The heroes and villains of the DC Comics universe have had a number of amazing adventures that fans all around the world have enjoyed. There have been memorable events and moments that many will never forget, involving beloved characters such as Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. When comic book fans talk about their favorite stories from the figures that they love to read, there is a nice surge of enthusiasm that makes the hobby worth it. There will always be tales that readers will hold up and pass on to the next generation of comic book lovers.
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However, there have also been some really bad times in the pages of DC Comics. These are moments that many fans want to forget and release from their minds, as they were bad stories or bad uses of a character. While readers do not like them, they still stick in their minds as memories that they want to let go of. This was especially true in the 1990s, a time that saw a major change in comic books and had some really bad ideas for fans’ favorite characters.
These 8 moments in ’90s DC Comics were not pretty, but they stick around in the minds of readers nonetheless (read: trauma).
8) Sane Joker
There have been storylines that have seen the Joker regain his sanity. Superman: Distant Fires is one of those moments, showing a Joker who actually helps rather than destroys. While it is nice to see Joker become sane and aid people, the scene feels boring. While the idea of Joker being a good guy was handled better in other storylines (see: White Knight), Distant Fires cannot be forgotten, as it helps teach how not to do a sane Joker.
7) Wonder Woman Channels the ’90s
In the 1990s, William Messner-Loebs took over the writing for the Wonder Woman comic. In it, he introduced the character Artemis and had Diana lose the Wonder Woman title to her. She then dons a black outfit (that looks like something that a slutty biker would wear), which tries to embrace the gritty nature of the ’90s. The comic book run definitely embraces the time that it was written in, and has left Wonder Woman fans with mixed feelings. It is not the best era for the character, but definitely one that fans of Diana cannot look away from and forget.
6) Emerald Twilight
One of the greatest Green Lanterns of all time is Hal Jordan. However, the ’90s were not very good to the character as he became a universal threat due to the madness he succumbed to after seeing his home of Coast City destroyed. The storyline “Emerald Twilight” saw Hal Jordan start a major heel turn into becoming the biggest threat that the DC Universe faced at the time – a decision that would have severe repercussions. It is a moment that all DC fans need to remember, as it shows that even the best of heroes can be turned into the greatest of threats.
5) Azrael
Many consider Bane’s breaking of Batman at the hands of Bane to be one of the most important moments in the character’s history. However, the breaking of The Bat led to the vigilante Azrael taking on the mantle, which was a terrible choice. Azrael was mentally unstable and incredibly violent, and made a suit that screamed 1990s. It was a bad time for the Caped Crusader that ended with Bruce Wayne once again becoming Batman. But it is a moment in the figure’s history that fans cannot overlook or forget.
4) Armageddon 2001
Armageddon 2001 was a crossover event that took place in 1991. The story followed a character named Waverider who is trying to figure out which DC hero would become the supervillain Monarch. Unfortunately, the event did not have an impact on the DC Universe. Part of this was because the ending was leaked, forcing the publisher to make sudden changes to combat the spoiled story beats. While Armageddon 2001 is a mostly forgotten event lost in DC history, it lives in infamy due to the leaks.
3) Bloodlines
The Bloodlines event was an attempt to pursue the edgy trends that were going on in the ’90s, but failed to succeed. A good number of new superheroes were introduced in Bloodlines, though many of them did not make a lasting impact. It was one of the most forgettable events that DC has ever released, and one that most readers will pass over. However, comic book fans cannot forget Bloodlines, as it is a great lesson on how to do big, epic, crossover events.
2) Guy Gardner: Warrior
Comic book fans get to see Guy Gardner become Warrior in the ’90s after he loses the abilities of his power ring. The character then gains a new superpower to make up for his ring: he learns how to morph his body into various weapons. This includes massive guns that cause panel-filling explosions. While he would later be reestablished as a Green Lantern, this was a weird time in Guy’s life. It is one that many fans of the Green Lantern Corps. wish they could get out of their heads, but a part of DC’s history that just cannot be ignored.
1) Mullet Superman
They give him many names that sound more respectable: “Black Suit Superman,” “Long-haired Superman,” but we all know those are euphemisms for what this really was: Mullet Superman.
“The Death of Superman” remains one of the biggest events in comic books during the 1990s, generating headlines worldwide. The subsequent “Reign of the Supermen” story arc was just as major, delivering the ultimate reveal of what the Man of Steel looked like upon his return. Superman’s resurrection came at the cost of his powers still initially being depleted, so he donned a Kryptonian suit meant to help recharge his abilities and decided to lean into the ’90s era in the fullest, by letting his hair grow out.
This look for Superman was the biggest example of DC trying to update itself for the ’90s era. To this day, ‘Mullet Superman’ is something no fan can get out of their heads, and the debate over whether the look was a bold and novel or a complete disaster might never end.
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Image courtesy of Focus Features.
