The New 52
A look at some of the number 1’s hitting the comic shops.
By Jason Pluscec (aka J-Man)
So DC introduced the NEW 52. 52 titles starting over at #1. Some thought this would just be another reboot (a new post-Crisis if you will), but it seems as though this is it. DC has re-launched and there is no turning back.
Do I think it’s necessary? Not really, but who am I to judge. I wont bore you with facts on comics or what I think of it, as it’s not important. It’s done. Nothing I say or do will change what has happened. It’s all thanks to the Flash – read Flashpoint if you want the details (I’ll read it in trade).
That being said I am very happy that Swamp Thing and Resurrection Man are back. They are two of my favourite characters in the DCU. Also, Jonah Hex has re-started, and for those who know me, know that ever since the 90’s I have NEVER missed a Jonah Hex series. So I am all for it.
I’ll start by saying that I wasn’t able to read all 52 issues, but I got all the big ones. I did miss, Batman and Robin, Batgirl, Catwoman, Supergirl and all the Green Lantern titles, so I wont be discussing those. But I will review the 18 issues I read, in order from worst to best.
Wonder Woman – This was the worst. And I don’t mean it sucked, but it was just the weakest issue of the 18. WW already exists here and nothing much happens with her. The issue just shows Hermes die (or dying – he may survive) and Zeus impregnating a girl, which if you know your Greek Mythology isn’t anything new. All in all, I was hoping for something more with this one, as I am a big time WW fan. I’m sure it will get better with the explanation of the story, but not enough for me to collect it.
Suicide Squad – Never was into the SS, but this time around Harley Quinn is the leader and I guess that has some appeal to readers. The issue itself has a twist, which I could see coming by page 4. It’s interesting, but it’s not really for me. For those that don’t know, SS is about villains doing a mission for the government, a suicide mission. So if they die no one cares. It’s not really my thing, but that’s just me. It’s not horribly written or anything, and the art is nice!
Resurrection Man – I am a HUGE fan of Resurrection Man and I was really looking forward to this. The issue isn’t a bad one, but it’s an intro to RM and his powers, so that new readers could get on board, so for people who already know of him, it’s a bit dry. I will still collect this one, as I have to see what happens, and I’m sure issue 2 will be better.
Swamp Thing – My second favourite DC character (after Superman). The main problem with this issue is that after you have read all the Alan Moore stuff, ANYTHING else isn’t as good. This continues from The Search For Swamp Thing, where Alec Holland was separated from the Green and became his own person again. That is interesting and I am looking forward to where the series will head, but like Resurrection Man, this is a “for new readers” issue.
Blue Beetle – I am new to BB, but I was intrigued by the cover and his new costume. In this intro issue, BB finds the scarab and only turns into BB at the very end, I’ll give it a try for issue 2 to see how it pans out. My only negative point is that they use a lot of Spanish slang words, and it’s hard for me to follow what is being said, but again that is just me, so other readers may not find that an issue at all. I’ll give it a chance for another issue.
The Fury of Firestorm – So Jason and Ronnie don’t know each other here and they both become Firestorm via some kind of explosion. The beginning of the issue is really heavy as terrorists kill a family and then head over the school where Jason and Ronnie go and starting terrorizing people there. So then both Jason and Ronnie turn into a Firestorm and then merge into a big version! Pretty interesting stuff, I may get issue 2, but I don’t think I’ll end up collecting it.
JLA – Intro issue of course. Batman and Green Lantern meet up for the first time and go to find Superman. Darkseid has been sending some aliens to cause havoc on Earth, and everyone thinks Superman is causing the commotion. So GL finds Superman and Superman pretty much beats him with one punch. The issue ends with Batman and Superman squaring off. I have to get issue 2 just for that reason, but that is an obvious cliff hanger scenario and it seems a bit forced in my opinion.
The Savage Hawkman – So Carter Hall doesn’t want to be HM anymore and decides to destroy his Nth metal armour, but there is some kind of eruption and Carter is consumed. Sometime later, an alien ship is found and villains attack. The alien is a tough SOB, so Carter looks like he is gonna get killed, when suddenly he transformers into HM with upgraded armour. It’s kind of like Captain Marvel or Hulk. He simply becomes HM. Interesting premise, I may get issue 2.
Justice League Dark – Enchantress has gone psychotic so Deadman, Constantine, Zatanna, Shade the Changing Man and Madame Xanadu have to team up. I am very interested to see where this goes, I am a big fan of Deadman and Constantine, so this is going to be interesting. I have to say that I am very intrigued by Shade the Changing Man as I don’t know much about him. I will collect this until (or if) it gets boring.
The Flash – Barry Allen is the man in this issue and some interesting things happen. I have never collected Flash at all, but always kind of wanted to. This issue is cool because at the end Barry finds himself surrounded by multiple versions of his friend Miguel. I will get issue 2 for sure to see what the heck is going on!
The Dark Knight – Interesting start with Wayne giving a speech on fear at a fund raiser. Wayne is then cornered by an Internal Affairs agent who suspects that Wayne is funding Batman. The issue closes with Arkham Asylum in a riot as a bunch of Batman villains break out – but the big shocker is that Two-Face has become a Bane/Venom muscle guy! So it ends as Batman faces an enormous Two-Face – calling himself – One-Face. I will get issue 2.
Detective Comcis – This issue starts off with Arkham riots as Joker and Batman team up to fight the other criminals. Turns out Joker was really Dick Grayson in disguise. Later Bruce meets with Damien, Dick, and Tim at a party. The issue closes with Joker fighting a new villain and the last page of the book is a torn off Joker face? This is basically a must collect for now.
Batwoman – Breakout hit of the new 52. Love the story of Batwoman and her character is just cool. I love the art, which is sometimes surreal, but very cool looking. Kate Kane has to find a bunch of missing children – the mystery has just begun and I cannot wait to see how it ends. A must collect.
Batman – We are hitting my top 5 with Batman here. This is a must get as Batman is after a serial killer that has targeted Bruce Wayne. All we know is that this guy is sick and needs to be stopped. Very intriguing story, can’t wait to see how it pans out.
Aquaman – I was an Aquaman guy. Not too many people know that, but when Peter David started the series, I got them all. I have every issue from that point – which is like 70-80 or so. Then Aquaman started over in “One Year Later” I stopped at that point, but this issue for me was just amazing. Love the art, and I love how they acknowledged Aquaman as being a bit lame. He was actually never lame in my view, but some think he sucks. Well in this issue he kicks ass! A bunch of deep sea monsters emerge and Aquaman is gonna have to take them down! I am very excited for this series and I am glad Aquaman is back with a vengeance.
Action – Grant Morrison. I can end the review right there. He wrote All-Star Superman, enough said. I will add that Superman here is more concerned with helping people than making a cool costume, which is why he is wearing jeans. However, he has a cape and the symbol, so what more do you want. This is basically what Smallville should have been; Superman starting to learn about his powers. In this issue, like in Action number 1 from 1938, he can only leap over tall buildings. By issue 6-7 he will be brought up to speed with the other current version of himself in the other issues of 52.
Superman – Even better than Action. It starts with the tearing down of the Daily Planet building – which is a reference to new beginnings and how change is tough, and sometimes it sucks. This is all referring to Superman being changed, so it was a really nice intro to Superman. After the Planet is taken over by a huge corporation, Lois is put in charge of the television news department, and her first assignment is covering a huge alien fire monster which Superman fights. This issue has a great story and one hell of a good fight with Superman defeating the fire monster using his brains as well as his brawn. I will collect this one for sure!
All Star Western – The best of the new 52. Jonah Hex is brought in to solve a series of murders occurring in Gotham city in 1880. His partner is Amadeus Arkham, a doctor of the criminal mind. They learn that several prostitutes are being killed by a man wearing a skull ring (no not the Phantom) when they discover that all the rich men in town wear such a ring, they learn of a secret society made up for several well known figures, including mayor Cobblepot! This issue is a great starting point for wannabe Hex fans, as Arkham narrates and gives his impression of the bounty hunter. The best of the new 52 is a great book to start this re-launch.
So all in all I am happy with most of these new books and can’t wait to see what they do next.
So if you want to check some out, I hope my little reviews helped you in some way.
Special note, each and every issue of the New 52 has a cloaked figure somewhere in the background – check out this link for all the sittings.
http://www.comicbooktherapy.com/dc-comics-mistery-purple-strikes/
Not sure what that is all about, but it has something to do with Flashpoint.
Until next time…
