DC Comics' mega-event Convergence is still two months away, but the publisher has already announced how the fallout will change the DC Universe. And make no mistake: this is a huge shakeup, starting with DC ditching the "New 52" label. But it's not a full-on reboot.
In the wake of Convergence, we count at least 23 books DC are ending, while launching 24 new ones (though four of them are just 6-issue miniseries, and thus won't be ongoing). 25 existing titles will continue with no renumbering. It all begins on June 3, 2015, and includes new work from major indie and mainstream talent league talent like Gene Luen Yang, Garth Ennis, Ming Doyle and Bryan Hitch, who is both drawing and writing Justice League of America.
It's also worth noting that some of the titles that are "cancelled" are actually being replaced. Earth 2 is ending, but DC is launching a new title called Earth 2: Society. Both Green Lantern Corps and Green Lantern: New Guardians are being cancelled, but Green Lantern: Lost Army is debuting. Batman and Robin is done, but a curious new title called We Are Robin (pictured below) is on the way. No more Red Hood and the Outlaws; say hello to Red Hood/Arsenal.
In its press release, DC drops some intriguing hints about how Convergence will alter the DCU. For example, Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are said to be aiming for a "back-to-basics" approach, which could indicate a reversion to pre-New 52 sensibilities. Meanwhile, Black Canary, Bizarro, Cyborg and Starfire are all described as being "reinvented" with "a new contemporary tonality." Which apparently includes fronting a punk rock band in Black Canary's case.
Humor is getting a new push post-Convergence, thanks to titles like Bizarro, Bat-Mite and what's easily the most unexpected new entry: the return of Prez. Based on the preview art (below), it looks like this incarnation of Prez may star a female character. New team-ups are also taking the spotlight, thanks to new titles like Mystic U, Omega Men and Section Eight.
Here's the complete list of new and ongoing titles.
New Titles | |
| Title | Writer/Artist |
|---|---|
| Batman Beyond | W: Dan Jurgens A: Bernard Chang |
| Bat-Mite (6-issue limited) | W: Dan Jurgens A: Corin Howell |
| Bizarro (6-issue limited) | W: Heath Corson A: Gustavo Duarte |
| Black Canary | W: Brenden Fletcher A: Annie Wu & Irene Koh |
| Constantine: The Hellblazer | W: Ming Doyle A: Riley Rossmo |
| Cyborg | W: David Walker A: Ivan Reis |
| Dark Universe | W: James Tynion IV A: Ming Doyle |
| Green Lantern: Lost Army | W: Cullen Bunn A: Jesus Saiz & Javi Pina |
| Doomed | W: Scott Lobdell A: Javier Fernandez |
| Earth 2: Society | W: Daniel Wilson A: Jorge Jimenez |
| Dr. Fate | W: Paul Levitz A: Sonny Liew |
| Harley Quinn/Power Girl (6-issue limited) | W: Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner A: Stephane Roux |
| Justice League of America | W: Bryan Hitch A: Bryan Hitch |
| Justice League 3001 | W: Keith Giffen A: Howard Porter |
| Martian Manhunter | W: Rob Williams A: Ben Oliver |
| Midnighter | W: Steve Orlando A: ACO |
| Mystic U | W: Alisa Kwitney A: Stay tuned for artist info! |
| Omega Men | W: Tom King A: Alec Morgan |
| Prez | W: Mark Russell A: Ben Caldwell |
| Red Hood/Arsenal | W: Scott Lobdell A: Denis Medri |
| Robin, Son of Batman | W: Patrick Gleason A: Patrick Gleason |
| Section Eight (6-issue limited) | W: Garth Ennis A: John McCrea |
| Starfire | W: Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner A: Emanuela Lupacchino |
| We Are Robin | W: Lee Bermejo A: Khary Randolph |
Ongoing Titles | |
| Title | Writer/Artist |
| Action Comics | W: Greg Pak A: Aaron Kuder |
| Aquaman | W: Cullen Bunn A: Trevor McCarthy |
| Batgirl | W: Cameron Stewart & Brenden Fletcher A: Babs Tarr |
| Batman | W: Scott Snyder A: Greg Capullo |
| Detective Comics | W; Brian Buccelato & Francis Manapul A: Francis Manapul |
| Batman/Superman | W: Greg Pak A: Ardian Syaf |
| Catwoman | W: Genevieve Valentine A: David Messina |
| Deathstroke | W: Tony S. Daniel A: Tony S. Daniel |
| The Flash | W: Robert Venditti & Van Jensen A: Brett Booth |
| Gotham Academy | W: Becky Cloonan & Brenden Fletcher A: Karl Kerschl |
| Gotham By Midnight | W: Ray Fawkes A: Juan Ferreyra |
| Grayson | W: Tom King & Tim Seeley A: Mikel Janin |
| Green Arrow | W: Ben Percy A: Zircher |
| Green Lantern | W: Robert Venditti A: Billy Tan |
| Harley Quinn | W: Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner A: Chad Hardin |
| Justice League | W: Geoff Johns A: Jason Fabok |
| Justice League United | W:TBA A: TBA |
| Lobo | W: Cullen Bunn A: Cliff Richards |
| Secret Six | W: Gail Simone A: Dale Eaglesham |
| Sinestro | W: Cullen Bunn A: Bradley Walker |
| New Suicide Squad | W: Sean Ryan A: Carlos D'Anda |
| Superman | W: Gene Luen Yang A: John Romita, Jr. |
| Superman/Wonder Woman | W: Peter J. Tomasi A: Doug Mahnke |
| Teen Titans | W: Will Pfeifer A: Kenneth Rocafort |
| Wonder Woman | W: Meredith Finch A: David Finch |
Fans can get a first look at DC's new plans on Free Comic Book Day, aka May 2, with a special one-shot called Divergence. The issue will contain three 8-page previews for the revamped Batman, Justice League and Superman.
