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The first month of DC's "New 52" has come and gone. Overall I'm pretty pleased with what I've been reading. Of course, to say it's all been quality reading would be a lie. Still, we're talking about first issues here. My personal stance is that it's difficult to get a read off a comic based on the first issue alone. Anyone out there who decides to drop a book after one issue (be it a new series, story arc or writer) is full of themselves, unless the title is seriously horrible (and even that is rare). In today's day and age stand alone issues are not the norm unless that's the overall design of a title. So, to say immediately that the title isn't worth continuing is jumping the gun. Still, the first issue does set up our expectations. Whether they are low, high or somewhere in-between, the first issue sets them for what is to come after. The New 52 runs the gambit of quality in the titles I picked up.
Here are some quick reviews of the titles that I picked up. I'll list them in the order they were released rather than how they show up in the Previews order form. I'll also give them one of three ratings. Those ratings will be:
Poor - These titles have a lot of ground to make up in their first story arc to keep me buying it.
Good - An enjoyable title to read, but nothing outstanding.
Great - A title that stood out to me on some level and I am anticipating the next issue.
Here are the titles in their release order.
August 31st
- Justice League #1 - Good
This is the flagship title of the New 52. The obvious reason is that it's the Justice League back with the big hitters. Well, sort of. Instead of Martian Manhunter we now have Cyborg joining the ranks of the League. That isn't a bad thing, and at the start of the story we see Cyborg isn't Cyborg yet, so we'll get to see his origin (I'm guessing).
The first issue focuses on the first meeting of Batman and Green Lantern. Most had seen the start of this with the pages that were shown online before the titles release, but not everyone knew they would be the focus of the entire issue. The interplay of the characters is good and it shows how Geoff Johns will be handling some of the characters. It works and it works well. It's been a while since I've seen Jim Lee's artwork in an entire comic, so it was a bit of a flashback.
The title ends off showing that the next issue will bring Superman into the mix. I'm looking forward to the next issue, but at this point it is nothing outstanding from the norm. I just want a good Justice League story and title. It's been too long since I've had either.
September 7th
- Action Comics #1 - Great
This was a title I was really looking forward to, and it did not disappoint. I have never cared much about Superman. I don't dislike the character, he just doesn't stand out to me. Even though I've seen all the movies and all the shows about him since I was a kid, I was never a major fan. I just liked seeing something about a superhero. I know a lot of people were upset about this revision, but from what I've read they're actually going back more to the character's original concepts.
A Superman who is upset as I am with how people get away with things just because they're in positions of power? A Superman who has powers that are slowly growing and isn't always aware of the implications of him using them (letting bullets bounce off him without concern for others)? A Superman who has an attitude and looks like he could learn a thing or two about responsibility? All factors to sign me up.
I'm always concerned about Grant Morrison's handling of major characters, but he seems to really have a handle on this Superman. It seems natural and doesn't seem forced. I am definitely looking forward to more of this story and take on Superman.
- Animal Man #1 - Great
Another title that I was looking forward to. It reads a little surreal, but that helps set the atmosphere of the title. Another factor that helps set the atmosphere is Travel Foreman's art. It takes a little getting used to, but by the end of the issue I was glad it was as it was. There isn't really a lot I can say as to why I enjoyed this first issue so much, other than that it really excited me for the potential of what it can deliver in dealing with an element of the DC Universe that maybe we don't see as often. Of course, after reading Swamp Thing I became even more excited. Animal Man looks like it will focus on the Red, and Swamp Thing the Green. I don't think that's coincidence and I look forward to a collision.
- Hawk and Dove #1 - Good
Now, don't get me wrong. The first issue of this title wasn't all that great. However, it looks as though some elements of the new DC Universe will be revealed in this title. For example, we know that Don Hall died during a "crisis", but we don't know if it was THE crisis. I'm hoping we'll get some good information on the new history of the DC Universe through this title. That's all.
- Justice League International #1 - Great
Another title I was looking forward to after the end of Justice League: Generation Lost. Sure, it's not the JLI I was expecting at that time, but I'm still interested. For a first issue it did not disappoint. We learned why the JLI was put together, we saw some members (and potential ones), and saw some folks poking fun at the people whining about the reboot. Good stuff. The main reason I'm looking forward to the next issue is because of the pacing of the first issue. It definitely set a bar. There are two questions that I hope will be answered soon though. First, where is Skeets? Second, if Booster is wearing a Legion ring does that mean he has some knowledge of the "Flashpoint wall" mentioned in the Legion titles?
- Stormwatch #1 - Poor
This was a title I was really looking forward to, and was unfortunately very disappointed by. The art had a distorted look at times. I don't mean Miguel Sepulveda's art either. The art was fine. It looks like something went wrong in printing. Some things are squeezed at times. It's most obvious in character's faces. For me, that's an immediate turn off. Plus there was the realization that while I was reading the title of the book as "Stormwatch" I was seeing "Authority" because of the characters. It's not an Authority title just yet.
So, we've got the Authority characters with a few additions. The most interesting one being the Martian Manhunter. That is, I'm most interested as to why he is on the team. The others I expected for the most part.
The pacing of the book needs to improve. Too many places gone and not enough done or said. It leaves some things to be desired. My biggest interest though (other than Martian Manhunter's reason for being on the team) is to see if DC has the guts to have Midnighter and Apollo once again become an openly gay couple.
- Swamp Thing #1 - Great
I was not originally planning on buying this title. I don't care about Swamp Thing. I care about him less than Superman (even though I loved the movie as a kid). However, a friend of mine read it and really liked it. So, I called the shop to see if they had any copies left and I was lucky enough to get the last one. I was not disappointed. The feel of this title blended completely with the feel of Animal Man, and it was when I saw the reference to "the Green" that I realized there was a reference to "the Red" in Animal Man. I really want to see how these two titles will play into each other.
Scott Snyder's take on the plant world being violent is really cool, and it seems accurate when you stop and think about it. It's a violence we don't see because it's so slow. He also seems to be setting a precedent for the title being that it doesn't matter what you knew about Swamp Thing before, because what's going on with him and Alec Holland is different now. As someone new to the character that's a nice feel.
September 14th
- Green Lantern #1 - Great
What can I really say? It's technically a relaunch but it picks up right where the last series ended. That's fine with me. I look forward to seeing what reason is behind Sinestro being a Green Lantern again.
- Grifter #1 - Poor
I wasn't originally planning on picking this title up, but after reading Stormwatch I thought I'd check it out. Well, it was definitely a lackluster first issue. Slow pacing and Grifter not being "Grifter" just made if for a time-wasting read. However, I am interested in seeing how Cole Cash will become Grifter and I dig the idea of an invasion similar to that of the movie The Hidden.
- Legion Lost #1 - Poor
My hopes weren't too high for this title. Unfortunately it seems like right out of the gate not only are these members of the Legion lost, but so are the readers. The first issues largest saving grace is the first reference to the "Flashpoint wall". This tells me that members of the Legion may have some information about additional effects of the Flashpoint event. How that may play out in the "current" time is interesting. Still, this title has to do a lot of work during the first arc to keep me interested.
- Mister Terrific #1 - Poor
Another title I was looking forward to that disappointed. Mister Terrific is still Michael Holt. He's still an atheist. He's still the third smartest man in the world. That's about it. Of course, if there wasn't a JSA (which there doesn't seem to have been) in this new universe then who was Michael's inspiration to be Mister Terrific?
The story is slow and the art is so-so for the title. I liked the fact that this seems to be the "science" title for the DC Universe, but I'm not going to stay around just to catch wind of some scientific theories. Pick up the pace people.
- Red Lanterns #1 - Good
Yes, I only thought this title was "good". Not everything related to Green Lantern always gets a pass. The issue is solid on all levels, don't get me wrong. I am wondering though where things might go with the new softer, gentler Atrocitus. Plus, he is now being draw more "human" and less "alien". I don't like that at all. It's not a bad comic, but it's just not great.
- Resurrection Man #1 - Poor
Yet another title I was disappointed in. Unlike the original title this one gives us insight into Mitch's powers as the Resurrection Man. But, with that being the case we're immediately off on an adventure because it's just what he does. Um, OK . . . but can we have just a bit more information? This time around it seems that heaven and hell may be interested in Mitch, which is a new touch. Unfortunately the pacing of the first issue is just off. I really like the character, but if something truly significant doesn't happen or if the pace doesn't pick up I'll be dropping this right after the first arc.
September 21st
- Blue Beetle #1 - Great
It's the kick-off issue of a new origin. There isn't much else to say. It's a character I really like and overall the first issue was solid. I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of Jamie's origin as the Blue Beetle plays out this time.
- Captain Atom #1 - Poor
Once again a let down. This is not the Captain Atom of the past. At least for now he isn't. Frankly, I didn't like J.T. Krul's writing. I'm not surprised he's off of Green Arrow. If he wrote that first anything like this one, it was a snore-fest. Much like Mister Terrific this looks to be a science title. That's fine, but please keep it interesting. This will likely be the first title I drop if something major doesn't happen in the second issue. Yes, it was THAT disappointing.
- DC Universe Presents #1 - Poor
I decided to pick this title up because of how much I liked Animal Man and Swamp Thing. That, and I looked inside it at the shop and saw they were doing something with Rama again. I read a Deadman mini-series when I was a kid and it had a lot to do with Rama Kushna and the city of Nanda Parbat. So, the fact that neither had anything to do with Deadman recently was one of the reasons I had fallen away from interest in the character. That doesn't seem to be the case this time. The first issue is far from great and it's actually my personal interest in the character that is keeping me going. On a personal level the issue was good, but to be completely fair it was poor as a first issue.
- Green Lantern Corps #1 - Great
No time to waste! The Green Lantern corner of the DC Universe seems to be pretty much intact, so after a quick look into Guy and John's Earth-based lives we're back to Oa and on a mission! Good pace, good writing, good art. I can't wait for the next issue.
- Legion of Super Heroes #1 - Good
As with the Green Lantern titles this one pretty much picks up where the last one ended. It's the Legion, but the pacing is just a bit off. Still, it's Paul Levitz and I'm guessing part of the pacing is due to changes that had to be made because of the Flashpoint event (sorry, but I don't think it was fully planned for by all writers). Plus, it looks like Glorith will be playing a major part for a while and I'm interested in seeing why so many people think that some incarnation of that character may be the mysterious woman in the New 52. Again, a first issue that's a bit off but I consider it a hiccup.
September 28th
- Aquaman #1 - Great
I have to say this was one of my favorite reads of the new titles. Geoff Johns only gives a bit of what is to come at the start and end of the issue. The rest of the issue is Aquaman dealing with all the grief we readers have given the concept of the character over the years, the difference being he's getting it from everyday people in the DC Universe. Frankly, it's an awesome way of starting the title. It's Geoff Johns having Aquaman say, "You don't know me." Not so much to the people in the comic, but to the reader. From here, it's all about who Aquaman is, not so much who we thought he was. It looks to be a fun ride.
- Flash #1 - Good
Interestingly, for the title you would think to have something about the Flashpoint event, there is nothing about it mentioned. In true Flash style Barry is off and running right from the start of the issue. We are given tidbits as to his rewritten world as the issue moves along. The ending is nothing significant though. It is to Barry, but not so much the reader. Overall I found the most interesting change to be how he costume puts itself together. A new change on his ring would be an understatement. I look forward to seeing exactly how his suit works, and what it's made of.
- Fury of Firestorm #1 - Poor
This is probably one of the greatest changes to a character out of all of the New 52. We've got Ronald Raymond and we've got Jason Rusch, but they are not the same as they were before the Flashpoint event. That being said, I really am looking forward to seeing what happens with this new incarnation of Firestorm. Unfortunately the pacing of the first issue is too fast. We're thrown right into the mix fast. That means we don't have any idea of the characters who have changed. If they were characters we didn't know then that would be fine, but many of us have established ideas of these characters. Outside of concerns about race we don't know anything about them. The next issue needs to slow down the pacing and pick up the meaningful dialogue. A lot happened, but there wasn't much to show for it.
- Green Lantern New Guardians #1 - Great
This is easily one of my favorite new titles. It is focused on Kyle, and as with Aquaman we see a little ribbing from a kid in the comic that reflects some stuff readers think and say. It's good to address that at the start. Beyond that we have rings from all over the spectrum abandoning their users and seeking out Kyle. That's pretty interesting because we've never seen that behavior in a ring before, there is only one orange ring that is known of, and I don't think I've ever seen an indigo ring. Anyway, it's a great first issue and I can't wait for the next one.
- Superman #1 - Great
As I said before I'm interested in this new take on Superman. That was my reason for getting this title. All I can say is that out of all the titles I read this month for the New 52, this one is definitely the "meatiest". I mean, there is so much on every page. Art, dialogue, narration . . . wow. I actually read half the issue, had a snack and then finished it off. This issue is definitely worth every penny. Plus, I gotta say that George Pérez can write.
This first issue leaves us hanging on some levels, but it's very obvious the blanks are going to be filled in. The writing and pacing of the issue leaves no doubt to that. Plus, this issue also shows how much DC seems to be working to make the new DC Universe "current". The presentation of news media is dead-on (as someone from the outside) and tells me someone actually sees the real world. I can't wait for the next issue.
- Teen Titans #1 - Good
I have to say that while I was concerned about Scott Lobdell on this title he definitely wrote a good first issue in my eyes. It's a little quick paced and seems to skip forward at times, but overall it's a good first issue. We gain a little insight into the Batman and Superman corners of the DC Universe due to things show and discussed in the first issue. That works for me as long as the title can continue to stand on its own.
Much like Justice League we're seeing the team getting together slowly. That works for me. I'd rather see the meaning behind the formation than just have them thrown together. Justice League International pulled off a quick gathering and jump into a mission, but it was obvious those heroes at least knew of each other, and that's not the case with this group of youth. I'm interested in seeing how this pulls together and what the new characters are all about.
Well folks there you have another set of New 52 reviews. I've got other things to say about the relaunch overall, but those can wait another month or so. I'd like to do some more information gathering. As I said before, anyone who thinks they have it all after reading the first issues, it probably full of themselves. So, if your wallet allows it make sure you at least check out the second issue of the titles you bought the first ones of. I'm not saying that to get you to give DC more of your money, but to actually give yourself a reason to quit the title. I'm already reading about how people are not picking up second issues. Sorry, but I see that as reactionary. I can respect people having expectations and not wanting to waste their money, but I can't respect people thinking they have all the information after a first issue. Happy reading and I hope you have found (or find) something you enjoy in the New 52.
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