With New York Comic Con in full swing, DC Comics has begun to make big-time announcements. So far, the biggest has been Lazarus Planet. Spinning out of Batman Vs. Robin, the story deals with the eruption of the Lazarus Volcano, an event that gives people across the world powers, changing the nature of things.
With talent like Mark Waid, Gene Luen Yang, Billy Tan, Nicole Maines, Philip Kennedy Johnson, Riccardo Federici, Francis Manapul, Dan Watters, and more involved, Lazarus Planet looks to be a barn burner of an event. As with every event, there's always the potential for change. With a set-up this intriguing and the talent involved, there are lots of ways this story could change the DC Universe for the better.
10 Entirely New Heroes And Villains Could Be Introduced
The Lazarus Volcano's eruption causes Lazarus Clouds to travel the Earth. DC can use this much in the same way Marvel did with the Terrigen Mists clouds released by Black Bolt in Infinity to introduce new characters. Teaser images show familiar DC characters with changed powers and costumes, but this is an opportunity for some new blood.
DC has tried several times to do events that introduced new characters, like Bloodlines and Dark Knights Metal, with varying degrees of success. Lazarus Planet could do this as well, but with the wild new possibilities.
9 It Can Shine Light On Unused Corners Of The DC Universe
The teaser images for Lazarus Planet show a lot of known characters, but now's the time to experiment. DC has a deep bench of great B and C-list characters that aren't being used right now. With its promise of changes and the chaos that brings, Lazarus Planet needs to lean into portions of the DC Universe that have gotten very little love in the last few years.
The DC Universe has seemingly contracted in recent years, and Lazarus Planet has the potential to fix that. The Lazarus Clouds are an unprecedented event, one that can be used to show the breadth of the DC Universe as a whole.
8 Lazarus Planet Could Be Used To Revitalize The Chinese Side Of The DC Universe
Putting the Monkey King front and center on one of the teaser images is a bold step, and it could lead to something grand. With the involvement of writer Gene Luen Yang, it's looking like DC could use this event as an opportunity to bring back its Chinese heroes. Kenan Kong's Superman is a fan favorite, but he's only the beginning.
There's the Chinese Batman and Wonder Woman, but most intriguing could be a return of the Great Ten. A group of heroes who work for the Chinese government, they've been a powerful but underused team and could definitely make a comeback to help deal with the chaos of the Lazarus Clouds.
7 It's The Right Time To Push Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy has become more of a morally gray character in recent years. While it's often hard to argue against her, her methods can still be terrible when it comes down to it. Ivy is getting a rather large push at the moment, so throwing her into a big DC event like this is a good next step.
Poison Ivy has always had a lot of potential as an anti-hero, so this is a step in the right direction for her. The Lazarus Clouds could give her even greater control of the Green and place her in a new spot in the echelons of the DC Universe. On top of that, it would give her a chance to define herself away from Harley Quinn, something the character desperately needs.
6 Doctor Fate Needs More Prominence
Doctor Fate has a storied history in the DC Universe. The Helmet of Fate has been passed to many different holders over the years, with the current being Khalid Nassour, a student of the original Fate Kent Nelson. With the Nelson version also about to make his big screen premiere in Black Adam, DC needs to take advantage of this. Lazarus Planet could be part of a Doctor Fate push.
One of the teaser images shows Batman with the Helmet, so that's a sign that it will play a part. This event could be a perfect time to show off to readers exactly what the Helmet can do and launch a new Doctor Fate series.
5 If Everything Has To Have Batman, At Least Be Smart About It
Lazarus Planet spins out Batman Vs. Robin, and Batman is front and center for every teaser image. DC's Batman obsession is well documented, with the publisher falling back on the character often. One of the problems with the way DC has used Batman in the last few years is that they haven't used him to build new characters or reintroduce old ones. That needs to change.
With Lazarus Planet being so Batman-centric, it's the perfect time to use Batman to actually build the DC Universe. Fans are getting tired of all Batman, all the time. However, this event could intelligently use Batman and the eyes he puts on the product to broaden the publisher's horizons.
4 Changing Jon Kent's Powers Could Give His Status Quo A Well Needed Shake-Up
Jon Kent has proved his chops as Superman, but with his father returned and re-powered, there's a danger of Jon falling by the wayside. Jon's status quo is at an impasse right now, and he could use something new to keep him going as a vital character. One of the teasers shows Jon with his father's old electric powers, which would definitely be a shot in the arm.
While an argument can be made that the electric powers were never well used in the '90s beyond Morrison's JLA, giving Jon something new to master and conquer is definitely a good step for the character. Changing the status quo is always a good thing, and Jon could use something new.
3 Power Girl Should Be Pushed To The Moon
Power Girl has always been a fan favorite, but recent years have seen her gone from the DC Universe in the upheavals of the post-New 52 era. With the return of the Justice Society, she can be made into a vital part of the DC Universe again. Having the powerful legacy hero on the teaser for the publisher's next big event should begin a new Power Girl push.
Power Girl has a lot of fans who haven't spent any time with her since the end of New 52 Earth 2. Making her a big part of the DC Universe would be fitting and show that the publisher is serious about bringing back fan favorites.
2 Cyborg Could Use More Spotlight
Cyborg has changed a lot over the years, but the experiment of making him an A-lister has mostly stalled. This is a shame considering Cyborg is easily among DC's most popular characters outside of comics. He's starred in multiple generation-defining cartoons, live-action shows, and been in movies.
Cyborg is another character put up front in the teaser, and using Lazarus Planet to restart his failed push is the right thing to do. Cyborg is a beloved DC character, and the publisher needs to redouble its efforts to make him a star again.
1 Martian Manhunter Has Always Been The Secret Weapon
Martian Manhunter is the Swiss Army Knife of DC heroes, but he's also been a tough sell when it comes to solo success. There's something about the character that makes him better in team books, but DC has ignored even that since the end of Scott Snyder's Justice League run. His recent back-ups in Action Comics and World Without A Justice League: Wonder Woman showed there's definitely potential for the character, though.
Martian Manhunter appears in several of the teasers for Lazarus Planet. Martian Manhunter has long been a secret weapon for DC, and using this event to prove that to the doubters would be great. He could easily be Superman level, and it's time to make that happen.