Crisis (DC Comics)
A crisis in the DC Universe is a significant event, usually one spanning multiple universes.
The term "crisis" was usually used to refer to the annual crossover events between the Justice League of America and the Justice Society of America, as well as events that dealt heavily with the multiverse concept, such as Crisis on Infinite Earths and Infinite Crisis. The word has also been used in some titles that dealt with a large scope but did not affect the multiverse, such as Zero Hour: Crisis in Time and Identity Crisis.
"Crisis" is also commonly used to refer specifically to Crisis on Infinite Earths, especially when used in the terms pre-Crisis and post-Crisis.
From the perspective of the characters in the DC Universe, the term "crisis" is often used to simply mean a very large problem in the DCU, usually a crossover. It is even used by the characters in the DCU themselves. For example, in an issue of Green Arrow, the Flash stated that "This had better be 'crisis'-huge" when bemoaning the fact that a JLA meeting was called at two in the morning.
When a character speaks of "the crisis", it is almost always in reference to the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, either as they happened or as they were commonly remembered in the revised history after the fact. This is also sometimes referred to as the "first crisis". Occasionally, "the crisis" has been used to refer to the events of Infinite Crisis as well, which either is or is part of what a Legion of SUPER-Heroes member called the "middle Crisis" DC has advertised that there will be a Final Crisis in May 2008.
"Crisis on Earth-One!" and "Crisis on Earth-Two!"
Although it is possible that there were other DC Comics stories with "crisis" in The Title before "Crisis on Earth-One!", it was this issue that started the tradition of the annual JLA/JSA crossover, which usually had the word "crisis" in the title of at least on of its issues.
"Crisis on Earth-One" and "Crisis on Earth-Two!" was the first story in which the JLA and JSA met (with the exception of "Flash of Two Worlds", although only one member from each team was involved in that story). The two teams would meet once each year after this until Crisis on Infinite Earths in 1985.
In this first story, the two teams teamed up in order to battle Chronos, Dr. Alchemy, Felix Faust, the Fiddler, the Icicle, and the Wizard.
The stories can be found in Justice League of America (v1) #21 & 22 published in 1963.
"Crisis on Earth-Three!"
The JLA and the JSA team up to fight the Crime Syndicate of America, after three villains from each world team up. The second issue of the story is called "The Most Dangerous Earth of All!"
The stories can be found in Justice League of America (v1) #29 & 30 published in 1964.
"Crisis on Earth-A!"
The JSA must fight the Earth-1 version of Johnny Thunder after he steals his Earth-2 counterpart's Thunderbolt and uses it to erase the JLA from existence.. The story begins in the tale "Earth Without A Justice League"
The stories can be found in Justice League of America (v1) #37 & 38 published in 1965.
"Crisis Between Earth-One and Earth-Two!"
The JLA and JSA must fight the Anti-Matter Man when reality warps cause people to randomly shift between Earth-1 and Earth-2.. The second story in this tale is called "The Bridge Between Earths!"
The stories can be found in Justice League of America (v1) #46 & 47 published in 1966.
"The Super-Crisis That Struck Earth-Two!" and "The Negative-Crisis On Earths One-Two!"
The JLA and JSA fight people that have been possessed by the Black Spheres.
The stories can be found in Justice League of America (v1) #55 & 56 published in 1967.
"In-Between Crisises"
From 1968-1971, the Justice League and the the Justice Society continued their annual team ups, none of which were called "Crisis" (although on page 1 of JLA v1 #091, Batman states there is a "Super-Crisis". Each of these stories crossed the BOUNDARIES between Earth-One and Earth-Two...
Justice League of America (v1) #064 [Aug, 1968] - (The Stormy Return of Red Tornado)
Justice League of America (v1) #065 [Sep, 1968] - (T.O.Morrow Kills the JL - Today!)
Justice League of America (v1) #073 [Aug, 1969] - (Star Light, Star Bright, Death Star I See Tonight)
Justice League of America (v1) #074 [Sep, 1969] - (Where Death Fears to Tread)
Justice League of America (v1) #082 [Aug, 1970] - (Peril of the Paired Planets)
Justice League of America (v1) #083 [Sep, 1970] - (Where Valor Fails, Will Magic Triumph?)
Justice League of America (v1) #091 [Aug, 1971] - (Earth - The Monster-Maker!)
Justice League of America (v1) #092 [Sep, 1971] - (Only Someone Who Is Unique to Both Earths)
"Crisis on Earth-X!"
After a teleportation accident, the JLA and JSA must help the Freedom Fighters fight the Nazis on Earth-X, who have used a machine to take over people's minds.
The stories can be found in Justice League of America (v1) #107 & #108 published in 1973. The story in #108 is called "Thirteen Against the Earth!"
"Crisis in Eternity!", "Crisis on Earth-S!", and "Crisis in Tomorrow!"
The JLA, JSA, and the Marvel Family fight King Kull.
The stories can be found in Justice League of America (v1) #135, 136 & 137 published in 1976.
"Crisis in the 30th Century!" and "Crisis in Triplicate!"
The JLA and JSA meet the Legion of Super-Heroes.
The stories can be found in Justice League of America (v1) #147, 148 published in 1977.
"Crisis from Yesterday" and "Crisis from Tomorrow"
The JLA and JSA fight the Black Pirate, Enemy Ace, Jonah Hex, Miss Liberty, and the Viking Prince.
The stories can be found in Justice League of America (v1) #159, 160 published in 1977.
"Crisis above Earth-One"
The JLA and JSA fight the Spirit King, who possesses Jay Garrick and kills Mr. Terrific.
The stories can be found in Justice League of America (v1) #171, 172 published in 1978. The story in issue 172 is called "I Accuse"
"Crisis on New Genesis", "Crisis Between Two Earths", and "Crisis on Apokolips"
The JLA and JSA go to New Genesis and fight Darkseid alongside The New Gods.
The stories can be found in Justice League of America (v1) #183, 184 & 185 published in 1980.
"Countdown to Crisis" and "Crisis in Limbo"
The JLA and JSA fight the Ultra-Humanite and the Secret Society of Super-Villains.
The stories can be found in Justice League of America (v1) #195, 196 & 197 published in 1981. Issue #195 leads off with a story called "Targets on Two Worlds".
"Crisis on Earth Prime"
The JLA, JSA, and All-Star Squadron fight Per Degaton on Earth-2 in 1942.
The stories can be found in Justice League of America (v1) #207, 208 & 209; and All-Star Squadron #14, 15 published in 1982.
"Crisis in the Thunderbolt Dimension"
The JLA and JSA fight Johnny Thunder again.
The stories can be found in Justice League of America (v1) #219 & 220 published in 1983. The issue #220 is story called "The Doppleganger Gambit".
"Family Crisis"
The JLA, JSA and Supergirl fight the Commander and the Crime Syndicate.
The stories can be found in Justice League of America (v1) #231 & 232 published in 1984.
Crisis on Infinite Earths, "Last Crisis on Earth-Two", and "The Final Crisis"
The largest crisis thus far results in the destruction of the Multiverse and the formation of a single universe from the remaining Earths.
Crisis on Infinite Earths is sometimes referred to as the "first Crisis".
"Crisis"
The Psycho-Pirate begins to pull items from other realities that were destroyed in the Crisis on Infinite Earths, even generating comic books referencing the multiverse within his cell at Arkham Asylum. The Psycho-Pirate begins to pull characters from the continuity of the previous universes in a series of events that was said could lead to a second Crisis, but this was averted by Animal Man and James Highwater was given the Medusa mask and guardianship of the memory of the multiverse.
Zero Hour: Crisis in Time
The JSA is disbanded after a crisis that results in the rebuilding of history.
"Crisis Times Five"
The JLA and JSA fight an invasion from the fifth dimension.
Identity Crisis
Heroes throughout the DC Universe search for the killer of Sue Dibny.
Countdown to Infinite Crisis
Blue Beetle investigates a mystery that involves much of the DC Universe.
Infinite Crisis
The Multiverse is reborn, although The Effects of this would not be fully realized until the series 52.
The events of Infinite Crisis May Be what a Legion of Super-Heroes member called the "middle Crisis".
Final Crisis
References to Infinite Crisis as the "middle Crisis" gave the implication that there will be at least one additional major crisis, which was further indicated when DC Comics released a teaser poster for Final Crisis (to be released in May 2008) along with the tag line: "Heroes die. Legends live forever." No other official information has been released, although rumors surfaced AbOUT the creative staff several months ago.. The current series Countdown (now titled as Countdown to Final Crisis) is leading up to this event.