As you may have heard, DC Comics (the home of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman) has just restarted all of their comic books with first issues and fresh concepts for every single character. With 52 new comic book titles launching this month, now is a great to try a new DC series or revisit an old favorite character. Even better, DC has jumped into the iPad age, offering digital editions of all of their titles available on the same day that the print copies hit comic book stores. (In many cases, opting for a digital copy of, say, Wonder Woman, is cheaper than ponying up $3 for the actual comic in the store.)
Every relaunched title features a brand new storyline and reimagined characters. In some cases, the changes to popular characters are a bit controversial. The original Batgirl Barbara Gordon is now back in the costume and--even more surprising--is no longer in a wheelchair. (Joker shot her way back in the classic 1988 Alan Moore-penned graphic novel The Killing Joke.) Fans of Joker's sidekick Harley Quinn have bemoaned the character's new skanky look, while DC has taken heat for turning the formerly full-figured character Amanda Waller into a generic skinny pin-up model with huge breasts and a tiny waist. But in many cases, the changes to well-known characters have been minimal while the storylines have been streamlined and improved.
So which titles are worth your time and money? That's where I come in. Use my guide to the best of what DC Comics is offering the next time you're in the comic book store or looking for something to read on the ol' iPad.
Wonder Woman #1 - Thanks to Cliff Chiang's artwork on the just-released Wonder Woman #1, the character looks the best she has in years. Wonder Woman must protect a young woman with a big secret from evil Greek gods, centaurs, and other mythological creatures. Action-packed and stunningly drawn, this new series is a great jumping-on point for new readers. And as we've previously discussed, she no longer wears pants. Wonder Woman is back to fighting bad guys in star-spangled underwear. (For now at least.)
Batwoman #1 - Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams' Batwoman stories from Detective Comics are some of the best superhero comics from the past several years. Thankfully this new series continues the gorgeously illustrated adventures of crimefighter (and lesbian) Kate Kane as she encounters supernatural murders and The Dark Knight himself.
Animal Man #1 - Part-time superhero/actor Buddy Baker balances family life with crime-fighting in a reboot of the popular DC/Vertigo series. Featuring stylish artwork and an eerie, compelling story, Animal Man is easily the best series of the DC relaunch. Recommended for anyone who likes a dash of horror in their superhero comics. (Also try the new Swamp Thing #1 by Scott Snyder and Yanick Paquette.)
Batman #1 - Writer Scott Snyder has been spinning some of the best Batman stories in years in the pages of Detective Comics. So fans are understandably excited for his new Batman series. If you're looking for well-written, accessible Batman stories, the new Scott Snyder series is a good bet. (Vampire fans should also try American Vampire, the horror comic Snyder co-writes with Stephen King.)
Action Comics (Superman) #1 - Beloved nerd god Grant Morrison returns to Superman after the triumphant All-Star Superman series. Also, Superman is now a hot-headed young hero who dangles bad guys off of buildings, stops speeding trains, and wears jeans. And it's awesome.
Every relaunched title features a brand new storyline and reimagined characters. In some cases, the changes to popular characters are a bit controversial. The original Batgirl Barbara Gordon is now back in the costume and--even more surprising--is no longer in a wheelchair. (Joker shot her way back in the classic 1988 Alan Moore-penned graphic novel The Killing Joke.) Fans of Joker's sidekick Harley Quinn have bemoaned the character's new skanky look, while DC has taken heat for turning the formerly full-figured character Amanda Waller into a generic skinny pin-up model with huge breasts and a tiny waist. But in many cases, the changes to well-known characters have been minimal while the storylines have been streamlined and improved.
So which titles are worth your time and money? That's where I come in. Use my guide to the best of what DC Comics is offering the next time you're in the comic book store or looking for something to read on the ol' iPad.
Wonder Woman #1 - Thanks to Cliff Chiang's artwork on the just-released Wonder Woman #1, the character looks the best she has in years. Wonder Woman must protect a young woman with a big secret from evil Greek gods, centaurs, and other mythological creatures. Action-packed and stunningly drawn, this new series is a great jumping-on point for new readers. And as we've previously discussed, she no longer wears pants. Wonder Woman is back to fighting bad guys in star-spangled underwear. (For now at least.) Batwoman #1 - Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams' Batwoman stories from Detective Comics are some of the best superhero comics from the past several years. Thankfully this new series continues the gorgeously illustrated adventures of crimefighter (and lesbian) Kate Kane as she encounters supernatural murders and The Dark Knight himself.
Animal Man #1 - Part-time superhero/actor Buddy Baker balances family life with crime-fighting in a reboot of the popular DC/Vertigo series. Featuring stylish artwork and an eerie, compelling story, Animal Man is easily the best series of the DC relaunch. Recommended for anyone who likes a dash of horror in their superhero comics. (Also try the new Swamp Thing #1 by Scott Snyder and Yanick Paquette.)
Batman #1 - Writer Scott Snyder has been spinning some of the best Batman stories in years in the pages of Detective Comics. So fans are understandably excited for his new Batman series. If you're looking for well-written, accessible Batman stories, the new Scott Snyder series is a good bet. (Vampire fans should also try American Vampire, the horror comic Snyder co-writes with Stephen King.)
Action Comics (Superman) #1 - Beloved nerd god Grant Morrison returns to Superman after the triumphant All-Star Superman series. Also, Superman is now a hot-headed young hero who dangles bad guys off of buildings, stops speeding trains, and wears jeans. And it's awesome.
I just can't get over what they've done to Harley, for several reasons. The biggest reasons are: A) It's not just that she looks skanky, but there's always been an innocence to her that was both a contrast to her old life and a contrast to the Joker. In alot of ways she reverted to a child and decided to let others (usually the Joker) make all her decisions for her. And her sweet/innocent demeanor always made the Joker's corruption of her all the more devastating to Batman, and all the more a triumph of Joker's. B) She looks as scary as the Joker now. Again this is a bit about contrast, but also about the humanizing effect Harley has on so many characters. She just doesn't look like someone Poison Ivy would need to protect, or that would maker the Joker realize that he cares and therefor must kill her. Or gain Batmans pity/sympathy ever. She just looks to scary to stir up the kind of emotions she used to, they've made her a generic skank. C) The Joker is all about his image, the old Harley looked good at his side, her clean simple outfit matched his classic look. Skank just doesn't look as good with spats and a three piece suit. And anyone that spends as much time on his pompadour as the Joker, cares about how the woman on his arm matches his look.
Thats my rant. I won't even go into my thoughts on Barbara or Amanda Waller except to say that for all the "progressive" credit they got for Batwoman, they are seriously taking away from DC's diversity for what they're doing to those two classic characters. Ps isn't it way more compelling to see her become an effective crime fighter or learn how to date again while dealing with a disability, than just a simple teenage acrobat swinging around in a costume? From a dramatic standpoint.
Yeah, I really don't like what they did to Harley Quinn. She was a great character with a costume that made sense. I blame the Batman: Arkham Asylum video game, which put her in a naughty nurse outfit. Thought it wasn't as bad as the version in Suicide Squad. And I agree with Amanda Waller and Barbara. Two steps forward, several steps back. I also don't like how they've slutted-up Catwoman. If you want to read a ridiculous comic where Batman and Catwoman get it on, look no further than Catwoman #1.
Also, I should mention that Bruce Wayne is back as Batman. Dick Grayson, who has been Batman ever since the end of "Final Crisis"/"Batman R.I.P.," is back to being Nightwing. Batman's son Damien Wayne is Robin, and former Robin Tim Drake is still the (stupidly-named) Red Robin. I guess DC wanted to carry over the "Batman has a son" thing from the Grant Morrison run. Damien is fine, but having so many old Robins hanging around is a bit confusing for new readers. Also, I like Tim Drake but never liked Red Robin.
Action Comics doesn't work for me. Superman's become...kind of a douche. I get that Morrison is probably burnt, but still...yeesh.
I like that it's a call-back to the old Siegel and Shuster Superman from the '30s who was a bit gruff and beat up abusive husbands and corrupt politicians.
Also, it's nice to read a Grant Morrison story that is pretty straight-forward and isn't just references to obscure Batman comics from the '50s. But since Action is supposed to take place before the other titles, I imagine Superman will eventually mellow out and be more like the one in the "Superman" book who is more like the character everyone knows except that he wears armor now for some reason. Batman can wear armor. Superman doesn't need armor. He can bend steel and is literally faster than a speeding bullet.
I used to be into comics and miss it a lot! This conversation is very fun and heartwarming (and is tempting me to try some of the titles you mentioned but sheesh like I need another thing to take my time and money away from being a single parent of 4 munchkins...! Maybe I should try to get my oldest son into it, yeah thats the ticket! haha...)