You know, they say that “one” is the loneliest number. What if it’s surround by a plethora of “one”s? (Do you even know what a plethora is?) DC Comics must think that “one” can be…de-lonelyized…so instead of launching one new series, they’ve decided to reboot their entire Universe, starting over 50 titles at issue #1. Speculated on for months, and confirmed today, the DC Universe will reboot in September, starting all of their classic, iconic stories from new beginnings. August 31st marks the final release of the current continuity with the finale of the Flashpoint mini-series, as well as the first release of the rebooted continuity with the premiere of Justice League #1.
While you might think a full reboot is unnecessary, or perhaps irresponsible, there is one undeniably (unless you’re a comic store) great piece of news that was piggy-backed with the reboot announcement: digital issues will be released same-day as print issues, across all titles. This starts with Justice League #1 on August 31st. Currently, the only known collaboration in the new series is between Co-Publisher Jim Lee and Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns, which is good reason to be excited, in my opinion. More information regarding writers and artists should be released June 13th.
So, I think the first question that comes to mind is…Why reboot an entire universe?
Dan DiDio, Co-Publisher with Jim Lee, says,
We looked at what was going on in the marketplace and felt we really want to inject new life in our characters and line. This was a chance to start, not at the beginning, but at a point where are characters are younger and the stories are being told for today’s audience.
So instead of starting a new continuity, like I thought they were doing with Superman: Earth One, they’ve decided to scrap the lot and start from scratch. I was looking forward to a wide range of Earth One titles that would allow for rebooted stories without overwriting the original continuity. I’m not sure if the DC: Earth One series is going to continue once the reboot happens, but I hope it does.
Now, let’s have some fun with this. Here are my totally serious, absolutely sincere, totally-not-jerking-your-chain-except-I-kind-of-am predictions:
- Kyle Rayner will emerge as the primary protector of Sector 2814. He will become Emo in an attempt to win over a new crowd, incessantly whining about that one time where his girlfriend was killed and stuff in her fridge.
- The Batman of Zur-En-Arrh will become the primary incarnation of Batman in the Detective Comics title and all other titles. Shit will get crazy.
- Electric Blue Superman will become the primary incarnation of Superman in the Action Comics title and all other titles.
- NBC’s Wonder Woman pilot was declined not because it was terrible, but because she will become the primary incarnation of Wonder Woman in all titles, and DC Comics wanted to retain full control of merchandising.
- Barracuda, the Earth Two Crime Syndicate version of Aquaman, will be the primary incarnation of Aquaman in all titles following a dimensional rift.
- The Flash will become an exotic dancer by day, masked vigilante by night. His powers will include flashing people into a stunned state, after which the authorities can be called.
What are your thoughts on the reboot and same-day digital availability? Do you have any predictions of your own to rival my totally accurate predictions? Comment and let me know!
