Identity Crisis

Secrets bind heroes tighter than any costume when trust breaks down.

Identity Crisis is a seven-issue comic book limited series published by DC Comics from June to December in 2004. Created by writer Brad Meltzer and the artistic team of penciler Rags Morales and inker Michael Bair, it quickly became one of DC's top-selling series. The first issue released in June 2004 ranked first in comic book sales with pre-order sales of 163,111. While the second issue saw a decline to third place with 129,852 pre-orders, the story established itself as a pivotal narrative that adhered to continuity changes from Crisis on Infinite Earths and Zero Hour: Crisis in Time!. This series is widely recognized for its examination of relationship breakdowns within the Justice League, ultimately setting the stage for the crossover event Infinite Crisis.

Quick Facts

Schedule: Monthly
Publisher: DC Comics
Date: August 2004 – February 2005
Issues: 7
Writers: Brad Meltzer
Artists: Michael Turner (cover)
Letterers: Ken Lopez
Editors: Mike Carlin

Lore & Background

The narrative adheres to continuity changes where Wonder Woman was retconned out of the pre-Crisis JLA, replaced by Black Canary in all further references to origin stories and the Secret Society incident until her restoration following Infinite Crisis. A central plot thread involves a secret mind-wipe performed on Doctor Light after he raped Sue Dibny in the JLA satellite headquarters. To prevent future harm, Atom, Black Canary, Hawkman, Hal Jordan, and a reluctant Barry Allen voted for Zatanna to alter his personality into an ineffectual buffoon.

This precedent extended to other incidents, such as when the Secret Society captured heroes like Superman and Batman, switched bodies with them to learn secret identities, and was subsequently erased by Zatanna. These actions created a fractured reality where Green Arrow's memory of the mind-wipe was repressed until he accidentally saw a snapshot in Light's mind, revealing Batman had returned just as the spell was cast.

Reader's Guide

The investigation culminates when Atom discovers his estranged ex-wife, Jean Loring, is aware of the secret note sent to Jack Drake. Confronted by this knowledge, Loring confesses she killed Sue and set up the attempt on her own life to bring Ray back into hers, though she claims she did not intend for Jack Drake to die. Realizing she is insane, Ray Palmer has her committed to Arkham Asylum before disappearing under a wave of guilt. The aftermath reveals that Batman eventually remembered the mind-wipe, fueling years of paranoia that drove him to build the Brother MK I surveillance satellite. This discovery serves as a pivotal catalyst for the 2005–2006 crossover Infinite Crisis. It is later revealed in Countdown to Infinite Crisis that these events were indirect changes effected by Alexander Luthor Jr. and Superboy-Prime through overlaps of parallel timelines from their pocket universe.

Did You Know?

Firestorm detonated in the atmosphere after being stabbed by Shadow Thief with Shining Knight's sword, causing his nuclear powers to reach critical mass.
In 2009, ComicsAlliance named Identity Crisis one of the 15 Worst Comics of the Decade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who created Identity Crisis?

The series was written by Brad Meltzer with art provided by Rags Morales. Their collaboration created a gritty tone that shifted how readers perceived established superhero characters during that era.

What is the main conflict in the story?

The narrative follows the investigation into the murder of Sue Dibny, which uncovers disturbing truths about the Justice League's past actions. Heroes eventually resort to erasing memories to maintain public trust while grappling with their own moral compromises.