The New-52! Six-Months In (Flashback Land: 2012)

Another unearthed oldie -- this one was written on-or-around February 2, 2012. The New-52! wasn't exactly "new" anymore... but, in fairness, it also wasn't "old" yet either. The days of DC beating Marvel in the (overall) sales charts were, however, already a thing of the past.

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Regardless of the fact that DC Comics is still touting “The New-52!” on the covers of their books, the “New” 52 is now six months old.  In those six months, I had gone from being a fairly completest DC Comics customer, to buying FIVE books with any regularity.  DC Comics is writing for a different audience and good for them, they seem to have found one... sorta.  In the past several months, DC has dominated the sales charts in units sold (though, now falling below Marvel in dollar share thanks in no short measure to Marvel’s inflated pricing structure).  My decade and change investment in the publications and characters of DC Comics is over.

Admittedly, I would be tempted to drop the remaining five DC books I have managed to hold on to… my completest nature, however, will not completely allow me a clean break.  The five books I continue to collect are:

Action Comics (vol.2)

Batman (vol.2)

Justice League

Justice League International (vol.3)

Teen Titans (vol.4)

Batman is my pick for strongest title.  It’s no surprise, considering that the Batman titles (along with the Green Lantern books, apparently) kept most of their backstory.  If The New-52! had not come to pass, this Batman could have easily existed pre-Flashpoint (with a markedly younger version of Commissioner Gordon, admittedly).  Keeping in mind, we are still in the midst of the opening story-arc, whether or not existing Batman characters will be “re-introduced” or “re-origined” in the coming months remains to be seen.

Action Comics is the title I was most excited for during the lead up to relaunch, and thus far it has struck me as rather underwhelming.  Not terrible, by any stretch of the imagination… just not what I expected.  I’m too big a fan of Grant Morrison to outright drop this title, and I would imagine that if anything noteworthy to the DC (n)Universe were to go down, it would happen in either this title or…

 Justice League.  The flagship book for the new DC, has delivered on what it’s promised.  What it’s promised, however, is not really to my liking.  Though, I understand the addition of Cyborg as a founder of the team, for diversity’s sake… I’m still not a fan of it.  I’ve always enjoyed Cyborg as a Titan, who “graduated” into the ranks of the Justice League.  Then again, I’m a bit of a sucker for the “Legacy” methodology to the old DC Universe.  In the last volume of Justice League (of America), the team was comprised primarily of legacy heroes… graduated Teen Titans.  This displayed that there is a hierarchy to DC’s super-hero teams… that a Teen Titan or an Outsider could one day become a member of the vaunted Justice League.  Hell, I’m also a pretty big Martian Manhunter (who Cyborg replaced) fan, so that may be clouding my judgment a bit as well.  Back to the new volume, it feels as though the new backstory is being shoe-horned rather painfully into place.  A handful of issues in and Batman ALREADY shared his secret identity with Green Lantern?  In the book, they’d just barely met… I know, I know, this is not necessarily the Batman I grew up reading, so I cannot use his “existing” pattern of behavior to diagnose his current personality.  It still rubs me the wrong way.  This title will likely remain on my pull-list, as I have a nearly complete run of Justice League starting from a couple of years before the original Crisis.

Justice League International is a bit of a strange one.  Being “launched” out of 2010-2011’s Justice League: Generation Lost maxi-series, this title features most of the characters normally associated with the Giffen/DeMatteis Justice League.  However, with this being the re-launched universe, the characters now share no backstory.  The whole purpose, at least to me, for launching this type of title is to play off the character’s existing histories.  Why would anyone care about the dynamic between Booster Gold, Batman and Guy Gardner without being able to reflect on past experience with the characters?  I know it’s unfair of me to say that these characters are being written “out of character” considering we are playing tabula rasa with the whole thing (when convenient), however, I am having a difficult time reconciling myself to the fact that these are for all intents and purposes NEW characters.

Teen Titans rounds out my list of keepers… a rather dreadful book, in my opinion.  The only reason I keep this one on my pull-list is, like Justice League, I have a nearly complete run of the Titans dating back to the 1980 Wolfman/Perez New Teen Titans run.  That, in addition to the hopes that the title will improve will keep me coming back for at least the foreseeable future.  Again, I need to be careful not to harp on “mischaracterization” of some of my old favorites…

So, has the DC relaunch been a success?  Undoubtedly.  DC should be applauded for their risky undertaking of turning their existing universe on its ear, and coming out on top (as of this writing).  I do hope that this does not become the precedent for boosting sales throughout the industry. 

Unfortunately, I can see Marvel doing something like this come the Avengers vs. X-Men summer crossovent.  With all the talks of late of the Phoenix returning to earth to make things die, and be reborn… I fear Marvel may be going the relaunch route this coming fall.  If this were to occur, I fear it may be my time to tap out.  If/when this occurs; if DC is anything to go by, it will be a great boon to sales, and fiscally speaking… I cannot think of a reason NOT to do it.  I am rapidly shifting gears here, going into a subject which may be better off a new post… so I will save it, for if/when we get any further details.

DC New-52! Hot-Takes (Flashback Land: 2011)

Another oldie from a decade-plus back... from a long defunct corner of the comics internet. Wasn't sure what to write about today... and so, I resorted to digging for inspiration. While unearthing some ancient digital Chris-texts, I happened across some old pictures of my dog as a pup... pictures I'd thought were long gone. Kinda kicked my ass and effed me up.

I guess back in the long ago, Blogger wasn't so keen on uploading images directly... so, I had a Photobucket... which, I can't remember for the life of me. Guess this Photobucket is also where a lot of my pics from the mid-2000s are currently being held hostage. Managed to do a workaround and remove their awful friggin watermark from a couple... but, still haven't been able to jimmy my way into my account. Oh well, I'm pretty sure I got the photos I most wanted anyway.

With that said -- here are my original hot-takes upon the announcement that DC Comics was going to hit the flusher on the cosmic toilet bowl and jettison nearing on a century's worth of history for some short-term sales gains! Way to go, DC -- you managed to beat Marvel... for like a month or two!

The words that follow are wildly out of date... and my hot-takes (for the most part) were very likely wrong. I hope you enjoy 'em regardless!

What were YOUR initial thoughts when DC Comics announced they were going this direction? I'd love to hear and compare notes!

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Figured I may as well join the rest of the comics blogosphere and share my thoughts on the DC Comics Reboot post-Flashpoint. Funny, I’m actually quite enjoying Flashpoint, however, I’m not altogether certain that I will be able to fully appreciate what follows.

Back in the mid-late 1990’s, I found myself in a strange place in my comics fandom… I was a new reader. To DC Comics, that is. Of course, I was fully aware of Superman and Batman their origins and what they were all about, I just had no desire to follow their monthly adventures. Coming into my late teens, and finding myself with the first “disposable” income I’d ever possessed. Being a foolish teenager, instead of putting said income aside for the future or for my higher education, I blew it on comics. DC Comics. I’d already been buying the nearly the entire Marvel line I was interested in. Grant Morrison’s JLA, No-Man’s-Land Batman, Mark Waid’s Flash were just some of the new titles I’d used in effort of dipping my toe into the DC pool.

In the years to follow, I’d bounce back and forth between being a Marvel guy and a DC guy. Up until recently, I’ve been pretty heavily biased towards DC. What with the lower prices and less snarky editorial teams, DC just seemed like a nicer universe to play in and follow.

Now… Flashpoint and the Great DC Reboot. I can’t claim to have been a comics fan during the Crisis on Infinite Earths, so it’d be silly for me to compare this to that. I wonder if in the near future if we’ll be referring to the time we’re in now as pre-Flashpoint, or if this will serve as a simple blip of a gimmick that had already been overturned.

I don’t really have any problem with DC deciding it’s in their best interests to inject a bit of youth into their established franchises. I did, at the onset, think it was rather foolish to reboot titles such as Action Comics and Detective Comics back to Issue #1. I’ve come around to it (at least the logic of it) when DC announced same-day digital availability on all titles. It only makes sense to re-start the titles at #1 with that in mind. Granted, to use such logic is to buy in to the theory that it’s the scary numbers on the established titles that are keeping new readers away. Either way, it is what it is… time to buckle down and enjoy (or not) the ride. On to the… ahem, 52 Number One’s DC will be launching come September.

Action Comics #1 (by Grant Morrison and Rags Morales)

This list is obviously alphabetical, though, I really couldn’t pick a better title to start the list with. Grant Morrison on Superman may just make this entire experiment worthwhile. Out of the entire line, THIS is the title I’m looking most forward to. The apparent affinity for the silver age that Morrison has keeps me a bit more at ease on the entire affair. Definite buy from me.

Animal Man #1 (by Jeff Lemire, Travel Foreman and Dan Green)

Enjoyed some of the old pre-Vertigo Animal Man series (the Morrison and Milligan runs especially). Not really sure I’d like to read more solo-Animal Man. It’s likely I’ll pick up Issue #1 to try it out.

All-Star Western #1 (by Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti and Moritat)

Creative team notwithstanding, I’ve heard great things about Gray/Palmiotti’s Jonah Hex series, this is likely a pass from me. Not terribly interested in a Western Comic.

Aquaman #1 (by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis)

Aquaman looks to be finally coming into his own as a bona fide A-Lister with Johns and Reis at the helm. I’ve not enjoyed Aquaman since the Peter David run of almost 20 years ago. I’ll more than likely try this one out.

Batgirl #1 (starring Barbara Gordon; by Gail Simone, Ardian Syaf and Vicente Cifuentes)

Not interested in seeing Barbara Gordon as Batgirl. Pass.

Batman #1 (by Scott Snyder & Greg Capulllo)

Really digging Snyder’s current run on Detective Comics, will probably grab this.

Batman & Robin #1 (by Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason)

Tomasi and Gleason had a brief run on B&R earlier this year that was really quite good. Not sure if I’ll continue being a Bat-Completist after the relaunch… this one seems like a good jumping off point for me.

Batman: The Dark Knight #1 (David Finch and Jay Fobok)

If we see this one in the year 2011, I’d be shocked. Pass.

Batwing #1 (by Judd Winick and Ben Oliver)

Batwing is one of the new Batmen from Batman Incorporated… so, does that mean Batman Inc. is still around in the new DC Universe? Utterly confusing that they’d pick Batwing of all people for an ongoing title. I don’t see this one hitting the double digits. An experimental title to show that DC has a diverse roster of heroes, perhaps… it’s taking place in Africa too, so maybe Winick can pummel us with more HIV/AIDs lectures. Pass.

Batwoman #1 (by J.H. Williams III, Haden Blackman and Amy Reede)

Wasn’t interested in this one pre-reboot, definitely not interested in it now.

Birds of Prey #1 (by Duane Swierczynski and Jesus Saiz)

Not feeling a non-Simone, non-Dixon BoP. Of course it’s unfair to judge a title under such circumstances… and to be completely honest, a Simone or Dixon BoP would barely interest me at this point.

Blackhawks #1 (by Mike Costa and Ken Lashley)

This may be a fun title to try out. I know next to nothing about the title, only having read the Howard Chaykin series of prestige format stories. Will probably give this one a try.

Blue Beetle #1 (by Tony Bedard, Ig Guara and Ruy Jose)

I really rather enjoyed the previous Jaime Reyes Blue Beetle volume post Infinite Crisis. Will likely give this one a whirl.

Captain Atom #1 (by J.T. Krul & Freddie Williams II)

Just last year I came into an almost complete run of the Captain Atom series from the 1980’s. Really enjoyed what I read of it. Didn’t so much enjoy the WildStorm mini-series or Bob Harras’s abortive Breach. I feel Captain Atom is a better team-member than a solo-hero. I’ve liked him as chairman of the JLE and as part of the Generation Lost JLI. Will probably grab at least the first issue though I’m not expecting much.

Catwoman #1 (by Judd Winick and Guillem March)

Nah. Nothing against the creators, but the only solo Catwoman I’ve ever liked was the Ed Brubaker one.

Deathstroke #1 (by Kyle Higgins, Joe Bennett and Art Thibert)

Always thought Deathstroke was a bit overrated as a character. Surprisingly, I liked the first issue of his Flashpoint mini. Dependent on how the mini works out, I may try this one out.

DC Universe Presents #1 (Anthology - first arc Deadman by Paul Jenkins & Bernard Chang)

I have a really hard time paying even $2.99 for an anthology title. I’ve never bought an anthology title and felt that I’d gotten my money’s worth. Depending on reviews, I may pick this one up in trade.

Demon Knights #1 (by Paul Cornell, Diogenes Neves and Oclair Albert)

Etrigan the Demon, you say? Sorry, I was napping just then. Etrigan, for me, is just one'a those characters. One where whenever he’s on panel I’m suddenly more interested in just about anything else… laundry, weeding, checking the smoke detectors… you get the point. Paul Cornell is a good writer, and hopefully he can do something with the character that could draw me in. The fact that this title is apparently taking place in medieval Europe doesn’t really help matters. I have a feeling this will be a title with a cult-like following… all of whom will be terribly disappointed when it gets cancelled within its first year.

Detective Comics #1 (by Tony Daniel)

So, Snyder goes from 'Tec to Batman, and Daniel goes from Batman to 'Tec. I guess that makes it feel, err, kind of new. I’ll probably grab the first issue, though Daniel’s current run on Batman really isn’t holding my attention.

Flash #1 (by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato)

Bit of a Flash completest, I may be… this one may depend on which Flash it showcases. Barry Allen was never MY Flash. I grew up knowing only Wally and hearing of the legend of Barry. I liked that. If it’s a Barry book, I’ll try it. If it’s a Wally book, I’m all over it. I won’t even hazard that it may be a Bart or Jay title.

Frankenstein, Agent of SHADE #1 (by Jeff Lemire and Alberto Ponticelli)

The current Frankenstein Flashpoint mini hasn’t captured my imagination, and his Seven Soldiers mini didn’t either. Not really looking forward to this one.

The Fury of Firestorm #1 (by Gail Simone and co-writer Ethan Van Sciver; art by Yildiray Cinar)

I’ll try this one. I tried getting into the early 80’s Firestorm recently. The stories were always solid and decent; however, on the whole it felt terribly dated. Glad to have the opportunity to read a contemporary Firestorm (having missed out on the Jolley run post Infinite Crisis).

Green Arrow #1 (by J.T. Krul and Dan Jurgens)

I can’t really mince words here. I really like the Green Arrow. Years ago I’d devoured the Grell run, and have been looking for a Green Arrow title that could recapture the magic, as it were. J.T. Krul’s already had over a dozen issues to do so… and hasn’t. Granted, he’s been stuck towing the Brightest Day line… but, still. I’ll grab the first issue.

Green Lantern #1 (by Geoff Johns, Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy)

Green Lantern Corps #1 (by Peter J. Tomas, Fernando Pasarin and Scott Hanna)

Green Lantern: The New Guardians #1 (by Tony Bedard, Tyler Kirkham and Batt)

Remember when I mentioned using the reboot as a jumping off point for some of the ancillary Bat-titles? Green Lantern has been on my chopping block for a few months now… I’d only stuck with to see it through to the War of the Green Lanterns. Post-Flashpoint, I’m cutting Lantern titles cold turkey.

Grifter #1 (by Nathan Edmondson, CAFU and BIT)

Eh? Grifter was always a character I wanted to dig. He’s got a great look… sadly, I’ve never found him anything resembling interesting. Doubt I’ll pick this one up.

Hawk & Dove #1 (by Sterling Gates and Rob Liefeld)

Pass… and No, not because of Liefeld. Liefeld art isn’t something that’s bothered me in years… it’s obviously fashionable to bash his work… he’s a man who clearly loves comics, and was able to carve out his own piece of the industry, good on him. His work hearkens back to a very interesting period in comics history, I think it’s neat that he’ll be part of this. That said, I truly have no interest.

I, Vampire #1 (by Josh Fialkov and Andrea Sorrentino)

Wait, what? I think this may be a DC attempt at testing the axiom “If you build it, they will come.” catering to the bookstore crowd. Not for me, though… no thanks.

Justice League #1 (by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee)

This appears to be the lynchpin of the entire DC Universe post-Flashpoint. Yeah, I’ll be getting it.

Justice League Dark #1 (by Peter Milligan and Mikel Janin)

Perhaps the silliest title on this list. Really like the characters (and creators) involved in this, however, I just can’t shake the feeling that John Constantine does NOT belong on any Justice League team. Just feels wrong.

Justice League International #1 (by Dan Jurgens and Aaron Lopresti)

I never thought I’d EVER say “I wish Judd Winick were writing this” but, here we are. Love the JLI, so I’ll be picking this one up.

Legion Lost #1 (by Fabian Nicieza and Pete Woods)

Legion of Super-Heroes #1 (by Paul Levitz and Francis Portela)

I’ve never been able to get into the Legion. I’m sure I’ll be passing on both of these.

Mister Terrific #1 (by Eric Wallace and Roger Robinson)

Look, DC Comics has Diverse Superheroes! Mister Terrific is an odd pick for an ongoing title… especially as he’s most associated with the Justice Society… and the Justice Society is nowhere to be found post-reboot. Pretty sure I wouldn’t buy a solo Reed Richards ongoing… so, I’m really sure I wouldn’t buy a Mr. Terrific one.

Nightwing #1 (by Kyle Higgins and Eddy Barrow)

Maybe. I’ve invested a lot of time, interest (and money) in the current Batman direction… The current teams on the Bat-titles were able to convince me to accept Dick as Batman. I’m not totally happy with demoting him back to Nightwing. May try the first issue, doubtful for the long haul.

Omac #1 (by Dan DiDio, Keith Giffen and Scott Koblish)

Nope. Love Giffen… but, nope.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #1 (by Scott Lobdell and Kenneth Rocafort)

This is an odd one… Why isn’t Winick writing this one, now? Not that I would have been interested in the book either way. Pass.

Red Lanterns #1 (by Peter Milligan, Ed Benes and Rob Hunter)

I’d like to give this one a shot, due to it having Milligan writing it… however, I fear that since I’m not planning on picking up any of the other Lantern titles, I’d only be getting part of a story… that, and I’d hate to be pulled back into the Lantern-verse, just as I’m ready to leave it totally.

Resurrection Man #1 (by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning and Fernando Dagnino)

I remember liking what little I read of DnA’s Resurrection Man from over a decade ago… the first issue had like a holographic pog on it, I believe. Still, as it didn’t exactly set the world on fire then, this is a strange title to pick for a launch. Haven’t decided on this one yet.

Savage Hawkman #1 (by Tony Daniel & Philip Tan)

I thought James Robinson was supposed to be writing this one? Oh well, the only Hawkman I’ve ever been able to get into was the Geoff Johns version from JSA and the solo-title from that era… hearing the rumblings of Hawkman being given yet another new origin has me spooked… Pass.

Sgt. Rock and the Men of War #1 (by Ivan Brandon and Tom Derenick)

I can’t even think of an interesting way to say I’m not interested in this one. Pass.

Static Shock #1 (John Rozum, Scott McDaniel and Jonathan Glapion)

See, DC Comics has diverse superher—oh, Static? I may actually be interested in Static. Great creative team at that. Yeah, I’ll grab this one.

Stormwatch #1 (by Paul Cornell and Miguel Sepulveda)

Never read any Stormwatch… wonder why they’d launch this, and not something like, say, WildC.A.T.s… I’ll have to do some Stormwatch research and see if this sounds like something for me.

Suicide Squad #1 (by Adam Glass and Marco Rudy)

It’s suddenly apparent why we have no Secret Six on this list. I’ve recently gone on a crusade to collect the entire Ostrander run on Suicide Squad, and am nearing completion. The Squad is a fun concept, and I look forward to checking it out. The cover, however, is… well, not so good.

Superboy #1 (by Scott Lodbell, R.B. Silva and Rob Lean)

Depending on how Superboy is in Teen Titans, I may check this one out from time to time. Probably not though.

Supergirl #1 (by Michael Green and Mike Johnson)

Nope. Sorry, nothing more to say on this one - just not interested.

Superman #1 (WRITTEN BY George Perez; art by Jesus Marino)

Nah, I think Action will be my Superman title.

Swamp Thing #1 (by Scott Snyder and Yannick Paquette)

I’ll reserve judgment on this one, until seeing how the Brightest Day Aftermath series pans out. Swamp Thing without Moore has never even registered on my interest meter, though.

Teen Titans #1 (by Scott Lobdell, Brett Booth and Norm Rapmund)

Scott Lobdell wrote a whole load of X-Men comics during my more formative years. Seeing him on a Teen Titans book shouldn’t excite me as much as it is. Will be grabbing this one.

Voodoo #1 (by Ron Marz and Sami Basri)

Voodoo? The WildC.A.T.s member Voodoo? This was green-lit, why? Will any of us be surprised when this one goes down?

Wonder Woman #1 (by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang)

Never read Wonder Woman… the creative team here feels an odd choice. Though, I actually now find myself interested in checking this one out.

Well, there we go. Fifty-Two Number 1’s for DC this September. I’m sure the sales will be incredible that month… October through the end of 2011, however, will give us the real story.

For the moment, I’m reading all the Flashpoint tie-ins, and will be opining on those shortly (this week’s comics has the last of the Flashpoint #1’s) [Note: This never happened! I gave up on the Flashpoint tie-ins prrrretty quick]. I’ll do a full run down on them either later this week, or early next… I’ll pass on which ones I’ll continue reading, and which ones I’m not going to grab the last two issues of.

I know this was a long one, thanks for reading!

Teen Titans (vol.5) #1 (2014)

Teen Titans (vol.5) #1 (September, 2014)
"Blinded by the Light, Part 1"
Writer - Will Pfeifer
Artist - Kenneth Rocafort
Colors - Dan Brown
Letters - John J. Hill
Associate Editor - Rickey Purdin
Editor - Mike Cotton
Group Editor - Eddie Berganza
Cover Price: $2.99

Before we start, I want to preemptively apologize for anything I say today that winds up not making much sense... or if I ramble, ya know, more than usual.  Turns out, ya boi is sick... second day in a row waking up with a decently high fever, and what feels like a 45-lb. head.  But, we don't take sick days here... yet.  So, mea culpa in advance!

I recently heard that DC would be cancelling Titans (vol.3), which was one of the books I was most looking forward to post-Rebirth.  I remember even writing a review where I expressed concern that it would eventually get cancelled... something that, at the time, I found rather troubling.  Fast-forward a couple of years, however, and the cancellation feels more like a mercy-killing.  Overlong crossovers and events have really stifled the forward momentum of so much of DC's output... and Titans, really hasn't been all that great since around Metal.

Now, I say all that, so that I might say this... cancelling a book is sometimes the right call.  I remember when I heard that The New-52! Teen Titans (vol.4) was being canned... I, as a completionist who absolutely loathed the book, could not have been happier!  I've read a fair amount of bad New-52! comics, but, lemme tell ya, Teen Titans was probably the worst of the worst.  As a Titans fan... and a Scott Lobdell fan, that really sucks to say... but, really, I can't even put into words how much I hated that book.

So, when they announced a couple months later that Teen Titans would be coming back with a brand-new volume... my hopes weren't all that high.  Could anyone salvage this team?  Would anyone even want to?  Well, let's take a look at the first issue back.

--

We open with Cassie Sandsmark walking through Times Square.  She's on the phone with somebody, when suddenly she loses her cell signal.  Moments later, a hooded figure appears on her screen... promising to give a "little excitement"... which makes me assume he's going to show up and hand out Slim Jims.  Instead of beef sticks, however, this hooded figure introduces us to their "compatriots" on board a school bus out of Wilmington, Delaware.  Ya see, they're loaded down with explosives... and that bus is going to head directly for S.T.A.R. Labs... so, ya know, bummer times.  Cassie checks in with Red Robin, then Wonder Girls up to stowaway atop the bomb-bus.

Tim asks that she make sure nobody gets hurt during this exercise, then checks in with Beast Boy and Bunker.  He asks Beast Boy to inconspicuously board the bus, while sending Bunker straight over to S.T.A.R. Labs as a last ditch effort if they need him.

Speaking of S.T.A.R. Labs, they're getting the same video call... only it's somehow even more annoying than the one Wonder Girl received.  The hooded figure goes off about Black Holes and the Singularity.  Those are them kinda words that makes ya feel smart!  The S.T.A.R. Board of Directors round-tables the situation... including Manchester Black and a Mr. Power... as in, Josiah Power?

Back aboard the bus, one of the goofs threatens to kill a child... which, of course, leads to Cassie having to interject.  She pulls the dude out by his neck and hurls him off the bus.  Doesn't look like it kills him though.

Next, the terrorists decide to just toss that little girl out the back of the bus... luckily, Red Robin is there to swoop in for the save.  Ya know, I still think the wing-suit is one of the lamest things to come out of The New-52!, though, in fairness, it's a pretty long list.

Then Gar inconspicuously transforms into a Bengal Tiger to scare the terrorists.  What he doesn't realize is that, a tiger on a bus is likely to scare just about anyone... good guy or bad!

Next, Raven makes an appearance, taking a pair of baddies into the "Nightmare Realm".  Upon return, the lead hoodie triggers the explosives on the terrorist's vests as a way of winning at any cost.

Cassie tackles the triggered terrorists and flies them out the back of the bus... where they go boom!

At this point, Gar tries to stop the bus from crashing into S.T.A.R. Labs... but it's a no-go... er, a no-stop.  The gas pedal has been locked in place, even removing the keys doesn't help.  Lucky for everyone, Bunker is in place!

Miguel explains that the smaller he makes his "bricks", the softer they are... which is why the bus crashing into his construct wasn't a whole lot messier.  One dude they saved though, isn't too keen on a gay kid coming to their rescue.  Well, he never actually says that, but it's what Bunker assumes he's about to say... and so, Bunker smashes the dude into a wall with some construct bricks... and hops onto his soapbox for a bit.

Gar tells Miguel to cool his jets... because, it's "current year", and everybody is carrying a smartphone armed with a video camera!

We wrap up at a different S.T.A.R. Labs building, where the original hooded figure (who somehow made it off the bus... if they were ever there to begin with!) kills a dude, and vows that this isn't over.

--

Well, I'll say this much... it's better than what came before it!  At least here, the team appears to actually like each other!  I keep thinking back to the first New-52! volume... woof, these were some awful people.  Awful brats who treated each other like garbage.  Could never understand why they'd even try and stay together.

I remember when this came out, I really couldn't get a "bead" on where people stood on it... most of the comments made online were in reference to the cover... and how over-sexualized Cassie was depicted as being.  I think that really affected the way a lot of folks "received" the book.  Their perceptions were already tainted before even opening the thing.

I try not to concern myself with such things as the latest internet outrage.  Hell... who could even keep up anymore?  I look at that cover, and I'm more annoyed with the shoe-horned social media garbage that I barely even noticed Wonder Girl's shape!  Oh well.

Let's talk story.  I'm not sure if it's the fever talking, but I really don't know why the hooded terrorist would warn the Titans about their bus-go-boom plan.  Maybe I missed something there, but it just seems fishy.  I'll concede that, though I enjoyed this issue far more than the previous volume, it wasn't enough to get me to continue reading.  I still bought the book, because I'm an idiot... but, outside an issue here and there, I didn't read all that much of it.  What I'm saying is, this might all become clear in the next couple of issues... I just wouldn't know.

Miguel's outburst at the end... might've been him jumping to conclusions a little bit.  The dude who they rescued didn't outright say anything about being saved by a gay kid... for all we know, his next word could have been "kid" or "freak" (considering one of them is green).  Sure, he was probably going to say something anti-gay, but this makes Bunker look a little too anxious to use his powers on ordinary folks.  Though, I'm sure that's kind of the deal they're going for here.

Overall, a tremendous improvement on the initial volume of New-52! Teen Titans, but I feel like I'm being beaten over the head with all this social media stuff.  I suppose I shouldn't hold that against the book, considering that "kids these days" are all about their smartphones and social media applications.  Maybe I'm just annoyed that this is the first volume of the Titans to make me feel old.  This issue is available digitally.

Now, back to bed.

--

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Green Lantern (vol.5) #1 (2011)

Green Lantern (vol.5) #1 (November, 2011)
"Sinestro, Part One"
Writer - Geoff Johns
Pencils - Doug Mahnke
Inks - Christian Alamy w/Tom Nguyen
Colors - David Baron
Letters - Sal Cipriano
Assistant Editor - Darren Shan
Editor - Brian Cunningham
Cover Price: $2.99

Here's a little secret... I've never read the book we're about to cover today.  Ya see, where DC planned for The New-52! to be a jumping-on point, I viewed it more as an opportunity to leave certain books (and families of books) behind.

When I saw the title announcements and solicits, and saw that there were going to be four Lantern books as part of this reboot (Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps., Green Lantern: The New Guardians, and Red Lanterns), with the edict that everything is starting "fresh", I didn't see any reason to pursue a family-of-four (books)... and if you know me, I'm kind of an "all or nothing" sorta comics guy.  If I wasn't going to commit to all four... I was going to commit to zero.

It wasn't until a couple of years later, (oddly) after Geoff Johns left the book, that I decided to dip my toe back into the Lanternverse.  Me, being me, had to madly dash through town to fill in the issues I missed... but, that really wasn't ever in question.  In fact, if you're familiar with cover variances, you'd see (above) that my copy of Green Lantern (vol.5) #1... is actually the second-printing!  I don't even own a first-printing of this one!

Anyhoo... let's see how they rebooted Hal.  That's what happens in this one, right?  Right?  Right...?

--

We open this... Brand-New Era for Green Lantern, by... picking up from the end of the previous issue?  Waitasec... I thought The New-52! was for new readers?!  Anyhoo... Sinestro is now Green Lantern, having been chosen by Hal Jordan's ring following the events of the War of the Green Lanterns.  He says the thing, charges the ring... and gets a stern talking to by the Guardians of the Universe.  They look at this opportunity as a chance for redemption... but Sin just ain't feeling it.  He's not sure he wants this in his life again.  Either way, he takes the battery and heads off, leaving a quarreling bunch of little blue fellers in his wake.

We shift scenes to Earth, and check in on now-former-Green Lantern, Hal Jordan... who is three months behind on his rent, probably plenty of other bills too.  He's told his checks are no longer going to be accepted, which sounds pretty fair considering they never clear anyway.

As he's being harangued by his landlord, Hal overhears a struggle going on in the next apartment building over.  Without even thinking, he leaps from his patio (which is seven stories up) across to the next building to save a woman from her attacker...

... only, it turns out they were just filming a movie.  Wonk wonk?

We jump ahead a couple of hours, and Hal is in jail waiting to be picked up by Carol Ferris, who doesn't really get what I'd consider to be a proper "New Reader friendly" introduction.  Actually... nobody really does!

As Carol and Hal leave the clink, Hal asks her if he can have his old job back.  She'd love to have him, but if she were to take him back, their insurance company would drop them due to his recklessness.  Then they talk about the recent Sinestro-happenings, which Hal doesn't know the complete results of.  Carol suggests that might be a good thing, and comments that she hasn't put her Star Sapphire ring on since the War either.  Hal then asks her out to dinner.

We rejoin Sinestro at his homeworld of Korugar, where he sees that his own Sinestro Corps have gotten a bit out of control.  He finds himself attacked by one of them, mistaking him for a "real" Green Lantern, before realizing who he really is.  Sinestro kinda flips the script on them by acting like a "real" Green Lantern... annnd then sawing through one of their necks with a construct-garrote.

Jumping ahead to the next night, Hal and Carol are out at a swanky joint for dinner... when Hal pops the question.  "Carol Ferris, will you... co-sign on the lease for my car?"  Just what every woman wants to hear, am I right?

Wellll... Carol thought he was going to ask a different question, surely, as she tosses her drink in his face and storms out of the restaurant.  It takes Hal a minute or two to realize what she was expecting... which, I mean, these two are so "on-again/off-again" why in the world would he ever ask her to marry him?!  They'd likely break all sorts of records for "most divorces and remarries for a single couple".

Hal then walks back to his place (Carol left him behind... and she was his ride).  He is greeted by an... eviction notice.

But that's not all!  He's also greeted by... Sinestro, who has a whopper of a proposition for him... and it doesn't seem to have anything to do with co-signing on his Ford Focus.

--

This kinda goes against type, but... I loved this!  It just goes to show that if you're a writer with the right amount of pull and "cache", and your book was pulling in the sort of numbers DC was happy with... you could beat The New-52!

This issue could just as easily been the next issue of Green Lantern (vol.4)... and for all I know, was exactly the direction that book was going before that "other shoe" dropped, and the toilet was announced as being about to be flushed.

I mean, we literally pick up right where we left off in the pre-Flashpoint series... which, is good news for someone like me... but, what about the new readers, maaaaaaan?!  How could someone wandering in off the streets pick up this issue... with Sinestro on the cover and in the green duds, and not instantly feel like they'd missed something (because they had!)?

This is just another check mark in the "DC didn't know what the hell they were doing with The New-52!" column... and also, fuels my own speculation that the entire endeavor was some sort of a last-minute decision, with precious little more in the way of planning than "Hey, New #1's"... and little more in the way of goals than "Maybe we'll beat Marvel for a month or two".  Such short-sighted dunderheadedness... that they're still paying for nearly a decade later.

Now, for this issue... Hal's no longer a Lantern, which... if you read the War of the Green Lanterns crossover in the closing months of the pre-Flashpoint continuity, you'd already know.  Sinestro was chosen... and Hal's back to being a bum.

We get mention here that Carol is a Star Sapphire... which, I mean, a "new" reader is probably going to glaze over without realizing just what that means... or they'll have to go to Wikipedia until they get bored... or even more confused.  Really... the more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that... regardless of how much I personally enjoyed this one, since it didn't go tabula rasa... or half-ass tabula rasa, I don't think this one is anywhere near "new reader friendly".

I mean, even if you're a "new reader" who prefers to read your comics in trade collections... you'd still be pretty lost with this opening "chapter".  You'd almost have to read War of the Green Lanterns... and in order to fully appreciate that, you'd have to read Blackest Night... and in order to full appreciate that, you'd have to read the entirety of the Geoff Johns run... and in order to fully appreciate that, you're reading Green Lantern: Rebirth.  I could go on... but I'm sure you've got the point.  This isn't a "fresh start", which sort of undermines the entire New-52! endeavor... in my opinion.

So, as a "welcome" to new readers, who may or may not exist, this isn't that great a jumping-on/jumping-in point, in my opinion.  If you're a seasoned reader, and want more of what came before... this is as good as a lot of it.  Art is solid-to-great, and it's a fun (though breezy) little chapter.  Worth a look, and as with anything post-Flashpoint, is available digitally... this one for only 99-cents!

--

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Aquaman (vol.7) #1 (2011)

Aquaman (vol.5) #1 (November, 2011)
"The Trench, Part One"
Writer - Geoff Johns
Pencils - Ivan Reis
Inks - Joe Prado
Colors - Rod Reis
Letters - Nick J. Napolitano
Assistant Editor - Sean Mackiewicz
Editor - Patrick McCallum
Cover Price: $2.99

Going to take a look back at a book I'd missed when it hit the shelves... because I was at the very start of my post-Flashpoint temper tantrum.

I have read this issue a few times though... a few years back, I happened across the trade paperback for like two-bucks, and decided to give it a shot.

I'm excited to see how well it's aged.  Let's take a look!

--

We open underwater with some piranha-looking beasties awakening... they head toward the surface.  At the same time, on the surface, the Boston Police are in hot pursuit of a stolen armored car... when, suddenly Aquaman shows up in the middle of the road!  The would-be robbers think this is pretty hilarious (this is the theme of the issue, by the way).

The robbers fear no fish(man), so they hit the gas figuring they'll just run him down where he stands.  This doesn't work out all that well for them, as Aquaman jams his trident into the grill of the truck and basically suplexes the sucker over.

One of the baddies scurries out of the van and unload a few guns into Aquaman's torso... this is also rather ineffective, though Arthur does get a nick above his right eyebrow.  It doesn't end well for the crook.

The police are thankful for Aquaman's assistance... yet, give him the normal battery of "hurr hurr" Aquaman questions... ya know, "what are you doing on dry land" and "do you need a glass of water".  It's not as aggressively annoying (nor as damned repetitive) as it would be in Aquaman: Rebirth.  Either way, Aquaman hops away.

We rejoin him at Sam's Seafood... where the other patrons are absolutely shocked to see him belly up to a booth.  Ya see, he's Aquaman... and he's going to eat seafood!  Doesn't that make him a cannibal or something?!

A nervous waitress heads over and takes his order.  Fish and chips, he says.  An irritating blogger (bloggers are the worst!) tells him he can't offer fish and chips... because, say it with me: he talks to fish!  Hurr hurr.  Aquaman corrects the geek... he doesn't talk to fish, he can only telepathically "push" them to assist him.

That blogger then hops into Arthur's booth... and asks for an interview.  Aquaman, though clearly annoyed, answers a few questions.  He chose this restaurant because it's where his father used to take him when he was a child.  The blogger clarifies, Aquaman's human father... which is a good way to tip off new readers.

Then, our tactful internet journalist asks what it feels like to be Aquaman... what's it like to be a joke... a punchline... what's it like to be nobody's favorite superhero?!  Aquaman gets up and leaves, giving the waitress a tip of a few doubloons on his way out.

Back at the Lighthouse that night, Aquaman flashes back to his childhood.  His reflection is interrupted by the arrival of Mera... and they discuss the future.  Aquaman has decided to have a go at living "up here", and letting Atlantis find themselves a new king... they never liked him much anyway.  Mera thinks this is a great idea.

We wrap up with three whole pages featuring some fishermen being attacked by those crazy piranha-looking beasts!

--

This was really good... though I'm pretty sure I "received" it better the first time around.

This is the first time they seriously tackled the "Aquaman as the butt of the joke" concept, and really worked hard to debunk it.  Since this issue, however, it feels like they just won't stop harping on it.  They want so bad to recreate this moment... Aquaman acting like a badass... Aquaman dealing with a public that takes him less than seriously... that it's kinda taken the "oomph" out of this one for me.

Still a great scene... and a long-time coming.  I never really saw Aquaman as a jokey character... though, I didn't come up during the SuperFriends era, which is where I think much of that comes from.  I also don't get my "witty" observations from Family Guy, so I guess there's that too.

What we do get here is a pretty great introduction to the character for all of the... um... "new readers" of The New-52!  The eight or nine who didn't just hoard, bag 'n board all of the new #1's, that is.  What's more... this issue could have just as easily taken place in the pre-Flashpoint/post-Brightest Day DC Universe... which is always a plus to me.  Then again, for all I know, this might've originally been intended as the post-Brightest Day volume of Aquaman... just held off a few months to slide it into The New-52! initiative.

The art here is pretty spectacular... I gotta say, I love the shiny armor look for Aquaman!  The whole package is top-tier... and we've come to expect nothing less from Johns and Reis.  This issue has been collected and is available digitally (for 99-cents!).  It's a very breezy read, but it's well worth checking out!

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