DC Rebirth
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| Genre | <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/> |
| Publication date | May 25, 2016 – present |
| Main character(s) | DC Universe |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Various |
| Artist(s) | Various |
DC Rebirth is a 2016 relaunch by DC Comics of its entire line of ongoing monthly superhero comic books. Using the end of The New 52 initiative in May 2016 as its launching point, DC Rebirth is intended to restore the DC Universe to a form much like that prior to the "Flashpoint" storyline while still incorporating numerous elements of The New 52, including its continuity. It will also see many of its titles move to a twice-monthly release schedule, with all titles releasing at US$2.99.
Contents
Publication history
In January 2016, DC Comics co-publisher Dan DiDio and Jim Lee tweeted an image of a blue curtain with the word "Rebirth" on it, teasing the event.[1] The following month, DC announced its Rebirth initiative, a line-wide relaunch of its titles, to begin in June 2016. Beginning with an 80-page one-shot which was released on May 25, 2016, Rebirth also sees Action Comics and Detective Comics return to their previous numbering (#957 and #934, respectively), all books releasing at US$2.99, multiple books shifting to a twice-monthly release schedule, a number of existing titles relaunching with new #1s, and the release of several new titles.[2]
Geoff Johns described the 80-page one-shot as "re-laying the groundwork for DC's future while celebrating the past and present. It's not about throwing anything away. It's quite the opposite." On the initiative, which was described as a rebirth of the DC Universe, Johns call Rebirth more "in the same vein as Green Lantern: Rebirth and The Flash: Rebirth. Some things alter and change, but it's more character-driven, and it's also more about revealing secrets and mysteries within the DC Universe about "Flashpoint" and The New 52 that are part of a bigger tapestry." The Rebirth initiative will reintroduce concepts from pre-Flashpoint continuity, such as legacy, that were lost with The New 52 and build "on everything that's been published since Action Comics #1 up thru The New 52."[3] Lee said that Johns "came up with this brilliant story [for the DC Universe: Rebirth Special] that basically allows us to seat the New 52 within the continuity that preceded it. So it really synchronizes and harmonizes pre-52 with New 52 continuity".[4]
Creative teams for the Rebirth titles, along with some art and storylines, were revealed at WonderCon 2016.[5][6] Johns worked with each writing team and the editors for the titles to help refocus "on these characters, deconstructing them down to their core DNA and building out story arcs based on that DNA".[4] Additionally, two titles part of the initial announcement in February, Gotham Academy: Second Semester and Earth 2,[2] were revealed to no longer be considered Rebirth titles, instead acting as continuations of their New 52 titles, Gotham Academy and Earth 2: Society, respectively.[5] Regarding the decision to focus on less titles, with some shipping twice-monthly, DiDio said, "What we did was eliminate some of the lower ranked titles, and we're trying to incorporate those ideas into the main books themselves, because we feel that makes the main books stronger" adding, "we look at things like... Gotham by Midnight. And I loved Gotham by Midnight, but it never got the sampling that a Batman book would. But if we did that Gotham by Midnight story and integrated it into the Batman series that was shipping twice monthly, there was a better chance for people to see those characters, get excited by those characters, and more importantly, if we ever decided to thin them out, maybe we'd have a stronger audience and a better chance for series like that to succeed." DiDio also revealed that DC had breaks in the schedule "where we'll decide whether or not a double-ship is working" and potentially change it to monthly status. "We're going to be examining that on a regular basis," he added. "We're not going to keep book double-shipping if we don't think the demand is there."[4]
Regarding the release of variant covers for titles, Lee said, "we're only using specialty variants with comic book shops and variant covers in judicious ways. We're not going to have a gazillion SKUs across the entire line. We find that, at that point, why publish a story inside at all, if you're just going to build a business based on variant covers. We're still using variant covers, but we're actually using one variant cover artist for each book. They sort of get tenure, as it were. And they're going to be responsible for being the alternate cover artist on that book. And we're only doing it on our top-selling books."[4]
Changes to the DC Universe
With the release of DC Universe: Rebirth Special, characters not seen during The New 52, including Wally West, Jackson Hyde / Aqualad, Ryan Choi and Doctor Fate, returned to continuity, while other characters, such as Ted Kord and Ray Palmer / Atom returned to their characterization from pre-Flashpoint. Additionally, Wally West explains the in-universe cause of Flashpoint was not due to Barry Allen attempting to fix the timelines, rather an unknown being interfereing and removing approximately 10 years from each character, which resulted in the younger age of heroes in The New 52, and the loss of legacy and previous relationships; the unknown being is revealed to be Doctor Manhattan of the Watchmen.[7]
Titles
Ongoing series
At WonderCon 2016, DC revealed the titles under four different "families", grouping similar characters or titles together.
"Batman"
These titles feature Batman and the "Batman Family" of characters.[8]
| Title | Publication dates / Issues | Initial creative team[note1] | Notes / References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batman | June 2016[5] | Writer Tom King Artists David Finch Mikel Janin |
The title initially shipped twice monthly. |
| Detective Comics | June 2016[5] | Writer James Tynion IV Artists Eddy Barrows Alvaro Martinez |
Featuring a team consisting of Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, Cassandra Cain and Clayface, led by Batman and Batwoman.[8] The title initially shipped twice monthly. |
| Batgirl | July 2016[5] | Writer Hope Larson Artist Rafael Albuquerque |
Focusing on Barbara Gordon. The title initially shipped monthly. |
| Nightwing | July 2016[5] | Writer Tim Seeley Artists Javi Fernandez Marcus To |
Focusing on Dick Grayson. The title initially shipped twice monthly. |
| All-Star Batman | August 2016[5] | Writer Scott Snyder Artists Multiple |
Artists for the series include John Romita, Jr., Jock, Sean Murphy, Paul Pope, Tula Lotay, Afua Richardson, Francesco Francavilla, and more.[5] The title initially shipped monthly. |
| Batgirl and the Birds of Prey | August 2016[5] | Writer Julie Benson Shawna Benson Artist Claire Roe |
Focusing on the team consisting of Barbara Gordon, Black Canary and Huntress.[8] The title initially shipped monthly. |
"Superman/Wonder Woman"
These titles feature Superman, the "Superman Family" of characters and Wonder Woman.[9]
| Title | Publication dates / Issues | Initial creative team[note1] | Notes / References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Action Comics | June 2016[5] | Writer Dan Jurgens Artists Patrick Zircher Tyler Kirkham Stephen Segovia |
Featuring the pre-Flashpoint Superman existing alongside Clark Kent, as well as Lex Luthor in his Superman armor. The title initially shipped twice monthly. |
| Superman | June 2016[5] | Writers Peter J. Tomasi Patrick Gleason Artists Patrick Gleason Doug Mahnke |
The title initially shipped twice monthly. |
| Wonder Woman | June 2016[5] | Writer Greg Rucka Artists Liam Sharp Nicola Scott |
For the first 12 issues, the odd numbered issues told a story, "Wonder Woman: The Lies", in the present, with Sharp as the artist. For the even numbered issues, Rucka told the story "Wonder Woman: Year One", set in the past, with Scott as the artist.[6][10] The title initially shipped twice monthly. |
| New Super-Man | July 2016[5] | Writer Gene Luen Yang Artist Viktor Bodganovich |
Focusing on a Chinese teenager named Kenan Kong who gains a portion of Superman's power.[9][11] The title was previously announced as The Super-Man but was changed once Yang came onboard and pointed out that there is no Chinese word for "the".[5] The title initially shipped monthly. |
| Superwoman | August 2016[5] | Writer Phil Jimenez Artists Phil Jimenez Emmanuela Lupacchino |
Focusing on Lois Lane.[12] The title initially shipped monthly. |
| Supergirl | September 2016[5] | Writer Steve Orlando Artist Brian Ching |
Focusing on Kara Zor-El The title initially shipped monthly. |
| Trinity | September 2016[5] | Writer Francis Manapul Artists Francis Manapul Clay Mann |
Focusing on Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. The title initially shipped monthly. |
"Justice League"
These titles feature characters related to the Justice League, as well as the Green Lantern Corps and the Teen Titans.[13]
| Title | Publication dates / Issues | Initial creative team[note1] | Notes / References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aquaman | June 2016[5] | Writer Dan Abnett Artists Brad Walker Jesus Merino Phil Briones |
The title initially shipped twice monthly. |
| The Flash | June 2016[5] | Writer Josh Williamson Artists Carmine Di Giandomenico Neil Googe |
The title initially shipped twice monthly. |
| Green Lanterns | June 2016[5] | Writer Sam Humphries Artists Robson Rocha Ardian Syaf |
Focusing on the Green Lanterns Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz.[13] The title initially shipped twice monthly. |
| Hal Jordan & The Green Lantern Corps | July 2016[5] | Writer Rob Venditti Artists Ethan Van Sciver Rafa Sandoval |
Focusing on Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner and the other members of the Green Lantern Corps.[13] The title initially shipped twice monthly. |
| Justice League | July 2016[5] | Writer Bryan Hitch Artists Tony Daniel Fernando Pasarin |
Featuring on a team consisting of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, Cyborg and the Green Lanterns Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz.[13] The title initially shipped twice monthly. |
| Titans | July 2016[5] | Writer Dan Abnett Artist Brett Booth |
Focusing on a team consisting of Wally West, Dick Grayson, Donna Troy, Arsenal, Garth, Lilith Clay, Bumblebee, Gnarrk, Hawk and Dove, and Herald, among others.[14] The title initially shipped monthly. |
| Cyborg | August 2016[5] | Writer John Semper Artists Will Conrad Paul Pelletier |
The title initially shipped monthly. |
| Justice League of America | September 2016[5] | Writer TBA Artist TBA |
The title initially shipped twice monthly. |
| Teen Titans | October 2016[5] | Writer Ben Percy Artist Jonboy Meyers |
Focusing on a team consisting of Damian Wayne as Robin, Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy, and Wally West as Kid Flash.[12] The title initially shipped monthly. |
Other
These titles do not fall under the larger headings above, or were not announced with those titles.[15]
| Title | Publication dates / Issues | Initial creative team[note1] | Notes / References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Arrow | June 2016[5] | Writer Ben Percy Artists Otto Schmidt Juan Ferreya |
The title initially shipped twice monthly. |
| Deathstroke | August 2016[5] | Writer Christopher Priest Artists Carlo Pagulyan Igor Vitorino Felipe Watanabe |
The title initially shipped twice monthly. |
| Harley Quinn | August 2016[5] | Writers Jimmy Palmiotti Amanda Conner Artists Chad Hardin John Timms |
The title initially shipped twice monthly. |
| The Hellblazer | August 2016[5] | Writer Simon Oliver Artist TBA |
The title initially shipped monthly. |
| Red Hood and the Outlaws | August 2016[5] | Writer Scott Lobdell Artist Dexter Soy |
Focusing on a team consisting of Jason Todd, Bizarro and Artemis.[15] The title initially shipped monthly. |
| Suicide Squad | August 2016[5] | Writer Rob Williams Artists Jim Lee Philip Tan |
Focusing on a team consisting of Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, Deadshot, Katana, Boomerang and a "couple others ones".[15] The title initially shipped twice monthly. |
| Blue Beetle | September 2016[5] | Writer Keith Giffen Artist Scott Kolins |
Focusing on Ted Kord and Jaime Reyes. The title initially shipped monthly. |
| Super Sons | September 2016[5] | Writers Chris Burns Dennis Culver Artist Jorge Jimenez |
Focusing on Damian Wayne and Jonathan Kent, the sons of Batman and Superman, respectively. The title initially shipped monthly. |
| Batman Beyond | October 2016[5] | Writer Dan Jurgens Artist Bernard Chang |
Focusing on Terry McGinnis. The title initially shipped monthly. |
One-shots
| Title | Creative team | Notes / References |
|---|---|---|
| DC Universe: Rebirth Special #1 May 2016[5] |
Writer Geoff Johns Artists Ivan Reis Phil Jimenez Ethan Van Sciver Gary Frank |
|
| Aquaman Rebirth #1 June 2016[5] |
Writer Dan Abnett Artists Brad Walker Jesus Merino Phil Briones |
|
| Batman Rebirth #1 June 2016[5] |
Writers Tom King Scott Snyder Artist Mikel Janin |
|
| The Flash Rebirth #1 June 2016[5] |
Writer Josh Williamson Artists Carmine Di Giandomenico Neil Googe |
|
| Green Arrow Rebirth #1 June 2016[5] |
Writer Ben Percy Artists Otto Schmidt Juan Ferreya |
|
| Green Lanterns Rebirth #1 June 2016[5] |
Writers Geoff Johns Sam Humphries Artists Ethan Van Sciver Ed Benes |
|
| Superman Rebirth #1 June 2016[5] |
Writers Peter J. Tomasi Patrick Gleason Artist Doug Mahnke |
|
| Titans Rebirth #1 June 2016[5] |
Writer Dan Abnett Artist Brett Booth |
|
| Wonder Woman Rebirth #1 June 2016[5] |
Writer Greg Rucka Artist Phil Winslade |
|
| Batgirl and the Birds of Prey Rebirth #1 July 2016[5] |
Writer Julie Benson Shawna Benson Artist Claire Roe |
|
| Hal Jordan & The Green Lantern Corps Rebirth #1 July 2016[5] |
Writer Rob Venditti Artist Ethan Van Sciver |
|
| The Hellblazer Rebirth #1 July 2016[16] |
Writer Simon Oliver Artist Moritat |
|
| Justice League Rebirth #1 July 2016[16] |
Bryan Hitch | |
| Nightwing Rebirth #1 July 2016[16] |
Writer Tim Seeley Artist Yanick Paquette |
|
| Red Hood and the Outlaws Rebirth #1 July 2016[5] |
Writer Scott Lobdell Artist Dexter Soy |
|
| Blue Beetle Rebirth #1 August 2016[5] |
Writer Keith Giffen Artist Scott Kolins |
|
| Cyborg Rebirth #1 August 2016[5] |
Writer John Semper Artists Will Conrad Paul Pelletier |
|
| Deathstroke Rebirth #1 August 2016[5] |
Writer Christopher Priest Artists Carlo Pagulyan Igor Vitorino Felipe Watanabe |
|
| Suicide Squad Rebirth #1 August 2016[5] |
Writer Rob Williams Artist Jim Lee |
|
| Supergirl Rebirth #1 August 2016[5] |
Writer Steve Orlando Artists Brian Ching Emmanuela Lupacchino |
|
| Trinity Rebirth #1 August 2016[5] |
Writer Francis Manapul Artists Francis Manapul Clay Mann |
|
| Batman Beyond Rebirth #1 September 2016[5] |
Writer Dan Jurgens Artist Bernard Chang Ryan Sook |
|
| Teen Titans Rebirth #1 September 2016[5] |
Writer Ben Percy Artist Jonboy Meyers |
References
- Notes
- 1. ^ For additional creative team information, see each title's individual article.
- References
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- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 5.22 5.23 5.24 5.25 5.26 5.27 5.28 5.29 5.30 5.31 5.32 5.33 5.34 5.35 5.36 5.37 5.38 5.39 5.40 5.41 5.42 5.43 5.44 5.45 5.46 5.47 5.48 5.49 5.50 5.51 5.52 5.53 5.54 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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