Rebirth: Conflict Between Optimism & Pessimism

Geoff Johns talks about the conflict at the core of Rebirth

Rebirth, DC’s line-wide comics event that will change everything in the DC comics universe, starts with the Rebirth one-shot, out this Wednesday May 25th. It’s 80 pages promises to rock the DC universe to its core, but it’s about more than that. Rebirth is about the return of hope and optimism to the DC universe, something that was lacking in the New 52 reboot from several years ago. Geoff Johns talked about the core conflict of Rebirth and how the appearance of certain characters new to DC but comic book legends was essential to that conflict

(SPOILERS AHEAD, IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ ANY SPOILERS PERTAINING TO REBIRTH, DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER):

If you have read any of the numerous spoilers about Rebirth posted online in the last couple days, you know that the biggest revelation is the appearance of The Watchmen in the DC universe. And not just the appearance. Dr. Manhattan is the one responsible for creating the New 52 universe and altering the DC timeline. So why was Dr. Manhattan chosen?

"If you’re going to have a conflict between optimism and pessimism, you need to have someone who represents a cynical view of life and also has the ability to affect this. I know it’s crazy but he felt like the right character to use."

Rebirth also features the return of pre-Flashpoint Wally West, who has been absent since the New 52 started. Geoff Johns explains West’s return as coming from the readers’ point of view:

"He has perspective that a lot of readers might have. He knows everything and he’s trying to get back to it."

Next: How Does Rebirth Affect Batman?

So anybody who felt the New 52 wasn’t really representative of what DC should be should theoretically have a lot to look forward to with Rebirth, which again is out this Wednesday May 25th.

h/t CBR