Updated with the DC Universe Rebirth one-shot cover and more covers.
Johns said fans will learn who is the man connected to the hand.
Answers, Surprises and Teasers!
DC Comics co-publishers Dan DiDio, Jim Lee and Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns revealed creative teams and new books in the DC Comics Rebirth event at WonderCon.
“At the end of the day, Dan and I are comic book people,” Lee said, “This is what we live and breathe. The comics are the source material for what you’re seeing in other media. We’ve got the keep that vibrant and exciting, and that’s what Rebirth is about.”
DiDiio revealed:
“Why Rebirth? Why now?”
“Sometimes what happens, and you can feel it now, you your way a lttle bit,” DiDio said, “The hope is to show our recommitment to you, the fans.”
“When you say ‘relaunch,’ ‘reboot,’ I get skeptical as a comics fans – but I also get hopeful when I know what it’s all about, said Johns. “Rebirth is not a reboot.”
Teasing the one-shot, Johns said some characters will return and “there might be a death of a character. There might be the biggest secret in the DC Universe.”
“Ever” added DiDio.
It will begin with DC Universe Rebirth, an 80-page one-shot by Johns with artist Gary Frank, Phil Jimenez, Ethan Van Sciver and Ivan Reiz.
Let’s get to the creative teams:
The first round of special guests and books were from the Batman family:
Batman Tom King, David Finch, Mikel Janin, Jordie Bellaire.
“I looked at how Scott took Batman and made it personal for him,” said King about following Scott Snyder,”He’s out there with his wits and his will and his family and his obsession. I want to look at how he gets close to that madness.”
Detective Comics James Tynion IV,Eddy Barrows, Alvaro Martinez. This is a book camp and team run by Batman and Batwoman with Spoiler, Tim Drake, Cassandra Cain in her new identity and Clayface.
Nightwing Tim Seeley, Javi Ferdandez, Marcus To. Dick Grayson is back in this black and blue suit. Dick’s time in Grayson will impact the book and her gets a new mentor character named Raptorand the first arc is Better Than Batman.
Batgirl Hope Larson, Rafael Albuquerque. Larson’s first comic book will take Barbara out of Burnside going to Asia on backpacking trip, finding herself as a person and on a training mission
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey Julie Benson and Shawna Benson, writers of The 100, and Claire Roe. Covers by Yanick Paquette. Someone is pretending to be Oracle. Batgirl recruits Black Canary then Huntress, whose on mob vendetta but will come on board. A new mafia boss hiring the Snake Squad, new metahuman hitmen.
Where’s Scott Snyder?
Scott Snyder and John Romita, Jr. joined the panel to reveal All-Star Batman with artists Jock, Sean Murphy on board. The first arc is My Own Worst Enemy, with classic villains Snyder didn’t get to write on his Batman run including Catwoman, Mister Freeze, Two-Face, Penguin. All the villains are in continuity. Batman was scene wearing his new costume just introduced in Batman 50.
Snyder joked his about his fake pen name: Hacky McScripty and calls the story “Batman, Road Warrior, Death Race” and “our goal is to make Two-Face as scary as the Joker.”
Co-publishers revealed Scott Snyder is now a DC Comics exclusive.
The Superman books revealed:
Action Comics, Dan Jurgens, Patrick Zircher, Tyler Kirkham, Stephen Segovia. Jurgens is excited to build up to Action Comics #1000, “the Super Bowl of comics.”
Jon, son of Superman and Lois Lane comes to Metropolis to see Lex Luthor has declared himself Superman. The first arc is Path of Doom with Doomsday, and Clark Kent and separate Superman, “not what you think.”
New Super-Man, Gene Lang, Viktor Bogdanovic. A new hero in Chinese culture. Lang revealed a 17 year old kid from Shanghai, which he calles “real world Metropolis” is infused with Superman’s power.
Supergirl Steve Orlando, Brian Ching. Kara learns villain Cyborg Superman is her father. Zor-El gives her opportunity to go back to Krypton.
Wonder Woman Liam Sharpe comes out first but who is writer? Greg Rucka then arrives to announce Nicola Scott as the other artist. The book will have two stories: Sharpe on the contemporary in the first arc: Wonder Woman: The Lies and even numbered issues will be Wonder Woman, Year One by Nicola Scott.
Trinity Francis Manapul, Clay Mann. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman.
Superwoman, Phil Jimenez writer and artist of a new book with a new character.
Superman Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason.
The Justice League family of books:
Justice League Bryan Hitch writer, Tony Daniel, Fernando Pasarin. The team will be Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, The Flash and two rookie Green Lanterns: Jessica Cruz and Simon Baz.
The Flash Joshua Williamson, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Neil Googe. A Speed-Force storms over Central City creating dozens of new speedsters. Barry trains those who want to be heroes, some don’t want the power, some become criminals. A new villain Godspeed will be a killer.
Hal Jordan and Green Lantern Corps. Robert Venditti, Ethan Van Sciver, Rafa Sandoval. Sinestro won, what happens next? John Stewart, Guy Gardner will be in the book
Green Lanterns Sam Humphries,Robson Rocha, Ardian Syan. Jessica Cruz and Simon Baz, rookie Green Lanterns protect Earth from Red Lanterns. Humphries called it Lethal Weapon with alien technology. Humphries and Johns will write the one-shot.
Cyborg John Semper, Will Conrad, Paul Pelletier.
Aquaman Dan Abnett, Brad Walker, Jesus Merino. Arthur wants to make Atlantis a nation of the world. Black Manta is a main villain. This will tie into Rise of the Seven Seas with Johns
Titans Dan Abnett, Brett Booth. Nightwing, Donna Troy, Arsenal, Gar legacy characters and friends
And a big teaser for Justice League #50. Artist Jason Fabok joined to tease the big reveal at end of the arc and run: What’s the Joker’s real name? When Batman sat on Moebus chair and had all the knowledge he asked and we will learn the answer.
Harley Quinn/Suicide Squad:
Harley Quinn Amanda Conner (now DC Comics Exclusive) and Jimmy Palmiotti. Chad Hardin, John Timms. Conner teased more madness, jokingly a Harley Quinn afterbirth book and more guest stars including Poison Ivy, Power Girl and Bat-characters.
Suicide Squad Rob Williams, Jim Lee, Philip Tan. Roster is Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Katana, Killer Crock, Boomerang and some unrevealed.
More titles and teams announced:
Green Arrow Ben Percy, Otto Schmidt and Juan Ferrera. Green Arrow does have the goatee and will meet Black Canary.
Red Hood and The Outlaws Scott Lobdell and Dexter Soy. Jason Todd recruits two new Outlaws: Artemis and Bizarro.
The Hellblazer Simon Oliver and Moritat.
Deathstroke Christopher Priest, Carlo Pagulayan, Igor Vitarino, Felipe Watanabe.
Batman Beyond Dan Jurgens, Bernard Chang. The return of Terry McGinnis.
Blue Beetle Keith Giffen and Scott Kolins. Jaime Reyes with mentor Ted Kord.
Teen Titans Ben Percy, Jonboy Meyers. Damian Wayne wants to lead them. They don’t want him so it’s “Robin vs. Teen Titans.”
Super Sons Son of Batman, Son of Superman. No creative team.
Justice League of America. No creative team.
DC Universe Rebirth gatefold cover by Gary Frank inspired by classic art will open with Batman trying to solve a mystery involving the Joker. The 80-page one-shot by Johns with artists Ethan Van Sciver, Ivan Reis, Gary Frank and Phil Jimenez on May 25th.
A reminder, the main DC Universe titles will start with new number ones except for Action Comics and Detective Comics – which will go back to original numbering.
By Editor