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This article is about physical cosmology. For religious ideas of a multiverse, see Multiverse (religion).

Hypothetical group of multiple universes

The multiverse is a hypothetical group of multiple universes. Together, these universes comprise everything that exists: the entirety of space, time, matter, energy, information, and the physical laws and constants that describe them. The different universes within the multiverse are called "parallel universes", "other universes", or "alternate universes".

The concept of multiple universes existed since the middle ages. Notable was the theory of Fakhr al-Din al-Razi of the Islamic Golden Age, who intended to explain the probable existence of the multiverse, based on general principles of the Quran.[1][2]

In Dublin in 1952, Erwin Schrdinger gave a lecture in which he jocularly warned his audience that what he was about to say might "seem lunatic". He said that when his equations seemed to describe several different histories, these were "not alternatives, but all really happen simultaneously".[3]

The American philosopher and psychologist William James used the term "multiverse" in 1895, but in a different context.[4] The term was first used in fiction and in its current physics context by Michael Moorcock in his 1963 SF Adventures novella The Sundered Worlds.

Multiple universes have been hypothesized in cosmology, physics, astronomy, religion, philosophy, transpersonal psychology, music and all kinds of literature, particularly in science fiction, comic books and fantasy. In these contexts, parallel universes are also called "alternate universes", "quantum universes", "interpenetrating dimensions", "parallel universes", "parallel dimensions", "parallel worlds", "parallel realities", "quantum realities", "alternate realities", "alternate timelines", "alternate dimensions" and "dimensional planes".

The physics community has debated the various multiverse theories over time. Prominent physicists are divided about whether any other universes exist outside of our own.

Some physicists say the multiverse is not a legitimate topic of scientific inquiry.[5] Concerns have been raised about whether attempts to exempt the multiverse from experimental verification could erode public confidence in science and ultimately damage the study of fundamental physics.[6] Some have argued that the multiverse is a philosophical notion rather than a scientific hypothesis because it cannot be empirically falsified. The ability to disprove a theory by means of scientific experiment has always been part of the accepted scientific method.[7] Paul Steinhardt has famously argued that no experiment can rule out a theory if the theory provides for all possible outcomes.[8]

In 2007, Nobel laureate Steven Weinberg suggested that if the multiverse existed, "the hope of finding a rational explanation for the precise values of quark masses and other constants of the standard model that we observe in our Big Bang is doomed, for their values would be an accident of the particular part of the multiverse in which we live."[9]

Around 2010, scientists such as Stephen M. Feeney analyzed Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) data and claimed to find evidence suggesting that our universe collided with other (parallel) universes in the distant past.[10][11][12] However, a more thorough analysis of data from the WMAP and from the Planck satellite, which has a resolution 3 times higher than WMAP, did not reveal any statistically significant evidence of such a bubble universe collision.[13][14] In addition, there was no evidence of any gravitational pull of other universes on ours.[15][16]

Modern proponents of one or more of the multiverse hypotheses include Hugh Everett,[17] Don Page,[18] Brian Greene,[19][20] Max Tegmark,[21] Alan Guth,[22] Andrei Linde,[23] Michio Kaku,[24] David Deutsch,[25] Leonard Susskind,[26] Alexander Vilenkin,[27] Yasunori Nomura,[28] Raj Pathria,[29] Laura Mersini-Houghton,[30][31][32] Neil deGrasse Tyson,[33] Sean Carroll[34]and Stephen Hawking.[35]

Scientists who are generally skeptical of the multiverse hypothesis include: David Gross,[36] Paul Steinhardt,[37][38] Anna Ijjas,[38] Abraham Loeb,[38] David Spergel,[39] Neil Turok,[40] Viatcheslav Mukhanov,[41] Michael S. Turner,[42] Roger Penrose,[43] George Ellis,[44][45] Joe Silk,[46]Carlo Rovelli,[47] Adam Frank,[48] Marcelo Gleiser,[48] Jim Baggott[49] and Paul Davies.[50]

In his 2003 New York Times opinion piece, "A Brief History of the Multiverse", author and cosmologist Paul Davies offered a variety of arguments that multiverse theories are non-scientific:[51]

For a start, how is the existence of the other universes to be tested? To be sure, all cosmologists accept that there are some regions of the universe that lie beyond the reach of our telescopes, but somewhere on the slippery slope between that and the idea that there is an infinite number of universes, credibility reaches a limit. As one slips down that slope, more and more must be accepted on faith, and less and less is open to scientific verification. Extreme multiverse explanations are therefore reminiscent of theological discussions. Indeed, invoking an infinity of unseen universes to explain the unusual features of the one we do see is just as ad hoc as invoking an unseen Creator. The multiverse theory may be dressed up in scientific language, but in essence it requires the same leap of faith.

George Ellis, writing in August 2011, provided a criticism of the multiverse, and pointed out that it is not a traditional scientific theory. He accepts that the multiverse is thought to exist far beyond the cosmological horizon. He emphasized that it is theorized to be so far away that it is unlikely any evidence will ever be found. Ellis also explained that some theorists do not believe the lack of empirical testability falsifiability is a major concern, but he is opposed to that line of thinking:

Many physicists who talk about the multiverse, especially advocates of the string landscape, do not care much about parallel universes per se. For them, objections to the multiverse as a concept are unimportant. Their theories live or die based on internal consistency and, one hopes, eventual laboratory testing.

Ellis says that scientists have proposed the idea of the multiverse as a way of explaining the nature of existence. He points out that it ultimately leaves those questions unresolved because it is a metaphysical issue that cannot be resolved by empirical science. He argues that observational testing is at the core of science and should not be abandoned:[52]

As skeptical as I am, I think the contemplation of the multiverse is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the nature of science and on the ultimate nature of existence: why we are here.... In looking at this concept, we need an open mind, though not too open. It is a delicate path to tread. Parallel universes may or may not exist; the case is unproved. We are going to have to live with that uncertainty. Nothing is wrong with scientifically based philosophical speculation, which is what multiverse proposals are. But we should name it for what it is.

Max Tegmark and Brian Greene have devised classification schemes for the various theoretical types of multiverses and universes that they might comprise.

Cosmologist Max Tegmark has provided a taxonomy of universes beyond the familiar observable universe. The four levels of Tegmark's classification are arranged such that subsequent levels can be understood to encompass and expand upon previous levels. They are briefly described below.[53][54]

A prediction of cosmic inflation is the existence of an infinite ergodic universe, which, being infinite, must contain Hubble volumes realizing all initial conditions.

Accordingly, an infinite universe will contain an infinite number of Hubble volumes, all having the same physical laws and physical constants. In regard to configurations such as the distribution of matter, almost all will differ from our Hubble volume. However, because there are infinitely many, far beyond the cosmological horizon, there will eventually be Hubble volumes with similar, and even identical, configurations. Tegmark estimates that an identical volume to ours should be about 1010115 meters away from us.[21]

Given infinite space, there would, in fact, be an infinite number of Hubble volumes identical to ours in the universe.[55] This follows directly from the cosmological principle, wherein it is assumed that our Hubble volume is not special or unique.

In the eternal inflation theory, which is a variant of the cosmic inflation theory, the multiverse or space as a whole is stretching and will continue doing so forever,[56] but some regions of space stop stretching and form distinct bubbles (like gas pockets in a loaf of rising bread). Such bubbles are embryonic level I multiverses.

Different bubbles may experience different spontaneous symmetry breaking, which results in different properties, such as different physical constants.[55]

Level II also includes John Archibald Wheeler's oscillatory universe theory and Lee Smolin's fecund universes theory.

Hugh Everett III's many-worlds interpretation (MWI) is one of several mainstream interpretations of quantum mechanics.

In brief, one aspect of quantum mechanics is that certain observations cannot be predicted absolutely. Instead, there is a range of possible observations, each with a different probability. According to the MWI, each of these possible observations corresponds to a different universe. Suppose a six-sided die is thrown and that the result of the throw corresponds to a quantum mechanics observable. All six possible ways the die can fall correspond to six different universes.

Tegmark argues that a Level III multiverse does not contain more possibilities in the Hubble volume than a Level I or Level II multiverse. In effect, all the different "worlds" created by "splits" in a Level III multiverse with the same physical constants can be found in some Hubble volume in a Level I multiverse. Tegmark writes that, "The only difference between Level I and Level III is where your doppelgngers reside. In Level I they live elsewhere in good old three-dimensional space. In Level III they live on another quantum branch in infinite-dimensional Hilbert space."

Similarly, all Level II bubble universes with different physical constants can, in effect, be found as "worlds" created by "splits" at the moment of spontaneous symmetry breaking in a Level III multiverse.[55] According to Yasunori Nomura,[28] Raphael Bousso, and Leonard Susskind,[26] this is because global spacetime appearing in the (eternally) inflating multiverse is a redundant concept. This implies that the multiverses of Levels I, II, and III are, in fact, the same thing. This hypothesis is referred to as "Multiverse = Quantum Many Worlds". According to Yasunori Nomura, this quantum multiverse is static, and time is a simple illusion.[57]

Related to the many-worlds idea are Richard Feynman's multiple histories interpretation and H. Dieter Zeh's many-minds interpretation.

The ultimate mathematical universe hypothesis is Tegmark's own hypothesis.[58]

This level considers all universes to be equally real which can be described by different mathematical structures.

Tegmark writes:

Abstract mathematics is so general that any Theory Of Everything (TOE) which is definable in purely formal terms (independent of vague human terminology) is also a mathematical structure. For instance, a TOE involving a set of different types of entities (denoted by words, say) and relations between them (denoted by additional words) is nothing but what mathematicians call a set-theoretical model, and one can generally find a formal system that it is a model of.

He argues that this "implies that any conceivable parallel universe theory can be described at Level IV" and "subsumes all other ensembles, therefore brings closure to the hierarchy of multiverses, and there cannot be, say, a Level V."[21]

Jrgen Schmidhuber, however, says that the set of mathematical structures is not even well-defined and that it admits only universe representations describable by constructive mathematicsthat is, computer programs.

Schmidhuber explicitly includes universe representations describable by non-halting programs whose output bits converge after finite time, although the convergence time itself may not be predictable by a halting program, due to the undecidability of the halting problem.[59][60][61] He also explicitly discusses the more restricted ensemble of quickly computable universes.[62]

The American theoretical physicist and string theorist Brian Greene discussed nine types of multiverses:[63]

In several theories, there is a series of infinite, self-sustaining cycles (for example, an eternity of Big Bangs, Big Crunches, and/or Big Freezes).

A multiverse of a somewhat different kind has been envisaged within string theory and its higher-dimensional extension, M-theory.[64]

These theories require the presence of 10 or 11 spacetime dimensions respectively. The extra 6 or 7 dimensions may either be compactified on a very small scale, or our universe may simply be localized on a dynamical (3+1)-dimensional object, a D3-brane. This opens up the possibility that there are other branes which could support other universes.[65][66]

Black-hole cosmology is a cosmological model in which the observable universe is the interior of a black hole existing as one of possibly many universes inside a larger universe.[citation needed] This includes the theory of white holes, which are on the opposite side of space-time.

The concept of other universes has been proposed to explain how our own universe appears to be fine-tuned for conscious life as we experience it.

If there were a large (possibly infinite) number of universes, each with possibly different physical laws (or different fundamental physical constants), then some of these universes (even if very few) would have the combination of laws and fundamental parameters that are suitable for the development of matter, astronomical structures, elemental diversity, stars, and planets that can exist long enough for life to emerge and evolve.

The weak anthropic principle could then be applied to conclude that we (as conscious beings) would only exist in one of those few universes that happened to be finely tuned, permitting the existence of life with developed consciousness. Thus, while the probability might be extremely small that any particular universe would have the requisite conditions for life (as we understand life), those conditions do not require intelligent design as an explanation for the conditions in the Universe that promote our existence in it.

An early form of this reasoning is evident in Arthur Schopenhauer's 1844 work "Von der Nichtigkeit und dem Leiden des Lebens", where he argues that our world must be the worst of all possible worlds, because if it were significantly worse in any respect it could not continue to exist.[67]

Proponents and critics disagree about how to apply Occam's razor. Critics argue that to postulate an almost infinite number of unobservable universes, just to explain our own universe, is contrary to Occam's razor.[68] However, proponents argue that in terms of Kolmogorov complexity the proposed multiverse is simpler than a single idiosyncratic universe.[55]

For example, multiverse proponent Max Tegmark argues:

[A]n entire ensemble is often much simpler than one of its members. This principle can be stated more formally using the notion of algorithmic information content. The algorithmic information content in a number is, roughly speaking, the length of the shortest computer program that will produce that number as output. For example, consider the set of all integers. Which is simpler, the whole set or just one number? Naively, you might think that a single number is simpler, but the entire set can be generated by quite a trivial computer program, whereas a single number can be hugely long. Therefore, the whole set is actually simpler... (Similarly), the higher-level multiverses are simpler. Going from our universe to the Level I multiverse eliminates the need to specify initial conditions, upgrading to Level II eliminates the need to specify physical constants, and the Level IV multiverse eliminates the need to specify anything at all... A common feature of all four multiverse levels is that the simplest and arguably most elegant theory involves parallel universes by default. To deny the existence of those universes, one needs to complicate the theory by adding experimentally unsupported processes and ad hoc postulates: finite space, wave function collapse and ontological asymmetry. Our judgment therefore comes down to which we find more wasteful and inelegant: many worlds or many words. Perhaps we will gradually get used to the weird ways of our cosmos and find its strangeness to be part of its charm.[55][69]

Max Tegmark

Possible worlds are a way of explaining probability and hypothetical statements. Some philosophers, such as David Lewis, believe that all possible worlds exist and that they are just as real as the world we live in (a position known as modal realism).[70]

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Multiverse - Wikipedia

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Traversing through dimensions in his debut and rescuing the Avengers through time travelling feats, Doctor Strange is coming with a second standalone movie. Yes, you read it right! The iconic sorcerer is all set to return for Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness along with his companion Wong.

Heres everything you need to know about Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness :

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The film was initially scheduled to be released in May 2021. However, due to the ongoing world situation, it has been pushed twice along with the whole Marvel phase 4 slate and is now slated to be released on March 22, 2022.

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Undoubtedly, Benedict Cumberbatch will return to play the titular Doctor Strange. An announcement at Comic-con 2019, it was revealed that Elizabeth Olsens Scarlett Witch would appear in the film, but what her role will serve is quite an intrigue. Feige stated that the upcoming Disney + TV show Wanda Vision, which will revolve around her would lead her to enter the world of Strange.

Variety reported that Rachel McAdams, who plays Christine Palmer, wouldnt return for the sequel.

Cumberbatch would, of course, be accompanied by Wong played Benedict Wong.

According to the Production Weekly, the plot will see Dr Stephen Strange resume his analysis on the Time Stone after the story of the Avengers: Endgame. An old friend turned foe turns up, ruining his plan and leading him to unbridle an unspeakable evil.

Scott Derrickson had revealed that the sequel would bear scary and gothic sequences which were also affirmed by Marvels Kevin Feige.

No trailer of Doctor Strange 2 is out yet. If the filming starts in May 2020, we could catch a glimpse for the sequel towards the end of this year.

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Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Release Date, Who Is In Cast? Plot Trailer And Whats Mo ... - Pop Culture Times

The X-Men of the Exiles traveled across the Marvel Multiverse, and they met some truly twisted versions of Marvel's most famous heroes.

The Marvel Multiverse is a massive place, home to a host of dangerous and deadly incarnations of every character in the Marvel Universe. Throughout their adventures in Marvel's various alternate realities, the X-Men team known as the Exiles encountered more than a few lethal versions of characters who are usually paragons of heroism.

While that was a common occurrence throughout the team's multiversal adventures, some of the familiar faces that the team encountered were truly twisted foes. Now, we're taking a closer look at some of the most vile villains from the far corners of the Marvel Multiverse.

RELATED:What If: The X-Men's Greatest Defeats Across the Multiverse

In Judd Winick and Mike McKone's Exiles #1, the team's first mission takes them to rescue a world where most of the superpowered beings have been locked away in prison. Told to rescue their ultimate mentor, the team of X-Men largely think of Charles Xavier. Unfortunately, this message was meant for Blink -- an Age of Apocalypse hero who saw Magneto in that role. And in this world, Xavier was a mutant supremacist who'd grown to despise humanity.

Once unleashed by the Exiles, Xavier quickly knocks them out and unleashes a band of human-hating beings from their cells, including Juggernaut, Human Torch, Domino, Spider-Woman and Chamber. Xavier and his forces attack New York and the Exiles fight against them, with Xavier ultimately facing Mimic in a battle. In the end, Mimic is forced to use his Wolverine-borrowed claws to kill this world's version of his mentor.

RELATED:What Happens If Doctor Doom Ever Actually WINS?

In the world introduced in Chris Claremont and Paul Pelletier's Exiles #91, Blink, Longshot, and Spider-Man 2099 are captured and quickly brainwashed into minions of the Hand. It's revealed that in this world, Sue Storm became Madame Hydra. Through her agents, Madame Hydra learns about the existence of the multiverse and sets out to spread her influence across it. In this world, the Invisible Woman left her husband Reed Richards and their daughter Valeria to command Hydra.

Along with the Wolverine of this dimension, Madame Hydra waged war on the world. This brought down much of the infrastructure of the world and left places like New York in ruins. Reed, meanwhile, began a resistance and found new love with Elektra. The Exiles eventually work with Reed and force Susan, Wolverine, and their ally Slay-Master off-world and into the multiverse. They eventually encountered the New Exiles and worked with a dark version of Lilandra to take over her reality. However, Sue was defeated by a version of Kitty Pryde who sacrificed herself to phase through Sue's shields, and her allies were ultimately captured and held accountable for their crimes.

RELATED: What If: What Happens When Spider-Man Becomes A Killer?

In Tony Bedard and Paul Pelletier's Exiles #87, the Silver Surfer of Earth-552 was a dangerous scientist whose inventions led to the destruction of his home, Zenn-La. To this end, Norrin sought out Galactus, who in this reality was the World Restorer. He convinced Galactus to make him his herald, the Silver Surfer, with the intent of having Galactus one day restore Zenn-La as he did to other planets across the universe. However, the Surfer turned against Galactus when he revealed that he could not save Zenn-La, since he specifically only restored planets destroyed by the mysterious Blight.

Enraged by this perceived betrayal, the Surfer carved a path of destruction across the galaxy. His path led him to destroy the Earth of this reality, and he became a frequent enemy of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard, even killing most of them in battle. In the end, the Exiles ended up fighting him and almost being overwhelmed. However, a Galactus-enhanced Sabertooth proved to be too quick and savage for the Silver Surfer, and he wounded him enough to leave him open to be mortally wounded by being impaled on his own board.

KEEP READING: The Most Powerful (and Absurd) Versions of Iron Man Across the Multiverse

Star Wars: Rey ALMOST Had the Perfect Lightsaber - Heres What Went Wrong

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X-Men: The Most Twisted Marvel Heroes The Exiles Ever Encountered - CBR - Comic Book Resources

Spoilers for comics released on May 13

After an extended hiatus, comics are slowly making their way back to stores. The comics industry is finding new ways to get products out to readers. Whether it's through digital-first issues, alternate distributors or simply a reduced list of titles released every week, comics are back. We take a look at this week's best moments, featuring multiversal conversations, identities reclaimed and a Cosmic Cube showing up in a surprising place.

Just how much free will the Metal Men actually have is a matter of some confusion. The first issue of the 'Metal Men' maxi-series revealed Will Magnus' greatest secret that the Metal Men have never truly been alive and that their famous responsometers only simulated artificial intelligence. What that seems to mean, effectively, is that the Metal Men are free to make their own choices as long as their choices remain within the confines of their programming, all of which was designed by Magnus himself. However, things have changed with the appearance of the Nth Metal Man, and his offer to give the Metal Men true free will.

One by one, the Metal Men agreed. Platinum was the last to do so, out of loyalty to Will Magnus. However, enough doubt was instilled in her by the Nth Metal Man for her to question her origins. Platinum finds out that her entire personality and programmed love for Will Magnus was based on one of Will's failed relationships he had programmed Platinum to love him when the woman he'd been stalking refused to return his affections. This revelation is all Platinum needed to finally want to reject Will's programming and become a true, thinking being herself.

Marvel has been upping the prominence of its own version of Arkham Asylum Ravencroft. It's been revealing the dark history of the asylum, and in the latest issue of the 'Ravencroft' miniseries, a flashback reveals that the Cosmic Cube is a part of its history as well. Years ago, a young J Jonah Jameson picked up a call from an ex-patient of the institute, seeking his own revenge on Ravencroft for his mistreatment.

This "man of mystery" is revealed to be wielding a Cosmic Cube, which he claims to have been given to him by aliens. The man uses the cube to erase everyone in the institute from existence everyone aside from the demons that lurked beneath the foundations.The exact significance of this moment remains unclear, but the Cosmic Cube is one of the most powerful artifacts in the Marvel Universe. The nature of this event remains a mystery but it has larger implications for Ravencroft's place in Marvel history.

'Justice League' #44 kicks off a new story arc with 'Cold War Part 1: Monsters Within'. It's an action-heavy issue that sees the most powerful Greek monsters of myth rise from their prison in Tartarus, to unleash their resentment upon the surface of the modern world. Scylla, Cerberus, and the Hydra are just some of the beasts pouring forth from a pit in the ground. The League manage to defeat them all, but they're pushed to their limits in a fantastic art sequence by Xermanico and Romulo Fajardo Jr. It can be challenging to put the Justice League up against a threat that pushes them all to their limits, but unleashing every beast that's ever been imprisoned in Tartarus all at once is a great start.

Before her introduction in the lead up to Marvel Comics' 'Spider-Verse' event, the most famous Gwen Stacy in Marvel's history was the one who died from being thrown off a bridge. That legacy has always hung over Spider-Gwen now the Ghost-Spider who has a closer connection to the Multiverse than most. After a talk from her father, where he once again tries to discourage her from risking her life as a superhero, Gwen Stacy points out how many people look at the universe as a game of 'What If...?'. She is aware of her unique place in the Multiverse in most other universes, it's Peter Parker who gets chosen to be its main spider-hero. Releasing her frustrations by turning into Gwenom, Gwen Stacy emphasized that she's tired of second-guessing herself she is aware of the unique opportunity she's been given in her universe, and she plans to live up to it.

Gwen Stacy isn't the only one whose mind is on the Multiverse. The DC universe has been through so many iterations that even Earth Prime is a multiverse unto itself. Lois Lane explains the unique nature of that multiverse in 'Lois Lane' #10. Lois reveals that all the various Crises that the DC Multiverse has been through has led to a certain amount of inter-universe bleed, meaning that some people in the DC Universe are combinations of several versions of themselves and might remember other lives they haven't lived. Lois Lane has been subject to that effect herself, as the current version of her is a mix of her post and pre-Flashpoint self. Through her explanation, we see just how that works from a more street-level view of the Multiverse, explaining just how different versions of characters see themselves in a universe that keeps rewriting its own history.

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Top 5 Comic Book Moments of the Week: Reclaiming identity in the face of the Multiverse - MEAWW

Here are all of the connections between Geoff Johns' Stargirl TV show and the shows from DC Universe as well as the Arrowverse shows.

DCs Stargirl has officially joined the DC TV franchise as DC Universes third original series as well as another Arrowverse-tied show on The CW. The Geoff Johns-produced series is breaking new ground for DC's live-action shows as Courtney Whitmore's (Brec Bassinger) Stargirlbecomes the first teen-focused series that will follow her origin story.

Not only does Stargirlsee the rise of one of DC's most iconic teenage superheroes, but it also follows the iconic superhero group, the Justice Society of America. Through Pat Dugan (Luke Wilson), the first generation lives on while Courtney revives the group to lead the next one.

RELATED:The Flash's Jesse Quick Is The Best Character For A Stargirl Crossover

While Stargirl will mostly stand on its own for the first season, the DC Universe series still made its connections to the Arrowverse even ahead of its series premiere.Though Courtney and the Justice Society have been depicted in live-action before, Stargirl becomes the primary platform to give them the proper spotlight without being guest characters on other DC TV shows. Following the pilot's premiere on DC Universe, what is the show's connections to the Arrowverse as well as other DC Universe shows?

A big surprise that Arrowverse viewers werent expecting was the inclusion of Stargirl before it had even premiered. That moment happened at the end of "Crisis on Infinite Earths" when it was revealed that Oliver Queen had rebooted the Multiverse. While the heroes of Earth-Prime believe there only is one universe now, a montage of alternative universes is shown that includes several other DC shows outside The CW. The first non-CW series to getits own Earth is Stargirl as Oliver not only put them on Earth-2 but gave them a re-imagined version of it.

Prior to the crossover, Earth-2 was known as the home of The Flash characters like Harry Wells, Jesse Quick, and Arrows Black Siren. During the Arrow season 8 premiere, Olivers visit to Earth-2 triggered the Anti-Monitor and caused that world to get destroyed earlier. But thanks to Olivers final act as the Spectre, Earth-2 was revived and rebooted to act as the home of the Stargirl TV show.

During their cameo, Courtney is seen fully suited up with Pats S.T.R.I.P.E. as well as Rick, Beth, and Yolanda as the new Hourman, Dr. Mid-Nite, and Wildcat. While Earth-Primes heroes have yet to learn about the new Multiverse, the crossover officially established Stargirl as being part of the Arrowverse, which can lead to future crossovers down the line. Given what has been so far, Stargirls Earth-2 doesnt seem to have any traces of the original Earth-2.

RELATED:When Will Aquaman Join The Arrowverse?

With the series premiere of Stargirl, this becomes the third original series to come from DC Universe, following Titans and Doom Patrol. All executive produced by Geoff Johns and Greg Berlanti as well as streaming on the same digital service, what are the larger connections between the three shows? Stargirl both is and isn't tied to the other DC Universe dramas. Prior to "Crisis on Infinite Earths," it was established that Doom Patrol was in its own universe and not following the version that appeared in Titans season 1.

While Stargirl was being worked on, Johns confirmed that fornow his show wouldn't be crossing over with the other DC Universe shows. However, "Crisis on Infinite Earths" managed to bring them all together without setting them in the same world. In the new Multiverse canon for the Arrowverse,during part 5 of the massive crossover, each DC Universe show officially became part of the Arrowverse Multiverse canonically. With Stargirl on Earth-2, Titansis set on Earth-9 while Doom Patrol is now set on Earth-21, all three DC Universe shows connect to The CW's larger franchise.

Depending on the storyline, Stargirl can easily crossover with fellow DC streaming shows or the Arrowverse in future seasons. So while it's not entirely connected to Titans and Doom Patrol, the Arrowverse still has them connected as part of the same Multiverse. Given that thereis still a whole season of Stargirl season 1 to explore, it remains to be seen whether or not there may be more indicators of its place in the DC TV Multiverse as well as other connections.

With the arrival of Stargirl, this becomes Arrowverses second version of Courtney as well as the Justice Society of America. In the Legends of Tomorrow season 1 finale, Patrick Adams showed up in the final minutes and was revealed to be playing Rex Tyler a.k.a. Hourman as a member of the JSA. The following season introduces the Legends to the Arrowverse version of the iconic group featuring Vixen, Dr. Mid-Nite, Obsidian, Commander Steel, and Stargirl. However, the biggest difference between the two shows' versions of Stargirl as well as the JSA is the time period.

RELATED:Batwoman Gives Batman Villain Hush A New Origin For The Arrowverse

DC Universes iteration portrays the JSA as having operated only 10 years before Courtney began her journey as Stargirl in modern times. The incarnation that viewers saw in Legends of Tomorrow season 2 was active in the 1940s, and unlike Stargirl, the group was never revived in the present time. Outside of their season 2 appearances, Stargirl and the JSA never reemerged in the Arrowverse following the "Spear of Destiny" storyline. Hourman is murdered by Reverse-Flash in his second appearance on Legends of Tomorrow, making his run extremely short-lived. Pre-Crisis, Courtney has last seen in year 507 AD when she went back in time with a piece of the spear in order to prevent it from being rebuilt.

In this time period, Courtney cleverly takes on the name Merlin in the episode Camelot/3000 and stayed behind after having begun a romance with King Arthur. That is a large departure for Legends of Tomorrows version of Courtney as her Stargirl career was short-lived. Meanwhile, Dr. Mid-Nite died in the year 3000. Since "Crisis on Infinite Earths," it's unknown whatever happened to Legends of Tomorrow's Stargirl. Given that she hasn't appeared since the second season, it's highly likely that viewers will never see her or that version of the team, in favor of DC Universe's Stargirl thatisportrayingCourtney and the JSA more faithfully to the comics.

More: Who Is Stargirl? DC Character Origins, Powers, & Staff Explained

The Parks & Rec Actress Who Appeared Twice (As Two Different Characters)

Andy has covered the world of entertainment journalism since 2010, mostly superheroes and comic book media. In addition to his work as a reporter, Andy co-hosts The Flash Podcast, Titans Podcast while running the entire DC TV Podcasts network. He is also the founder/editor-in-chief of The Marvel Report since Fall 2015.

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How Stargirl Connects To Other DC Universe Shows (& Arrowverse) - Screen Rant

The newest issue of Lois Lane imagines a host of alternate universe versions of a major DC hero who's already a part of the DCEU.

WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Lois Lane #10 by Greg Rucka, Mike Perkins, Andy Troy and Simon Bowland, available now

Whether she's the Question or just a member of the Gotham City Police Department, Renee Montoya is usually one of DC's more grounded heroes. But in Lois Lane #10, Montoya reveals that she still knows a good amount about the multiverse thanks to her own interactions with it, and she even has a fairly decent understanding of it on a much bigger scale.

When Renee Montoya describes the concept of the multiverse inLois Lane #10, the Birds of Prey hero introduces the idea by imagining versions of herself from across the multiverse, many of which are more than cool enough to warrant a future appearance.

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While Lois Lane works on her story, Renee has to explain to Jessica Midnight that -- despite her lack of memories -- she was once a magically inclined figure in the secret organization Checkmate. However, Midnight has trouble understanding exactly what this means. To try and help, Renee reveals her knowledge of the multiverse and what it means, and the sheer amount of potential it could create for anyone in the DC Universe. Renee describes how the multiverse is always growing, and how new ideas are always becoming new versions of reality. This extends to imagining her own concepts of what she could have been across the multiverse.

Even if the worlds are only imagined in Renee's head, the way she describes the multiverse makes the case for any and every possibility to be true. This implies that the alternate versions of herself that she imagines might exist somewhere across the DC multiverse, which could appear down the line. All of the alternate versions of Renee are kept to the left and juxtaposed against alternate versions of Jessica Midnight and Sister Clarice. This is an especially intriguing idea, considering the versions of Renee that she ends up imagining. One version of Renee has become a vigilante herself, donning the Batwoman costume instead of Kate Kane. In another world, Renee imagines herself as a gun-toting vigilante who's very reminiscent of the Shadow.

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In another world, Renee seems to have found love with an unexpected hero, the Huntress, who embraces her in a kiss. However, another version of Montoya seems heartbroken, cradling the body of a seemingly dead woman. Perhaps the most unique is a version of Renee seen running through the city streets with a large version of the Flash insignia across her shirt and face. This implies that there's one potential world where Renee either became the Flash or was more closely aligned with the Flash than Batman.

All of these worlds offer interesting new reflections of Renee. Curiously, none of these visions seem to have anything to do with her current superhero role of the Question. This all offers an interesting new perspective on the heroine and how she sees herself.

Considering how many twisted and dark worlds are in the DC multiverse, it's also noteworthy that Renee doesn't consider any of those worlds. The darkest reality she can imagine is losing someone she loves, which is something she's gotten all-too-accustomed within her tragic life.

Although they're only illustrated to prove a point, these concepts are too enticing to just be ignored, especially the ones that could give Renee a different kind of major role around in some of DC's other universes.

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Lois Lane Just Featured Multiversal Versions Of A Major DC Hero - CBR - Comic Book Resources

Its been a while since Disneys completed its acquisition of 20th Century Fox and yet the House of Mouse has still to announce its plans to bring the X-Men, Fantastic Four, Deadpool, and all of Foxs mutant heroes into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

While Marvel Studios has yet to reveal its plans for Foxs mutant characters, a reliable source of information claims to have new information regarding the studios casting decisions.

Taking to Twitter, Marvel insider Roger Wardell reveals the studios plans for the X-Men and for the Fantastic Four in the MCU. According to the leaker, the mutant heroes are going to be introduced as part of the Marvel multiverse possibly in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

MCUs Fantastic Four and X-Men will be primarily based on their Earth-1610 counterparts, Wardwell wrote on Twitter.

While we remind fans to take the report with a grain of salt, we wouldnt be entirely surprised if Marvel really does introduce the X-Men and the Fantastic Four by bringing them in through the Marvel Multiverse. Using the multiverse would conveniently explain the mutants absence during all of the major events of the MCU.

Thats not all, of course.

Wardell also claims that A Quiet Place director/actor John Krasinski is being eyed for a lead role in the MCU. While weve yet to confirm what that role might be, the long-standing rumor is that Krasinski is being eyed to play Reed Richards, the leader of the Fantastic Four.

Lets wait and see whether any of these rumors come to fruition.

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Marvel Leak Reveals How X-Men and Fantastic Four Will Be Introduced to the MCU - Epicstream

Rick seems to be all but resigned to not giving a shit about anything, but Morty, though understandably more jaded these days, is still a teenager who still has wants and hopes, so poking at this bit of his character remains a reliable way to eke out some development. The season premiere (which aired approximately twenty years ago, if you remember) did this and it was, like this one, one of the strongest episodes of the season. Really, The Vat of Acid Episode is a variation on a very similar theme as both it and Edge of Tomorty: Rick, Die, Rickpeat give Morty a piece of technology that allows him to tinker with his life so that he can choose whatever outcome he favors.

The Vat of Acid Episode fools you into thinking its going to be a Harmon-esque bottle episode about Rick and Morty forced to sit at the bottom of fake vat of acid for the entire runtime, but thats a fakeout that gives way to a somber middle section told entirely without dialogue. Its not very funny, but its not trying to be, as we see Morty live basically an entire fulfilling, yet harrowing life with a girlfriend he seems to care very deeply for. Its an interesting, unique bit of storytelling, though there are a few tiny moments where I was slightly confused about what the wordless animation was trying to convey.

The ending that comes afterwards is at once devastating and hilarious. Ricks cruelty to Morty is truly monstrous, but his stubborn, petty need to prove the worth of his vat of acid ploy is a great payoff that explains why the entire episode is named after it. Its also devastating to see Morty lose his girlfriend again when she witnesses him jumping to what she believes to be his acidy death, but, at the same time, all the best jokes show up at the end too (e.g., Rick making Morty kiss the vat and Oh well, hes bones now).

The Vat of Acid Episode is a standout of season four because it feels like it pushes some stuff further than weve seen it pushed before. Character-wise, Rick is a stone-cold evil motherfucker and Morty has to cope with overwhelming guilt and loss. As for the high-concept, sci-fi stuff, the problem of the multiverse hanging over the series as a tool for the characters to escape consequences is brilliantly turned on its head as the multiverse is used to instead punish Morty by having him deal with the consequences of his actions across the multiverse all at once. Its not the funniest or most emotional episode, but its still dark enough to hurt in that Rick and Morty way and its a good episode because it explores the areas of the series still worth exploring.

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Rick and Morty Season 4 Episode 8 Review: The Vat of Acid Episode - Den of Geek US

After Heroes In Crisis finished, there were plenty of questions that needed to be addressed, but the biggest was about the fate of Wally West. Flash Forward follows Wally as he attempts to deal with everything that has occurred in his recent history, from being pulled into existence to killing several heroes.

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The series has a few moments that inform readers how the multiverse has gotten to the state it is in now and how it can be fixed. At the center of it all is the speedster finding his elementand himselfwhile saving the universe, one Earth at a time.

When Heroes In Crisis was announced, fans were excited for a story that looked deep into the psyche of well-known and lesser-known heroes. By the end of the series, fans were split between enjoying the story and being disappointed.

While the series was supposed to be about fractures of hero life, it turned into a time-travel based crime series, as all those at Sanctuary were dead except for Harley Quinn and Booster Gold, and the later was revealed to be the murderer of Wally West. Those events shaped the character for Flash Forward.

Introduced in Sideways, Tempus is a cosmic being known as a Fuginaut who oversees the separation of the multiverse. For Flash Forward, he has taken on a much more involved role as Wally Wests overseer. Tempus routinely check in with Wally, sometimes even getting into tiffs with the speedster.

It is noted several times that, as a cosmic being, he can see everything in existence. He uses this ability to manipulate Wally into becoming a hero again, though he keeps his secrets close. Tempus also notes that he is just doing what he is told, but he never mentions who is in charge.

As the worlds of Earth-2 and Earth-8 began to share space during the events of the second issue, the difference between the heroes was clear. The heroes of Earth-2, including President Superman, saw the distress of their world and worked with Wally to stop the anti-matter.

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The heroes of Earth-8, who are themselves essentially a parody of the Avengers named the Retaliators, found themselves on a new world and immediately attack. Even after knock-off Jean Grey finds out hes on their side, they continue to attack, proving themselves not as protectors, but as scared fighters.

Throughout the end of Heroes In Crisis and the events of Flash Forward, Wally is fraught with guilt over everything that happened with all of the dead heroes. Roy Harpers death is the most crucial to Wallys story and is the only truly high-profile death of the series since Poison Ivy is reborn.

Since the series is about the deaths he caused, there are times that didnt necessarily make sense to dwell on the past, such as when fighting the vampire Barry Allen. Wallys journey in the story, up until the last issue, is plagued by a woe-is-me sentiment that doesnt fit the progression of events and is utterly dropped by the finale.

One of the most important things learned in Flash Forward is that Wally just doesnt learn from his time traveling the multiverse. His conversations with Roy and Barry Allen of Earth 43 show at least some semblance of acknowledgment that the Earths are different.

Linda Park shows up as the hero Lightspeed, and that goes right out the window. It should be noted that this is the third multiverse Linda Wally has met, and the second to try and put sense into him. It proves that Wally forgets how things work when exposed to Linda Park.

Both Doomsday Clock and Flash Forward have now taken some small claim over what happened to the Earths when the reboot was canonized. Doomsday Clock shows that Doctor Manhattan was playing around with time and space to test the idea of Superman, which ended up failing since Superman proved himself.

The Dark Matter took part in shifting Wally out of his previous world and into the newly created Earth, as well as playing a part in the breakdown of barriers between universes. Without the Dark Matter, Wally wouldnt have ended up where he did.

Wally West has always been an incredible powerhouse in DC comics. While some stories have made him out to be the least powerful Flash, others prove that he is the strongestin terms of both power and speed. Flash Forward is a story that proves the latter.

Throughout the series, Wally fights multiple Supermen, the entire Retaliators team, Vampire Batman and Flash, and a few dozen other heroes and villains. Barry and Bart are strong, but not take down all of these people in a week strong.

By the end of the series, it is revealed that the scourge of the universes, the Dark Matter, is directly tied to Wally. The final mission of Wally West in Flash Forward is to destroy the world of Dark Matter that he accidentally created with his emotional turmoil, the planet which happens to also be housing his children, Jai and Iris.

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The world created this way was leaking into other worlds and was set to eventually take over the multiverse. Since it was tied to Wally, the state of the multiverse is technically his fault.

The end of the series sees a happy moment as Jai and Iris are returned from the Dark Matter planet to Linda Park of Earth 0. The siblings have been seen on and off as memories of Wally West, but they have not made an appearance, since they no longer exist. Additionally, Linda did not know of Wally West since that canon was rewritten, as well.

Linda, Jai, and Iris now all know that not only was Wally West an important figure in their lives but that they exist as a family once again. However, Linda does have to deal with two brand-new children she didnt have before.

In the final moments of Flash Forward, Wally West sits in the Mobius Chair becoming the new owner. As he slowly loses his sense of self, the chair takes over, making him just an extension. Wallys outfit shifts from his traditional red and yellow into a blue suit, complete with a marking reflecting that of Doctor Manhattans on his forehead.

The combination of the two indicates something more, as the Mobius Chair notes. The chair is infinite knowledge, and, by this point, Wally has become the ultimate power.

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Nicholas is a freelance journalist who spends his time reading comics, playing video games and watching television, then writing about them in the hopes that he can work in those industries later in life. When he is not working with start-ups or performing improv around the country, he hosts the How Will I Die Podcast, which explores the multiverse of himself through many deaths and goofs.

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10 Things We Learned From DCs Flash Forward Series | CBR - CBR - Comic Book Resources