All-Ghouls School

I thought for Halloween, I'd review something that fit the season. And All-Ghouls School covers all the bases here. It's a little tale about Becca, a normal human, that gets sent to a school full of monsters for summer school. The story is your typical unpopular new girl trying to fit in with a new crowd, but with the added element of the supernatural. That added flavor makes the whole take fresh. There is a subplot that is obvious the second it's introduced, but it doesn't detract from the overall story. And the twist on the last page is something I definitely didn't see coming. The art is very similar to something you'd see in an Archie comic, which adds a very fun atmosphere to the book. While that might make it seem like it's only geared for kids, this book will be enjoyable to any age range that picks it up.

Store signing at Illusions Games and Comics

From right to left: my co-worker Andy, me, my other co-worker Cheltsey, Tom Feister, and my boss Nick.

We were lucky enough to have a store signing with artist Tom Feister (G.I. Joe, Legion: Secret Origin) at the shop I manage, Illusions Games & Comics. It was a total blast. This is what working in a comic shop is all about. I have no doubt in my mind that I'm in the right profession.

Pigs #1

Image continues to crank out the good stuff when it comes to your non-superhero comic fare. Pigs is about a KGB sleeper cell from Cuba from the Bay of Pigs era awakened today. The mystery surrounds why the agents are activated today, and what their mission is. The cliffhanger at the end is all you'll really need to be convinced to keep getting the series, but don't overlook the gritty, definitely adult dialog. The real meat of this book lies in that dialog. Well written like the best Hollywood crime movie, with enough unique characters to keep you entertained. The art is a little weak to me. Fits the tone of the book, but just seems unfinished in certain parts. I could've gone for more realism in that regard. But it's not so distracting that you won't be able to enjoy the story. Worth checking out if you're a fan of political/action thrillers. 

Legion of Monsters #1

I'm a sucker for redheads, so Elsa Bloodstone was all I needed to buy this. But I also had become more familiar with Marvel's monsters thanks to their dealings with the Punisher during the FrankenCastle arc. So there was a bit more intrigue to this series for me than just a hot redhead. Well, let me say, this book was a pleasant surprise all around. From the suspense of the mystery killings, to the humor of the wacky monsters, to the bad-assery of Elsa. Dennis Hopeless has grasped characters in a way that few writers can today. For being a relative newcomer, he's got a great take on established characters. His take on Jean Grey in the upcoming X-Men Season One OGN is already one of the best I've seen. And to take these C-list characters and make them interesting is spectacular. As is Juan Doe's art. I've always been a fan of his "propaganda" style covers, so to see his interiors on more than a random one-shot is a treat. His style seems a bit different that his cover work, but in a good way. It's at the same time dark and hilarious. A definite unique style. If you're looking for an unexpectedly fun time with characters you'd never consider fun (with the exception of Elsa, because redheads are always fun), then look no further than this title.

The Strange Talent of Luther Strode #1

Image has a real knack of hooking you on certain books with their solicitations in the Previews catalog. Probably better than any other company. And maybe they should since so many of their books today are created by newcomers to the industry. It's a hard sell to a public that needs the most for their buck. You know for the most part you're going to be safe buying a book by Brian Michael Bendis or of a character like Spider-Man. But to buy a book by somebody you've probably never heard of about a character (or characters) that is premiering for the first time, you need something to grab you immediately. And that's exactly what the preview for The Strange Talent of Luther Strode did for me. The sheer magnitude of richly colored, over-the-top violence struck me. Now after reading the book, I'm hooked even further. The story might seem like a standard "weak nerd likes a girl, gets buff to beat the bully to get her" tale, but it's so much more. Luther Strode is immediately a guy you like, and you want to see him succeed. You've probably even been in his shoes. As he gains his "talent" though, you're interested in seeing what he's going to do with them. But how did he get them, and who are the mysterious forces behind them? Well see, that's the hook. All of it is drawn and colored in a way that's best described as frenetic. The action literally explodes from the page in a way that's eye-popping. Very bright colors, very action hued. The perfect compliment to the story. Image should have another indy sensation on their hands.

Green Lantern: New Guardians #1

And the 52 DCnU reviews come to a close with Green Lantern: New Guardians. I think the GL franchise is the strongest in the DC line. Every book has been new reader friendly even though the old DCU stories were continued, every book has had great art, and every book has been what a comic should feel like. In this one, we get to see the wide spectrum of the different Lantern Corps (and it's not pronounced "corpse" people). There's even a nice introduction of Kyle Rayner at the beginning to catch new readers up to speed. I enjoyed seeing a bit of all the different Corps as much as I did learning about Kyle. My only quibble is with the art. It's nice, and most definitely brings a cosmic life to the book. But everyone seems to have porcupine hair. Like they all have spikes instead of hair. That needs to go. But the color palate is pleasing, accentuating each Corps member nicely. It'll be fun to see if each Corps is highlighted in the series, or if it'll begin to focus solely on Kyle's life as a Green Lantern. In Brightest Day indeed...

Aquaman #1

Not a hoax! Not a dream! The world might have just come to an end, because they've finally made Aquaman cool! It's so unbelievable for me to be saying this, but it's true. And the funniest thing about how they made him cool, is how they did it. They made fun of him. And that in turn made him a very likeable character. A character you wanted to see succeed. Geoff Johns has gone three-for-three in the DCnU. He's completely turned me around on his writing. I think the internet has cracked in half. What's next, I get a girl?? (Yeah, right) The art is superb, which is no surprise since Ivan Reis has become a superstar thanks to his pairing with Johns on Green Lantern. This was an exceptionally fun read. Quite possibly the biggest surprise of all 52 new comics. Even Johns' biggest fans could not see this coming. I doubt even DC did. Aquaman!

Batman: The Dark Knight #1

Batman: the Dark Knight is a book that shouldn't have been brought over from the old DCU. I don't mean that in a bad way, it's just that there are already so many Bat-titles, why do we need this one? It doesn't bring anything to the table that the other titles (Batman, Detective Comics, Batman & Robin) haven't already have, plus, it's the weakest of the four. When Dick Grayson was Batman at the same time as Bruce Wayne, it made sense to have multiple Bat-books. But now that Bruce is the lone cowl-wearer, it's overkill to have this many. Sure, David Finch's art is nice, but his style fits better at Marvel. I can't really put my finger on why I feel that way, but them's the facts. He also has an odd way of drawing men's faces. His women are terrific, but his men look, I don't know, gnarled. Just very discontorted. If you're getting all the Bat-titles, then this one will fit just fine in your collecting, but if you're trying to limit yourself to one or two, the other titles are better choices.

Voodoo #1

Remember all the controversy that Red Hood and the Outlaws & Catwoman got last week, and how I thought it was total nonsense and uncalled for? Well, not with Voodoo. This was nothing but a huge fluff book. Totally pointless. The main character strips and lap dances for 20 pages. That's a story? Sure, for late night Skinemax. Not for an intriguing new comic. And frankly, any potential story "surprise" is spoiled right ON...THE...COVER. The only bright spot in this entire piece of waste of time is the other female character, Jessica Fallon. If this book decides to focus on her in the future, MAYBE it'll turn around. But I doubt it. At least the art was exquisite. And it better be. Because if you're doing a cheesecake (read: porn) comic, you better have an artist who draws the female form well.

All-Star Western #1

Westerns and me don't get along. I've never been a fan of them. They just bore me. But when I find a western that I like, I really like it. So I guess I either choose wisely, or choose carefully. Well, All-Star Western was a great choice. I never would've thought it'd be this damn good. I've never read anything with Jonah Hex before, but if his old style was like his current one, I should've been. He's a bonafide bad-ass. He takes no crap but dishes out plenty. My style of action hero. Setting Hex in late 1880's Gotham was a unique choice. So while western is in the title, it's not your typical one. But the feel is still there, thanks in large part to the art. It's really quite a beautifully drawn and colored book. The color choice on some pages makes it feel like you're looking at photos from that era. It's a very unique look. This is one of the best of the new DC titles, and I never would've guessed that going into this initiative.

Captain Atom #1

Why did Captain Atom get a book? I'm not sure. Maybe DC has plans for him in their new universe? So far, it's just not worth bothering with. We already have an all-powerful, indestructable being. He's called Superman. Captain Atom would be better off in a team book. A solo series is just not worth it. It's not a bad read, just pointless. We don't find out anything about his origins, but for a change it doesn't feel like we need to. We can go right into the action, and not feel that lost. But while that should be a good thing, in this instance, it's because it's just not worth caring about. The art does nothing to help the book either. It looks almost like it's unfinished. Very sloppy even. This book is nothing more than a poor man's Superman. And who really needs that?

Batman #1

The ol' Batman is one of the most highly anticipated titles in the DC relaunch. For the most part it lives up to expectation. The story finds Batman using his detective skills, which is to be expected. But it's still great to see him utilize that aspect of his persona. There's a definite old school mystery feel with the book. I always have felt that's where the great Batman storytellers excel. Scott Snyder is well on his way to leaving a terrific stamp on the Batman mythos. The art style is where it feels a little off. I have always loved Greg Capullo's art. But his style changed dramatically from his X-Force work to his Spawn work. It was really dark and brooding. You'd think that would fit perfectly here. But his style has changed yet again. Maybe that's from the different inker. I'm not sure. I'm just not used to it yet. It's in no ways bad. It still fits the book exceptionally well. I just was expecting one style and got a different one. I will say some characters look shorter and younger than I think they should. But it still feels like a Bat-book. An extremely well crafted one. And sometimes that's all we need.

Blue Beetle #1

What's this? An actual origin story? That's a welcome element more of these DCnU books should embrace. I knew nothing of this Blue Beetle before reading the book, so I needed all the backstory I could get. It was given in a very neat, simplistic package. Nothing overly amazing about the tale: two warring factions fighting over a prized artifact, the awkward kid who accidently gets his hands on it, strange new powers are now his. Seen it, seen it, seen it. But this time he's Hispanic! And boy do they beat you over the head with that fact. But that's okay. There needs to be more diverse characters out there, and Jaime will fill that need pretty well. My quibble with it though, when a book gives you that "*translated from (fill in the blank)", please translate THE WHOLE SENTENCE. Because if you don't, you're not translating anything. I know enough Spanish to know what's being said, but not everyone might. Especially kids. And this book is going to be geared toward them a lot. I liked the art. Ig Guara has a very nice Todd Nauck feel, which I dig. All in all, a middle-of-the-road read. Fun, but nothing new.

Savage Hawkman #1

The Savage Hawkman was another one of those mid-pack titles. Not great, but far from bad. The art is really the draw here (no pun intended). Has an almost painted feel to it. Really nice to look at. The plot could've used more background though. Hawkman has always had a convoluted history, so it would've been nice to learn who Carter Hall is and how he became Hawkman. And will there be a Hawkgirl, since those two are forever intertwined? This was an opportunity for DC to clear up a lot in that regard, and it was missed. The plot that is here, isn't a bad one at least. It will be interesting to see how Carter reacts to the ramifications to his powers that he thought he had finally gotten rid of. The book has potential, as long as it doesn't stray from answering those questions in a timely fashion.

Flash #1

What is this? A Flash book I actually enjoyed? And enjoyed quite a bit? Insanity. But it's true. I've never read a lot of Flash issues in the past, but I never liked any of them. They were always so boring to me. "Oh look, I run fast, and, uh....that's about it." I couldn't see how that'd be interesting month after month. But I can in this book. One of the coolest things in any of these DCnU titles was a two-page spread that gave you Barry Allen's origin much in the way a opening title sequence does on a tv show. That was pure genius right there. Barry was a very likeable character from the get-go. The plot was a very interesting one that made you want to know more pretty much immediately. The art was frenetic in the way it presented Barry's life in and out of his costume. Francis Manapul has crafted a must-read for one of DC's heavy hitters.

Fury of Firestorm #1

The Fury of Firestorm is an example (a rare example) of a true reboot. There's no doubt in this fact. It's also a pretty complete origin story to boot. We get to learn what a Firestorm is along with the rest of the cast. The problem is, so far, it's not that exciting. There's some decent action in it, but I actually have some problem with how some of that action plays out. It's a pretty gruesomely violent book. I'm not a squeamish guy, and love my over the top violence, but this seemed too much like tourture porn than normal violence. There's been a few titles in the DCnU that have utilized this. Maybe it's something that's always been around in some books, but it just seems to me that it's kind of thrown in your face in this entire initiative more than I was expecting. The dialog tries to be a little cooler than it actually is in some places, but it also has some better ways of making the characters more believable than other books. The art is okay, fitting the flow of the book well enough. Overall, the book is a middle of the road title. Better than some of these DCnU titles, but not in the top tier.

Superman #1

Superman, Superman, Superman. Why dost thou books suck? Shouldn't you be the premiere line in the DCnU? You've been upstaged by your cousin and your clone. Crazy. This book was bad. The dialog was as craptacular as an old Saturday morning cartoon. The action was uninspired. The plot involving the selling of the Daily Planet to a rival company has already been seen in the Amazing Spider-Man. The art, which you'd think would be a huge plus, was disjointed. This was as disappointing as Action Comics. At least with Action, I figured it'd be bad because I despise Grant Morrison. But I like George Perez. A lot. But not here. This did nothing to make me like the younger Superman. EXCEPT for one thing. The last page. That page made Clark Kent as human as Peter Parker. It felt like a very "Marvelizing" of Superman. That was terrific. That made me feel for a character that overall is as boring as a character can get. I don't know if it'll be enough to get past all the other problems with this book, but it's enough for me to recommend this over Action Comics. That is, IF you need to read any Superman book at all.

Teen Titans #1

I really enjoyed Teen Titans. Definitely had the younger hero vibe down pat. I'm a little confused how Tim Drake as Red Robin is forming this team if the old Batman continuity is continuing into the current DCnU. That's why this whole deal would've been better off as a complete reboot. But in any case, we see Tim picking his members and we are introduced to them in much the same way we saw in JL #1. This book was just geared toward the younger demographic. It's also a perfect complement to the Superboy series. Which, of course, should be no surprise since they're both written by Scott Lobdell. But I've seen many a books that are supposed to play off each other and fail miserably at it. Not here though. If you liked Superboy, you should try this book out. The only drawback is the art. It's not bad, mind you. I've always liked Brett Booth's work. But over the years, he's made his character's bodies look longer and longer. It's distracting in some places. The coloring is handled well, though. Very energetic. I am interested to see who the characters on the cover that weren't introduced yet turn out to be, because they look like no one I know from the old DCU. Another strong team book, which seems to be the real strength of the DCnU.

Justice League Dark #1

Justice League Dark is the third and final release for the JL family of titles. It's definitely the most unique one. Like the main Justice League title, this issue slowly sets up the roster. Unlike the main book, and like Justice League International, we get to see all of the members in this introductory issue, just not as a team yet. It's a little confusing to grasp what the events of the book are heading towards as we learn about the characters. I guess that's because of the mystical threat that's looming. This is definitely nothing like any other JL book that has come before. the art is terrific. Some of the most unique of the launch titles. A style befitting the supernatural, much like the art in I, Vampire. I'm not sure if I liked the book as much as I was hoping I would, but I think that has to do with the unknown aspects more than a poor execution of them. Afterall, people are afraid of the unknown.

I, Vampire #1

I really wanted to like I, Vampire. I really did. Even though most internet chatter had denounced this as one of the first books to get the axe when the first 52 were announced, I thought the premise sounded interesting. But after reading the book, I couldn't even grasp what the premise was. I think there's some type of "vampires taking over the world" thing going on. But the constant switching back and forth between the past and present was so confusing, I could be way off on that premise. It's nothing awe inspiring, whatever it is. The art, on the other hand, is amazing. Andrea Sorrentino is a perfect mood setter. The style is exactly like Jae Lee's art. It really fits the gothic horror this book is about. The cover by Jenny Frison is quite possibly the best of all these new 52's. If the story becomes more clear in the next issue, I could be brought back to my initial feelings for this book. But right now, I'm disappointed.

Blackhawks #1

If Men of War was how to make a war comic, then Blackhawks was how not to make one. This book takes the old WWII team and updates them to modern times. Maybe a bit too modern with their over-the-top technology that the team uses. We're not introduced to any member in such a way that we care what happens to any of them. In fact, we're thrown right into the middle of an op they're on without any knowledge of who either side is. The art makes it hard to tell which team member is which in certain areas, but since I really didn't care who the characters were to begin with, I guess that didn't matter. This was described somewhere before the launch as DC's take on G.I. Joe. If that's the case, Cobra's gonna be winning this war pretty quickly.

Wonder Woman #1

I've never been a big fan of Wonder Woman. At least not in her own book. I like her appearances in JLA and other books, but her solo series has always been boring to me. I can't really explain why, it just is. So obviously this is a chance for me to try again. The issue was fairly well written. The plot mostly revolves around the mythos of Diana's background. We as readers are experiencing everything new as is the new character Zola. She's thrown into Wonder Woman's world blind, as are we. We'll be learning about the plot alongside Zola. A neat way to be thrust into the Amazonian world. Cliff Chiang's art is as nice as ever. He draws very bold characters that makes them almost seem animated. The book is a lot more gory than I would've expected, which might turn some off. I have a strong stomach, so I'll be sticking around for a bit.

Supergirl #1

Supergirl is a character that should be able to benefit from the DC reboot. Being able to completely forget one of the most convoluted backstories for any character ever is nothing but a plus. She's been rebooted so many times, it's beyond ridiculous. So what's one more? This one puts us as the reader in the same boat as Kara; where the heck are we? Kara crash lands to Earth with no idea she's not even on Krypton anymore. As she struggles with her confusion, we're introduced to a plethora of her powers. It's by far, one of the best set ups of these new DC books. The art is a real treat. We can actually believe Kara is a SuperGIRL, not a woman. She looks young in a very real life way. The colors really explode from the page. A lot of these rebooted books have had a very muted color scheme, which I don't feel fit most of the books. Almost detracts from a lot of the art. But here, the color expands on the world Kara now finds herself in. This is definitely a perfect companion book to Superboy.

DC Universe Presents #1

DC Universe Presents was a decent little tale. Another book that had a full origin for it's main star, in this case Deadman. Think of Boston Brand as Sam Beckett from Quantum Leap. Brand died and now has to jump from body to body, helping these downtrodden folks to improve their lives so he can move on into the afterlife. It's an interesting tale, if not exactly original. The art is nice. Simple, yet elegant comic booky style. A book that is worth picking up if it's a revolving set of stories every few months, but will grow repetitive if not handled correctly. So far, albeit only one issue into it, it's interesting enough to give a looksee.

Nightwing #1

Everybody loves Dick (Bazinga!), and now they've got him. Dick Grayson is back as Nightwing. Probably back where he belongs. He definitely excels in the role. He even admits to such in the book. A book that feels like a comic should feel. The dialog, internal monologue, energetic art, and unreal action you'd expect from a superhero title. The new villain was too much of rip-off mixture of Spider-Man & Wolverine, but that can be forgiven. Everything else was so well done that a lame villain doesn't detract from the story. A triumphant return for one of the most popular, most loved Bat-characters of all time.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #1

Hoo boy, this book is going to get torn apart by fanboys. I just see it coming. But Red Hood and the Outlaws jumped way up to one of my favs of the DCnU. And it's all because of Starfire. Sweet hubba hubba. This book has the greatest page EVER. You'll know it when you see it. It also has the best line of the new rebooted titles. You will also know that when you read it. Aside from Kori, the book has a decent amount of action, some good humor, but maybe a little weak on plot. Mostly because, yet again, we're thrown into a story we are supposed to already be familiar with. But at least the book even knows that, because at the end, instead of a "To be continued" we get a "To be explained." Hopefully it'll be explained sooner rather than later. Art wise, it's phenomenal. Kenneth Rocafort is an amazing talent. It's a unique style. Jutting edges, sharp points, yet smooth curves where needed. Nothing quite like it on the stands today. If you're looking for a fun, intrigiung, sexy book, then mission accomplished.

A little addendum to my original review: this one DID indeed get ripped apart by the internets. Frankly, I think it's ridiculous. To say Starfire is being abused is laughable. She's the one instigating everything. She was always a sexual character, no matter what the Cartoon Network show portrayed her as. Not every book has to be high literature. If you can't look at a book's rating and surmise what's going to be inside, you might not want to ever leave your homes. That way I won't have to hear your stupidity.

Birds of Prey #1

Birds of Prey is the only hold over from the old DCU that I read the entire run of. So I'm more than well aware of who everyone is and what their origins are. And yet, this issue totally got me lost. Don't get me wrong, this is a great, action-packed book. Well paced, well written, great art. A really nice take on a book that I had grown more than tired of the past couple years. But if the Bat-family of titles are supposed to be continuing from the old continuity, I have absolutely no clue how this fits in. It sure didn't pick up from where the last BoP series ended. Still, if it's geared to new readers, then it does it's job. The plot mystery is still unfolding, and the entire cast has yet to be revealed. That should be enough to keep you coming back. It is for me, at least.

Catwoman #1

This was the single best Catwoman book I have ever read. Everything clicked. Judd Winick's take on Selina Kyle's inner thoughts was magnificent. Exactly how you'd believe her mind would work. The story jumps right into all you need to know about her, too. She's a simple character at best, and there's no need to make anything too complicated. We see her get a job, and off the story goes. But the real treat is the art. Guillem March was fantastic on Gotham City Sirens. Well, his art now has improved ten-fold. It's truly breathtaking. This has to be the best art on any DCnU title that isn't by a "superstar" artist. But rest assured, this book will make Guillem a superstar. If you're a Marvel fan and need some convincing to read this book, think of this Selina as a cross between Black Widow and Black Cat. If you know me, then you know I love this title already.

Green Lantern Corps #1

The GL line of books is 2-for-2 (3-for-3 if you count Red Lanterns) on the good side after Green Lantern Corps' release. A really well done title. The story sets up a new, unknown threat to the Corps, at the same time dealing with Guy Gardner & John Stewart's personal quest to find a place in a "normal" life. I love the personal side to them, and their interactions with each other are outstanding. Guy's choice in sports teams needs some huge improving, though. ;) There's a definite space opera feel to the book that should lead to some exciting action in future issues. The art is superb. Has an almost summer blockbuster feel to it. Every character has a powerful presence. If you liked the main Green Lantern series, this one is a worthy companion book.

Legion of Superheroes #1

Two Legion titles, two failures for my taste. The Legion books are proving that if you're not going to reboot the entire line, don't reboot anything. At least this title does tell you who everyone is and what powers they have through the use of little word boxes upon seeing the character for the first time. But that doesn't help me care what's going on. I definitely feel if you're a Legion fan, this story will rock your booties. But since I'm not, all I got out of it was some really beautiful artwork. Francis Portela does an amazing job bringing each character to life AND drawing richly detailed backgrounds. But art is only going to keep me for so long. Another disappointing "launch."

Batwoman #1

Batwoman was the one book I was going to buy even when I was against the whole reboot. This was the book I have been waiting almost a year for. This was the character I loved when everybody jumped off Detective Comics when she came aboard. So to say I had a huge amount of anticipation for this title would be a gigantic understatement. And it was worth every second I had to wait for it. It was amazing. The art is the most beautiful art in any book on the stands today. Probably the most beautiful art in the past 10 years. If you read Kate Kane's Detective stories, then you know what I'm talking about. If you didn't, you're in for a treat. I will fight anybody that says differently. The story starts out more supernaturally than I like in my Batbooks, but it fits this character more than it fits Batman. I like the dynamic between her and her partner. It has a very good Batman & Robin feel to it. It's quite arguably the best Batbook on the stands. It'll get overlooked like the Detective Comics issues did, and that's a crime. Make sure you don't let that happen twice.

Batman and Robin #1

Batman and Robin is my first chance to read Damian Wayne. What a smart-mouthed little prick. Or in other words, he's pretty frikkin' awesome. He's the perfect spoil to Bruce Wayne's no-nonsense attitude. This book has the perfect balance of old school and new school Bat tales. I haven't read any core Batman books in quite some time. I only stuck to the fringe of his universe, because I didn't like what I heard about Grant Morrison's style. When I read Detective Comics, it felt like the stories I was used to. This book feels like my style, plus the new style. But without Morrison's "I'm too cool for you to understand" vibe. Thankfully. The art is tricky. In some spots it's incredibly detailed and lush, and it others it's plain and simplistic. If that can be fixed to a more consistent style, then the book will be pretty much flawless. Still, a very well crafted book that should please any Batfans that lapsed once Morrison came on board.

Superboy #1

I was very leery of the Superman family of books after reading the abomination that was Action Comics. But Superboy was a terrific read. It neatly washed away the convoluted mess that Superboy's origins (yes, plural) had become over the years, and started fresh. They left you with enough questions of how he came to be to get you wanting to read more. The tie-in to the new Teen Titans book was set up, and they possibly threw in Caitlin Fairchild from Gen13 in a whole new way. The art could use some improving. In no way horrible, just nothing that stands out. But not enough to detract from the overall enjoyment of reading the book. Let's hope Supergirl is as well done.

Red Lanterns #1

Red Lanterns is yet another new title that I was anticipating. I am full of rage (as anyone who knows me already knows), so I figured this book would be right up my alley. And it did not fail to deliver. It did an excellent job of establishing the status quo in a new reader friendly sort of way. I could immediately understand who these characters were and why they existed. The set up for future issues was laid out nicely. The art portrayed the harshness of the Red Lanterns beautifully. I've enjoyed Ed Benes' art for years, and it feels as electric as ever. This title is a great balance to the Green Lantern mythos. And if you need one more reason to buy it: two-page spread of rage-fueled Dex-Starr!

Resurrection Man #1

Resurrection Man was another title I was looking forward to even though I never read the original series. The premise is a very intriguing one: every time Mitch Shelley dies, he comes back with a different super power. That can be a very useful thing, or a complete waste, depending on what it is. The book has limitless potential if done right. So far, so good. There's now the added story of Mitch's soul being sought after by both Heaven and Hell. That overall side story blends well with the character's powers, since he's constantly on the edge of life and death. The art is a big plus here. Very dynamic. One of the better drawn books of the DCnU so far. If you're looking for something that is not your standard "super powered" fare, this book should fill that need quite nicely.

Grifter #1

This new take on Grifter was not what I was expecting. I had seen something describing him as a superhero version of Sawyer from Lost. I can definitely see that in this book. Too bad that's not what my old Grifter was. Don't get me wrong, it's a good suspense story. A little more Jason Bourne than James Bond. The art is decent. It just didn't fit the take on the character to me. DC has said they're not totally redoing anything, yet this would contradict that statement. Maybe it's because the Wildstorm Universe as a whole had become irrelevant in the past couple years. I just don't see this title reinvigorating those characters like Stormwatch potentially can. A bit disappointing all around.

Legion Lost #1

This is an example of exactly how not to attract new readers. I've never read any Legion books before because I've never given a crap about them before. This book did nothing to change my perceptions. We're just thrown into a story with absolutely no explanation of who anybody is, what their powers are, or what they're doing. Pathetic attempt. I understand that the Legion stories are continuing from the old continuity, but if you're putting a #1 on the cover, you better have some explanations for your potential new audience. Old DC fans will possibly enjoy this. Anybody jumping on for the first time will be just like the title says: Lost.

Demon Knights #1

Demon Knights was a very surprisingly fun read. I don't think many people thought too much of this title when it was announced. And why should they? The premise made no sense to a universe that was starting fresh. Where would this tie-in? We don't really get an answer to that question in this issue, but it's a refreshing take on established characters. Maybe it'll even make them more popular than they were before? I know I'm already more interested in seeing where they go in this book than I ever did before. The art by Diogenes Neves is very eye-catching. Suits the tone of the book nicely. This is a book that'll probably be passed by on the shelves, and that's a real shame. Take a second to give it a shot if you're looking for something off the beaten path.

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

I liked this book better when it was called Hellboy & the B.P.R.D. This one was a mess. First off, the art was so jumbled that it was hard to tell what was going on in some panels. Very unappealing. Once you get past the art, the story is no better. It really felt like watching the Hellboy movies. Yes, yes, the Creature Commandos have been around for years, but everybody is more familiar with Hellboy's world because, quite frankly, it's better. This was just a bunch of characters thrown together in half a second to fight some other creatures to save a small town. Yippee. Not for me. Maybe for you? If you dig monster-on-monster action, then yes. I, on the other hand, will wait for Hellboy to come back from hell next year.

Deathstroke #1

Whoa, whoa, whoa. What is this? We have a new winner for my favorite DCnU title! Deathstroke is about as much action-packed as a book can get. If heavy violence is what you're after, this book will grab your balls and yank. Everything I love about the Punisher from my beloved Marvel is equaled right here in this title. I really can't recommend it enough if you're looking to quench your action thirst. Seriously, prize gem of this week's releases. At least of the ones I've read so far. ;)
Plus, a Simon Bisley cover! Yeah!

Mister Terrific #1

Origin stories are hard to find in the DCnU. But we finally get a one with Mister Terrific. But only for his alter-ego, not his heroic side. So we're still left wondering how Mr. Terrific got his powers. Sure, we can assume, and we'd probably assume right, but if you're going to go to the trouble of giving half an origin, why not go all the way? Doesn't make sense to me. And this book does the same thing that Batwing did; start out in the present, then jump to flashbacks. And like Batwing, I couldn't tell where the book ended when we came back to the present. If you're not going to sync the flashback to the present, then don't present it like it's a flowing story. The art is a weak spot, too. Not horrible mind you, just not very smooth. Humans don't really have that many jutting parts. Not the worst, but definitely room for improvement.
After saying all that though, I will be sticking with the title for a bit for a certain reason. And her name is Karen Starr. If you know me, you should know who that is. And if you don't, all I'll say is....PG.

Green Lantern #1

I finally get to read Green Lantern on a monthly basis, and it's not even Hal Jordan. That's what first popped in my head when I found out Sinestro was going to be the new Green Lantern. I was pretty upset. But hey, Sinestro was the ONLY good thing about the GL movie, so maybe that was the right thing to do? Indeed it was. Sinestro is a hardcore badass, so to see him in the lead of the main GL book makes all the sense in the world. He's new to wielding the ring again, as are the readers that will be new to this title. We'll both be learning things together. And Hal's still here, adjusting to life without the ring. Again, much like readers who have to adjust to a whole new DCU. It was a great mix of old story threads and new. While I felt lost in certain parts, it wasn't enough to make me be confused with the direction of the plot. I don't know if Geoff Johns has been this good all the time (remember, I was no fan of his until JL #1, and one book does not turn me around completely), but he's firing on all cylinders so far. And Doug Mahnke's art is superb. It's great to see an artist not make the characters look like their movie counter-parts. Let's never forget the COMICS came before the FILMS. Hollywood would be nowhere without them. As one of the DCnU's main core titles, this is a definite must-read.

Suicide Squad #1

Suicide Squad, admittedly, was a title that frightened me and intrigued me all because of one character: Harley Quinn. Harleen's been a character I have liked ever since she premiered in the Batman animated series. But this looked nothing like the ol' Harl I knew. I wanted to know why her looked changed and how she ended up on a team that was run by the government. Well, I got one of the questions answered. And the book answered it in a way that, so far, most of these DCnU titles haven't done. It gave a backstory so new readers would know who these characters were and why they were here. No, they weren't complexly detailed backstories, but they didn't really need them. There was enough to get you interested to find out more about them. It's a pretty brutal book, which should be expected since it's about a team of degenerates on death row. You probably won't find yourself rooting for the whole team to survive, and frankly, they all won't. That's the premise of the book. The lead up to next issue is definitely ambiguous enough to hook you. My fears have been averted for now.

Action Comics #1

Action Comics will round out my reviews of the first full week of DC's relaunched titles. And it's one of the biggest titles DC's putting out. One of their top two writers on one of their top two characters. And I did not like it. It's no secret I am not a fan of Grant Morrison (except for his Vertigo work) and I find Superman extremely boring. But I promised myself to go into this with an unbiased, open-mind. Everyone always raved how good All-Star Superman was, so I figured I'd get some taste of that here. Well, I don't know how All-Star Supes went, but this was nothing what I expected a Superman book to be like. Maybe that's a good thing for a new generation? But to me, it's too much of a change. And not an interesting change. Yes, it's nice to see a fresh take, but it just seemed way too different. Whether that's because of the whole lawsuit DC's facing or because Morrison just wants to completely redo the core character, I'm not sure. I just know I was disappointed. I tried not to be. I honestly did. Geoff Johns might've changed my perception of his writing so far, but Morrison just soldified my dislike of his.

Justice League International #1

So far it seems DC's strongest titles have been their team books. And Justice League International is no exception. I'd go so far to say this was even as good as the regular Justice League title. While filled with second-stringers, any book with Booster Gold and Guy Gardner is a-ok with me. And did their dynamic play perfectly in this one. The team "chemistry" was the book's strongest aspect. And if you happen to read between the lines of certain things that were said, you get to the core feeling of DC's relaunch. On a personal note, it's great to see Aaron Lopresti's art again. I was so sad to see him leave Marvel, but I'm glad to finally read a book of his over at DC that excites me like this one. If you enjoyed Justice League, then I highly suggest this book to complement it.

Green Arrow #1

I'm sure you've heard the term "popcorn flick" when it comes to summer movies. Basically, that's what we get with Green Arrow #1. A quick, action-packed story. Simple enough plot to wrap your head around, typical strong-arm baddies, and your triumphant hero. Ollie's gadgetry was fully on display here. The tone of the book was similar to a James Bond film, just with less substance. A fun, if not quick, read. If you want a deep, thought provoking super-hero title, this ain't it. If you want some gritty, smash-mouth actioner, this ain't it either. But if if want a lighter, more modern hero, this'll fit your need.

Batwing #1

Batwing was an okay book. Nothing overly spectacular about it. Plenty of room for improvement. But I think it was better than most people would expect it to be. The main problem though, of almost all of these new titles, maybe this one is the one that should have been a true origin story. If DC's trying to get new readers, and more minority readers, then shouldn't this book give this minority character a backstory that the new readers can follow? Just jumping right into the story without so much of a "Hi, I'm Batwing. Let me tell you a little about myself" just seems dumb. He's still new enough to be re-introduced without stripping away years of history. I feel they missed a prime opportunity there. The art could also be more dynamic. Some panels are really beautiful, while others are as bland as can be. Very inconsistent. It did have a nice ending like Detective Comics, but unlike that title, you can't be too shocked since it was a flashback. Not a bad first issue, just nothing that grabs you.

Detective Comics #1

I was all ready to write Detective Comics off as just another Bat-book. There was just nothing new to it. It's like the whole DC relaunch had never happened. Of course, the Bat-family of books weren't supposed to be affected by this change so it was just going to be business as usual. But you could still feel a slight difference. Not in this though. The art was fine, but the colors seemed a little dull. Not dark, just flat. The storyline was your typical Bat-fare. Yep, I was all ready to say whatever. Then that last page...hooked.

Swamp Thing #1

Swamp Thing is a character that has had a lot of buzz going into this initiative. It's not easy taking a character that hasn't been in the mainstream DCU for so long and putting him back in as a major player. But I think Scott Snyder has done an exceptional job doing just that. It's the first of these new titles that I've read (and I haven't read them all yet) to really give you the amount of character background you need to get where the book's coming from. It's also got the creepy factor down in a book that should be expected to contain it. Snyder is a top player in that field. Yanick Paquette just might be at the top of his artistic game with this. The details in the backgrounds especially stand out, bringing the world of these characters to life in a very believable fashion. This title definitely lives up to the pre-launch hype.