More details about DC Comics' mysterious "Rebirth" event have been revealed to CBR in an exclusive interview with DC Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns, where the writer revealed that "Rebirth" will focus on re-instilling a sense of legacy in DC's comics. Part of that effort involves something sure to please longtime fans when the publisher reverts its two longest-running series, "Action Comics" and "Detective Comics," to their original numbering.
"Even though most of the books are relaunching at #1, the fact that 'Action' and 'Detective' are returning to their original numbers says something about the tone of what this is," said Johns. "[DC publisher] Dan [DiDio] is psyched we’re gonna get to 'Action' #1000!"
"Action Comics'" numbering will pick up with #957 and "Detective" will be at #934. Both series will be released on a twice-monthly schedule, at a $2.99 price, placing Issue #1000 just over two years away for "Action.
"Action Comics" #1 was published in 1938 and featured the debut of Superman, as well as what we now know as the DC Universe. While starting a year earlier in 1937, "Detective Comics'" most important issue was the first appearance of Batman in 1939's "Detective Comics" #27. The titles ran continuously until 2011 when they were both renumbered with new #1 issues for the linewide "New 52" reboot. "Action Comics" ended with #904 and "Detective Comics" with #881.
Johns also spoke to the symbolic importance of the renumbering to "Rebirth." "[The renumbering] alone, even though it seems small, I think it's a huge symbol of what we're trying to do," he said. "I realize that people will be skeptical, they’ve heard it before, they think they’ve read everything -- I totally get that and appreciate and understand it. They should be skeptical! It’s up to all of us to make our respective books worth your time and money. That’s on all of us as individual creators. Jay [Fabok] and I try our best to make 'Justice League' a book worth the time and money. Everyone has the same goal. To earn it. To give you something that only DC Comics can give you. With 'DC Universe Rebirth,' I absolutely will."
Written by Geoff Johns with art by Ethan Van Sciver, Ivan Reis, Phil Jimenez and Gary Frank, "DC Universe: Rebirth" #1 arrives on May 25.
