10 Most Heartbreaking Moments In Justice League History

Crisis on Infinite Earths is seen by many as the single greatest DC crossover event in history. Sure, these days DC seems to do a continuity reboot every Sunday, but back then this was a never-before-seen kind of grand storyline. And to this day, it holds a place of its own in the pantheon of iconic comic book arcs.

The central figure in the crossover was of course the Anti-Monitor, determined to destroy all matter universes and become the sole ruler of a new antimatter multiverse/universe thing. Standing in his way is his counterpart, the Monitor, joined by a collection of the greatest heroes from across the multiverse.

After leading a successful attack on the Anti-Monitor’s base, the heroes manage to bring about a temporary end to the battles. However, Big Bad Anti-Monitor uses this time to create a new body and find himself a new weapon, the antimatter cannon. Just as he is about to use it to destroy the remaining earths, in swoops Barry Allen, aka Flash, aka the Scarlet Speedster.

Faced with impossible odds, Barry has no choice but to sacrifice himself in the process of stopping the Anti-Monitor’s plan. What makes this death so significant is that unlike most comic book demises - which typically last less time than the expiry date of sliced bread - this one actually stuck. Barry was gone from the DC continuity for twenty-three whole years.

For the sheer weight of the moment and the subsequent consequences, this was perhaps the most heartbreaking moment in Justice League history.