This publish is Filed Under:

Home page Highlights,
Interviews as well as Columns

Wayne Markley

by Wayne Markley

It has been over six months now since DC Comics introduced or rebooted their entire superhero line with a series of new #1s. since then I have checked out all 52 books for six months as well as I have decided to do a book by book review. These will be short evaluations as well as this will be the last time I do any type of kind of large evaluation of the DC line. I will evaluation the new books that are coming to replace the six titles they have already cancelled with the eighth issues, however unless there is a remarkable over haul (again) of the entire line, this will be my final word on the line as a whole. Away we go in alphabetical order.

Action Comics – It is no trick I am not grant Morrison’s biggest fan. He is a extremely nice guy, however his storytelling has a tendency to leave me cold. as well as this handle Superman as a young guy has likewise left me chilly as well as has not made want to come back month after month to checked out it.

All star Western #9

All-Star Western – I liked Jonah Hex as well as I was not excited about this reboot set in Gotham, however the story has been excellent as well as this book is just as great as Jonah. I am not thrilled with the art as I miss the different artists as well as the single problem stories, however still one of the very best of the new books.

Animal guy – At very first I truly liked this book however by problem six I was truly tuned off. A sluggish story that is not doing anything for me.

Aquaman #9

Aquaman – perhaps the biggest surprise of the whole launch. A excellent book with an fascinating story. one of the very best superhero books DC has going.

Batgirl – This is kind of in the middle for me. I do not dislike the book, however if I did not ever checked out it once again I would not miss it. I will stick with it as well as see where it is going, at least for now.

Batman #9

Batman – quickly the very best DC book currently being published. Capulllo on art is spectacular as well as Snyder’s stories are a few of the very best out there.

Batman as well as Robin – I truly such as this book. It is nowhere close to Batman, however it is a solid Batman title.

Batman: The Dark Knight – I truly want to such as this book, however I don’t. The stories are plodding as well as the art seems to lose something every month.

Batwing – I have to question what they were believing with this title. as well as exactly how it made past the very first wave of cuts.

Batwoman – This is one of the very best looking books. So of program they are adding fill in artists. The story leaves a great deal to be preferred however the art is so pretty, most of the time.

Birds of Prey – This book is so far away from the original idea I almost desire they would have just named it something else. Competent storytelling as well as art however it lacks that something to make it special.

Blackhawks – This book has been cancelled with problem eight, deservedly so.

Blue Beetle – I truly liked the previous Blue Beetle title as well as this book keeps a few of the characters as well as settings, however it is no longer the fun checked out it was in the previous incarnation.

Captain Atom – This book just leaves me cold. I get what they are trying to do however after six problems I have no wish to checked out one more issue, ever again.

Catwoman – This book is the poster kid of what I believe is wrong with the new DC; it is nothing however violence as well as sexuality for no great reason other than to have sex as well as violence. I have no issue with ether sex or violence when it is done with in context of a great story, however this book reads like it is done only for shock value.

DC world provides – This book is difficult to judge as the function changes. I did not care for the Deadman story. If you want to checked out great Deadman inspect out the 2 Deadman trade paperbacks for excellent stories as well as art by Neal Adams. I have truly enjoyed the Challengers of the unknown story so far though.

Deathstroke – This is one more book that is kind of the in the middle for me. It is not bad, however it is not making me want to come back month after month. I will provide it one more six months though.

Demon Knights – I was truly looking ahead to this book as well as I must honestly state I am greatly disappointed. outside of the characters there is nothing I enjoy about this book. including exactly how the characters are portrayed.

Detective Comics – compared to Batman this book falls far short, however in the huge photo this is a decent read. extremely violent, however enjoyable.

Flash #9

The Flash – This title is a fun checked out however it seems to move so slowly, which is strange provided the character. Still a great read.

Frankenstein, agent of S.H.A.D.E. – This is a surprise to me just like each problem I discover I am enjoying it more as well as more. Well worth inspecting out.

The Fury of Firestorm – This character has gone with a great deal of modifications throughout the years as well as this new incarnation is trying to take the very best of all the previous versions. I am not offered on this new version, however I will stick with it a bit longer.

Green Arrow – As a general rule of thumb I have always liked this character. however DC has been able to make me dislike old Ollie. I did not care for the very first six problems as well as DC altered the innovative team with seven, so I will stay a bit longer to see where it is going however I hope it enhances quickly.

Green lantern #9

Green lantern – quickly one of the very best new titles together with Batman as well as Aquaman.

Green lantern Corps – Of all of the eco-friendly lantern household of titles, this is my second preferred behind eco-friendly Lantern. solid story telling.

Green Lantern: new Guardians – This to me is an example of doing a title since the primary title sells, as well as there is no reason for this title to exist.

Grifter – I liked this book at very first however by problem seven I have provided up. To be fair I was never a significant visitor of the Wildstorm world so this may explain my apathy towards this book.

Hawk as well as Dove – once again I ask what they were believing with this title. as well as it is cancelled with problem 8.

I, Vampire #9

I, Vampire – A surprise to me as in the beginning I was not taken with this book however by problem six I was truly enjoying it. I hope it discovers an audience.

Justice league – This book is one more poster kid of what is wrong with comic books. It is a lovely looking book. Jim Lee is an fantastic artist. however he cannot do a monthly book. two of the very first six problems were late. (Even though DC states all the 52 books will ship on time.) problem 5 as well as 6 had several inkers as well as colorists. Each problem has more as well as more slash pages, in problem 6 there were 9 sprinkle pages in a 22 page story. The very first six problems were a excellent set up without any pay off. as well as DC wants you to pay $3.99 for this book. This book is a shining example of exactly how comics are overpriced as well as dependent on gimmicks to try as well as develop an audience. A major frustration to me, more for the general photo than any type of specific issue.

Justice league Dark – one more book I was truly looking ahead to that when I checked out it it left me cold. They are altering writers so I will provide it one more possibility with the new writer.

Justice league worldwide #9

Justice league worldwide – This book is the wardrobe in feel to the old DC Universe. It is not as dark as well as fierce as the other DC books as well as I am willing to keep up with it for a while longer.

Legion lost – I liked the original legion lost stories (collected into a lovely HC collection), however this books seems like a squander of time to me. I provided up.

Legion of Super-Heroes #9

Legion of Super-Heroes – I truly like Paul Levitz composing on the Legion, as well as this is the very best legion in years, however it is a middle of the pack book. I will provide it more time.

Men of war – I hated the idea of this book, a contemporary day Sgt. Rock, the grandson of the original WW2 hero. To be fair, I was wrong, this is an excellent book that is innovative as well as interesting. So of course, it has been cancelled.

Mister terrific – I such as this character in the JSA. As a solo character this handle Mr. terrific just does not work. as well as it has been cancelled.

Nightwing #9

Nightwing – A surprise to me. This is a extremely great book that tells strong stories as well as has some surprises. I truly enjoy this book every month.

O.M.A.C. – At very first I did not care for this book. however by the time we got to problem six I truly was enjoying it. As always, since I have altered my mind about it, it has been cancelled.

Red Hood as well as the Outlaws – I tried to such as this book. I truly did. I just cannot discover anything to enjoy here.

Red Lanterns – I have no concept exactly how this book was ever authorized to be made in the very first place. As great as eco-friendly lantern is, this is the precise opposite.

Resurrection guy #9

Resurrection guy – A book that has been truly great as well as getting better. I liked Abnet as well as Lanning’s science fiction for marvel as well as right here they are telling a extremely original as well as innovative superhero story. Plus, DC has collected the very first volume of the original Resurrection guy by the exact same writers, likewise worth looking into.

The savage Hawkman – I will be the very first to admit Hawkman is a difficult character to make interesting. This present version stops working as terribly as the previous versions.

Static Shock – When I worked at DC I was the liaison with Milestone. I liked the Milestone Universe. This book is not Milestone. It has been cancelled.

Stormwatch – just like Grifter, I was not all that familiar with the Stromwatch characters. This book did nothing to make we want to get to understand them.

Suicide Squad #9

Suicide Squad – putting aside that this book is as fierce as any type of spaghetti Western movie I have ever seen, I am truly enjoying the story as well as it has me coming back month after month.

Superboy – This interpretation of Superboy is different sufficient to keep me interested. I discover the story to be a bit slow, however interesting.

Supergirl – I keep waiting to such as this title, however I am extremely close to dropping it as there is nothing to keep my interest.

Superman – I truly liked this book in the beginning. I thoughi George Perez was doing an old institution type of story, however by problem six I found I was wrong as well as I provided up on this book. A muddled story that just did nothing for me. Dan Jurgens is taking over as writer so I may provide this one more chance.

Swamp thing – I such as this book however I believe it is the weakest of the titles that Scott Snyder writes.

Teen Titans – I tried to such as this book however I failed. however I am willing to state I may just not be the target audience.

Voodoo – I like the art however the story leaves me cold. The idea of an alien posing as a stripper likewise leaves me cold. I stopped reading it.

Wonder lady – I truly like the innovative team, so I am going to keep reading the book hoping they have some concept where they are going. So far I have not seen the huge photo of what they are trying to do here. seem like to me modification for the benefit of modification so far.

Overall I would state there are a handful of truly great DC titles. I believe there are number of decent titles that deserve a chance. as well as I believe there are rather a few titles that might be cut. I almost believe this would be much better if it was the new DC 26 instead of 52. I believe DC is trying as well difficult to catch the video game audience with extreme as well as graphic violence as well as strong sexual overtones. I understand I am as well old to be in the audience DC is trying to reach, however I believe DC likewise has to keep in mind who are buying their books, which are not the video game players. I discover it unfortunate that DC is no longer the comic book business I when liked as well as worked for. I comprehend the requirement for modification however this all seems like modification for the benefit of modification verses a well believed out plan to me. plus DC pushed the concept with this re-boot that stories would be told at the length needed, not to fill a trade, however almost every story is 5-8 problem long, just perfect for a trade (which I believe adds to the issues with a few of the stories.) In addition, this constant rising of costs (but you get a digital copy of the book you just bought) as well as the shuffling of creators shows the weakness of this whole re-launch. next time I will look at a number of new trades that have come out recently. As always comment are welcome at <>MFBWAY@AOL.COM.

Thank you.

Wayne’s opinions are his own as well as do not necessarily show those of Westfield Comics or its other employees.