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The spoilers forDC Universe: Rebirthstart immediately, so dont read this if you havent already read the book!

DC Universe: Rebirthis something of a controversial comic.

Only one that feels more like the previous model.

Join me as I try and unpack all of the craziness packed into nearly every panel of this book…

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Page 1:By now youve probably heard about theWatchmenconnection toDC Universe: Rebirth.

Im not sure what the significance of the watch being stopped at 9 minutes to 5 is.

If you have any ideas, let me know.

Page 2:Your narrator is Wally West.

Like any big DC Comics continuity altering event, a Flash is the central figure.

Usually, continuity altering events are known as Crisis of some kind in the DCU.

Page 3:Its significant that Batman is the first character we actually see in this book.

For one thing, Batman is a character who has never had an official, page one reboot.

Page 10-13:This is an effective primer on Wally Wests history.

But whats interesting is that every single event on these pagesdidnttake place in current New 52 continuity.

Dont freak out, because this isnt meant to be taken literally.

Page 16-17:Johnny can see Wally, but I suspect he doesnt know what hes looking at.

When Wally vanishes, Johnny tries to call him back by saying the magic words, Cei-U!

(pronounced say, you!)

he used to summon his Thunderbolt.

And it seems that Johnny might be the reason that the world has forgotten the JSA.

I do hope we get a happy ending for Mr. Thunder before he passes that legacy on, though.

Hes a good-hearted (if not terribly bright) character and a wonderful component of the golden age.

That needs to change.

Its more of the hopeful future depicted inStar Trekthan in more dystopian fantasies.

And she is indeed a friend of Supermans.

The Legion was actually formed because they were inspired by the legend of Superman.

Also, this entire chapter is drawn by Gary Frank.

You absolutely must read Geoff Johns and Gary FranksSuperman and the Legion of Super Heroes.

I cant remember if weve actually seen her show up at all in the last five years.

Page 20-21:Meet Ryan Choi.

Ray is estranged from Jean Loring here.

But what this means is that the generally not-very-niceIdentity Crisisis safely and forever out of continuity.

He was the third Atom, though.

So, yeah, here are two generations of Blue Beetles teaming up.

Page 26:Did I say this represents two generations of Blue Beetles?

Well, maybe not.

Ysee, if you read between the lines, this really represents three generations of Blue Beetles.

Because the scarab that powers Jaime isnt a piece of alien technology, its magical.

And it was a magical scarab that gaveanotherBlue Beetle, Dan Garrett, his powers.

Kaji Dha!!!

(sorry, couldnt help myself).

I hope thats still Khalid Nassour under the shiny helmet, albeit with some cool new/classic duds.

Page 27:Thats Damian Wayne celebrating a rather solitary 13th birthday.

After all, hes eligible now!

Shell be prominently featured inGreen Lanterns(plural).

So, this is Aqualad.

And not just any Aqualad, its the Jackson Hyde Aqualad from the dearly departedYoung Justiceanimated series!

I believe this is the first time theres been any reference to Jacksons sexuality.

Her death here is certainly symbolic, thats for sure.

Ill just let Geoff Johns take it from here…

Thats laid out exactly like the death of Rorschach.

Thats the first hint that Dr. Manhattan is the antagonist.

Thats why the first page is a 9-panel grid.

Thats the whole premise of the entire book.

But why kill Superman?

So, cmon, shouldnt the coffee shop be The Shuster instead?

This slightly older Clark is clearly going to take his place as Superman now.

But the mysterious Mr. Oz indicates that none of the Supermen were what they seemed to be.

Whether Lois & Clark will continue to remember the pre-Flashpointversion of the DCU is anybodys guess.

I got a headache just typing this.

Okay, back to chronology…kinda…

Page 37-42:Linda Park is to Wally West as Iris West is to Barry Allen.

Remember how I said a Flash is always the key to these massive DC Universe events?

Well, a key component of any Flash worth his lightning bolts is love.

That lightning rod is always someone they love above all else.

So Barry/Iris and Wally/Linda.

Its clear that Wally and Linda (who even had kids pre-Flashpoint!)

Page 43:The love/relationship fest continues in the most unlikely of places with Swamp Thing and John Constantine.

Dick is pretty much the only character who comes as close to embodying DCs legacy elements as Wally does.

This is fun misdirection, though.

Page 45:This is thenewWally West, who was introduced in recent issues ofThe Flash.

Page 46-51:Here we have Wally making peace with his impending death.

Page 53-54:I think that page sums it up, for me personally.

It was the most emotional page I could write.

But Wally says thats not all you forgot.

There used to be more.

Once again implying that Wally has all the answers.

Like I keep saying,Rebirthisnt a reboot.

Its just kind of a reordering of priorities.

The little details about which stories took place and which ones didnt arent all that important.

Page 56-60:Dont worry, there isnt aWatchmencrossover coming.

Nothing ever ends is note about how comics themselves never truly end.

Thats further back than they were set at the start ofWatchmen.