Aside from exactly what role Doctor Manhattan has played in the manipulation of the DC Universe, there is perhaps no greater mystery surrounding Rebirth than that of the mysterious Mr. Oz's true identity.

RELATED: Reverse Flash Investigates the Truth About DC’s Rebirth Universe

The obvious money is on Watchmen's own Ozymandias, the mastermind behind the world-altering plot at the heart of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon's original masterpiece. A less obvious but perhaps equally likely candidate is Pariah, DC Comics' Crisis-linked character destined to travel the Multiverse, bearing witness to the deaths of thousands of worlds. What if Pariah decided to no longer play watcher and instead took on an active role to prevent tragedy by manipulating the DCU in order to save it from itself?

Whatever the case, after over a year of fans theorizing about the enigmatic character's true identity, DC is ready to reveal once and for all who's face is under the hood. The big moment will arrive Wednesday, September 13 in the pages of Action Comics #987, the first chapter of a new storyline titled "The Oz Effect." And while DC is keeping things close to the vest, the solicitation copy does state that Oz's identity "rocks the Last Son of Krypton to his core," a pretty bold statement indicating a genuinely major revelation.

RELATED: Geoff Johns Reveals DC/Watchmen Story, Solves Rebirth Mystery

Of course, the question remains as to how directly this all ties for Doctor Manhattan's own machinations involving the DC Universe, and if he and Mr. Oz are partners or are working at cross-purposes. Whether that aspect is explored in the Action Comics storyline remains unknown, but it will certainly be at the center of the next chapter of the Rebirth saga, the November-debuting Doomsday Clock.

action-comics-987

ACTION COMICS #987

  • Written by DAN JURGENS
  • Art by VIKTOR BOGDANOVIC
  • Lenticular cover by NICK BRADSHAW
  • Variant cover by MIKEL JANIN
  • Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
  • “THE OZ EFFECT” part one! The agents of the mysterious Mr. Oz begin to move as the Man of Steel works to stop the chaos they unleash in Metropolis and across the globe. But when Mr. Oz steps from the shadows his identity rocks the Last Son of Krypton to his core. The story that began in DC Universe: Rebirth #1 begins to end here!On sale SEPTEMBER 13 • Lenticular version $3.99 • Nonlenticular version
  • $2.99 US • RATED T

ACTION COMICS #988

  • Written by DAN JURGENS
  • Art by PATCH ZIRCHER
  • Lenticular cover by NICK BRADSHAW
  • Variant cover by MIKEL JANIN
  • Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
  • “THE OZ EFFECT” part two! As Superman struggles with the ramifications of Mr. Oz’s identity, the mysterious figure’s origins and the long road to Superman’s doorstep finally reveal themselves.
  • On sale SEPTEMBER 27 • Lenticular version $3.99 • Nonlenticular version $2.99 US • RATED T