The picture explains it all. That's the Elseworlds concept.
Some examples of Elseworlds done...
In Elseworlds, anything is possible. You'll have to be prepared for surprises,
shock, happy endings and sad endings. Some of the writers and artists
of Elseworlds produce the most amazing and touching stories.
In the picture above are the covers from four Elseworlds done.
TOP LEFT: Batman: Holy Terror
In America, the separation of Church and State never occurred. The church
is the government now. Father Bruce Wayne, a priest, has just discovered information
that his parents just may be killed by the Church.
He can't investigate as Father Wayne... so he creates a new identity, Batman...
TOP RIGHT: Detective Comics Annual 7 featuring Batman. Titled "Leather
Wing"
In the golden age of sailing, one man rules the sea, the English pirate, Leather
Wing!
In this adventure, Leather Wing encounters a beautiful female pirate, Selina
and a tough harbor rat who wants to become Leather Wing's apprentice while
a white faced psychotic pirate terrorizes the sea lanes...
BOTTOM LEFT: Action comics Annual 6
During the Revolutionary War, an alien from a planet Krypton landed on Earth.
He quickly ended a destructive civil war, and assumed rule of the planet.
Now it's the 1990's and the Earth is still stuck in the 1700's, technically
and socially. The alien is still alive and sired several children, which in
turn produced grandchildren. Kal-El, the youngest of all, has begun to sympathize
with the humans, believing that they should have control over their own destiny.
Defying his elder, Kal joins the new revolution...
BOTTOM RIGHT: Kal
Kal-el's rocketship crashed into feudal times. A farmer and his wife found
him and raised him up. He grew up to be strong, putting his skills to use
as a blacksmith. Life would be perfect, if it were not for the ruthless Baron
Lex Luthor controlling the land. Kal meets a young woman named Lois and falls
in love with her....
