Greg Reviews the New 52

8/6/2019 Greg Reviews the New 52

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JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 Written by Geoff Johns

Art by Jim Lee & Scott WilliamsCover by Jim Lee & Scott Williams

On Wednesday, August 31st, DC Comicswill launch a historic renumbering of theentire DC Universe line of comic bookswith 52 first issues, including the release of JUSTICE LEAGUE by NEW YORK TIMESbestselling writer and DC EntertainmentChief Creative Officer Geoff Johns andbestselling artist and DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee. The publication of JUSTICE LEAGUE issue 1 will launchday-and-date digital publishing for all theseongoing titles, making DC Comics the firstof the two major American publishers torelease all of its superhero comic booktitles digitally the same day as in print.

DC Comics will only publish two comicbooks on August 31st: the final issue of this summers comic book mini-seriesFLASHPOINT and the first issue of JUSTICE LEAGUE by Johns and Lee, twoof the most distinguished and popular contemporary comic book creators, whowill be collaborating for the first time.Together they will offer a contemporarytake on the origin of the comic book

industrys premier superhero team.

Justice League #1 was the first offering in the new line-up. The flagship team of theDCU takes center stage with a DC-fans dream team of Geoff Johns (writing) and JimLee & Scott Williams (art).Off the top, the announcement of same day digital releases, at the same price point isthe real drama here. The re-launch, re-boot, re-whatever is the same thing DC


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does to their Universe every two years or so anyway. Alright, this one is moreambitious, but will be equally fleeting in the long-run. Some things will, of course,change the status quo of the DCU (they hope), but in two years, well be back to theoriginal DCU. Mark my words. Basically, the 52 (clever use of a long-running DCgimmick) re-booted titles are a neat way to distract the masses (except for comic shop

owners!) from the second leg of the transition to a digital based market. As for the Justice League comic. Lets assume Barry Allen (Flash) and we know itsBruce Wayne (Batman) along with Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Hal Jordan (GreenLantern), Superman (of course) and Cyborg?!?

Every once in a while, the powers that be at DC take a supporting character and try tomake them a titular mainstay. Most recently: the Martian Manhunter, Aquaman andWonder Woman (sorry ladies). Now, its Cyborgs turn. After taking a spin asFlashpoints Superman, we find Cyborg front and center in the JL. Uhm, I loved VicStone as part of the New Teen Titansbut like Raven, Starfire, Changeling and even

Wonder Girl, Speedy (even as Arsenal), and of course, Aqualad Cyborg was a part of the machine, a spoke in the wheel. Theres a reason why, after 20 some plus years hesnever emerged as a viable character outside of the Titans. The same can be said for the rest of that group, with the exception of Dick Grayson and Wally West, of course.

So its Vics turn. Good luck, couldnt happen to a nicer guy. When DC re-invents theNew Teen Titans, well be here waiting.

As far as the creative team goes, Johns is good at breaking things and making themshiny and new (but not really good any more). So this whole 52-relaunch is right up hisalley. Im a little worried about consistency. I dont remember Lee & Williams being the

most timely art team. That or expect Mark Bagley to take over around issue #3. Add thisto the pull-list.


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WOND ER WOM AN #1 Written by Brian Azzarello

Art by Cliff ChiangCover by Cliff Chiang

New York Times bestselling writer Brian Azzarello, author of The Joker and 100Bullets, teams up with the immenselytalented artist Cliff Chiang (Neil YoungsGreendale) for WONDER WOMAN #1, anexciting new series starring the DCUniverses greatest superheroine. Thecover to issue #1 is by Cliff Chiang.

There have probably been 20 really good solo Wonder Woman issues in my 34 years of reading comics, highlighted (for me) by Perezs run in the late 80s/early 90s (?). I knowthere was also a critically acclaimed run in the 90s/2000s, which featured covers byBrian Bolland, but if all I can tell you about them is the cover artist, uhm they mayhave been really good but never hit my radar (and I read just about everything).That being said, I like the idea of Wonder Woman. I like the character. I think she hasthe potential to be a starting (solo) character, but has best been used as a supportingcharacter. The other treatment of WW that will always stand out for me was theWaid/Ross imagining of her in Kingdom Come: a compassionate warrior.

After JMSs brutal failure last year, theres only one reason I would give another Wonder Woman re-launch: Brian Azzarello. Azzarello created the very cool Vertigo title 100Bullets and more recently wrote the Joker graphic novel a few years ago. His work isstrong, his characters are interesting, his stories are well told and hes serious in a grittysort of way. I am actually looking forward to this book more than most.


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Also in the category of Why Bother?: Savage Hawkman, Firestorm, Mr. Terrific,Captain Atom

(and for the record, no doubt #1 on-going titles sell better than #1 of mini-series, which

is why bother)THE FLASH #1 Written by Francis Manapul& BrianBuccellato

Art by Francis Manapul& Brian BuccellatoCover by Francis Manapul& BrianBuccellato

Rising superstar Francis Manapul, freshoff his acclaimed run on THE FLASH withGeoff Johns, makes his comics writing

debut in THE FLASH #1, sharing bothscripting and art duties with BrianBuccellato. The Flash knows he cant beeverywhere at once, but what happenswhen he faces an all-new villain who can?The cover to issue #1 is by FrancisManapul and Brian Buccellato.

Who would have thunk that Francis Manapul could write? Well, I guess well find out. Ihave really enjoyed his work with Johns on last years (the year before?) re-launch of the Flash. Not only do I enjoy his art, but I think (hope) that you get a sense of Manapuls ability to tell a story in the way he frames his pages (which is a good thing).

I grew up buying Barry Allen Flash comics (really to get the Hal Jordan/Ollie Queenback-up stories, but dont spoil the moment), and even as a little kid, I thought the waythey wrapped up the original Flash series was hokey. When he came back to save usall in Crisis (there is only one Crisis the rest are really more like little panics), that wasa timeless end to a venerable and classic character. The emergence of Wally West asthe Flash and the complementary development of Dick Grayson into Nightwing reallycaptured a unique perspective of characters (people) growing up like no other comicstory really ever has. (I could write about that all day if tasked, dont get me started)So to me, the return of Barry Allen, was pointless.

Johns, Waid and company had crafted a phenomenal Flash mythos over the pasttwenty years with Barry as a titular (and absent), revered figurehead. The whole speed


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force thing came after Barry was gone. Max Mecrury (hit his prime), Impulse, and yes,Wally became the Flash in a way that Barry (if you go back and read those ancientbooks) never was. Because the writing was different. We expect more of our charactersnow. So to bring Barry back lessens not only the Barry Allen myhos, but the Flashlegacy and completely wrecks Wally.

Now, I have to pause to point out that I dont actually know that the Flash is going to beBarry Allen. But, Im pretty sure I guess well see who the kid speedster is in the NewTitans. Maybe there will be two Flashes. Which is not as stupid as Batman Inc., but itsnot a good idea either.

Regardless, the two story arcs from Johns current Flash run and Manapuls artwork areenough to get me to add this title to my pull-list.GREE N ARR OW #1 Written by JT Krul

Art by Dan Jurgens

Cover by Brett BoothOliver Queen is an orphan who grew up tofight crime as the Green Arrow, abillionaire playboy who uses his fortune tobecome a superhero able to fight themost powerful super-villains in theuniverse with nothing but a bow and arrow.JT Krul will write GREEN ARROW #1 withart by superstar artist Dan Jurgens. Thecover to issue #1 is by Brett Booth.

Over the past few years JT Krul has impressed me with some really good ideas, buttypically winds up with piss-poor execution. Or maybe the story just fizzles along theway.

Green Arrow is the epitome of the Supporting Character who can make good. Ollie isbest in a supporting role, where he can be obnoxious, hypocritical and abrasive. Wherehis failings and situtional nobility can make or break the day. Although, unlike (or maybe

just like) Wonder Woman and Aquaman he has had several re-starts over the pasttwenty years or so that have been worth reading. The Mike Grell work stands out, someof the Matt Wagner stuff, and even the first story arc of the last Green Arrow/Black


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Canary title wasnt bad. Heck, Grells Longbow Hunters mini-series is a must-have for any serious DC collector.

All that being said, Krul, who has had his hands on Ollie for the past year or so, hasntimpressed me enough with his treatment of this character to get me to add this title. The

costume alone tells me all I need to know: too much superhero, not enough asshatarcher.JUSTICE LEAGUE I NTER NATI ON AL #1 Written by Dan Jurgens

Art by Aaron LoprestiCover by Aaron Lopresti

A team of internationally-draftedsuperheroes fight each other and their bureaucratic supervisors as much as theydo global crime in JUSTICE LEAGUE

INTERNATIONAL #1 from writer DanJurgens and artist Aaron Lopresti. Thecover to issue #1 is by Aaron Lopresti.

On one hand, the idea of Batman, Booster, Guy, Fire & Ice and a Rocket Red make myheart go all pitter-patter. And then I remember that no matter how many times theyvetried (I think the current count is about five), the DC guys have repeatedly failed to re-capture the lightning in a bottle that J.M. DeMatteis and Keith Giffen created back in themid-80s. The idea that comic legend Dan Jurgens is writing the story, doesnt actuallyhelp.

I look at the promo picture and this is what comes to mind:

1. Booster minus Beetle is boring.2. Isnt Guy supposed to be in outer space with the GL Corps?3. Vixen, Fire, and Ice (?) supporting characters to support supporting characters.

Female forms to pretty up (or in one case add ethnicity) to a title. Filler.4. Is that Donna Troy? Please dont be another new identity for Donna Troy. For

Donna to be a viable character (as Donna Troy), she needs to be around DickGrayson, Roy Harper and Wally West. Even more than she needs to be aroundWonder Woman. Everything else is a waste of ink.


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5. Rocket Red and the guy from Great Ten (I think) adds International flavor andthere you go.

6. Batman the more things change the more things stay the same

I will be avoiding this title like the plague. If the plague came and offered me a free copy

of this title, Id, well Id take it and Id read it, but I can all but promise you it isnt goingto be any good.

DC U NIVERSE PRESE NTS #1 Written by Paul Jenkins

Art by Bernard ChangCover by Ryan Sook

The anthology series gets a new look inDC Universe Presents, a new series that

will focus on multi-issue story arcs eachfeaturing a different superhero from theDC Universes rich cast of characters, toldby some of comics most exciting writersand artitsts. DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS#1 kicks off the first arc of the series: aDeadman story by Paul Jenkins andBernard Chang. The cover to issue #1 isby Ryan Sook.

It has been my experience that anthology books typically have one-two great storiesevery three or four issues.

Again, its an interesting harkening back to DCs last successful anthology book (ActionComcis Weekly back in the 80s), which also featured a very well done Deadman story(probably his best solo work ever) which was written by Doug Meonch and featuressome early and brilliant work from Kelley Jones.

Ill give this one a try, but there will be a high expectation for at lest one good story per issue and quality artwork to distract from the rest of the garbage through out the book.


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GREE N LANTER N #1 Written by Geoff Johns

Art by Doug Mahnke&ChristiamAlmyCover by Ivan Reis & Joe Prado

GREE N LANTER N CO RPS #1 Written by Peter J. Tomasi Art by Fernando Pasarin& Scott HannaCover by Doug Mahnke& Christian Alamy

GREE N LANTER N: THE NEW GUAR D IANS #1 Written by Tony Bedard

Art by Tyler Kirkham &Batt

GREE N LANTER N: THE NEW

GUAR D IANS #1 will be written by TonyBedard and illustrated with cover by Tyler Kirkham and Batt.

RE D LANTER NS #1 Written by Peter Milligan

Art by Ed Benes & Rob Hunter Cover by Ed Benes & Rob Hunter I know everyone else loves Johns work on Green Lantern(s) over the past few years,but I just cant get my mind wrapped around it. I really think hes broken it. From thecolored lanterns and especially Blackest Night, I shutter to think that there is a

generation of comic fans who only know Hal Jordan post his stint as the Spectre.Yeah, Im going to continue to be passing on all things Oan this re-launch.


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B AT MAN #1 Written by Scott Snyder

Art by Greg CapulloCover by Greg Capullo

In the first BATMAN #1 since 1940, NewYork Times bestselling writer Scott Snyder teams up with superstar artist GregCapullo in his DC Comics debut! In theseries, Bruce Wayne once again becomesthe only character taking on the Batmanname.

Ive enjoyed Snyders work on Batman (hes currently on Detective), but Im not reallysure whether I just like Jocks art or that I like the story. A moderately good (notcomplicated) Batman story can be made awesome by good artwork. Thats probablytrue for all characters, but I think (somehow) moreso for Batman. Im not a big Capullofan, but dont hate him.

Ill give Batman a chance.


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DETECTIVE C OM ICS #1 Written by Tony S. Daniel

Art by Tony S. DanielCover by Tony S. Daniel

DC Comics flagship title is relaunched for the first time ever in DETECTIVE COMICS#1 by acclaimed writer/artist Tony Daniel.Marking the first time Batman will appear in a debut issue of Detective Comics, theseries will find Bruce Wayne on the trail of a dangerous serial killer known only as theGotham Ripper.

Tony Daniels came on my Batman radar about the time Morrison was mucking aroundthe cowl. I tried to read Daniels work and it was like reading Morrison without thepunchline. Daniels overcomplicated and under delivered the story arcs I read. It was to

the point where I would pick up Batman, so long as Daniels wasnt writing. Seriously.Writers who cant tell a good mystery tend to try to overcomplicate Batman stories.Thats what Daniels Batman always felt like.

That being said, the hint that Bruce will be tracking down the Joker is always a draw andthat goes for me too. Ill give Detective a chance, against my better judgement.


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B AT MAN & RO B IN #1 Written by Peter J. Tomasi

Art by Pat GleasonCover by Pat Gleason

In BATMAN AND ROBIN #1, theacclaimed creative team of Peter Tomasiand Pat Gleason will explore the familydynamic of the Caped Crusader as BruceWayne battles the Gotham underworldwith the help of his son, Damian, in therole of Robin.

Peter Tomasi & Pat Gleason initially got my attention on the Green Lantern Corps., afew years ago. They were producing the only really readable GL title at the time. Theydid a good job when they were re-united on Batman & Robin after Morrison left as well.

The contrast between Dick Graysons Batman and Damian Waynes Robin made thatDynamic Duo work. It worked because Damian was the dark, brooding one and Dickwas the more human one. Just like it was back when he was Robin. Now, Bruce (Mr.Surley) is back and hes got Damian in tow. You could almost see Damian draggingBruce into a darker place thats not how it would go, because uhm, just because.But still, it will be interesting to see if we get another 1-900-kill Robin in six months.

This title had me at Tomasi & Gleason.


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B AT MAN: THE DARK K NIGHT #1 Written by David Finch

Art by David Finch & Jay FabokCover by David Finch

In BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT,superstar artist David Finch writes anddraws a twisted adventure that pulls BruceWayne deep into the halls of the famed

Arkham Asylum, a jail for Gotham Citysmost dangerous and criminally deranged.Finch will team up with collaborator JayFabok on pencils.

Finchs work on the first two issues of Batman: the Dark Knight were pretty good. Goodenough to keep buying the title in the re-launch.

This one, like Batwoman, is a pretty easy title to add to the pull-list. Its a book you canalmost count on coming out infrequently. So when they say, monthly its a pretty liberaldescription.


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B IRDS O F PREY #1 Written by Duane Swierczynski

Art by Jesus SaizCover by Jesus Saiz

The Birds of Prey are Gotham Citys covertops team, taking down the villains other heroes cant touch. Mystery novelistandscomics writer Duane Swierczynskiteams up with Jesus Saiz for BIRDS OFPREY #1, the first issue of the hard-hittingnew series.

CAT WOM AN #1 Written by Judd Winick

Art by Guillem March

Cover by Guillem MarchMeet Catwoman. Shes addicted to thenight. Addicted to shiny objects. Addictedto Batman. Most of all, Catwoman isaddicted to danger. She cant help herself,and the truth is she doesnt want to.Shes good at being bad, and very bad atbeing good. Find out more about whatmakes Catwoman tick in CATWOMAN #1,written by Judd Winick and illustrated by

Guillem March.

Yea no. Just no. Actually Gotham Sirens is a pretty good book (right now). Pleasenote that it is not being offered in the re-launch. As for Catwoman and The Birds of Prey: there are better places to spend my $2.99


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B ATGIRL #1 Written by Gail Simone

Art by ArdianSyaf& Vicente CifuentesCover by Adam Hughes

Batgirls going to have to face the citysmost horrifying new villains as well as darksecrets from her past in BATGIRL #1, thestunning debut issue from fan-favoritewriter Gail Simone and artists ArdianSyaf and Vicente Cifuentes

Why? Oh why?!?Okay after DC established Barbara Gordon (who like Dick Grayson and Wally West)evolved from supporting character into a character in their own right, as Oracle theywent and broke that.

After Cassandra Cain (Batgirl) fell out of favor, they installed Stephanie Brown (Batgirl)and despite absolutely, positively hating the character (Brown) her Batgirl title wasgood. It was, in fact, my favorite DC book over the past few months. Naturally, itscanceled.

I dont remember where I read that this woman in the costume is Barbara (as it isnt inthe description), so maybe its not true. Heres to hoping that.

Either way, this one will get one chance.


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NIGHT W ING #1 Written by Kyle Higgins

Art by Eddy BarrowsCover by Eddy Barrows

After a tenure as the Batman of Gotham,Dick Grayson resumes his mantle asNightwing! As Dick embraces his identity,Haleys Circus, the big top where he onceperformed with his family, returns toGotham - bringing with it a history of murder, mystery and superhuman evil.Nightwing must confront friends andenemies from his past as he searches for the source of an even greater evil.

The whole idea that this isnt a re-boot or a re-launch or whatever is more than a littleworisome. Some of the promos seem almost unbelievably poorly thought out.On one hand we are told to expect new origins and re-introductions to many of our

favorite characters and on the other hand, we have Nightwing, who is apparentlyresuming his Nightwing identity after a stint as Batman. Elsewhere we have a Red Hood(Jason Todd), a Red Robin (presumably Tim Drake) and Robin (confirmed as Damian).It just seems like there is an awful lot of (familiar) history here in a re-imagineduniverse.

Dick Grayson is my favorite character so were going to give this one a chance. Thoughin truth, the past few years of Nightwing were almost unreadable.


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RE D HOOD AND THE O UTLA WS #1 Written by Scott Lobdell

Art by Kenneth RocafortCover by Kenneth Rocafort

Batmans former sidekick had put his pastas The Red Hood behind him, when thereclusive Jason Todd finds himself unwillingly elected as the leader of an all-new team of outlaw vigilantes.

As The Red Hood once again, Jason Toddwill lead this new team of antiheroes,including Green Arrows rejected sidekick

Arsenal and Starfire, a former prisoner of intergalactic war.

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS will bewritten by Scott Lobdell and illustrated byrising superstar artist Kenneth Rocafort.

Jason Todd has no redeeming value. The character has been a ridiculous mockery fromthe first time they ret-conned his origin (Crisis) and had his origin begin with Batmancatching him stealling the hubcaps off the Batmobile. Add in the dial-a-dead Robin andthen bring him back from the dead and you have (probably) the worst superhero ever.Jason Todd is another one of those rants that could go on for hours. So, Ill stop now.

Starfire is a young boys fantasy version of Cyborg, pretty much pointless outside of the Teen Titans and barely useful with the Titans.

Then theres Roy Harper, a prime example of why (story-wise) this re-imaginging istaking place is a good thing: to clean up some of the garbage (can you say cyberneticarm, ala Winter Soldier) that has taken place over the past few years. Roy Harper isDCs eternal embodiment of the bad decision: junkie, fathers a child with a super villain(okay, so Batman did that too, it was a much worse idea when Roy did it), and thentheres the whole arm chopped off bit. For the past twenty years, Harper has been acharacter in search of his identity. Goodness knows no one else in this title has one so Idoubt hell find one here.

By all accounts, this book should be bad. But its written by Scott Lobdell (AlphaFlight, Uncanny X-men, Iron Man, etc.) so this title gets a one issue try-out.


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B AT W ING #1 Written by Judd Winick

Art by Ben Oliver Cover by Ben Oliver

This September, join with us in this historicmoment when the first black character towear the Batman mantle will be the first tostar in his own ongoing series. BATWINGwill be written by Judd Winick andillustrated by Ben Oliver.

No, just say no. Hot off the presses, from Batman, Inc. (another absolute disaster),comes a superhero story set in Africa. Comic writers have trouble telling good comicstories outside of a fictional New York. Pretty much every city in comics is just like anyother. The idea that this creative team is going to somehow tell a compellinginternational story about a below-second rate superhero is an astonishing way to getpeople to buy a comic with the #1 on it, while pandering to a nave social conscience.


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S W AMP THI NG #1 Written by Scott Snyder

Art by Yannick PaquetteCover by Yannick Paquette

DC Comics embraces its dark side. On the40th anniversary of the characterscreation, the New York Times bestsellingwriter of AMERICAN VAMPIRE, ScottSnyder, teams up with Yannick Paquette(BATMAN, INCORPORATED) to bringhorror back to the DC Universe in SWAMPTHING #1. For years, one man servedagainst his will as the avatar of nature.

And while he may have been freed of themonster, hes about to learn the monster

will never truly let go of him.

The Swamp Thing hasnt been relevant since the Alan Moore/Rick Veitch run in the late1980s, despite efforts from Grant Morrison, Mark Millar and Brian K. Vaughn. All of thatwas made, well not right, oh yeah lets go with worse by the events of BrightestDay. If Swamp Thing comes over to your house and tries to give you a copy of issue #1

just run, run away.


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ANIMAL MAN #1 Written by Jeff Lemire

Art by Travel Foreman & Dan GreenCover by Travel Foreman & Dan Green

Buddy Baker has gone from super manto family man but is he strong enough tohold his family together when Maxine, hisyoung daughter, starts to manifest her owndangerous powers? Find out in ANIMALMAN #1, the start of a dramatic new seriesby acclaimed writer Jeff Lemire and artistsTravel Foreman and Dan Green.

Where Swamp Thing has failed to regain even a semblence of the characters 80sglory, Animal Man has made a respectable comeback over the past few years. From the(whatever) Crisises to his own Last Days of Animal Man mini-series, hes been a

pleasant character in just about every appearance. While he hasnt re-kindled the magicthat Morrison ignited, he deserves another shot at being the center of attention.

In fact, in contrast to Green Arrow, Aquaman, Cyborg, and Starfire, Animal Man is acharacter that is easier to take as a central character that supports a story, than part of a team. Even the Last Days was the kind of story that was superhero, half guynamed Buddy.

Jeff Lemires Superboy run was good enough, with strong character-driven stories towarrant giving the Animal Man re-launch a shot.


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JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1 Written by Peter Milligan

Art by MikelJaninCover by Ryan Sook

John Constantine, Deadman, Shade theChanging Man and Madame Xanadu areJustice League Dark, a band of supernatural heroes united to stop thedark things the rest of the DCU does notsee in JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1, byPeter Milligan and artist MikelJanin.

This isnt your fathers John Constantine. No, really, this is apparently an all new,younger version of Constantine. A long time ago, this guy named Peter Milligan tookthis Shade, the Changing Man character and told a really interesting story. Add in a

few characters who have no business being in a team book and you have the JusticeLeague Dark.

The Constantine twist and the Milligan-Shade connection alone are enough to give thisbook one chance.


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DEMON KNIGHTS #1 Written by Paul Cornell

Art by Diogenes Neves&Oclair AlbertCover by Diogenes Neves&Oclair Albert

FRA NKENSTEI N, AGE NT O F SHA DE #1 Written by Jeff Lemire Art by Alberto PonticelliCover by Alberto Ponticelli

RESURRECTI ON MAN #1 Written by Dan Abnett& Andy Lanning

Art by Fernando DagninoCover by Fernando Dagnino

Paul Cornell is one of DCs best, up and coming writers. Lemire has the same potential,and then theres the other two guys. If I had to guess, these three titles were some of the last handful Lee & DiDio came up with to round out the 52. None of them will lastmore than 10 issues. Aguably, some of these stories will probably make pretty goodtrade paperbacks in a year or so.


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I, VA MPIRE #1 Written by Josh Fialkov

Art by Andrea SorrentinoCover by Andrea Sorrentino

Vampires threaten to bring ruin to the DCUniverse in I, VAMPIRE #1 by rising star Josh Fialkov and artist Andrea Sorrentino.Tortured by his centuries-old love for theQueen of the Damnned, Andrew Bennettmust save humanity from the violentuprising of his fellow vampires, even if itmeans exterminating his own kind.

I admit it. The only reason I, Vampire gets a singular mention is that I remember AndrewBennett from the House of Mystery series back in the 80s. Seriously the title looks tooTwilight for my tastes. Whether I pick up this title, will be a game-time decision.


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VOODOO #1 Written by Ron Marz

Art by Sami BasriCover by Sami Basri

Priscilla Kitaen has just found out shes amonster. A half-alien hybrid, the womanknown as Voodoo must confront thesecrets of her past to make sense of thenightmare her life has suddenly become.VOODOO #1 will be written by Ron Marzwith art by Sami Basri.

Voodoo is the first of the hybrid WildStorm/DC titles. Voodoo, of course, hails from JimLees WILD Cats. Sex appeal and aliens has pretty much been the only thing that hassold this character for decades. If nothing else, you can expect nice covers. Pass.


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LEGI ON LO ST #1 Written by Fabian Nicieza

Art by Pete WoodsCover by Pete Woods

LEGI ON O F SUPER-HER O ES #1 Written by Paul Levitz Art by Francis PortelaCover by Francis Portela

In the 80s, I loved the Legion. Ive given every other (or so) Legion re-lauch a chance.Too many other #1s to take a chance on the Legion this time. Pass.


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TEE N TITA NS #1 Written by Scott Lobdell

Art by Brett Booth & Norm RapmundCover by Brett Booth & Norm Rapmund

Tim Drake is forced to step out frombehind his keyboard when an internationalorganization seeks to capture or kill super-powered teenagers. As Red Robin, hemust team up with the mysterious andbelligerent powerhouse thief known asWonder Girl and a hyperactive speedster calling himself Kid Flash in TEEN TITANS#1, by Scott Lobdell and artists Brett Boothand Norm Rapmund.

Tim Drake is forced to step out from behind his keyboard Uh scary. Greatcostume though. In fact the promo image is pretty interesting. The rest of the promoblurb is also a little scary. Granted we still dont know who the Flash will be (Barry or Wally?) and this couldnt possibly be Wally could it?

Lobdell makes this title worth a shot.


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STATIC SH O CK #1 Written by John Rozum& Scott McDaniel

Art by Scott McDaniel & Jonathan GlapionCover by Scott McDaniel

Virgil Hawkins has been gifted withincredible electrical powers. Adopting thepersona of Static, he faces super-poweredstreet gangs, raging hormones, homework,and girls in STATIC SHOCK #1, co-writtenby John Rozum and Scott McDaniel, withMcDaniel also illustrating along withJonathan Glapion.

Theres no reason to buy this title.But this is as good of place as any to say how muchthe comic industry will miss Statics creator, Dwayne McDuffie. McDuffie passed awaysuddenly earlier this year. His work was innovative and entertaining.


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HAWK & DO VE #1 Written by Sterling Gates

Art by Rob LiefeldCover by Rob Liefeld

Its up to the living avatars of war andpeace to root out the hidden forces wholook to plunge the country into a deadlycivil war in HAWK AND DOVE #1. Theexciting new series will be written bySterling Gates and illustrated by legendarysuperstar comics artist Rob Liefeld.

Its Rob Leifeld returning to his glory days! Hawk & Dove was some of Robs best earlywork. Chances of this title being any good: slime to none. Pass.


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B LACKHA WKS #1 Written by Mike Costa

Art by Ken LashleyCover by Ken Lashley

Blackhawk is an elite group of mercenariesmade up of brave men from around theworld equipped with the latest in cutting-edge hardware and vehicles. Their mission: Kill the bad guys before they killus. A set of contemporary tales that battlethe worlds gravest threats,BLACKHAWKS #1 will be written by MikeCosta and illustrated by Ken Lashley.

SGT. R O CK A ND THE MEN O F WAR #1

Written by Ivan Brandon Art by Tom DerenickCover by Tom Derenick

The grandson of the original Sgt. Rockassumes the command of Easy Company,a team of crack ex-military men financedby a covert military contractor, as theybrave the battle-scarred landscape carvedby the DC Universes super-villains. SGT.ROCK AND THE MEN OF WAR #1 is

contemporary military story fighting under modern conditions, and will be written byIvan Brandon and illustrated by TomDerenick.

If these two modern war titles are done well they could be very interesting. Chances of that are pretty slim, but Im willing to give both of them one issue to change my mind.For the record, my money is on Rock being the better of the two.


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ALL-STAR WESTER N #1 Written by Jimmy Palmiotti& Justin Grey

Art by MoritatCover by Moritat

Even when Gotham City was just a one-horse town, crime was rampant andthings only get worse when bounty hunter Jonah Hex comes to town. Can Amadeus

Arkham, a pioneer in criminal psychology,enlist Hexs special brand of justice to helpthe Gotham Police Department track downa vicious serial killer? Featuring back-upstories starring DCs other western heroes,

ALL-STAR WESTERN #1 will be writtenby the fan-favorite Jonah Hex team of

Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti andillustrated by Moritat.

Im not a DC Western comics fan. So while Jonah Hex (movie not withstanding) hasbeen doing well, its not my cup of tea. Pass.


31/36

DEATHSTR O KE #1 Written by Kyle Higgins

Art by Joe Bennett & Art ThibertCover by Joe Bennett & Art Thibert

OM AC #1 Written by Dan Didio& Keith Giffen Art by Keith Giffen& Scott KoblishCover by Keith Giffen& Scott Koblish

SUICI DE SQUA D #1 Written by Adam Glass

Art by Marco Rudy

B LUE B EETLE #1 Written by Tony Bedard

Art by IgGuaraCover by Tyler Kirkham

No, just no, to all of these.GRIFTER #1 Written by Nathan Edmondson

Art by Cafu& BITCover by Cafu& BIT

Ex-black ops agent Cole Cash is acharming grifter that few can resist. Andyet hes about to be branded a serial killer when he begins hunting and exterminatinginhuman creatures hidden in human form

creatures only he can see. Can thebiggest sweet talker of all time talk his wayout of this one when even his brother thinks hes gone over the edge? Find outin GRIFTER #1, written by NathanEdmondson with art by CAFU and BIT (theteam behind T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS).


32/36

Grifter is another of Lees WILD Cats, crossing over to the main DCU (such as it is).Cole (Grifter) is one of the more interesting `Cats characters, who will probably wind upbeing more like the Ultimates Hawkeye than anyone else. Ive always kind of likedGrifter, so Im going to give this series a shot. Really, I figure it wont last long.ST O RMW ATCH #1

Written by Paul Cornell Art by Miguel SepulvedaCover by Miguel Sepulveda

Stormwatch is a dangerous super humanstrike force whose existence is kept secretfrom the world. Jack Hawksmoor and therest of the crew look to recruit two of thedeadliest super humans on the planet:Midnighter and Apollo. And if they say no?Perhaps the Martian Manhunter can

change their minds. Featuring a surprisingnew roster, STORMWATCH #1 will bewritten by the critically-acclaimed PaulCornell (Superman: The Black Ring, Dr.Who) and illustrated by MiguelSepulveda.

I like the idea of Stormwatch (a WILD Cats transplant) and I have tried to read anumber of their re-launches, but never got in to them. But look, its the MartianManhunter! Really? Lets be honest, my history of giving Stormwatch a chance, JonnJonnz and Cornell are three reasons why Im going to give this series a shot.


33/36

SUPERGIRL #1 Written by Michael Green & Mike Johnson

Art by Mahmud Asrar Cover by Mahmud Asrar

Supergirls got the unpredictable behavior of a teenager, the same powers asSuperman and none of his affection for thepeople of Earth. Writers Michael Greenand Mike Johnson (Smallville,SUPERMAN/BATMAN) will team up withartist Mahmud Asrar to give a new take onthe teenager from Krypton in SUPERGIRL#1.

DC has been trying to launch a good Supergirl title for as long as I can remember (andthats a long time). I would, under ordinary circumstances, urge you to pass on this title.But, as it turns out Michael Green and Mike Johnson had a stellar run onSuperman/Batman a few years or so ago. For Green & Johnson alone, this title is worthadding to the pull list.


34/36

SUPER MAN: THE MAN O F T OMO RR OW #1 Written by George Perez

Art by Jesus MerinoCover by George Perez

What is Supermans startling new statusquo? How does it affect his friends, lovedones and his job at The Daily Planet? Findout in SUPERMAN #1, written bylegendary comics creator George Perez(CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS, NEWTEEN TITANS and WONDER WOMAN)and illustrated by Jesus Merino.

Yes, Superman has no (red) pants. George Perez. Perez, who is best known as theillustratorfor the Wolfman/Perez run on the New Teen Titans and Crisis on InfiniteEarths (and the Avengers, etc.), is also an accomplished writer (Wonder Woman).Regardless, it has to be better than JMS (who I usually really enjoy) stint on the Man of

Steel.


35/36

SUPER B O Y #1 Written by Scott Lobdell

Art by R.B. Silva & Rob LeanCover by R.B. Silva & Rob Lean

They thought he was just a failedexperiment, grown from a combination of Kryptonian and human DNA. But when thescope of his stunning powers wasrevealed, he became a deadly weapon.SUPERBOY #1 will be written by ScottLobdell with art by R.B. Silva and RobLean.

Over the past few years, Conner Kent (Superboy) has been one of the best charactersin the DCU, even when he was dead for awhile (its the DCU, the solicitations for hisreturn came almost before the Titans were finished mourning). R.B. Silvas art is

refreshing and throw in Lobdell and this title gets added to the pull-list.


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ACTI ON COM ICS #1 Written by Grant Morrison

Art by Rags MoralesCover by Rags Morales

A new era of DC Comics begins as thelongest-running monthly comic of all timereleases its first issue #1 since 1938.

This September, New York Timesbestselling writer Grant Morrison (ALL-STAR SUPERMAN) joins with sensationalartist Rags Morales to bring you tales of The Man of Tomorrow unlike any youveever read before in ACTION COMICS #1.This momentous first issue will set in

motion the history of the DC Universe asSuperman defends a world that doesnttrust their first Super Hero.

The first Action Comics #1 is now the mostsought-after comic book of all time. ThisSeptember, one of comics mostimaginative storytellers will make historyagain in Grant Morrison and RagsMorales ACTION COMICS #1.

Up in the sky, its a bird, its a plane, its an ad for Lee jeans. Grant Morrison completelywrecked Batman and then killed him and then brought him back and wrecked him ahundred fold incorporated. Then theres All Star Superman, which was awesome.

This momentous first issue will set in motion the history of the DC Universe asSuperman defends a world that doesnt trust their first Super Hero. This is veryworrisome.

Still, Morrison + Superman = adding to the pull list. My best guess is that this series willbe very good for about 10-12 issues.(For the record JMS Wonder Woman got three

issues before it was yanked)Final score (September) : 25 DC titles will be coming home in September (27 arepassed on).Including one-shots and mini-series , DC titles pulled for August (one month beforethe re-launch): 28

Solicitations and images from Comic Book Resources (www.comicbookresources.com)

Greg Reviews the New 52

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