Superboy #1

Written by Scott Lobdell
Art by RB Silva and Rob Lean
Cover by Eric Canete
Rated T

My rating: 4/5
Will this be in my pull list? It's possible.

Previews Text: They thought he was just an experiment - and a failed one at that! Grown from a combination of Kryptonian and human DNA, the Clone was no more than a set of data to the scientists of Project N.O.W.H.E.R.E. But when the scope of his stunning powers was revealed, he became a deadly weapon! Now the question is: Can a clone develop a conscience?

I know, I know. This review has arrived later than the rest of this week's reviews, but honestly? I got busy. Then distracted. Then busy again. In fact, I just read this issue a few minutes ago.

Now. It's been said before, but it's worth repeating. I've never been a fan of characters with "Super" in their titles, and Superboy was never exempt from that statement.

But. This issue, like Action Comics, surprised me. It was extremely interesting and not what I expected in the slightest. In fact, out of all the comics from this week that I've said might be in my pull list, this one is the closest to securing a spot. If nothing else I'm probably going to at least give it an arc so I can find out if it stays as good as this first issue was.

At this rate it's possible that the entire "Super" family will be in my pull list, just like how I know the "Bat" family will be.

I don't want to say a lot to give away the events of the issue, but seriously. Give it a try. Even if you don't like the family like me there's a shot that you'll enjoy this one.

Suicide Squad #1

Written by Adam Glass
Art by Marco Rudy
Cover by Ryan Benjamin
On sale September 14, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T+

My rating: 5/5
Will this be in my pull list? I'd be crazy NOT to have it in my list!

Previews Text: They're a team of death-row super villains recruited by the government to take on missions so dangerous - they're suicide!

Harley Quinn! Deadshot! King Shark! Defeated and imprisoned, they're bring interrogated about their mission - and about who's pulling the strings behind this illegal operation. Who will be the first to crack under the pressure?

I could tell you who the first was to crack, but that'd be pretty dickish of me, wouldn't it? As I said in my Resurrection Man post, this book was awesome. It broke head first into my top four. Maybe that's not it. Maybe it was Harls smashing the wall open so that they could escape into my top four. Something like this.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this one aside from the costume that is probably the most drastically different from the previous DCU version. Yeah. See that picture? That's Harley Quinn front and center. Looks different now, doesn't she? She went from entirely covered, chin to toe to... well, an improperly laced corset and shorts shorter than the ones Daisy Duke wore. I'm not complaining or anything, I actually always hated Harley's costume and think this one's kinda neat (if a bit on the skank side), but I support the change.

And don't worry, her costume isn't the only thing I liked in the book. I thought it was just great all around. The way the pieces fell together, the points it led to, the tiny snippets of backstory, the quips, the insanity, it all worked wonderfully together. I'm looking forward to following this team every month from here on out.

Resurrection Man #1

Written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Art by Fernando Dagnino
Cover by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado
On sale September 14, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T+

My rating: 5/5
Will it be in my pull list? Yes. Yes it will.

Previews Text: It's the return of Mitch Shelly - and he's still dead. Resurrection Man can't stay dead for long, though - and with each rebirth comes new and unexpected powers. But his many returns have not gone unnoticed, and forces are gathering to learn what's so special about him - and to see which of them will finally stop Resurrection Man dead.

Oh, offbeat comics. How I adore you. This is not a comic for those of you who like your superheroes in spandex and in the Justice League only. This is for those of us who also adore Vertigo comics, because it very much feels like a Vertigo comic. And hell, I don't pretend to know everything about the company. It's very possible it was Vertigo at some point and then, like Constantine, Swamp Thing, and a couple of other characters, decided to make the jump back to the mainstream with the reboot.

The character is interesting all on his own. Not only does he always come back with a new set of abilities that he needs to figure out, he also comes back with a desire to do one thing or another, and he never really knows why he feels the need to do it. In this issue, for example, when he first comes back at the start of the book he feels the need to get on a plane to Portland, Oregon. He didn't know why he needed to be on that plane, just that he should be there. And then it turns out that yes, it really was a good thing he was there.

Seriously though. This book was awesome. It's one of my top three four for the week. I would be more definitive than that, but Batwoman was my favorite, followed by this, Red Lanterns, and Suicide Squad all being tied for second through fourth places.

Scroll up for my thoughts on Suicide Squad!

Red Lanterns #1

Written by Peter Milligan
Art and cover by Ed Benes and Rob Hunter
On sale September 14, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T+

My rating: 5/5
Will this be in my pull list? Absolutely.

Previews Text: Atrocitus and his Red Lantern Corps return in their own series, battling against injustice in the most bloody ways imaginable!

Again, a Skittles Corps book that doesn't give very much info in the Previews. But when it comes to Red Lanterns you don't really need much more than that.

One thing you need to know is this. While the Green Lanterns work based in willpower, because green is the color of the willpower in question, what do you think fuels the Red Lanters? If your answer was "RAGE" then you were right! This team is pissed off, almost to the point of not caring about anything else whatsoever.

And they have a kitty. A cute kitty that I want to keep. He is blue.

And he will scalp a bitch with his Red Lantern anger. Seriously, he does it on one of the first few pages of the book.

As I said when I talked about Green Lantern, I never really followed Skittles Corps stuff, and man. Apparently I was missing out. I wasn't really looking all that forward to this one aside from the fact that Peter Milligan was writing it (I am a big fan of Hellblazer) and the fact that I got a copy while my friend who adores the Skittles branch of the universe couldn't get his hands on one. So I expected some good writing with characters I didn't give a crap followed by going "LOL GUESS WHAT I READ" at him.

I was sort of right.

The book was flat out spectacular. One issue in and I already give a crap about this series. I want it to continue forever. I want to read it forever. And I want that one really angry guy back on Earth to be handed a ring. If you read the issue you know who I'm talking about. If you didn't read it yet, eh, don't worry. It's not me trying to hint at an already established character. It's just some dude who's grandpa was killed towards the beginning of the book. (And I would like to point out that his grandpa looked quite a lot like Clint Eastwood to me, thanks.)

Will this be in my pull list? You'd better believe it will! It was great!

Mister Terrific #1

Written by Eric Wallace
Art by Roger Robinson
Cover by J.G. Jones
On sale September 14, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T

My rating: 3/5
Will this be in my pull list? Not likely.

Previews Text: The world's third-smartest man - and one of it's most eligible bachelors - uses his brains and fists against science gone mad in this new series from Eric Wallace (TITANS) and Roger Robinson!

Michael Holt is the head of a successful high-tech corporation and an institute that recruits and encourages the finest minds of the next generation to excel. As Mister Terrific he inhabits a world of amazement few others know exists, let alone can comprehend.

It wasn't a bad read. I'll say that right up front, it wasn't a bad read. It was a bit slow for me and didn't really draw me in or anything, but it wouldn't surprise me if it remained on tons of pull lists that aren't mine. I can see what they were going for with this one. DC needed their own Science Solves Everything hero, so they came up with Mister Terrific. And who can blame them? That's a great catch for a lot of people. Most comic readers are nerds of one sort or another. I'm an writing and literature nerd, plus a movie nerd, and the writing part should be obvious from, well, this. But there's a lot of science nerds out there as well.

And can I just say here that I mean no insult when I say nerd? It's a title I wear proudly, after all.

Science nerds will likely love this book. Sadly, I'm not that much of a science nerd.

And anyone that loves this book will be itching to see where the hook at the end of the issue is going to take them.

It might not be in my pull list, but I'm not going to try to talk anyone else out of picking it up. Go for it. I even encourage it.

Legion Lost #1

Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art and cover by Pete Woods
On sale September 14, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T

My rating: 4/5
Will this be in my pull list? Yes.

Previews Text: Seven heroes from the 31st century have traveled back to the present day. Their mission: Save their future from annihilation. But when the future tech they brought with them fails, they find themselves trapped in a nightmarish world that, for them, is the ultimate struggle to survive!

Don't miss the start of this all-new LEGION series illustrated by Pete Woods - fresh off his spectacular run on ACTION COMICS - who is joined by writer Fabian Nicieza (RED ROBIN).

I know, it's kinda weird that I shy away from books about Green Lantern and Superman but I adore books about the Legion. But what can I say? I love me some 31st century heroes! The Legion always has a great assortment of characters, though they're often lost in the shuffle in the main book considering how many of them there are. Seriously. Marvel isn't the only company that knows how to over-staff a super team.

Part of the reason that I look forward to reading this particular Legion book is the fact that it can't star six thousand different team members, it's a small group stuck back in time. Well, back in time for them, that is. And another good thing is that it doesn't really showcase the characters that are usually in the lead. The three founders of the Legion, also known as the three characters that are usually on point in these books, are nowhere to be found in this series.

It was a fun read. Seeing their reactions to a different time, a time with higher pollution that effects characters like Dawnstar, the Legionnaires being without the help of their rings, all of that, is extremely interesting. Plus one of their villains is in the other time with them, so they still have to put a stop to him.

I look forward to continuing this book. It's going to stay in my pull list for as long as I can manage it.

Grifter #1

Written by Nathan Edmondson
Art by Cafu
Cover by Cafu and Bit
On sale September 14, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T

My rating: 4/5
Will this be in my pull list? Yep.

Previews Text: The DCU's most wanted man stars in his own series! Cole Cash is a charming grifter few can resist. And yet he's about to be branded a serial killer when he begins hunting and exterminating inhuman creatures hidden in human form - creatures only he can see!

Can the biggest sweet talker of all time talk his way out of this one when even his brother thinks he's gone over the edge?

This one was definitely a fun read. Cole Cash is a character that I knew nothing about at all before the Flashpoint event, and even that didn't give much away about him. But it's fun learning about him. Plus something about him kind of reminds me of a cross between Gambit of Marvel fame and Sawyer from Lost.

Someone kidnapped Cole for a little while and tried to transform him into one of the creatures that only he can see. Thankfully, he woke up before the transformation was completed, but it left him with the ability to see and hear the creepers, and it's turning his life upside down.

If you want a book about a really unknown character then I recommend you go for this one. It's really fun and I see it going to some awesome places.

Green Lantern #1

Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy
Cover by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado
On sale September 14, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T

My rating: 4/5
Will this be in my pull list? Probably.

Previews Text: The red-hot GREEN LANTERN team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Doug Mahnke introduce an unexpected new Lantern.

Yeah. That's everything that Previews says about the first issue of Green Lantern. Now, I can see why it's everything they said. Back when that issue of Previews came out War of the Green Lanterns was still going. They didn't even have this cover image in the book because it was a spoiler for the end of the series. I don't blame them in the slightest for not saying what happened and who the "new" Lantern was, especially since it isn't a new one at all, it's a returning Lantern. But not one that died in the past. Though, I dunno, he could have done that in the past.

The Skittles Corps aren't an area of the DCU that I've really followed, but I'm open to new characters.

Now, as you can probably tell from the cover of this issue, Hal Jordan isn't the lead Lantern in the series. Surprisingly, Sinestro is. But don't worry, Hal wasn't thrown to the wayside in favor or Sinestro or anything, he still plays a major part in the book. Just... not while wearing a magic green ring.

The book was excellent, which shouldn't surprise me considering it's written by Geoff Johns. I'm going to continue reading it, at least for a little while, to see if I can finally get into the Green Lantern branch of the universe.

Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #1

Written by Jeff Lemire
Art by Alberto Ponticelli
Cover by J.G. Jones
On sale September 14, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T

My rating: 3/5
Will this be in my pull list? Yes. For now.

Previews Text: It's Frankenstein as you've never seen him before, in a dark new series from acclaimed writer Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH) and artist Alberto Ponticelli (UNKNOWN SOLDIER)!

Frankenstein is part of a network of strange beings who work for an even stranger government organization: The Super Human Advanced Defense Executive! But can he protect the world from threats even more horrifying than himself? And since he's vilified for who and what he is, will he even want to take on the mission?

Alright, I had high hopes when it came to this one. I really did. I mean, Jeff Lemire. Just scroll down to my Animal Man article for more on that one. But this first issue was a bit of a let down. It wasn't exactly bad, but it wasn't great either.

This was very much an intro issue. Now, that isn't really a bad thing. I needed a bit of an intro as I really don't know the characters, so at least there was that. And I'm going to continue to pick it up, at least through the first arc, because it has a lot of potential to be great.

The team consists of the monster (um... I don't like calling him Frankenstein cause that's a common mistake, he was never named in the original novel, the scientist who made him was named Frankenstein), a very Abe Sapien type woman, a werewolf, a vampire, and the monster's four-armed bride. Problem is, the bride has gone missing. She literally disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Like I said, the series has potential, so I'm going to give it more of a chance here, but this first issue just didn't grab me.

Demon Knights #1

Written by Paul Cornell
Art by Diogenes Neves and Oclair Albert
Cover by Tony S. Daniel
On sale September 14, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T

My rating: 4/5
Will this be in my pull list? Yes.

Previews Text: Set in the Dark Ages of the DC Universe, a barbarian horde is massing to crush civilization. It's fallen to Madame Xanadu and Jason Blood, the man with a monster inside hi, to stand in their way - though the demon Etrigan has no interest in protecting anyone or anything other than himself! It'll take more than their own power to stop an army fueled by bloodlust and dark sorcery, and some very surprising heroes - and villains - will have no choice but to join in the fray!

This is one of those titles that pops up every so often that surprises the hell out of me, and from what I can understand, it surprised everyone else too.

This book was fantastic. Seriously. I mean, it wasn't a 5/5 fantastic, but it was actually pretty close. All of it except for the few page prologue at the start takes place back in the Dark Ages, and the prologue actually takes place four hundred years before that. I would go into what happens with the story and who's who, but it's pretty clear from the Previews text. There's Madame Xanadu, Jason Blood, and the demon he shares his body with named Etrigan. All characters I know very little about.

Yet all characters that I'm looking forward to learning more about as I read the series every month. Yes, this one has a secure spot in my pull list.

Deathstroke #1

Written by Kyle Higgins
Art by Joe Bennett and Art Thibert
Cover by Simon Bisley
On sale September 14, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T+

My rating: 3/5
Will this be in my pull list? It's possible, but probably not.

Previews Text: "Friends die, family disappoints, but a legacy... That lives forever."

Slade Wilson is the best mercenary in the DCU, and he's been doing this a long time. Some might say too long. But they'll learn: Never turn your back on Deathstroke the Terminator. He won't quit, no matter how high the stakes. Kyle Higgins (BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM) and Joe Bennett (TEEN TITANS) team up to bring you the finest in mayhem and gore.

I don't know about gore, there was a bit but not all that much of it (which is a good thing, actually, because if it's nothing but gore then it just becomes gorn and loses my interest entirely) but there was a fair amount of mayhem to the book!

Deathstroke is one of those characters that I never knew all that much about outside of his appearances in Smallville and Flashpoint, but considering this is neither one of those dimensions I understood going into this comic that I should just forget everything I already "knew" about him. Except that he's an older merc. That stayed in place. The only other thing that you should understand about the character going into this issue is that he prefers to work alone. Yeah.

He shows up at the start and is instantly teamed up with three teenagers. He doesn't like this. Then he's sent on a simple mission. He doesn't like this either. And then things start going screwy and by the end of the issue he's just generally angry.

While the hook at the end was great, the issue wasn't quite close enough to my personal tastes to insure it's place in my pull list. It's yet another of those titles that I'd be glad to continue if I have space in my list come this time next month, but I'm not making any promises. I'm also not just going RAWR at it and ignoring it all together. So hey, at least that's something, right?

Batwoman #1

Written by J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman
Art and cover by J.H. Williams III
On sale September 14, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T

My rating: 5/5
Will it be in my pull list? Oh HELL yes.

Previews Text: At last! Batwoman's new series begins, from the multiple award-winning creative team of J.H. Williams III and Haden Blackman!

In "Hydrology," part 1 of 5, Batwoman faces deadly new challenges in her war against Gotham City's underworld - and new trials in her life as Kate Kane.

Who or what is stealing children from the barrio, and for what vile purpose? Will Kate train her cousin, Bette Kane (a.k.a. Flamebird), as her new sidekick? How will she handle unsettling revelations about her father, Colonel Jacob Kane? And why is a certain government agency suddenly taking an interest in her?

This. This is the book that I was most excited about for the reboot. But how could I not be excited for it? I've been waiting (im)patiently for it for a year and a half. Originally solicited for April of 2010 it's been through more than it's fair share of delays.

But it has finally arrived.

As much as I was looking forward to it, I didn't read it first. See, I've got this strange habit where I read my comics in alphabetical order. If I don't do it that way then the ones I'm least excited about will get repeatedly skipped over. And this month I'm taking it a step further and reading my DC titles first.

So this was second for the week, but it's the best one I've read so far. And I've read all the new DC so far. J.H. Williams III is known for his amazing art, unconventional panels, and - at least in Batwoman - the ability to shift almost seamlessly from one art style to the next. In Batwoman it's a more painted look when Kate is in costume, yet a more standard but gorgeous style when she's not. But in Batwoman he showed that he can not only do the art for her in an absolutely stunning way, he can also write amazing stories for her with the help of W. Haden Blackman.

The first issue of the series kicks off several new storylines, but none of them seem to get lost or overshadow each other.

Even now - after having read all of the other books DC released this week (and it was a great week for DC) - I have to say Batwoman was my favorite.

But I seem to be partial to Gotham characters anyway.

Batman and Robin #1

Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art and cover by Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray
On sale September 14, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T

My rating: 3.5/5
Will it be in my pull list? Yep.

Previews Text: Battling evil with his son, Damian, at his side, Batman now realizes that the hardest part of the job may be trying to work together!

As Batman and Robin try to adjust to their new partnership, a figure emerges from Bruce Wayne's past: His name is NoBody, and he's not happy that Batman Incorporated is shining a light on his own shadowy war against evil...VV

Don't ask me why those Vs are there at the end of the Previews text, because I'm really not sure. They were there in the book so I left them there.

Anyway, I know. I'm breaking my own rating system here. It should be pretty easy to decide if this book is 3 or 4 out of a possible 5, but it really isn't. This issue... I can't tell if it was average or a bit better than average. I think the "better than average" idea is based in the previous series of Batman and Robin and how I hoped it would be as good as that. But hey, at least it wasn't bad. So since I'm split on which way I lean, I just decided to give it a 3.5.

Don't worry, this book is still going in my pull list, but I'm currently unsure about it. I have hopes that it will grow on me more.

I think part of the reason I'm not enjoying it as much as the previous series is that the roles have changed. Yes, Damian is still Robin, but the Batman in this series is Bruce, thus changing the feel of the partnership. Instead of a brotherly relationship it's a parental one, with the son being quite resistant to the change. Now, this isn't a bad thing or anything, I just need to get used to it. And hey, even Damian has noticed that it's more parental now, so at least it's not just me!

It was still an interesting read though. But looking back on it after the fact, there wasn't really much about it that really stood out to me. Other books had standout moments. The final page of Detective Comics. Superman holding a man over a balcony in Action Comics. There were two in Animal Man, one being the final page and another being a particular moment when his eyes were called attention to. I won't say any more than that in case someone comes across this review that hasn't read it yet. And those were all books that I read last week.

But with Batman and Robin there weren't really any big stand out moments like that. There were a couple of small things but I'm not sure they're going to stick with me.

I'm still going to continue to pick up the book though. With as much as I liked the previous incarnation of the series I want to give it more of a shot to grab me.

Swamp Thing #1

Written by Scott Snyder
Art and cover by Yanick Paquette
On sale September 7, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T+

My rating: 5/5
Will it be in my pull list? Top of the stack.

Previews Text: One of the world's most iconic characters has returned to the heart of the DC Universe, and every step he takes will shake the foundations of the Earth!

Alec Holland has his life back... but the Green has plans for it. A monstrous evil is rising in the desert, and it'll take a monster of another kind to defend life as we know it!

This was probably my favorite book of the week. Like. Seriously. I loved everything about it. Well, okay, not everything, I thought the lines in the art were a little thick at times, but really, isn't that a minor complaint? Everything else was amazing and stunning and all sorts of other fitting adjectives that would describe how much I liked it and how wonderful it was.

For those of you that are wondering, yes. The events of Brightest Day Aftermath: The Search for Swamp Thing did take place. You don't have to read the three issue mini-series to get what's going on in this one, but I would recommend it big time. (Especially since that series also served as John Constantine's reintroduction into the DC Universe, and he's going to be around in Justice League Dark.)

Without giving things away that aren't said explicitly very early in the issue, and things you should know if you read The Search for Swamp Thing anyway, Alec Holland and the Green are now two separate entities. But how well are they going to exist as separate beings? The Green doesn't have the humanity that Alec Holland had, therefor he's not as much of a "good guy" as he used to be, and Alec has all these memories of being a monster. So how is this going to be worked out?

And what is that insanity going on over there in the desert? Does it have anything to do with the things that went down in Animal Man?

I, for one, can't wait to see it unfold. It's going in my pull list alright, and I'm not taking it out of my pull list any time soon. If ever.

Stormwatch #1

Written by Paul Cornell
Art and cover by Miguel Sepulveda
On sale September 7, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T+

My rating: 3/5
Will it be in my pull list? Perhaps.

Previews Text: They are Stormwatch, a dangerous super human police force whose existence is kept secret from the world.

Directly following the ominous events of SUPERMAN #1, Adam One leads half the Stormwatch team to recover the [INFORMATION REDACTED] from deep in the Himalayas. Meanwhile, Jack Hawksmoor and the rest of the Stormwatch crew look to recruit two of the deadliest super humans on the planet: Midnighter and Apollo! And if they say no? Perhaps the Martian Manhunter can change their minds...

Okay. So funny story here. Superman #1 isn't actually out yet. And it isn't going to be out until September 28th. But that's alright, they never really showed too much of what was going on in the Himalayas anyway, so it wasn't really a spoiler. There was just some sort of big purple worm thing with no explanation about it whatsoever.

Did you know that Stormwatch is supposed to be the bridge between the Wildstom and DC Universes? This is the way in which the characters of Wildstorm will be introduced. Well, this and Grifter, but that comes later. Like. When it actually comes out.

I really enjoyed this comic even though it wasn't very many characters I know about. It wasn't the best of the week or anything, but it was still fun to read. And if I have room for another title in my pull list come this time next month I'll definitely be adding it in.

Static Shock #1

Written by Scott McDaniel and John Rozum
Art and cover by Scott McDaniel and Jonathan Glapion
On sale September 7, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T

My Rating: 3/5
Will it be in my pull list? Sorry, no.

Previews Text: The brilliant, slightly awkward high school student Virgil Hawkins transforms into the cocky electromagnetic hero Static!

A mysterious tragedy forces the Hawkins family to relocate from Dakota to New York City! Virgil embarks upon new adventures in a new high school and a new internship at S.T.A.R. Labs!

As Static, he dons a new uniform and establishes a new secret headquarters! But is he ready to take on the new villains who lurk in New York City's underworld?

They are very excited all the way through their teaser! You can tell by the fact that there is only one sentence that doesn't end with an exclamation point!

But, the teaser isn't what I'm here to talk about. I'm here to discuss the actual meat of the Static Shock debut issue. Well, debut for this run of it, at least.

Yet again, it was something that I decided to give a chance to (meaning it was one of the New 52. I'm going to read every single first issue, thanks.) and it just didn't click for me. It could be the fact that this is the first I've encountered Static outside of the journal based RP games that I play in. I never watched the cartoon, didn't ever come across comics he was in in the past, none of it. I know a lot of people that are very devoted to his character and they were thrilled when it was announced that he would be getting a new series. But it could be the fact that I was never invested in him, I just... didn't really care that much when I read the issue.

It was well written and decently drawn, I'll give it that. Not quite my usual style, but I could accept the artwork. There are going to be a lot of people who love this series.

O.M.A.C. #1

Written by Dan Dido and Keith Griffen
Art and cover by Keith Griffen and Scott Koblish
On sale September 7, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T

My Rating: 2/5
Will it be in my pull list? Nope.

Previews Text: The all-seeing Brother Eye satellite has unleashed a new beast upon the DC Universe in this smashin gnew series!

Kevin Kho has become an unwilling participant in a war between Checkmate and Brother Eye as he is transformed into the One Machine Army Corp known only as O.M.A.C.!

Yeah. That about sums it up.

The story was slightly confusing as I really didn't know a thing about what was going on there. I don't know what Brother Eye is and I'm not familiar with a single one of the characters or the giant company they work for, none of it. But even though it was confusing I still enjoyed it as I read it.

That being said, I didn't really enjoy it enough to keep it in my pull list. Sorry, O.M.A.C.!

My two favorite things about this book were playing the Mystery Woman game (meaning trying to spot her in the comic. For those of you that don't know, the Mystery Woman from the end of Flashpoint #5 is lurking in the background of every single one of the New 52 #1s. It's fun trying to find her!) and the art.

The art was very much classic style. The curved lines, the glowing spots, it was all very Kirbyesque, and that was fantastic. Yes, I love modern art styles (when they don't look like Liefeld or the more widely accepted David Finch and Jim Lee. Boo on artists that make up muscles that don't exist!) but I also like when people dip into the classics. Hell, my current favorite art team is the Allreds. If you don't know their work look it up. It's simplistic and stunning.

Now, I know that there are people out there that are going to enjoy this book. It's worth giving it a look instead of just passing it over. So give it a chance guys! Maybe it's your proverbial cup of tea.

Men of War #1

Written by Ivan Brandon
Art by Tom Derenick
Cover by Viktor Kalvachev
On sale September 7, 2011 - 40 pages for $3.99
Rated T+

My Rating: 2/5
Will this be in my pull list? Probably not.

Previews Text: On the ground and on the front lines, a young, headstrong soldier known as Joe Rock assumes command of Easy Company - a team of ex-military men turned contractors. Will they survive the battle-scarred landscape carved by the DCU's Super-Villains? Find out in this explosive new series from Ivan Brandon (VIKING, DOC SAVAGE) and Tom Derenick (JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA)!

Again, this is another one that just wasn't for me. I get what they were going for, they want the no-guts-no-glory headstrong fans of war stuff crowd. Sadly I live up to my female stereotype when I say a simple "Um. That's not me..."

The art worked for the book, and it was well written, but I'm just not that into war stories. Not of this sort, at least.

And by the way, it doesn't really mention it in the Previews text, but there are two stories in this issue. They're both good for what they are, but what they are is not my thing. As I state for, what, the third time here?

But if war stories are your thing then yes, this is definitely a book for you. I would recommend it to anyone who likes them. Hell, I may even get my dad hooked on it. It's well written, well drawn, and worth the money for those who like the genre.

Justice League International #1

Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Aaron Lopresti and Matt Ryan
Cover by Aaron Lopresti
On sale September 7, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T

My Rating: 4/5
Will this be in my pull list? Yes!

Previews Text: With the growing presence of super beings around the world, the United Nations resolves to create a new group called Justice League International.

Batman, Booster Gold, Green Lantern Guy Gardner, August General in Iron, Fire, Ice, Vixen, and Rocket Red are charged with promoting unity and trust - but can they reach that goal without killing each other first?

It's worth noting that the previews image didn't have Lady Godiva in the bottom left corner, nor did it mention her at all. In fact, I had to dig around to find a picture of the actual released cover image that included her. Other versions included no one being in that spot, leaving it oddly empty (the background was still there, but it was just... not balanced at all) and having a woman with black hair and a black costume there. No idea who it was, but people suspect it was the black haired chick Booster was hooking up with towards the end of his series.

Of the three Justice League titles this is the one with characters I know the least about. In fact, the only character (aside from Batman) I can remember reading about recently is Lady Godiva - and that was just in the Flashpoint event. Aside from her I know the basics about Guy Gardner, Booster Gold, and... no. Wait. That's all of the characters I know.

But not knowing characters doesn't mean I'm not willing to give them a chance. I love finding new (to me) characters and getting to know them. And Justice League International is full of them.

As stated in the Previews text, the United Nations has decided they need a team of their own, so they form one with heroes from all over the world, and with Booster Gold as the leader. Guy Gardner doesn't like the fact that Booster is in charge so he ducks out within the first few pages (likely to return soon), just before they get their first mission.

The story was great, well written and drawn, and it made for a fun intro issue. It's going in my pull list and it just might be staying there for a while.

Hawk and Dove #1

Written by Sterling Gates
Art and cover by Rob Liefeld
On sale September 7, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T

My Rating: 1/5
Will this be in my pull list? Dear god no.

Previews Text: Hank Hall is not happy. He's not happy to have Dawn Granger as a new partner in his war on crime. He's not happy that she's dating the ghostly Super Hero, Deadman. He's not happy to learn that someone is trying to plunge the United States into a new civil war!

Now it's up to Hawk and Dove to root out the forces behind this conflict and stop them before they turn the U.S. into a wasteland!

And who is the monster lurking in the shadows, watching Hawk and Dove from afar? Find out in this new series from Sterling Gates (FLASHPOINT: KID FLASH LOST) and Rob Liefeld (X-FORCE, YOUNGBLOOD)!

Hawk and Dove. Written by Sterling Gates. Art by Rob Liefeld. Sterling Gates is a decent writer, I might even be able to enjoy this book if... Okay, no, I can't. I just can't. The characters were bland, nothing of note really happened. It was bad. really bad. But as bad as the lack of story and personality is, that isn't even the worst thing about this book.

The problem is Rob Liefeld. His art is just ridiculous. I hesitate to even call it art in the first place. It's a mess. Every male character looks the same except slight changes in their hair and maybe skin tone, and every female... okay, well, it's the same story for them.

If you have never had to sit through one of his ill proportioned, where-are-the-feet, things-don't-work-that-way, why-do-the-details-change-between-panels, physics defying (everyone floats, no one walks) books then you should count yourself lucky.

I'm not even that bad of an art snob or anything. I'll sit through some ugly things in favor of a good story. Unless it's Liefeld bad. I just can't do it.

Sterling Gates, might I recommend you switch to a book where you can actually give characters some personality and get the hell away from Liefeld?

Liefeld, what kind of blackmail do you have over the heads of comic companies that makes them keep hiring you?

Nope. This one is not getting anywhere near my pull list.

Green Arrow #1

Written by J.T. Krull
Art by Dan Jergens and Norm Rapmund
Cover by Brett Booth and Rob Hunter (This is according to Previews, but they have a different cover shown from the one that was actually released.)
On sale September 7, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T

My Rating: 2/5
Will this be in my pull list? Nope.

Previews Text: Green Arrow is on the hunt. Driven by inner demons, Ollie Queen travels the world and brings outlaws to justice... by breaking every law.

Now, armed with cutting-edge weaponry and illegally gained intel (courtesy of his team at QCore), Green Arrow is shooting first and asking questions later.

I'm going to say it up front. This comic wasn't for me. Some of my friends liked it, and I can see why they liked it, but it just wasn't my thing.

Oliver Queen - AKA: Green Arrow - is having to take down super powered kids who want to - wait for it - make violent videos to post on the internet. Yes, that really is their goal. And the fact that they so very often referred to the fact that they're taking the videos on their Q-phones makes me think that they have something to do with QCore, the branch of Queen Industries that Oliver doesn't want much to do with. Even though the Previews text said that's where he gets all his intel from. Yeah.

This issue kinda bored me. I found myself waiting for it to end. But that's just my opinion, not everyone is going to agree with it and I wouldn't expect them to. Hell, one of my good friends thought it was great. But I'm standing by what I said. Sorry, Green Arrow, you're not making the pull list.

Detective Comics #1

Written by Tony S. Daniel
Art by Tony S. Daniel and Ryan Winn
Cover by Tony S. Daniel
On sale September 7, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T

My Rating: 5/5
Will this be in my pull list? You better believe it.

Previews Text: DC's flagship title is relaunched for the first time ever, with new Batman adventures from acclaimed writer/artist Tony S. Daniel!

A killer called The Gotham Ripper is on the loose on Batman's home turf - leading The Dark Knight on a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Detective Comics. The title DC gets it's name from, starring one of their most iconic characters - Batman. The only Batman in the DCnU, by the way.

Unlike Justice League and Action Comics, this one actually takes place modern day. And according to interviews, this series will actually be based more in detective work than most recent Batman books.

Batman is going to be mostly facing off against two villains - Joker (duh!) and a new one we haven't exactly met yet, but I've got a feeling it's going to be a guy called The Gotham Ripper. Gee, where could I have gotten that idea from?

I can't say a lot about this one without giving things away, but I can say that this issue had some things in it that pretty much floored me. It's a dark book, which should be obvious considering the protagonist, but the ending is even dark for his line. That's saying something.

I can't wait for the next issue to come out - I have to see where it goes from here. Yes, this one is securely in my pull list and it will be for the foreseeable future.

Batwing #1

Written by Judd Winick
Art and cover by Ben Oliver
On sale September 7, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T

My Rating: 3/5
Will it be in my pull list? Hopefully. But it isn't a top priority.

Previews Text: Africa, a land of beauty - and of great horror. A land of creation and conflict. It is in desperate need of a defender, and from the ranks of Batman Incorporated comes a soldier to carry on the legacy of The Dark Knight in the most tumultuous region on Earth. Meet Batwing, the Batman of Africa!

Ah, Batwing. The first of the New 52 to not make my monthly pull list. But don't get me wrong, it was a fun read with absolutely fall over stunning art, but there was just so much good stuff that I couldn't keep it all. This is one that if I can manage another title in my pull list it'll be right back in there.

This is another branch of the Bat family. Batman Inc. is still up and running, and Batwing is the member in Africa. He's even got his own big bad - a man that goes by Massacre who enjoys killing drug dealers and former vigilantes.

Plus, Batwing takes places in the single most corrupt and crime ridden city in Africa. There's bound to be tons of stories to tell in a place like that.

Like I said, it was a good story and I would love to see out it pans out, and the art was absolutely amazing. I really do hope that my pull list has room for it next month.

Batgirl #1

Written by Gail Simone
Art by Adrian Syaf and Vicente Cifuentes
Cover by Adam Hughes
On sale September 7, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99
Rated T

My rating: 3/5
Will it be in my pull list? Yes. But not for the reason you think.

Previews Text: Yes, it's really happening!

Barbara Gordon is back as Batgirl - and she's going to have to face the city's most horrifying new villains as well as the dark secrets from her past. You won't want to miss this stunning debut issue from fan-favorite BIRDS OF PREY writer Gail Simone!

Alright. Here's the thing. Right off the bat. I have a very love/hate relationship with Batgirl. The character, not the series. (Okay, the series, too.) I adore Stephanie Brown. She's one of my favorite characters in comics in general, especially her run as Batgirl.

I. Hate. Barbara Gordon. I always have. She's one of those characters that is just too perfect for me to like. And I especially don't like that she's out of the chair and has taken the Batgirl name back. Okay, her being out of the chair doesn't bother me that much, it happens a lot in comics. I'm over that. But I just want Steph to have the bat back on her chest. And to, you know. Be somewhere in the comics.

That being said, I still gave the first issue of Batgirl a chance. There was much eyerolling at her and many thoughts of wanting her to go away, but I got through it. And the ending made me laugh. A lot.

None of this is because of Gail Simone though, because she's a fantastic writer, or because of Adrian Syaf and Vicente Cifuentes's art, because they're pretty great too. It's simply because of the character. I just... I can't get behind her character. Seriously.

It's going in my pull list, but only because it's one of the books that Spoiler is rumored to be in eventually.

P.S. The mystery woman was hardest for me to spot in this issue.

Animal Man #1

Written by Jeff Lemire
Art by Travel Foreman and Dan Green
Cover by Travel Foreman
On sale September 7, 2011 - 32 pages for $2.99

My Rating: 5/5
Will this be in my pull list? Oh hell yes.

Previews Text: Buddy Baker has gone from "super" man to family man - but is he strong enough to hold his family together when Maxine, his young daughter, starts to manifest her own dangerous powers? find out in this dramatic new series from writer Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH) and artist Travel Foreman (THE IMMORTAL IRON MAN).

I admit it, I'm a bad Vertigo fan. Animal Man isn't a title I'd read before. But that just meant I was able to go into the series with fresh eyes and few expectations aside from the fact that I know Jeff Lemire knows how to write a good story.

It may be in the DC universe now but Animal Man still manages to feel like a Vertigo book. And believe me, that's something I'm all for. I'm willing to give just about any title that comes out under the Vertigo brand name a shot.

In-story Animan Man hasn't been doing much heroing for the past few years. Mostly he's been a spokesman for various environmental and animal activist groups, and he recently took on his first acting hob, the lead in a movie we - the readers - know nothing about.

But one night he decides to put on his costume again to try to stop a hostage situation in the children's ward in a local hospital. He manages, but afterwards things started to go strange for him. I'm not going to say what went on in the second half of the issue, just that it threw me for a loop and introduced a new... I hesitate to say evil, but a new dark presence into the universe.

This was a great story all around, but that's no surprise considering Jeff Lemire wrote it (I'm a big fan of Sweet Tooth). Admittedly, the art took a minute to get used to, but once I did get used to it I felt like it fit perfectly with the type of story it was telling.

Action Comics #1

Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Rags Morales and Rick Bryant
Cover by Rags Morales
On Sale September 7, 2011 - 40 pages for $3.99

My Rating: 4/5
Will this be in my pull list? Absolutely.

Previews Text: The one and only Grant Morrison (ALL-STAR SUPERMAN) returns to Superman, joined by sensational artist Rags Morales (IDENTITY CRISIS), to bring you tales of The Man of Steel unlike any you've ever read! This extra-sized debut issue is the cornerstone of the entire DC Universe!

Going into this comic I wasn't expecting all that much. I mean, I've never been a Superman fan. Like. At all. I think he's one of the most boring characters out there. He's crazy overpowered and invulnerable to everything but a "rare" rock. It's so rare that everyone and their mom seems to have some of their very own. He tended to be the ultimate boyscout and I'm just not a fan of the boyscout characters.

But that was before this reboot came around.

For Justice League, I'll just say he was snarky and leave it there. And that the Justice League series takes place five years ago.

Action Comics #1 seems to take place even before Justice League though. The tights don't exist, he's in jeans, a t-shirt, construction boots, and a short cape. He doesn't seem to have his full power set yet either, both his ability to fly and invulnerability appeared to be absent in this issue. Yes, he can still leap and speed run, but he didn't fly and didn't try to act like he could. And he's still really durable, but it is possible to hurt him without having Kryptonite in your hand.

But most importantly -- at least to me -- is the fact that he doesn't seem to be quite so boyscout. When you first see Superman in the issue he's standing on the ledge of a skyscraper balcony railing, holding a criminal over his head (very much like Batman's first appearance in Flashpoint: Batman: Knight of Vengeance) then proceeds to step off the ledge, falling down to the street head first and holding the guy out ahead of him the entire way down. No, he didn't kill the guy, he pulled him back before they reached the ground, but scaring the hell out of someone isn't really the way the previous universe's Superman worked.

But considering Superman seems to have three timelines going on at the same time what with Justice League taking place five years ago, Action Comics taking place before Justice League, and Superman taking place in the current time, there's no telling how his personality there is going to compare to his other storylines.

But hey, I can't say anything about Superman yet, but at least Action Comics will be joining Justice League in my monthly pull list!

Plus, Grant Morrison is, as always, a fantastic writer and the art by Rags Morales and Rick Bryant rocks my socks off.

From The Grave It Rises!

Alright, I know, I know. I haven't updated this thing in almost a year.

But guess what! I'm going to remedy that.

Tonight expect several incoming posts, all about the DCnU. I figure why not use this thing for something I really care about for a while? And comics are something I care a lot about. So, comic reviews it is! I'm going to try to post a review for every one of the New 52 books. Except for Justice League, but that's just because I feel like it's already been too long since it came out to post a review about it.

For those of you that don't know what the New 52 is, or what the DCnU is, it's the same thing. DC Comics has just rebooted their universe. Every title went back to #1 and it starts with 52 books. August 31st saw the release of Justice League and September 7th saw thirteen more titles: Action Comics, Animal Man, Batgirl, Batwing, Detective Comics, Green Arrow, Hawk & Dove, Justice League International, Men of War, O.M.A.C., Staric Shock, Stormwatchers, and Swamp Thing. I've already read through them and it's time for me to share my thoughts on the matter.

And for the record: Initially I was very anti-this whole reboot. But after reading the first batch of issues from it I find myself being swayed. It's quality stuff they're putting out and I actually like where they're going with it.