Note that many reviews are dark and full of
FIRST ISSUE ALERT
BATMAN #1
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by TOM KING
Art and cover by DAVID FINCH and MATT BANNING
Variant cover by TIM SALE
32 pg • FC • $2.99 U.S. • RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
“I AM GOTHAM” Chapter One
No one has ever stopped the Caped Crusader. Not The Joker. Not Two-Face. Not even the entire Justice League. But how does Batman confront a new hero who wants to save the city from the Dark Knight?
CAN’T MISS: Superstar artist David Finch returns to the Dark Knight alongside writer Tom King for this five-part storyline.
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Ever wonder how Batman would deal with a Superman-level problem? Well, if you read Batman #1, you know.
Given that what the Dark Knight must accomplish (without the League, which is on a metaphorical space mission, but at least the issue is addressed), you can understand that his course of action isn't one that will save everybody -- it just maximizes survivability for those in danger, including himself. It's something to think about.
It's also a very suspenseful issue -- a genuine page-turner, to use the cliche. If the ultimate aim of every story is to make the reader wonder "How will he get out of THIS?", then Batman #1 does a bang-up job. I concede that Batman's solution requires a LOT of suspension of disbelief, but hey, that's nothing new.
We also get more clues as to Duke's role, and are introduced to the new characters Gotham and Gotham Girl. ("Gotham Girl"? Oh, well.) There's also a mystery character introduced, who could be anybody from a new character to Ozymandias to Clock King. (All he says is "Observe the clock, Batman.")
I like David Finch's art -- it's appropriately gritty, with a Jim Lee influence minus the slickness.
All in all, a good launch to the new era.
FIRST ISSUE ALERT
GREEN ARROW #1
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by BENJAMIN PERCY
Art by OTTO SCHMIDT
Cover by JUAN FERREYRA
Variant cover by NEAL ADAMS
32 pg • FC • $2.99 U.S. • RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
“THE DEATH AND LIFE OF OLIVER QUEEN” Chapter One
As Oliver struggles with how he can fight “the man” when his huge fortune makes him the man, he and Black Canary uncover a deadly new threat to Seattle that cuts the Archer to the bone.
THEY SAID IT: “My touchstones are [former GA writers] Dennis O’Neil and Mike Grell, while trying to make the series my own,” says writer Benjamin Percy. “Green Arrow will be a politically and culturally relevant series. Expect stories that aim a broadhead into the zeitgeist, that are ripped from the headlines.”
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Full disclosure: I missed Rebirth: Green Arrow and didn't read the last half of the New 52 run, so there's a lot in this issue that I might should know and don't, or is genuinely new and I can't tell. I didn't feel lost -- I was given the information I needed, for the most part -- but the big reveals, betrayals and twist ending didn't have as much impact for me as they might.
Is it a spoiler that the guy running Oliver Queen's company is a bad guy? It shouldn't be, since every guy who has run Queen Industries since John Deleon in 1969 has stolen Queen's company from him. Every. Single. One. It's not a plot twist; it's a maxim. I couldn't remember his name, and when I went back to check, I couldn't find it. Maybe that's an indication that he just a standard story element and not a person! Anyway, he's got a kind of witch doctor mask hidden in a drawer and he belongs to a group of witch-doctor-masked people who are bad and there's talk of totems. Whether this is linked to Lemire's run on the title I can't say, although I recall something along those lines before I dropped the book. It's not terribly original -- it's very Court of Owls-y -- but it will do.
The best part of the book is Black Canary. Honestly, it doesn't feel like Green Arrow without Black Canary around, and vice versa. And this time they meet as quasi-equals, with both having had different and lengthy back stories, so the power dynamic in the relationship is more equal, as it should be. Maybe this time Ollie won't constantly screw it up (and writers won't have Canary constantly forgiving him). The book perks up considerably whenever she's on panel.
The art is a bit light on rendering, leaning on the colorist to do finishes. It's OK, if not my usual blend -- all right as a change of pace, but I wouldn't want a steady diet.
This isn't as riveting as Batman #1, but it does what a first issue is supposed to do, introducing all the principals, relationships and conflicts.
FIRST ISSUE ALERT
GREEN LANTERNS #1
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by SAM HUMPHRIES
Art by ROBSON ROCHA
Cover by ROBSON ROCHA and JOE PRADO
Variant cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
32 pg • FC • $2.99 U.S. • RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
“RED PLANET” Chapter One
New Lanterns Jessica Cruz and Simon Baz promised to protect others in brightest day or blackest night, but as “Red Planet” begins to rise, the partners find themselves confronted with an unimaginable threat from Bleez and the Red Lanterns!
THEY SAID IT: “I am psyched for GREEN LANTERNS!” says writer Sam Humphries. “Myself, Simon, and Jessica are all new to the DC Universe. We’re gonna have a blast exploring it—if we don’t destroy it first.”
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Big plus: Simon Baz and especially Jessica Cruz are already more interesting to me than Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner and Kyle Rayner put together.
Big minus: The major conflict introduced here is with the Red Lanterns. I've seen enough of Hamlet Atrocitus to last a lifetime.
The art is fairly generic DC, which is to my taste, so that's not a complaint.
FIRST ISSUE ALERT
SUPERMAN #1
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY
Variant cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
32 pg • FC• $2.99 U.S. • RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
“THE SON OF SUPERMAN” Chapter One
The Last Son of Krypton must decide whether to help his young son use his new and rapidly increasing abilities, or hide them from the world.
THE CREATORS: The team supreme that brought fans the adventures of Damian Wayne in BATMAN AND ROBIN returns for the adventures of Superman and his offspring.
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This feels more like a middle-of-the-story book than a first issue. Not a complaint, just an observation.
Almost the whole story takes place on the "Smith" farm. Not a whole lot happens, but the "Smith" family is a likeable crew, so it's pleasant to spend time with them. A few clues are planted for future issues, including a Lana Lang-like character for Jon, the Justice League and something interesting about Superman's powers that may or may not lead to the resurrection of the New 52 version, or just confirmation of what Ozymandias Mr. Oz said in Rebirth: Superman, that Clark and his family aren't what they think they are.
The art has a Rags Morales vibe, which is welcome.
FIRST ISSUE ALERT
TITANS: REBIRTH #1
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by DAN ABNETT
Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
Variant cover by MIKE CHOI
One-shot • 32 pg • FC • $2.99 U.S. • RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
Friends. Teammates. Titans. Donna Troy, Arsenal, Garth, Lilith and Nightwing were all that and more until a mysterious force erased their memories, forcing them to forget what they could accomplish together. Reunited with their memories returned, the Titans must destroy the interdimensional demon that broke them apart and threatens reality itself.
THEY SAID IT: “Grayson and Donna were a couple of the characters I first worked on at DC, so it feels like a homecoming for me,” explains penciller Brett Booth. “I’m beyond happy!”
WARNING: Do NOT read this issue until after you read DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1!
I was hoping that DC would restore the Titans I knew, and we do get a little of the old, but with a whole lot of new.
As we know, Wally West is back and he's on a mission to get people to remember him. Naturally, after Barry Allen, he goes after his former teammates. That gives the writer an opportunity to explain each Titan, at least how they relate to Wally.
What's old: Yay, the original Titans included Dick, Donna, Wally, Roy and Garth. Sorta-kinda the way it was.
What's new: Evidently Lilith was a charter member, too. (I guess they wanted two chicks.) Garth had a different costume then, and has a different one now. Lilith has a costume, too, with a dopey Spawn-like cape, plus it's generally hideous. Wally has a new costume, far inferior to his classic yellow-and-red. Donna's origin -- and the writer had plenty to choose from -- appears to be Themyscira-related.
I can't say I care much for Brett Booth's art, which is in the broad spectrum of "DC house style" but leans more toward Rob Liefeld than Jim Lee. It's OK, but a little too '90s.
DARK NIGHT: A TRUE BATMAN STORY (HC)
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by PAUL DINI
Art and cover by EDUARDO RISSO
128 pg • FC • $22.99 U.S. • MATURE READERS
Today, DC Entertainment’s creator-driven imprint, Vertigo, announced Dark Night: A True Batman Story, from legendary writer Paul Dini (Batman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, Lost) set to release in June 2016. The story is a harrowing and eloquent autobiographical tale of Dini’s courageous struggle to overcome a truly desperate situation, with brilliant illustrations by Eduardo Risso (100 Bullets).
An extremely personal story for Dini – and the first time he's told it to the world – the book focuses on a night that he was assaulted and brutally beaten by strangers and left on the sidewalk. In this surprising original graphic novel, Batman is seen in a new light – not as the grim avenger of the night, but as a savior who helps a discouraged man recover from a brutal attack that left him unable to face the world. But despite how bleak his circumstances were, or perhaps because of it, Dini always imagined the Batman at his side, urging him along during his darkest moments.
“Batman is a character truly universal in his ability to entertain and inspire fans of all ages and backgrounds. As a writer of Batman stories for comics, video games and animation, I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had to contribute to that legacy. But there was a time some years ago when I found myself the victim of a violent attack and the last thing that made sense to me was to continue writing stories about a fantasy crime-fighter. Struggling to recover, I found myself trapped in a dark place of isolation and abuse, plagued by demons both real and imaginary, with my only choices being to remain a victim or to stand up and fight back. Not so easy as the enemy I was fighting was my own fear,” explained writer Paul Dini.
“I must admit that this is not the kind of story I typically draw; it was undoubtedly a new challenge in my career,” added artist Eduardo Risso. “This novel gave me the opportunity to do something different with the graphic narrative. I didn’t have any idea about what aesthetic to use, but I was sure that I didn't want to do the same thing I was used to doing. I hope you like it.”
Dini continued, “DC and Vertigo have given me the unique opportunity to tell this personal story, rendered better than I could have dreamed by the powerful artwork of Eduardo Risso. It is my hope that Dark Night: A True Batman Story will both provide an interesting window into a writer's mind in a time of crisis, and perhaps inspire other victims of violence to search for the heroes inside themselves.”
This was a tough story to read.
The story is by Paul Dini, so you know it's well done. It's just difficult to watch anyone go through what Dini did.
Eduardo Rizzo's art is always welcome, and he goes beyond his usual style here, with the occasional painted panel or impressionistic rendering. Really nice work.
But despite it's high quality, this probably isn't a story for everyone. The destination isn't the issue -- it's spelled out -- it's the journey that's difficult.
JUGHEAD #7
Script: CHIP ZDARSKY
Art: DEREK CHARM
Cover A: DEREK CHARM
Cover B: SANYA ANWAR
Cover C: CULLY HAMNER
Cover D: CORY SMITH, ANDRE SZYMANOWICZ
32-page • full color comic • $3.99 U.S.
SUMMERTIME IS HERE! Jughead convinces Archie to join him at a cottage, away from all the madness of Riverdale, but the madness of Riverdale cannot be escaped. The madness of Riverdale is everywhere.
This is my favorite issue of the new Jughead yet.
Zdarsky has always had a good handle on the Archie-Jughead relationship and the kids' dialogue, but in this book he's freed from the constraints of the adventure (ish) plot of the first six issues and can just let the boys be boys. It's fun, especially when they are faced with the Legion of Reggies. (Well, that's what I call 'em. You'll see.)
The book is continued, which doesn't thrill me. But that gives us more time with the Legion, which is too good of an idea to throw away on one issue, so it more than evens out.
Another element that elevates the book is the arrival of Derek Charm. As I've mentioned too many times already, I really didn't care for the art on the first six issues. I'll mention no names, but it was too cartoony, Jughead's nose always looked wrong and everyone's mouths looked resembled slits cut into an uncooked hot dog.
Charm, on the other hand, has a more conventional style that fits in well with the art over in Archie. It makes the line look more cohesive when characters look alike across various titles, plus it's just a lot more attractive. Thumbs up.
TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE #1
Publisher: IDW PUBLISHING
Writer: JOE HILL
Art/Cover: GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ
Subscription Variant: CHARLES PAUL WILSON III
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Joe Hill's nerve-shredding re-imagining of Tales from the Darkside never made it to your TV set ... but the dead are restless and refuse to stay buried! This summer, IDW releases DARKSIDE, a four-issue comic-book adaptation of the episodes written by Hill and illustrated here by Locke & Key co-creator Gabriel Rodriguez! Three stories of the macabre and malevolent! One coulda-been, shoulda-been TV epic on paper with pictures that don't move! Step out of the warm, sunlit world you think of as reality and get ready to take a chilling walk ... on the DARKSIDE.
The four-issue series will feature Hill’s re-imagining of Tales for a contemporary take on the cult classic. Structured to have the scope of Locke & Key while exploring a vast, underlying mythology, Tales aims to unfold a cohesive universe made up of each individual issue. According to the creative team, these stories will draw inspiration from the TV series that it has spawned from while also taking a meta approach to the material.
Hill elaborated further on what his vision for the series is and what fans can expect from the too-good-for-TV story structure:
“This is the show that could've been,” says Hill. “The original Tales from the Darkside was a fun, bleak little spin on the Twilight Zone-style anthology. My idea is to give readers a little more. Every story is meant to stand alone, but gradually, you will come to see how they all connect, to tell a single larger story.”
While Rodríguez will provide cover art for the series, joining the team will be Charles P. Wilson III (The Wraith) who will contribute variant covers.
“The universe that Joe is building here is wholly unique while still doing justice to the original show,” said Tales from the Darkside editor Michael Benedetto. “And having Gabriel collaborating with him again is the best we could have possibly hoped for. These guys have a proven track record, and this series will only serve to build on their reputations as excellent storytellers and masters of horror and suspense.”
Prepare to enter the ‘Darkside’ this June at your local comic shop – plenty of time to get caught up on Locke & Key before then!
• The creators of Locke & Key, back together again!
• An all-new imagining of a classic horror show!
• The Tales from the Darkside TV show has legions of fans!
• So do Hill & Rodriguez!
• Variant covers by Hill’s Wraith artist Charles Paul Wilson III!
• Up first … meet “The Sleepwalker!”
• Variant cover by Gabriel Rodriguez!
This is a well-done, done-in-one story that is horror-ish, but is more of a character study. And the art is solid. So it was a pleasant enough experience that I can recommend it. I just don't know what else to say, as I don't know if this is part of a larger story, or if this series is going to be a run of unconnected horror (ish) stories.
FIRST ISSUE ALERT
TANK GIRL: 2 GIRLS 1 TANK #2
Publisher: TITAN COMICS
Writer: ALAN MARTIN
Art: BRETT PARTSON
Cover A: BRETT PARSON
Cover B: MING DOYLE
Cover C: ROB DAVIS
FC • 32pp • $3.99
Perhaps it's too much booze that's got our swill-swigging hero seeing double, or maybe there really is a doppelganger on the scene? Whatever the case, it's time for Tank Girl to solve the case of her pilfered Panzer!
As I've said before, I'm too old for what amounts to an adolescent fantasy of flipping the bird to The Man, or the rules, or whatever, and doing whatever you please without parental (or any other kind) of supervision. But if you like Tank Girl, here's more of it.
VIKINGS #2
Publisher: TITAN COMICS
Writer: CAVAN SCOTT
Art/Cover: STAZ JOHNSON
Cover B: PHOTO
Cover C: PHOTO
FC • 32pp • $3.99 • Mature
The drama continues for Ragnar, Lagertha, Rollo and Floki as they find themselves caught up in a morass of betrayals, intrigue, and politics that could ultimately be their downfall. With their thoughts on the battles in front of them, events back home in Kattegut suggest the old world has more say in their fates than they thought!
I've now read the first two issues, and I have to say I enjoyed the comic book considerably less than I do the TV show. But I like the TV show a whole lot, so maybe that's an unfair comparison.
But this book is set before the end of Season 3, as there are a couple of characters in it who are now dead on the show. So it's quite obviously frozen in time, exploring a status quo that no longer exists. That could be fun, I guess, but I found it a little pedestrian.
Speaking of which, that's the word I'd use for the art as well. It's clear enough, but off-brand, without polish or spark.
Replies
I almost bought Batman #1 because I'm enjoying King's Vision so much. After reading your reviews, I think it sounds the most interesting to me, so I may buy it next week. (I already bought the Titans one, but haven't read it yet.)
I didn't pre-order Dark Knight: A True Batman Story because I thought it would be too difficult to read. Then I read something about it, and decided to man up and buy it after all. By the time I got to my LCS, it was sold out. They'll be getting more in, though.
The Titans one was probably the least of the Rebirth issues for me, but then again, I haven't been interested in them since Wolfman and Perez left the title!