At the time of this post, DC's Rebirth initiative has wrapped up its first month of relaunches and things seem to be going well with mostly good reviews and issues sell-outs resulting in second printings. If you were ever interested in getting into DC, this would be the best time.
Everyone has their processes when it comes to reading comics, especially when it comes to line-wide relaunches like Rebirth. Some may decide to get the Rebirth one-shots and decide whether to get the new series following it. As for myself, I am mostly re-adding titles I was reading before but are starting over. However, I have decided to get the DC Universe Omnibus hardcover being released in December, so I'll have all the Rebirth one-shots in one place.
So when it comes to my Rebirth Review series, here's my projected guideline and time frame:
* I will only be reviewing the Rebirth one-shots that correspond with each new series, as those are meant to be a sampling for what's to come from that series while not being necessary.
* At first, I'll only be reviewing Rebirth one-shots for the books I buy regularly.
* Once the Rebirth omnibus is out, I'll be doing a whole month of reviews for the remaining Rebirth one-shots I have not read (and I've been doing my best to avoid spoilers for those).
* While I haven't totally committed to the idea, I might actually buy the first collected volumes of each new series and review those as well, or in the case of the books I'm currently reading, the first story arcs.
In my reviews of the one-shots, I'll be critiquing the writing, art, how it serves as a good jumping on point for new readers, and how it works to bring back some aspects of the pre-Flashpoint DC universe to the New 52 timeline.
So without further ado, let's begin out first Rebirth review with...
Written by Scott Snyder and Tom King
Art by Mikel Janin
After a nearly five year run on the book, Scott Snyder helps pass the torch to the new 'Batman' writer Tom King. The one-shot is a pretty straightforward issue with Batman dealing with a plan set in motion by the Calendar Man to poison Gotham, while also beginning to train new protege Duke Thomas, a character created by Synder during his run.
Well, maybe straightforward isn't the best word to describe this comic. While Calendar Man's plan is to poison Gotham with spores he created, it can only happen during Spring-like weather, so he had created a mechanism that speeds up the weather in Gotham to where all the seasons happen within one week, which is basically like living in Illinois. But aside from that, a new aspect has been added to the Calendar Man's character, where his body also ages with the seasons, where he eventually sheds his old skin and becomes young again every Spring. While the scene happens for only one page, the art is pretty good showing Calendar Man coming out of his old skin almost like he was a new born.
Moving on to Duke Thomas, he has been a supporting character in 'Batman' while also leading a street team of kids who all take on the Robin identity in the now finished "We Are Robin" series (which I haven't read but heard good things). Going into this issue though, Bruce has decided not to bring in Duke as his official new Robin (that role remains with his son, Damian), but gives him a mostly yellow and black costume that has more of bat-motif. While he hasn't gotten the name officially, many have presumed to call him 'Lark' based on a post-apocalyptic vision Bruce had during the 'Endgame' arc where Bruce was fighting alongside with Duke/Lark and Harper Row/Bluebird (another character created by Snyder early on in his run). Probably worth mentioning as well that it was during 'Endgame' that Duke's parents were poisoned with Joker's latest toxin and have been left comatose since then. While I like Duke's costume, I'm not too crazy about the name 'Lark' if that is what they go with. But I'm sure I'll get used to it and I like that it gives Duke his own identity straightforward, even if he was unofficially a Robin. My only complaint though is that Duke doesn't really do much but act as support, but we do see him training with Bruce in the end, so I'm sure at some point we'll see the two back-to-back while in combat with enemies.
But as for the star himself, Batman. There's not much to say other than it is Batman being Batman as we know him. I won't spoil how, but there are a couple instances where Batman puts himself on the line and even pulls off impossible situations where you'd think he wouldn't make it. Even Duke/Lark is surprised at Bruce's feats. I get the feeling this is something we'll see a lot with King's run on the book: Batman doing the impossible. Why? BECAUSE HE'S BATMAN! (Sorry, had to do it.)
The art of the one-shot is pretty damn good too, and it makes me wish Janin was going to be the main artist on the book. Nothing against David Finch, but I'd just like someone new to show off.
It's worth mentioning that while Scott Snyder is leaving 'Batman', he'll be starting a new series 'All Star Batman' with a rotating team of artists that will mostly focus on the villains. I think we got a sampling of that with this interpretation of Calendar Man. Snyder's created new villains like the Court of Owls and Mr. Bloom, used Joker for 'Death of the Family' and 'Endgame', Riddler for 'Zero Year', and gave Mr. Freeze an updated (though pointless in my opinion) origin, but it'll be cool to see what he does with the other rogues of Batman's gallery.
While I think this is a good jumping on point, giving us what to expect from a Batman comic while signifying a new direction for the title, it doesn't really do much in restoring elements lost from 'Flashpoint' because not that much was lost. If anything, it continues to build on what was previously established in the New 52 continuity, particularly Duke's progress, though I think new readers may be lost as to who he is without reading anything prior to this one-shot.
Overall, a good start that probably goes a little too fast and may leave some with questions, but still a good start.
Written by Joshua Williamson
Art by Carmine Di Giandomenico
In contrast, 'The Flash: Rebirth' is a clear starting point with a new writer and artist beginning here. I'll start by praising the art. I talked about Carmine's art before in my Spider-Man Noir review, and I have to say he is a really good fit for the Flash, creating a real sense of movement, which is important for a character with super speed.
The comic starts with Barry working a case with a dead wife and mother, a father in custody and suspect of murder, with a child as a witness, very similar to how Barry's own mother was killed. As he waits for test results in his lab, Barry does what he does best by helping others around the city as the Flash. Eventually, Barry is confronted by the pre-Flashpoint Wally West/Kid Flash. Now those who read the main DC Universe Rebirth special know that Wally had been trying to find someone in the DCU who remembered and knew him, only to be met with confusion as the Speed Force continues to erase him. Wally goes to Barry last, believing that even if Barry doesn't remember him, he could at least thank him for giving him a great life before he dies. Of course, Barry remembers and is able to pull Wally out of the Speed Force and save his life. While it is a bit of a condensed replay of the same scene from the main Rebirth one-shot from Barry's perspective, I felt the same emotional pull as before. We do get a little more interaction between the two, as Wally lets Barry know that he's going to go find and reunite with the Titans as Barry gives Wally his blessing to use the Flash identity as well. We'll get to Wally more whenever we get to the Titans Rebirth special, and I'm indeed planning to read the Titans series in trades.
So besides that, we get a little more follow-up to the mystery of the force Wally talked about that manipulated the DCU's history, with Barry going to the Batcave and compare notes with Bruce (who Wally had tried to contact before without success) about what may be going on, but decide to keep it to themselves for now since they don't have any concrete evidence.
Wally West's return to the main DCU is probably the most prominent pre-Flashpoint element being reintroduced in this one-shot (as well as the main Rebirth one-shot), but I noticed another one. Prior to 'Flashpoint', Barry and Iris were married and had a family, but that was erased once the New 52 began, and the two had remained friend. In one snippet, Barry had plans with Iris to go to the movie, but those plans were actually for the next day. It's kind of clever to make a 'Barry showed up early' joke rather than the usual 'Barry showed up late even though he has super-speed' gag. The point is, I think this is a clear sign that they're planning to reunite Barry and Iris as a couple, much like they're doing with Green Arrow and Black Canary in the Green Arrow book (which will also be covered later).
As much as I liked this book, I would have preferred it had more focus on the Flash. The case Barry is working on in the beginning is moved to the wayside to focus on Wally, and it ends up being written off with the husband confessing to the murder. It might have been better if it was Barry working to solve a murder, but not having a supervillain involved, showing how good he is in and out of the suit. However, I do like that we get a little more follow up from the main Rebirth one-shot. I don't know how many of the Rebirth one-shots will do something similar, but it could be a problematic. It's good to link things together, but it could take away focus from the new book you're trying to promote. Still, I think you could still read the Flash Rebirth issue on its own without having read the main Rebirth one-shot, but might want to check that out to see what was going on with Wally before he met up with Barry.
My minor criticisms aside, I enjoyed both these one-shots and felt they succeeded in what they set out to do: creating a jumping on point while reaffirming the continuity that came before them.
When the Rebirth Reviews series returns, we'll be taking a look at the Rebirth one-shots for Justice League, featuring the pre-Flashpoint Superman joining the familiar but different team, and Nightwing, with Dick Grayson back in black and blue.
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