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Superman: Rebirth #1

3

A new chapter in Superman's life begins here.

The New-52 Superman is dead, and the pre-Flashpoint Superman swoops in with the hopes of reviving his counterpart. Can Superman be brought back from the dead?

Superman Rebirth is a bit of a mixed bag. There is a lot of potential here. Where the issue shines is that anyone can pick this up, regardless of whether or not you've been reading Superman or not and feel completely included in the current events. This issue is better at preparing new readers for the future over anything else.

The art is awesome on this issue. Doug Mahnke pencils, with Jaime Mendoza on inks, and Wil Quintana on colors. The two-page spread featuring Superman and Doomsday squaring-off is pretty epic and brings back memories of when Superman #75 hit the shelves.

The book hits on many different levels of nostalgia, whether it's the classic "Death of Superman" storyline or just the beginning of the New 52 universe a few years back. It reaches out to the reader to re-motivate their love of the character, and it works. Writers Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason have a love for Superman really shows, and that's the type of storytellers you want on a book with such an iconic character.

There is a lot of Superman's history recapped in this issue, pre-Flashpoint that is. We relearn all about how he died, while fighting Doomsday, and how he came back. Even the opening of the issue starts with a quick recap of what happened to Superman. Understandably, before Rebirth, Superman's story wasn't all finished.

It feels like this issue is the bottom of a large mountain for this Superman to climb. All of the other Rebirth titles this week gave readers an idea of where each book was going, while delivering an entertaining story. Superman: Rebirth gives readers an interesting story but it feels like something is missing. The majority of the issue is dialogue between Superman and Lana, and while there are some interesting developments from that, it doesn't pack the same bang as other titles and feels more like an issue paying homage to the last Superman rather than something leading to the upcoming titles. This is a bit of a bummer because this story has the most potential for greatness, considering where it left off.

Superman: Rebirth wasn't as good as we hoped, considering where we were left off during "The Last Days of Superman," but there's a ton of potential here for the future series. The art is fantastic and while there's not a whole lot happening here, aside from what feels like catch up meets a eulogy, it's a pretty good issue that leaves readers wanting more.

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deactivated-5c9535a734784

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I generally enjoyed this issue. It felt like a breath of fresh air just like the first Rebirth issue. I'm not up to date on Superman since I'm waiting for the trades but this was really enjoyable. For the first time in a long time, it felt focused and tight. I'll have to admit the memorial for New 52 Supes got me a lot more than I thought it would. I was happy to see Pre 52 Supes honour him in the fortress. I was a believer that New 52 Supes should've been given more time to develop. It's almost like his character development was hounded by constant mega events. He needed time so that he could become like the good old Supes. Still, I can't wait for the story to pan out.

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Squalleon

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I generally enjoyed this issue. It felt like a breath of fresh air just like the first Rebirth issue. I'm not up to date on Superman since I'm waiting for the trades but this was really enjoyable. For the first time in a long time, it felt focused and tight. I'll have to admit the memorial for New 52 Supes got me a lot more than I thought it would. I was happy to see Pre 52 Supes honour him in the fortress. I was a believer that New 52 Supes should've been given more time to develop. It's almost like his character development was hounded by constant mega events. He needed time so that he could become like the good old Supes. Still, I can't wait for the story to pan out.

At the end of the day though, isn't that more time-saving. Why waste time having N52 Supes turn into P52 Supes, when you can just return P52 Supes in the frame and go from there.

Now we catholically look at a brand new direction.

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Lone_Wolf_and_Cub

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I'm torn on this book. I absolutely love Mahnkes art but I'm not sure about the writer. Is this worth a read?

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apokos7

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Edited By apokos7

@lone_wolf_and_cub: Definitely. It was the strongest of the four Rebirth one-shots this week in my opinion, and both Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason are great writers (though this was only from Tomasi).

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sooperfly

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how do you guys read comics so early this isnt scheduled to be released until 15th

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vinomonster

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Lone_Wolf_and_Cub

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sooperfly

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vinomonster

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@sooperfly: Just 4.. Green Arrow, Superman, Batman and Green Lanterns. Next week will be Wonder Woman, Flash and Aquaman though Detective Comics 934 and Action Comics 957 will be also out next week.

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Madripoor

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3 stars ? No way.

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deactivated-5c9535a734784

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@soldierofel said:

I generally enjoyed this issue. It felt like a breath of fresh air just like the first Rebirth issue. I'm not up to date on Superman since I'm waiting for the trades but this was really enjoyable. For the first time in a long time, it felt focused and tight. I'll have to admit the memorial for New 52 Supes got me a lot more than I thought it would. I was happy to see Pre 52 Supes honour him in the fortress. I was a believer that New 52 Supes should've been given more time to develop. It's almost like his character development was hounded by constant mega events. He needed time so that he could become like the good old Supes. Still, I can't wait for the story to pan out.

At the end of the day though, isn't that more time-saving. Why waste time having N52 Supes turn into P52 Supes, when you can just return P52 Supes in the frame and go from there.

Now we catholically look at a brand new direction.

I get that but then the New 52 essentially failed in its task. The idea, I assume, was to create a new Superman, younger and more inexperienced so that they could build him up. It's true that a lot of us Superman fans were disappointed with the New 52 but it did attract new fans of the character. I imagine killing him off and replacing him with the older Superman won't be a popular move for them as they've grown quite fond of him. I just thought that his progression would've been better handled but I assume it wasn't a priority compared to other characters. Needless to say, I'm stoked for whatever Rebirth holds for Superman and I can't wait for the next issue, though I may skip it and wait for the trade.

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BappyRonChantin

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This was a set-up issue. An excellent one at that.

Really enjoyed it.

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Yeah I'm surprised how lowly rated this, it handled the Rebirth theme with much more tact than Batman also unlike Batman it was a good starting point moving forward. It closed the previous chapter and set the stage for a new one pretty well.

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Edited By bigcimmerian
@dondave said:
@squalleon said:

This was a set-up issue. An excellent one at that.

Really enjoyed it.

Since when Pre-Flashpoint Superman has been living on New 52 Earth?

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dondave

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@dondave said:
@squalleon said:

This was a set-up issue. An excellent one at that.

Really enjoyed it.

Since when Pre-Flashpoint Superman has been living on New 52 Earth?

Since Convergence.

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I loved how they kept it steady and grounded, setting up the story very well. Also made me less confused lol

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Squalleon

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I get that but then the New 52 essentially failed in its task. The idea, I assume, was to create a new Superman, younger and more inexperienced so that they could build him up. It's true that a lot of us Superman fans were disappointed with the New 52 but it did attract new fans of the character. I imagine killing him off and replacing him with the older Superman won't be a popular move for them as they've grown quite fond of him. I just thought that his progression would've been better handled but I assume it wasn't a priority compared to other characters. Needless to say, I'm stoked for whatever Rebirth holds for Superman and I can't wait for the next issue, though I may skip it and wait for the trade.

N52 failed because it was a total reboot. As opposed to Batman and Green Lantern, who retained most elements of the P52 counterparts, Superman was doomed to fail. New 52 Superman lost the connection to its fanbase and the new blood came and went when the inevitable bad stories came. And that new blood wasn't much to begin with since even Morrison's run wasn't exactly new reader friendly. The old guard that didn't care about the reboot(me for example) were lost when the writers started using the reboot as an excuse to repeat plotlines. So everybody lost.

This will allow progression and struggle. Writers will have to think out of the box for a chance. As opposed to rearranging the already existing toys (ex. Truth).

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Squalleon

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Men, seeing all the fans enjoying a Superman comic for a change is very good a feeling :D

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@soldierofel said:

I get that but then the New 52 essentially failed in its task. The idea, I assume, was to create a new Superman, younger and more inexperienced so that they could build him up. It's true that a lot of us Superman fans were disappointed with the New 52 but it did attract new fans of the character. I imagine killing him off and replacing him with the older Superman won't be a popular move for them as they've grown quite fond of him. I just thought that his progression would've been better handled but I assume it wasn't a priority compared to other characters. Needless to say, I'm stoked for whatever Rebirth holds for Superman and I can't wait for the next issue, though I may skip it and wait for the trade.

N52 failed because it was a total reboot. As opposed to Batman and Green Lantern, who retained most elements of the P52 counterparts, Superman was doomed to fail. New 52 Superman lost the connection to its fanbase and the new blood came and went when the inevitable bad stories came. And that new blood wasn't much to begin with since even Morrison's run wasn't exactly new reader friendly. The old guard that didn't care about the reboot(me for example) were lost when the writers started using the reboot as an excuse to repeat plotlines. So everybody lost.

This will allow progression and struggle. Writers will have to think out of the box for a chance. As opposed to rearranging the already existing toys (ex. Truth).

You're right there. It's just a shame but I suppose we have hindsight. But I still can't wait to see what is done next with the character. But if I have to pick two things to go away for at least two years, they'd be the 'evil Superman trope' and depowering him. Just no more of that stuff.

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Squalleon

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You're right there. It's just a shame but I suppose we have hindsight. But I still can't wait to see what is done next with the character. But if I have to pick two things to go away for at least two years, they'd be the 'evil Superman trope' and depowering him. Just no more of that stuff.

Definitely read Tomasi's and Gleason's recent interview in CBR.

They definitely say the right things. And I think many fans will be happy that Jon isn't the main theme of the book or a drag but Supes is front and center.

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@soldierofel said:

You're right there. It's just a shame but I suppose we have hindsight. But I still can't wait to see what is done next with the character. But if I have to pick two things to go away for at least two years, they'd be the 'evil Superman trope' and depowering him. Just no more of that stuff.

Definitely read Tomasi's and Gleason's recent interview in CBR.

They definitely say the right things. And I think many fans will be happy that Jon isn't the main theme of the book or a drag but Supes is front and center.

I'll give it a read but I'm optimistic. Imagine, a good consistent Superman solo for the first time in years. I could get used to that. I'm actually exited for Jon's character to develop as well. It reminds me slightly of Superman: Returns just without Deadbeat dad supes.

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Squalleon

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@squalleon said:
@soldierofel said:

You're right there. It's just a shame but I suppose we have hindsight. But I still can't wait to see what is done next with the character. But if I have to pick two things to go away for at least two years, they'd be the 'evil Superman trope' and depowering him. Just no more of that stuff.

Definitely read Tomasi's and Gleason's recent interview in CBR.

They definitely say the right things. And I think many fans will be happy that Jon isn't the main theme of the book or a drag but Supes is front and center.

I'll give it a read but I'm optimistic. Imagine, a good consistent Superman solo for the first time in years. I could get used to that. I'm actually exited for Jon's character to develop as well. It reminds me slightly of Superman: Returns just without Deadbeat dad supes.

Did you check the Dan Jurgens interview here. Isn't Zicher's art magnificent?

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Rainshadow777

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Superman: "I know Superman is coming back and I'm gonna help no matter what. I have faith" .

Later that day... "oh this fortress doesn't have a regeneration chamber, nevermind, Superman's dead, he's not coming back... EVER!"

I noticed this too. Superman didn't say that his "faith" was based on the science of a regeneration matrix hahaha. I thought it was because he believed in the power of goodness or a refusal to accept negativity. But nope, it was because he thought a machine was going to resurrect the body. Which I guess is technically still an aspect of faith, but he certainly threw the towel in quickly once he knew they didn't have one!

"Give me a regeneration matrix."

"We don't have one."

"Well I'm all out of ideas! He dead!"

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@soldierofel said:
@squalleon said:
@soldierofel said:

You're right there. It's just a shame but I suppose we have hindsight. But I still can't wait to see what is done next with the character. But if I have to pick two things to go away for at least two years, they'd be the 'evil Superman trope' and depowering him. Just no more of that stuff.

Definitely read Tomasi's and Gleason's recent interview in CBR.

They definitely say the right things. And I think many fans will be happy that Jon isn't the main theme of the book or a drag but Supes is front and center.

I'll give it a read but I'm optimistic. Imagine, a good consistent Superman solo for the first time in years. I could get used to that. I'm actually exited for Jon's character to develop as well. It reminds me slightly of Superman: Returns just without Deadbeat dad supes.

Did you check the Dan Jurgens interview here. Isn't Zicher's art magnificent?

No, do you have a link?

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Squalleon

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@squalleon said:

Did you check the Dan Jurgens interview here. Isn't Zicher's art magnificent?

No, do you have a link?

Its in the main page :)

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deactivated-5c9535a734784

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@squalleon: Holy moly, I just read it and I love the art. I'm sitting here with a wide grin at the last page with Superman flying after he's just shaved. Good gravy it looks incredible. Looks like I've got a new screen saver. Maybe a new avatar.

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