NighttimeSky

The worst part of it is that the new king takes at least part of his harem with him everywhere and it’s so embarrassing. The Counselors of War have never once met with His Divine Majesty without that hulking battle-scarred consort interrupting with muttered growls or scornful snorts. And the Ministers of Finance all flinch at the sight of that fox-faced one, rumored to have been rescued from the gallows because His Augustness took a fancy to his eyes or some such nonsense. General petition days are even worse, with practically the entire harem drifting in and out of the Grand Hall in turns, insouciant and smug like granary cats who know they’ve been given full run of the courtyards and barns.

It will, eventually, and at least a few people are going to be embarrassed it didn’t occur to them sooner.

Hi!

Here is a basic breakdown of the comic eras and main reboots the way I understand them the best. Note - dates for Golden, Silver, and Bronze Ages may be up to debate among some comic fans, but the dates I provide are the dates I see used most consistently.

Needless to say, this is specific to DC Comics.

Golden Age (1938-1956)

The start of comics, often citing Action Comics #1 in 1938 as the "true start of super hero comics" with Superman. Batman is also created during this time, as well as Wonder Woman, and many many other iconic heroes. Note: Superman is not the first superhero to be shown in comics in general.

Silver Age (1956-1970)

This era is known for creating characters like Barry Allen and Hal Jordan, it is also important to know that DC almost completely ended during this time and would have if not for The Flash. Comics Code of Authority and comic censorship was also heavily enforced during this era.

Bronze Age (1970-1985)

Diversification in the comics industry began to happen following the civil rights movement and feminist movement, but also permanent character deaths began to shake the narrative landscape and impact heroes, as well as aging side-kick characters into adulthood. The Comics Code of Authority was also being challenged and some areas were being relaxed as comic stories grew more complex.

Crisis on Infinite Earths "CoIE" (1985-1986)

The first "big reboot" of the DC Universe, where in an attempt to streamline the multiverse concept into just one reader-friendly universe, DC decided to kill off hundreds of characters in the process like Kara Zor El and Barry Allen. This event marks the end of the Bronze Age of comics and start the what is called the "modern era."

Pre-Crisis (anything before 1985)

Anything that took place BEFORE Crisis on Infinite Earths in the comics, that is 1985, is called pre-crisis. Sometimes, a character is referred to as "pre-crisis" to talk about who they were before this event, such as pre-crisis Kara Zor El, or pre-crisis Iris West.

Post-Crisis (anything after 1986)

After CoIE, titles got a relaunch with a new #1 issue. Anything that takes place AFTER 1986, as in Superman (1986) or The Flash (1987) is referred to as post-crisis. All 90s comics are referred to as post-crisis.

Zero-Hour (1994)

Almost not worth mentioning, another "reboot" that took place in 1994, but it did not have a wide-spread impact that it restarted the main universe. The main major reboot that took place during this time was The Legion of Super-Heroes which got a relaunch from #0 issues in LoSH (1989) and Legionnaires. This new Legion is referred to as the Post-Zero Hour LoSH. All reoccurring 90s comics got a special #0 issue, but it is not the true start for these titles, with exception to a seldom few. This event is largely not cited as significant in time-tracking comics, and anything after this event is still referred to as post-crisis. TLDR: this event it honestly mainly important for rebooting LoSH.

Flashpoint (2011)

Continuity a mess, and Dan Didio unhappy with the state of DC Comics, decided that a new true reboot was the answer utilizing Barry Allen as a nod to CoIE. This is the end of the post-crisis era of comics, which are also known as pre-Flashpoint, and gives rise to the new continuity known as...

The New 52 (2011-2016)

A total new relaunch of all titles with a brand new #1 issue in a new continuity. New origins were drafted for some characters, some of them drastically different from their original, and it opened up a new world for writers to do anything without having to worry about decades of continuity. This relaunch is largely regarded as a failure among readers, and it didn't last long until...

Rebirth (2016)

Signalling the end of the New 52 era, DC Comics restored the pre-Flashpoint continuity, with numerous elements of the New 52 continuity intact, to create what is today's current age of comics. New #1 issues were relaunched during this time as well.

...

Since Rebirth, DC has been slowly establishing a workable continuity but it is still a mess as we are uncertain which character remembers what.

Post-Crisis/Pre-Flashpoint comics running from 1986-2011 are the most influential comics to modern comics, and if you have a favorite character it is likely their most formative comics are from this era.

Man: (exploding with glee)