DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1 Review
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artists: Gary Frank, Ethan Van Sciver, Ivan Reis, and Phil Jimenez
Inkers: Frank and Joe Prado, Matt Santorelli
Colorists: Brad Anderson, Jason Wright, Hi-Fi, and Gabe Eltaeb
Publisher: DC Comics
*Make sure to read Justice League #50 and Superman #52 before reading DC Universe: Rebirth #1*
Hope. That’s the first word that came to mind once I finished reading DC Universe: Rebirth. The comic has been heralded for setting the stage for an entirely new DC universe. A “back-to-basics” approach to DC’s heroes that was lost/forgotten when the New 52 started.
Writer Geoff Johns is the king of Rebirth, having done the same for Green Lantern and The Flash. Instead of rebooting one or two heroes, Johns now has the task of bringing life to an entire publishing line.
Spoilers and leaks made their way to the Internet over the weekend. I was able to stay away from them for the most part. As Monday, May 23 rolled around, I learned two of the three big revelations in DC Universe: Rebirth.
Did this ruin my appreciation of the book after finally reading it for myself? NOPE!
This is one enjoyable oversized 80-page comic. And that’s all thanks to Johns and his impressive list of artists: Gary Frank, Ethan Van Sciver, Ivan Reis, and Phil Jimenez. There are four chapters to DC Universe: Rebirth — LOST, LEGACY, LOVE and LIFE. Each one is a springboard for multiple future stories to be told in relaunched titles.
The art was done so well I don’t know who to praise first. The hand-off from artist to artist is so seamless I couldn’t tell Reis from Frank and Jimenez from Frank. Van Sciver’s portions will stick with me the most since he kicked things off with the first “OMG” moment six pages in.
As for the revelations….I won’t spoil any of them. Of course I have questions. The return of one fan-favorite character makes me wonder what the fate of another will be. We also learn who caused the New 52. Spoiler alert — it isn’t Pandora.
My only fears with Rebirth are that the reintroduction of many old school staples will put off new readers. Catering to the past while hindering the present and all that. I also could feel the desperation in Johns words on each page. “Please guys….trust us again! We’re doing all this for you!”
Finally — and this is no diss to the many writers working on Rebirth books –but Geoff Johns can’t write every title. If I knew each new #1 would have the same quality as DC Universe: Rebirth #1 I would feel more confident. But I’ll be positive and wait to sample each comic as they are released.
Timdogg
#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE
