Superman Through the Ages! Forum

Superman Comic Books! => Infinite Crossover! => Topic started by: JulianPerez on March 05, 2006, 06:52:01 AM



Title: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: JulianPerez on March 05, 2006, 06:52:01 AM
It is true that Mr. Mxyzptlk and the Golden Age Mr. Mxyztplk have different names, however, they remained fundamentally the same individual with the same motivation (make mischief for Superman) and all had more or less the same problem, namely having their name spoken backwards. All emerged from a similar extradimensional source. Is it possible it is the very same dimension, and that all the Mr. Mxyzptlks on Earth-1, Earth-2, and Post-Crisis, are the exact same guy?

Supposedly, the Post-Reboot Mxyzptlk used very, very high tech dimensional science to perform his feats...which is as good enough an explanation as I've ever heard for magic. Arthur C. Clarke had a famous quote about this, which I can't remember right now.

And it is true that in various Superboy stories - notably, the first appearance of the White Witch in ADVENTURE COMICS - that Mr. Mxy was "young looking" when Superboy was a lad. However, it is true that Mr. Mxyzptlk can change shape; he looks however he wants to look. This can account for the minor physical differences between the versions of Mr. Mxy.

Also, it would explain why Mr. Mxy created Red Kryptonite, Post-Crisis: he "remembers" it from Earth-1.


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: DoctorZero on March 05, 2006, 08:34:50 AM
I would prefer to think that it was.  Especially since he came from a different dimension, not a parallel world.  
I actually do rather like the explanation of his magic being high tech science, and since magic has fundamentally changed in the DC Universe now that would prevent the character from having to undergo any more changes.
Time will tell but I suspect that DC's going with the explanation that he has been changed along with Crisis and Zero Hour.  Again, not necessary since he wasn't from a parallel world but a different dimension entirely.


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: Uncle Mxy on March 27, 2006, 08:44:33 PM
World's Funnest just has to be canon, I tellya.


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: llozymandias on March 28, 2006, 06:04:38 PM
E Nelson Bridwell established that Mr. Mxyztplk (pronounced mux-ixt-pulk) & Mr. Mxyzptlk were not the same guy.  Each was from a different 5th dimensional universe called Zrfff.


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: sandmountainslim on April 08, 2006, 05:44:37 PM
I believe that Myxyzptlk is the one character who is the same person from the Golden Age to todays universe,  I wonder when his next appearance will be?


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: MatterEaterLad on April 14, 2006, 08:22:20 PM
I believe it was more or less "canon" that there were two distinct Mxys, and his distinct look, personality and name spelling has been used to separate Earth 1 and 2...logically, it could be a toss up, one dimension unaffected by universe contractions, but then again, most of the pre Crisis universes had their own three dimensions, so I assume they could have their own 5th dimensions...good question, one where the writers could have actually had some freedom of choice....


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: Criadoman on April 25, 2006, 01:02:52 AM
If I'm not mistaken, the only real difference in the multiverse anyway was simply a matter of vibration.  At least in some of the early E2 stories I've read, one could go from one earth to another simply by changing their vibrational frequency - however, all the different universes existed at the same time and almost in the same place (again, simply separated by their vibrational freqencies).  Which, by the way, despite COIE, 0-Hour and IC - creations of other universes have been going strong since the original Crisis.  E.g. the "pocket universe", the Phantom Zone universe, the new E2 Universe of the Crime Synidcate, Quarm, the "Marvel Universe" al la "JLA/Avengers", et al.  So, multi-universes stayed around long after Crisis.

Because the 5th dimension is a dimension, I'd view that as senior to a universe in the 3rd.  In other words, I'd view a certain level of dimension and within that dimension would exist a universe (or universes, in this case).  E2 is in a 3D universe, separated from others by vibration.

What is interesting to me is that really, there is no rule that states an inhabitant from another dimension has to be superior to another from another dimension.  But, that's another tangent.

I would hypothosize that another dimension, particularly one like the 5th and it's magic and advanced skills and differences in physics probably should not and does not have a multiverse.  I'd further consider that that property makes a sort of "integrated universe" - with all potentials not separated via virbrational frequencies.  (In my view it would have to already be to a degree that Mxy and others can use their skills in the 3D universe.  They'd also have to have all knowledge and control of 3D to make the 3D bend to their will like they can.)  Hence, the advanced state of said dimension and it's inhabitants.  They are all "integrated" and able to utilize their full potential (think "we only use a small percentage of our minds" to get what I mean by being "integrated" and realizing complete potential), which includes the full potential of our own universes.

At least those are the rules I'd probably apply to this.  Ergo - and a very interesting way to develop some imaginative stories, I'd view there being only one Mxy.  (Get Mxy saying to today's Supes "You're just as sappy today as you were in the 40's" - and Supes going "Wha--?")

Speaking of the Phantom Zone universe, remember when Superman did his "Return To Krypton" stories with the alternate Krypton of B13's creation?  Has anything been done with that Kal-El (the one that was born and is being raise on the Phantom Zone Krypton)?  There's some serious story potential there.


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: dto on April 25, 2006, 03:23:42 AM
It could also be that Mr. Mxyzptlk's appearance shifts because of the vibrational frequencies between dimensions.  So he's seen as the dapper chap in the blue suit and derby on Earth-2, and the familiar orange prankster on Earth-1.  Perhaps in his home dimension Mr. Mxyzptlk REALLY looks like the green alien in "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?"?  (In this scenario, Mxyzptlk could maintain his appearance when Superman visited the Fifth Dimension since Superman still retained his "home" vibrational frequency -- had Supes stayed for a prolonged time, this illusion would fade.)

By the way, you might have noticed that Mr. Mxyzptlk reverted to his earlier blue suit appearance just prior to Infinite Crisis, and he was plainly trying to warn both Clark and Lois of the approaching storm.  (You know something BAD is coming when Mxy's dead serious.)   :shock:   There was a Superman Secret Files and Origins (I think in 2004?) that had a brief Mr. Mxyzptlk in the Fifth Dimension story.  At the time, I was a bit confused with "Bipolar Disorder", but now I see this as the explanation on why Mxy changed back to his "old look".  (It's still a bit zany, though.)   :wink:


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: Johnny Nevada on April 25, 2006, 08:23:12 PM
I just went with DC's explanation of there being two Fifth Dimensions, each one connected to a seperate Earth (and containing a seperate Mxy). Wish I sitll had my old "Who's Who" copy that had seperate entries on both Mxys (with two seperate pictures for the two---Earth-1 Superman showing an eye chart to Mxyzptlk with Mxy's name spelled backwards, and Earth-2 Superman showing Mxyztplk a giant spoon with alphabet-soup letters spelling his name backwards...).


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: TELLE on April 25, 2006, 08:51:47 PM
This is blowing my mind.  I can understand many universes but many Fifth Dimensions????


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: MatterEaterLad on April 25, 2006, 09:16:59 PM
But its so simple... 8)

To me, it seems that the Universes that are so close in time and space are also separated by a "vast gulf" (one that the Red Tornado was forced to span)...since each had three dimensions as separate realities, ech should have their own 5th Dimension...

Not that Criadoman's explanation isn't interesting...though it might be argued that "magic" worked differently on Earth S than on Earth 1...

Actually, I would accept any good writer's explanation... :D


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: Criadoman on April 25, 2006, 11:57:17 PM
Yeah Telle, me too - any good writers explanation would be enough for me.  But it is true that canon indicates there are indeed two Mxys.  (I used to have that old Who's Who book too.)

Post-Crisis however, the case is moot.  Mxy is shown in both incarnations and is one.

Here's one for those of us who "lived through" the original Crisis.  What did you think was gonna happen after the Crisis was over?  I mean, more like what was your final take on where you thought DC was gonna go from here with Superman?  I actually decided that the new Byrne's Superman was actually a merger and continuation of all incarnations of Superman, basically - so reboot and erase all previous knowledge, and didn't view him as an entirely "new" character at all on that basis.  (The things we fanboys do to retain our love for our favorites.)  But looking back, I realize that both the E2 and E1 Superman basically retired and Superboy Prime gone as well.  In other words they were all still accounted for, not dissipated into the ether of the universe.  So in actuality - Byrne's Supes was supposed to be a "new character" after all, so to speak.

Just interested...


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: TELLE on April 26, 2006, 01:47:05 AM
Yeah, Byrne's character is a new one.  A newer, weaker, crappier version that steals from his betters.  And from Byrne's Gladiator and that Jim Shooter New Universe thing with the jumpsuit.  And the Romita Spider-Man.

I like what ME Lad said about the 3-Ds.

I also like expanation in World's Funnest, where the fifth-D is really another parallel earth/universe (at least, that's what it seems).


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: Gary on April 28, 2006, 01:59:26 PM
Post-crisis Mxy operated by a different set of rules than the older versions. The older Mxy would always get banished if he said his name backwards. The post-crisis one could set any condition that would need to be met before he would leave, or he could just leave voluntarily.

It's conceivable, I suppose, that Mxy Classic was only operating under self-imposed limitations -- nearly anything is possible when you're dealing with a character who can ignore the laws of the universe.


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: Criadoman on April 28, 2006, 02:16:00 PM
Although an imaginary story - it would have been the last appearance of PreC Mxy, which was the Alan Moore "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow".  I believe it being "an imaginary story" is rather moot considering how much it was based in E1 reality and the close up story just prior the Superman reboot of the 80's.  Mxy's background in that story really should be canon for the E1 Mxy, as there is no real reason for it not to be.

Based on that, it definately stands to reason that there is a sort of self-imposed or subscribed to "more" (moral) that he limited his abilities to the use of whatever cycle of persona he was in.  I tell you that the twist of the story at the end there when he just completed his cycle of being an imp and became vicious was a jaw dropper.

I never really grooved on the PostC Mxy.

Also, I've never considered Mxy "ignored" the laws of the universe as much as I considered he knew the laws behind the laws and could manipulate on that basis.  E.g. he could handle the physical universe on such an basic level that he could create or recreate anything at will or whim, as his case may be.


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: Gernot on July 17, 2006, 06:39:16 PM
Everybody's forgetting the story in Superman #50 (the one where Lois Lane accepted Clark Kent's marriage proposal), where it was shown that the current Earth's Mxy (I REFUSE to call 'im the Earth-1 version!) was also The Impossible Man!  

The two ended meeting in a story teaming the current Superman and Silver Surfer.


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: davidelliott on September 18, 2006, 02:32:40 AM
Well, Worlds Funnest IS canon.. with Hypertime, isn't everything DC ever published "in continuity"? ;-)


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: Super Monkey on September 18, 2006, 05:59:21 AM
but Hypertime isn't canon and hasn't been for years.


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: davidelliott on September 18, 2006, 04:17:33 PM
Quote from: "Super Monkey"
but Hypertime isn't canon and hasn't been for years.


WHAT?!?!?!?  I don't read Dreck Comics much anymore...  Everytime they give us hope that the Multiverse is out there, they pull it away...

I thought Hypertime was used quite a bit...

You know, despite what day of the week it is now... whatever way the wind blows... that's what's canon.  At least Schwartz and company honored the past and entertained the fans, however convoluted the past was.  Nowadays, I think too much emphasis is put on art and profit.

I don't read much DC anymore since what they're passing off as Superman, Batman, etc aer not the same characters I loved when I was collecting and reading. The Crisis ruined it all for me...


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: MatterEaterLad on September 18, 2006, 05:29:40 PM
I don't keep up at all...

My problem with hypertime is that introduced the chance of SO many alternate possibilities that it might actually be true for once that fans might not be able to keep track...and it seems that the new maxim of changes wrought by Superboy Prime in the paradise dimension accounts for things...take your pick, I suppose...


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: Solo on October 27, 2006, 02:26:32 AM
I thought a question like that wittily skewered the whole continuity obsession! Mr. Mxyzptlk don't need no stinking badges! He's way beyond that sort of thing.

Now, Bat-Mite is a different story...



Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: crispy snax on February 05, 2007, 04:54:06 PM
didnt the last pre crisis superman story involve  mxy becoming a mad god? i dont really like the idea of mxy becoming a big, reality altering bad god (i mean havent we got enough of these allready?) but i like the idea that one mxy goes evil and mad, while the 40s mxy shoes himself back in as the post crisis mxy, and then goes on to get quite sentimental about superman.

it would make an interesting story to see superman and mxy team up to fight the big mad god mxy of E-1

but thats just me maybes,


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: Mighty Man on March 10, 2007, 09:30:20 AM
One Mxyzptlk, One Darkseid.

That is what some writer said awhile ago when the multiverse was up and working back in the late 80s.


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: Super Monkey on March 10, 2007, 11:33:14 AM
There are two Darkseids now, since the pre-crisis version was different than the current less powerful version. Well, I don't know if he nows has all his power back, but last time i saw him he was getting beat up by a 2nd rate hulk clone.


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: crispy snax on March 11, 2007, 04:00:48 AM
erm, there was more than one darkseid....

(well techinically, nit-pickingly speaking)

remember when jack kirby wrote hunger dogs? he quickly dismissed all  stories he didnt write as "happening in Earth-17"


apperently there was allways only one afterlife though...


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: Great Rao on March 11, 2007, 07:33:18 PM
Well, if you really want to get technical and nit-picky -

Hunger Dogs was a graphic novel, not a comic, so it didn't take place in DC continuity.

 ;D


Title: Re: Does the multiverse have only ONE Mr. Mxyzptlk?
Post by: crispy snax on March 16, 2007, 06:51:19 AM
wow that IS nit picky!!!

you win :'(