The pocket universe in Superman isn’t just a cool sci-fi concept—it’s actually laying the groundwork for the entire DCU’s multiverse story. According to James Gunn’s carefully planted details, this strange dimensional space could be setting up the biggest crossover event in DC history: Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Let’s break down everything we know about this pocket universe and why it might be the key to understanding where the DCU is heading.
What Exactly Is the Pocket Universe in Superman?
Lex Luthor explains that he replicated the Big Bang with his mega collider, and this mini Big Bang tore a tiny hole between two universal fabrics. Essentially, the pocket universe serves as a buffer zone in spacetime between two alternate universes.
This setup makes the pocket universe incredibly dangerous. As Mr. Terrific points out, the very existence of this dimensional space has created a black hole inside the dimension. Even more concerning is the anti-proton river flowing at the bottom of the dimension—a detail that connects perfectly to Crisis on Infinite Earths.
The pocket universe looks exactly like what comic fans know as “the bleed”—an interdimensional membrane outside parallel Earths that was originally called Limbo. It’s an empty space filled with purple rocks and disconnected structures, which matches the visual design of Lex’s pocket universe in the movie.
How Does the Pocket Universe Connect to Peacemaker?
James Gunn confirmed in an Entertainment Weekly interview that the pocket universe connects to the tech from Peacemaker. Remember Christopher Smith’s racist father, White Dragon, who somehow has a pocket dimension in his closet? That’s described as “a quantum unfolding storage area, at least to a dimensional nodule outside normal space.”
This means White Dragon possesses technology that can quantumly unfold space to create pocket dimensions. Gunn also hinted that Peacemaker season 2 will focus on “the Q,” which could explain how Peacemaker travels between parallel Earths or even how he transitions from the DCEU into the new DCU.
The connection becomes even more intriguing when you consider that Peacemaker met the Snyder version of the Justice League in season 1. This Q technology might be the bridge between different versions of the DC universe.
What Does This Mean for the DCU’s Multiverse Plans?
The pocket universe still exists after the events of Superman. The door might be closed, but it’s probably too dangerous to shut down completely because of that black hole. More importantly, the government wouldn’t want to shut it down anyway.
After the Justice League stops the Karathen invasion, we hear the defense secretary telling Rick Flag Sr. that metahumans are now making the rules. This creates a power dynamic where superpowered beings can disregard world governments and intervene whenever they want.
Flag has every reason to hate these superheroes since Peacemaker killed his son in The Suicide Squad. Since Flag knows about the Q technology and works with Amanda Waller through Argus, we could see them weaponizing this tech to reopen doors to Luthor’s pocket universe.
Maxwell Lord, the financial backer of the Justice League who will appear in Peacemaker season 2, could make a deal with Argus to weaponize the Q and pocket universe technology. Lord could manipulate the Justice League’s values, convincing them that it’s better for them to control this dangerous tech rather than let it fall into the wrong hands.
Is the DCU Setting Up Crisis on Infinite Earths?
All signs point to Crisis on Infinite Earths being the DCU’s endgame, and the pocket universe is the key to making it happen.
The Ultraman Connection
Ultraman falls into the black hole at the end of Superman, but he’ll definitely return. The character feels deliberately designed like Bizarro—Superman’s defective clone with a tragic story. However, Gunn specifically chose the name “Ultraman” instead of “Bizarro” for a reason.
In the comics, Ultraman is an evil Superman from Earth-3, where all heroes are supervillains. That universe is ruled by the Crime Syndicate, an evil version of the Justice League. The pocket universe could blast Ultraman into the DCU’s Earth-3, where he could develop intelligence and form the Crime Syndicate.
Since Ultraman is a clone, he might have access to Superman’s memories but get confused and believe they’re his own. Superman’s biological parents originally sent him to Earth to conquer and take many wives—what if Ultraman starts believing this is his mission on Earth-3?
The Anti-Proton River and Antimatter Connection
The anti-proton river flowing into the black hole is huge for Crisis setup. Protons are building blocks of atoms, but anti-protons are their opposite. When they collide, they annihilate each other with a burst of energy.
Anti-protons connect to antimatter, so the anti-proton river could actually be an antimatter river that connects to the Anti-Monitor—the main villain of the original Crisis on Infinite Earths. The multicolored cubes in the river could represent antimatter consuming matter through a crystallization effect.
In the comics, the Anti-Monitor was unleashed because a scientist from a parallel Earth messed with antimatter and accidentally started the Crisis event. In the DCU, Lex’s narcissistic and irresponsible actions in creating the pocket universe could be what ultimately starts the chain of events leading to Crisis.
Why Darkseid Would Be Better Than Anti-Monitor for DCU’s Crisis
While the Anti-Monitor is the traditional Crisis villain, he’s honestly pretty boring—more of a plot device than an actual character. The DCU needs a different villain for its Crisis event, and Darkseid is the perfect choice.
Darkseid’s world Apocalypse exists in the sphere of the gods, a separate layer outside the multiverse containing all parallel Earths. This means there’s technically only one Darkseid in the entire multiverse.
More importantly, Darkseid’s motivations are perfect for the DCU’s Crisis. He’s the living embodiment of evil who wants to dominate free will itself, turning every being in existence into mindless drones. He’s obsessed with obtaining the anti-life equation, which would allow him to control all life in existence.
Unlike the Anti-Monitor’s antimatter wave that annihilates universes, Darkseid doesn’t want to destroy the multiverse—he wants to rule it. Infinite realities mean infinite slaves for him to control. This makes Darkseid the perfect contrast to the multiverse, since parallel Earths represent free will and the idea that any choice can create new alternate universes.
The anti-proton river might not just flow toward the black hole—it could actually flow to Apocalypse, fueling Darkseid with antimatter in the DCU.
What About the Justice League Formation?
Superman drops several hints about Justice League formation. We see the Hall of Justice, which traditionally serves as the Justice League headquarters, complete with a mural depicting older heroes.
The ideal animated series lineup would include Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, John Stewart as Green Lantern, Wally West as Flash, Hawkgirl, and Martian Manhunter. Mr. Terrific and Metamorpho would also make excellent additions based on their Superman appearances.
Creature Commandos teases the villains for the first Justice League movie through a vision showing an evil princess taking over the world and killing the Justice League, with Gorilla Grodd somehow involved. This could set up the formation of either the Legion of Doom or the Injustice League.
The Bigger Picture: DCU’s Chapter 1 Strategy
The DCU’s first chapter could focus on different factions trying to control the pocket universe. This conflict would provoke Darkseid to seek out the anti-life equation to control the multiverse, leading directly into the DCU’s version of Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Unlike the MCU’s approach with incursions and Doctor Doom, the DCU can create something entirely unique. The pocket universe serves as both a literal and metaphorical bridge between worlds, representing the endless possibilities of the multiverse while also serving as the catalyst for its greatest threat.
The key is not going too crazy with multiverse content too early. A few alternate universes will work fine, but the main focus should remain on the primary DC universe rather than becoming about cameos and bringing back actors from unrelated franchises.
