It’s no secret that DC Comics has a tangled and often confusing past. With countless reboots, retcons, and multiverse-shaking events, keeping track of everything from Hawkman’s convoluted origins to the ever-changing number of Flashes can be overwhelming. Fortunately, New History of the DC Universe #1 drops at the perfect moment, offering clarity just as the new Superman movie will hopefully bring fresh readers to the world of comics.
To mark DC’s 90th anniversary, passionate fan and acclaimed writer Mark Waid revisits the origins of the DC Universe in a four-part miniseries, brought to life by some of the publisher’s most iconic artists. Narrated by none other than Barry Allen, the Flash and now the timeline’s newest chronicler, the first issue traces the universe’s creation all the way to the emergence of the Justice Society.
The story begins with Barry Allen reflecting on both his personal past and the broader history of the multiverse. After losing his speed and stepping away from his role as The Flash following the events of Absolute Power, Barry finds himself with plenty of time to think. He decides to document what he knows about the origins of the DC Universe. Acting as the narrator for the series, Barry takes readers through key events starting with the Big Bang and continuing up to the 1950s in this debut issue.
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Waid may be one of the few writers truly equipped to untangle and present the vast, complex timeline of the DC Universe. Not only has he contributed significantly to shaping much of this history through his own writing over the years, but he’s also widely respected as one of the medium’s most knowledgeable and passionate historians.
The story is presented in a straightforward, almost clinical manner, focusing on laying out the essential facts of DC’s sprawling history. While the narration itself leans on the dry side, the visual storytelling more than makes up for it, thanks to the energetic and expressive artwork by Jerry Ordway and Todd Nauck.
The panels flow seamlessly from one to the next, creating a natural rhythm that mirrors the unfolding of history itself. Transitions between eras and key events feel organic, with visual cues and consistent layout choices guiding the reader’s eye effortlessly across the page. A particularly clever element is how Ordway and Nauck subtly echo the styles of iconic artists from DC’s past.
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Chris Samnee’s cover instantly brings to mind the late, great Darwyn Cooke’s The New Frontier series. There’s a similar retro-modern vibe in the clean lines and bold, dynamic composition, capturing that timeless, heroic energy Cooke was known for.
If The New History of the DC Universe #1 were simply a well-crafted summary of past events, it would still be an impressive achievement on its own. However, what truly elevates its value, especially for dedicated readers and continuity buffs, comes after the main narrative concludes.
In the back of the book, Dave Wielgosz builds on Mark Waid’s extensive research and adds his own insights to create a detailed set of annotations. These notes link specific scenes in the issue to the original comics they reference, serving as a road map for readers eager to explore or revisit key moments in DC’s vast continuity.
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The benefit to new readers is clear: anyone curious about DC’s version of Atlantis can easily discover which comics to seek out. Fans who want to explore the origin stories of their favorite heroes will find a helpful guide pointing them in the right direction. Wielgosz’s annotations are impressively thorough, offering a wealth of information that could inspire months of deep reading.
In the end, The New History of the DC Universe distinguishes itself as an essential addition to any comic book reader’s collection. For devoted DC fans, it offers a thoughtful and meticulously crafted summary of decades of continuity, rich with references and visual callbacks to key events. At the same time, it serves as an accessible entry point for newcomers, offering a guided tour through the vast and often complex mythology that defines the DC Universe.
‘New History of the DC Universe’ #1 Everything Old is New Again
The New History of the DC Universe distinguishes itself as an essential addition to any comic book reader’s collection. For devoted DC fans, it offers a thoughtful and meticulously crafted summary of decades of continuity, rich with references and visual callbacks to key events. At the same time, it serves as an accessible entry point for newcomers, offering a guided tour through the vast and often complex mythology that defines the DC Universe.
