Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Anti-Monitor

The Anti-Monitor is a cosmic entity and one of the most powerful villains in DC Comics, originating from the Antimatter Universe as the malevolent twin brother of the Monitor, tasked with destroying entire universes to fuel his quest for dominance over all existence. Born approximately 13 billion years ago, he first emerged as the central antagonist in the 1985-1986 Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline, where he unleashed waves of antimatter that systematically erased countless parallel Earths and realities, forcing heroes from across the multiverse—including Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman—to unite against him in a battle that reshaped the DC Universe by collapsing its infinite Earths into a single reality. Despite his apparent defeat at the Dawn of Time during this event, the Anti-Monitor has repeatedly returned in subsequent stories, such as being reborn after the Flashpoint event and rebuilt by the Manhunters, only to be killed again and resurrected as a Black Lantern during Blackest Night. In more recent arcs, he has evolved into the Guardian of Fear for the Sinestro Corps, wielding his immense powers to manipulate fear on a cosmic scale while continuing to threaten the balance of creation. Possessing god-like abilities, the Anti-Monitor's arsenal includes near-invulnerability, immortality, capable of shattering planets, and , reality-warping, , and the use of advanced alien technology, allowing him to assume vast sizes and alter the fabric of universes themselves. His actions in marked a pivotal turning point in DC Comics history, where echoes of his legacy continue to challenge the multiverse's stability. As a symbol of existential destruction, the Anti-Monitor embodies the DC Universe's themes of cosmic peril and heroic resilience, remaining one of its most enduring and formidable threats.

Publication history

Creation

The Anti-Monitor was created by writer , artist , and inker for DC Comics' 1985 miniseries . The character made his first as a shadowy in #2 (May 1985), before receiving a full reveal in issue #6 (September 1985). Conceived in the early 1980s amid DC's struggle to compete with in sales, the Anti-Monitor emerged as the central cosmic antagonist for , a 12-issue event series aimed at resolving the publisher's convoluted continuity. Wolfman proposed the storyline to consolidate DC's infinite parallel Earths—each with conflicting versions of heroes like and Batman—into a single unified universe, making the lore more accessible to new readers and luring fans from rival publishers. This reboot was born from extensive research into DC's 50-year history, including input from Peter Sanderson, to weave together disparate narratives while establishing a fresh starting point for the publisher's titles. During development, Wolfman envisioned the Anti-Monitor as a god-like destroyer capable of annihilating entire realities, drawing on the established concept of the (introduced by Wolfman and in The New #21 in 1982) to create his counterpart as an embodiment of universal chaos. Pérez crafted the character's visual design to emphasize an imposing, armored silhouette radiating energy motifs, evoking an ancient, otherworldly menace that contrasted with the series' sprawling ensemble of heroes. The Anti-Monitor's role was teased in promotional materials for the Crisis event, positioning him as the ultimate threat in a line-wide crossover intended to revitalize DC's .

Key revivals and appearances

Following his apparent destruction in Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985-1986), the Anti-Monitor experienced his first major revival in Infinite Crisis (2005-2006), where remnants of his essence and armor influenced events as a shadowy cosmic force, marking a return after two decades of dormancy. In Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special #1 (2007), the character was reintroduced in a more prominent role as the guardian and ruler of the Antimatter Universe, establishing him as a key antagonist in the escalating Sinestro Corps War storyline. The Anti-Monitor continued to appear in subsequent major events, including Blackest Night (2009), where he was resurrected as a powerful Black Lantern serving as Nekron's central power battery. His role extended into the follow-up Brightest Day (2010), featuring a climactic confrontation with Firestorm in issue #22. In Forever Evil (2013), he emerged as a hidden threat tied to the Crime Syndicate's invasion, with his antimatter origins amplifying the multiversal stakes. Brief mentions and allusions occurred during Dark Nights: Metal (2017-2018), linking him to the broader Monitor family dynamics within the Dark Multiverse. Under the initiative, the Anti-Monitor was integrated more deeply into DC's cosmology in (vol. 4, 2018), revealing his origins as one of Perpetua's sons alongside the and Forger. This thread culminated in Dark Nights: Death Metal (2020), where ties to Perpetua drove his involvement in the final multiversal crisis, including variants like the Dark Multiverse Anti-Monitor. As of 2025, no major new story arcs featuring the character have been published since Death Metal. Over time, the Anti-Monitor has evolved from a one-off villain into a recurring multiversal threat, appearing in numerous Comics titles that underscore his enduring impact on cosmic narratives.

Fictional character biography

Origins

The Anti-Monitor's true identity is Mobius, an ancient cosmic entity and scientist who originated at the dawn of time and played a pivotal role in the creation of the Antimatter Universe. He is the brother of the , also known as Mar Novu, with both beings emerging as twins from the cataclysmic events surrounding the universe's formation. Mobius, as the Anti-Monitor, was born over 13 billion years ago during the , when the nascent cosmos split into the positive matter universe and its antimatter counterpart. This division gave rise to the two opposing entities on parallel moons—Mar Novu on Oa's moon in the positive matter realm and Mobius on Qward's moon in the antimatter realm. Upon discovering each other, the brothers immediately engaged in a devastating million-year war across dimensions, vying for supremacy over existence itself, which ultimately left both combatants weakened and dormant for billions of years. Defeated in this primordial conflict, the Anti-Monitor was banished to the Antimatter Universe, where he sustained his immense form by drawing on its raw, destructive energies. This foundational backstory, including the twins' origins and the ancient war, was dramatically revealed during the climactic events at the dawn of time in Crisis on Infinite Earths #10-12. In the DC Rebirth continuity, the Anti-Monitor's destructive nature gained further cosmic depth as one of the three primary sons—alongside the and the World Forger—created by Perpetua, the primordial "Hand" and mother of the from the Sixth Dimension. This parentage positioned him as a flawed guardian of , inherently tied to the 's fragile balance and Perpetua's rebellious designs against higher cosmic authorities.

Crisis on Infinite Earths

The Anti-Monitor emerged as the central antagonist in the 1985-1986 DC Comics miniseries Crisis on Infinite Earths, orchestrating a cataclysmic campaign to annihilate the entire multiverse and subsume all existence into his antimatter domain. Originally a cosmic entity from the antimatter universe—briefly referenced as the transformed scientist Mobius—he initiated his invasion by unleashing waves of destructive antimatter energy that systematically erased positive matter realities, beginning with Earth-3 and claiming trillions of lives across infinite worlds. To execute this plan, he deployed an army of shadow demons as enforcers to harvest souls and accelerate the destruction, while manipulating Pariah, a cursed observer doomed to witness each universe's demise, as an unwitting pawn in his scheme. Throughout the event, the Anti-Monitor engaged in escalating confrontations with heroes rallied by his counterpart, the , including a pivotal battle on the moon of where assembled defenders from surviving Earths attempted to halt his advance. As universes fell, he siphoned their liberated energies to amplify his already immense power, growing ever more formidable and nearly overwhelming the resistance with his constructs and demonic legions. These clashes highlighted the Anti-Monitor's relentless strategy, forcing unlikely alliances among 's heroes and villains to counter his multiversal purge. The storyline culminated in issues #10-12 with the Anti-Monitor's audacious final assault at the dawn of time, where he sought to rewrite creation itself by merging all matter into oblivion. A of survivors, led by figures such as Earth-2's and , mounted a desperate counteroffensive, ultimately shattering his armor and defeating him through combined physical and mystical assaults that exploited his overextended power. This victory triggered the multiverse's collapse, consolidating 's infinite Earths into a singular, rebooted universe that streamlined the publisher's continuity for decades. In the immediate aftermath, the Anti-Monitor's physical form was fragmented and scattered across realities, though traces of his malevolent essence endured, setting the stage for future threats while his actions irrevocably reshaped the by eliminating contradictory timelines and histories.

Infinite Crisis and aftermath

Following the events of , the Anti-Monitor's remains lingered in the antimatter void, where his influence subtly persisted. In the 2005 miniseries, —a survivor of the original Crisis who sought to restore a "perfect" multiverse—discovered and reforged the Anti-Monitor's armor using energies harvested from vibrating between parallel realities. This reforging effectively resurrected the Anti-Monitor, allowing him to emerge as a destructive force once more, aiming to consume positive matter and facilitate Luthor's scheme to recreate multiple Earths. The resurrected Anti-Monitor orchestrated chaos from the void, manipulating events to destabilize the unified and draw in heroes from across realities. He briefly possessed (Kal-El of Earth-Prime), amplifying the young Kryptonian's rage and power through the reforged armor, which Superboy-Prime donned as a harness to battle the and other defenders. This possession turned Superboy-Prime into a vessel for the Anti-Monitor's energy, enabling widespread destruction and the opening of rifts between worlds. The Anti-Monitor's goal aligned with Luthor's vision of a new , but his unchecked hunger for threatened to consume everything. The Anti-Monitor's rampage culminated in #7, where the possessed was defeated on the planet ; the Corps, aided by heroes like and , dragged him into a kryptonite-laced paradise dimension created by Luthor, severing the possession and banishing the Anti-Monitor's essence. In the immediate aftermath, fragments of the Anti-Monitor's antimatter power lingered, influencing villains such as the , who was manipulated into battles that exacerbated cosmic instability. These remnants contributed to the brief restoration of a 52-universe during the 2006-2007 series, as the destruction of New Earth allowed for the reemergence of parallel realities. Scattered echoes of the Anti-Monitor's energy appeared in the 2007-2008 miniseries, where they tied into escalating multiversal threats, including manipulations by the Monitors and preparations for larger crises, underscoring his enduring role as a catalyst for DC's cosmic upheavals.

Sinestro Corps War

During the events leading into the , , having been empowered by the fear entity following his resurrection in the aftermath of , sought to bolster his new corps by allying with cosmic threats from the Antimatter Universe. In Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special #1, revives the Anti-Monitor, positioning him as the corps' guardian and a counterpoint to the , with the entity now serving as protector of Qward and the yellow central power battery forged from 's essence. This revival draws on the Anti-Monitor's lingering essence from his prior defeats, transforming him into a herald of fear who channels the ' yellow energy to amplify his destructive capabilities. As the war erupts across the universe, the Anti-Monitor emerges as a formidable enforcer for Sinestro's forces, wielding yellow fear energy constructs to ravage sectors and instill terror on a multiversal scale. Deployed to Qward, he clashes with the Lost Lanterns—imprisoned s freed during the conflict—overpowering and killing several, including Kehaan of Sector 3599, while his antimatter-infused attacks threaten to destabilize entire space sectors. His assaults extend to , where he attempts to positive matter energy to fuel antimatter waves, battling the and contributing to the chaos that sees Sinestro's forces invade multiple sectors simultaneously. Empowered by the yellow light, the Anti-Monitor's role shifts him from a solitary multiversal destroyer to a strategic weapon in Sinestro's ideology of fear-based order, destroying Lantern outposts and forcing the into desperate defenses. The Anti-Monitor's campaign reaches its climax during the Battle of Earth, where he confronts key amid the invasion. In Green Lantern (vol. 4) #25, , temporarily transformed into the host of the entity after absorbing the power of the green central battery, engages the Anti-Monitor directly, using his enhanced white light abilities to drain the entity's yellow fear energy and reduce him to a weakened, powerless husk. Though initially subdued, the Anti-Monitor survives the encounter in a diminished state, later hurled into deep space by during the war's resolution, leaving him imprisoned within the black power battery on an uninhabited world as a prelude to future threats. This defeat marks a pivotal in the Anti-Monitor's character, expanding his legacy beyond to embody fear as a tool of enforcement, setting the stage for his recurring influence in Lantern Corps conflicts.

Blackest Night and beyond

During the 2009 Blackest Night crossover event, the Anti-Monitor's remains served as the central power battery for , channeling death energy to reanimate the dead and attack the living. His essence, trapped within this battery, empowered the Corps throughout the conflict, marking a diminished role compared to his prior multiversal threats. In Blackest Night #8, a white power ring briefly resurrects him as a Black Lantern, allowing him to manifest and wield necrotic energies against the Lanterns, but quickly banishes him back to the Anti-Matter Universe to prevent interference. The Anti-Monitor's influence persisted into the follow-up Brightest Day series in 2010, where his lingering essence in the Anti-Matter Universe draws resurrected heroes like Deadman and into confrontations. In Brightest Day #22, invades his lair to retrieve a White Lantern artifact, battling the Anti-Monitor and residual Black Lantern forces amid his attempts to corrupt the white light of life. Though seemingly defeated, his banishment leaves him isolated, setting the stage for future resurgences without immediate multiversal domination. By 2013's event, the Anti-Monitor reemerges as a shadowy , revealed in #7 as the entity who destroyed Earth-3's and decimated that universe to harvest energy. His goal is to consume additional universes for power to challenge directly, positioning him as a greater existential threat than the invading Crime Syndicate, though his role remains largely off-panel and preparatory. In the 2015–2016 Justice League: Darkseid War storyline, the Anti-Monitor escalates into open conflict with , fulfilling a that entangles the in their war. He vaporizes in Justice League #47 during a point-blank , demonstrating his blasts' lethality, while pursuing dominance over multiversal forces. This arc underscores his vendetta against , driven by ancient rivalries, but ends with him contained within the pre-Rebirth cosmology, hinting at deeper multiversal connections without resolution.

DC Rebirth era

In the DC Rebirth era, the Anti-Monitor was integrated into the broader cosmic mythology as one of the three sons of Perpetua, a super-celestial entity known as one of the Hands tasked with creating and maintaining multiverses within the greater . Perpetua shaped the DC Multiverse from positive matter, , and , assigning her sons—the to protect positive matter universes, the World Forger to craft new worlds from , and the Anti-Monitor to govern the antimatter realm—to balance its forces. This familial dynamic was revealed in and James Tynion IV's series (2018–2020), with initial mentions in Justice League #8 and fuller exposition in Justice League #16–19 and Justice League Annual #1, portraying the Anti-Monitor as a product of his mother's rebellious experiments against the cosmic overseers. During the Year of the Villain event (2019), the Anti-Monitor participated in escalating cosmic conflicts as Perpetua's influence resurfaced, manipulated by Lex Luthor's alliance with to restore her power and challenge the multiversal order. These battles highlighted the Anti-Monitor's role in the "Six"—a cadre of ancient cosmic entities including Perpetua and her progeny—amid threats to Wall and the fabric of reality. The storyline culminated in Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #3–4, where the Anti-Monitor's antimatter essence clashed with heroes and villains vying for control over Perpetua's unleashed potential. In Dark Nights: Death Metal (2020), a variant of the Anti-Monitor from the Dark Multiverse was coerced by the Batman Who Laughs into aiding a warped recreation of the Crisis on Infinite Earths, absorbing energies to fuel apocalyptic redesigns of the multiverse under Perpetua's shadow. This depiction emphasized the character's vulnerability to manipulation, as the Batman Who Laughs exploited familial ties and the Anti-Monitor's destructive instincts in issues like Dark Nights: Death Metal - Trinity Crisis #1 and the main series #4–5. Post-event, the Anti-Monitor appeared in minor cameos in Infinite Frontier #4 and #6 (2021), referencing his shadow demons and lingering antimatter threats amid multiversal restructuring. By 2024, the Anti-Monitor's presence diminished to brief references in titles like Batman/: #28, tying into ongoing safeguards without major arcs in 2023–2025 . This evolution reframed him as a flawed creation of Perpetua's within the framework, underscoring his role in perpetual cosmic imbalances rather than isolated destruction.

Powers and abilities

Antimatter manipulation

The Anti-Monitor's primary power stems from his dominion over the , enabling him to generate vast quantities of that he weaponizes against positive matter realities. He draws this energy directly from his native realm, allowing him to produce destructive waves capable of annihilating entire upon contact, as demonstrated during his initial assault on the in . These waves convert positive matter into upon collision, expanding his own universe while erasing others from existence. In combat applications, the Anti-Monitor shapes into offensive forms such as bolts, shockwaves, cannons mounted on his armor, and swirling storms that overwhelm opponents or planetary bodies. He can also convert absorbed positive into to replenish his reserves, providing temporary boosts during prolonged engagements. This manipulation synergizes briefly with his ability to absorb external energies, enhancing overall output when combined with ambient cosmic sources. Despite its potency, manipulation has inherent limitations tied to the Anti-Monitor's connection to sources; prolonged operations far from the Antimatter Universe diminish his effectiveness, as his power wanes without replenishment from destroyed matter. Overuse risks destabilizing his form, potentially leading to self-annihilation if the generated surges uncontrollably. A distinctive application occurred during the Sinestro Corps War, where the Anti-Monitor, resurrected as the Corps' Guardian of Fear, infused yellow power rings with antimatter essence to amplify their fear-inducing capabilities, allowing Sinestro's forces to project enhanced constructs and instill terror on a multiversal scale.

Immortality and regeneration

The Anti-Monitor's immortality is rooted in his antimatter essence, making him an ageless being who originated approximately 13 billion years ago in the Antimatter Universe at the dawn of cosmic creation. This eternal existence enables him to withstand multiversal collapses and existential threats that would annihilate lesser entities, as his fundamental tie to antimatter ensures persistence as long as that realm endures. Central to his survival is a potent regeneration ability, allowing reformation from scattered fragments, energy remnants, or even conceptual destruction. After his physical form was obliterated during the climactic battle in #12, he reconstituted through residual energies and later fully revived in #7 via external manipulation of multiversal rifts, with his armor functioning as a vital stabilizing shell to anchor the reforming process. As an energy-based cosmic entity, he cannot be permanently eradicated without eliminating the Antimatter Universe itself, often returning in a after temporary defeats. However, this resilience has exploitable vulnerabilities, particularly to overwhelming infusions of positive matter or the white light of life, which can disperse his form and delay regeneration. In , the emergent White Lantern energy erupted from the power ring, shattering and hurling the Anti-Monitor—then a Black Lantern construct—into temporary oblivion, highlighting how opposing life forces counteract his antimatter stability. In the era, enhancements from his creator Perpetua, a Hand of , bolster his self-repair mechanisms, integrating multiversal creative energies for faster and more robust reconstruction beyond his innate limits. Perpetua's restoration of his core malevolence via the further amplifies this, ensuring his return as an even greater threat. Originally Mobius before his transformation, these traits underscore his role as an undying force of destruction.

Energy projection and absorption

The Anti-Monitor possesses formidable energy projection capabilities, primarily through the emission of antimatter waves and blasts that annihilate positive matter on a cosmic scale. These projections manifest as devastating beams capable of breaking down matter at its fundamental level, erasing entire universes during the events of . For instance, he unleashed a massive antimatter wave across the , systematically destroying thousands of positive-matter worlds and murdering trillions in the process. In , the Anti-Monitor strategically absorbs various forms of to bolster his own strength, converting it into personal power while countering adversaries. He routinely drained the life force and cosmic from superheroes and entire universes, consuming hundreds of thousands to exponentially increase his might and sustain prolonged battles against the multiverse's defenders. This allowed him to compensate for energy losses incurred during confrontations, such as those at the dawn of time, where he siphoned power directly from assembled heroes to maintain his assault. Tactically, the Anti-Monitor often redirected absorbed energies against opponents, turning their own attacks into amplified counters that overwhelmed groups like the and other assembled forces. His shadow demons, extensions of his antimatter , further enhanced these projections by creating disruptive illusions and energy fields to disorient foes during multiversal incursions. However, excessive could destabilize his form, leading to uncontrolled explosive releases of pent-up energy that occasionally backfired in critical moments. Absorbed energies also contributed to his regenerative processes, enabling rapid recovery from severe damage sustained in battles.

Other versions

Multiverse variants

In the New 52 continuity's Forever Evil event, a variant of the Anti-Monitor serves as the catalyst for the Crime Syndicate of America's invasion of the prime by destroying their home reality of Earth-3, forcing the evil counterparts to the to flee as refugees and conquer Prime Earth in retaliation. This depiction portrays the Anti-Monitor as a redesigned, hulking entity with enhanced armor and a more visceral, rage-driven appearance, underscoring his role as an existential threat to parallel worlds rather than a singular multiversal conqueror. In the and eras, the expanded cosmology introduces multiple Anti-Monitors as multiversal enforcers under the command of Perpetua, the primordial creator and mother of the family; these variants operate across infinite branches of the , wielding waves to prune excessive realities and maintain Perpetua's vision of controlled existence. Unlike the monolithic destroyer of earlier crises, these post-Rebirth Anti-Monitors emphasize a networked of destruction, with each serving as a herald in specific multiversal sectors. Key differences among these multiverse variants highlight thematic variations on destruction: while the core Anti-Monitor embodies pure cosmic , some iterations, such as the New 52's Mobius—a cosmic being from the Sixth Dimension who created the Mobius Chair and became after being expelled from it by Metron—begin as weakened, intellectual figures before unleashing multiversal peril, reinforcing narratives of and unintended escalation across realities.

Alternate continuities

In the continuity, the Anti-Monitor was reintroduced as a cosmic entity reborn following the events of , where he was rebuilt by the Manhunters and appointed as the of Fear for the . This version portrayed him as a reformed but still formidable being, serving Sinestro's ideology while harboring his destructive origins from the Antimatter Universe. During the storyline "The ," the emerged as a central , engaging in a cataclysmic battle with that threatened Earth and drew the into the conflict. In this arc, he was depicted as a world-shattering force clashing with the ruler of , highlighting his role in multiversal power struggles within the rebooted universe. Post-Flashpoint alterations further reshaped his backstory, integrating him into the structure with a diminished yet influential presence compared to his incarnation, emphasizing themes of redemption and lingering menace. In alternate continuities outside the main , the Anti-Monitor appears in stories like , where he is implied as a cosmic force behind the story's apocalyptic events, and in as "," a fusion with Marvel's .

In other media

Television

The Anti-Monitor made his live-action television debut in the Arrowverse during the 2019–2020 crossover event Crisis on Infinite Earths, portrayed by actor LaMonica Garrett. Garrett, who also played the character's brother Mar Novu / the Monitor, first introduced the Anti-Monitor as the central antagonist across episodes of Supergirl, Batwoman, The Flash, Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow. The character was revealed as the ruler of the antimatter universe, driven by a desire to eradicate all positive-matter realities to expand his domain. In the crossover's narrative, the Anti-Monitor unleashes waves of that systematically destroy countless Earths within the , forcing surviving heroes to band together under the Monitor's guidance. He manipulates events from the shadows, including the corruption of the Monitor's plan, and ultimately confronts the assembled heroes in his realm. —seven destined champions including , , , , , of Earth-96, and J'onn J'onzz—battle the Anti-Monitor and his shadow demons, while Oliver Queen, empowered as the , delivers the decisive blow to defeat him and facilitate the rebirth of the as a single Earth-Prime. This adaptation drew inspiration from the character's comic origins but adapted the conflict to fit the interconnected continuity, emphasizing themes of sacrifice and unity among disparate heroes. In animated television, the Anti-Monitor appeared as a key antagonist in Green Lantern: The Animated Series (2011–2013), voiced by . He featured prominently in the season 1 finale episodes "" and "Cold Fury," where he leads an army of Manhunters against the , showcasing his antimatter-based powers to threaten the . The storyline culminates with the Aya absorbing the Anti-Monitor's essence, transforming into a new destructive entity that endangers the universe. As of November 2025, the character has had no major roles in live-action or animated television series beyond these portrayals.

Film

The Anti-Monitor serves as the central antagonist in the 2024 animated film trilogy Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths, produced by as part of the DC Tomorrowverse continuity. Voiced by , the character is depicted as a cosmic entity from the antimatter universe who unleashes waves of destruction across the , systematically annihilating parallel Earths to consolidate power. In Part One (released January 9, 2024), the Anti-Monitor emerges as the Monitor's malevolent counterpart, initiating by trapping surviving heroes in a while his forces ravage realities. The narrative escalates in Part Two (April 23, 2024), where the villain manipulates time and alliances among , including , and , to further his conquest. The trilogy culminates in Part Three (July 16, 2024), with the Anti-Monitor's full assault on the remaining Earths leading to a climactic battle; he is ultimately defeated by a united front of heroes wielding cosmic energies and artifacts. As of November 2025, the Anti-Monitor has no live-action film appearances in the DC Extended Universe or the rebooted DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran. While multiversal threats have been explored in films like The Flash (2023), no official announcements or teasers confirm his inclusion in upcoming projects such as Superman (2025) or The Batman Part II (2026). The 2024 trilogy closely adapts the 1985-1986 Crisis on Infinite Earths comic storyline by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, emphasizing the Anti-Monitor's role in multiversal collapse, but incorporates modern elements like the Tomorrowverse's ensemble of heroes from prior animated films, including alternate versions of the Justice League and supporting characters like Mr. Terrific (also voiced by Essandoh). This adaptation highlights themes of unity across realities while streamlining the comic's expansive scope for cinematic pacing.

Video games

The Anti-Monitor has been featured in various DC Comics video games, often as a powerful antagonist embodying his role as a destroyer of realities, with appearances emphasizing multiversal threats and antimatter-based abilities. In the Injustice series, the Anti-Monitor appears as a background threat in Injustice 2 (2017), influencing the storyline through Brainiac's multiverse invasion, including antimatter tendrils and a "Mind of the Anti-Monitor" costume variant for Brainiac that ties into cosmic conquest themes. In , the Anti-Monitor serves as a boss villain in episodes and annual anniversary events inspired by , beginning with the 2017 update, where players confront him in raids and open-world missions utilizing his antimatter manipulation powers, such as energy absorption and projection during the "Attack of the Anti-Monitor" event. The event returned for the game's 14th anniversary from January 7 to February 4, 2025, featuring open-world missions in the Metropolis Anti-Matter Invasion Zone, the Centennial Collapse Raid, new feats, styles, and rewards. The character receives a comic-relief cameo in the Lego DC games as a multiverse destroyer boss in (2018), where he appears in Level 17 and an after-credits scene, and can be unlocked as a playable character with abilities reflecting his destructive scale in a humorous, blocky style. As of November 2025, the Anti-Monitor has no major roles in new releases, though he continues to appear in ongoing updates for titles like DC Universe Online without significant expansions.

Merchandise

The Anti-Monitor has appeared in various official DC Comics merchandise, primarily through action figures and collectibles that highlight his role in major events like Crisis on Infinite Earths. McFarlane Toys released a 7-inch Megafig version of the Anti-Monitor in his Crisis armor in early 2023, featuring ultra-articulation with 22 moving parts, a display base, and an art card with biography, designed to scale with other DC Multiverse figures. In 2024, McFarlane expanded the line with a Crisis on Infinite Earths build-a-figure wave centered on the Monitor counterpart, including pieces distributed across figures like Kid Flash and Psycho-Pirate, reflecting renewed interest in the character's multiversal threat. Earlier collectibles include the DC Direct Series 2 from 2006, depicting the Anti-Monitor in his classic armored form from , complete with accessories like energy blasts and a detailed sculpt emphasizing his cosmic scale. For the storyline, produced a build-a-figure Black Lantern Anti-Monitor in Wave 17, released in late 2010, assembled from parts in figures such as Blue Lantern Flash and Black Lantern Mera, showcasing his resurrected form as a central power battery antagonist. Apparel and promotional items tied to reprints have included t-shirts and posters since the 1985 original release, such as double-sided prints featuring key artwork from the event and variant covers. The 2024 animated Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three spurred additional promotional merchandise, including event-specific t-shirts with cover art and stickers highlighting the Anti-Monitor's role in the trilogy's climax. Collectible trends for the Anti-Monitor show spikes in availability following major adaptations, such as the 2024 animated , which prompted McFarlane's wave and increased demand, though production remains limited compared to more mainstream villains due to his niche status as a cosmic entity.

References

  1. [1]
    Anti-Monitor | Official DC Character
    A destroyer of universes, the Anti-Monitor caused the Crisis on Infinite Earths and was reborn after Flashpoint, becoming guardian of the Sinestro Corps.
  2. [2]
    Crisis on Infinite Earth's creators reflect on the internal battles and ...
    Jan 22, 2019 · This week, SYFY WIRE spoke with Wolfman, artist Jerry Ordway and former DC editor Paul Levitz about the making of Crisis and its impact on the comic book world.
  3. [3]
    'Crisis on Infinite Earths' creators reveal what they'd change in their iconic comic
    ### Summary of Quotes on Anti-Monitor and Crisis on Infinite Earths Creation
  4. [4]
    DC's Infinite Crisis, Explained - CBR
    Feb 4, 2025 · Infinite Crisis ... Eventually, by donning an armor inspired by the powerful Anti-Monitor, Superboy-Prime becomes stronger than ever.
  5. [5]
    Crisis On Infinite Earths: Every Main Character's Fate At The End Of ...
    Jul 22, 2021 · ... Infinite Crisis. 8 Lady Quark Would Go On To Become A Hero In ... 4 The Anti-Monitor Was Destroyed But Would Return. Anti-Monitor from ...
  6. [6]
    GREEN LANTERN: SINESTRO CORPS SPECIAL #1 - DC Comics
    GREEN LANTERN: SINESTRO CORPS SPECIAL #1. The stellar creative team of ... Sinestro. Anti-Monitor. Green Lantern.
  7. [7]
    DC FLASHBACK: Sinestro Instills Great Fear - CBR
    Apr 13, 2007 · This June, Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver will bring us DC Comics' "Sinestro Corps Special ... Anti-Monitor from causing a further fracture in ...
  8. [8]
    Green Lantern: Who Is the Most Powerful Black Lantern? - CBR
    Sep 4, 2021 · The Anti-Monitor. Anti-Monitor, Blackest Night. DC's original Crisis on Infinite Earths (by Marv Wolfman and George Perez) saw the villainous ...
  9. [9]
    Brightest Day #22 - CBR
    Mar 17, 2011 · ... Brightest Day" tale. As billed on the cover, this issue features Firestorm against the Anti-Monitor. The Anti-Monitor was resurrected at the ...
  10. [10]
    Analyzing the Aftermath of "Forever Evil" - CBR
    May 21, 2014 · ... Forever Evil" was of infamous "Crisis on Infinite Earths" antagonist the Anti-Monitor. And while it's pretty obvious that he's after ...
  11. [11]
    Dark Nights: Metal – A Guide to the DC Comics Event - CBR
    May 6, 2020 · ... Dark Nights: Metal ... Anti-Monitor and World Forger, who had been imprisoned within the ...
  12. [12]
    Totality Talk: Scott Snyder on Justice League #16's Big Revelations
    Jan 23, 2019 · The Monitor, Anti-Monitor and World Forger are some of the oldest celestial beings in the DC Universe, and they're brothers. Perpetua is ...
  13. [13]
    Death Metal: One of DC's Most Powerful Gods Is Officially Dead - CBR
    Dec 19, 2020 · In Dark Nights: Death Metal, a major powerhouse in the modern DC ... After creating three sons (the Monitor, the Anti-Monitor, and the ...
  14. [14]
    Monitor | Official DC Character
    A being as old as the Multiverse itself, the Monitor watches the events of each Earth as they unfold from afar, outside the human concept of space and time.
  15. [15]
    CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS | DC
    A mysterious being known as the Anti-Monitor has begun a crusade across time to bring about the end of all existence. As alternate earths are systematically ...
  16. [16]
    In JUSTICE LEAGUE #32, Perpetua sets her sights on the Anti-Monitor
    Sep 16, 2019 · And Perpetua, the first creator and mother to the Monitor, Anti-Monitor, and the World Forger, first crafted the Multiverse with those negative ...
  17. [17]
    JUSTICE LEAGUE #27 - DC Comics
    6–7 day delivery Free 30-day returnsEons ago, the Monitor, the Anti-Monitor and the World Forger stopped the rise of Perpetua—but can they overcome billions of years of mistrust to work ...
  18. [18]
    Breaking News: The Monitor Appears in the Arrowverse - DC Comics
    Sep 26, 2018 · According to the crossover's official character description, Garrett will be playing Mar Novu, an extraterrestrial being of infinite power known ...
  19. [19]
    Why MARV WOLFMAN Didn't Like the Ending to CRISIS
    Sep 12, 2018 · In this final installment of THE MARV WOLFMAN INTERVIEWS, the Bronze Age great discusses Crisis on Infinite Earths, the origin of the Monitor, ...Missing: Anti- | Show results with:Anti-
  20. [20]
    Green Lantern Corpse: 15 CRAZY AF Things From The Sinestro ...
    May 25, 2017 · 3 THE GUARDIANS BATTLE THE ANTI-MONITOR​​ Free from their emotions, they thought it best to let their own police force deal with the day-to-day ...
  21. [21]
    5 Reasons Why The Sinestro Corps War Is The Definitive Green ...
    May 24, 2020 · Readers would get to see Cyborg Superman, the Anti-Monitor, and Superboy-Prime as well. These three are some of the most powerful and ...
  22. [22]
    The 20 Deadliest Sinestro Corps Members, Officially Ranked - CBR
    Jul 16, 2018 · The Anti-Monitor is an impossibly powerful threat whose sole desire is to become the ruler of the Antimatter Universe once "our" universe is ...
  23. [23]
    GREEN LANTERN #25 - DC Comics
    What is the bizarre fate of the Anti-Monitor? Why has Earth been assigned so ... GREEN LANTERN: SINESTRO CORPS SPECIAL #1. AVAILABLE NOW. GREEN LANTERN ...
  24. [24]
    https://www.cbr.com/tag/anti-monitor/
  25. [25]
    Blackest Night: A Complete Guide to DC's Darkest Event - CBR
    May 4, 2020 · ... Anti-Monitor crashed on a darkened planet in Sector 666. ... RELATED: Look Back: Question and Other Books Were 'Resurrected' By Blackest Night.
  26. [26]
    Grumpy Old Fan | For the Anti-Monitor, knowledge is power - CBR
    Jul 14, 2011 · ... Anti-Monitor. Now, I know he ... Now back in the Anti-Matter Universe, most recently he fought Firestorm towards the end of Brightest Day.
  27. [27]
    "Forever Evil's" Mystery Character Revealed - Who Was That ... - CBR
    Mar 5, 2014 · In "Crisis," the evil Anti-Monitor has been destroying entire universes, starting in the first issue with Earth-3, but not before Alexander ...<|separator|>
  28. [28]
    Justice League Vol. 7: Darkseid War Part 1 (Justice League, 7)
    What's it about? The Justice League must team up with Mister Miracle to prevent the destruction of Earth as Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor go to war.
  29. [29]
    Anti-Monitor Claims Another Victory in Justice League's Darkseid war
    Feb 24, 2016 · The Anti-Monitor takes the upper hand and fires a blast at point-blank range, vaporizing Ultraman and killing him instantly. The issue ends with ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  30. [30]
    DC Comics' August 2019 Solicitations - Year of the Villain Continues
    May 17, 2019 · The mysterious Anti-Monitor has begun a crusade to end all existence. As alternate Earths are destroyed, the Monitor quickly assembles a ...
  31. [31]
    DARK NIGHTS: DEATH METAL TRINITY CRISIS #1 - DC Comics
    Three walking nightmares are hidden deep inside the fortress—but these Dark Multiverse versions of the Anti-Monitor, Superboy Prime and Darkseid hold the key to ...
  32. [32]
    BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD'S FINEST #28 - DC Comics
    Jun 18, 2024 · A multitude of DC guest stars—and their fifth-dimensional counterparts—join the World's Finest duo in a last-ditch attempt to save Earth from ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  33. [33]
    Who is The Anti-Monitor? DC Comics Origin & Powers Explained
    Sep 22, 2020 · The Anti-Monitor was created by Marv Wolfman, George Perez, and Jerry Ordway, and made his debut in DC's seminal Crisis on Infinite Earths series.
  34. [34]
    Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War Compendium
    ### Summary of Anti-Monitor's Involvement in Sinestro Corps War
  35. [35]
    DC: 10 Superpowers You Didn't Know Anti-Monitor Has - CBR
    Dec 6, 2020 · Anti-Monitor is someone who looks after the Antimatter Universe. So as long as the Antimatter Universe exists, Anti-Monitor will never be ...
  36. [36]
    DC Villains With the Most Resurrections, Ranked - CBR
    Sep 28, 2023 · The Anti-Monitor is powered by Dark Matter encased within an armored body, whose destruction can cause the villain to "die." Due to the fact the ...
  37. [37]
    DC Villains Who Could Beat The MCU Avengers - CBR
    Jul 14, 2017 · The Anti-Monitor's powers are vast. Probably his most devastating power is the ability to absorb the energies of his surroundings into himself.
  38. [38]
    5 Superpowers Darkseid Has Over Anti-Monitor (& 5 He Doesn't)
    Nov 9, 2020 · While Darkseid can absorb energy from life forms, Anti-Monitor uses his energy absorption abilities to a bigger extent. Coming from the anti- ...
  39. [39]
    Forever Evil: A Complete Guide to the New 52's DC Villain Epic - CBR
    Oct 29, 2020 · Forever Evil: A Complete Guide to the New 52's DC Villain Epic ... Anti-Monitor. WHAT HAPPENED IN FOREVER EVIL? DC Comics Nightwing ...
  40. [40]
    DARK NIGHTS: DEATH METAL MULTIVERSE'S END #1 - DC Comics
    In her quest for power and dominance, she rules absolutely and in totality, using her children-the Monitors and Anti-Monitors-as her heralds and destructors.
  41. [41]
    JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE DARKSEID WAR (DC ESSENTIAL EDITION)
    Now the ruler of Apokolips is back in this new DC Essential collection, but this time he's set his sights on the world-shattering Anti-Monitor.
  42. [42]
    https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Kingdom_Come_Vol_1
  43. [43]
    'Crisis on Infinite Earths': LaMonica Garrett on Being the Anti-Monitor
    Dec 8, 2019 · "Crisis on Infinite Earths" will see LaMonica Garrett in the dual role of The Monitor and the evil Anti-Monitor, who will have a huge part ...
  44. [44]
    The Monitor Explained: Arrowverse's Crisis On Infinite Earths Villain
    May 26, 2019 · At some point, the Anti-Monitor learned that his realm would expand and fill the void whenever a positive-matter universe was destroyed. This ...
  45. [45]
    https://screenrant.com/monitor-explained-arrowverse-crisis-infinite-earths-villain/
  46. [46]
    Anti-Monitor - DC Universe - Behind The Voice Actors
    Total Actors: 5. Appearances: 3. Franchise: DC Universe. Trending: 5,499th This Week. Anti-Monitor Voice. Incarnations On BTVA: 3 Versions from 3 Titles.Missing: cameo Unlimited
  47. [47]
    Anti-Monitor | Green Lantern The Animated Series Wiki | Fandom
    The Anti-Monitor was a supremely powerful being who was created eons ago by Krona capable of converting anything into antimatter for his consumption.Missing: Korugar | Show results with:Korugar
  48. [48]
    Anti-Monitor Voice - Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths
    Ato Essandoh is the voice of Anti-Monitor in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part Two. Movie: Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part TwoMissing: cameo Unlimited
  49. [49]
    Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part Two (2024) - IMDb
    Rating 5.6/10 (6,078) The Anti-Monitor (the Monitor's evil counterpart) is released into the DC Multiverse and begins to destroy the different Earths that compose it.
  50. [50]
    “Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three” is a Celebration of DC's ...
    Jul 31, 2024 · Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three also takes this a step further when it reveals that the other Earths threatened by the Anti-Monitor are, ...
  51. [51]
    https://www.dc.com/blog/2024/07/31/crisis-on-infinite-earths-part-three-is-a-celebration-of-dc-s-animated-legacy
  52. [52]
    All Super Moves on Brainiac War Mind of the Anti-Monitor Costume ...
    Mar 7, 2018 · Performing All the Super moves on Brainiac War Mind of the Anti-Monitor Costume on the PC version of Injustice 2 in Ultra HD.
  53. [53]
    Now Available: The Anti-Monitor Anniversary Event!
    Jan 4, 2017 · Open your Mission Journal and look for “Monitoring the Situation” to begin the event missions. · Level Required: 10. All players will be ...
  54. [54]
    Attack of the Anti-Monitor | DC Universe Online Wiki - Fandom
    Attack of the Anti-Monitor is an in-game event first introduced on occasion of the game's sixth anniversary in January 2017. It features all-new content ...
  55. [55]
    Stage 17 Character Token - LEGO DC Super-Villains Guide - IGN
    Nov 2, 2018 · The Stage 17 Character Token unlocks Anti-Monitor. On the ... In This Guide. LEGO DC Super-Villains · TT Games ...
  56. [56]
    LEGO DC Super Villains Anti-Monitor Free Roam Gameplay
    Oct 17, 2018 · LEGO DC Super Villains Anti-Monitor Free Roam Gameplay. 33K views · 7 years ago #LEGODCSuperVillains #earlyaccessprovidedbyWB ...more ...
  57. [57]
    Attack of the Anti-Monitor! | DC Universe Online Forums - Player Direct
    Jan 7, 2020 · Attack of the Anti-Monitor Anniversary Event The anniversary event is back, featuring open world missions, the Centennial Collapse raid, ...
  58. [58]
    Anti-Monitor (Crisis on Infinite Earths) - McFarlane Toys
    Megafigs are large figures to match their 7” scale figure counterparts based off the DC Multiverse · Designed with Ultra Articulation with up to 22 moving parts ...
  59. [59]
    McFarlane Toys Debuts New DC Comics BAF Wave with The Monitor
    Jan 12, 2024 · This wave is based on Criss of Infinite Earths, with four figures being included, and each includes a Build-A-Figure piece to create The Monitor.
  60. [60]
    Crisis on Infinite Earths Anti-Monitor DC Direct Series 2 ... - eBay
    Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Crisis on Infinite Earths Anti-Monitor DC Direct Series 2 Action Figure NEW 2006 at the best ...
  61. [61]
    DC Universe Classics Wave 17 a Geoff Johns' Blackest Night set ...
    Nov 1, 2010 · Others to hit shelves in December 2010 and January 2011. In addition, with the exception of the mega Black Lantern Anti-Monitor, even the Black ...
  62. [62]
    Justice League DC Retro Crisis on Infinite Earths Adult 2-Sided Print ...
    SUBLIMATED T SHIRT - Our unisex adult short-sleeve t shirt features a double needle collar, sleeve, and hem made for both men and women. Constructed of 100% ...Missing: 2024 | Show results with:2024
  63. [63]
    https://insidepulse.com/2010/11/01/dc-universe-classics-wave-17-a-blackest-night-set-blue-lantern-flash-friends/