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| DC Rebirth |
So yes, I have never been shy about my disdain for DC's
New 52 reboot after they did not properly put an end to the old DC Universe by coming up instead with a haphazard way of introducing their new Universe via a Flash centric event called Flashpoint. They tried to rectify that mistake by introducing
Convergence, their effort to finally tie up the loose ends of their old continuities dating back from the Bronze Age until the the Post Crisis continuities. But a year after Convergence, they are rebooting (or to be correct Re-birthing) their entire Universe again. The DC brain trusts however are not saying that this is a reboot, in fact they have a brilliant master plan as to how to explain the recent constant interruptions of their Universe. Geoff Johns is the handpicked man for the job, and I'm in full support with the direction that he is taking the entire DC Universe with him (though controversial choices were made as to the one responsible for the disruption of the DC continuity, which I will explain later). Johns has been credited for resuscitating almost dead (in popularity) characters like the like of Green Lantern, Flash, and Justice Society of America to name a few. And since writing those titles, those characters managed to gain back the lost popularity they once possess. So I have big confidence that under Johns, he would be able to right all the wrongs committed by the New 52 blunder.
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| The Death of the New 52 Superman |
The big changes began when DC decided to bring back the
Post Crisis Superman (which is my
Superman by the way) in the Convergence event. paving the way for the existence of two Supermen. The
New 52 Superman's existence was left in question when DC decided to give the old Superman a comic book series of his own. Somehow, in their drive to make the New Superman more interesting and relatable, DC bombarded him with so many perilous challenges by even introducing a new super power ability, the Solar Flare. This ability is explained as the dispensing of the solar power charged within the New Superman's body, dispensing an explosive solar outburst but left the New Superman discharged from the solar energies which renders him powerless, and almost human. Countless adventures were written with a de-powered Superman which ironically had him clothed in a Superman T-Shirt and jeans, mirroring his first appearance in the New 52 universe when he was still starting his career as a superhero. And when the final plans of Rebirth were concocted in a secret location in the war room of the DC offices, the final fate of the New Superman was signed and delivered. The New 52 Superman will have to regain his powers no matter the costs and eventually consigning himself to die after all of the sacrifices hat he has made. And in his final adventure, he would battle it out against a Solar energy Superman by the name of Denny Swan (a mash up of Dennis O' Neil and Curt Swan, two of the Pre-Crisis Superman's greatest creative brains). This battle, along with the appearance of the Post-Crisis Superman, was a subtle impromptu battle between three generations of Supermen. With the Post-Crisis Superman emerging as the only one alive in the aftermath of the battle of the Supermen. This would set the stage for the Post-Crisis Superman to retake the mantle as the lone Superman of the DC Universe (or so we thought?).
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| Three generations of Superheroes trapped in time |
DC Rebirth meanwhile tells the story of Wally West, the Post-Crisis Flash who somehow was forgotten in the whole New 52 brouhaha. His sudden return to the DC Universe (albeit with no one remembering his existence) would create repercussions in the DC Universe as they try to solve the mystery why all of a sudden 10 years of their memories (as well as relationships) were wiped from existence. DC Rebirth would take us into a journey of one emotional ride as we meet old friends, rekindle old relationships, appreciate Legacy, and start relearning how beautiful it is to HOPE again. This however does not diminish the need to discover a whole new universe ahead as mysteries begins to pile up. And what better way to fix the DC Universe by starting with the
Watchmen again. Now I know and fully understand how this very divisive decision had made some comic book fans feel agitated with the decision of DC to bring back the Watchmen and be a part of the DC Universe. I mean this is a consistent New York times top selling book which continues to remain a classic even now. This is perhaps the Sacred Cow of all the graphic novels that ever existed. And utilizing these characters in the present times might only diminish the historical value and importance of these characters specially if a bumbling story teller would ruin these characters. But we have to admit, the Dark Ages (or when heroes began dealing with real world situations) of the Comic Book genre began when Watchmen soared to fan approval as the demand of lesser funny books and more mature themed comic books were needed back in the 80's. Watchmen made our heroes bleed, they made our heroes real enough to be caught in dilemmas that we ourselves struggle in our daily lives. They made our heroes succumb to the intricate philosophies of the world. They made our heroes human. And there was no problem with that. Because for the first time since the super heroes' inception, they became a visual reflection of the real world politics. And I have no problem with that. But as a storytelling narrative, it makes perfect sense that Dr. Manhattan is involved. That the Watchmen characters are involved. Because their success brought about the current storytelling style that are prevalent in comic books nowadays.
With Rebirth now being started, the Post-Crisis Superman is brought to the forefront as the Superman of the DC Universe once more. Last seen on his own limited-monthly series since the events of Convergence (where Lois Lane gave birth to their son, Jonathan Kent), Superman juggles his superhero duties under the shadow of the New Superman while starting a family of his own. His new born baby Jonathan Samuel Kent, now 5 year old is beginning to grow suspicious about his father's alter ego, while also discovering that he has emerging super powers on his own. Superman: Rebirth is a very pleasing jumping on point for New 52 Superman fans who never had any idea who the Post-Crisis Superman was. The issue even highlights the Death and Return of the Post-Crisis Superman, perhaps offering a glimpse of hope that the New 52 Superman might even come back from the dead. There are rumors that the New 52 Superman might be resurrected under a new persona, a Chinese Superman, but the developments for this is one bear watching. Superman's son is also the new Superboy. I think the current plans for Superman is exactly what I wanted DC to do when they announced the New 52. I think down the road, it would be better to eventually replace Superman with his own son, and I think that's more acceptable to the majority of Superman fans if DC's intention is to come up with a younger Superman that the new generation of Superman fans can relate more to.
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| Reign of Supermen two? |
I also have a special liking to the redesigned Superman costume despite the absence of the classic red trunks, and now the red boots. Somehow this costume is bringing us a closer resemblance to the costume of the current Superman movieverse Man of Steel (sans the red boots). I never really liked the New 52 Superman costume and preferred the movie's costume better. I guess it was because beforehand in the New 52 reboot, DC was pretty much vague if the New 52 Superman costume was composed of armor or not. And there were pretty much inconsistencies in the art work where one artist drew is as an armor and another drew it as a synthetic cloth or whatever material that was left unexplained. It really does have a Henry Cavill feel in the visuals seen on the left. Of all the superheroes from both Marvel and DC, it seems that only Superman has never had a makeover that updated his costume and appearance. There were some attempts in the past, but none really stuck and artists continued to revert back to drawing him in his classic duds. Classic characters like Batman, Captain America, and the likes had subtle makeovers to update their looks, but Superman without the red trunks seems unacceptable to die hard fans. I think this has to change. And the Rebirth costume is one that I really like to update his looks. Though this is alien looking than let's say the classic spandex look of Superman but this feels right at home with the current times.
One last trivia of information that I have noticed is that the Rebirth Superman seems to be inspired by the 90's DC Elseworlds Story, Son of Superman. In Son of Superman, Clark and Lois had a son named Jonathan Kent which they hid the identity of Superman as his father. Jonathan Kent would eventually discover his powers and goes on a search to find Superman as he literally grew up without a father. Once he found Superman, Superman would reveal his identity to his son and both embarked on a mission to save the world. Superman even wore the black costume that he is wearing in the New 52 Universe. In the end, Superman would bequeath to his son his costume, paving the way for a new Superman. Now this was not part of any continuity since this was only an Elseworld Story, but personally it is one of my favorite Superman story when it comes to Superman retiring his cape in favor of his son. With Rebirth on the horizon, and with DC's plans of making Jonathan Kent a regular fixture in Superman's adventures (as well as having his own book with Damian Wayne Robin, titled Supersons), I wonder if DC ever took a page at the book for inspirations in their Superman Rebirth plans. So yes, interesting times are indeed within the horizon of the DC Universe once again.
With Rebirth now being started, the Post-Crisis Superman is brought to the forefront as the Superman of the DC Universe once more. Last seen on his own limited-monthly series since the events of Convergence (where Lois Lane gave birth to their son, Jonathan Kent), Superman juggles his superhero duties under the shadow of the New Superman while starting a family of his own. His new born baby Jonathan Samuel Kent, now 5 year old is beginning to grow suspicious about his father's alter ego, while also discovering that he has emerging super powers on his own. Superman: Rebirth is a very pleasing jumping on point for New 52 Superman fans who never had any idea who the Post-Crisis Superman was. The issue even highlights the Death and Return of the Post-Crisis Superman, perhaps offering a glimpse of hope that the New 52 Superman might even come back from the dead. There are rumors that the New 52 Superman might be resurrected under a new persona, a Chinese Superman, but the developments for this is one bear watching. Superman's son is also the new Superboy. I think the current plans for Superman is exactly what I wanted DC to do when they announced the New 52. I think down the road, it would be better to eventually replace Superman with his own son, and I think that's more acceptable to the majority of Superman fans if DC's intention is to come up with a younger Superman that the new generation of Superman fans can relate more to.
I also have a special liking to the redesigned Superman costume despite the absence of the classic red trunks, and now the red boots. Somehow this costume is bringing us a closer resemblance to the costume of the current Superman movieverse Man of Steel (sans the red boots). I never really liked the New 52 Superman costume and preferred the movie's costume better. I guess it was because beforehand in the New 52 reboot, DC was pretty much vague if the New 52 Superman costume was composed of armor or not. And there were pretty much inconsistencies in the art work where one artist drew is as an armor and another drew it as a synthetic cloth or whatever material that was left unexplained. It really does have a Henry Cavill feel in the visuals seen on the left. Of all the superheroes from both Marvel and DC, it seems that only Superman has never had a makeover that updated his costume and appearance. There were some attempts in the past, but none really stuck and artists continued to revert back to drawing him in his classic duds. Classic characters like Batman, Captain America, and the likes had subtle makeovers to update their looks, but Superman without the red trunks seems unacceptable to die hard fans. I think this has to change. And the Rebirth costume is one that I really like to update his looks. Though this is alien looking than let's say the classic spandex look of Superman but this feels right at home with the current times.
One last trivia of information that I have noticed is that the Rebirth Superman seems to be inspired by the 90's DC Elseworlds Story, Son of Superman. In Son of Superman, Clark and Lois had a son named Jonathan Kent which they hid the identity of Superman as his father. Jonathan Kent would eventually discover his powers and goes on a search to find Superman as he literally grew up without a father. Once he found Superman, Superman would reveal his identity to his son and both embarked on a mission to save the world. Superman even wore the black costume that he is wearing in the New 52 Universe. In the end, Superman would bequeath to his son his costume, paving the way for a new Superman. Now this was not part of any continuity since this was only an Elseworld Story, but personally it is one of my favorite Superman story when it comes to Superman retiring his cape in favor of his son. With Rebirth on the horizon, and with DC's plans of making Jonathan Kent a regular fixture in Superman's adventures (as well as having his own book with Damian Wayne Robin, titled Supersons), I wonder if DC ever took a page at the book for inspirations in their Superman Rebirth plans. So yes, interesting times are indeed within the horizon of the DC Universe once again.
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