You've seen the destruction... you know the end was near -- but you do not know why... or who was behind it. We do. 
Crisis on Infinite Earths #5 is an issue of the series Crisis on Infinite Earths (Volume 1) with a cover date of August, 1985.
Synopsis for "Worlds in Limbo"
In the Antimatter Universe, a dark, malevolent force addresses his new playthings, Psycho-Pirate, the Flash and the Red Tornado. He has Psycho-Pirate use his emotion controlling abilities to keep the Flash in line, while also promising that he will soon have his own worlds to rule.
On the Monitor's satellite, Harbinger regains control of her mind, and realizes what she has just done. She has just killed the Monitor. Pariah is present, and tries to get some answers from her, but Harbinger has no memory of the attack. Suddenly, a view screen activates and a pre-recorded image of the Monitor addresses both of them. He tells them that he knew of his eventual demise at Harbinger's hands, and bears her no ill will. To safeguard the remaining universes, he turned his body into an energy conduit. Upon his death, the Monitor's life essence shunted Earth-One and Earth-Two into a Netherworld, keeping them safe from his adversary's attack - at least for now. However, in his haste to save them, all time has become one. Alexander Luthor enters the chamber and hears the last of the Monitor's speech.
On Earth-One, varying timelines begins to intermingle with one another. Dinosaurs and World War I era bi-planes exist side by side with modern day Metropolis skyscrapers, and strange vessels from the far-flung future. Amazingly, Earth's populace remains relatively calm - another side-effect of the Monitor's influence.
Back on the Monitor's satellite, Alex, Pariah and Harbinger summon together a massive congregation of heroes from Earth-One and Earth-Two. They explain the present situation, but also explain that in order for things to correct themselves, the Multiverse must be folded back upon itself and become a single universe once again, or else all worlds will be destroyed.
On Earth-One, other heroes continue to help out amidst the confusion. Batman invites a group of heroes and villains into the Batcave for consultation. Starfire and the Legionnaire Sun Boy fly to Russia to help Red Star tackle a dinosaur. Members of the Green Lantern Corps fly to Oa to seek aid from the Guardians of the Universe, but the Guardians are swept up in an unforeseen attack. Rip Hunter and the Time Masters try to solve the mystery of the inter-connecting time lines. Wildcat saves a little girl from crumbling debris, but his legs are crushed in the process.
Meanwhile in the Antimatter universe, the unseen enemy takes control of the Red Tornado and reconstructs him to do his bidding. He turns him into a force of primal energy and sets him upon the Earth. As the Red Tornado storms across the country, Earth-One and Earth-Two begin to slowly merge together. People see ghost-like astral images of people from the parallel worlds.
The Flash overcomes Psycho-Pirate's control and demands to see the face of the being who abducted him. The enemy steps forward and introduces himself as the Monitor. This Monitor however, is not the same as the one who just died. Unlike the more human-looking Monitor, this one is a gruesome alien with blazing red eyes, and jaundiced yellow skin.
Appearing in "Worlds in Limbo"
Featured Characters:
- All-Star Squadron/Justice Society of America
- Freedom Fighters
- Green Lantern Corps
- Infinity, Inc.
- Justice League of America / Justice League Detroit
- Legion of Super-Heroes
- New Teen Titans
- Outsiders
Supporting Characters:
- Adam Strange
- Air Wave (Hal Jordan)
- Alexander Luthor, Jr.
- Amethyst
- Aquagirl
- Aqualad
- Arion
- Bat Lash
- Batgirl
- Black Orchid
- Blue Devil
- B'Wana Beast
- Captain Comet
- Chlorophyll Kid
- Cinnamon
- Creeper
- Deadman
- Doctor Light (Kimiyo Hoshi)
- Dolphin
- Dove
- Firehair
- Firehawk
- Harbinger
- Jemm
- Johnny Thunder (John Tane)
- Jonah Hex
- Jonni Thunder
- Lady Quark
- Lori Lemaris
- Monitor (Deceased)
- Pariah
- Phantom Stranger
- Plastic Man
- Polar Boy
- Ragman
- Red Star
- Robin (Jason Todd)
- Scalphunter
- Stripesy
- Supergirl
- Swamp Thing
- Tomahawk
- Warlord
- Windfall
- Blackhawk Squadron
- Challengers of the Unknown
- Doom Patrol
- Easy Company
- Haunted Tank
- Metal Men
- Sea Devils
- Time Masters
Antagonists:
- Abra Kadabra
- Alexei Luthor
- Anti-Monitor
- Big Sir
- Blockbuster
- Brain Storm
- Brother Blood
- Captain Boomerang
- Rogues
- Catwoman
- Cheetah (Priscilla Rich)
- Copperhead
- Doctor Polaris
- Killer Frost
- Kung
- Mist
- Ocean Master
- Penguin
- Per Degaton
- Plastique
- Poison Ivy
- Psycho-Pirate (Roger Hayden)
- Rag Doll
- Riddler
- Samurai
- Silver Swan
- Sinestro
- Solomon Grundy
- Star Sapphire
- Ultra-Humanite
- Vandal Savage
- Vulcan
- Brotherhood of Evil
- Fatal Five
- Fearsome Five
Other Characters:
- Alanna Strange
- Alfred Pennyworth
- Bear Tribe
- Guardians of the Universe
- Kamandi
- Lana Lang
- Lois Lane (Earth-One)
- Lois Lane (Earth-Two)
- Proty II
- Winged Victory
- Yolanda Montez
- David Gerrold
- Embra
- Grxx
- Michelle Gerrold
- Peter Parker
- Phyllis Gerrold
Locations:
Items:
- Adam Strange's Jet Pack
- Adam Strange's Ray Gun
- Amulet of Anubis
- Central Power Battery of Oa
- Cloak of Destiny
- Helmet of Fate
- Justice League Signal Device
- Legion Flight Ring
- Nth Metal Wings
- Ruby of Life
- Warlord's Sword
Vehicles:
Notes
- This issue is reprinted in the Crisis on Infinite Earths trade paperback, as well as the hardcover edition and Absolute slipcase edition.
Trivia
- Marvel Comics' Peter Parker appears to make a cameo appearance in this issue. (Page 14, panel five, behind Superman and Lois Lane).[1]
- The 30th century alien tourist Grxx states that he hails from the planet Ceti Alpha 6. Ceti Alpha 6 is also the name of a planet referenced in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
See Also
- Cover gallery for the Crisis on Infinite Earths series
- Images from Crisis on Infinite Earths Vol 1 5
Recommended Reading
Links and References
- ↑ Verification unconfirmed. Sources including the Grand Comics Database and the Annotated Crisis claim that this is Marvel's Peter Parker. While the character certainly looks similar to Parker, it is also just as likely that this is mere coincidence and not intentional.
