DC Rebirth Guide

This is a quick attempt to break down the DC Rebirth comic lineup in the most basic terms possible. It might help newish/casual readers know which book to try! Or it may make it all worse. Probably that one.

What is DC Rebirth?

Well, its NOT A REBOOT, as they keep insisting in their announcements. Loudly.

Its just a spot where you can jump into reading their stuff, but which is designed to appeal more to older fans than their last few whacks at a jumping on point. You know, just like a reboot would be!

SO. Which books to try? Why does it look like there are 14 of each book coming out?

The way they numbered them is designed to get 2 books numbered # 1 for each series they put out.(Amazingly, yes, that does up the number of copies that sell, because collectors are far too easy to trick)

In reality, the Rebirth # 1 for each series is basically a zero issue, or a point 1 if you are familiar with Marvel’s version of this.

This is just the books listed in the April DC Rebirth Preview, which means it will only take you through the books coming out before the end of June. The other books have been announced, but not previewed yet. I’ll come back and update it at some point for the rest of the books as they get previewed, or as I find spare time.

Also, the entire first wave of Rebirth books are bi-weekly, meaning it comes out every other Wednesday. That is called Double-shipping, because the books have new issues out twice as fast ~~as they should~~ as the standard monthly release schedule.

There ARE books in the DC lineup that won’t be double-shipping, but they are further down the pipeline.

(I totally haven’t proofed this, I’m sure it has some epic and embarrassing typo in it somewhere. But hey, at least it exists!)

DC Rebirth Special # 1

Rebirth starts at the end of May when DC Rebirth Special # 1 comes out.

There is only 1 issue, they just…# them that way…yeah.

Good value-for-money, has the intense continuity buff universe-resetting info in it.

So if you find this thread helpful, you don’t particularly need this book, I suspect. Dunno though.

What are these Rebirth issues?

Most of the Rebirth books get a “___ Rebirth # 1” issue.

– No its not the real first issue

– Yes there is only 1 per book

– No, I don’t know if the ___ Rebirth # 1s are required reading. Sorry. Probably? I won’t know till they drop either.

– Yes, it is confusing.

BATMAN BOOKS!

Batman Rebirth # 1

This is that one pre-series kickoff issue.

There is only 1 of it.

Batman # 1

This is the beginning of the DC ongoing Batman series.

Double-shipping.

The Main Batman Title.

NOTE: In most double-shipped books the artists will rotate back and forth every issue, which is confusing to and hard on newer readers. Batman is switching artists every arc(every 4-6 issues), which should be easier on newer readers. Mikel Janin is doing the second arc. It will be amazing.

Detective Comics # 934

Don’t panic. This is totally just a number one. Don’t ask why they are counting up from 934, it doesn’t matter anyway.

There is no Detective Comics Rebirth # 1, you just start here.

Double-Shipping.

Detective Comics is usually Batman: The Other Batman Series, but this new run appears to be focused on the Batman family, particularly the women heroines.

SUPERMAN BOOKS!

Superman Rebirth # 1

This is that one pre-series kickoff issue.

There is only 1 of it.

Superman is a VERY complicated thing right now, so if you plan to read the series, you should definitely get this, I suspect.

(I can’t explain what is going on with the Superman line right now, I would have to read it to do that, and I don’t love you THAT much, sorry. There are two Clark Kents and a Super-Lois or something. No clue.)

Superman # 1

This is the beginning of the DC ongoing Superman series.

Double-Shipping.

The Main Superman Title.

Action Comics # 957

Like Detective Comics, don’t panic. This is totally just a number one. Don’t ask why they are counting up from 957, it doesn’t matter anyway.

There is no Action Comics Rebirth # 1, you just start here.

Double-Shipping.

WONDER WOMAN…BOOK!

Wonder Woman Rebirth # 1

This is that one pre-series kickoff issue.

There is only 1 of it.

Wonder Woman # 1

This is the beginning of the DC ongoing Wonder Woman series.

Double-Shipping.

The Main (only) Wonder Woman Title.

NOTE: The odd numbered issues have lineart by Liam Sharpe, and are one story, while the even-numbered issues have Nicola Scott lineart, and are a sort of ‘year one’ origin story happening at the same time.