DC Comics is known for several iconic and classic locations around its fictional universe. Gotham City, Metropolis, Smallville and Star City are just a few of the locales frequented by the many heroes. These make the DC Universe feel distinct from the real world, giving it a sense of uniqueness and exclusivity. Of course, this doesn’t just end with cities.
DC has numerous fictional countries, as well, many of which are home to well-known heroes and villains. These include Kahndaq, home of Black Adam, as well as war-torn European nations like Kasnia. The former is about to make its big-screen debut in the film Black Adam. These fictional countries help showcase how much wider the world of DC truly is.
What are the Major Fictional Countries In the DC Universe?
Ever since she debuted in the Golden Age, Wonder Woman has supplied DC with one of its most prominent fake nations -- Themyscira, aka Paradise Island. Based on the home of the Amazons in Greek mythology, both this and the Atlantis introduced in Aquaman’s Silver Age comics were nothing new to history buffs. The post-Crisis Wonder Woman continuity, however, would see the introduction of the Bana-Mighdall Amazon nation, which was located near Egypt. The Middle East would be a popular destination for DC in terms of fictional countries, with the location later bolstered by Kahndaq, Bialya, Rhapastan and Qurac.
Many of these names are fun to say, but why does DC have so many fictional countries in their shared comic book universe? As noted, many of the fictional countries in the DC Universe have very obvious real-world equivalents. This allows writers at DC to talk about those countries, and thus current events, without really talking about them. This sort of political pastiche helps to make sociopolitical storytelling less dated since its lack of naming the actual countries makes the story arguably more universal.
Exclusive fictional countries also help to differentiate the DC Universe from both the real world and the Marvel Universe. Marvel is supposed to be the “world outside your window”, with Doctor Doom’s country of Latveria and Black Panther’s home of Wakanda and some of the only fictional nations are already established in mythology, like Asgard and Atlantis. While this arguably makes Marvel more realistic, it also sadly puts too many of its heroes in one location.
The majority of Marvel’s major heroes are or have been confined to New York City at one point, actually making it a laughable idea that any villains could be successful there. Likewise, it’s not quite often that the Marvel heroes will venture to foreign lands to face foes. DC heroes like Batman, Shazam, and different versions of the Teen Titans will frequently go to places like Kahndaq, Bialya and Zandia. This makes their world and threats feel more organic and widespread, explaining the need for so many superheroes. While these countries may all be fictional, their presence has the effect of making DC Comics feel more alive.