Comic Vine Review

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DC Universe: Rebirth #1 - The Clock is Ticking

5

The DC Universe is going through huge changes. Spoiler-free review.

If you want spoilers, you can find them HERE. The issue is on sale May 25.

DC Universe: Rebirth will unleash a wide range of emotions. Long time readers have seen the characters go through various changes over the years. The New 52 had some interesting aspects, but there were just certain things missing. Geoff Johns is fixing that.

It's not often a comic can have such an impact on readers. As you turn each page, you realize more and more what you've been missing. It's almost as if we suffer the same thing characters in the DCU are going through--we've forgotten certain things. Avoiding spoilers, we do immediately witness the return of character you wouldn't expect to see. It's a moment that brings a huge smile to your face. It's this character that reveals something much bigger has been going on since the Flashpoint story arc created the New 52 universe. It's this character's mission to try to inform others what's been going on and that there's a hidden threat out there.

Johns takes us across the DCU. This allows us to see several familiar faces. There are many plot points being set up here. This is definitely reshaping the comic universe we've come to know. It's an exciting time. Rebirth isn't a reboot. It's more of a course correction. There are certain characters making a reappearance within the pages along with gigantic and crazy new developments revealed and teased.

Joining Johns is an incredible art and color team. We are treated to the works of Gary Frank, Ethan Van Sciver, Ivan Reis, Phil Jimenez, Brad Anderson, Jason Wright, Joe Prado, and more. You'll be both excited and afraid to turn each page. The intensity of the story continues to build, and you feel the tension getting thicker. The visuals are simply amazing and worthy of the epic story being told. There is a great mix in the old and new with the characters seen here. At times, you'll find it almost hard to believe this is the New 52 world. It's incredible how seamlessly they fit all the characters and pieces together. One revelation concerning a 'new' and the returning character is brilliant. It's like we're getting the best of both worlds.

There is one revelation that may be a little controversial. As with the entire issue, it really works if you're able to read without being spoiled. I have no problem with the twist at the end and the door it opens up. I'm intrigued to see where it will go. I am completely on board with everything being set up here.

There was a lot riding on Rebirth. It felt as if some books were in a holding pattern the past few months. We may have come to terms with certain changes in the New 52, but that doesn't mean they can't be tweaked. Geoff Johns is giving many fans what they want. New developments are being set up to set up to drive other titles forward to exciting places. This issue just really hit the right notes with me. There were some emotional surprises, and I didn't realize how much I had been missing certain characters. If this is any indication as to what we can expect in the Rebirth titles, it's going to be a fantastic time to read DC Comics.

Note: Please avoid discussing spoilers below. If you must bring up a spoiler, use the spoiler tags. Feel free to discuss spoilers here.

173 Comments

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SEGENIS

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I did not excpect Wally West to appear again and JSA to be brought back,and that moment at the end HOLYMOLY.There is a lot to look forward :D

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lordraiden

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Holy crap!! So, if I read that right?.... There introducing the Watchmen universe good and proper into the DCU and alluding to.......Dr Manhattan as the big bad?? who orchestrated the events of the N52?? Damn!!!!!!

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2cool4fun

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@lordraiden: Hasn't he been back as a mixed race kid for a while now? ( as much as I'd want the old wally, I'd rather DC does not pull off, a marvel, and give us 2 same named characters ) >_>

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apokos7

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Edited By apokos7

I tried to resist reading spoilers but in the end I couldn't. Remember Geoff Johns' Superman 8-issue run where we had this mysterious Mr. Oz and then Johns left the title and the character was not explored any further? I'm so excited he's back. Also, three Jokers? Red-hair Wally and New52 Wally are supposedly cousins? Wonder Woman has a twin brother? JSA and LoSH are back.

Wednesday can't come soon enough! I'm tremendously excited!

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JewishDork

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Definitely going to buy this now.

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apokos7

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Definitely going to buy this now.

I mean, when someone gives you 80 pages for 2.99$ written by Geoff Johns and pencilled by these four legends you just buy it by default.

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Soldy

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Not happy about Diana's brother and three Jokers.

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JwalserV2

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Happy to hear!

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Jonny_Anonymous

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I kind of want to read the spoilers... but I kind of also don't.

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redmanta

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Can't wait for this issue

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vinomonster

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So hyped for this.. Post Rebirth has a huge potential for greatness.

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CaptainMarvel4Ever

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Someone tell me... do we finally get Captain Marvel back?

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TheArchon

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apokos7

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Someone tell me... do we finally get Captain Marvel back?

Shazam is not mentioned in the spoilers.

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Jonny_Anonymous

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Edited By Jonny_Anonymous

@captainmarvel4ever: DC gave up the rights to that name because they can't trade mark it. That's why Marvel stopped using Marv-ell and then gave the name to Carol.

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CaptainMarvel4Ever

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@jonny_anonymous: *Rubs Temples*

1. Look at my screen name, do you really think that I wouldn't be informed on any matters like that regarding the character?

2. DC has not been able to use that name on the cover of comic, expanded media, or merchandise since they obtained the character, it's been that way for over half a century, and DC has still always called him Captain Marvel

3. In Thunderworld and in Convergence DC called him "Captain Marvel"

4. If you knew anything about the character you'd know it's not just about the name (which he's had for over 70 years) it's about his personality and characterization (as well as some other things) which since his Post-Flashpoint debut, have been the polar opposite of what they should be, and in addition to his name (probably more important than that) I want to see a return to from for Bily's character

5. See 1 again because.... really?

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NightFang3

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@soldy said:

Not happy about Diana's brother and three Jokers.

Me either.

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CaptainHoopla

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I'm really excited for Rebirth and hope DC can at least keep story quality consistently higher than it's been the past five years. I'm not excited about the twice monthly shipping on most books and the subsequent mess of art that will permeate most, if not all, of these books after about the first three months. The twice a month will also keep me from even trying out several books.

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Jonny_Anonymous

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@jonny_anonymous: *Rubs Temples*

1. Look at my screen name, do you really think that I wouldn't be informed on any matters like that regarding the character?

2. DC has not been able to use that name on the cover of comic, expanded media, or merchandise since they obtained the character, it's been that way for over half a century, and DC has still always called him Captain Marvel

3. In Thunderworld and in Convergence DC called him "Captain Marvel"

4. If you knew anything about the character you'd know it's not just about the name (which he's had for over 70 years) it's about his personality and characterization (as well as some other things) which since his Post-Flashpoint debut, have been the polar opposite of what they should be, and in addition to his name (probably more important than that) I want to see a return to from for Bily's character

5. See 1 again because.... really?

Oh, I must have forgot having a screen name means you are the font of all knowledge....

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CaptainMarvel4Ever

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@jonny_anonymous: Or more rationally that it would mean that maybe considering it's been my screen name and the character I've essentially based my online identity around for years on this sit,e that there would be a good chance I'd know some of the most defining of the page history and legal concerns for the character.

Did you honestly think I'd have spent all that time reading about the character and never come across information like that?

The whole reason I even bothered getting an account for this and every other site I've been on was because of those legal concerns and my desire to help educate other people on the publication history/true nature of the character in face of all the unfair difficulties the character and a plethora have fans have faced over the years do to multiple companies being overly litigious

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darkdetective27

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Edited By darkdetective27

Ugh seriously I have to make a Gamespot account to voice my disattisfaction with one of the biggest and worst possible decisions DC could possibly have made? Forget that and forget DC. Im done reading their comics. Hope this and the DCEU flops and they go bankrupt as they deserve it for being so greedy and soulless.

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the_stegman

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the_stegman  Moderator

Newsrama and IGN also gave this stellar reviews. Can't wait to read it!

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tensor

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This will be at the top of the list come next week.

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Jonny_Anonymous

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@jonny_anonymous: Or more rationally that it would mean that maybe considering it's been my screen name and the character I've essentially based my online identity around for years on this sit,e that there would be a good chance I'd know some of the most defining of the page history and legal concerns for the character.

Did you honestly think I'd have spent all that time reading about the character and never come across information like that?

The whole reason I even bothered getting an account for this and every other site I've been on was because of those legal concerns and my desire to help educate other people on the publication history/true nature of the character in face of all the unfair difficulties the character and a plethora have fans have faced over the years do to multiple companies being overly litigious

I have seen plenty of people who have been so obsessed about something that they can't see the forest for the trees..

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CaptainMarvel4Ever

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@jonny_anonymous: As have I (heck there's one a few comments up who I've been talking to about that same matter)

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z3ro180

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deactivated-5d2b83d5a0d79

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damn why i spoil myself T.T

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Jonny_Anonymous

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@z3ro180: I had them spoiled for me so I ended up reading them anyway

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donmeca2020

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I'm looking forward to reading it !!! especially if comicvine gave it 5 stars, then it's gotta be good considering i don't often see too many titles ever get 5.

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Khaji-Da

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@tensor said:

This will be at the top of the list come next week.

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Jonny_Anonymous

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@apokos7 said:

I tried to resist reading spoilers but in the end I couldn't. Remember Geoff Johns' Superman 8-issue run where we had this mysterious Mr. Oz and then Johns left the title and the character was not explored any further? I'm so excited he's back. Also, three Jokers? Red-hair Wally and New52 Wally are supposedly cousins? Wonder Woman has a twin brother? JSA and LoSH are back.

Wednesday can't come soon enough! I'm tremendously excited!

Oh I get it. Mr Oz = Ozymandias

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humphreytt

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Edited By humphreytt

Yes but what about Krypto?

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apokos7

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Edited By apokos7

Oh I get it. Mr Oz = Ozymandias

I see what you did there. But he is a new character, Mr. Oz, and aren't Watchmen supposed to be rip-offs of DC characters and not the other way around? Or were they planning to include the Watchmen to the main DC universe almost two years ago?

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batkevin74

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Another relaunch relaunch reboot restart to get money. The fan fic section is better than this idea. But they supposedly know best, like they did with 52 and their new logo...

Sigh

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Jonny_Anonymous

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Yes but what about Krypto?

What about him?

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TheExile285

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Khaji-Da

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When you failed miserably at avoiding spoiler but you're still hyped.

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Squalleon

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Edited By Squalleon
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MadeinBangladesh

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I can't wait to read this!!! I like everything I'm hearing!

~MiB

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Hulk1893

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Edited By Hulk1893

Somehow i feel like The W******n Universe is the new Earth Prime

EDIT: sorry guys, idk how to do the black bar on mobile :(

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TheExile285

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@hulk1893: does your mobile browser have a "Request Desktop Site"? If so, click that and then edit the post by adding Spoiler Blocks.

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Supi

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No Caption Provided

JUSTICE SOCIETY IS BACK!!!!I just hope they'll bring back Hawkman also...He suffered a lot in the new 52....and in recent years....

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TheExile285

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@supi:

Damn, I was hoping they'd add Power Girl back to the team. Guess she's still stuck in Earth 2. =/

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dondave

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