Before jumping into quick reviews of this week's new DC Comics realunched line, I have to backtrack to one book I picked up this week that came out the previous one, and that's OMAC #1. I had no intention of buying this book, as it's probably going to be dropped from DCs line of books rather quickly I suspect. It's a mixed bag here. The story by Dan Didio is an intentional throwback to old style storytelling, which it succeeds in... but who really wants to see that? It just doesn't have enought depth to keep me coming back. Artwise, Keith Giffen is doing an amazing job of channeling the legendary Jack Kirby. It's the book's saving grace. The pages look almost like the incredible Kirby, and it saddens me that many younger readers probably have no idea who Jack Kirby was, considering that he was perhaps the most influential comics artist in comic book history. Now onto this week's batch on new books!
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1- Now this is a curious opening to the new series. Batman's decision to change how he honors his parents may be a strange one, considering his life's work and dedication. It might not sit well with most long time readers, and it has the potential to dilute Batman's reason for existence. The new Robin, Damian Wayne is apparently Bruce's real son after all, if the dialogue between them is any indication, and there have been questions about this. Damian remains his usual royal pain in the bat-butt. What can I say? I'm in the camp that just doesn't like this kid. Writer Peter Tomasi is picking up some BATMAN INCORPORATED threads while that series is on hiatus, quickly starting the story by killing off the Moscow "Batman." The mysterious Nobody behind it seems to have his sights set on closing down B.Inc. It's a decent opening salvo for the series, if not incredibly great and of course artist Patrick Gleason's work is exciting and detailed, although also not his best work to date.
BATWOMAN #1- Finally! The book that everyone's been waiting for has arrived... way behind schedule, but at least we now know why; to be included in the new #1 relaunches! Simply put, this book is beautiful, maybe the most beautiful comic on the stands. Writer/Artist J.H. Williams' work is lush, detailed and possibly one of the most unique approaches in modern comic book storytelling. His linework, painterly quality in places and page layouts have just never been seen like this before, although I will say that I can tell that there are definite Steranko influences (look it up, kids). It's a moody book with a good set-up and the end brings us the start of the long awaited Batman/Batwoman meeting, and I have to say, that it ignores typical comic book sterotypes. There's no Batman doing his, "Gotham and the Bat symbol are mine" thing here. Instead he comes with an offer that will extend into next issue.
GREEN LANTERN #1- This doesn't feel like a "number one" issue because it's picking up threads of another storyline. Writer Geoff Johns has been slowly changing the status quo of the Green Lantern concept since he began writing the adventures of Hal Jordan some years ago. The Guardians of the Universe are seeming less benevolent and much more fascistic of late, and I wonder how long they will be able to retain their positions before a Green Lantern Corps rebellion gets underway... other than Hal being the only GL that really continually opposes them. The opening salvo of this arc sees Hal not adjusting well to not be a GL anymore and Geoff Johns addresses something that I've always thought about Hal. He has never really had any kind of a personality. In fact he's probably the most cardboard characterized hero in the DC Universe. Stripping Hal of his GL ring is forcing him to really look at his life and mistakes, and boy does he continue to make some whoppers! My hope here is that once Hal gets his ring back from Sinestro (who is almost dare I say "sympathetic?"), we will have a much more grounded, humble and well rounded Hal Jordan. Time will tell. Doug Mahnke does his usual great job with the art. He was born to do this book, and the funny thing I noticed is that he and BATMAN AND ROBIN artist Patrick Gleason are almost indistinguishable from each other. Their faces, action, layouts are almost from the same classroom of comic book art.
MISTER TERRIFIC #1- This one is the weakest one of this week's releases. Standard conventions of typical comic book storytelling and standard artwork. Nothing special here. The lead character is supposedly the "third smartest man in the world," but certainly doesn't seem to act like it. Oh sure, he's established as being a remarkable scientist, but everywhere else in his life he doesn't seem to know how to navigate, like Karen Starr for instance. Yes, THAT Karen Starr, a.k.a. Power Girl, who in this new rebooted DC Universe may actually not have any "power," at all, at least none that we've seen yet. Story and art are bland which is surprising considering the care that the editors and powers that be at DC put into the relaunch. It might be worth one more issue to see if things pick up, but I have the feeling this will be another dropped title.
RED LANTERNS #1- Okay, now this was a pleasant surprise. I had intended to but only this first issue out of curiosity and there's a danger of leafing through pages before you read a story. It didn't look like I was going to be impressed with it, but I was. We are given history to Atrocitus, a character spinning out of the events of recent Green Lantern issues of the past, and it's intriguing. It is going somewhere and I never saw artist Ed Benes, who is really remarkable, do such inspired work. You can really feel the rage of some of the players in this book.
RESURRECTION MAN #1- Believe it or not I was looking forward to this book in this week's batch more than any other. I remember the original series, and I eagerly wanted to this this again. I never realized how much the creators of the TV show HEROES must've stole from this book way back when. RM is the story of Mitch Shelly, a man who dies and heals by coming back to life (like Claire from HEROES), but with each resurrection, he finds himself with a new super-powered ability that is the direct result of either how he died, or what he will need (sort of like Peter and Sylar in HEROES). All the staples of the past series are here, including the original writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, and of course the too-hot-for comics hitwomen, the Body Doubles. What's different this time around, is that there's less an emphasis on sci-fi and more now on the supernatural, because both "upstairs" and "downstairs" have been impatiently waiting for Mitch's soul, and it just doesn't come. Intriguing to say the least, and highly recommended.
SUICIDE SQUAD #1- Forget what you know about past incarnations of this concept. This is brutal! I've noticed that alot of the DCnU books have been pushing the violence envelope. We're brought into the middle of the story here, and it turns out it's all a test for what's to come, and unlike the past, it looks like this new version of the Squad is sanctioned to kill anyone, including innocent people. It is surprising and jaw dropping. Love the new design of Harley Quinn, and if you miss the "Secret Six," this book has got what you need. It's twisted. Kudos to writer Adam Glass, and wait until you get a look at the new improved, thinner, hotter Amanda Waller!
SUPERBOY #1- Another great reimagining of a popular character. All the basics remain intact; Superboy is still a human/kryptonian hybrid clone with the same powers as his previous incarnation, but his life history has been carefully constrcuted via a virtual reality simulation to essentially make him the same character pre-DCnU. There's an element of dread though, because we're not sure why this new version was created and it looks like it's for no good reason, but that might make the the trek to Hero more interesting. It ends with a new spin on why Superboy will be joining the new Titans.
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #1- With all the DC reboots, I thought I should take a look at this new Marvel Comics one. Message to Marvel: THE NINETIES ARE OVER! STOP POLYBAGGING COMICS IN AN EFFORT TO INCREASE SALES! It reeks of uncreative gimmickry, and makes me wonder about the strength of the story if resorts like this are taken. I will not ever, on principal buy another polybagged book! Now, onto the review. First the disappointment: The new Miles Morales Spiderman doesn't appear in costume in this issue, and I really wanted to see that, but they had to get the origin underway. All that being said, this is a well written issue that imediately makes you care about this new kid that will be the Ultimate Universe's new Spiderman. It has emotion, a much needed component of any Spiderman story. In a way, this is as daring as DC's relaunch and as well thought out. I'm curious to see where this is going and here's hoping that young Miles has a bright future ahead of him, maybe with a bit more joy than his predecesor, Peter Parker.
So, come back next week for the next review installment of DC's New 52!
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