[Comics] DC's new 52 (Comics; Nick, help!)

Norris · Sep 23, 2011

Birds of Prey - Other than a bad case of "Remember the new guy", pretty good. Still, little more than a part one. All the team books so far have had that.

Blue Beetle - Why are we completely retreading his origin? Other than that, OK.

Green Lantern Corps - May have well just continued the old numbering. Still, good as usual.

Red Hood and The Outlaws - What. Just...what? Hate the Starfire characterization. HATE IT. Just enough interesting to keep me to issue 2. Barely.

Legion of Super-Heroes - Another almost-no-changes book. But Paul Levitz knows his shit, so that is A-OK.

Nightwing - Good start, genuinely interesting mystery. I like Dick Grayson a lot.

Wonder Woman - YES BITCH! Focused on the "involved with Greek myth" aspect over the "costumed hero" aspect. Dug the hell out of it. On. Fucking. Board.

Next Week:
Aquaman
Blackhawks
The Flash
The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men
Green Lantern: New Guardians
Teen Titans
Voodoo (which I am only buying on the strength of Grifter, them both being Wildcats and both books maybe involving Daemonites)

With two, maybe three exceptions (Red Hood, Legion Lost, and Voodoo), I don't see myself cutting any DC books. Which means I am trying to make deep, deep cuts to the marvel side of my list.

On a side note - I loaned (and will continue to loan) a bunch of my DC comics to the cute girl who may or may not be into me. So yeah.

Hailey Knight · Sep 24, 2011

Norris said:
On a side note - I loaned (and will continue to loan) a bunch of my DC comics to the cute girl who may or may not be into me. So yeah.

Want to... snark... so bad, but don't wanna drag Asking sub-forum into here... damn you...

kaykordeath · Sep 24, 2011

If you didn't pick up Scott Snyder's Batman you missed out on what I'd say has been the best book of all 3 weeks. Including Action. And for that you are less of a human being.

As for Catwoman. I enjoyed it, but I do regret the loss of

Selena knowing Batman's identity

ThatNickGuy · Sep 24, 2011

Meh. Batman will sell, regardless. I'm gonna support the books that will struggle because people can't move away from their safety blanket characters.

Rubicon · Sep 25, 2011

Can someone explain the continuity...? I pick up a few issues of the New 52 (sold out of most) and its like they just threw new fans in the pan of fire on this one. Case in point, Batman #1, you see the Robin's (and Nightwing) ok it at least mentions their name and such but you're just supposed to assume he's had three Robins? Or Green Lantern #1, Hal lost his ring, Sinestro is back etc etc

I get the old storylines, been reading DC for 20+ years now but looking at it from a "new fan" angle, they seem to expect you to know a lot off hand.

ThatNickGuy · Sep 25, 2011

Unfortunately, the Bat and GL franchises are continuing more or less unchanged compared to everyone else. Green Lantern #1 may as well have just been #80-something, whatever was next in the series, pre-reboot.

If you really want to come into it as a new fan, I'd say check out the non-big names like Animal Man and Frankenstin.

Hailey Knight · Sep 25, 2011

I think there are people who want to read the characters, Nick. Animal Man may be better than the rest, but sometimes, people want to read about Batman.

In which case, I believe Detective Comics and Action Comics are "starting over" titles, while Batman and Superman are both going on their own thing. Many of them seem to be of their own devices and you just need to roll with it to see where they'll fall continuity-wise.

kaykordeath · Sep 26, 2011

Rubicon said:
Can someone explain the continuity...? I pick up a few issues of the New 52 (sold out of most) and its like they just threw new fans in the pan of fire on this one. Case in point, Batman #1, you see the Robin's (and Nightwing) ok it at least mentions their name and such but you're just supposed to assume he's had three Robins? Or Green Lantern #1, Hal lost his ring, Sinestro is back etc etc

I get the old storylines, been reading DC for 20+ years now but looking at it from a "new fan" angle, they seem to expect you to know a lot off hand.

For GL, you know all you need to know...in terms of plotting. Hal has lost his ring, and his ring has chosen Sinestro as his replacement. If you are curious about the how/why, you can read the books prior to the reboot, but if not, that's the start of the current storyline/conflict.

And yes, Batman has had 3 Robins. The current one is his biological son Damian Wayne.

Gryfter · Sep 26, 2011

kaykordeath said:
For GL, you know all you need to know...in terms of plotting. Hal has lost his ring, and his ring has chosen Sinestro as his replacement. If you are curious about the how/why, you can read the books prior to the reboot, but if not, that's the start of the current storyline/conflict.

And yes, Batman has had 3 Robins. The current one is his biological son Damian Wayne.

There are 4 by my count, but maybe the reboot changed the continuity a little. There's Dick Grayson (now Nightwing), Jason Todd (now Red Hood), Tim Drake (now Red Robin), and finally Damien Wanye(plain old Robin). There's also Stephanie Brown but she seems to have gotten the shaft completely in this reboot as she appears to be absent entirely; no longer Robin, Batgirl or Spoiler.

Covar · Sep 26, 2011

Change that was made and absolutely love, Bruce Wayne adopting Dick from the start, no more antiquated "ward."

Shegokigo · Sep 29, 2011

So now that the first round of 52 is over.... what the fuck is up with continuity?

Is the "new" Justice League/Action comics in the same universe as Green Lantern#1 etc? Are Batman, Detective Comics, Catwoman, Batgirl, Suicide Squad all in the same universe/storyline?

I'm lost as shit.

Norris · Sep 29, 2011

They're all the same universe, most of the old stories happened in some form or another, and both Action Comics and Justice League take place in the past.

Gryfter · Sep 29, 2011

Shegokigo said:
So now that the first round of 52 is over.... what the fuck is up with continuity?

Is the "new" Justice League/Action comics in the same universe as Green Lantern#1 etc? Are Batman, Detective Comics, Catwoman, Batgirl, Suicide Squad all in the same universe/storyline?

I'm lost as shit.

It's a good thing they rebooted the whole universe to make it easier for new and returning readers to understand everything.

Hailey Knight · Sep 29, 2011

That's why I haven't picked anything up yet. Confusion.

All I know is that Justice League, Action Comics, and Detective Comics take place "Five Years Ago", and I only learned that from Linkara. No idea how the varied titles cross. I would prefer each title be its own continuity, but I doubt they'd do that.

I'm still interested in Justice League Dark.

Shegokigo · Sep 29, 2011

I'm fine with it being one big universe, I just wanted to make sure. There was also nothing to imply that it was taking place "5 years ago". Also in the Green Lantern #1 it doesn't say SHIT about Sinestro's past other than his Warlord days. His affiliation with the Yellow Lanterns and the whole "betrayal" thing is just not in the least bit explained. I just want to know if this is all new continiuty, then what's all that about or are we supposed to wait and see and forget the past?

ThatNickGuy · Sep 29, 2011

The Green Lantern stuff is basically just continuing on from all the previous stuff up to before the reboot. GL #1 could easily just be GL #80-something. I think the Batman stuff falls into a similar category, but I'm really not sure.

I think this intial confusion is going to hurt DC in the long run. They had an incredible first month, but the next six months are going to be very interesting to watch. They've already said that all the titles out now will be given minimum 6 issues. I highly doubt Red Hood & the Outlaws is going to last past that.

kaykordeath · Sep 29, 2011

Gryfter said:
It's a good thing they rebooted the whole universe to make it easier for new and returning readers to understand everything.

It's only confusing if you think about it from the frame of mind of a longer term reader who cares about "shared universe" and "continuity". Which most new readers aren't...give them time to appreciate those nuances.

JL had a box in the second panel that says "Five years ago." Action is slightly move vague but it makes it clear Superman is fairly "new" on the public scene.

As for the GL/Sinestro bit? Yeah, that's probably the weakest point, but I'm hoping that most of what is NEEDED knowledge will c ome out...right now, as the story goes, this guy has the ring, doesn't want it, other GLs dont want him to have it, the blue guys wont take it away...that right there is the start of the story's conflict.

Shegokigo · Sep 29, 2011

I'm trying really hard to "forget" what I've learned over the last 5 months of GL and look at it with open eyes, but I can see someone picking up GL1 for the first title ever and saying "What the fuck is going on with any of this?"

Norris · Sep 29, 2011

So I've decided to drop Red Hood, instead going with Paul Levitz's Huntress mini. Voodoo might get dropped (haven't gotten it yet but I have heard not good things) in favor of The Shade limited series. Likewise, Legion Lost has to wow me with its second issue to avoid being replaced by LoSH: Secret Origin, also by Levitz.

Also, I am so jazzed for the new Defenders series coming from Marvel in December.

ThatNickGuy · Sep 30, 2011

This is nitpicking, but man, why would they get rid of Dr. Strange's awesome cloak? Now he just looks like some kung-fu guy that fight in tournaments with Iron Fist?

Norris · Sep 30, 2011

ThatNickGuy said:
This is nitpicking, but man, why would they get rid of Dr. Strange's awesome cloak? Now he just looks like some kung-fu guy that fight in tournaments with Iron Fist?

The cloak was one of the vestments of his office as Sorcerer Supreme. There isn't a Sorcerer Supreme anymore. So no cloak. He's been rocking a trench coat and business suit for two years now, this is kind of step back into super-hero fashion.

Covar · Sep 30, 2011

Read some more

Justice League Dark - Why are you going to change one of the greatest Costumes in the DC Universe? Art's nice, story was okay, and why the hell do they keep having Constantine shooting energy blasts on the covers?

Batman: the Dark Knight - Like all the other Batman books it was good. Not as good as Batman and Batman & Robin, but a good read.

Teen Titans - Unsure what to think about this yet. Things I liked and things I didn't.

Fury of Firestorm - Wow, Jason came across as a complete ass. Don't know how I feel about the 2 separate Firestorms.

I still got more to read.

twitchmoss · Sep 30, 2011

I enjoyed the hell out of the previous jaime reyes blue beetle series, and was really stoked for a new run. i'm... kind of less so now, what with the 'hiding his identity' retcon thing. i know, i know, its a reboot, so stuff changes. but the fact that his family *did* know about it early on was one of the more interesting aspects of the character :\

is it still worth picking up? or should i wait a while longer.

Norris · Sep 30, 2011

This week, for the first time ever, Back To The Past screwed up and missed something on my pull sheet. It was Voodoo #1, which I was considering dropping on the reviews alone. I take this as a sign.

Blackhawks - Decent. Not anything amazing, nothing terrible either. Held my interest.

The Fury of Firestorm The Nuclear Men - Other than that fucking title, I really enjoyed it. Intrigued by this new take on the origins. Seemed very...filmable, I guess.

Green Lantern New Guardians - Well other than nothing really happening, I liked it. Felt like an issue zero you'd get for free. Still, worth sticking aroumd.

The Flash - Much better than I was expecting. I generally am leery of artists who take over writing duties, but Manapul brings it.

Aquaman - YES BITCH! This. Was. Perfect.

Teen Titans - Good start. interested in how this shapes up.

This week I also played catch up using the digital comics system (which is surprisingly good). Demon Knights, Animal Man, and Supergirl will all be added to my already overfull Pull List.

Kovac · Sep 30, 2011

Norris said:
1) Congratulations!

2) As a slightly pudgy, average looking comic book nerd who can't even talk to girls romantically, I hate you with every fiber of my soul. Nothing personal.

Well that's just creepy.

You describe me AND we share a name

Hailey Knight · Sep 30, 2011

I almost picked up Justice League Dark, but I swear it was thinner and full of more ads than the other comic magazines I glanced at on the shelf. Not worth $3 to me.

Covar · Oct 6, 2011

So let's see, except for GL:Corps, New Guardians, and the Savage Hawkman I've read all the first issues I'm going to.

Superman - I'll probably be in the minority here, but I liked it better than Action Comics. Much like how DC re-focuses their attention on Bruce Wayne/Wayne Enterprises and Gotham City itself, it's very refreshing and I'm happy to see the Daily Planet staff becoming characters again.

Flash - Francis Manipul's Barry Allen seems to actually act more like Barry Allen then Geoff Johns's writing of the character ever did. Yet another book reset to before the point of the super-hero marriage. At least it better be, particularly because of the in canon cause of the restart.

Aquaman - I love the art of Ivan Reis. The story has promise, but I'm wary after Geoff Johns's last couple of works (and yes that includes GL).

Blackhawks - It has potential. I hope that the Lady Blackhawk mentioned in the beginning is Zinda, but somehow I doubt it.

Shegokigo · Oct 7, 2011

So I love me some Batman but pretty much dislike everything Robin/Nightwing/Batwing etc related. I like it simple. Batman vs Villains. What trades should I be picking up month to month and what's the difference between: Detective Comics - Dark Knight and Batman?

Norris · Oct 7, 2011

My....my comics....they didn't arrive today. This...this is the first time that's happened. Ever. They mail them Wednesday, USPS moves them across the state on Thursday, I get them Friday. This is the part where Kit goes berserk.

I'm starting to get the shakes. And possibly hallucinate. Either that or Stormwatch is trying to recruit me. Either or.

In all honesty though, I'm a little worried by this development. Nearly $30 worth of comics I already paid for failed to arrive on time. That's...that's a potential problem, to say the least. And I'm pretty damned sure it isn't Pete at Back To The Past's fault.

Covar · Oct 7, 2011

Shegokigo said:
So I love me some Batman but pretty much dislike everything Robin/Nightwing/Batwing etc related. I like it simple. Batman vs Villains. What trades should I be picking up month to month and what's the difference between: Detective Comics - Dark Knight and Batman?

Punisher.

Shegokigo · Oct 7, 2011

That.... didn't help...

Frank · Oct 8, 2011

Norris said:
The cloak was one of the vestments of his office as Sorcerer Supreme. There isn't a Sorcerer Supreme anymore. So no cloak. He's been rocking a trench coat and business suit for two years now, this is kind of step back into super-hero fashion.

Is Brother Voodoo not the Sorcerer Supreme anymore?

Also, I...uh...read most of the 52 #1s. I didn't read DC before and these did not help. If DC thinks these comics are going to pull in the mystical person who doesn't buy comics but wants to, they're dead wrong (in my case anyway). I think the most jarring one to read was Red Hood and the Outlaws. I watched the Teen Titans cartoon and I dug it so that probably biased me somewhat. Those characters in that comic were fucking awful.

The only one that got me remotely interested was Detective Comics and wanting to know what the Joker is up to.

Norris · Oct 8, 2011

Frankie Williamson said:
Is Brother Voodoo not the Sorcerer Supreme anymore?

Spoilers for a year old storyline:

In the pages of New Avengers, Brother Voodoo helped the team battle Agamotto who was making a play to get his eye (in the form the Sorcerer Supreme's amulet) back. In the course of the battle, they realized that this would be very bad for humanity so Voodoo sacrificed himself in a magic explosion that destroyed The Eye of Agamotto and banished Agamotto from Earth permanently. With the Eye and The Cloak of Levitation destroyed, there isn't really a Sorcerer Supreme anymore.

Shegokigo · Oct 8, 2011

So...... difference between:

Detective Comics
Dark Knight
Batman

?

Frank · Oct 8, 2011

Different writers and artists. Different Batman stories. They don't make any sense that they're happening at the same time (Wolverine style). Detective Comics is the only one that made me give a crap.