, who wanted to wipe out all life on Earth, but their victory was not the end of their struggle. They were forced to fight Surtur again, and every time the battle ended, it began again. The Justice Society found itself locked in an eternal battle against Surtur to protect Earth from his wrath.
In one reality in the Dark Multiverse, a tiny change to this story has huge ramifications. Per CBR, Tales from the Dark Multiverse: Crisis on Infinite Earths #1 depicts the Justice League failing where the Justice Society once prevailed. It shows what happens when the new universe is not based on Earth-One, but instead on Earth-Two, where the Justice Society resides. In this story, it is the Justice League that finds itself facing off against Surtur. They are simply not enough to defeat the enemy. They fall in battle and Surtur proceeds to Earth, where he destroys all in his path.
The newly formed Earth is not completely defenseless, however. Surtur is first met by the All-Star Squadron, who engage him in battle but are ultimately defeated, losing many of its members in the process. The heroes of Earth-Two regroup and form the Justice Society of Earth. They fly in to stop Surtur as he continues his assault on the planet. Through great effort and an enormous sacrifice on the part of the Green Lantern, they are able to save Earth. However, Surtur is not defeated and goes on to consume an untold number of other planets. Even though Earth is saved and it now has a new team of defenders in the form of the Justice Society, it comes at a great cost to the rest of the universe.
The debate has long raged between comics fans over whether the Justice Society or the Justice League is the better team. This story shows the Justice League was simply not up to snuff when it came to fighting Surtur. When the Justice Society originally fought that battle, they not only managed to win, but they were able to do so again and again. The Justice League could not even pull out a victory one time.
There is one crucial element in this story that casts some doubt on whether the Justice Society is totally better. In the original Crisis on Infinite Earths, Superman from Earth-Two is placed in a pocket universe at the end of the story, along with Lois Lane, Superboy, and Alexander Luthor Jr. In this story, it is Superman of Earth-One who is put into the pocket universe, leaving his Justice League team to go up against Surtur without the help of the Man of Steel. Who knows what difference he could have made during Ragnarok, but without him the Justice League is not able to pull off the victory the Justice Society accomplished.
Tales from the Dark Multiverse: Crisis on Infinite Earths #1 is on sale now.
Source: DC Comics (via CBR)