At this point, continuity changes are nothing new for DC comics readers. From minor alterations to a character’s history to a reset of the entire setting’s continuity, they’ve been happening quite often since the first, and biggest, one; Crisis on Infinite Earth. But that’s not what’s happening with DC’s Rebirth event; everything that happened in DC’s New 52 continuity, good and bad, is remaining. Superman: Rebirth looks to be a perfect example of this.
New 52’s Superman died at the end of the New 52’s run and the newly released preview of Superman’s relaunched series shows that he’s not simply bouncing back to life in the near future. Instead, the pre-Flashpoint Superman (aka, the Superman we followed from 1986 to 2011), now with a beard and a young son, will be filling the starring role.
Before Superman: Rebirth, this older Superman first returned during DC’s ‘Convergence’ event, where he played a sizable role. Following this (and some off-page adventures) he, Lois and their newborn son John, found themselves on New 52 Earth, where they helped from the shadows while rebuilding their lives.
But with his existence revealed during the final hours of New 52 Superman’s life, pre-Flashpoint Superman must now fill the gap left by his younger counterpart’s death.
Superman: Rebirth #1 goes on sale June 1st.