Last week, DC Comics released their hotly anticipated DC Universe Rebirth #1. The 80-page one-shot established a new status quo for the company's filmic book universe before all the Rebirth branded books start rolling out on June 1. We reviewed the issue in detail last week, but before the rest of the line launches let's take a look at the greater plot and thematic effects it has already on the DCU.
MAJOR Spoilers for DC UNIVERSE REBIRTH #1 follow.
One of the major plot-threads running through DC Universe Rebirth #1 finds the original Wally West trapped in the speed force, desperately trying to make contact with those he loves before he dies. As he goes, Wally espouses the value of love and optimism, eventually making contact with and being brought back to existence by his uncle Barry Allen who finally remembers him. As the two speak, Wally says that war between "love and despair" is coming, lines that in-story foreshadow a conflict between the heroes and the notoriously emotion-less Doctor Manhattan. The message goes beyond the in-story meaning however, and could be looked at as a mission statement for Rebirth in general. The story is presented in a bright, positive, and life affirming way that's in direct contrast to the "grimdark" portrayal of DC since 2011. Even the issue's climax, where Wally triumphantly returns to life.due to the love of another character, seems to fly in the face of most comic book events that generally feature a major death.
DC Universe Rebirth #1 changes the DC Universe at it's very core, both in-story as well as how the company treats its characters in an outside-the-narrative meta sense. While it remains to be seen how effectively DC will use these changes going forward, the issue's immediate impact has been huge.