FIRST ISSUE ALERT
ACTION COMICS #957
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by DAN JURGENS
Art by PATRICK ZIRCHER
Cover by MIKEL JANIN
Variant cover by RYAN SOOK
32 pg • FC • $2.99 US • RATED T
NOW SHIPPING TWICE MONTHLY!
This issue will ship with two covers.
“PATH TO DOOM” Chapter One
Superman returns to Metropolis just in time to meet the city of tomorrow’s newest protector: Lex Luthor. But it’s not long before these dueling titans meet someone unexpected — the new Clark Kent!
DON’T MISS: ACTION COMICS returns to its original numbering with this issue!
While not technically a first issue, this issue is one in spirit, as it's the first issue of Action after "Rebirth" -- with, famously, a return to its original numbering. Thanks to Action shipping weekly for a while some years ago, it has moved ahead of Detective Comics (see below), which seems appropriate, since Superman preceded Batman. (If the double shipping continues, expect Action Comics #1,000 in 1.8 years.)
What's new: Almost everything. This issue pulls a lot of strings together, but it also raises a lot of questions, too. As is almost universally known, the New 52 Superman is dead, and Lex Luthor has proclaimed himself the new protector of Metropolis. What will the pre-New 52 Superman, Jon and Lois do in response? Is Luthor -- can Luthor -- really be reformed? Oh, and as mentioned in the solicits, Clark Kent returns -- but it's not the pre-New 52 Superman. Who is he, and what's his agenda? Oh, and there's one other possible returnee from the dead, who appears on the final page, about which I'll say no more.
That's a pretty nice set-up, with a lot of juicy mysteries. This could be the most interesting Action Comics since the weekly anthology.
Zircher's art is strong superhero work, with a real Dan Jurgens flavor. It's like the '90s never ended -- only with everyone switched around.
One caveat: The multiple Supermen. I hope they avoid reprising the four-fake-Supermen story from "Death of Superman." I don't mind an echo, but I don't need a repeat.
FIRST ISSUE ALERT
AQUAMAN: REBIRTH #1
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by DAN ABNETT
Art by OSCAR JIMENEZ
Cover by BRAD WALKER and DREW HENNESSEY
Variant cover by RYAN BENJAMIN
One-shot • 32 pg • FC • $2.99 US • RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
Born to both the surface and the sea, Arthur Curry walks in two worlds but can find a home in neither. The King of Atlantis looks to reconcile his split heritage as he embarks on a new mission that may finally make him choose between his two paths.
POLITICAL PLAYER: “As the leader of a world power,” writer Dan Abnett says, “Arthur believes it’s time Atlantis became part of the global community. Atlantis has been on the outside for too long: feared, mysterious and misunderstood. But that means getting the world used to Atlantis … and vice versa.
As you'd expect from Dan Abnett, this is a strongly written issue. I could do without Atlanteans using nautical slang from the surface ("scuttle" for destroy, "rig" for prep), and the use of "Neptune below" where we'd say "God above." There's no reason Atlanteans, who hate us and have no contact with us, would use our terminology or phrasing.
But he does what an establishing book needs to do, which is establish the foundational relationships and status quo, which I won't spoil. I will say Abnett nicely articulates Aquaman's raison d'etre: Defend the sea from the land's greed, defend the land from the sea's wrath. Nice symmetry there for the man between two worlds.
What's new: Spindrift Station, the Atlantean embassy to the surface world in Boston, where Mera's in charge. You can't have too much Mera, as far as I'm concerned, and there should be a lot of action at a place a lot of people above and below the water will want to see fail. So it's a good set-up.
Jimenez's art is attractive, although his pacing is a bit off. Too many jump cuts, too many money shots. Oh, these kids today! His style seems to be influenced by Phil Jimenez, who worked on Aquaman a million years ago, and of course DC's house style, Jim Lee. It looks good.
All in all I'm not the biggest Aquafan, but I could see myself reading this series. Especially if there's a lot of Mera (and not a lot of Garth).
FIRST ISSUE ALERT
DETECTIVE COMICS #934
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by JAMES TYNION IV
Art and cover by EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA
Variant cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
32 pg • FC • $2.99 US • RATED T
NOW SHIPPING TWICE MONTHLY!
This issue will ship with two covers.
“RISE OF THE BATMEN” Chapter One
An unknown predator begins outdoing Batman, taking down dangerous threats with military precision. It’s up to the Dark Knight and series co-star Batwoman to rally and train the young heroes of Gotham City to end this mysterious threat!
WHAT NOW: Batman and Batwoman begin training Spoiler, Red Robin and Cassandra Cain, but is the villainous Clayface ready for redemption?
Like Action Comics, this is the first issue after "Rebirth" but has the Golden Age numbering restored. Detective #1,000 will arrive in 2.75 years, at twice-monthly shipping.
What's new: A mystery bad guy who is a real threat. Batman and Batwoman teaming up as equals -- and as "Mom" and "Dad" of the Bat-family. A new role for Cassandra Cain. Stephanie Brown leveling up. Two women reminding two men to stop condescending to them. A surprise I.D. reveal. And ... Bat-Clayface?
This is another excellent re-launch. DC seems to have learned its lesson about erasing fan favorites, and instead has found a plausible and interesting uses for Stephanie Brown, Cassandra Cain and Tim Drake. The new villain looks promising, who I'm guessing may be a time or dimension traveler. The only negative I can mention is a conversation between Batwoman and her father that was poorly disguised expository dialogue, introducing Batwoman to those who didn't read her book.
The art fits in DC's house style, which is generally excellent. Of special note is Barrows' treatment of the Bat-cape, which looks like stylized chain mail. Given that the cape has been demonstrated to be bullet-proof, it would almost have to be armored in some fashion, and it's a cool look. Thumbs up.
FIRST ISSUE ALERT
THE FLASH: REBIRTH #1
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO
Cover by KARL KERSCHL
Variant cover by JASON PEARSON
One-shot • 32 pg • FC • $2.99 US • RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
Spinning directly out of the epic events of DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1, the Fastest Man Alive finds himself at the center of a DC Universe at a crossroads.
WARNING: Do NOT read this issue until after you read DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1!
If "Flash: Rebirth" sounds familiar to you, it's because there was a six-issue Flash: Rebirth miniseries in 2009. So this is really Flash: Afterbirth.
But it's good. The art isn't in the Jim Lee style; I can't really identify Di Giandomenico's influences but it has a lighter, looser style which fits The Flash pretty well. Let's peg it as more in the Carmine Infantino school. Not that it looks a lot like Infantino, but that there are a few visual homages to Showcase #4 (and a theater name) that this old fanboy sure appreciated.
As to the story, it takes place simultaneously with DC Universe: Rebirth, so we see the restoration of Wally West (is that cheering I hear?) in more detail. And ...
What's new: Wally and Barry realize that someone has stolen years from their lives, and tried to erase relationships. (It's Dr. Manhattan! DR. MANHATTAN!) Barry and Bruce Wayne agree to work together to find this mystery villain. (IT'S DR. MANHATTAN! Big blue guy from Watchmen! FOR REALZ!) Wally has to re-build his life (although it might happen in Teen Titans). And there's a yellow blur moving through Central City ...
Good stuff. It almost seems like the TV show has reminded DC what a terrific character The Flash can be. There's a liveliness here, a focus on the future that hasn't always been the case with this title, which has occasionally run in place.
FIRST ISSUE ALERT
WONDER WOMAN: REBIRTH #1
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by GREG RUCKA
Art by PAULO SIQUEIRA and LIAM SHARP
Cover by LIAM SHARP
Variant cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU
One-shot • 32 pg • FC • $2.99 U.S. • RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
After suffering an unimaginable loss, Wonder Woman must rebuild her mission as Earth’s ultimate protector and champion.
DON’T MISS: New York Times best-selling writer Greg Rucka returns to Wonder Woman with a tale that will forever alter the DC icon.
It's official: Every "Rebirth" issue this week is excellent.
Once again, a "Rebirth" issue takes false starts, bad decisions and wrong-headed revamps -- errors of the past -- and turns them into virtues. In this case, Wonder Woman realizes that her past keeps changing. And, no, it's not the fault of the editors and writers over the years (although it is), but instead it's the work of some unseen opponent, someone who is making the mistake of trying to lie to the former Goddess of Truth. (She's the Goddess of War now, but again, that revamp has become part of the story.)
What's new: Wonder Woman uses the Golden Lasso on herself, and discovers that someone (It's Dr. Manhattan! IT'S DR. MANHATTAN!) has been monkeying with her origin. And she's pissed.
Also: That abomination of a New 52 costume is dropped in favor of a Greek-inspired leather armor, which is perfect.
The art owes a lot to Yanick Paquette, who did a terrific job on Wonder Woman: Earth One. Siqueira isn't as slick as Paquette, which isn't a complaint -- it's just different, and stands on its own.
All in all, this is a brilliant jiu-jitsu of a story, taking every bug that's mucked up Wonder Woman's back story and turned it into a feature.
Replies
Still not gripping me but if I hear enough good things, perhaps I'll trade-wait.
Sure, it SEEMS like it's Dr. Manhattan messing with Wonder Woman's origin, but it's been Robert Kanigher all along.
And if Doctor Manhattan is screwing around with their histories and he knows that they know, wouldn't he just screw up their histories again?
Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod) said:
Or has he ALREADY? "Again" isn't really an operative word with Dr. M -- it's all simultaneous to him.
But if we're going to see revisions to Diana's origins, I demand Wonder Tot! Not forever, but at least briefly.
Philip Portelli said:
I'm pretty sure Dr. Manhattan has been screwing with my history. I'm supposed to be rich by now!
I haven't read anything from this week yet, but I actually did really enjoy Green Lanterns Rebirth #1. I didn't realize it was actually called that (the plural) until I looked at the cover after reading it. Not sure how many Green Lantern books they are going to have, but Sam Humphries is a great writer. I know virtually nothing about Jessica except for from Justice League, and I know nothing whatsoever about Simon Baz. Looking forward to reading more about these two going forward from this issue alone.
Now that I'm (more or less) out of the habit of buying DC "Universe" titles, I'm reluctant to get back in. I gave a pass to Action Comics and Flash yesterday (the two I was considering), but now I'm thinking I may need to reconsider Flash.
I bought all of yesterday's Rebirth books, and liked them all. I'll be continuing with all of them except Aquaman, at least for a while. Rebirth is really working for me so far -- it's good to see these old friends acting like themselves again.
It's good to have a lot of those old friends back again! New 52 eliminated a bunch of fan-fave characters Wally West, Wonder Girl, Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown, etc. -- but Rebirth is bringing them all back.
And Sensei, the only Green Lantern books that have been announced are Green Lanterns and Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps. (That second one isn't out yet.) More could materialize, of course,
I like that Dr Manhattan can be used as an explanation for every bad decision DC has ever made. It's better than Superboy's fist punching a hole through Hypertime.
I know I would be really pissed if I was in the Legion of Superheroes and found out about all of the Doc's shenanigans.
Ironically, in the original Watchmen story, Dr Manhattan didn't really have any interest in things that were going on in his own reality much less another one.
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