Earth-616

[Gallinator]

Some topic we were discussing either here or on eBay referenced Marvel's different Earths, with the "main" Marvel Universe being Earth-616. From Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth-616

Origin of Earth-616

The term originated from writer Alan Moore's run on the Captain Britain comic produced by Marvel UK in the 1980s, in which the main timeline was designated as "616" by Merlyn, the protector of the multiverse.

Though some argued that stories produced by Marvel UK were not canonical within the greater Marvel Universe published in America, the designation was later confirmed by the main American branch of Marvel Comics in the Excalibur title, which frequently referenced Captain Britain's early UK-published adventures.

plus a bunch of other stuff. Which of course leads to:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiverse_%28Marvel_Comics%29

Which has the list of all the different Marvel Earths that I was looking for.

Anybody got a favorite alternate Marvel Earth?

[jaeldubyoo]

The problem with alternate earths is continuity. I think you're opening a Pandora's box by having alternate earths. DC tried to resolve their continuity problems with Crisis on Infinite Earths. Marvel is due for some cleaning up. While the concept of alternate universes is intriguing, you're inviting trouble when you start mixing the different universes.

[chaosus]

I remember Marvel had a COUNTER EARTH, where the Bronze age Warlock hung out. I don't remember what they did with it.

And don't forget the ONSLAUGHT UNIVERSE...

But Marvel was nowhere near as bad as DC.

[stupidman]

I remember Marvel had a COUNTER EARTH, where the Bronze age Warlock hung out. I don't remember what they did with it.

And don't forget the ONSLAUGHT UNIVERSE...

But Marvel was nowhere near as bad as DC.

Don't forget the Ultimates Universe - the biggest What If? universe of them all! :lol:
I swear, if they ever merge these 2 universes, I will quit buying Marvel comics every week...

[SatansProdigy]

Is the MAX line a separate universe?

[marvelguy]

Also the MC2 Universe in which Spider-Girl and Avengers Next is represented. I think it's going to be a mess one day ala Crisis on Infinite Earths. Just look at Exiles, they already have been to our Earth(616) in Uncanny X-Men, and then they have ventured to New Universe, the Future Imperfect world, the 2099 universe, and the list goes on.

[Gallinator]

I actually like what they've done with the Exiles - anything to drive interest in the hundreds of comics sitting in my long boxes that haven't been popular since release, if then!

The problem started with time travel, no? You have to allow for "alternate" earths or else you are either stuck with one timeline to which you must rigidly adhere, or you must somehow deal with paradoxes that get created by the actions of later writers.

Add the odd fascination some comics readers seem to have with What If? -type stories and you get myriad alternate worlds. Check that bottom link in the OP out - the list is like taking a trip through your comics past.

As far as I recall, the MAX line is supposed to be OUT of continuity. So, great mini-series like FURY and U.S. War Machine don't have to be respected. But what about Born, the Punisher origin mini? And how about the ongoing Punny series by Ennis? It certainly references other, in-continuity Punisher series. And then, of course, there's Alias, which MUST be fully in-continuity, as Jessica Jones migrated to The Pulse, which is fully integrated with the 616.

Joey Q has yet to satisfactorily explain this, to my knowledge.

[marvelguy]

What about the Marvel Boy mini series that came out under Marvel Knights? It was rumored that this book started the Ultimate Universe.

[Gallinator]

All I know about is this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noh-Varr

and I'm not sure what to make of it. I think editorial at Marvel has changed its collective mind about too many things too many times and some of this stuff is a hopeless mess!

[marvelguy]

:roll:
Yes, that's it, it even makes it all the more confusing. Like Lex said, there's a CRISIS reckconing.

[rowand]

Not even a mention of the mystical number 616 standing for Nero the early christians choice for the Anit-Christ? It was later changed to 666!

[camper49]

Yeah, I was born with that triple number scarred into the back of my skull however my folks removed it with a worn and rusty barbecue brush.

It's funny, with such a huge family (my dad is the 7th brother in his family and I'm his 7th son) I'm the only one to have such a weird birth defect. :twisted:

[marvelguy]

Sorry to say that's not a birth defect, but it's a sign. No, no, strike that, it's a omen. What year were you born and on what birthday is it?

[camper49]

June 6th, 1966

[marvelguy]

:shock: Spooky!



Then again, it's a fluke. :twisted:

[camper49]

Nah, I'm just pulling your chains!

My parents wouldn't ruin a perfectly used barbecue brush. :D

[marvelguy]

I know, I was playing along. :lol:

[jaydeebee]

I remember Marvel had a COUNTER EARTH, where the Bronze age Warlock hung out. I don't remember what they did with it.

And don't forget the ONSLAUGHT UNIVERSE...

But Marvel was nowhere near as bad as DC.

I don't know about that. After reading that list of Marvel alternate earths, Earth-1 and Earth-2 seems like child's play.

That list of Marvel Earths is precisely the reason I don't bother with 75% of the crap that Marvel unleashes on the public each month. They are all over the place with their stories, they can't seem to pull it all together.

Even at the height of the DC Multiverse, the readers were kept aware that there was one main DC Universe (Earth-1) and that the characters from Earth-2 were the Golden Age versions of the then current DCU.

With the Marvel MegaMultiMess, you don't know from series to series what continuity you've tapped into or whether it's some new alternate version of the same characters only different. PHOOEY!


:roll:

[marvelguy]

Also, The new Exiles issues will deal with The Heroes Reborn universe. *sigh* Marvel is also coming out with a issue(one-shot?) this fall called Onslaught Reborn. I can't believe it has been 10 years since the Heroes Reborn thing.

[rowand]

A re-write of the Marvel Universe like Crisis on Infinite Smurfs? Marvel would never Stan for it!

[jaydeebee]

A re-write of the Marvel Universe like Crisis on Infinite Smurfs? Marvel would never Stan for it!

Sure they would, they'd do it and Smokin' Joe Q would claim that he thought of it first. Joey says, Hey Fatboys, it's ULTIMATE ANNIHILATION SECRET WOLVERINE CIVIL WAR wherein every single Marvel Alternate Universe and timeline is destroyed and one cohesive Marvel Universe is created. Oh boy howdy you betcha, theres never been a CRISIS like this one before! 14 variant covers with diamond die-cut cover and invisible radioactive logo! Buy 'em all kids!

[camper49]

The Brute came from Counter-Earth (FF #182 or so?) Reed Richards alternate.
Didn't The High Evolutionary create Counter-Earth?
And I believe Warlock battled the Man-Beast there.
And...it was eventually destroyed in one of those Infinity mini-series.

Most of the Counter-Earth stories came in the Bronze Age (the half-decent ones anyway).

[stupidman]

Also, The new Exiles issues will deal with The Heroes Reborn universe. *sigh* Marvel is also coming out with a issue(one-shot?) this fall called Onslaught Reborn. I can't believe it has been 10 years since the Heroes Reborn thing.

You forgot to mention who they got for Onslaught Reborn:

ROB LIEFELD!

Seriously.

:evil:

[fulltimer56]

OH NO! Not him again!! :shock:

[marvelguy]

Why does the comics corporate world thinks highly of Rob? Does he have the "magic" touch that we don't know about? :roll:

[theredsun]

TY Gallinator for clearing this up for me as Ive been wondering for years WTF Marvel Universe 616 was. LOL again TY Paul. and on a side note us Yanks Kicked your(Canadian) asses for the Stanley Cup. LOL. JK I dont even like Hockey. :twisted:

[stupidman]

TY Gallinator for clearing this up for me as Ive been wondering for years WTF Marvel Universe 616 was. LOL again TY Paul. and on a side note us Yanks Kicked your(Canadian) asses for the Stanley Cup. LOL. JK I dont even like Hockey. :twisted:

WHALERS! WHALERS! WHALERS!
(Remember, I've lived in CT for 30 years :-)

[marvelguy]

Hurricanes the Champs also formerly known as Hartford Whalers. I guess they made a smart move, didn't they?

[stupidman]

Hurricanes the Champs also formerly known as Hartford Whalers. I guess they made a smart move, didn't they?

NO! Buncha friggin' traitors...

[marvelguy]

Yep, I thought so, too. Just blame it on Pete K. Money talks, huh?

[stupidman]

I got this autograph when I was a kid. Gordie was the keynote speaker at one of our hockey banquets. Just awesome...

http://members.aol.com/catmanstu/gordie.jpg