For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a fan of comic book characters. When I was growing up, I was enthralled with reruns of the 1960s Batman series, I had a bootleg VHS copy of Superman that I watched countless times, and I always made sure I was in front of the TV on Saturday mornings to catch the X-Men. But despite my love of all things superhero-related, I never read many comic books. Sure, I knew quite a bit about the most popular characters, andI picked up an issue here and there, but I never followed them with any sort of regularity until I was about 19.
My roommate at the time had an extensive collection of comics and graphic novels, and I fell in love with Ultimate Spider-Man and Ultimate X-Men, collecting every trade paperback that was published over the next few years. The idea of rebooting familiar characters for a modern audience, allowing new readers to enjoy the stories without being confused by decades of background information and continuity discrepancies, seemed absolutely brilliant to me, and while this gradually opened the door for me to become interested in more of Marvel’s mainstream catalog, I don’t think anything will ever surpass my love of the Ultimate Marvel universe.
I’ll admit that, over the years, I haven’t read a lot of the DC stuff, with Batman-related titles being the exception to the rule. You name a major Batman story or graphic novel, I can pretty much guarantee that I’ve crossed paths with it at one point or another. But as far as the rest of the DC universe goes, I’ve had limited exposure, and my knowledge is rudimentary, at best. So when DC announced the relaunch of their entire universe with The New 52, I was immediately reminded of my experience with Ultimate Marvel, and I decided to dive right in.
Kyle and Alan both gave their thoughts on the first issue of the relaunch, but I’m taking this a step further, and what follows are my impressions of the 20 titles I decided to sample, and my brief thoughts on how they might appeal to a non-DC fan.
Justice League #1
The genesis of the DC relaunch, Justice League is set approximately five years in the past, and will chronicle the formation of the world’s most powerful team of superheroes (in the DC universe, anyway). The first issue sees Batman reluctantly teaming up with Green Lantern to trace the origins of an unknown alien artifact. The differences in their personalities are apparent from their first meeting, and makes for some humorous dialogue exchanges. Writer Geoff Johns captures the essence of both characters superbly, and Jim Lee’s art is beyond gorgeous. Throw in a cameo from a young Vic Stone, and an appearance by a very pissed-off Superman in the last panel, and you’ve definitely got the right recipe for attracting new readers. I’m looking forward to seeing where this one goes.
Action Comics #1
Acclaimed writer Grant Morrison explores the early days of Superman with Action Comics, which takes place several years before any of the other DC books. In this saga, Superman has only recently begun to make himself known to the city of Metropolis, and his exploits have attracted the attention of Lex Luthor, who sees the alien being as a very dangerous threat to the citizens – and to his own interests. Morrison portrays Superman as a vigilante, with a cold, cynical attitude toward the lack of justice in Metropolis. It’s a fresh, bold take on the material, and is definitely one of the highlights of The New 52.
Animal Man #1
Not being a regular DC reader, I had never heard of Animal Man before the relaunch, and this title wasn’t something that caught my eye. But thanks to a recommendation by the guys at Ash Avenue Comics, I decided to give it a shot, and the result was one of the better reading experiences I’ve had with The New 52. Unlike the majority of DC’s superheroes, Buddy Baker doesn’t hide behind a secret identity. He’s a family man with a wife and children, and he doesn’t keep his abilities hidden from his family, or from the public. As a man trying to find the balance between a “normal” life and the life he feels obligated to lead, Baker is a complex character, and very easy to identify with. The writing by Jeff Lemire is strong, and I really like the simplistic art style, particularly in the dream sequence. Good stuff here.
Aquaman #1
I can’t believe I’m about to admit this, but Aquaman is one of the best things I’ve read from The New 52. Along with just about everyone else in the world, I’ve always viewed Aquaman as the shining example of incredibly lame superheroes. Geoff Johns acknowledges this perception of the character, and wastes no time in addressing it. The issue is rife with references to the public opinion of Aquaman, and there are a ton of jokes and sarcastic quips associated with it, bringing an element of humor to the character which works surprisingly well. The setup for the next issue is very promising, and if this is an example of what to expect from the title, then count me in. Thanks to Kyle for convincing me to read this one.
Batgirl #1
Tonight, for the first time in over three years, Barbara Gordon slips back into the guise of Batgirl and disappears into the night. An attempt to rescue a family from a group of sadistic murderers results in three scumbags in jail and a fourth in the hospital, but Batgirl doesn’t see the bigger picture unfolding until she fails to prevent a tragedy and finds herself staring down the barrels of two guns – one of them belonging to a Gotham City detective. Despite being back in action, it’s clear that her mind still hasn’t fully recovered from the effects of the assault that left her in a wheelchair, and I look for this one to delve deeper into Barbara’s psyche with subsequent issues.
Batman #1
Former Detective Comics scribe Scott Snyder takes the reins and delivers the first installment of what he promises will be a lengthy run, a “big, ambitious Batman story.” In the first few pages, we’re introduced to nearly the entire rogue’s gallery of villains (with great new variations from artist Greg Capullo), and we also get a crash course on the most important players in Batman’s inner circle. The second half of the issue is a bit heavy on the dialogue, but the cliffhanger ending ensures that there will be many interesting things to come. This is one of my favorites, with Action Comics and Detective Comics being the only others I enjoyed more.
Batman and Robin #1
If you’re attempting to attract new readers to the DC universe, this isn’t the way to do it. There is no explanation or backstory given to anything that occurs during this issue, so unless you’re familiar with Batman Inc, you’ll probably be just as lost as I was. The latest Robin (Bruce Wayne’s son, Damian) is written as an arrogant, impetuous little shit that has no respect and no regard for anyone around him, and Batman’s dialogue feels like it could’ve been pulled straight from the Joel Schumacher film of the same name, which is definitely NOT a favorable comparison. Hopefully the next issue starts filling in the blanks, or I won’t be sticking around.
Batman: The Dark Knight #1
First things first – David Finch is an amazing artist, and his style is a perfect match for the Batman universe. Unfortunately, his work can’t save this inaugural issue from being decidedly lackluster. It feels as though it has no real direction, and does a very poor job of establishing the characters and the universe. It’s the weakest of the Batman titles, by far, and it’ll need to get a lot more interesting very quickly if it’s going to attract new readers, or retain them.
Batwing #1
Truth be told, this one wasn’t even on my radar, but I decided to check it out based on Alan’s recommendation. Turns out, he was right on the money, as this one was definitely a bit of a sleeper. David Zavimbe is an officer in the Tinasha Police Department, doing his best to protect a run-down, crime-ridden city. But unbeknownst to his fellow officers, he is also Batwing, bringing the legend of the Dark Knight to life on another continent. The artwork in this title is stunning, setting it well apart from the rest of the relaunched DC titles, and it’s a very interesting premise that has an opportunity to craft a unique new chapter of the Batman mythos.
Batwoman #1
While I certainly found some aspects of this title intriguing, I felt that it left a lot to be desired. The issue is almost entirely exposition, with very little action, all of which is shown in flashback sequences and never given the spotlight. There definitely seems to be some depth to Kate Kane/Batwoman, but her story seems to take a backseat to everything else that’s going on, and as an introductory issue I felt it did a poor job of establishing the character. A cameo from the Dark Knight on the last page leaves me hopeful that the follow-up issue will bring a little more to the table.
Catwoman #1
This doesn’t feel like much of a comic, but more like what a hormonal adolescent boy imagines when he thinks of Catwoman. There’s barely any plot or character development, and entirely too much attention is paid to hyper-sexualizing Selina Kyle, as many of the panels show her in various stages of undress, including a sequence where she pretends to seduce a Russian thug before beating him senseless. The last few pages feature an appearance from Batman, but even the surprising final shot of the issue (which comes across as little more than a gratuitous attention-grabber) can’t save it from itself.
Demon Knights #1
I picked up this title for no other reason than the fact that it looked wildly different from everything else in the DC universe, and I wasn’t disappointed. The issue is a bit heavy on the exposition, but as a new reader with no prior knowledge of the character, I didn’t mind. The flirtatious banter between Etrigan the Demon and Madam Xanadu is clever, and while the bulk of the issue is devoted to following the exploits of Etrigan’s host, when the Demon finally appears in the last few pages, it’s awesome. This is certainly one of the biggest surprises of The New 52.
Detective Comics #1
Written and drawn by Tony Daniel, this tale follows Batman’s investigation of a series of grisly murders in Gotham City, with all signs leading back to The Joker. The bulk of the exposition is done via stream of consciousness narration from Batman himself, and it works to great effect, allowing the reader to connect with the Dark Knight as he relentlessly stalks his prey. Daniel also nails the characterization of The Joker, and I found myself hearing Mark Hamill’s voice with every line of dialogue he spoke. The art and pacing is excellent in this title, and the shocking ending to the first issue results in an agonizing wait for the follow-up.
The Flash #1
After quickly (of course) introducing us to Barry Allen and a host of supporting characters, and a brief description of how he became The Flash, this title is off and running (yes, I did that on purpose). There’s a lot of humor and charm on display here, and a couple of short flashback sequences do a nice job fleshing out Barry’s relationship with a certain character without getting bogged down in too much exposition. The art style is a great fit for the fast-paced (haha, I did it again) storytelling, and this is a prime example of the proper way to relaunch a title.
Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #1
Unquestionably the most bizarre title in the new DC lineup, this one features Frankenstein (yes, that one) as a member of the Super Human Advanced Defense Executive (S.H.A.D.E.) which operates from a miniaturized floating secret headquarters (maintained by a staff of synthetic humans) and is run by Father Time, who appears in the body of a young Japanese schoolgirl (bearing more than a striking resemblance to Hit Girl). And that’s just the first few pages. By the end of the issue, we’ve also added a vampire, a werewolf, and a mummy to the team, as well as Frankenstein’s bride, who has an extra set of arms for reasons that I’ll probably never understand. If this sounds ridiculous, that’s because it is – but it’s also a lot of fun.
Green Lantern #1
Hal Jordan has been discharged from the Green Lantern Corps, and his ring has been taken from him only to choose the most unlikely of hosts: Sinestro. While the Guardians task Sinestro with ensuring the safety and security of his sector, Hal struggles to adapt to life on Earth, spiraling further downward until he receives a surprise visit from an old acquaintance. Geoff Johns seems to have the perfect voice for Hal Jordan, and Hal’s character feels like an evolution of the brash, arrogant version seen in Justice League #1. I’ve never been a big fan of Green Lantern, but I’d by lying if I said I wasn’t intrigued by the setup for the next issue.
Nightwing #1
After spending some time filling in as Batman, Dick Grayson is once again back in the Nightwing costume, flying above the streets of Gotham City with the sort of grace and poise that only a lifelong acrobat can possess. Dick’s constant narration provides plenty of exposition and establishes the history of the character and his current place in the larger DC universe, making it easy for new readers to pick up and dive right in. With Dick’s involvement in the current Batman storyline, I’m wondering how well the titles will tie-in to each other over the new few issues, but so far, so good.
Red Hood and the Outlaws #1
Another black mark on the face of The New 52, Red Hood and the Outlaws is little more than a gratuitous parade of violence and sexuality. Within the first three pages, Roy Harper and the Red Hood have slaughtered a room full of people, and it’s not long before they meet up with Starfire, a bikini-clad alien with an impossibly disproportionate physique that destroys three tanks (and everyone inside them) to assist in the getaway attempt. A few pages later, when Starfire emerges from the ocean dripping wet and propositions Harper for sex, I lost what little interest I had in this title or these characters. It’s fitting that a plot device involves a 12-year-old boy snapping a picture of Starfire with his cellphone and uploading it to the internet, as that’s the only demographic I can see enjoying this.
Superman #1
Overly expository without a lot of excitement, the first issue of Superman leaves much to be desired. The bulk of the issue is narrated by a Clark Kent news story, which just doesn’t work for me. Maybe it’s the writing style, or maybe it’s the fact that the narration does little more than tell the reader exactly what’s going on in the same panel, but it feels very redundant and not at all interesting. The Man of Steel has never been a character that I was particularly drawn to, and this first outing by George Perez does little to change my mind. As a flagship title of the DC universe, this one needs some serious work, as it’s not nearly as exciting as Action Comics.
Swamp Thing #1
Scott Snyder had a very enjoyable debut on Batman #1, and his vision for Swamp Thing is equally impressive. The bulk of the story is focused on Dr. Alec Holland, who is trying to reconcile the past he knows with the memories that have suddenly surfaced in the back of his mind, memories of a hulking, fearsome creature. Snyder wastes very little time setting up Holland’s place in the larger DC universe (expect a few cameos), and a brief telling of the character’s origin, plus a startling panel on the final page, gives new readers just enough information to satisfy their curiosity.
As you can see, the results were mostly favorable, but I think the folks over at DC need to come to an agreement on the definition of a “relaunch.” While some of the titles feel like they’re starting over completely, others feel like they’re picking up right where the previous issue left off, with the only change being the number on the front cover of the issue. When the entire purpose of your initiative is to enable new readers to come on board while simultaneously correcting the plethora of continuity issues, it sort of defeats the purpose when many of the titles still adhere to that original continuity.
Regardless of how I felt about each title, I’ll be sticking with everything listed here for at least the next three issues, giving the ones that I didn’t enjoy an opportunity to redeem themselves, and seeing if the strong beginnings continue to hold my interest as the narrative continues. Rest assured, I’ll be keeping you updated.
The Best: Detective Comics, Action Comics, Batman
The Worst: Catwoman, Red Hood and the Outlaws, Batman and Robin