DC Rebirth
DC Rebirth is a 2016 relaunch initiative by DC Comics that revitalized its superhero comic book lineup by blending elements of the pre-2011 continuity with the existing New 52 universe, emphasizing themes of legacy, hope, optimism, and interconnected storytelling across its titles.[1][2] The initiative kicked off with the one-shot DC Universe: Rebirth #1, released on May 25, 2016, and written by Geoff Johns with artwork by Ethan Van Sciver, Ivan Reis, Gary Frank, and Phil Jimenez.[3] This oversized issue, priced at $2.99 and available in both print and digital formats, served as the cornerstone by reintroducing pivotal characters like Wally West and addressing perceived losses in emotional depth and historical richness from the prior New 52 era (2011–2016).[1][4] Unlike a complete reboot, DC Rebirth adopted a restorative approach, retaining core New 52 elements while reinstating pre-Flashpoint aspects such as expanded hero relationships, the Justice Society of America, and a more cohesive multiverse structure influenced by external forces like Doctor Manhattan from Watchmen.[2][4] It relaunched over 30 ongoing series starting in June 2016, including flagship titles like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, and Aquaman, many of which used legacy numbering (e.g., Action Comics resuming at #957) to honor the characters' histories.[2] High-profile creators such as Tom King (Batman), Greg Rucka (Wonder Woman), and Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason (Superman) helmed key books, with 15 series published twice monthly to boost reader engagement and accessibility for newcomers.[2] The Rebirth era, spanning from 2016 to 2021, marked a commercial and critical success, restoring fan-favorite dynamics—like the full Superman family and classic Green Lantern lore—while spawning major crossovers such as Dark Nights: Metal (2017–2018) and Doomsday Clock (2017–2019), which further explored continuity and metaverse implications.[4] It transitioned into subsequent initiatives like Infinite Frontier in 2021, but its focus on celebrating DC's mythological roots profoundly shaped the publisher's direction for years.[4]Background and development
Context following The New 52
The New 52 initiative, launched by DC Comics in 2011, introduced a compressed five-year timeline for its superhero universe, positioning Superman as the first major hero and significantly altering character histories and relationships.[5] This compression erased decades of established legacy elements, such as the original Kid Flash Wally West's role in the Flash family, replacing him with new iterations and sidelining pre-Flashpoint developments for characters like Batman and the Justice League.[5] These changes sparked substantial fan and critic backlash, with widespread criticism over redesigns, such as Starfire's sexualized portrayal and Lobo's drastic overhaul, which alienated long-time readers seeking continuity with classic characterizations.[6] By 2015-2016, DC's comic sales reflected this discontent, with market share dropping from 29% to 22% in dollars and from 30% to 24% in units from December 2015 to January 2016 alone, as the publisher's market share fell to half of Marvel's amid broader industry declines.[7] In response, DC underwent internal editorial shifts, including the promotion of Geoff Johns to President and Chief Creative Officer in 2016 to oversee creative direction and address continuity issues.[8] A key event in this transition was the 2015 Convergence crossover, which paused ongoing New 52 series for two months and restored the DC Multiverse, declaring all prior continuities canonical and paving the way for post-event relaunches that signaled impending broader changes.[9] This buildup culminated in the announcement of DC Rebirth as a corrective initiative.Creative planning and announcement
Following the underwhelming reception to The New 52 initiative, which had alienated some longtime fans through its abrupt reboot and perceived loss of character depth, DC Comics leadership began planning a major course correction in late 2015.[10] Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns played a central role in conceiving the Rebirth project, envisioning it as a way to restore the "legacy, optimism, and humanity" that defined DC's iconic characters while addressing criticisms of the prior era's darker tone.[10] Johns emphasized that Rebirth would prioritize emotional resonance and inspirational storytelling, drawing on the publisher's rich history to reconnect with readers without erasing existing narratives.[11] In the months following New York Comic-Con 2015, co-publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee convened key meetings with creative teams in Burbank, California, transitioning from initial ideas of a large-scale crossover to a more focused relaunch centered on character-driven arcs.[10] Johns led these sessions as the de facto "showrunner," facilitating collaborative whiteboard discussions with writers such as Scott Snyder and Tom King to redefine series like Batman and Green Arrow, emphasizing idealized versions of heroes that blended classic traits with modern elements.[10] By early 2016, decisions solidified around relaunching over 30 ongoing titles with new #1 issues, alongside one-shots and a return to original numbering for flagship series like Action Comics and Detective Comics to honor their longevity.[12] The public announcement of Rebirth occurred on February 18, 2016, at the ComicsPRO trade show in Portland, Oregon, where DiDio and Lee unveiled the initiative to retailers, highlighting its aim to enhance accessibility through a $2.99 price point and twice-monthly shipping for select titles starting in June.[12] Preceding this, teaser campaigns began in January 2016 with cryptic artwork and the word "Rebirth" shared via social media, including a tweet from Jim Lee on January 22 featuring an updated logo and a promise that it would not be "a full reboot."[13] DC executives, including Johns, articulated core goals of seamlessly integrating pre-Flashpoint and post-Flashpoint histories to create a unified continuity, allowing for the return of elements like Wally West while minimizing retcons and focusing on forward momentum.[14] This approach was framed as an ongoing evolution rather than a reset, with Johns stating in promotional materials that the theme of "legacy" would guide the line to celebrate DC's past while embracing new creative directions.[14]Publication history
Launch with DC Universe: Rebirth #1
DC Universe: Rebirth #1, an 80-page one-shot written by Geoff Johns with art by Gary Frank, Ivan Reis, Ethan Van Sciver, and Phil Jimenez, was released on May 25, 2016, serving as the cornerstone of the Rebirth initiative.[3][12] The story centers on Wally West, the original Kid Flash, who emerges from the Speed Force after years of isolation, desperately seeking connections to warn heroes of a profound loss in the DC Universe's history and legacy.[15] This narrative structure signals the restoration of pre-New 52 elements, while teasing upcoming developments across multiple titles, including mysteries tied to the Flashpoint event and external forces altering reality.[16] The one-shot's release paved the way for the immediate rollout of Rebirth's core lineup in June 2016, featuring 15 relaunched titles such as Batman, Superman, and Justice League, each beginning with new #1 issues or Rebirth specials to integrate the refreshed continuity.[16][2] These series adopted a twice-monthly publishing schedule for the specified titles, alongside a standard $2.99 price point for all issues, aiming to increase accessibility and output while emphasizing character-driven storytelling.[12][2] As the initiative progressed into 2017, early crossovers like "Superman Reborn"—spanning Action Comics #973–976 and Superman #18–19—emerged to merge divergent Superman timelines from the New 52 and pre-Flashpoint eras, further solidifying Rebirth's focus on unified history.[17]Expansion, phases, and branding conclusion
Following the initial launch success of DC Universe: Rebirth #1 in May 2016, the initiative rapidly expanded its lineup of ongoing series throughout 2017.[4] In April 2017, as the publisher grew its catalog to more than 30 ongoing titles, select monthly Rebirth series underwent a price increase from $2.99 to $3.99 per issue, while twice-monthly books remained at $2.99; this change affected 15 titles and included digital download codes to offset the hike.[18][19] The second phase of expansion, beginning in February 2017, introduced additional ongoing series and major crossover events, including Dark Nights: Metal (August 2017–March 2018), which explored the Dark Multiverse through Batman's encounters with evil counterparts, and Doomsday Clock (November 2017–December 2019), a sequel to Watchmen that integrated its elements into the DC Universe.[20][21] By late 2017, DC phased out the distinctive Rebirth branding and logo from covers starting with December's solicitations, reverting to the standard DC Universe banner to signal a maturation of the line.[22][23] Although the Rebirth label ended, its established continuity carried forward into the New Justice era (2018–2021), a period marked by relaunches like Justice League following the No Justice miniseries, without any explicit Rebirth designation.[24] This progression culminated in key milestones, such as major titles reaching their 100th issues between 2020 and 2021, including Batman #100 in October 2020, which featured a pivotal confrontation between Batman and the Joker.[25]Continuity alterations
Restored pre-Flashpoint elements
DC Rebirth utilized the return of Wally West, the pre-Flashpoint version of the Flash, as a central narrative mechanism to reintegrate elements erased by the 2011 Flashpoint event. Emerging from the Speed Force in DC Universe: Rebirth #1, Wally reveals that an external force exploited the timeline alterations during Flashpoint to steal roughly 10 years of the DC Universe's history, resulting in lost experiences, relationships, and legacies for its heroes. This "missing years" concept reconciles the pre-Flashpoint and New 52 continuities by positing that the older history was not overwritten but suppressed, allowing both eras to coexist without a full reboot.[26] The restoration extended to key characters' backstories and arcs. Hal Jordan's full tenure with the Green Lantern Corps, including his redemption and leadership roles from the pre-Flashpoint era, was reaffirmed, restoring the expansive cosmic scope of his narrative that had been condensed in the New 52. Similarly, Jason Todd's complete arc as the Red Hood—encompassing his resurrection via the Lazarus Pit, confrontation with Batman in Under the Red Hood, and evolution into an anti-hero—was fully integrated, emphasizing his complex family ties to the Bat-Family beyond the abbreviated New 52 version.[27] Relationships and team histories also saw significant reinstatement. The Justice Society of America was reintroduced through the restored memories of Johnny Thunder, bridging the gap to its Golden Age legacy and enabling intergenerational connections with modern heroes like the Justice League. In the Superman mythos, the pre-Flashpoint versions of Clark Kent and Lois Lane, along with their son Jon Kent, were brought into the main continuity, depicting a secret family life that enriches the character's personal dynamics while merging with the New 52 Superman's fate following his death in Superman #52. These changes prioritized emotional depth and legacy, fostering a unified timeline where pre-Flashpoint elements enhance rather than replace New 52 developments.[26][28]Integration of external influences
The integration of external influences into DC Rebirth primarily involved the incorporation of elements from the Watchmen universe, most notably through the actions of Doctor Manhattan, who was revealed as a key manipulator of the DC timeline. In Doomsday Clock #1, published in November 2017, it is disclosed that Doctor Manhattan, the god-like figure from Watchmen, had interfered with DC history by erasing approximately ten years from the timeline, fundamentally altering events such as the formation of the Justice Society of America and the early careers of several heroes.[29] This tampering was hinted at earlier in DC Universe: Rebirth #1 through the discovery of the iconic bloodstained smiley-face button from Watchmen, symbolizing an outside force's intrusion into the core DC continuity.[30] The Flashpoint paradox, originally depicted as a timeline-altering event caused by Barry Allen's time travel, was expanded in Rebirth to encompass multiversal tampering orchestrated by Doctor Manhattan in collaboration with Pandora. Pandora, an immortal figure introduced in the New 52 era, had previously been shown attempting to repair the fractured multiverse by merging three universes into Prime Earth at the conclusion of Flashpoint. However, Doomsday Clock retroactively revealed Manhattan as a key instigator of post-Flashpoint changes, who killed Pandora after her merger of universes, as he conducted experiments on the DC timeline driven by his disillusionment with humanity's potential.[31] This expansion framed the post-Flashpoint changes, including the compression of heroic legacies, as the result of Manhattan's quantum interventions rather than solely Barry Allen's actions.[32] These external alterations had profound effects on major DC heroes, manifesting in inconsistencies and expansions within their histories and supporting casts. For Superman, Manhattan's timeline manipulations led to the coexistence of two versions of the character—a more vulnerable New 52 iteration and the classic pre-Flashpoint Man of Steel—resulting in power fluctuations and identity crises that Rebirth sought to resolve through gradual merging.[33] In the Batman mythos, Watchmen elements intersected through Ozymandias recruiting Mime and Marionette, a villainous duo who caused chaos in Gotham, clashing with Batman and the Joker during their search for Doctor Manhattan.[34] These changes underscored a broader theme of external corruption eroding trust among heroes, as Manhattan's actions suppressed optimism and heroic potential across the DC Universe. The storyline culminated in the Doomsday Clock series (2017–2019), which fully resolved the Watchmen integration by confronting and redeeming these external influences. Over twelve issues, Superman's inherent hope inspires Doctor Manhattan to reconsider his cynicism, leading Manhattan to restore the erased timeline elements and separate the Watchmen universe from the DC multiverse, allowing Rebirth's restored continuity to stabilize without further interference.[29] This resolution not only closed the arc of multiversal tampering but also affirmed themes of human resilience, positioning the DC Universe as self-sustaining post-integration.[30]Published titles
Ongoing series
DC Rebirth launched with 15 core ongoing monthly series in June 2016, expanding to 33 titles by 2017 as part of its initiative to restore legacy elements and introduce new dynamics across the DC Universe.[35][36] The flagship titles emphasized character-driven stories, with Batman by writer Tom King exploring psychological depth and relationships, running from 2016 to 2019 across 85 issues.[37] Detective Comics, reimagined as a team book under James Tynion IV from 2016 to 2018, focused on Batman leading a cadre of Gotham heroes against organized threats, spanning issues #934–981.[38] Superman, written by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason starting in 2016, highlighted family life with Lois Lane and son Jon Kent, continuing through issue #45 before transitioning to Brian Michael Bendis in 2018.[39] Action Comics, led by Dan Jurgens from the Rebirth era, delved into Superman's historical roots and battles, reaching issue #1000 by 2018 and beyond.[36] Wonder Woman, penned by Greg Rucka, unraveled dual timelines of Diana's origin and modern conflicts, concluding Rucka's arc at issue #25 in 2017.[40] Justice League, with Bryan Hitch and various artists from 2016 to 2018, assembled the core team against cosmic dangers, ending at issue #43.[41] Supporting series bolstered the lineup, including Green Lanterns by Sam Humphries (2016–2018), which paired Jessica Cruz and Simon Baz in emotional ring-bearer tales; Aquaman by Dan Abnett (2016–2018), redefining Arthur Curry's underwater rule; The Flash by Joshua Williamson (2016–2021), chronicling Barry Allen's speedster legacy up to issue #750; Nightwing by Tim Seeley initially (2016–2018), following Dick Grayson's vigilante evolution; and Titans by Dan Abnett (2016–2018), reuniting young heroes under mentorship.[35][36] These series wove key themes of legacy mentorship, such as Batman guiding new hero Duke Thomas as Signal, and family dynamics, exemplified by the Superman family's rural adventures and protective bonds.[36] By 2021, select titles like The Flash and Action Comics had surpassed issue #100, sustaining Rebirth's narrative momentum.[36]| Title | Initial Creative Team | Run Length (Rebirth Era) |
|---|---|---|
| Batman | Tom King (writer), David Finch (artist) | 2016–2019 (#1–85) |
| Detective Comics | James Tynion IV (writer), Eddy Barrows (artist) | 2016–2018 (#934–981) |
| Superman | Peter J. Tomasi/Patrick Gleason (writers/artists) | 2016–2018 (#1–45) |
| Action Comics | Dan Jurgens (writer), various artists | 2016–ongoing (to #1027+) |
| Wonder Woman | Greg Rucka (writer), Liam Sharp/Nicola Scott (artists) | 2016–2017 (#1–25) |
| Justice League | Bryan Hitch (writer, #1–31), various writers thereafter, Tony Daniel/Fernando Pasarin (artists) | 2016–2018 (#1–43) |
| Green Lanterns | Sam Humphries (writer), Robson Rocha (artist) | 2016–2018 (#1–57) |
| Aquaman | Dan Abnett (writer), Brad Walker (artist) | 2016–2018 (#1–40) |
| The Flash | Joshua Williamson (writer), Carmine Di Giandomenico (artist) | 2016–2021 (#1–750) |
| Nightwing | Tim Seeley (writer), Javier Fernandez (artist) | 2016–2018 (#1–35) |
| Titans | Dan Abnett (writer), Brett Booth (artist) | 2016–2018 (#1–27) |