Artist Gary Frank Reveals Plans for DC’s Abandoned 5G Covers

Lauded comic artist Gary Frank is revealing some interesting details on DC’s forgone 5G plans. Frank created five interconnected covers for a series of one-shots meant to detail the history of the DC Universe and introduce “Generation Five” or “5G” as it was internally referred to. A recent response by Frank on Twitter shed some light on the original plans for the covers before a massive change at DC occurred.

Exact details behind the 5G Initiative have slowly come to light as time has gone on. Originally intended to follow Dark Knights: Death Metal, the push was meant to age the heroes of the DC Universe and replace them with a younger generation. The plan was hinted at in the end of Doomsday Clock, and DC seemed committed to the idea even after 5G architect and co-publisher Dan Didio left DC Comics. However, Jim Lee confirmed the cancelation of the initiative and much of what was planned for 5G was folded into Future State. Now several years on, artist Gary Frank is divulging information on the radical changes that came with the abandonment of 5G.

A fan took to Twitter asking Frank about the covers he had provided for the Generations one-shots. With the three connecting covers showing Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman through the ages, the fan inquired if another cover would have continued the tableau. The artist confirmed that there were, in fact, two more covers meant to finish the piece. Frank tweeted “The central figure was to be Flash. The 5th cover was an [sic] new version of everyone but the project died with Dan Didio’s departure.” He goes on to mention that the art was going to be changed to add Doctor Manhattan to the group but “was told that it was just going to be used as it was with no f4th [sic] cover needed.”

The Gary Frank covers were repurposed for a series of one-shots in December 2020 under the Dark Knights: Death Metal branding, though the contents had nothing to do with the covers. The rapid change speaks to the tumultuous time it was for DC amid company shake-ups and last-minute course corrections. While 5G was replaced with Infinite Frontier, pieces of the original plan remained in place. Several legacy characters have replaced the older generations of heroes as the stars of their books, such as Jonathan Kent as Superman or Lanterns Jo Mullein and Keli Quintela leading Green Lantern. However, the previous generation of heroes is still around and the current landscape is welcoming of new fans and old. The “Generations” push may have had some bold ideas behind it, but the inability to see it through just left confusion in its wake.

While 5G as it was originally envisioned never saw the light of day, it’s interesting to hear from creators like Gary Frank on how quickly DC adjusted their plans behind the scenes.

Source: Gary Frank/Twitter

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