Jake’s Take: DC Rebirth

 

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

When I heard that DC Comics would be announcing Rebirth at WonderCon 2016, I knew that I had to be in attendance.

I was eight-years-old when I first bought my very first comic book: Batman & Robin Adventures #1. Written by Paul Dini and illustrated by Ty Templeton, Rick Burchett and Linda Medley, the premiere issue featured the Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder (Dick Grayson) tackling three of their most recognizable foes: The Joker, Harley Quinn and Two-Face. I fell in love with the story and thus began my nearly 20-year affair with DC Comics.

My adventures with DC Comics took my imagination to exotic locations such as Gotham City, Metropolis, Oa, Central City, Atlantis, Themyscira, the Rock of Eternity and the House of Secrets. From Geoff Johns’ cataclysmic blockbuster crossover events such as Infinite Crisis, Blackest Night, Flashpoint and Forever Evil to Grant Morrison and Scott Snyder’s epic runs on the Caped Crusader, DC Comics continues to entertain not just me but millions of fans around the world.

This summer marks a very special chapter in DC Comics’ publication history as the House That Superman and Batman Built goes into Rebirth mode.

Doubling Down

Dozens of fans lined up early Saturday morning to be a part of this history-making panel. They debated which characters would be the focus of the Rebirth movement and which creators will play a role in the next chapter in DC Comics history.

Around 9:00 AM, the WonderCon staff let the fans into the conference room. As fans made their way to their seats, DC Entertainment staff members handed out “D-shaped” donuts to the attendees.  I was very fortunate to be seating two rows behind DC’s talented creators including Tony Daniel, Scott Snyder, John Romita, Jr., James Tynion IV, Steve Orlando and husband-wife team Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti, who would play a crucial part in the Rebirth reveal.

DC Rebirth also marked the very first time that the comic publisher would be live streaming.  Fans who were unable to attend the panel or WonderCon were invited to watch the festivities on the DC All Access app and the company’s website.  After a powerful video that showcased the history of the enterprise, DC Comics Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee took to the stage to explain the core of reboot.

Both DiDio and Lee mentioned the successes of their TV empire and movies but wanted to make sure that the primary source to their media spin-offs (the comics) remained at the heart of DC and remained vibrant and exciting. DiDio also mentioned that “DC Rebirth was a recommitment to their fans.”

DC’s Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns entered the stage with wild applause and revealed that The New 52 will end with issue 52. He stated that The New 52 was just a chapter in DC Comics’ fabled history and also revealed that he will be writing the special that kicks off the Rebirth storyline.  This 80-page one-shot will feature artwork from four of DC’s most recognizable artists: Ivan Reis, Phil Jimenez, Ethan Van Sciver and Gary Frank!  On May 25, Johns hinted that the special would mark several returns, a death and the biggest secret in the DC Universe would be revealed!

Before the creative teams were revealed, DiDio made one final announcement.  Rebirth would see 17 comics ship twice a month and 14 more being shipped once a month.  To not lose any fans along the way, DiDio stated that all the books would remain at $2.99.  Fans happily hollered with the reveal.

Recommended Books:

After sitting through the reveal, Jake’s Take can exclusively reveal which books you should keep an eye on as Rebirth begins in June.

 

Action Comics (Twice a month)

Writer: Dan Jurgens

Art Team: Patrick Zircher, Tyler Kirkham & Stephen Segovia

Action Comics is back to its original numbering starting with Issue #957. Superman veteran Dan Jurgens will write the latest adventures of the Man of Steel with fan-favorite artists Patrick Zircher, Tyler Kirkham and Stephen Segovia will rotate art duties. Superman will face his ultimate challenge yet in the form of a Superman-suited Lex Luthor and Doomsday.

All-Star Batman (Twice a month)

Writer: Scott Snyder

Art Team: John Romita, Jr., Jock, Sean Murphy & others

Like Batman? Check! Like Scott Snyder? Double-check! Like the Batman Rogues’ Gallery? Triple-check! If you like all three of these things that were just mentioned, then All-Star Batman is right up your alley! Starting this August, veteran Bat-scribe Scott Snyder will be teaming up with some of the best talents in the industry to deliver in-continuity stories that focus on the Dark Knight’s relationships with his adversaries. Up first, Snyder & Romita, Jr. take Batman and Two-Face on a “road trip from hell.”

Aquaman (Twice a month)

Writer: Dan Abnett

Art Team: Brad Walker, Jesus Merino & Phil Briones

DC’s most popular unpopular hero, Aquaman, will continue to make his presence in the DC Universe known courtesy of Dan Abnett and his creative team of Brad Walker, Jesus Merino and Phil Briones. The King of the Seven Seas will have his hands full with bringing Atlantis into the public eye while preparing for the returns of both Black Manta and Ocean Master.  On a side note, Geoff Johns confirmed that the highly anticipated Aquaman story: “Rise of the Seven Seas” is still a work in progress.

 

Batgirl & The Birds of Prey (Once a month)

Writers: Julie Benson & Shawna Benson

Artist: Claire Roe

The 100’s Julie Benson & Shawna Benson will make their comic book debuts with Batgirl & The Birds of Prey. Together with artist Claire Roe, the trio will reunite Batgirl, Black Canary and the Huntress as they try to stop the newest villain in the DCU: Oracle! The adventures begin August 24.

Detective Comics (Twice a month)

Writer: James Tynion IV

Art Team: Eddy Barrows & Alvaro Martinez

Like Action Comics, Detective Comics is returning to its original numbering starting with Issue #934. The new Detective Comics team will make longtime Batman fans smile as Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain join Batman and Batwoman in this Bat family team-up book! Fans can find out why Clayface, one of Batman’s notorious villains, is also on the team starting June 8.

 

Justice League (Twice a month)

Writer: Bryan Hitch

Art Team: Tony Daniel & Fernando Pasarin

DC Entertainment’s Greatest Superhero Team welcomes Bryan Hitch, Tony Daniel and Fernando Pasarin into the fold! Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Flash and Aquaman will also welcome two rookie Green Lanterns: Simon Baz and the former Power Ring (Jessica Cruz) into the team.

Suicide Squad (Twice a month)

Writer: Rob Williams

Art Team: Jim Lee & Philip Tan

The misadventures of everyone’s favorite anti-heroes continue.  Rob Williams, Jim Lee and Philip Tan have recruited Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Katana and Killer Croc to continue the most dangerous missions in the DCU.  Lee also hinted at an alliance between Batman foes Harley Quinn and Killer Croc that will play an important part of the book starting in August.

 

Titans (Once a Month)

Writer: Dan Abnett

Artist: Brett Booth

For the first time in years, fan-favorite characters Nightwing (Dick Grayson-back in the black and blue), Donna Troy, Garth and Arsenal will headline this legacy book.  In addition to three of the founders of the Teen Titans, the quartet will welcome longtime foe Mammoth and a mysterious green-hooded member to the team. Dan Abnett and Brett Booth kick off a new chapter in Titans history on July 27.

For more information on all things Rebirth, head to the website!