Crisis on Infinite Earths #3 is an issue of the series Crisis on Infinite Earths (Volume 1) with a cover date of June, 1985. It was published on March 7, 1985.
Synopsis for "Oblivion Upon Us"
Harbinger walks into the Monitor's sanctum as he continues testing young Alex Luthor. Luthor is aging at an accelerated rate, and is now the physical age of an adolescent boy. The Monitor discovers he is composed of both positive matter and antimatter, and believes that this composite life form may hold the key towards stopping the Crisis. Harbinger, still under the influence of a dark, mysterious entity, leaves the Monitor's satellite and reports to her new master.
On Earth-One in the 30th Century, the Flash races through the streets desperately attempting to halt a series of natural disasters. He sees a wave of pure antimatter spreading outwards in the distance. He vibrates his molecules at super-speed sending himself backwards through time.
In 1985, the antimatter wave has reached Earth-One and it slowly begins to dissolve everything in its path. The Teen Titans team up with the Outsiders to save as many citizens of New York as possible. Batman and Superman arrive as well to lend a hand. Suddenly Batman sees the Flash appear before his eyes. The Flash screams in terror and quickly disappears.
In outer space, Brainiac's brain-ship surveys the progress of the antimatter wave. He logically deduces that in order to preserve his own life, he must help to save the Multiverse. Brainiac flies off to find his old partner, Lex Luthor.
Meanwhile, Blue Beetle, Doctor Polaris and Geo-Force arrive in Markovia in the spring of 1944. Markovia is currently under Nazi occupation and the Nazis attempt to secure the Monitor's energy tower. The American military forces known as Easy Company, the Losers and the Haunted Tank Unit are present as well. While the heroes engage the Nazis, they must also contend with a horde of Shadow Demons. The Shadow Demons succeed in killing several soldiers including the Losers members Johnny Cloud, Captain Storm, Gunner and Sarge.
On Earth-AD, Superman, Dawnstar, Solovar and Kamandi stand by helplessly as they watch the sky turn the color of blood and lightning storms erupt all around them. Solovar, finally succumbs to his recent injuries and dies in Kamandi's arms.
Meanwhile, Cyborg, Green Lantern, Psimon and Firebrand materialize in the town of Coyote, Texas in the year 1879. They meet up with several Southwestern heroes including, Nighthawk, Scalphunter, Bat Lash, Johnny Thunder and Jonah Hex. The two disparate groups join forces and locate another one of the Monitor's towers.
However, the destructive wave of antimatter that the Monitor warned off strikes the Earth at all time periods simultaneously. While the other heroes fight against more Shadow Demons, Nighthawk is consumed by the antimatter wave.
Across time in the 30th Century, the Legion of Super-Heroes shares a similar tragedy. While saving innocent civilians in England, Kid Psycho falls prey to the white energy wall.
Back on the Monitor's satellite, Harbinger returns. Consumed by the influence of her new master, she releases a blast of energy at the Monitor.
Appearing in "Oblivion Upon Us"
Featured Characters:
- Alex Luthor
- Bat Lash
- Batman (Earth-One)
- Blue Beetle (Ted Kord)
- Doctor Polaris
- Easy Company
- Firebrand (Danette Reilly)
- The Flash (Earth-One)
- Green Lantern (John Stewart)
- Johnny Thunder (John Tane)
- Jonah Hex
- Kamandi
- Legion of Super-Heroes
- The Monitor
- Nighthawk (Dies)
- Outsiders
- Psimon
- Scalphunter
- Solovar (Apparent Death)
- Superman (Earth-One)
- Superman (Earth-Two)
- Teen Titans
Supporting Characters:
- United States Army
- The Losers
- Captain Storm (Dies)
- Gunner (Dies)
- Johnny Cloud (Dies)
- Pooch (Behind the scenes)
- Sarge (Dies)
- Haunted Tank Unit
- The Losers
Antagonists:
- Anti-Monitor (Behind the scenes)
- Nazis
Other Characters:
- Brainiac
- Arion (Cameo)
- Firestorm (Cameo)
- Mrs. Gofooey (Single appearance) (Erased)
- Killer Frost (Louise Lincoln) (Cameo)
- Obsidian (Cameo)
- Alexander Luthor, Sr. (Mentioned only)
- Blue Beetle (Dan Garrett) (Mentioned only)
- Dumbo (Mentioned only)
- Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) (Mentioned only)
- Guardians of the Universe (Mentioned only)
- Iris Allen (Mentioned only)
- John Wayne (Mentioned only)
- Kamandi's parents (Mentioned only)
- Lex Luthor (Earth-One) (Mentioned only)
- Lois Lane (Earth-Two) (Mentioned only)
- Lois Luthor (Mentioned only)
- Luand'r (Mentioned only)
- Myand'r (Mentioned only)
- Ryand'r (Mentioned only)
- Ted Kord's mom (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Multiverse
- Antimatter Universe
- Earth-AD
- Earth-One
- 45,000 BCE
- 1879
- Coyote, Texas
- St. Louis (Mentioned only)
- 1944
- 1985
- Pre-Zero Hour 30th Century
- Monitor's Satellite
- Earth-Three (Mentioned only)
Items:
- Antimatter
- Blue Beetle Scarab
- Cosmic Tuning Forks
- Donna Troy's Lasso
- Green Lantern Ring
- Legion Flight Ring
- Soultaker Sword
Vehicles:
Concepts:
- American Old West
- Crisis on Infinite Earths
- Time Travel
- World War II
- April Fool's Day (Mentioned only)
- Great Disaster (Mentioned only)
Notes
- This issue is reprinted in the Crisis on Infinite Earths trade paperback, as well as the hardcover edition and Absolute slipcase edition.
- With the exception of vignettes occurring in alternate time eras, this issue primarily takes place in July of 1985.
- The Flash makes reference to events that take place in The Flash #350.
- Although the Losers are killed in this issue, their final mission is more cohesively covered in August's Losers Special.
- Pooch is present alongside the Losers and the Haunted Tank crew as evidenced by events detailed in Losers Special. However, he does not physically appear in this issue.
- Although Long Round, Short Round and Worry Wart of Easy Company are not seen in this issue, they are likely present in Markovia fighting against the Shadow Demons.
- King Solovar apparently sustained fatal injuries between issues Crisis on Infinite Earths #2 and #3.
- In the five-part television adaptation of Crisis on Infinite Earths, the events of the first three issues are largely adapted into Part One (an episode of Supergirl), which sees The Monitor assemble a group of warriors (in this case, Superman, Flash, Green Arrow and his daughter Mia Queen, Supergirl, The Atom, Sara Lance, and Batwoman) to defend his tower on Earth-38. Harbinger first hears the call of the Anti-Monitor in Part Two (an episode of Batwoman), and "betrays" The Monitor in Part Three (an episode of The Flash).
Trivia
- Jonah Hex makes reference to having met Green Lantern once before. The Green Lantern he is referring to is Hal Jordan, and the meeting took place in the year 1878 in Justice League of America #198.
- Farmer Boy of Easy Company is erroneously referred to as Flower in this issue. Flower is actually a female character from Earth-AD and a friend of Kamandi.
- The characters from the Old West era use terms that modern readers may find offensive, like "half-breed" and "colored".
See Also
- Cover gallery for the Crisis on Infinite Earths series
- Images from Crisis on Infinite Earths Vol 1 3
