In September 2011, DC Comics relaunched their entire line of publications, dubbing the new publishing initiative as The New 52. The initiative consisted of a new imprint of titles, all labeled with "The New 52" logo, as well as creating a rebooted DC Universe post-"Flashpoint" that saw characters from the former WildStorm and Vertigo imprints being absorbed into the main DC Comics line. The intent was to publish 52 ongoing titles each month across the DC Universe. However, DC has also counted one-shots, miniseries and maxiseries in that number.
In June 2015, following the conclusion of the Convergence miniseries, "The New 52" branding and imprint were discontinued, although the continuity continued under a new initiative, "DC You". In February 2016, DC announced the Rebirth initiative, bringing an end to the New 52 beginning in June 2016. Gotham Academy: Second Semester was the final title to release from the New 52, with the final issue releasing in August 2017. An additional Earth-2 title was announced to replace Earth-2: Society, but details were not provided.
DC released a total of 111 ongoing titles during The New 52. To expand The New 52 universe, DC had also released 34 one-shots, 32 miniseries and four maxiseries, with one ongoing series planned. One ongoing series was planned but did not release before Rebirth took effect in June 2016. Additionally, another ongoing series was planned but cancelled, with its concepts merged into another title.
Imprint titles
The ongoing titles under The New 52 imprint were organized under seven different "families", grouping similar characters or themes within the books together. These families were: "Justice League"; "Batman"; "Superman"; "Green Lantern"; "Young Justice"; "The Edge"; and "The Dark". However, by the release of the October 2013 solicitations, DC was no longer grouping the titles by these families, instead releasing one larger solicit, titled "The New 52 Group".
From September 2011 until June 2015, DC released 93 ongoing titles under the imprint across multiple "wave" releases, and to expand The New 52 universe, also released 21 one-shots, 17 miniseries and three maxiseries. DC used the "wave" format of introducing new titles, which occasionally corresponded with titles being canceled, to "constantly refresh the line". Additionally, in subsequent Septembers following the launch, DC featured unique publishing initiatives to commemorate the relaunch.
Post-imprint titles In February 2015, it was revealed that after the Convergence miniseries in June 2015, DC would no longer use the "New 52" name to brand their books; however the continuity established in September 2011 would continue. Dan DiDio stated, "In this new era of storytelling, story will trump continuity as we continue to empower creators to tell the best stories". Jim Lee added, "Rather than having 52 books all in the same continuity, and really focusing on keeping a universe that's tightly connected and has super-internal consistency, and really one flavor, we've really broken it up. We'll have a core line of about 25 books that will have that internal consistency, that will consist of our best-selling books. But then the rest of the line, about 24 titles, will be allowed to really shake things up a little bit." The new titles would be "reinventing key characters", such as Black Canary, Cyborg, Bizarro, and Starfire, with a new "contemporary tonality to ensure a diverse offering of comic books." In the initial "relaunch", 24 new publications joined 25 existing publications from before Convergence, with new titles continuing to be added. In March 2015, DiDio revealed there would not be an "overarching brand on this" stating the relaunch was just "DC Comics, pure and simple." However, in May 2015, DC announced the advertising campaign "DC You" for the relaunch, highlighting the four themes of characters, talent, stories and fans. The initiative, which began in DC's print and digital comics on May 20, before transitioning to other digital content on June 3, was featured on print inserts and ads, as well as on the DC Comics website and across social media with a special hashtag.
In February 2016, DC Comics announced its Rebirth initiative, a line-wide relaunch of its titles to begin in June 2016. Along with a number of existing New 52 titles relaunching with new #1s and the cancellation of others, DC planned to reintroduced many of the familiar concepts for characters, such as legacy, from the pre-Flashpoint continuity that had been lost with the New 52, by creating a new DC Universe that built "on everything that's been published since Action Comics #1 up thru The New 52."
Since the "relaunch", DC has released an additional 18 ongoing series, as well as 15 miniseries, 13 one-shots, and one maxiseries, with one ongoing series planned. One ongoing series was planned but did not release before Rebirth took effect in June 2016. Additionally, another ongoing series was planned but cancelled, with its concepts merged into another title.
Continuing titles
These titles were published before Convergence and continued their previous numbering, as opposed to being renumbered or relaunched in June 2015.
Title Publication dates / Issues Initial creative team Notes / References Action Comics WritersGreg PakAaron KuderArtistAaron Kuder Aquaman WriterCullen BunnArtistTrevor McCarthy Batgirl WritersCameron StewartBrenden FletcherArtistBabs Tarr Focusing on Barbara Gordon. Batman WriterScott SnyderPencillerGreg CapulloInkerDanny Miki Initially focusing on James Gordon now operating a Batman-themed exo-suit, later the original Batman, after an amnesiac Bruce Wayne regains his memories. Batman/Superman WriterGreg PakArtistArdian Syaf The series focuses on the shared adventures of Batman (Jim Gordon) and Superman, then the original Batman after he regains his memories. Catwoman WriterGenevieve ValentineArtistDavid Messina Deathstroke (vol. 3) WritersTony S. DanielJim BonnyArtistTony S. Daniel Detective Comics WritersFrancis ManapulBrian BuccelatoArtistFrancis Manapul Focusing on the adventures of the new Batman (James Gordon). The Flash WritersRobert VendettiVan JensenPencillerBrett BoothInkerNorm Rapmund Focusing on Barry Allen. Gotham Academy WritersBecky CloonanBrandon FletcherArtistMingjue Helen Chen A teen drama set in a preparatory school in Gotham, where Bruce Wayne is a benefactor. Gotham by Midnight WriterRay FawkesArtistJuan Ferreyra A horror series featuring Detective Jim Corrigan (Spectre) as part of "The Midnight Shift", a division of the Gotham City Police Department which focuses on supernatural occurrences. Grayson WritersTim SeeleyTom KingArtistMikel Janin Examining Dick Grayson's life as an undercover superspy for Spyral. Green Arrow WriterBen PercyArtistPatrick Zircher Green Lantern WriterRobert VendettiPencillerBilly TanInkerMark Irwin Focusing on the Green Lantern Hal Jordan, now a rogue from the Green Lantern Corps. Harley Quinn WritersAmanda ConnerJimmy PalmiottiArtistChad Hardin Justice League WriterGeoff JohnsArtistJason Fabok Focusing on the team of Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Flash, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, Shazam, Power Ring, Lex Luthor and Mister Miracle. Justice League United WriterJeff ParkerArtistTravel Foreman Focusing on Alanna, Animal Man, Stargirl and Equinox, who recruit other heroes and villains of the DC Universe as necessary. Lobo WriterCullen BunnArtistCliff Richards New Suicide Squad WriterSean RyanArtistPhilippe Briones Secret Six WriterGail SimoneArtistsKen LashleyDale Eaglesham Focusing on Catman, Porcelain, Big Shot, Ventriloquist, Black Alice and Strix. Sinestro WriterCullen BunnPencillerBrad WalkerInkerAndrew Hennessy Also featuring members of the Sinestro Corps, with Arkillo, Lyssa Drak, Dez Trevius, and Rigen Kale acting as an "inner council" for Sinestro. Superman WriterGene Luen YangPencilerJohn Romita Jr.InkerKlaus Janson Superman/Wonder Woman WriterPeter TomasiArtistsDoug Mahnkeothers The series explores the relationship between Superman and Wonder Woman. Teen Titans (vol. 5) WriterWill PfeiferArtistKenneth Rocafort Initial team consists of Red Robin, Wonder Girl, Raven, Bunker, and Beast Boy. Wonder Woman WriterMeredith FinchPencillerDavid FinchInkerJonathan Glapion
Discontinued Title Publication dates / Issues Initial creative team Notes / References Batman Beyond WriterDan JurgensArtistBernard Chang Spinning out of Convergence and set 35 years in the DC Universe future, focusing on Tim Drake. Black Canary WriterBrenden FletcherArtistAnnie Wu Spinning out of Batgirl issue 40. Constantine: The Hellblazer WritersMing DoyleJames Tynion IVArtistRiley Rossmo Cyborg WriterDavid F. WalkerArtistsIvan ReisJoe Prado Doctor Fate WriterPaul LevitzArtistSonny Liew Earth 2: Society WriterDaniel H. WilsonArtistJorge Jimenez This series is set on a parallel earth after Earth-2 is destroyed. It is a continuation of Earth 2. Gotham Academy: Second Semester WritersBecky CloonanBrandon FletcherKarl KerschelArtistsAdam ArcherSandra Hope Originally announced as a title part of the "Rebirth" initiative, it was later revealed that Gotham Academy: Second Semester would be a continuation of Gotham Academy and was not considered a Rebirth title. Justice League 3001 WritersKeith GiffenJ. M. DeMatteisArtistHoward Porter The series is a continuation of Justice League 3000. Justice League of America WriterBryan HitchArtistsBryan HitchWade von Grawbadger Featuring the initial team of Aquaman, Batman, Cyborg, The Flash, Green Lantern, Superman and Wonder Woman.
The final issue was originally solicited to release in August 2016, along with an annual. However, in June 2016, DC cancelled the remaining unreleased issues (issues 9 through 12, and the annual), telling retailers the issues would be "resolicited at a later date." The final issues were resolicted for release in August and September 2016, with the annual releasing in November 2016. After the resolict, DC once again cancelled issues 11, 12 and the annual in August 2016, with the series concluding with issue 10 in November 2016. Martian Manhunter WriterRob WilliamsPencillerEddy BarrowsInkerEber Ferreira Midnighter WriterSteve OrlandoArtistACO Spinning out of Grayson. The Omega Men WriterTom KingArtistAlec Morgan In September 2015, the December solicits indicated the series would end with issue 7. However, shortly thereafter, Lee, DiDio and DC decided to allow the series to continue until at least issue 12. Red Hood/Arsenal WriterScott LobdellArtistDenis Medri The series is a continuation of Red Hood and the Outlaws, focusing only on Jason Todd and Roy Harper. Robin: Son of Batman WriterPatrick GleasonPencillerPatrick GleasonInkerMick Gray Starfire WritersAmanda ConnerJimmy PalmiottiArtistEmanuela Lupacchino Superman: Lois & Clark WriterDan JurgensArtistLee Weeks Spinning out of Convergence, following pre-"Flashpoint" Superman, Lois Lane and their child, nine years after Convergence. Telos WriterJeff KingArtistsCarlo PagulayanJason Paz Spinning out of Convergence. We Are... Robin WriterLee BermejoArtistsRob HaynesKhary Randolph Spinning out of the Batman storyline "Endgame", the series features hundreds of Gotham City teenagers adopted the Robin name and mantle.
Unpublished and cancelled Mystik U, written by Alisa Kwitney with art from Mauricet, would have focused on a college for magic people, featuring Rose Psychic and Cain and Abel. Kwitney original stated the title would debut in October 2015, but it was not released before Rebirth took effect in June 2016. The title was eventually solicited in August 2017 for a November 2017 release as a "prestige-format limited series" outside DC Rebirth continuity. The series now featured art from Mike Norton, and centered on Zatanna, Sebastian Faust, Enchantress, Pia Morales and Sargon the Sorcerer.