Thoughts on DC Rebirth titles
This week we got the first round of Rebirth announcements. There’s some very good additions to their stable of creators and there’s no doubt this is a stronger DC than the DC of the past year. Could they have done better? Absolutely! I would have liked to see a few more bigger names, and some books that are struggling now and relaunching as twice monthly books with the exact same writer. Not sure how that’s going to do!?! But there should be some great new books coming out of this relaunch too. Here’s some of my first impressions
May 25:
DC UNIVERSE REBIRTH #1 . Written by Geoff Johns, with art by Ethan Van Sciver, Phil Jimenez. Ivan Reis and Gary Frank.
“Rebirth is about focusing in on the core of the character and their respective universe,“ says Writer and DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns. "It brings back what has been lost, the legacy of the characters, the love and the hope of the DCU!”
This one will be a MUST READ. DC is promising something big and this kind of special issue is one of Geoff Johns’ specialties. It’s an all-star line-up of artists and should look great! Expect some one to die.
June 1st:
BATMAN REBIRTH #1, Written by Tom King with art by David Finch and Mikel Janin
Longtime Batman and Eisner Award winning Written by Scott Snyder co-writes with rising star Written by Tom King! EVIL 365: Gotham City faces the threat of the Calendar Man!
I’m very excited by this one! I’ve Loved Tom King’s writing on Grayson, Omega Men, Vision and Sherif of Babylon, and I have total faith he’s going to do great things with Batman! He’s got an encyclopedic knowledge of Batman history, and his background in counterintelligence should produce some interesting stories. Mikel Janin’s art has been solid on Grayson, and Finch’s art should look even better with Jordie Bellaire.
SUPERMAN REBIRTH #1, Written by Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason with art by Patrick Gleason and Doug Mahnke
The world needs a Man of Steel, but can Superman protect the world while raising a super-son with his wife, Lois Lane? Now it’s Clark’s turn to be Pa Kent and teach his son what it means to be super, but who is hunting Superman’s son-and why?
Tomasi and Gleason are a solid, well oiled machine that has been producing good comics like Green Lantern Corps and Batman and Robin, and the addition of former Superman artist Mahnke should make this book even better. Interesting that this book will focus on the pre-52 Superman…
GREEN LANTERNS REBIRTH #1, Written by Sam Humphries with art by Robson Rocha and Ardian Syaf
Creative powerhouse Geoff Johns puts the ring on again as he, co-Written by Sam Humphries and Art by Ethan Van Sciver debut a new era of emerald greatness! Rookie Green Lanterns Jessica Cruz and Simon Baz tackle the universe’s toughest beat: Earth.
New Lanterns writer has written some amazing stuff. Check out Our Love Is Real and Sacrifice! But I’m not sure Marvel really knew how to use his talents. Green Lanterns is teaming up Earth’s new lanterns Jessica Cruz and Simon Baz, which should be an interesting pairing, especially as they’re both fairly new character that have lots of room for growth. I’m totally in, and ready to have a fun Green Lantern book again!
GREEN ARROW REBIRTH #1, Written by Ben Percy, Art by Otto Schmidt and Juan Ferreyra
Together again for the first time, the Emerald Archer meets Black Canary. Questioning everything Green Arrow believes in, Dinah Lance throws the hero’s world upside down, forcing him to question what he cares about more: his morals or his money?
Green Arrow keeps it’s writer novelist Ben Percy, with just some changes on the art side. I wasn’t very impressed by the start of his run, but I’ll give this book another chance, Bringing back Ollie’s trademark goatee helps.
June 8th:
ACTION COMICS #957, Written by Dan Jurgens with art by Patrick Zircher, Tyler Kirkham, Stephen Segovia
Superman returns to Metropolis just in time to meet the city of tomorrow’s newest protector: Lex Luthor. But it’s not long before these dueling titans meet someone unexpected - the new Clark Kent!
Jurgens is a solid journeyman writer and he’s being paired with some excellent artists that should make the for a nice looking book. “Super” Lex is an interesting evolution of the character and I’m curious to see where that goes.
DETECTIVE COMICS #934 Written by James Tynion with art by Eddy Barrows and Alvaro Martinez
An unknown predator begins outdoing Batman, taking down dangerous threats with military precision. Batman and Batwoman begin training Spoiler, Red Robin and Cassandra Cain, but is the villainous Clayface ready for redemption?
Former student of Scott Snyder, James Tynion has been doing good work on the Batman Eternal books, and this his chance to write on full-on Batman Family book, with Batwoman co-leading the team too.
WONDER WOMAN REBIRTH #1, Written by Greg Rucka with art by Liam Sharp and Nicola Scott
After suffering an unimaginable loss, Wonder Woman must rebuild her mission as Earth’s ultimate protector and champion.
This may be THE DC book to read! Super-star writer Greg Rucka returns to a character he LOVES! And bringing along his Black Magik co-creator, Nicola Scott to handle the storyline set in the past should be a treat. Artist Liam Sharp has been out of the monthly comics scene for a while, but he’s a phenomenal artist and he’s likely to surprise a lot of people!
THE FLASH REBIRTH #1, Written by Joshua Williamson with art by Carmine Di Giandomenico and Neil Googe
Spinning directly out of the epic events of DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1, the fastest man alive finds himself at the center of a DC Universe at a crossroads.
I’ve been a fan of writer Josh Williamson for some time and have really enjoyed his Image books Nailbiter and Birthright. The storyline of adding a whole lot of speedsters, some good, some bad to the mix sounds a little corny, but I’ll be surprised if Josh doesn’t make it awesome!
AQUAMAN REBIRTH #1, Written by Dan Abnett and Brad Walker with art by Brad Walker, Jesus Merino, Phil Briones
Born to both the surface and the sea, Arthur Curry walks in two worlds but can find a home in neither. The king of Atlantis looks to reconcile his split heritage as he embarks on a new mission that may finally make him choose between his two paths.
Aquaman keeps it’s writer, Dan Abnett, too. I haven’t been able to get into his run so far, but I’ll give it another try with Rebirth. Adding artist Brad Walker as a co-writer might shake up the book up.
June 15th:
TITANS REBIRTH #1, Written by Dan Abnett with art by Brett Booth
Friends. Teammates. Titans. Donna Troy, Arsenal, Garth, Lilith, and Nightwing were all that and more until a mysterious force erased their memories, forcing them to forget what they could accomplish together. Reunited with their memories returned, the Titans must destroy the interdimensional demon that broke them apart and threatens reality itself.
I really like the concept of a grown-up side-kicks team and absolutely loved Geoff Johns’ run, but this creative team has a lot to prove. Just returning the characters memories isn’t enough to give the Titans back their sense of legacy.
July 6th:
JUSTICE LEAGUE REBIRTH #1 – Written by Bryan Hitch with art by Tony Daniel and Fernando Pasarin.
I love Bryan Hitch’s art, but I can’t say anything he’s written has impressed me. Tony Daniel will make the book good though.
July 13th:
HAL JORDAN & THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS REBIRTH #1 – Written by Rob Venditti with art by Ethan Van Sciver.
Ethan Van Sciver returns to Green Lanterns! Writer Robert Vendetti was saddled with a weird, uninteresting Hal Jordan in space story, but with this new series he adds the rest of the Green Lantern Corps, including fan favorites Kyle Rayner, John Stewart, and Guy Gardner, and could do something more engaging. I’ve like other stuff he’s written, especially his Surrogates series at Top Shelf..
NIGHTWING REBIRTH #1 – Written by Tim Seeley with art by Javi Fernandez and Marcus To.
Writer Tim Seeley wrote some decent Grayson issues and he continues on with the character in this new Nightwing series. The interesting premise is that he takes on a new teacher, someone “better than Batman” to teach him new tricks. For a character that has almost literally grown up in the shadow of the Batman this could grow the character in some new ways and raise his prominence even further.
NEW SUPERMAN #1 – Written by Gene Luen Yang with art by Viktor Bogdanovic. A new Asian Superman debuts.
It’s amazingly awesome that Gene Luen Yang is getting the chance to create a brand new Chinese “superman” living in ultra–modern Shanghai! Gene’s personal connection to Chinese culture will be a new achievement for Asian representation in superhero comics, and real let Gene play to his strengths as a writer. I’m very glad DC is keeping Gene in the mix!
July 20th:
BATGIRL & THE BIRDS OF PREY REBIRTH #1 – Written by Julie Benson and Shawna Benson with art by Claire Roe.
CW’s The 100 writers on Batgirl & the Birds of Prey? Sure, I’m in. I’ve like the TV show and the plot twist and turns. Can they write comics? We’ll see. But delving into a mysterious Oracle imposter sounds interesting, along with Huntress being an uncomfortable tag-a-long to the Batgirl/Black Canary duo.
THE HELLBLAZER REBIRTH #1 – Written by Simon Oliver with art by Moritat.
Getting a British writer, Simon Oliver on Hellblazer seems like a good idea, and I LOVE Moritat’s art. Hopefully this book will be appropriately dark and brooding
RED HOOD & THE OUTLAWS REBIRTH #1
Lobdell remains. What else is there to say? I guess the “Outlaws” are changing up, but feels like it’s going to pretty much be the same book as before. Ho hum.
August 3rd:
CYBORG REBIRTH #1, Written by John Semper with art by Will Conrad and Paul Pelletier
Animation industry veteran John Semper comes over to write Cyborg. He apparently worked on the Static Shock TV series and name dropped Ray Kurzweil. His idea is to explore Cyborg’s “soul” and connection to human experience which could be interesting. DC really wants Cyborg to be a major player in their line-up, but I still struggle to see him as a solo character, but maybe this book will change that perception?
August 10th:
DEATHSTROKE REBIRTH #1, Written by Christopher Priest with art by Carlo Pagulayan, Igor Vitorino, Felipe Watanabe
Christopher Priest at DC! This should be huge news, but he’s been out of the spotlight for awhile. His Black Panther run was excellent, and had a decent cult following. I’m very curious what he’ll do with Deathstroke, a character floats from straight up villain to semi-sympathetic anti-hero. If Deadpool can be successful, why not Deathstroke?
TRINITY #1,Written by Francis Manapul with art by Francis Manapul and Clay Mann
Manapul’s been doing some gorgeous work at DC over the past few years, and maybe this’ll book that gets him more notice, Getting the chance to draw DC’s major players regularly should be a treat and co-artist Clay Mann is no slouch either
SUPERWOMAN #1, Written by Phil Jimenez with art by Phil Jimenez and Emanuela Lupacchino
Phil Jimenez back on DC book is a no brainer, and the chance to create his very own new character must be a treat. There are no real details on the book, but I’m betting it’ll play off some of past “superwomen” with some modern twists.
SUICIDE SQUAD REBIRTH #1, Written by Rob Williams with art by Jim Lee and Philip Tan
With all the excitement for the upcoming movie, Suicide Squad could be one of DC’s top selling books and this creative team should make that happen. Jim Lee and Philip Tan are an art powerhouse, and Rob Williams is a very intriguing writer. I’ve really been enjoying his Vertigo book, Unfollow and hear good things about his Martian Manhunter. As long as this book come out regularly, it’ll be golden.
August 17th:
SUPERGIRL REBIRTH #1, Written by Steve Orlando with art by Brian Ching
Writer Steve Orlando has been doing solid work on DC’s Midnighter and Batman & Robin Eternal. He’s got to deal with Supergirl’s dad now being the Cyborg Superman, but he’s got a deep love for DC history so maybe he can make that work. Artist Brian Ching has been around for a while, at Top Cow and Dark Horse, but this is his first big DC work and his artwork looks incredible!
August 24th:
BLUE BEETLE REBIRTH #1, Written by Keith Giffen with art by Scott Kolins
Jaime Reyes mentored by the old Blue Beetle Ted Kord! This is relationship that should have been there from the beginning. Co-creator of the Jaime Beetle returns to the character and teams up with DC veteran Scott Kolins. This book will probably be super kinetic and fun!
September 7th:
SUPER SONS REBIRTH #1 (The creative team for this book remains under wraps, but DC did reveal that it would be about “son of Superman meets son of Batman.”)
Damian Wayne teamed up with Jonathan Kent should be a strange pairing, but very likely one that will work well. Announcing a book without the creative team is weird though…
September 14th:
JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA REBIRTH #1 (The creative team for this book remains under wraps.)
Weird again.
September 21st:
TEEN TITANS REBIRTH #1, Written by Ben Percy with art by Jonboy Meyers
DC is doubling down on writer Ben Percy, and teaming with Spawn artist Jonboy. I’ve got no idea on this one.
September 28th:
BATMAN BEYOND REBIRTH #1, Written by Dan Jurgens with art by Bernard Chang
This another title that essentially keeps it creative team, while the title character reverts to Terry McGinnis. I have no idea how they’re going to bring him back to life, but having Tim Drake in that role was just weird, more like a shock value thing than actually made sense. Fans of the character will probably be happy.
Unknown:
ALL-STAR BATMAN # 1, written by Scott Snyder with art by John Romita Jr., Jock, Sean Murphy, Paul Pope, Afu Richardson, Tula Lotay and more!
This will be AWESOME! Scott Snyder working with an all-star cast of artist profiling Batman’s villains. What’s not to love? My only wish was that is was coming out sooner