The New 52

The New 52 was the 2011 revamp and relaunch by DC Comics of its entire line of ongoing monthly superhero comic books. Following the conclusion of the " Flashpoint" crossover storyline, DC cancelled all its existing titles and debuted 52 new series in September 2011. Among the renumbered series were ''Action Comics'' and ''Detective Comics'', which had retained their original numbering since the 1930s.

The relaunch included changes to the publishing format; for example, print and digital comics began to be released on the same day. New titles were released to bring the number of ongoing monthly series to 52. Various changes were also made to DC's fictional universe to entice new readers, including changes to DC's internal continuity to make characters more modern and accessible. In addition, characters from the Wildstorm and Vertigo imprints were absorbed into the DC Universe.

The New 52 branding ended after the completion of the "Convergence" storyline in May 2015, although its continuity continued. In June 2015, 24 new titles were launched, alongside 25 returning titles, with several of those receiving new creative teams. In February 2016, DC announced their Rebirth initiative with the release of an 80-page one-shot on May 25, 2016, and continuing through late 2016.

Publication history

Launch and Second Wave

Following the conclusion of the '' Flashpoint'' limited series, DC cancelled and relaunched all titles set in the DC Universe with new #1 issues. The new continuity features new outfits and backstories for many of DC's long-established heroes and villains. An interview with DC Comics executive editor Eddie Berganza and editor-in-chief Bob Harras revealed that the new continuity did not constitute a full reboot of the DC Universe but rather a "soft reboot". While many characters underwent a reboot or revamp, much of the DC Universe's history remained intact. Many major storylines such as " War of the Green Lanterns", " Batman: A Death in the Family" and '' Batman: The Killing Joke'' remained part of the new continuity, while others have been lost in part or in whole. DC editorial constructed a timeline that details the new history and which storylines to keep or ignore.

On August 31, 2011, Midtown Comics Times Square held a midnight event at which they began selling ''Justice League'' #1 and ''Flashpoint'' #5. On hand to sign the books were DC Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns, who was the writer of both titles, and co-publisher and writer/artist Jim Lee, who illustrated ''Justice League''.

On January 12, 2012, DC announced that after their eighth issues, '' Blackhawks'', '' Hawk and Dove'', '' Men of War'', '' Mister Terrific'', '' O.M.A.C.'', and '' Static Shock'' would be cancelled and replaced with six new titles, which would reveal more of The New 52 DC Universe. The new titles were dubbed the Second Wave: '' Dial H'', '' Earth 2'', '' G.I. Combat'', '' World's Finest'', '' Ravagers'' and '' Batman Incorporated'', which was absent from the initial line of Batman titles, and would continue Grant Morrison's storyline from before The New 52 involving the conflict between Batman and Talia al Ghul.

"Zero Month" and continued title changes

On June 9, 2012, DC announced that in September 2012, the first anniversary of The New 52 launch, all titles would get a zero issue, dubbed "Zero Month". In addition, the Third Wave of titles was announced: ''Talon'', '' Sword of Sorcery'', '' Phantom Stranger'', and '' Team 7''. With these additions to the line, '' Justice League International'', '' Captain Atom'', '' Resurrection Man'', and '' Voodoo'' were cancelled.

In October and November 2012, DC announced new titles '' Threshold'', ''Justice League of America'', ''Katana'', ''Justice League of America's Vibe'', and '' Constantine''. ''Threshold'' would be published in January 2013, ''Constantine'' in March 2013, while the others would be published in February 2013. DC later consolidated these new titles as the Fourth Wave of The New 52. '' G.I. Combat'', '' Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.'', '' Grifter'', '' Blue Beetle'', and '' Legion Lost'' were cancelled as a result. ''Young Romance: A New 52 Valentine's Day Special'' #1 was published as the 52nd title in February 2013.

In January 2013, DC Comics announced the cancellation of '' I, Vampire'' and '' DC Universe Presents'' in April 2013. To celebrate the 60th birthday of '' Mad Magazine'' mascot Alfred E. Neuman, DC solicited variants drawn by ''Mad'' artists for 13 titles being published in April 2013.

Starting with titles released on January 28, 2013, all printed New 52 publications featured advertisements for the fictional news channel Channel 52. The two page back-ups, titled ''Channel 52'', appear in all books, starting in February 2013, and replaced the previous "DC Comics: All Access" features. This news feature stars Bethany Snow, Ambush Bug, Vartox, and Calendar Man as reporters and anchors on the fictional in-universe news show. The art is provided by Freddie E. Williams II. Each week brings new content regarding the current or future goings-on in the DC universe. Channel 52 and Bethany Snow make an appearance in the second season of ''Arrow''.

On January 30, 2013, DC announced that all titles released in April 2013 would be "WTF Certified". Each title would feature a gatefold cover and storylines and moments that will leave readers in a state of shock, including the return of Booster Gold. However, DC later dropped the "WTF Certified" branding and did not feature it on any of The New 52 books. In February 2013, it was announced that DC Comics would launch two new politically motivated books as parts of the Fifth Wave: '' The Green Team: Teen Trillionaires'' and '' The Movement''. These would explore concepts similar to the Occupy Movement and the role money has in a world of superheroes. A wave of cancellations was also announced for May 2013, including '' The Savage Hawkman'', '' The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man'', ''Sword of Sorcery'', ''Team 7'', ''Deathstroke'', and ''The Ravagers''.

In March 2013, DC announced that it would launch four new titles in June 2013, making up the rest of the Fifth Wave: '' Superman Unchained'', '' Batman/Superman'', '' Larfleeze'', and '' Trinity of Sin: Pandora''. In April 2013, the cancellation of ''Batman Incorporated'' was announced for July 2013. DC also solicited two director's cut one-shots for the ''Superman Unchained'' book and the " Batman: Zero Year" story arc. In May 2013, it was announced that ''Batman Incorporated Special'' #1 would be published to finish off the ''Batman Incorporated'' series in August 2013. Another director's cut one-shot was solicited for the "Trinity War" story arc, along with the cancellations of '' Demon Knights'', ''Legion of Super-Heroes'', ''Threshold'', and '' Dial H''.

"Villains Month", "Forever Evil" and "Zero Year"

In June 2013, DC announced that all titles in September 2013 would be "relaunched" as a #1, featuring a villain from that respective book, as part of " Villains Month". For example, ''Detective Comics'', which would have published issue 24 in September, would be released as ''Detective Comics'' #23.1 and ''Poison Ivy'' #1, with the issue being known by both titles. It was the first major crossover in the New 52 since "Flashpoint" and spun out of the aftermath of "Trinity War". Each book featured 3D lenticular front and back covers. DC also released 2D versions of the covers. Some books published multiple "Villains Month" issues, while others skipped publication in September 2013. For example, ''Batman'', ''Superman'', and ''Justice League'' are some of the titles that published four issues, while ''The Flash'' published three issues, ''Aquaman'' and others published two issues, and ''Green Arrow'' and others published only one.

In addition to "Villains Month", a seven-issue limited series titled '' Forever Evil'', by Geoff Johns and David Finch, launched in September 2013 and focused on the Crime Syndicate, an evil version of the Justice League from Earth-Three, as they attempt to take over Prime Earth in the Justice Leagues' defeat at the end of "Trinity War". The "Forever Evil" event ran in other titles starting in October 2013, including three 6-issue tie-in books that launched: ''Forever Evil: Rogues Rebellion'' by Brian Buccellato and Patrick Zircher; ''Forever Evil: Arkham War'' by Peter Tomasi, Scot Eaton and Jaime Mendoza; and ''Forever Evil: A.R.G.U.S.'' by Matt Kindt and Manuel Garcia. Other tie-in titles included: ''Teen Titans'', ''Suicide Squad'', ''Justice League'', ''Justice League of America'' and the "Forever Evil: Blight" storyline in ''Constantine'', '' Justice League Dark'', ''Trinity of Sin: Pandora'', and ''Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger''. ''Forever Evil'' #1 was also reprinted in a director's cut one-shot in October 2013.

It was also announced in June 2013 that the " Batman: Zero Year" storyline in ''Batman'' would spin off into an event during November 2013, which would include other titles outside the "Batman" line of titles. The event, initially conceptualized to tell Batman's origin in The New 52, was featured in issue #25 of ''Action Comics'', ''The Flash'', ''Green Arrow'', and ''Green Lantern Corps'', along with ''Batgirl'', ''Batwing'', ''Batwoman'', ''Birds of Prey'', ''Catwoman'', ''Detective Comics'', ''Nightwing'', and ''Red Hood and the Outlaws'' in the "Batman" line. The various books explored their characters' connections to Gotham City, and their first encounters with Batman.

On June 17, 2013, DC announced two new titles, ''Justice League 3000'' and '' Superman/Wonder Woman'' as the first titles of the Sixth Wave, which began publication in October 2013. On July 16, 2013, DC announced ''Harley Quinn'', the third and last title of the Sixth Wave, which began publication in November 2013. In August 2013, it was announced that ''Justice League 3000''s initial publication would be delayed to December 2013, following creative changes on the title.

Launch of weeklies and start of "second phase"

In October 2013, DC announced '' Batman Eternal'', a weekly year-long series which would feature Batman, his allies, and others in Gotham City. It was announced in January 2014 that the series would begin in April of that year. The cancellation of ''Katana'' and ''Justice League of America's Vibe'' was also announced, with the titles' final publication in December 2013, while ''Green Team: The Teen Trillionaires'' would end in January 2014. Following the release of '' Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure'', DC announced cover variants for 20 titles published in January 2014, featuring ''Scribblenauts''-inspired artwork.

In November 2013, DC announced one-shot issues ''Superman: Lois Lane'' #1 and ''Batman: Joker's Daughter'' #1 for February 2014, featuring Lois Lane and the new Joker's Daughter, respectively. DC also announced that 20 titles being published in February 2014 would feature steampunk-inspired cover variants. As well, Johns revealed that the end of "Forever Evil" in March 2014 would mark the end of the first phase of The New 52, with a new phase starting in April 2014, "one that will see the introduction, and re-introduction, of a lot of characters, concepts and a decidedly new center to the DC universe."

In December 2013, it was announced that another weekly year-long series titled '' The New 52: Futures End'' would begin publication in May 2014, with a free zero issue for Free Comic Book Day. The series would be set five years in the New 52's future. Co-writer Jeff Lemire stated that the series was "an exploration of DC's past, present and its future." Batman Beyond made his New 52 debut in the series. Solicitations published in December 2014 also revealed that 22 titles to be published in March 2014 would feature variant covers based on ''Robot Chicken'', to promote the second '' Robot Chicken DC Comics Special''.

In January 2014, DC announced ''Aquaman and the Others'', '' Justice League United'', '' Secret Origins'' and ''Sinestro'' ongoing series and ''Forever Evil Aftermath: Batman vs Bane'' #1 for publication in April 2014. In addition, DC revealed that ''Justice League of America'', ''Nightwing'', '' Stormwatch'', ''Suicide Squad'', ''Superman Unchained'', and ''Teen Titans'' would end in April 2014. It was also announced that April 2014 publications would feature a second wave of variant covers inspired by ''MAD'' magazine.

In February 2014, Gail Simone revealed that her series ''The Movement'' would be canceled in May 2014 after 12 issues. It was also revealed that 19 titles published in May 2014 would feature variant covers drawn by Mike Allred in the style of '' Batman '66''. A one-shot issue, '' Superman: Doomed'' #1 would also be published in May, as a tie-in to a crossover story arc of the same name.

DC later announced that as part of the celebration of The New 52's third anniversary, all ongoing titles published in September 2014 would feature stories that tied into ''The New 52: Futures End''. DC Comics co-publisher Dan DiDio declared:

DiDio added that new ongoing titles would launch in June and July to be included in the event. Following the month of tie-ins, a third weekly titled ''Earth 2: World's End'' launched in October 2014. This title is set in the present DC Universe on Earth 2, while showcasing the events and circumstances that lead to the future depicted in ''Futures End''.

In March 2014, DC announced the launch of '' Infinity Man and the Forever People'', the one-shot ''Harley Quinn Director's Cut'' #0, and the cancellation of ''Larfleeze'' for June 2014. March also saw the announcement of variant covers for 20 titles in June 2014, based on the DC Collectibles "Bombshells" statue line designed by Ant Lucia, the covers feature retro and pinup versions of female characters. DC also revealed two new publications for July 2014: an ongoing series '' Star-Spangled War Stories'' and a one-shot ''Harley Quinn Invades San Diego Comic-Con''.

''The Multiversity'', new titles, new creative teams and DC You

In April 2014, DC announced ''Suicide Squad'' and ''Teen Titans'' would be relaunched in July 2014, with the former being retitled ''New Suicide Squad''. A new series, titled ''Grayson'', focusing on character Dick Grayson following his role in " Forever Evil", and a one-shot issue ''Robin Rises: Omega'', tied into the '' Batman and Robin'' storyline "The Hunt for Robin", would also debut. It was revealed that July 2014's variant theme would be Batman's 75th anniversary, with 21 publications featuring "Batman 75" themes. April also saw the official announcement of ''The Multiversity'', which began publication in August 2014; the 8-issue limited series was first mentioned by writer Grant Morrison in April–May 2009 intended for a 2010 release date. ''The Multiversity'' was intended to pick up on storylines left over from '' 52'' and ''Final Crisis''.

In May 2014, DC announced that six titles, ''All-Star Western'', ''Batwing'', ''Birds of Prey'', ''Superboy'', ''Trinity of Sin: Pandora'' and ''Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger'', would have their final publications in August 2014. It was also revealed that 22 titles published in August 2014 would feature "DC Universe Selfie" variant covers, focusing on the popular trend of taking selfies. A second ''Superman: Doomed'' one-shot was also announced.

In June 2014, DC announced six new titles for their Ninth Wave: ''Arkham Manor'', ''Deathstroke'', ''Gotham Academy'', '' Klarion'', '' Lobo'', and ''Trinity of Sin'' for publication in October 2014.

"Convergence": the return of Hypertime and the Pre-"Crisis" multiverse

In February 2015, it was announced that following the ''Convergence'' storyline in May, the New 52 branding would not be used anymore, although the continuity of the New 52 would continue. That June, 24 new titles were unveiled under a newly introduced DC You initiative, and most of the 25 remaining titles of The New 52 had new creative teams.

''The Multiversity Guidebook'' #1 changed the nature of the ''52'' multiverse. In this book, the New 52 multiverse was the result of a phenomenon called Hypertime. In the book, Brainiac takes cities from the Pre-"Crisis", Post-"Crisis", and Post-"Flashpoint" multiverses and placed them on a planet in another reality. He leaves a portion of himself behind; this part of Braniac renames himself Telos and has the cities battle each other. Deimos of Skartaris tries to take complete control of the Telos' world but is killed by the Parallax-possessed Hal Jordan. This triggers a chain reaction that threatens to collapse the multiverse. To prevent this, Telos sends several of the heroes back to the ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' to prevent the destruction of the original multiverse. Telos states "They have done it. Reality is resetting, stabilizing. Each world has evolved, but they all still exist." In an interview, writer Jeff King stated "Post-Convergence, every character that ever existed, in either Continuity or Canon, is now available to us as storytellers."

The end of The New 52 and DC Rebirth

In February 2016, DC announced its Rebirth initiative, a line-wide relaunch of its titles, to begin in June 2016. Beginning with an 80-page one-shot which was released on May 25, 2016, Rebirth also saw ''Action Comics'' and ''Detective Comics'' return to their previous numbering (#957 and #934, respectively), nearly all books releasing at , multiple books shifting to a twice-monthly release schedule, a number of existing titles relaunching with new #1 issues, and the release of several new titles. DC has used the '' Green Lantern: Rebirth'' and '' The Flash: Rebirth'' miniseries as examples of the basis for the initiative, which has been described as a rebirth of the DC Universe. The Rebirth initiative reintroduced concepts from pre-''Flashpoint'' continuity, such as legacy, that had been lost with The New 52 and built "on everything that's been published since ''Action Comics'' #1 up through The New 52."

Changes to the DC Universe

In June 2011, DC Co-Publisher Jim Lee revealed that he and DC Art Director Mark Chiarello had enlisted artist Cully Hamner to help spearhead the redesign of characters for the relaunch of the DC Universe.

In late July 2011, DC released ''The New 52'', a free preview book giving solicitations and previews of all of the new titles launching from August 31, 2011. Notable continuity changes shown included Superman's two new looks: one which consists of jeans, a blue T-shirt with the "S" logo and a cape, the other consisting of Kryptonian battle armor that resembles his classic costume. Other notable changes included the integration of the Wildstorm imprint's characters into DC continuity, with Martian Manhunter as a part of the new Stormwatch team in the relaunched ''Stormwatch'' series.

''Justice League'' was the first book of the relaunch, with the first issue released on August 31, 2011. The first story arc takes place five years in the past, detailing the first meeting of the Justice League members and the formation of the team.

The initial run of first issues show a universe in which superheroes have only appeared within the last five years and are viewed with suspicion and hostility, with Superman and Batman being pursued by the police five years ago at the start of their careers. In the present day, organizations such as the United Nations and the United States government seek to exploit and control the superheroes through groups such as the Justice League International and the Justice League of America.

The "Batman" family of titles strongly resemble the past continuity. However, former Batgirls Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain have had their histories erased. Additionally, all of the Robins have been accounted for, including the previously non-canonical Carrie Kelley. Stephanie made her first appearance in The New 52 as the Spoiler in the teaser issue to ''Batman Eternal'' in ''Batman'' #28. Barbara Gordon recovered from the paralysis inflicted upon her by the Joker's bullet in '' Batman: The Killing Joke'' and returned to crimefighting as Batgirl.

As for Superman, his romantic relationship and marriage to Lois Lane has not transpired, and his adoptive parents Jonathan and Martha Kent have died. He was depicted as being slightly more short-tempered, retaining his American identity, and in a relationship with Wonder Woman. Various character changes were implemented, such as Starfire, Guy Gardner, and Tim Drake having their origins significantly changed. Sinestro was depicted as having returned recently to the Green Lantern Corps, where he became a villain again. Meanwhile, the Earth-Two version of Alan Scott was depicted as gay.

Publications

Imprint titles

The imprint titles are divided into seven families of titles, revolving around central characters or themes. By the release of the October 2013 solicitations, DC was no longer grouping the titles by these families. Instead they began releasing one larger solicit, titled "The New 52 Group". However, titles that were not participating in an event for the month, such as " Forever Evil", were still grouped together in the larger solicit by the previous family headings.

* "Justice League" – These titles featured characters related to the Justice League.
* "Batman" – These titles featured Batman and the " Batman Family" of characters.
* "Superman" – These titles featured Superman and the " Superman Family" of characters.
* "Green Lantern" – These titles featured the members of the Green Lantern Corps and the other Lantern Corps of the emotional spectrum.
* "Young Justice" – These titles featured teenaged characters and superhero teams.
* "The Edge" – These are titles with war, science fiction, western, or crime themes, and include titles and characters formerly belonging to the WildStorm imprint.
* "The Dark" – These are titles with supernatural, fantasy and horror themes, including titles and characters formerly belonging to the Vertigo imprint.

Post-imprint titles

In February 2015, it was revealed that after the ''Convergence'' miniseries in June 2015, DC would no longer use The New 52 name to brand their books; however the continuity established in September 2011 would continue. Dan DiDio stated, "In this new era of storytelling, story will trump continuity as we continue to empower creators to tell the best stories".

The new titles would be about "reinventing key characters", such as Black Canary, Cyborg

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