DC Universe Relaunch News

Last Week Books Reviewed

BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
Bruce Wayne and his son Damian Wayne are Batman and Robin, working together for the first time.  But Damian thinks his father isn’t giving him enough credit.  Bruce, meanwhile, tries to move on from his past.  A good first issue that sets up a new mystery and a new dynamic.   It’s written by Peter Tomasi with art by Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray.   We also discussed it on this week’s podcast.

BATWOMAN #1
The rather fantastic “Detective Comics” run starring Kate Kane, aka Batwoman, is followed up with a rather fine first issue by J.H. Williams and W. Haden Blackman.  Greg Rucka, who wrote those “Detective” issues, isn’t around for this relaunch, but Williams appears to be hewing pretty closely to what worked in that run.   Batwoman has a new protege, and is on the hunt for a kidnapper.  She’s also started a relationship with Detective Maggie Sawyer (formerly of the “Superman” books).    While this isn’t a complete fresh start, it should be easy enough to follow for new fans, and the art is simply gorgeous.

DEATHSTROKE #1
The master assassin Deathstroke is reintroduced by writer Kyle Higgins and artists Joe Bennett and Art Thibert.   If you’re going to have a Deathstroke series, my tastes run more toward Steve Erwin, but this does what it sets out to do, which is reintroduce Deathstroke as a villainous, mercenary tough guy.   It’s a little bit one-note, but that could be intentional, as DC introduces this character to new readers.

DEMON KNIGHTS #1
Paul Cornell writes of the Demon Etrigan and those who assist him, including Madame Xanadu.  Set during medieval times, the roster of characters includes Vandal Savage and Shining Knight.  Diogenes Neves provides the art for what could be this week’s sleeper hit.   Not a lot of plot so far – Mordru appears to be up to something bad – but it’s a rollicking adventure that’s a different flavor than most mainstream comics.

FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #1
This oddball X-Files-esque title brings back theGrant Morrison/Doug Mahnke version of Frankenstein, written by Jeff Lemire, who just wrote Frankenstein’s “Flashpoint” mini.   Frankenstein’s Monster is an agent of the Super Human Advanced Defense Executive, as are the Creature Commandos.  They go in when things get weird.   In this issue, monsters have taken over a small town, and Frankenstein and the Commandos must go rescue Frankenstein’s bride and figure out how the monsters got there.  The highlight of the book is the strange world of S.H.A.D.E., including Frankenstein’s boss, Father Time.  Silver Age Atom fans will be glad to discover Ray Palmer making an appearance.  Alberto Ponticelli provides the art.   This book is goofy but fun, and is worth picking up if you can find a copy.

GREEN LANTERN #1
Geoff Johns had the difficult job of making a Green Lantern #1 that would be accessible to someone who was brand-new to the series, and be satisfying to someone who had followed the entire run.  I think he basically nailed it.  With Sinestro rejoining the Green Lantern Corps and Hal Jordan somewhat rudderless on Earth, it’s a new status quo that is easily understandable.   The well-written and well-drawn first issue should keep Green Lantern among DC’s most successful comics.  We also discussed it on this week’s podcast.

GRIFTER #1
Cole Cash is, well, a grifter who gets caught in an alien con, basically.    Nathan Edmondson is a talented writer, so this could all come together.   But for the first issue, those who liked the WildC.A.T.s backstory that previously informed Grifter will be faced with a mostly blank slate, whereas those who have no prior knowledge might not get enough to sink their teeth into.  CAFU is the artist.

LEGION LOST #1
Fabian Nicieza and Pete Woods (both of whom I generally like) create a somewhat jumbled first issue featuring the futuristic Legion characters lost in modern times.

MISTER TERRIFIC #1
Without the JSA in this New 52 world, Michael Holt is a superhero on his own.   Written by Eric Wallace with art by Gianluca Gugliotta and Wayne Faucher, “Mister Terrific” #1 doesn’t do a whole lot to grab the reader or indicate why this character is one we should be following.    The dialogue is kind of clunky and the story didn’t really grab me.  The cover was nice, and Power Girl fans may want to note a supporting character who bears some resemblance to the former superheroine.

RED LANTERNS #1
Peter Milligan and Ed Benes are the creative team for “Red Lanterns” #1, which follows the events of “War of the Green Lanterns.”  Atrocitus seeks a new goal for his corps, which is wavering after Atrocitus was denied his revenge against Krona.   I’m not sure I want to follow a book with this much blood-vomit on a regular basis, though Milligan’s a good writer, so it could be worth keeping an eye on.

RESURRECTION MAN #1
This might have been my personal favorite of this week’s #1s, partially at least because of fondness for the old series. Writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning have written a lot of good comics, and Fernando Dagnino is a solid choice on the art.   Mitch Shelley is back.  Each time he dies and returns, he has a new superpower.  There’s a mysterious organization that may be angels that appear to have it out for Mitch and his tendency not to die.  Great dialogue and word imagery from Abnett and Lanning.   Fans also get a new look at the Body Doubles, villains from the original run.

SUICIDE SQUAD #1
This is getting mixed reviews, I think because of the now-thin Amanda Waller and the somewhat weird/slutty new costume of Harley Quinn, but it worked as a first issue for me.  It sets up the core premise and examines the characters.   It’s written by Adam Glass with art by Federico Dallocchio and others.

SUPERBOY #1
Scott Lobdell writes and R.B. Silva draws a really dense issue that appears to be a new origin for the Boy of Steel.  Honestly, for something like this I’d probably rather be a new reader coming in, because I have no idea how this fits in with the Reign of the Supermen or anything else, or if it even does.  It’s OK for what it is, but I wasn’t able to clear the decks enough of what I knew going in for it to totally work for me.

All via Matt Price