The New 52

The New 52
Name	The New 52
Publisher	DC Comics
Launched	2011
Discontinued	2016
Notable titles	Justice League, Batman, Action Comics, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern
Editors	Bob Harras, Dan DiDio, Geoff Johns

The New 52 was a 2011 initiative by DC Comics to relaunch its monthly comic book line with fifty-two new series, an editorial overhaul, and a unified continuity intended to attract new readers and reconfigure legacy characters. The initiative followed events at Flashpoint (comics), involved creators associated with Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Scott Snyder, Greg Rucka, and intersected with major crossovers like Brightest Day and Trinity War while affecting flagship characters such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), and The Flash (Barry Allen).

Background and Development

Development began after the commercial and narrative outcomes of Infinite Crisis (comics), Final Crisis, and the media success of The Dark Knight Rises and Man of Steel (2013 film). DC leadership including Diane Nelson, Dan DiDio, and Jim Lee commissioned a linewide reset to simplify continuity for new readers and to align with tie-ins to Justice League (film), Arrow (TV series), and other transmedia properties. Creative planning involved editorial figures such as Bob Harras and writers like Geoff Johns and Grant Morrison who had previously worked on Teen Titans (comics), Action Comics, and Batman (comic book series).

Relaunch Details and Editorial Strategy

The relaunch debuted with redesigned numbering and a new DC Universe branding, coordinated by Jim Lee and supported by marketing campaigns across ComiXology, Diamond Comic Distributors, and brick-and-mortar retailers like Midtown Comics. Editorial strategy emphasized accessible first issues, reimagined origins, and a linewide house style managed by editors including Bob Harras and Brian Cunningham, with promotional tie-ins to events such as San Diego Comic-Con International and New York Comic Con. The initiative implemented a rolling continuity overseen by writers like Geoff Johns, artists like Jason Fabok, and colorists associated with Alex Sinclair.

Major Titles and Creative Teams

Flagship series at launch included Justice League (2011 series) by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, Action Comics (2011 series) by Grant Morrison and Rags Morales, Batman (2011 series) by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, Superman (2011 series) by George Pérez and Jesús Merino, and Wonder Woman (2011 series) by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang. Other notable teams included Green Lantern (2011 series) contributors such as Peter Tomasi, David Finch, and creators on Animal Man (2011 series) like Jeff Lemire and Steve Pugh, and on Swamp Thing (2011 series) by Scott Snyder and Yanick Paquette.

Continuity Changes and Character Revisions

The relaunch altered origins and timelines for characters including Clark Kent (character), Bruce Wayne, Diana Prince, Barry Allen, and Hal Jordan, implementing revised histories that referenced incidents from Crisis on Infinite Earths, Flashpoint, and Kingdom Come while excising elements from runs by Grant Morrison, Ed Brubaker, and Geoff Johns (writer). Secondary characters such as Superboy (Conner Kent), Tim Drake, Donna Troy, Oracle (Barbara Gordon), and teams like Teen Titans and Suicide Squad were reconfigured, affecting connections to legacy institutions like S.T.A.R. Labs, Wayne Enterprises, and LexCorp.

Reception and Sales Performance

Initial sales saw record numbers for issues like Justice League #1 and Action Comics #1 (2011), with distribution reported through Diamond Comic Distributors and digital platforms such as ComiXology. Critical response varied: reviewers compared the relaunch to past initiatives like Crisis on Infinite Earths and Zero Hour: Crisis in Time while commentators from outlets covering Comics Alliance, The Beat (comics news), and mainstream press debated effects on creators including Geoff Johns and Grant Morrison. Over time, sales trends shifted, with long-running titles like Batman and Superman outperforming several canceled series amid competition from Image Comics and Marvel Comics.

Legacy and Influence on DC Comics

The imprint influenced later editorial moves including DC Rebirth, the restoration of legacy elements associated with Wally West, Diana Prince's mythos, and partial reintegration of pre-relaunch continuity favored by creators such as Tom King and Brian Michael Bendis (writer). The initiative reshaped publishing strategy at DC Entertainment, affected licensing relationships tied to Warner Bros., and informed future relaunches by highlighting the interplay between comic continuity and adaptations like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League (film). Creators who rose during the era—Scott Snyder, Geoff Johns, Brian Azzarello, Jeff Lemire—continued to influence series development and mentoring of new talent.

Collected Editions and Reprints

Many series were collected in trade paperbacks and hardcover editions by DC Comics under imprints such as DC Black Label and distributed through channels including Penguin Random House and specialty collections in Barnes & Noble. Key collected volumes include trade editions of Justice League (2011), Batman (2011), Action Comics (2011), and retrospective anthologies compiling work from creators like Grant Morrison, Frank Miller, and Alan Moore for comparative study. Reprint initiatives and omnibus editions later restored select pre-relaunch continuity via curated collections associated with publishers like DC Comics and retailers such as Forbidden Planet.

Category:DC Comics imprints