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DC Comics restores its superhero legacy with 'DC Rebirth'

"It's not just an event, it's an ongoing mission for us." One thing DC isn't calling it though is a reboot, even though it appears set to realign DC continuity once again.

Everything kicks off in May, with the one-shot DC Comics Rebirth #1. Written by Johns and with art by Ethan Van Sciver, Ivan Reis, Gary Frank and Phil Jimenez, the mammoth 80-page story -- most comics are only 20 per issue -- sees super-speedster The Flash at the forefront, bringing about a change that actually restores parts of the DC universe that were wiped out in 2011 as part of the New 52 reboot.

Classic heroes such as the Justice Society -- traditionally consisting of the first versions of the Flash, Green Lantern, Doctor Fate, Hawkman and more -- and the original Teen Titans are set to return, along with a host of other favourites lost in the New 52. It will also see Dick Grayson, the original Robin and currently an alias-free superspy, return to the costumed identity of Nightwing, while DC also teases a return of futuristic super-team The Legion of Super-Heroes.

It's not just characters that are returning either. Action Comics and Detective Comics, DC's longest running titles, will regain their traditional numbering, resuming with issues #957 and #934, respectively. Presuming no further reboots, they will once again be on track to become the first American comics to reach their 1000th issues.

As with the New 52, all currently published titles will be cancelled and relaunched with a brand new issue one. Unlike the New 52 however, it's not a total sweeping of the decks -- rather than relaunching everything in one fell swoop, overwhelming readers and comic retailers alike, the new line will be rolled out over the remainder of 2016, with new comics launching in waves from June onwards. Almost every title will have a "Rebirth #1" special, likely establishing each characters' new status quo, before the regular series begin.

Richard Kuklinski

Mar 12 2016, 02:33 AM

Will they be bringing Aquaman to the spotlight?