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DC Rebirth: Everything you need to know

April 19th, 2016 by Marc Comments

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Come June it’s all change for DC, with their all new rebooted relaunch going by the name Rebirth. A brand new continuity and a brand new DC Universe lie ahead, and here’s everything you need to know.

First things first, it all goes down on 25th May. Things kick off with DC Universe Rebirth #1, an special 80-page book written by Geoff Johns and featuring four different chapters illustrated by Gary Frank, Ivan Reis, Ethan Van Sciver and Phil Jimenez.

In DC’s June 2016 Previews catalogue, Johns has teased five very interesting facts about this first issue: the “mysterious” death of a character (major or minor we don’t know just yet, but why tease it if it isn’t important?); the reintroduction of three heroes, with more to follow; the explanation of “why the DC Universe is the way that it is”; A shocking Joker revelation that will ultimately give Batman ”the mystery that will change everything he knows about his greatest villain”; a promise of the greatest thread the DCU “has ever faced.”

Our mouths are watering at the thought of it. And just check out this awesome cover art!

DC Rebirth #1

Speaking of Batman, his new twice-monthly run will feature a new character simply called Gotham, who is an up-and-coming hero who wants to be the one the city looks up to. In Detective Comics, the Dark Knight’s new team will be made up of Red Robin (Tim Drake), Orphan (Cassandra Cain), Clayface and Spoiler. As for All-Star Batman, its first arc (written by Scott Snyder, drawn by John Romita Jr) sees Batman taking Two-Face on a cross-country trek to fix his face, but will the massive reward Harvey has put on Batman’s head put an end to that plan?

Because we know it’s good to be bad, the Suicide Squad relaunch is boosted thanks to a powerful new member. Joining a team that closely resembles that of the movie – including Harley, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, Katana and Killer Croc – will be, as writer Rob Williams teases in the preview, either Doomsday, Mr Mxyzptlk or General Zod. Can’t they all sign up?

There’s also going to be a brand new Superman! With each new book focusing on a different character attempting to live up to the ever-absent New 52 incarnation. The run will also show more of his son Jonathan, as he learns more about the outside world and his powers. Meanwhile, the crush the Man of Steel’s legacy, Lex Luthor adopts his adversary’s symbol in the new run of Action Comics to become Metropolis’ newest hero. Oh Lex, you and your shenanigans.

There’s a surprise in store for Lois Lane as well, as she’ll be debuting as the new Superwomen. But because things are never easy, he transformation from reporter to superhero is actually killing her.

Speaking on his new run on Wonder Woman, writer Greg Rucka says “Wonder Woman comes out of DCU: Rebirth realising a lot of what she’s taken as truth about herself is contradicted, and the contradictions have become so acute, she no longer knows who she is.” His reintroduction of the character will finally address her many conflicting origins.

On the new Justice League run, writer Bryan Hitch says “If you’re doing the Justice League right, it’s always a no-win situation,” hinting at the massive, intergalactic scale of the threat that the team will face.

As for other DC a-listers, The Flash’s new run (ya get it?) involves random Central City residents getting Speed Force Powers, and a serial killer who targets them. Meanwhile, on the new Aquaman series, the focus will be heavily on his rivalry with Black Manta. There will also be two new series focusing on the Corp: Green Lanterns, and Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps.

Other titles confirmed include Nightwing, Red Hood and the Outlaws, Teen Titans, Batgirl & The Birds of Prey (featuring a new villain calling themselves Oracle), Supergirl, Titans, Cyborg, Gotham Academy: Second Semester, Blue Beetle (featuring Doctor Fate, whose own book sadly won’t be continuing into Rebirth) and The Hellblazer – yep, even John Constantine got the invite!

Marc is a self-confessed nerd. Ever since seeing Star Wars for the first time around 1979 he’s been an unapologetic fan of the Wars and still believes, with Clone Wars and now Underworld, we are yet to see the best Star Wars. He’s a dad of two who now doesn’t have the time (or money) to collect the amount of toys, comics, movies and books he once did, much to the relief of his long-suffering wife. In the real world he’s a graphic designer. He started Following the Nerd because he was tired of searching a million sites every day for all the best news that he loves and decided to create one place where you can go to get the whole lot. Secretly he longs to be sitting in the cockpit of his YT-1300 Corellian Transport ship with his co-pilot Chewie, roaming the universe, waiting for his next big adventure, but feels just at home watching cartoons with his kids….