Week 3 of DC's New 52!- Best one yet!

Well, we're now in week three of DC's New 52, and this week was a good one too! I've noticed some big changes in tone for the new books; new high-tech, bigger mysteries, violence, sex, and even gore, but they're not used gratuitously. They all serve the story. So with that, let's jump right in!

BATMAN #1 - Have to give credit to the editors on the Batman books. While each comic has its own voice, Batman and Gotham City seem the same place in each periodical. This first issue stylistically matched Tony Daniel's DETECTIVE COMICS #1, even though it was not quite as good. That's not to say this was bad by any stretch of the imagination. Scott Synder looks to be dealing with a more socially conscious Bruce Wayne, and his "family" grounds him more here in this book. The only drawback to the issue is that it's more set-up than full story. Of course there is a surprisingly grisly murder with a curious cliffhanger and artist Greg Capullo does a better job with the Batman pages then with the Bruce Wayne pages. He balances dark and light in both line and tone. This book is seeing Batman as more the high-tech hero than the detective, utilizing truly original ideas that could put Tony Stark to shame.

BIRDS OF PREY #1 -Black Canary is really in fine fighting form this issue, and I gotta say that this is one great opener for this new version of BOP. Barbara Gordon (a.k.a. Batgirl, formerly Oracle.. maybe) makes a cameo, which leads to questions about what her history with Dinah and BOP has been. The action starts fast and furious with an exciting set-up, fast familiarity, and hints of things to come, all the while giving us a complete story despite the "explosive" ending. Duane Swierczynski ably picks up the themes from past writer Gail Simone. Jesus Saiz has the right blend of realistic action sequences and hot women without making them look ridiculously unproportioned. This is not a "chick flick" book despite the female protagonists.

CAPTAIN ATOM #1 -This is one of two books this week that is really well written with a good premise, but the art just ...sucks. Freddie Williams has one way of drawing Captain Atom, and he looks good that way (think Dr. Manhattan from "Watchmen"), and he's got another undetailed, sketchy, unimpressive look for everything else in the comic. A hero with godlike abilities, similar to Firestorm, able to handle nuclear energy and transmute matter, but CA's got a problem; his power use is breaking down his very atomic structure. What this means for him is obviously cause for concern and doesn't bode well for him or others around him because he can't seem to control these abilities very well. The art though, as mentioned is the one thing that is making me consider not getting the second installment.

CATWOMAN #1 -WOW! Just WOW!.. I have rarely been impressed with writer Judd Winick's work (many have not), which is why I didn't pick up BATWING, so I was prepared for a mixed bag because I hated Winick, but LOVE Catwoman. This book is savy, sexy and violent (see my opening paragraph), and it's just what Catwoman should be. In the course of this first issue, CW has her home bombed, spies on Russian mobsters, exacts a revenge beating that is brutal to her enemy, which is sure to come back to haunt her, and ends with one of the sexiest trysts in comics, between Batman and Catwoman getting it on, with some of their costume parts still on. HOT! HOT! HOT! My only gripe here is that in this new continuity, Bruce and Selina may not know anymore who the other one is out of costume. Guillem March is born to draw Catwoman and it's clear he really loves her. She is sexy in and out of costume.

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1 -As with every one one DC's new first issues, the stakes are much higher. I mean, how much higher can you go than full-on planetray destruction and genocide of an alien world to send a message to the GLC? Amidst some gruesome opening pages, we're also shifted into brief glimpses into the personal problems of GL members Guy Gardner and John Stewart. Guy seems much more likable here than I've seen him in ages, and John actually has something that's been absent from his portrayal in comics, in ages- a distinct voice and personality that does not come across as almost as bland as GL Hal Jordan. John is smart and could very likely take the lead as the best GL in the "New 52." Credit has to go to Peter Tomasi for writing a more effective book than the main GL one.

NIGHTWING #1 -Another book where some grisly stuff happens, but it is Gotham City, isn't it? Seeing Dick Grayson taking on the Nightwing mantle again has been long overdue. He seems happiest and at his most effective in this role. The new red symbol, replacing the blue makes sense because it harkens back to his roots as the original Robin and even invokes the future Batman Beyond. I wonder if Writer Kyle Higgins and BATMAN writer Scott Synder are telling different aspects of one story. Check the last pages of each of the issues to see what I mean. Eddy Barrows draws the most fluid and detailed Nightwing I've ever seen. Grayson's acrobatics pop off the page and seem entirely possible. What a great fit for this beloved ex-sidekick.

SUPERGIRL #1 -Okay, I'm sort of a little tired of all the different origins of late for Supergirl, and even the different Supergirls, but hopefully this one will stick. What we see here is Kara Zor-El's first moments on Earth.. again. We also see Kara not understanding where she is... again, and she meets her cousin Superman for the first time... again. What's interetsing here is how this ties into other DC books. Go back to ACTION COMICS #1. Remember that Luthor pointed out something coming towards Eath? Well, here she is! Kara's super-hearing kicks in too and we see her listening to key moments from ofther DC books of the week. It's a cool way of tying the universe of characters together in little ways. All in all despite my too-many-Supergirl-origin complaints, this is a solid read with beautiful fluid art. I also like Supergirl's new look and her different "S" shield.

WONDER WOMAN #1 -I love Wonder Woman, but I admit she's a tough sell for many people because of the mythology aspect and the political elements to the character, although the Greek myth aspect is what makes her unique in comics. I always looked at Wonder Woman as a continuation of the Greek legends, but put that aside and let's take a look at what we have here; there's good and not so good. First the good- Yes, there's the mythology angle, still intact, but the Gods are modernized and like the old tales, not quite so nice. Brian Azzarello is a strange choice for writer of this series, considering his "griity, reality" based past stories, but he crafts an intruiging tale here. Although, I'm concerned that Azzarello has depowered Wonder Woman a bit, which isn't a good idea for the political "women's equality" angle of WW. Where is her flight ability? The writer has stated that it's there, but Diana will only use it judiciously. Hey Azz, this is a super-hero book! Artwise, I gotta ask what DC was thinking putting Cliff Chiang on this book. He isn't suitable an artist for a woman who is supposed to possess the beauty of Aphrodite, and quite frankly I've seen some gifted children draw better. I know DC wants WONDER WOMAN to succeed, but Chiang is not the artist to make this happen. Perhaps if someone inked his work?

Now for some final words to Marvel Comics- If you're going to do a major X-men event, you better bring back Jean Grey/Phoenix because the X-men don't really seem quite right without her. Oh yeah, I like Hope, but she's little more than "Jean Grey- lite," and I don't think I'm returning to the X-books after "Schism" unless I see Phoenix/Jean back once and for all!. See ya next week!