Graphic Content
By Wally Flores Jr.

DC's "One year later" phase has finally kicked in. For some titles I already have two issues, others I have one. Some titles fall under the category and aren't even "officially" marked. Seeing as how this is a major change to the DC Universe as a whole I thought I would run down the titles that I'm getting and what seems to be happening to them (both 'pros' and 'cons'). Keep in mind that I may be revealing some things you might not know if you haven't picked up the most recent issues of these titles. To make things easy I'll do the rundown alphabetically:   Blue Beetle This title is a kind of "pseudo" one year later. The first two issues are out and you have a very nice setup of things that happened to the new Blue Beetle (Jamie Reyes) before he helped out in Infinite Crisis. Plus, he's along for the ride with the rest of us in the one year later mindset because he's as clueless about his activities for the past year as we are. Pros: Keith Giffen as one of the writers. This almost guarantees some level of humor to the title (and it's been showing since the first issue) to go along with a good story. Plus, we don't know much about this new Beetle's abilities so everything is fresh and new. Cons: The new Blue Beetle seems to be, in some part, inspired by the Guyver. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it's just something that makes me cautious. If he ends up fighting J.J. Walker I'm dropping the title (if you understand that reference, I'm sorry). Uncertain: Is this title another step in "minoritizing" established heroes? It just seems interesting timing that another "minority" is stepping into the shoes of an established hero (the other hero being Firestorm). As someone who does fall into that category I think it's cool that heroes aren't necessarily "white guys" anymore, but there are risks with it. One such risk is playing it up too much. An example would be "Posse." Basically they're a ghetto Alpha Flight dressed just like you would "expect" them to be dressed. I'm concerned about the subject, but if it's handled with tact it could turn out well.   Firestorm A year ago Firestorm was "rebuilt" thanks to the involvement of Professor Stein. Unfortunately Professor Stein is now missing. So, rather having a Firestorm composed of Jason Rusch and Professor Stein we have a Firestorm composed of Firestorm and Lorraine Reilly (Firehawk). To add to the confusion Jason and Lorraine can't be further apart than a mile without some very bad things happening. What happened to the Professor? How did Jason and Lorraine get stuck with each other? I guess we'll find out. Pros: The unknowns. Jason's life has been crazy ever since he became Firestorm and he's stepped up the whole time. I figure this just shows what Jason is made of even more. I have high hopes for the answers to my questions. Cons: Gehenna. I don't get her, I don't care to. I hope she proves to be something more than a damsel in distress or a distraction.   Green Lantern Hal Jordan is still doing the GL thing. In the year that passed it looks like Hal was a P.O.W. and survived whatever happened. I'm sure we'll find out what happened later, but right now issue 10 seems more like a another relaunch of the title. Pros: We're past the waste of time that was the first nine issues of the title and in a fresh new setting. Add the recruitment of an individual to something called the "Sinestro Corps" and we've FINALLY got something interesting happening in this title. Cons: Geoff Johns is still writing the title. I love pretty much everything Johns does but I've all but lost most of my faith in his ability to write Hal.   Hawkgirl Hawkman is gone and Hawkgirl (Kendra Saunders) is now the core character of the book. I'm hoping we'll get more information on what happened to Hawkman soon, but I'm guessing it's going to take some time because Hawkgirl has to be solidly rooted as someone who can hold the title. Pros: I've enjoyed watching Kendra come into her own since the start of the series, and before in JSA, and I think it will be interesting to see how she develops not being under Hawkman's wing all the time (pun intended). Cons: Nipples. Yes, Nipples. Howard Chaykin's art works OK but the man is obsessed with making Hawkgirl look like she's cold. Joel Schumacher's Bat-suits were less obvious. I really didn't think it got that cold in Louisiana.   Ion Once again Kyle Rayner has been powered up and no longer needs a ring to wield the energies of a Green Lantern (at least). Something big (perhaps cosmic scale) is on the horizon and a bounty hunter (at least one) is after him. What is his role as a hero now? That's the main question I'm interested in finding out. Pros: I like Kyle Rayner. Cons: Ron Marz writing Kyle, Greg Tocchini's art and the title has the subtitle of "Guardian of the Universe" which is the same as Jesse Ventura's movie Abraxas. None of these things bode well regarding quality. Yes, if it wasn't for the fact that this title spotlights Kyle and will likely have large affects on the Green Lantern mythos I wouldn't be touching it. I'm a sucker.   JSA Its one year later and . . . uh . . . the JSA is fighting the Gentleman Ghost until their final issue. Pros: My expectations are so low for this final story arc that I can only be impressed (well . . . likely). Cons: Going out fighting the Gentleman Ghost. What? Is the JSA creative team trying to outdo the lameness of the last story arch of The Flash? I think if they bring in Sportsmaster to help the Gentleman Ghost they can lock in such a victory.   Outsiders The roster has changed a bit, they're taking a more proactive stance towards the bad guys and the world thinks they're dead. Fill in the blanks of the past year if you want, I don't need 'em. Pros: Katana is a member of the Outsiders again, Thunder has ditched the lame blonde wig and the new Captain Boomerang is slinging for the good guys. Oh, and Judd Winick, Matthew Clark and Art Thibert are still going strong a "year later." Cons: Arsenal is gone and I don't know why . . . yet.   Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes This title's only major change so far seems to be the addition of Supergirl to the team. With Mark Waid writing I'm sure more changes will show up later. Pros: Mark Waid, Barry Kitson and Mick Gray are still on the title and there doesn't seem to be any disruption to the flow of the story. Cons: None Uncertain: Supergirl. I'm not putting too much stock in her being on the team (even if her name is in front of the team's name). She can always be "removed" if she ends up hurting the title.   Teen Titans Through flashes of Cyborg's memory it looks like a lot has happened over the past year. We may not know what all of it is now, but I think finding out is going to be a fun ride. Pros: Roster change that keeps things interesting. Kid Devil (I have his first appearance, can you believe that?) is a unique choice and Ravager's addition should create some turmoil. Geoff Johns is still writing strong (on this title I trust him). Cons: I'm worried there could be too much turmoil for the new team for a while. Uncertain: Marvin and Wendy. Bringing the Wonder Twins into Extreme Justice didn't help (but then again I don't think anything could have). However, I have been wondering who could help Cyborg when he needed repairs, and these two might do the trick. If the Balloonians show up at the tower I will question Johns' sanity.   So, other than Ion and JSA I think any of these titles would be worth checking out if you already aren't reading them. My top three recommendations would be Blue Beetle, Outsiders and Teen Titans, mostly because of the ease of jumping on. I think with the other titles you'll be more compelled to check back issues for the sake of understanding what happened before the "One year later" jump. Now I'll sit back and wait for the answers to many of my questions to come through in the pages of 52.

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