KC Carlson

A KC COLUMN by KC Carlson

DC Universe Rebirth: The Deluxe Edition

The recent hardcover version (otherwise known as the Deluxe Edition) of the DC Universe Rebirth Special is a pretty nice presentation/package, although I’m not sure that there’s really enough extra stuff, beyond the shiny hardcover binding, to warrant it being called “Deluxe”. But if you want to judge for yourself, here’s a handy rundown of the contents (beyond the great story by Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, Ethan Van Sciver, Ivan Reis, and Phil Jimenez, of course):

• An introduction by President of DC Entertainment Diane Nelson (her first for the company).
• Reproductions of all the variant covers, as well as selected promotional artwork.
• Annotations revealing the foreshadowing of the story’s major secret.
• Major new character designs first introduced here (with annotations), including:

Batman by Greg Capullo

Superman by Patrick Gleason

Wonder Woman by Tony S. Daniel

Nightwing by Javier Fernandez

Superboy by Jorge Jimenez

Donna Troy by Brett Booth

Wally West Flash by Brett Booth

Aquaman by Brad Walker

Green Arrow by Otto Schmidt.

Brett Booth’s design for Donna Troy.

A hidden plus is that the book is printed on paper of a heavier stock than the original comic, which is much more receptive to the fine coloring by Brad Anderson, Jason Wright, Gabe Eltaeb, and Hi-Fi.

(Somewhat more disturbing is the fact that “Eltaeb” is “Beatle” spelled backwards. What’s up with that? And “Hi-Fi” is also an old sound system that I used to play Beatles records on! Do these guys know Who Buried Paul?… Aren’t there enough conspiracy theories at DC these days, without this…?)

AND THEN THERE’S THE ACTUAL STORY…

A DC Universe Rebirth Variant Cover

For those of you looking for more about the actual story, I first reviewed it back in May, and you can read it here.

Having read at least 100 individual DC Rebirth comics since then, I can honestly say that I’m both understanding what’s going on there much better than previously, and I am impressed that mainstream DC titles are once again on my regular reading stack. Plus, I’m reading more and more of them in the same week that they are published (something I haven’t done regularly for years), and enjoying a large percentage of them. Granted, I’m not reading 100% across the line quite yet. (Too many Batman titles are still making me want to go out into the woods and actually punch bats — because the creators live too far away).

But not everything is perfect… yet. Re-reading DC Universe Rebirth recently reminded me of something that DC’s probably not excited about me remembering. They teased all kinds of cool things in the original one-shot to make us breathless in anticipation… But unless I missed something, they haven’t even gotten close to paying off any of those hints yet. I’m pretty sure that I’m not alone in thinking a pay-off (or three) should happen fairly soon… and it better be worth the wait!

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KC CARLSON SEZ: Aaaaannnnnnndddddd… I’m (mostly) outta here for 2016!!! Roger will probably have me do some sort of year-in-review piece for that limbo week between Christmas and New Year’s (assuming I survive my annual 2,000-mile cross-country drive). Hi, Beau! Better get ready for one of those really long lunches…

WESTFIELD COMICS is not responsible for the stupid things that KC says. Especially that thing that really irritated you. Like how 2016 mostly irritated me…