The Melody of Oblivion is a series rife with cultural references. Everything from Zen Archery and Bushido to the Bible's Book of Revelations, stories of Greek Mythology, and images from The Garden of Forking Paths can be seen in the series. Melody of Oblivion's premise is that in the 20th century, humanity waged and lost a war against beings known only as the Monsters. In the 21st century, the Monsters rule the earth, but they have reconstructed society such that virtually no one born after the war ended is aware ...

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Melody of Oblivion, Melody of Oblivion - Information, Melody of Oblivion - Characters, Melody of Oblivion - Bocca Serenade, Melody of Oblivion - Sayoko Tsukinomori, Melody of Oblivion - Kurofune Ballad, Melody of Oblivion - Toune Requiem, Melody of Oblivion - Coco Ninna-Nanna, Melody of Oblivion - The Melody of Oblivion, Melody of Oblivion - Monsters, Melody of Oblivion - Horu, Melody of Oblivion - Little Red-Haired Girl, Melody of Oblivion - Tamakorogashi

Read more here: » Melody of Oblivion: Encyclopedia II - Melody of Oblivion - Information

Japan - Pre-history. Archaeological research indicates that the earliest inhabitants of Japan migrated over land bridges from Korea and Siberia, at least 30,000 years ago. Vague evidence suggests that some may have later come by sea from Southeast Asia during a period of migration toward the Pacific Ocean. The first signs of civilization appeared around 10,000 BC with the Jomon culture, characterized by a Mesolithic to Neolithic semi-sedentary hunter-gatherer lifestyle of pit dwelling and a rudimentary for ...

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Japan, Japan - History, Japan - Pre-history, Japan - Classical era, Japan - Medieval era, Japan - Modern era, Japan - Government and politics, Japan - The Parliament, Japan - The Imperial Household, Japan - Foreign relations, Japan - Geography of Japan, Japan - Climate, Japan - Ecoregions, Japan - Regions, Japan - Prefectures, Japan - Economy, Japan - Agricultural sector, Japan - Industrial sector, Japan - Service sector, Japan - Society, Japan - Demographics, Japan - Religion, Japan - Education, Japan - Language, Japan - Culture, Japan - Military, Japan - Miscellaneous topics

Read more here: » Japan: Encyclopedia II - Japan - History

Sadao Araki - Political and ideological works. He (with the rank of Colonel) led the Kodaha faction (Imperial Benevolent Rule or Action Group), with Jinzaburo Mazaki, Heisuke Yanagawa and Hideyoshi Obata, opposed by the Toseiha (Control Group) led by General Kazushige Ugaki. The Kodaha represented the radical and ultranationalist elements within the army; the Toseiha attempted to represent the more conservative moderates. These groups had a common intellectual origin in the Double Leaf ...

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Sadao Araki, Sadao Araki - Military career, Sadao Araki - Political and thinking career, Sadao Araki - Political and ideological works, Sadao Araki - Araki and the Mukden Incident, Sadao Araki - Sadao totalitarianism militarism and expansionism, Sadao Araki - Other political actions, Sadao Araki - Summary of influence, Sadao Araki - After 1945

Read more here: » Sadao Araki: Encyclopedia II - Sadao Araki - Political and thinking career

Cowboy Bebop - Spike Spiegel. A 27-year-old bounty hunter who was born on Mars. In appearance, Spike is tall and thin, but with muscular shoulders. He has dark green fuzzy hair, and brown eyes, one of which is lighter than the other (his left eye is a cybernetic prosthetic replacement after he lost his real eye in an accident). He is usually dressed in a blue leisure suit, with a yellow shirt and Lupin III inspired boots. Spike often has a cigarette between his lips, so ...

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Cowboy Bebop, Cowboy Bebop - Longevity, Cowboy Bebop - History of Bebop, Cowboy Bebop - Plot, Cowboy Bebop - Background, Cowboy Bebop - Characters, Cowboy Bebop - Spike Spiegel, Cowboy Bebop - Jet Black, Cowboy Bebop - Faye Valentine, Cowboy Bebop - Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV, Cowboy Bebop - Ein, Cowboy Bebop - Vicious, Cowboy Bebop - Julia, Cowboy Bebop - Punch and Judy, Cowboy Bebop - The Three Old Men, Cowboy Bebop - Sessions episodes, Cowboy Bebop - Soundtrack, Cowboy Bebop - Staff, Cowboy Bebop - Influences, Cowboy Bebop - Controversial episodes, Cowboy Bebop - Content ratings, Cowboy Bebop - Licensing authors and publishers

Read more here: » Cowboy Bebop: Encyclopedia II - Cowboy Bebop - Characters

The Tao is the main theme discussed in the Tao Te Ching, an ancient Chinese scripture attributed to Laozi. This book does not specifically define what the Tao is; it affirms that in the first sentence, "The Tao that can be told of is not an Unvarying Tao" (tr. Waley, modified). Instead, it points to some characteristics of what could be understood as being the Tao. Below are some excerpts from the book. Tao as the origin of things: "Tao begets one; One begets two; Two begets three; Three begets the myriad creatures." (TTC 42, tr ...

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Tao, Tao - Some characteristics of Tao, Tao - Tao in the Tao Te Ching, Tao - Examples of Tao as path

Read more here: » Tao: Encyclopedia II - Tao - Some characteristics of Tao

The Titans were again revived with a new series. Previewed in DC Comics Presents #26 (October 1980), The New Teen Titans #1 (November 1980) introduced a team of new Titans, anchored by previous members Robin I, Wonder Girl I, and Kid Flash I. It re-introduced the Changeling (formerly Beast Boy), and introduced for the first time the man-machine Cyborg, the alien Starfire, and the dark empath Raven. Raven, an expert manipulator, formed the group to fight her demonic father T ...

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Titans comics, Titans comics - Silver Age, Titans comics - Notable Silver Age appearances, Titans comics - Silver Age members, Titans comics - 1970s revival, Titans comics - Notable 1970s appearances, Titans comics - New 1970s members, Titans comics - The New Teen Titans/The New Titans era 1980-1996, Titans comics - Notable New Teen Titans appearances, Titans comics - The New Teen Titans graphic novels, Titans comics - New members in the New Teen Titans, Titans comics - New members in the New Titans, Titans comics - Teen Titans 1996-1998, Titans comics - New members in the Teen Titans vol.2 1996 series, Titans comics - Notable appearances, Titans comics - The Titans 1999-2002, Titans comics - New members in The Titans 1999 series, Titans comics - 'Titans L.A.' members, Titans comics - Notable appearances, Titans comics - Teen Titans 2003, Titans comics - Notable appearances, Titans comics - Trade paperbacks, Titans comics - New members in the Teen Titans 2003 new series, Titans comics - In other media, Titans comics - Awards

Read more here: » Titans comics: Encyclopedia II - Titans comics - The New Teen Titans/The New Titans era 1980-1996

The heady days of unmitigated expansion of available gay spaces experienced in the 80's were curbed to some degree in the early 90's. Singapore's breakneck economic growth was being attributed to 'Asian values', the most vociferous proponent of whom was Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. 'Family values' was seen as an integral subset of these and touted with much verve by the politically commandeered local media. No one took seriously an American academic's assertion that the rapid growth of the Asian Newly Industrialising Economies (NIEs) was mai ...

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Singapore gay history, Singapore gay history - The Pre-British era, Singapore gay history - Under British colonial administration, Singapore gay history - The Japanese occupation, Singapore gay history - After World War II, Singapore gay history - Independence, Singapore gay history - The 1970s, Singapore gay history - The 1980s, Singapore gay history - The 1990s, Singapore gay history - 1st decade of the new millennium

Read more here: » Singapore gay history: Encyclopedia II - Singapore gay history - The 1990s

Infinite Crisis - Infinite Crisis #1. The series begins in the aftermath of the leadup mini-series and several stories in other titles. The Justice League Watchtower has been destroyed, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are feuding, the OMACs are hunting down heroes and villains alike, a space-time rift opens in the center of the universe where Oa used to be as the Guardians of the Universe lay down their duty, the Spectre is hunting and destroying magic, and the villains of the DC world have banded together into the Secret Society of Supervillains, killing ...

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Infinite Crisis, Infinite Crisis - Synopses, Infinite Crisis - Infinite Crisis #1, Infinite Crisis - Infinite Crisis #2, Infinite Crisis - Infinite Crisis #3, Infinite Crisis - Infinite Crisis #4, Infinite Crisis - Leadups to Infinite Crisis, Infinite Crisis - Countdown to Infinite Crisis, Infinite Crisis - The OMAC Project, Infinite Crisis - Rann-Thanagar War, Infinite Crisis - Villains United, Infinite Crisis - Day of Vengeance, Infinite Crisis - Other key tie-in issues, Infinite Crisis - Editorial planning and Infinite Crisis, Infinite Crisis - Crossover events, Infinite Crisis - Consequences of Infinite Crisis, Infinite Crisis - Deaths, Infinite Crisis - Missing or presumed dead but unconfirmed, Infinite Crisis - Returns

Read more here: » Infinite Crisis: Encyclopedia II - Infinite Crisis - Synopses

Physical classes fight using a variety of weapons, including their bare hands. Many of them specialize in specific techniques, although generally these attacks are not based in magic. Final Fantasy character classes - Fighter/Knight. Main article: Fighter (character class) The Fighter is portrayed as a skilled swordsman who can make use of some of the most powerful heavy armors and weaponry in the game. As such, it is a well-rounded physical combatant with both high ...

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Final Fantasy character classes, Final Fantasy character classes - Physical classes, Final Fantasy character classes - Fighter/Knight, Final Fantasy character classes - Monk, Final Fantasy character classes - Berserker, Final Fantasy character classes - Samurai, Final Fantasy character classes - Dragon Knight, Final Fantasy character classes - Thief, Final Fantasy character classes - Magical classes, Final Fantasy character classes - Black Mage, Final Fantasy character classes - White Mage, Final Fantasy character classes - Time/Space Mage, Final Fantasy character classes - Blue Mage, Final Fantasy character classes - Summoner, Final Fantasy character classes - Geomancer, Final Fantasy character classes - Mixed classes, Final Fantasy character classes - Red Mage, Final Fantasy character classes - Dark Knight, Final Fantasy character classes - Paladin, Final Fantasy character classes - Chemist, Final Fantasy character classes - Mime

Read more here: » Final Fantasy character classes: Encyclopedia II - Final Fantasy character classes - Physical classes

One particular concept exploited by the ultranationalists and local fascists was a decree made by Emperor Jimmu in AD 660, the policy of hakko ichiu (八紘一宇, all eight corners of the world under one roof). While Emperor Jimmu's policy really only extended to Japan, China and Korea, the world he knew at the time, it was the belief that all of the world should be brought under the imperial rule of the divine Emperors, a sort of religious manifest destiny. While various leaders tried it over the centuries, it ...

See also:

Japanese fascism, Japanese fascism - Bases of Japanese nationalism, Japanese fascism - Pseudo-Socialist Militarism, Japanese fascism - Political purposes of Japanese fascists, Japanese fascism - See Also

Read more here: » Japanese fascism: Encyclopedia II - Japanese fascism - Political purposes of Japanese fascists

The game is a contest of arms between two warriors from numerous historical periods. Each game lasts a maximum of five rounds. The game is unusual for a card game in that it does not use shuffling as a randomization technique. Each player places their chosen warrior card on the playmat and their four support cards, face down, in slots corresponding to the first four rounds. The support cards may be any combination of inspiration, weapon, armor, or special cards. Initiative numbers on the support cards determine which player goes first in eac ...

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Anachronism game, Anachronism game - Description, Anachronism game - First Release, Anachronism game - Factions, Anachronism game - Promotional Cards, Anachronism game - Set 2, Anachronism game - Factions, Anachronism game - Set 3, Anachronism game - Factions, Anachronism game - Promotional Cards, Anachronism game - Set 4, Anachronism game - Factions, Anachronism game - Set 5, Anachronism game - Set 5 Warriors, Anachronism game - Competitive Play

Read more here: » Anachronism game: Encyclopedia II - Anachronism game - Description

Cowboy Bebop almost did not make it on Japanese TV due to its violence being too intense for the censors of that time. It had an aborted first run on TV Tokyo, broadcasting only episodes 2, 3, 7-15 and 18 starting on April 3, 1998 and running until June 19. Later that year, the series was shown in its entirety on the satellite network WOWOW, starting on October 23 and running until April 23, 1999. Cowboy Bebop was popular enough that a movie, Cowboy Bebop: Tengoku no Tobira (Knockin' on Heaven's Door), was commissioned and released in Japan in 2001 and later released in the ...

See also:

Cowboy Bebop, Cowboy Bebop - History of Bebop, Cowboy Bebop - Plot, Cowboy Bebop - Background, Cowboy Bebop - Characters, Cowboy Bebop - Spike Spiegel, Cowboy Bebop - Jet Black, Cowboy Bebop - Faye Valentine, Cowboy Bebop - Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV, Cowboy Bebop - Ein, Cowboy Bebop - Vicious, Cowboy Bebop - Julia, Cowboy Bebop - Punch and Judy, Cowboy Bebop - The Three Old Men, Cowboy Bebop - Sessions episodes, Cowboy Bebop - Soundtrack, Cowboy Bebop - Staff, Cowboy Bebop - Influences, Cowboy Bebop - Controversial episodes, Cowboy Bebop - Content ratings, Cowboy Bebop - Longevity

Read more here: » Cowboy Bebop: Encyclopedia II - Cowboy Bebop - History of Bebop

The desire of the military leaders to maintain political power, as well as the national goal of territorial expansion, resulted in both a significant expansion of Japan's military capacity and the repression of those who opposed that policy. This constellation allowed for the concept of the emperor to be translated into modern times. The special relation of militarists and the central civil government with the Imperial Family supported the important position of Emperor as Head of State with political powers, and the relationship with ...

See also:

Japanese fascism, Japanese fascism - Bases of Japanese nationalism, Japanese fascism - Pseudo-Socialist Militarism, Japanese fascism - Political purposes of Japanese fascists, Japanese fascism - See Also

Read more here: » Japanese fascism: Encyclopedia II - Japanese fascism - Pseudo-Socialist Militarism

Japanese nationalism is in fact quite different from European fascism, yet in parts its development can be seen as comparable. Elements of it have been discussed under the label of Asiatic Fascism or Japanese Fascism. The Yamato Empire had the concept of the state as led by a powerful singular leader (Emperor). In feudal times, the military caste, that included the bushi and the samurai, were organized as a single headquarters-like structure, the Shogunate, which represented the required civil and political power. In thi ...

See also:

Japanese fascism, Japanese fascism - Bases of Japanese nationalism, Japanese fascism - Pseudo-Socialist Militarism, Japanese fascism - Political purposes of Japanese fascists, Japanese fascism - See Also

Read more here: » Japanese fascism: Encyclopedia II - Japanese fascism - Bases of Japanese nationalism

The Pantheon of the Eldar is considered to have been destroyed by the creation of Slaanesh. While the Eldar still revere all the gods and preserve their stories within the mythic cycles, they do not call on them for aid or hope for their intervention any longer. There are many similarities between the Eldar pantheon and aspects of the Greek and Norse mythology. It is assumed that the creators drew heavily on these when creating the race and their mythic stories. Recent speculation brought to light in the writings of several Radical Inquisitors insinuate that the mythic Old Ones ...

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Eldar Warhammer 40000, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Etymology and Inspiration, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Background, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Biology, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - History, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Mythology, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Technology, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - The Eldar Nations, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Craftworld Eldar, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Exodites, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Harlequins, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Outcasts and Pirates, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - The Eldar Paths, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - The Path of the Warrior, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - The Path of the Seer, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Other Paths, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Eldar Gods, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Kaela Mensha Khaine God of War, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Cegorach the Laughing God God of the Harlequins, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Asuryan Greatest of all the Eldar Gods, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Isha Goddess of Harvest, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Vaul God of the Forges, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Other gods

Read more here: » Eldar Warhammer 40000: Encyclopedia II - Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Eldar Gods

The Eldar are forever wary of falling into the same traps which led them to the Fall. In order to avoid slipping into such debauchery and wanton disregard for life and law, most Eldar take an extremely focused view on life. Rather than dabbling in various skills and occupations, they will choose a single skill and dedicate themselves to mastering it. Their long lives mean that a single Eldar will often master several skills or Paths in the course of their life, pursuing each until they feel they have reached their potential and then choosing ...

See also:

Eldar Warhammer 40000, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Etymology and Inspiration, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Background, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Biology, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - History, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Mythology, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Technology, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - The Eldar Nations, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Craftworld Eldar, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Exodites, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Harlequins, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Outcasts and Pirates, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - The Eldar Paths, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - The Path of the Warrior, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - The Path of the Seer, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Other Paths, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Eldar Gods, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Kaela Mensha Khaine God of War, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Cegorach the Laughing God God of the Harlequins, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Asuryan Greatest of all the Eldar Gods, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Isha Goddess of Harvest, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Vaul God of the Forges, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Other gods

Read more here: » Eldar Warhammer 40000: Encyclopedia II - Eldar Warhammer 40000 - The Eldar Paths

Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Biology. Superficially, the Eldar appear very similar to humans, though they are generally taller, lithe of limb, and slim, with sharp features and pointed ears. The Eldar are essentially Elves in their physical attributes. They are long-lived by human standards, and most will live more than a thousand years unless they are otherwise killed. As a race they have a high level of psychic ability, which serves as the foundation of their technology. The Eldar that actively cultivate their psych ...

See also:

Eldar Warhammer 40000, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Etymology and Inspiration, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Background, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Biology, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - History, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Mythology, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Technology, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - The Eldar Nations, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Craftworld Eldar, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Exodites, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Harlequins, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Outcasts and Pirates, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - The Eldar Paths, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - The Path of the Warrior, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - The Path of the Seer, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Other Paths, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Eldar Gods, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Kaela Mensha Khaine God of War, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Cegorach the Laughing God God of the Harlequins, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Asuryan Greatest of all the Eldar Gods, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Isha Goddess of Harvest, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Vaul God of the Forges, Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Other gods

Read more here: » Eldar Warhammer 40000: Encyclopedia II - Eldar Warhammer 40000 - Background

Magical classes specialize in casting magic in all its forms. This includes both traditional white and black magic, as well as more esoteric forms of magic, such as geomancy. Final Fantasy character classes - Black Mage. Main article: Black Mage A Black Mage is a magic-user that specializes in attack magic. Many of their spells utilize the elements to attack their enemies (fire, ice, electricity, etc.). The Black Mage is available as a class in Final Fantasy, ...

See also:

Final Fantasy character classes, Final Fantasy character classes - Physical classes, Final Fantasy character classes - Fighter/Knight, Final Fantasy character classes - Monk, Final Fantasy character classes - Berserker, Final Fantasy character classes - Samurai, Final Fantasy character classes - Dragon Knight, Final Fantasy character classes - Thief, Final Fantasy character classes - Magical classes, Final Fantasy character classes - Black Mage, Final Fantasy character classes - White Mage, Final Fantasy character classes - Time/Space Mage, Final Fantasy character classes - Blue Mage, Final Fantasy character classes - Summoner, Final Fantasy character classes - Geomancer, Final Fantasy character classes - Mixed classes, Final Fantasy character classes - Red Mage, Final Fantasy character classes - Dark Knight, Final Fantasy character classes - Paladin, Final Fantasy character classes - Chemist, Final Fantasy character classes - Mime

Read more here: » Final Fantasy character classes: Encyclopedia II - Final Fantasy character classes - Magical classes

Infinite Crisis was announced at the end of March 2005, with the release of Countdown to Infinite Crisis (which had previously simply been solicited as "DC Countdown" to keep the title and nature of the upcoming miniseries a secret) followed by four six-issue miniseries. Infinite Crisis - Countdown to Infinite Crisis. Countdown to Infinite Crisis is a one-shot publication and the official start of the Infinite Crisis storyline. It was released 30 March 2005, sold out, and ...

See also:

Infinite Crisis, Infinite Crisis - Synopses, Infinite Crisis - Infinite Crisis #1, Infinite Crisis - Infinite Crisis #2, Infinite Crisis - Infinite Crisis #3, Infinite Crisis - Infinite Crisis #4, Infinite Crisis - Leadups to Infinite Crisis, Infinite Crisis - Countdown to Infinite Crisis, Infinite Crisis - The OMAC Project, Infinite Crisis - Rann-Thanagar War, Infinite Crisis - Villains United, Infinite Crisis - Day of Vengeance, Infinite Crisis - Other key tie-in issues, Infinite Crisis - Editorial planning and Infinite Crisis, Infinite Crisis - Crossover events, Infinite Crisis - Consequences of Infinite Crisis, Infinite Crisis - Deaths, Infinite Crisis - Missing or presumed dead but unconfirmed, Infinite Crisis - Returns

Read more here: » Infinite Crisis: Encyclopedia II - Infinite Crisis - Leadups to Infinite Crisis

Aside from marking a major editorial shift within DC Comics, Infinite Crisis was a return to large company-wide crossovers of a sort that had been uncommon since the downturn of the comics industry in the 1990s. Although DC had done crossovers within its individual lines — the Batman event "Bruce Wayne: Fugitive", for example — it had not done a line-wide crossover spanning more than a month since 2001's Our Worlds at War, and arguably hadn't done something of the year-long scale of Infinite Cris ...

See also:

Infinite Crisis, Infinite Crisis - Synopses, Infinite Crisis - Infinite Crisis #1, Infinite Crisis - Infinite Crisis #2, Infinite Crisis - Infinite Crisis #3, Infinite Crisis - Infinite Crisis #4, Infinite Crisis - Leadups to Infinite Crisis, Infinite Crisis - Countdown to Infinite Crisis, Infinite Crisis - The OMAC Project,