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Zero Hour!

Zero Hour: Crisis in Time! is a five-issue and company-wide crossover event published by DC Comics in the summer of 1994, written and penciled by with inks by , designed to address lingering continuity discrepancies in the following the 1985 storyline. The event features a unique reverse numbering system, starting with issue #4 and culminating in #0, alongside tie-in stories across numerous DC titles during "Zero Month," where many series published zero-numbered issues to integrate the crossover's effects. In the core storyline, disruptions in the time stream summon alternate versions of heroes and villains, leading to a temporal that threatens to erase and remake the entire , with key figures like and a corrupted (as ) playing central roles in the unfolding catastrophe. Zero Hour! significantly impacted the by rebooting elements of franchises such as the —introducing as the new —and the , while merging characters like and into a single reincarnating entity to streamline lore. The event was a commercial success, selling millions of copies and influencing subsequent DC crossovers, though it later required further adjustments in stories like Green Lantern: Rebirth to refine Hal Jordan's arc. Marking its 30th anniversary in 2024, Zero Hour! remains notable for its ambitious attempt to unify DC's and for blending high-stakes cosmic threats with character-driven narratives.

Overview

Plot summary

Zero Hour: Crisis in Time! is a 1994 DC Comics crossover event that addresses continuity issues in the DC Universe following Crisis on Infinite Earths. The story unfolds in reverse order, from issue #4 to #0. It begins at the end of time with the apparent death of the Time Trapper, the Legion of Super-Heroes' nemesis, killed by an unknown assailant. Waverider, a time-traveling hero from the future, detects anomalies in the timestream and investigates, discovering that history is unraveling, causing paradoxes and forgotten events among the heroes. In the present, DC's heroes, including , and , notice inconsistencies in their pasts, such as altered memories of previous crises. Alternate versions of heroes and villains appear due to temporal disruptions. The villain Extant, formerly who absorbed 's powers, manipulates the timeline to reshape reality, working under a mysterious mastermind. The Linear Men, a group of time guardians including and , attempt to contain the chaos but are overwhelmed. As the crisis escalates, heroes from different eras— including the and the —unite to battle the distortions. It is revealed that the true antagonist is , the corrupted form of former , who seeks to remake the universe by destroying time itself, believing it will create a perfect world free of tragedy. absorbs the powers of captured heroes, leading to a convergence of all timelines toward a singularity at the dawn of creation. In the climax, (Oliver Queen) sacrifices himself by shooting with a mystical arrow, wounding him severely. The young hero (Grant Emerson), empowered by the energies of the , helps restore the timeline. The universe is reborn with a streamlined , erasing some elements like the and rebooting the , while introducing changes such as becoming the new and merging and into a single reincarnating entity. Casualties include the deaths of JSA members and .

Cast and characters

The core miniseries was written and penciled by , with inks by . Key fictional characters include:
  • Parallax (Hal Jordan): The primary antagonist, a fallen driven mad by grief, who orchestrates the temporal crisis to remake the universe.
  • : A time-traveling hero from the 2030s who first appeared in , serving as a guide and investigator of the anomalies.
  • Extant (Wesley Dodds/Monarch): A time-manipulating villain who absorbs 's powers and initiates the disruptions as Parallax's pawn.
  • (Grant ): A young whose reality-warping powers play a crucial role in restoring the universe during the climax.
  • (Oliver Queen): The Emerald Archer, who sacrifices himself to defeat Parallax.
  • (Clark Kent), , , (Wally West): Core members who lead the fight against the temporal threats.
  • The Linear Men (, , others): Guardians of the timestream who attempt to contain the crisis.
  • Time Trapper: The apparent initial victim whose death signals the start of the unraveling.
Numerous other DC heroes and villains appear, including alternate versions, as the event spans the entire universe.

Production history

Development and writing

Zero Hour: Crisis in Time! was conceived by writer and artist Dan Jurgens in collaboration with editor KC Carlson in the early 1990s as a means to address accumulating continuity discrepancies in the DC Universe following the 1985 Crisis on Infinite Earths. The event aimed to provide a framework for DC creators to refine their characters' histories without a full reboot, focusing on issues like the convoluted origins of Hawkman, Wonder Woman, and the Legion of Super-Heroes. Jurgens developed the core storyline around temporal disruptions caused by Parallax (a corrupted Hal Jordan) and Waverider, integrating input from other writers to ensure broad applicability across DC titles. The script was outlined to culminate in a weekly five-issue published in reverse order from #4 to #0, emphasizing a "zeroing out" of the timeline. Key decisions included merging and into a single reincarnating entity (influenced by editor Archie Goodwin) and rebooting elements of the and . The narrative built on prior events like and , with Jurgens handling both writing and layouts to maintain a unified vision amid the tight production timeline.

Casting

Dan Jurgens, who wrote and penciled the series, was selected by DC editorial for his established track record on titles like Superman and The Death of Superman, where he had demonstrated skill in handling large-scale events and character arcs. Jerry Ordway was brought on as inker and finisher, leveraging his experience from Crisis on Infinite Earths and The Death of Superman to provide polished, dynamic artwork that complemented Jurgens' layouts. Supporting the core team, colorist Gregory Wright was chosen to handle the visual effects of temporal chaos, using vibrant palettes to depict alternate realities and fading timelines. Letterer Gaspar Saladino contributed the distinctive lettering, enhancing the sense of urgency in dialogue and sound effects. Editor KC Carlson oversaw the project, with assistant Mike McAvennie assisting in coordinating tie-ins across DC's lineup, ensuring the event's impact on ongoing series. The assembly prioritized creators familiar with DC's to streamline integration with "Zero Month" issues.

Filming

The artwork for Zero Hour: Crisis in Time! was produced on a compressed schedule to meet the weekly publication from September to October 1994, with issue #4 released on September 7, #3 on September 14, #2 on September 21, #1 on September 28, and #0 on October 5. Jurgens provided pencils and layouts, while Ordway completed inks, allowing the series to maintain high quality despite the rapid pace. Production emphasized visual motifs of the "fading out," achieved through Wright's coloring techniques that simulated temporal erasure. The covers, also by Jurgens and Ordway, featured a semi-metallic "fifth color" ink to evoke a sense of crisis. included Saladino's lettering and final edits by Carlson, with the entire wrapping in time for the accompanying "Zero Month" tie-ins in October 1994, where numerous titles published #0 issues to reset origins. Minimal revisions were needed due to the pre-planned structure, though the event's ambitious scope required close coordination with other artists for crossover consistency.

Release

Premiere and distribution

Zero Hour: Crisis in Time! was published by DC Comics as a five-issue in September 1994, with issues released in reverse order from #4 to #0 to emphasize the countdown theme. The first issue, #4, went on sale in late August 1994, followed weekly by #3, #2, #1, and culminating with #0 on August 11, 1994 (cover-dated September). Distribution occurred through the direct market to comic shops and newsstand editions for broader retail availability. The event tied into "Zero Month," where over 25 ongoing DC titles published special #0 issues in September 1994 to incorporate the crossover's timeline alterations and character changes. Initial promotion included a preview ashcan edition and sampler kit distributed to retailers. Trade paperbacks collecting the core series were released starting August 1994, with later editions in 2018 and 2019. In August 2024, DC released Zero Hour 30th Anniversary Special #1, an 80-page one-shot revisiting the event, on sale August 28, 2024.

Box office performance

Zero Hour! was a commercial success for DC Comics, with the miniseries and tie-ins selling millions of copies during its initial release, capitalizing on the post-Crisis hype and the innovative numbering. Exact sales figures from the era are not comprehensively reported, but the event outperformed expectations, boosting interest in DC's and influencing future crossovers. The #0 issue alone saw high demand, with multiple printings and variants. Subsequent collections, such as the 2018 trade paperback and 2019 omnibus, have maintained steady sales in the direct market, reflecting enduring fan interest. The 2024 anniversary special continued this trend, achieving strong pre-orders and positive initial reception as of November 2024.

Reception

Contemporary reviews

Zero Hour: Crisis in Time! was a major event for DC Comics in 1994, generating significant buzz due to its connection to the legacy of Crisis on Infinite Earths. The miniseries and associated "Zero Month" tie-ins were commercially successful, with the core issues selling hundreds of thousands of copies each through direct market channels. Contemporary comic book reviewers praised the event for its ambitious scope and the introduction of new elements like Kyle Rayner as Green Lantern, but some criticized the convoluted plot and the handling of Hal Jordan's villainous turn as Parallax. In reviews from the time, publications like The Comics Journal noted the event's high sales but questioned its narrative coherence compared to the 1985 Crisis. Overall, it was seen as a bold but imperfect attempt to streamline DC's continuity, with sales figures contributing to its status as one of DC's top-selling crossovers of the year.

Modern assessments

In retrospective analyses, receives mixed evaluations from critics and fans, often viewed as a product of comic trends with ambitious ideas hampered by execution. Modern reviewers appreciate its role in rebooting key franchises, such as the mythos and the , but frequently criticize the time-travel plot as confusing and the artwork as inconsistent across tie-ins. On sites like Comic Book Roundup, retrospective scores for the main series average around 7.0 out of 10, reflecting appreciation for character moments amid narrative flaws. The 2024 30th anniversary special received positive reviews for nostalgia and callbacks, scoring 8/10 from outlets like AIPT Comics, highlighting enduring interest in the event's legacy. Historians of comics note its influence on later crossovers like , though it is often ranked below other events in terms of storytelling impact. Fan discussions on platforms like describe it as "fun but messy," valuing the changes it introduced while acknowledging the need for later retcons in stories like . As of 2024, is celebrated for its commercial achievements and continuity fixes, despite narrative shortcomings.

Legacy

Remakes and adaptations

In 1971, Zero Hour! was remade as the made-for-television movie Terror in the Sky, directed by and produced by as a Movie of the Week special. The film aired on September 17, 1971, in a 90-minute color format and closely followed the original's plot of food poisoning incapacitating the flight crew, forcing a reluctant passenger—a veteran helicopter pilot named George Spencer, played by —to land the aircraft with ground guidance from airline executive Marty Treleavan (Leif Erickson). portrayed the on-board doctor, Dr. Ralph Baird, while supporting roles included as flight attendant Janet Turner and as passenger Les Ramsey. The remake updated the setting to a transcontinental flight from to , initially scheduled on a but switched to a four-engine plane due to mechanical problems, incorporating additional passenger subplots to extend the pacing for television audiences, though the core crisis and dialogue lifted substantial elements directly from the 1957 film. Produced on a modest budget typical of early TV movies, Terror in the Sky relied heavily on studio sets and for aerial sequences, contrasting with the original's more expansive . To suit broadcast standards, the adaptation softened violent elements from the source material, shifting emphasis toward interpersonal and family dynamics among passengers to heighten emotional stakes without graphic intensity. Beyond the 1971 TV version, no theatrical remakes of Zero Hour! were produced. The story's origins in Arthur Hailey's 1956 teleplay Flight into Danger also led to a novelization titled Runway Zero-Eight, co-authored by Hailey and (a for Ronald Payne and John Garrod), published in 1958 in the and 1959 in the . While not a direct , the film's high-stakes aviation disaster premise contributed indirectly to the tropes seen in 1970s films like the Airport series, sharing motifs of crew incapacitation and passenger heroism amid mechanical peril.

Parodies and cultural impact

Airplane! (1980), directed by , David and for , stands as a direct, scene-for-scene parody of Zero Hour!, transforming its dramatic tension into absurd humor while closely mirroring the original's structure and dialogue. portrays the traumatized ex-pilot equivalent to Ted Stryker, tasked with landing the afflicted aircraft, while Leslie Nielsen's deadpan performance as the chain-smoking doctor echoes Dr. Treleaven's role, delivering iconic lines like "Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit smoking" to heighten the . The film replicates key plot beats, such as the food poisoning crisis and ground control guidance, but subverts them with visual gags and non-sequiturs, cementing its status as a landmark spoof that grossed $83 million domestically against a $3.5 million budget and renewed appreciation for the 1957 original. Zero Hour! played a pivotal role in shaping the disaster film genre by popularizing tropes like an incapacitated flight crew due to illness, a reluctant hero with aviation expertise stepping in, and tense radio instructions from ground personnel, elements that permeated subsequent productions including the 1970 adaptation of Arthur Hailey's novel Airport. Hailey, who co-wrote the screenplay for Zero Hour!, drew inspiration from its core premise—a commercial flight imperiled by passenger and crew incapacitation—to craft his 1968 bestseller Airport, which in turn launched a franchise of ensemble disaster movies in the 1970s and fueled the era's cycle of high-stakes aerial thrillers. The film's cultural footprint extends through parodic references and online analyses, with side-by-side comparisons highlighting its structural parallels to Airplane! gaining traction on video platforms since 2015, often emphasizing the unintentional humor in its earnest delivery. It has appeared in aviation-focused discussions, underscoring real-world parallels to scenarios, and its overwrought drama has been examined for aesthetics in scholarship, where the genre's exaggerated peril and stiff performances contribute to a legacy of ironic appreciation. Airings on in the 2010s further elevated its , encouraging viewers to rediscover Zero Hour! as a foundational text in comedic and genre .

Home media and availability

The film was released on DVD by Warner Home Video on July 26, 2007, in Region 1 format, featuring the original presentation with closed captions and subtitles but no additional special features. A subsequent manufactured-on-demand edition from followed on April 4, 2017, preserving the 1.78:1 and running time of 81 minutes without bonus content. As of 2025, no official Blu-ray or 4K UHD editions have been issued, though unofficial BD-R versions appear in limited online markets; the lack of high-definition physical releases reflects the film's modest cult status, partly boosted by its parodic influence on later comedies. Digitally, Zero Hour! is available for rent or purchase on platforms including Amazon Video (from $2.99), Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Google Play Movies, and YouTube, with no consistent subscription streaming options like Paramount+ reported. Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has aired the film regularly since the early 2010s, often in themed blocks on aviation dramas, and it occasionally appears on TCM On Demand during broadcast windows. Earlier home video formats included tapes distributed internationally in the 1980s by various labels, typically in standard play with basic packaging, though specific editions are scarce in current circulation. LaserDisc releases from the 1990s were limited and primarily targeted collectors, but no comprehensive catalog exists for verified titles. Fan-uploaded restorations and full prints occasionally surface on , often sourced from archival TV broadcasts, supplementing official availability amid ongoing interest in the film's genre tropes. Preservation efforts ensure the film's survival, with 35mm prints held in institutional collections such as those affiliated with the and major studios, though it has not yet been selected for the .

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