DC Reboots … Err, Reveals Details of ‘Rebirth’ Fix for ‘New 52’
Months ago, DC teased that it would launch in 2016 “Rebirth,” a crossover event that would affect all ongoing series, driven by the actions of The Flash … but tried to make it clear that it wasn’t a reboot like the crossover “Flashpoint” — a crossover event that would affect all ongoing series, driven by the actions of The Flash.
Now we have the official word that “Rebirth” will bring back to some greater or lesser extent the long history of the DC universe that was completely reset by “Flashpoint.” Remember, all of the titles that started with new Number 1 issues in the New 52 after “Flashpoint” had new backstories in which no hero had any history that went back (as a hero) prior to five years. Also, in keeping with the idea that DC would always publish exactly 52 titles per month, many titles and even characters simply no longer existed.
“Rebirth” aims to fix much of that — even if it isn’t going to be called a reboot by DC (might have been a good idea to not start almost everything again with a Number 1 if you really wanted us to not call it a reboot, DC). Seriously, the featured image above was actually tweeted out by DC Co-Publisher Jim Lee. Must be tough to draw with that huge a chip on your shoulder.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, DC will trim the ongoing titles to 32 from 52, and Wired UK says no regular monthly comic book will sell for more than $2.99 — a $1 drop from most other monthly titles by other publishers (i.e., Marvel, which has been eating DC’s lunch when it comes to market share lately). In addition, a number of fan favorites will return like Teen Titans and Nightwing, and their entire backstories will be returned, mostly, correcting the short-sighted idea of the clean slate approach from New 52. There will be a number of new monthly titles too, like Superwoman and Super Sons. Oh, and Birds of Prey are coming back in some form, with the title of Batgirl and The Birds of Prey!
The reboot … sorry, “Rebirth” starts in June, and Wired UK has a great month-by-month breakdown of titles, so I am going to lift it whole hog. Note: “fortnightly” is the way the Brits say “twice a month.” Seems more efficient, I might start using it.
JUNE
Rebirth Specials:
Aquaman Rebirth #1
Batman Rebirth #1
The Flash Rebirth #1
Green Arrow Rebirth #1
Green Lanterns Rebirth #1
Superman Rebirth #1
Titans Rebirth #1
Wonder Woman Rebirth #1
New fortnightly titles:
Aquaman #1
Batman #1
The Flash #1
Green Arrow #1
Green Lanterns #1
Superman #1
Wonder Woman #1
Action Comics #957
Detective Comics #934
JULY
Rebirth Specials:
Batgirl & The Birds Of Prey Rebirth #1
Hal Jordan & The Green Lantern Corps Rebirth #1
The Hellblazer Rebirth #1
Justice League Rebirth #1
Nightwing Rebirth #1
Red Hood & The Outlaws Rebirth #1
New fortnightly titles:
Hal Jordan & The Green Lantern Corps #1
Justice League #1
Nightwing #1
New monthly titles:
Batgirl #1
Batgirl & The Birds Of Prey #1
The Hellblazer #1
Red Hood & The Outlaws #1
The Super-Man #1
Titans #1
AUTUMN
Rebirth Specials:
Batman Beyond Rebirth #1
Blue Beetle Rebirth #1
Cyborg Rebirth #1
Deathstroke Rebirth #1
Earth 2 Rebirth #1
Suicide Squad Rebirth #1
Supergirl Rebirth #1
Teen Titans Rebirth #1
Trinity Rebirth #1
New fortnightly titles:
Cyborg #1
Deathstroke #1
Harley Quinn #1
Justice League America #1
Suicide Squad #1
New monthly titles:
Batman Beyond #1
Blue Beetle #1
Earth 2 #1
Gotham Academy: Next Semester #1
Supergirl #1
Superwoman #1
Super Sons #1
Teen Titans #1
Trinity #1
