The New DCU 52

[DaVeO]

Anyone here getting some of these new titles? I make no secret of the fact I'm a big DC fan (and comics in general) and though I'll miss a few characters the comics coming out of this look fantastic.

What I've picked up so far:

Animal Man #1: Great characterization, starts out very everyday superhero comic then flips the concept on its head and dives into horror.

Swamp Thing #1: More good characterization getting to know the man that WAS Swamp Thing or at least shared the memories of it. Also good horror aspects but firmly set in the world of superheroes as well. This was my fave of the three.

Stormwatch #1: Taking heroes from a different angle Stormwatch existed before super heroes were even wearing tights. They deal with threats beyond costume kooks. A lot of subplots thrown at you so this former Capt. Britain & MI:13 writer (Cornell) has a lot of material planned.

[DelBubs]

Never a great fan or collector of DC UNiverse stuff, but a big fan of the former Wildstorm Universe. Lost heart with Stormwatch after Ellis left, never seemed to reach it's former glory. Same with Authority members, never seemed the same after Millar left. On a different tack, there is a Penguin limited starting in October (think that's right) which I'm hoping will be convincing enough to get me looking at other DCU books.

[Jason Eberly]

I'm only getting the stuff I was getting before the relaunch, with the exception of Suicide Squad. It is replacing one of my favorite books, Secret Six, and I have every Suicide Squad issue since the 80's series. The downside is I have heard nothing but horrid reviews of Suicide Squad.

Anyway, I am getting Action Comics, Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Justice League, and Suicide Squad, and Superman. I think that's it.

The downside is is that DC is actually losing money on me by canceling Booster Gold and Justice Society of America (though the rumor is they will be relaunching in perhaps a few months), and all these titles that may have once been locks on my pull list are now on probation. My thoughts on what I've gotten so far.

Justice League #1: Very average. Not what I would have gone with to start the big relaunch with. Very sparse plot, generic villain, and you only really get to see two members of the 'future' JL together. The art is great, but..eh. Like I said, not a horrible or even a bad issue...just 'eh'.

Action Comics #1: Morrison is very hit and miss for me. I loved All-Star Superman (set outside continuity) but have pretty much detested any of his in-continuity stuff at DC. I like the concept of what he is trying to do in Action, but his characterization of Superman just left me cold. While it's fine to show a young Supes as inexperienced and learning as he goes along, the brash, bullying, jerk that I saw in #1 just left me not liking the character at all. I am hoping this is on purpose, but considering Morrison's characters always seem to be this way...

Green Arrow #1: This was probably my biggest disappointment. I agree that GA needs to be somewhat revised from the depressed loser jerk he's been the past half decade or so. But this went too far. I always liked that GA seemed to be somewhat older and somewhat curmudgeon-y (but still likeable), but they took those traits away from him, too...making him this young "man on a mission". Also, I am not a fan of Smallville (don't hate it, just was never able to get into it), and this GA looks very similar to the Green Arrow that appeared on that show. I don't like the compound bow, I don't like the Smallville costume, and I don't like that he looks more like Conner Hawke than Ollie Queen anymore. This just isn't the Green Arrow I want to read about. I love the Robin Hood-esque nature of the classic Green Arrow.

Anyway, the story was okay. Enough to keep me coming back for a little while to see if things improve. I just find it hard to get past the character to enjoy the story.

I really want to like the new DC, so don't take me for a hater. But so far...to quote myself, 'eh'. I hope my other titles are enjoyable and that the ones I've already read get better.

[Flightpath07]

On my pull lists are Red Hood and the Outlaws, and Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E.

Have I actually read any of the issues yet? No. Issue 1 of both series should be arriving in my mailbox late next week.

[Phil]

If any company thinks I can afford to buy 52 $2.99 or $3.99 comics in a single month they're mistaken.

I'm down for the first issues of Stormwatch & Batwing and that's probably about it.

[Flightpath07]

I doubt DC is thinking that ANY fans are going to buy every title every month; that'd be silly. They just, as a company, decided ot change up, well, EVERYTHING! Good on 'em for the effort, it is a big risk. Mind you, so is NOT changing (hint hint, Marvel).

[Phil]

I didn't mean every month, but there's a clear collectibility vibe of getting every #1 this month. And there are lots of people doing exactly that.
Why not stagger the releases?
Do we really need 4 Batman-books launching in one month?

I'd be more inclined to try out more if I had the time-buffer.

[Flightpath07]

Ah, I get ya now, Phil.

[Le Messor]

Do we really need 4 Batman-books launching in one month?

Do we really need 4 Batman books?

After listening to Linkara's review today, I'm starting to be interested in JLI.

- Le Messor
"If I hold you any closer I'll be in back of you!"
~ Groucho

[Phil]

Well, yeah, I agree with that.
4 Batman books plus being in the JL(A), plus Batwing, Batgirl, Batwoman....

[Jason Eberly]

Out of the 52 new DC lineup, 11 are Batman or Batman family titles.

That's over a fifth of their lineup.

And that doesn't even count JL and JLI.

[Alpha Rider]

You have to remember that DC only really has two books: Superman and Batman, everything else is either 2nd or 3rd class charaters. Don't get me wrong, things like the Flash, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman sell, but not to the extent of Sups and Bats.

[Flightpath07]

You have to remember that DC only really has two books: Superman and Batman, everything else is either 2nd or 3rd class charaters. Don't get me wrong, things like the Flash, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman sell, but not to the extent of Sups and Bats.

Sort of like Spiderman and Wolverine?

[Le Messor]

Coming soon:
Superspiderbatverine's fifth monthly series!
In this issue, he slaughters dozens of innocents! Our hero, ladies and gentlemen.

- Le Messor
"Success is setting reasonable goals and acheiving them. Success is an action - not a state, an ability, or a commodity."
~ Mark T. Shirey

[Flightpath07]

Speaking of heroes who slaughter people...

anybody asked Fred if he has any plans to have Deadpool make an appearance at any point? What with them hiring mercenaries to help them out...it WOULD make some sense! (and be a LOT of fun!)