Is August 31st the end of the DCU?

In a surprising move DC Comics has announced that the only book that they will be releasing on August 31^st is Flashpoint #5. According to DC this is because of the impact that the issue will have on the DC Universe. Flicking through the recent solicitations for August, quite a few books seem to be resolving their current storylines just in time for the release of Flashpoint #5. Titles including JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA, BRIGHTEST DAY AFTERMATH: THE SEARCH FOR SWAMP THING, ACTION COMICS, DETECTIVE COMICS, GOTHAM CITY SIRENS, BIRDS OF PREY, SUPERMAN, SUPERBOY, SUPERMAN/BATMAN, WONDER WOMAN, ADVENTURE COMICS, LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES, GREEN ARROW, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS, and TITANS are all having the finale issue of their current storyline at the end of August. Is this all one big coincidence? I think not. Bleeding Cool wrote a recent article about rumours of DC comics renumbering in September. With so many finale issues in August, that would make sense, but with all the talk around Flashpoint #5, could we be seeing a DC Universe wide reboot in September? DC did reboot Superman in 1986 with John Byrne?s famous The Man of Steel series, so there is a precedent. However, rebooting the entire universe would be arguably the biggest thing to happen in Superhero comics since World War II. Speculation is going wild at this point, and some fan backlash would be almost guaranteed. One thing is for certain, DC would definitely get some major media coverage. After the recent move from New York to LA and the appointing of Diane Nelson as the President of DC Entertainment, DC has made some major headway in trying to make DC Comics properties more marketable. This sort of shake up teamed with a possible box office success from the upcoming Green Lantern film, could breathe new life into DC Comics.

            Kosta Patapis