Superman: Rebirth (2016) #1

DC Universe: Rebirth

by Peter J. Tomasi (Writer), Patrick Gleason (Writer), Doug Mahnke (Illustrator)

The world needs a Man of Steel, but can Superman protect the world while raising a super-son with his wife, Lois Lane?

IT BEGINS: Now it's Clark's turn to be Pa Kent and teach his son what it means to be super, but who is hunting Superman's son—and why?

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Superman, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics, Superheroes

25 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2016

About the author

Peter J. Tomasi is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, such as Batman And Robin; Superman; Super Sons; Batman: Detective Comics; Green Lantern Corps; and Superman/Wonder Woman; as well as Batman: Arkham Knight; Brightest Day; Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors; Nightwing; Black Adam, and many more.

In the course of his staff career at DC Comics, Tomasi served as a group editor and ushered in new eras for Batman, Green Lantern, and the JSA, along with a host of special projects like Kingdom Come.

He is also the author of the creator-owned titles House Of Penance with artist Ian Bertram; Light Brigade with artist Peter Snejbjerg; The Mighty with Keith Champagne and Chris Samnee; and the critically acclaimed epic graphic novel The Bridge: How The Roeblings Connected Brooklyn To New York, illustrated by Sara DuVall and published by Abrams ComicArts.

In 2018 New York Times best-selling author Tomasi received the Inkpot Award for achievement in comics.

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

(B+) 78% | Good
Notes: A not-immaterial, fairly funereal, switcheroo/goodbye: flashbacks/recapping, A-to-Z mapping, who is who and why.

*Progress update

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warning: Spoilerish
2.5 stars

So, does anybody know how Old Man Clark ended up on this earth? Is this something I've missed, or is it something that has yet to be revealed...?
sigh
Maybe this will be a good thing. Maybe. But I was just sorta getting used to the other/new Superman, and now I've gotta get used to another new/old Superman.



Ok. So This doesn't have much to do with the Rebirth mystery, but it does sort of set up why this older Superman will be (for now, at least) playing the role of Clark Kent.



It wasn't a bad sneak peek, but I can't say I'm excited for this title.
Just...no.



Thank you Josh! <--gave me a copy. Such a nice guy!

[Sam Quixote · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite advertising itself as a fresh start I think Superman: Rebirth #1 is gonna be a confusing issue for new readers to jump on with, continuing as it does Peter Tomasi’s story from The Final Days of Superman. To catch those people up: New 52 Superman is dead, Superman Prime (a pre-New 52 Superman) is somehow back and, together with Lana Lang, they set about bringing New 52 Superman back to life.

Rebirth is DC drawing a line under the New 52 and trying to pick up continuity from where they left it in the summer of 2011. That’s why in this issue New 52 Superman is “dead”, as a symbol of this move, and we’re getting a rehashed, truncated version of Death of Superman to signal to old readers that the classic continuity is back in play.

So we have flashbacks to the fight between Superman and Doomsday as well as the iconic final image of Lois cradling a lifeless Superman while his torn cape flutters from an upright stick like a flag, and Superman Prime is back minus the mullet plus a beard and ‘tache. I guess the new Rebirth Superman series is about this villainous-looking dude then? Ok… weird choice…

Tomasi/Gleason could’ve done a better job with this prologue as it feels like the middle point of a story that it is rather than a new beginning. But, though it’s a little ham-fisted, I suppose they do accomplish what they set out to do in pushing New 52 Superman out of the picture and bringing back old continuity.

The story that’s being set up doesn’t really excite me: it looks like it’s going to be Superman Prime getting used to being the new Superman of this world. Meh. It’s just regular Superman with a more emo look with his black suit and no cape. I’ll still give the first arc a chance though my hopes aren’t sky high after this issue.

Superman: Rebirth #1 isn’t the best start to the new Superman series but it’s not an incompetent comic either - just an unexciting one that should’ve been better.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty decent and really bridged the gap and gave new Superman readers a great entry point(like me). Yes, there are spoilers for the previous Superman/Justice League from The New 52 but if you aren't too concerned about that, this is a good starting point. If Tomasi didn't do this "summary and explaining" type of issue, I think that a lot of newer readers would be confused. So I highly recommend this issue for people starting Superman.

I really loved the backstory images from the older Superman storylines. They were drawn just so well and really amazed me. I'm just a little hesitant about where this new Superman story might go.

[Batastrophe]

Okay, for the record, I've never read a Superman book. Ever. I actually enjoy what I know of the character from other media, esp. the Batman/Superman cartoon of the 90s and the Justice League cartoon, but the N52 Supes just never appealed to me. Everything I saw of him in the N52 through Justice League just really turned me off of him. Plus, he and Wonder Woman were a thing which really just never felt like it worked to me, so...

That being said, I actually really, really liked this issue. I've never read any Super book, but I didn't really feel confused at all. The issue is mainly exposition, which is fine by me, and spends most of its time summarizing who this new Superman is and how he differs from the one that died. It's not just pure exposition though; we get some actually real emotional moments both from the new Clark and from Lana Lang.

Superman has always been a bit of an outsider--as Lana points out in the issue, she sometimes forgets the other side of Clark's life, the Kryptonian side. This new Superman will still struggle with this himself, but I love the added dimension that he's also an outider because he's from another universe, as shown by the way he sadly thanks Lana for a lifetime of friendship, even though she really doesn't know who he is yet. I also love the running theme of "rebirth" in the issue--it's both really relevant to the story at hand, but also really meta, which I appreciate. I actually feel like this is a fresh start, which I didn't get at all from Batman Rebirth #1, so that's a point in this issue's favor for me.

At the end of the day, Tomasi is a writer that I trust and I can't wait to see where he takes this series. After his phenomenal work on Batman & Robin, I can't wait to see what he does with Clark, Lois, and Jon.

[Meera A.S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

"All that tomorrow is missing…..is Superman"

I think this issue is more of a memorial to the recent fallen Superman in the New 52, we've seen here the Black Suit Superman and his friend Lana. It's pretty much linking the end of the New 52 to the beginning of the Rebirth series.
Not much happened here though, but I'm optimistic about this new Superman. We'll see how it goes!

[S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued enough by this to rate it four stars. I don't know where the story is going, whether or not we will have multiple Supermans or not, but this new Superman that we got seems pretty cool. I'm optimistic for the story!

[Sud666 · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this new Rebirth thing DC is doing seems to be an answer to what was becoming NEW 52 dreck. Some of the titles were good, but for the most part I wasn't with it. Neither it seems was DC. So uh apparently Superman, Clark Kent, is dead. But Superman, the one I think is from the storyline where Earth was invaded by Kryptonians, is still around. Oh and he has a beard. He might also be the Superman that fought Doomsday and died. So not sure which Superman was Rebirthed. I suppose we shall see. This wasn't a bad comic by any stretch, but I want more information as to what is going on. Perhaps I missed some serious story arcs....but until then bearded Superman rates a 3/5.

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER WARNING!!!

To start off this is a great issue, and I can't wait to see where they go with this! So The New 52 Superman we have grown accustomed too, is dead, that's the first thing you need to know! Second, a superman from a parallel earth, basically the pre new 52 superman, is on this earth and he's the rebirth superman! Confusing I know, but their writing this very well, aso I can't wait to see whats next!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

"All that tomorrow is missing... is Superman."

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Superman is dead. A monument to him is being constructed in Metropolis with his tomb beneath. When Lana Lang shows up intending to remove his remains to bury them in Smallville, she meets someone she doesn’t expect.

This issue is more of a recap than a rebirth. It recaps the end of the New 52 series in which that Superman died, and also flashes back on some of the history of the previous continuities Superman who was brought to this Earth after Convergence. While there is some forward progress as Lana and this Superman visit the Fortress of Solitude, not much else is set up by this book.

Even with that said, it has an emotional content that will resonate with older fans or even those who read the New 52 book, but I think new fans will be somewhat put off by it all. It will feel like all the DC continuity is bearing down on them and it may not feel like the “jumping on” point that it’s meant to be. I would hate to see someone not continue because they didn’t feel included or burdened by not knowing previous stories.

I really do like that the “original” Superman is back, and Lana is as feisty as ever. They’re good characters and there is potential for stories here. We just don’t get tipped to any of that here.

[Aaron McGowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has made me so keen to read action comics! It might be a bit confusing to new readers but it's recommend you read the last few new 52 justice league so you understand the events beforehand that lead us to this. So warning spoilers below.

Spoilers be warned.

So we see old Clark Kent (pre-52) morning the loss of the new 52 superman. He thinks about how he would have loved more time to spend with the superman of this world. At the grave he finds Lana Lang who is about to steal the dead supermans body. She is mad at the old Clark for wearing his s logo and he tells her she should just wait as he will most likely come back from death as he did. She tells of a promise to take dead supermans body to be buried in Smallville next to his earth parents. Old Clark goes along with it but tells Lang of the 'regeneration matrix' and they think it could be at the dead supermans fortress of solitude, they get there, and they can't find any information in the database about it, old Clark steps up and says "the only thing tomorrow needs is a superman" and takes the mantle of the superman! He also says he will find a way to bring back the new 52 superman!

Wow what a read. Loved it. Not action paced but the art is next level and the story is enough for you to want more

[Siona Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I read this as a physical single issue, but I'm not able to find that edition on GR, so I'm just going to use this one).

Not the best comic I've ever read, but I like the older, Pre-52 Superman (this is coming from someone who is just starting to read DC comics as of Rebirth) a lot, and Lana's (I believe that's who the woman was) personality seems to be a really good foil for Superman. Suprisingly, I liked this one more than the Batman one-shot, which should say a lot.

[Eugene Tan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 out of 5 stars. I gotta say, they played with the colours of each panel really nicely in this one. Wasn't really as action-packed as the other Rebirth series' but you know what they say, that 'S' stands for Hope! Also, I'm fresh out of this week's Rebirth series so I now have to wait until the 8th of June. It's okay, almost there *eye twitching intensifies*.

[Brendan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not much happens with this storyline but it does continue directly on from the DC rebirth one shot. I'm eager to see what comes in the next few months but they need to step it up a bit with Superman. I do struggle to find him interesting. I have the 52 series but I doubt I'll find the time to invest.

[Joe Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reflective look back for Clarks oldest friend Lana and Black Suit Superman on the life of both Supermen and as they await the rebirth of the recently fallen one. While this issue lacked much, this does has me interested in the return of the classic Superman.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interested to see where this is going to go. I'm not going to lie I am well behind on my Superman comics, so I am going to have to brush up a bit before going further into this series. Don't get me wrong, if you are just jumping into it, it is easy enough to understand what is going on.

[Ariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything was a little bit confusing for me because I haven't read superman new 52, but still, the writing was good enough and the feels were strong too. I guess now, I have to read superman new 52 as soon as possible.

[Indru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now THAT'S what I call REBIRTH!!! Superman is truly reborn in what looks like it's going to be one of the nicest comics of the new DC wave. Can't wait for Action Comics #957 and Superman #1!!!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always loved Superman. I remember going to see the Christopher Reeve version at the movies back in the 1970s when I was a kid, and watching the old George Reeves Superman in syndication. Superman is one of, if not the, first of the superheroes. He flew across the pages of comic books back in the 1930s, during the Great Depression, and has always represented a sort of wholesome Everyman (albeit one with amazing powers). Raised in Kansas by goodly working folk, Superman is true hero: his motives are pure, his life is virtuous, and he uses his godlike powers for goodness.

I get it, though: simple, right? One dimensional. Unchanging (unless you read Injustice: Gods Among Us, Vol. 1 which is a terrifying look at what happens when Superman just loses his shit). Superman is an ideal. He is the foundation of superhero heroism. He is an archetype of a type of person--and particularly a type of American from generations now passed--whose belief in truth, justice, and the America way is unwavering. [Side note: if you ever have the opportunity to see the animated movie The Iron Giant, Superman's ethos plays an important role in the story for the main characters. I get all teary-eyed when I think of it].

But, as the old Phil Collins song, "Land of Confusion," asks, "Superman where are you now?" We live in a time without heroes. Even Marvel comics, which I love, more often than not have 'complex' characters like Iron Man, Black Widow, and the Hulk. They are not purely good, but rather are much more realistic than good old Clark Kent. They are conflicted, flawed, and sometimes selfish. They overcome these problems, of course, and rise to the occasion, but prim and proper Superman looks downright old fashioned when compared to their moral ambiguity (Captain America, of course, is an important exception). Everything changes.

So, long way of saying, I enjoyed this long compilation of recent Superman comics, and I am looking forward to reading me. Hope, I think, is a choice, and Superman makes me hopeful. Illogical but true.

[AJ Ferrigno · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's interesting to read about how Superman (not the New 52's Superman who died, but the one from 80's - 2000s post Crisis) lives in the current Earth prime. He is married to Lois Lane and raising his son, who is developing powers. Not only is the Justice League concerned about his son's emerging and possibly dangerous powers, but an old villain the Eradicator tries to murder his son due to the hybrid genetics (human and Kryptonian). Apparently, the Eradicator wants Kal-El to create a new pure Krypton lineage on Earth, and human genetics interferes with that. There's something deeper there about multi-racial children having to fight for acceptance, but I may be reaching.

I can't really say I enjoyed the story here as much as I have enjoyed other past New 52 Superman stories. I really liked the Superman from New 52 who sadly died and probably won't be coming back. The art is uneven and switches pencilers throughout, and lots of times I couldn't quite figure out what was going on. It seemed like nothing more interesting than fistfights and laser beams. By the end of the story though, I was appreciating what may end up being a good story arc for this old and now mature character. I'll have to go back and read about how the hell he jumped universes from pre-Flashpoint though, and I may even pick up the next volume.

[Laura Maciuszek · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I’m understanding this right, Superman Rebirth is trying to merge the New 52 Superman with the post-Crisis version into a singular continuity? It’s an interesting idea, but I’m not 100% sold on how it’s handled here.

The issue feels less like a fresh start and more like we’ve been dropped into the middle of an ongoing story. Tomasi and Gleason seem more focused on wrapping up New 52 Superman’s arc than actually setting the stage for something new. It’s a little clumsy and it doesn’t fully land at all.

What’s being set up going forward doesn’t really excite me either. It looks like it’s going to follow Superman Prime stepping into this world’s main Superman role, but so far he just feels like the same Superman in a black suit and Batman’s personality. It doesn’t bring much new to the table.

[Norrin Shearer · Rating 3 out of 5]

From what I understand, the Superman in this story is the OG Superman from the original DC timeline and the one that died that we buried was New 52's Superman. I could be wrong, and that could be my fault as a reader or the fault of DC Universe Rebirth and Superman: Rebirth for not explaining well enough for a new reader. Anyway, specifics of the dual supermen aside, I think this one-shot did what it needed to do to get me ready for Action Comics 957 and Superman 1, which I'm sure will help me wrap my head around the situation soon.

[HatBett23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read too much Superman over the years; with the deepest dive being the Death and Return from 1992. Starting with this issue, I'm equally confused and intrigued by what's going on here. Obviously, I missed something in the run-up to the Rebirth - there are two Clarks here and, I guess, the Superman that's present here is from 1992(?). Whatever. It's a comic book, it's supposed to stretch credulity.

[Vinton Bayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good of a jumping on point as I was led to believe. This seems to be a bridge between New 52 Superman and Rebirth Superman. I’m assuming the New 52 Superman comic ended with that Superman dying and this is the Superman from pre-new 52?

It is a good set up and I am intrigued and excited to get into some Superman.

[Sadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest this is a great introduction to this "new" superman. A bit confusing but I hope in future books more is answered. I love that the Pre-new 52 superman is working toward taking over as the new superman. I liked the connections made to the comic story "Death of Superman." Overall this is a great read.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know how I love my boy Supes. Turns out Supes as a dad is amazing. Lois is amazing. I'm so happy to be able to read about their relationship the way I always imagined it being. They're such great parents.

[Imlus · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a superman fan expected so much more. Personally, this son father relationship has zero interesting twists.. And when you give equal attention to the Superman, his kid and the villain it just drops flat. Love superman, hate this prodigy storyline :(

[Kay ☾ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh look! Another Superman comic where he is trying to live a normal life, with his not normal son, and his boring wife. He's on a farm. I stopped caring. The artwork wasn't anything to write home about. A lot of these Superman stories seem very unoriginal.