Turk
Young, Gifted, and Black
Less than five years after relaunching its entire superhero comic-book line, DC Comics is preparing for a Rebirth.
But the undertaking beginning this May is actually more ambitious in its own way, according to DC co-publisher Dan DiDio. While “The New 52” created a clean slate for Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and other iconic characters in the fall of 2011, Rebirth is more of a greatest-hits situation that pulls from all eras of DC lore to build a cohesive storytelling universe.
“You’re really talking about going back and doing some heavy research and identifying the fundamental aspects of each character and franchise, what makes them unique and special, and really refocusing on those elements,” adds DC co-publisher Jim Lee.
Out May 25, an 80-page DC Universe: Rebirth special written by Geoff Johns, one of DC’s primary architects in comics as well as film and TV projects, sets up stories that will continue in various books premiering through the summer and until the end of the year. But it also begins a major underlying story line that will continue the next two years.
And starting in June, titles such as The Flash, Green Arrow, Supergirl and Justice League will have Rebirth one-shots that lead into new No. 1 issues. The mix of monthly and biweekly books have the aim of “adding new characters and concepts to the DC mythology and moving the whole universe forward,” says DiDio.
He sees a rhythm to the line: Having Superman and Action Comics as well as Batman and Detective Comics each shipping twice a month gives fans weekly adventures for those primary characters. Lee says it’s their way of appealing to a culture “where a lot of people are used to getting things on demand, being able to binge-read and binge-watch.”
Also of note: The price point is being lowered to $2.99 issues, DiDio says. “We’re asking the fans to pick up books twice as often, and we want to make sure the books are affordable.”
In terms of talent, Rebirth showcases a mix of old favorites and new creators. Greg Rucka returns to write Wonder Woman after a successful 2000s run, Shawna and Julie Benson move from penning episodes for The CW’s The 100 to Batgirl and the Birds of Prey, and Marvel Comics mainstay Sam Humphries makes his DC debut with the high-profile Green Lanterns.
There’s also some shifting to keep characters fresh. Omega Men’s Tom King moves up the ladder to become the new writer of Batman, while exiting scribe Scott Snyder sticks with the Dark Knight for All-Star Batman, a monthly reexamination of Gotham City villains.
DC TV shows such as Arrow and The Flash, plus movies like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and the upcoming Suicide Squad, played a role in figuring out the Rebirth lineup, according to Lee.
The tone of writer Steve Orlando’s Supergirl book will reflect that of the CBS show, and the Suicide Squad comic — drawn by Lee and penned by Rob Williams — stars film characters Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Killer Croc and Katana.
“We do realize we have the opportunity to really reach larger groups of potential readers and a lot of the casual fans who are watching the TV shows and movies,” Lee says.
“But at the same time we want the creative teams to chart the destinies of these characters … and to tell the stories that future adaptations will be based on."
Exclusive: DC Comics prepares for summer 'Rebirth'
Why? Just why?
But the undertaking beginning this May is actually more ambitious in its own way, according to DC co-publisher Dan DiDio. While “The New 52” created a clean slate for Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and other iconic characters in the fall of 2011, Rebirth is more of a greatest-hits situation that pulls from all eras of DC lore to build a cohesive storytelling universe.
“You’re really talking about going back and doing some heavy research and identifying the fundamental aspects of each character and franchise, what makes them unique and special, and really refocusing on those elements,” adds DC co-publisher Jim Lee.
Out May 25, an 80-page DC Universe: Rebirth special written by Geoff Johns, one of DC’s primary architects in comics as well as film and TV projects, sets up stories that will continue in various books premiering through the summer and until the end of the year. But it also begins a major underlying story line that will continue the next two years.
And starting in June, titles such as The Flash, Green Arrow, Supergirl and Justice League will have Rebirth one-shots that lead into new No. 1 issues. The mix of monthly and biweekly books have the aim of “adding new characters and concepts to the DC mythology and moving the whole universe forward,” says DiDio.
He sees a rhythm to the line: Having Superman and Action Comics as well as Batman and Detective Comics each shipping twice a month gives fans weekly adventures for those primary characters. Lee says it’s their way of appealing to a culture “where a lot of people are used to getting things on demand, being able to binge-read and binge-watch.”
Also of note: The price point is being lowered to $2.99 issues, DiDio says. “We’re asking the fans to pick up books twice as often, and we want to make sure the books are affordable.”
In terms of talent, Rebirth showcases a mix of old favorites and new creators. Greg Rucka returns to write Wonder Woman after a successful 2000s run, Shawna and Julie Benson move from penning episodes for The CW’s The 100 to Batgirl and the Birds of Prey, and Marvel Comics mainstay Sam Humphries makes his DC debut with the high-profile Green Lanterns.
There’s also some shifting to keep characters fresh. Omega Men’s Tom King moves up the ladder to become the new writer of Batman, while exiting scribe Scott Snyder sticks with the Dark Knight for All-Star Batman, a monthly reexamination of Gotham City villains.
DC TV shows such as Arrow and The Flash, plus movies like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and the upcoming Suicide Squad, played a role in figuring out the Rebirth lineup, according to Lee.
The tone of writer Steve Orlando’s Supergirl book will reflect that of the CBS show, and the Suicide Squad comic — drawn by Lee and penned by Rob Williams — stars film characters Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Killer Croc and Katana.
“We do realize we have the opportunity to really reach larger groups of potential readers and a lot of the casual fans who are watching the TV shows and movies,” Lee says.
“But at the same time we want the creative teams to chart the destinies of these characters … and to tell the stories that future adaptations will be based on."
Exclusive: DC Comics prepares for summer 'Rebirth'
Why? Just why?
