Writer: Geoff Johns
Artists: Ethan Van Sciver, Iven Reis, Gary Frank, Phil Jimenez
If there was ever any doubt of Geoff Johns' love for writing superheroes, then here is the final, definitive evidence of his passion for it. Beyond the things it set out to fix, 'Rebirth' is a love missive to the DCU characters and their rich, rich history, and that love is reflected in every word and every panel of every page in the book. This one-shot is also a herculean effort to grant everyone their wishes, regardless of how disparate they may be.
When presented with the task of coming up with a concept that must please not only your multi-generational readers, but also your bosses, the casual audiences you want to bring in, the critics, your peers, Twitter, Facebook, PETA, and yourself, it is truly short of a miracle that the final result is a story where all the parties get at least some -if not all- of what they wanted to see. Establishing two speedsters named Wally West is a clear example of Johns trying to make everyone happy, it is the underlying message of compromise being delivered by this relaunch, it is proof of the aforementioned passion for superhero stories and legacies.
When presented with the task of coming up with a concept that must please not only your multi-generational readers, but also your bosses, the casual audiences you want to bring in, the critics, your peers, Twitter, Facebook, PETA, and yourself, it is truly short of a miracle that the final result is a story where all the parties get at least some -if not all- of what they wanted to see. Establishing two speedsters named Wally West is a clear example of Johns trying to make everyone happy, it is the underlying message of compromise being delivered by this relaunch, it is proof of the aforementioned passion for superhero stories and legacies.
DC Universe Rebirth - Art by Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, and Hi-Fi
Reis, Jimenez, Frank, and Van Sciver are the ideal companions for this new journey. None of them missed a beat conveying the emotions the script intended. That "How could I ever forget you?" page is a tear jerker, and all four chapters of the story are full of the same impeccable execution. 'Rebirth' is only the first step of what promises to be a brighter future for the DCU and its characters; whether that promise is fulfilled or not, time will tell, but as its own entity, this special is a treasure.
