New DCU Week Three

Here we are with Week Three of the relaunch.


WEEK THREE

BATMAN #1
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION
Cover by GREG CAPULLO
Variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
Be here for the start of a new era for The Dark Knight from writer Scott Snyder (AMERICAN VAMPIRE, BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM) and artist Greg Capullo (Spawn)! A series of brutal killings hints at an ancient conspiracy, and Batman learns that Gotham City is deadlier than he knew.

Bringing on Greg Capullo to Snyder's already confident Batman storytelling is going to make for a really stunning Batman book. Scott's run on Detective has been stellar and I can't wait to see what he has in-store for the main Batman book. 

This is rated at 5 DC Bullets. 

BIRDS OF PREY #1
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art and cover by JESUS SAIZ
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
One is wanted for a murder she didn’t commit. The other is on the run because she knows too much. They are Dinah Laurel Lance and Ev Crawford – a.k.a. Black Canary and Starling – and together, as Gotham City’s covert ops team, they’re taking down the villains other heroes can’t touch. But now they’ve attracted the attention of a grizzled newspaper reporter who wants to expose them, as well as a creepy, chameleon-like strike team that’s out to kill them.
Don’t miss the start of this hard-hitting new series from mystery novelist/comics writer Duane Swierczynski (Expiration Date, Cable).

While it is sad to see Gail Simone move to another title, I think the this title will benefit from a new approach and while I'm not sold with the whole “Covert Ops” aspect, it does serve to give it a purpose that seems to fit with the new direction that the DCU is exhibiting. With Black Canary as the books lead I don't expect it to change as much as it might seem it would. 

I rate this at 3 DC Bullets. 

BLUE BEETLE #1
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art by IG GUARA and RUY JOSE
Cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and SAL REGLA
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
It’s not easy being Jaime Reyes. He has to deal with high school, family and all the drama that comes with being a teenager. Also, he’s linked to a powerful scarab created by an alien race known as the Reach who seek to subjugate planets – or annihilate them. It’s up to one teen hero to turn this instrument of destruction into a force for good.

Finally Jaime is returning in his own book and I think Tony Bedard is the person to bring a tight story and new direction to the character. It was unfortunate that the last series ended; of all the series that were canceled last year, that was the one that most people thought was premature. 
I rate this at 4 DC Bullets.

CAPTAIN ATOM #1
Written by J.T. KRUL
Art by FREDDIE WILLIAMS II
Cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Charged by nuclear energy, possessing vast molecular powers, Captain Atom has the potential to be a literal god among men – a hero without limits. But the question is: Will he lose himself in the process?
Don’t miss the start of a legend from writer J.T. Krul (GREEN ARROW, TEEN TITANS) and artist Freddie Williams II (JSA ALL-STARS)!

A big question mark as far as far as if the relaunch will be a soft or hard reboot, Captain Atom has a lot of potential either way they go with the series. Freddie Williams will bring a high impact artist that Captain Atom has had missing in most of his own series he has had in the past. 

I'm rating this at 3 DC Bullets. 

Catwoman doesn't really have this whole sunbathing thing down yet.

CATWOMAN #1
Written by JUDD WINICK
Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Meet Catwoman. She’s addicted to the night. Addicted to shiny objects. Addicted to Batman. Most of all, Catwoman is addicted to danger. She can’t help herself, and the truth is – she doesn’t want to. She’s good at being bad, and very bad at being good. Find out more about what makes Catwoman tick in this new series from writer Judd Winick (BATMAN: UNDER THE HOOD) and artist Guillem March (GOTHAM CITY SIRENS)!

It's a really good thing to have Catwoman back in her own series. Judd Winick has proven he has a wonderful grasp of the character in the past so this should be a very good title. 
I giving this a rating 4 DC Bullets. 

DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1
Written by PAUL JENKINS
Art by BERNARD CHANG
Cover by RYAN SOOK
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
It’s the start of a new series spotlighting some of the DC Universes’s most exciting super heroes! First up is Deadman, straight from the pages of BRIGHTEST DAY, in a five-issue epic where the body-hopping hero meets his match in a new foe who wants to make sure the souls that Deadman helps out go straight to Hell!

This book will spotlight different characters in each story arc that is told in the series. The first featuring Deadman should appeal to anyone wishing to have a follow up to Brightest Day. The future of the title will depend on the characters spotlighted as the series progresses. Paul Jenkins does a great job with personal and introspective type stories and he seems like a perfect match for Deadman.

I rate this at 2 DC Bullets. I would put it at 3, but the anthology nature of the title means I can't totally back it as an ongoing.


GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN and SCOTT HANNA
Cover by DOUG MAHNKE and CHRISTIAN ALAMY
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
When deadly conflicts emerge across the universe, it’s up to Guy Gardner, John Stewart and an elite Green Lantern strike force to keep the peace – or else.

Green Lantern Corp should continue as it has before the relaunch, albeit with post-War of the Green Lanterns implications. 

This is rated at 3 DC Bullets. 

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by FRANCIS PORTELA
Cover by KARL KERSCHL
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The Legion of Super-Heroes has been decimated by the worst disaster in its history. Now, the students of the Legion Academy must rise to the challenge of helping the team rebuild – but a threat of almost unstoppable power is rising at the edge of Dominator space, and if the new recruits fail, the Legion Espionage Squad may be the first casualties in a war that could split worlds in half!

I'm a huge Legion fan and with Paul Levitz continuing his run on the title, it should be one of the least affected series in the DCU relaunch, but still with a good start for new readers. 

I'm rating this at 3 DC Bullets. 

All of these red Batman character costumes... you'd think Bruce wants everyone else to be a target.

NIGHTWING #1
Written by KYLE HIGGINS
Art and cover by EDDY BARROWS and JP MAYER
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Dick Grayson flies high once more as Nightwing in a new series from hot new writer Kyle Higgins (BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM)! And as he embraces his destiny, Haley’s Circus, the big top where Dick once performed, returns to Gotham City – bringing with it murder, mystery and superhuman evil. Nightwing must confront his past, among former friends and enemies from his circus days, while uncovering a much greater evil!

Dick Grayson returning to his role as Nightwing is both expected and a good idea. I've had a fear that Dick would be lost once Batman returned to the current time and while it hasn't happened, I think that it's always something to be worried about. Giving him his own book to shine in will help distinguish him from his mentor while still allowing him to be relevant to the relaunch. 

I've rated it at 3 DC Bullets.

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
No sooner has Batman’s former sidekick, Jason Todd, put his past as the Red Hood behind him than he finds himself cornered by a pair of modern day outlaws: Green Arrow’s rejected sidekick Arsenal, the damaged soldier of fortune, and the alien Starfire, a former prisoner of intergalactic war who won’t be chained again.
As a loner, Jason has absolutely no interest in this motley crew of outlaws. So what’s he going to do when they choose the Red Hood as their leader? Find out in this hot new series from writer Scott Lobdell (WILDC.A.T.S, Uncanny X-Men), featuring art by rising star Kenneth Rocafort (ACTION COMICS)!

I would be happier to see Judd Winick working on an ongoing , but bringing Jason back in as a Punisher-esque outsider to the established DCU is a really winning idea. 

I'm rating it at 3 DC Bullets. 

SUPERGIRL #1
Written by MICHAEL GREEN and MIKE JOHNSON
Art and cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Meet Supergirl. She’s got the unpredictable behavior of a teenager, the same powers as Superman – and none of his affection for the people of Earth. So don’t piss her off!

I can't say that I'm pleased with the idea of the rebelious teenager route they seem to want to go with on this title.  It seems to me that was what was hurting the current Supergirl series until they tempered down her jerkish behavior.  I'm unsure that this is the right direction for the book.

I'm rating this at 2 DC Bullets.


WONDER WOMAN #1
Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO
Art and cover by CLIFF CHIANG
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The Gods walk among us. To them, our lives are playthings. Only one woman would dare to protect humanity from the wrath of such strange and powerful forces. But is she one of us – or one of them?

I love this creative team!  Brian Azzarello is a left field choice for writing Wonder Woman and I'm certain that he'll bring a great new approach to the title.  I think that there needs to be a sense of energy that the book has lacked since Rucka was on the title and if there is anyone out there that can I feel that Azzarello is a great pick.  Cliff Chiang is also a good pick for the title and I expect that if the run takes off like I think it might, Cliff is going to get some serious recognition as one of the main reasons.

I'm rating this one at 4 DC Bullets.

New DCU Week Two

Running a little bit behind due to personal issues right now, but here is Week Two as promised. Week Three will be up next Sunday.


WEEK TWO
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Battling evil with his son, Damian, at his side, Batman now realizes that the hardest part of the job may be trying to work together!
As Batman and Robin try to adjust to their new partnership, a figure emerges from Bruce Wayne’s past: His name is NoBody, and he’s not happy that Batman Incorporated is shining a light on his own shadowy war against evil…

I expect that this title will continue it's level of story telling without missing a beat. I think it's importance will be high given I expect that this is the book that most of the Batman Family of characters will interact in until the relaunch of Batman Incorporated later this year. 

I rate this at 3 DC Bullets. 

BATWOMAN #1
Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN
Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
At last! Batwoman’s new series begins, from the multiple award-winning creative team of J.H. Williams III and Haden Blackman!
In “Hydrology,” part 1 of 5, Batwoman faces deadly new challenges in her war against Gotham City’s underworld – and new trials in her life as Kate Kane.
Who or what is stealing children from the barrio, and for what vile purpose? Will Kate train her cousin, Bette Kane (a.k.a. Flamebird), as her new sidekick? How will she handle unsettling revelations about her father, Colonel Jacob Kane? 
 
Finally continuing the Batwoman book begun last year, this book will be pretty much the same quality book it was before the relaunch. 

I'm going with 4 DC Bullets. 

Looks like Slade is going to The Batman's tailor.

DEATHSTROKE #1
Written by KYLE HIGGINS
Art by JOE BENNETT and ART THIBERT
Cover by SIMON BISLEY
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
“Friends die, family disappoints, but a legacy… That lives forever.”
Slade Wilson is the best mercenary in the DCU, and he’s been doing this a long time. Some might say too long. But they’ll learn: Never turn your back on Deathstroke the Terminator. He won’t quit, no matter how high the stakes. Kyle Higgins (BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM) and Joe Bennett (TEEN TITANS) team up to bring you the finest in mayhem and gore.

A solid team on this title, but uncertain direction on how it's going to relate to the rest of the DCU means I can't give much of a recommendation on the title. I think that the idea of Deathstroke being the meticulous planner and working towards his legacy is a good one, but often those type of characters are ultimately boring to read as they react to information that they can't logically have to make it seem like they're always one step ahead of their adversaries.  Once again, it seems that this is more of a “if you're interested in this character, it's a must pick-up” rather than an overall important DUC relaunch book. 

I rate this at 2 DC Bullets. 

DEMON KNIGHTS #1
Written by PAUL CORNELL
Art by DIOGENES NEVES and OCLAIR ALBERT
Cover by TONY S. DANIEL
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Set in the Dark Ages of the DC Universe, a barbarian horde is massing to crush civilization. It’s fallen to Madame Xanadu and Jason Blood, the man with a monster inside him, to stand in their way – though the demon Etrigan has no interest in protecting anyone or anything other than himself! It’ll take more than their own power to stop an army fueled by bloodlust and dark sorcery, and some very surprising heroes – and villains – will have no choice but to join the fray!

Paul Cornell is becoming a fav writer of mine, it has no small part due to his New Adventures Doctor Who novels, but his comic work from Marvel's Captain Britain and his work on Action Comic have more than proven his comic writing chops. Demon Knights seems to be the type of title that will appeal to those people fond of books like Shadowpact. I expect good things from all the Cornell written titles at DC. 

I'm rating this at 3 DC Bullets, pretty close to moving to 4.  

FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #1
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by ALBERTO PONTICELLI
Cover by J.G. JONES
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
It’s Frankenstein as you’ve never seen him before, in a dark new series from acclaimed writer Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH) and artist Alberto Ponticelli (UNKNOWN SOLDIER)!
Frankenstein is part of a network of strange beings who work for an even stranger government organization: The Super Human Advanced Defense Executive! But can he protect the world from threats even more horrifying than himself? And since he’s vilified for who and what he is, will he even want to take on this mission?

As much as I loved Seven Soldiers and Jeff Lemire's work on other titles, I can't say if I think a Frankenstein book would be a successful ongoing title. Ponticelli has done wonderful work on Unknown Soldier, but being a Vertigo title it was a specific kind of work that once didn't belong in the standard DCU. This is the kind of title that proves that they want to shake up those expectations. 

3 DC Bullets. 

GREEN LANTERN #1
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by DOUG MAHNKE and CHRISTIAN ALAMY
Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
The red-hot GREEN LANTERN team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Doug Mahnke introduce an unexpected new Lantern.

After the shock ending of War of the Green Lanterns I expect initially the book to be different than it was before the relaunch, but after a period of time it should return to pretty much the same book that it was in July. If anything I expec it to get more prominence from the recent movie. 

4 DC Bullets.

Grifter is the Ghost Whisperer of DCU... only with guns.

GRIFTER #1
Written by NATHAN EDMONDSON
Art by CAFU
Cover by CAFU and BIT
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The DCU’s most wanted man stars in his own series!
Cole Cash is a charming grifter few can resist. And yet he’s about to be branded a serial killer when he begins hunting and exterminating inhuman creatures hidden in human form – creatures only he can see!
Can the biggest sweet talker of all time talk his way out of this one when even his brother thinks he’s gone over the edge?

Grifter seems to be the Wildstorm character that would fit just about anywhere they put him. I've always had a love for the character so I'm interested in seeing how it's going to play out, but I suspect that this is another book that is going to be up to reader preference rather then importance to the overall DCU. 

2 DC Bullets. 

LEGION LOST #1
Written by FABIAN NICIEZA
Art and cover by PETE WOODS
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Seven heroes from the 31st century have traveled back to the present day. Their mission: Save their future from annihilation. But when the future tech they brought with them fails, they find themselves trapped in a nightmarish world that, for them, is the ultimate struggle to survive!
Don’t miss the start of this all-new LEGION series illustrated by Pete Woods – fresh off his spectacular run on ACTION COMICS – who is joined by writer Fabian Nicieza (RED ROBIN)!

Paul Levitz proved that the Legion still has relevance to the DCU and I expect that trend to continue. Nicieza has proven his self on Red Robin and is a good choice for a team book and I have nothing but good things to say about Pete Woods, he always adds something special to the books that he works on. 

3 DC Bullets.

MISTER TERRIFIC #1
Written by ERIC WALLACE
Art by ROGER ROBINSON
Cover by J.G. JONES
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The world’s third-smartest man – and one of its most eligible bachelors – uses his brains and fists against science gone mad in this new series from Eric Wallace (TITANS) and Roger Robinson!
Michael Holt is the head of a successful high-tech corporation and an institute that recruits and encourages the finest minds of the next generation to excel. As Mister Terrific he inhabits a world of amazement few others know exists, let alone can comprehend.

Without a true JSA book, I expect Mister Terrific to appeal to the readership of that title. I'm unsure of the team on the book, though and I'll reserve judgment until after the first story arc is finished. 
3 DC Bullets. 

RED LANTERNS #1
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art and cover by ED BENES and ROB HUNTER
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Atrocitus and his Red Lantern Corps return in their own series, battling against injustice in the most bloody ways imaginable!

The promised Red Lantern book was delayed until the relaunch month, it'll be interesting to see just how this type of title fits in with the rest of the new Green Lantern books. 

3 DC Bullets. 

RESURRECTION MAN #1
Written by DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING
Art by FERNANDO DAGNINO
Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
It’s the return of Mitch Shelly – and he’s still dead.
Resurrection Man can’t stay dead for long, though – and with each rebirth comes new and unexpected powers. But his many returns have not gone unnoticed, and forces are gathering to learn what’s so special about him – and to see which of them will finally stop Resurrection Man dead.

Loved the original Resurrection Man title, love Abnett and Lanning too. The return of this title is a personal favorite from the relaunch news. Given the previous title was canceled, I hope that favorable word of mouth will help propel this title to the likely readership that it would appeal. 
3 DC Bullets. 

Harley has had a Super Villain make over.

SUICIDE SQUAD #1
Written by ADAM GLASS
Art by MARCO RUDY
Cover by RYAN BENJAMIN
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
They’re a team of death-row super villains recruited by the government to take on missions so dangerous – they’re sheer suicide!
Harley Quinn! Deadshot! King Shark! Defeated and imprisoned, they’re being interrogated about their mission – and about who’s pulling the strings behind this illegal operation. Who will be the first to crack under the pressure?

It looks like Secret Six will be leading directly into this new version of the Suicide Squad. The inclusion of Harley Quinn to the roster should make for an interesting read. 
3 DC Bullets 

SUPERBOY #1
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art by RB SILVA and ROB LEAN
Cover by ERIC CANETE
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
They thought he was just an experiment – and a failed one at that! Grown from a combination of Kryptonian and human DNA, the Clone was no more than a set of data to the scientists of Project N.O.W.H.E.R.E. But when the scope of his stunning powers was revealed, he became a deadly weapon! Now the question is: Can a clone develop a conscience?

This relaunch looks like a modernization of the current Superboy mythos. I expect changes to background material for his origin, but basically to be intact with the current take on his character. I have a lot of faith in Scott Lobdell in these relaunch titles his associated with and I expect this to be a back door pilot to a new Gen 13 book.

3 DC Bullets.

DCnU Week One releases

Continuing my look at the 52 DCU relaunch titles.

I think I left my keys to the new Fortress of Solitude under this rock.

ACTION COMICS #1
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art by RAGS MORALES and RICK BRYANT
Cover by RAGS MORALES
Variant cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
The one and only Grant Morrison (ALL-STAR SUPERMAN) returns to Superman, joined by sensational artist Rags Morales (IDENTITY CRISIS), to bring you tales of The Man of Steel unlike any you’ve ever read! This extra-sized debut issue is the cornerstone of the entire DC Universe!


After the fantastic run on All Star Superman, Grant Morrison is bring his approach to a regular Superman book. I can't express how excited I am about this book. In a single year, All Star Superman gave me three of my favorite Superman stories of all time and while we won't get the lovely art from Frank Quietly for this run we have a supremely confident artist in Rags Morales. I honestly believe that Rags can define the look for Superman for the next generation of readers. 


Another of the titles that will help define just exactly what the tone and scope of the new DCU initiative I think that it's a fairly important book for picking up and giving the first story arc a read.  5 DC Bullets


ANIMAL MAN #1
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by TRAVEL FOREMAN and DAN GREEN
Cover by TRAVEL FOREMAN
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Buddy Baker has gone from “super” man to family man – but is he strong enough to hold his family together when Maxine, his young daughter, starts to manifest her own dangerous powers? Find out in this dramatic new series from writer Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH) and artist Travel Foreman (The Immortal Iron Fist).
Animal Man has been back in the regular DCU for some time now after his inclusion in 52 and he still continually gets small chances to shine, but this will be the first time he will get the spotlight by himself. Jeff Lemire has been producing great work for DC, his creator owned Sweet Tooth is as good as his work on Superboy and the ignored Atom back up he was doing, if he can bring that type of effort to Animal Man it'll be a great book to read. 


If the book can find a readership is should be fairly easy for it to maintain itself as a good title. 3 DC Bullets, if there was more info about how the stories would be interacting with the rest of the DCU I might have giving it 4 Bullets on the strength of that, but I'm judging it from the creative team alone right now.

At the new DCU, there's a rule that all Bat-female motif characters have to be red-heads.

BATGIRL #1
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES
Cover by ADAM HUGHES
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Yes, it’s really happening!
Barbara Gordon is back as Batgirl – and she’s going to have to face the city’s most horrifying new villains as well as the dark secrets from her past. You won’t want to miss this stunning debut issue from fan-favorite BIRDS OF PREY writer Gail Simone!

Gail Simone has already had a long track record of writing the most successful run with Barbara Gordon and I really don't see that changing with the return to her status quo of being Batgirl. I can't think of anyone else out there that could bring as much experience at developing and maintaining Barbara Gordon as a central character and for her to continue her efforts is paramount to the title keeping the current audience and finding a new one.

How this book is handled is extremely important to DC, the idea of Barbara Gordon returning to the Batgirl mantle, both as an IP and Iconic character can be viewed as a litmus test for the relaunch's success.  5 DC Bullets. 

BATWING #1
Written by JUDD WINICK
Art and cover by BEN OLIVER
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Africa, a land of beauty – and of great horror. A land of creation and conflict. It is in desperate need of a defender, and from the ranks of Batman Incorporated comes a soldier to carry on the legacy of The Dark Knight in the most tumultuous region on Earth. Meet Batwing, the Batman of Africa!

Despite having a quality creative team on this title, it really is kind of a blank slate as to what to expect. The potential for “real-world” action given the location the book is set could mean for a great realistic gritty feel, but that is just speculation on my part. 

The lack of solid info about the book makes me rate it at 2 DC Bullets given the nature of this week's titles. 

DETECTIVE COMICS #1
Written by TONY S. DANIEL
Art by TONY S. DANIEL and RYAN WINN
Cover by TONY S. DANIEL
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
DC’s flagship title is relaunched for the first time ever, with new Batman adventures from acclaimed writer/ artist Tony S. Daniel!
A killer called The Gotham Ripper is on the loose on Batman’s home turf – leading The Dark Knight on a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Those shopping at the Duluth location will know that I've had no qualms about mentioning my displeasure at Tony S Daniel's Batman run. I haven't much liked any of his work since he joined the Bat-Team on the insanely confusing Battle for the Cowl miniseries.  Fantastic artist and despite my enjoyment of his old series The Tenth, I don't actually see anything from this solicitation to change my impression that his run on Batman has been sub par. 

The only thing going for this, in my opinion, is the relaunch nature of Detective Comcs itself. Worth trying for the first story arc and judging from that point forward. 3 DC Bullets (primarily because it's Detective)

GREEN ARROW #1
Written by J.T. KRUL
Art by DAN JURGENS and NORM RAPMUND
Cover by BRETT BOOTH and ROB HUNTER
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Green Arrow is on the hunt. Driven by inner demons, Ollie Queen travels the world and brings outlaws to justice…by breaking every law.
Now, armed with cutting-edge weaponry and illegally gained intel (courtesy of his team at QCore), Green Arrow is shooting first and asking questions later.


Green Arrow pretty much is going to have creative writing team. Krul will continue as writer and I expect a book that is a little bit darker than it was during it's time with the Brightest Day emphasis. 3 DC Bullets. 


HAWK AND DOVE #1
Written by STERLING GATES
Art and cover by ROB LIEFELD
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Hank Hall is not happy. He’s not happy to have Dawn Granger as a new partner in his war on crime. He’s not happy that she’s dating the ghostly Super Hero, Deadman. He’s not happy to learn that someone is trying to plunge the United States into a new civil war! Now it’s up to Hawk and Dove to root out the forces behind this conflict and stop them before they turn the U.S. into a wasteland!
And who is the monster lurking in the shadows, watching Hawk and Dove from afar? Find out in this new series from Sterling Gates (FLASHPOINT: KID FLASH LOST) and artist Rob Liefeld (X-Force, Youngblood)!


Sterling Gates is a wonderful writer. I'm not so confident with Rob Liefeld as the artist for an ongoing book. I'm not trying to diss Liefeld, I've always found him to be the Ed Wood of comics.  He's boundlessly energetic in his love of comics and an extremely (pun??) nice guy, but has continually shown a lack of skills to match his stated goals in storytelling.  


Given this week's releases I can't rate this book at more than 1 DC Bullet. 


JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1
Written by DAN JURGENS
Art by AARON LOPRESTI and MATT RYAN
Cover by AARON LOPRESTI
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
With the growing presence of super beings around the world, the United Nations resolves to create a new group called Justice League International.
Batman, Booster Gold, Green Lantern Guy Gardner, August General in Iron, Fire, Ice, Vixen and Rocket Red are charged with promoting unity and trust – but can they reach that goal without killing each other first?


Spinning off the successful Justice League Generation Lost mini-series, this title has a lot of promise. Filling the void left by both JL:GL and Booster Gold ending pulling readership of two titles into one is a pretty smart choice to try and have a good starting point. As a retailer, I would've preferred Judd Winick to continue to be involved with the book, but Dan Jurgens has proven himself on the Booster Gold title and Aaron Lopresti is so wonderful so it's worth a chance .


I rate it at 3 DC Bullets. 


MEN OF WAR #1
Written by IVAN BRANDON
Art by TOM DERENICK
Cover by VIKTOR KALVACHEV
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+
On the ground and on the front lines, a young, headstrong soldier known as Joe Rock assumes command of Easy Company – a team of ex-military men turned contractors. Will they survive the battle-scarred landscape carved by the DCU’s Super-Villains? Find out in this explosive new series from Ivan Brandon (Viking, DOC SAVAGE) and Tom Derenick (JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA)!


Another cipher book, we know Ivan Brandon from his work on Viking at Image and Final Crisis Escape from DC. Viking really shows that he's a solid writer.  I suspect if you where a fan of books like Checkmate or Human Defense League you'll enjoy this title. 


3 DC Bullets.


O.M.A.C. #1
Written by DAN DIDIO and KEITH GIFFEN
Art and cover by KEITH GIFFEN and SCOTT KOBLISH
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The all-seeing Brother Eye satellite has unleashed a new beast upon the DC Universe in this smashing new series! Kevin Kho has become an unwilling participant in a war between Checkmate and Brother Eye as he is transformed into the One Machine Army Corp known only as O.M.A.C.!


My love for anything Keith Giffen is probably not enough to protect my opinions for this book. I believe it's enjoyment is going to be based primarily over which Dan Didio shows up to write this book. If it is the Didio that was writing Outsider this book will flounder just like that title did; if it is the Didio that wrote the Metal Men story in Wednesday Comics then this book will be quite enjoyable. 


 2 DC Bullets.

Apollo is looking pretty severe there, I thought Midnighter was the grim one in that relationship.

STORMWATCH #1
Written by PAUL CORNELL
Art and cover by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
They are Stormwatch, a dangerous super human police force whose existence is kept secret from the world Directly following the ominous events of SUPERMAN #1, Adam One leads half the Stormwatch team to recover the [INFORMATION REDACTED] from deep in the Himalayas. Meanwhile, Jack Hawksmoor and the rest of the Stormwatch crew look to recruit two of the deadliest super humans on the planet: Midnighter and Apollo! And if they say no? Perhaps the Martian Manhunter can change their minds…


The first of the Wildstorm titles to be intergrated into the standard DCU and having a tie-in with the Superman title means that this could be an extremely entertaining relauched title. The addition of the Martian Manhunter to normal Stormwatch characters will provide the foundation that this intergrated title needs to have in the new DCU. Paul Cornell is such a wonderful writer that having him be the writer that launches the Wildstorm concepts into the DCU is pure genius.


Plus the hints that there is a huge secret about the nature of the Stormwatch team is intriguing.


I've rated this 5 DC Bullets.


STATIC SHOCK #1
Written by SCOTT McDANIEL and JOHN ROZUM
Art and cover by SCOTT McDANIEL and
JONATHAN GLAPION
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The brilliant, slightly awkward high school student Virgil Hawkins transforms into the cocky electromagnetic hero Static!
A mysterious tragedy forces the Hawkins family to relocate from Dakota to New York City! Virgil embarks upon new adventures in a new high school and a new internship at S.T.A.R. Labs!
As Static, he dons a new uniform and establishes a new secret headquarters! But is he ready to take on the new villains who lurk in New York City’s underworld?


The new Static Shock book has been a long time coming and anyone familiar with John Rozum's Milestone work knows that it is in good hands. By moving the setting out of Dakota to New York City, DC is trying to make the book more approachable to new readership. I've always felt that Virgil is kind of DC/Milestone's modern days version of a Peter Parker-type character and hopefully that potential will be realized in the relaunch. 


I think this is a very solid 3 DC Bullets. 


SWAMP THING #1
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by YANICK PAQUETTE
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
One of the world’s most iconic characters has returned to the heart of the DC Universe, and every step he takes will shake the foundations of the Earth!
Alec Holland has his life back…but the Green has plans for it. A monstrous evil is rising in the desert, and it’ll take a monster of another kind to defend life as we know it!


While disappointed that China Melville's Swamp Thing title ended up in some file cabinet somewhere, I don't think that the title could be in better hands then Scott Snyder and Yanick Paquette. Both have proven themselves capable of telling some of the finest comics on the stands and I don't expect this to be any different. Hopefully, Brightest Day Aftermath's slow showing will not hurt people's intent to give the book a try.


I don't know how much it'll impact the new status quo of the DCU and that drops it down from my initial ranking of 4 to 3 DC Bullets.


In summary, this weeks best picks are Action Comics #1, Batgirl #1 and Stormwatch #1

RIP Gene Colan

Gene Colan defined Marvel horror for me.

I had picked up a few Tomb of Dracula books, but mostly only when it had Werewolf by Night or Frankenstein appearance.  My Universal Monsters love made me do that even though Marvel's versions were significantly different, but it was only a peripheral interest.

That was until the crossover with Dr Strange.  It was during that story arc that I realized just how much I enjoyed Gene Colan's work.

Dr Strange and Dracula fight over who has the best cape.

I never thought about his work on the earlier Dr Strange series.  My eight year old brain didn't need much other than cool four color adventure and the former Strange Tales title certainly delivered that.  However, as I got older and my ability to delve deeper into just what was on the immediate page in front of me, I realized just how much Gene delivered on those books.

The tone and impact of Dr Strange owed much to Gene.  His visual look was as important to Strange as Steve Ditko's and possibly more so. The crossover between Tomb of Dracula #44 and Dr Strange #14 only cemented my enjoyment of Gene's work. His sense of style and dynamic action made me seek out the older books to read. It was then I realized that his work defined how I judged other's work on both Dracula and Dr Strange.

Gene Colan was a true and fabulous talent who defined Marvel Horror.  I'll never look at any Dr Strange or Dracula comic work without thinking of him fondly.

1st DCnU title is...

JUSTICE LEAGUE #1
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
1:25 Variant cover by DAVID FINCH

RETROSOLICITED • On sale AUGUST 31 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US RATED T • Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

Comics superstars Geoff Johns and Jim Lee make history! In a universe where super heroes are strange and new, Batman has discovered a dark evil that requires him to unite the World Greatest Heroes!

This spectacular debut issue is also offered as a special combo pack edition, polybagged with a redemption code for a digital download of the issue.

Mike's Comments:

Since this is the only DC book other than Flashpoint shipping on August 31st, the launching point for the new approach DCU, this is probably the best book to pick up to get a feel with what DC wants to do editorially with the line of books. 

The first story arc is set in the past of the DCU, the very first gathering of DC's premier team book is going to get Geoff Johns “Secret Origins” make over and if he does that type of job he has done in the past we're in for a good show, plus Jim Lee art makes this pretty much a must read if you are at all interested in the relaunch. 

As I said before, this is the title that is going to give us what the editorial direction for DC and I expect that it'll be a fairly strong launch book.  If you're budgeting your purchases for the new DCU then this is the book that you pick up and start forming your opinions over whether you want to continue picking up books.

V collars for everyone, except Cyborg and Batman, the God-damned Batman doesn't do V collars.

The team shot for the cover looks good, but I'm worried about the inclusion of Cyborg as a founding  memeber of Justice League.  Stalwart mainstays like Hawkman and Martian Manhunter don't appear to be included, but as this is only the cover and not content it might be jumping the gun.

I'm not sold on Johns insistence to make Cyborg a major player in the DCU and if he does so at the expense of two members of DC's Big Seven then I think it'll be a misstep.  I understand that Hawkman is problematic because of his overtly convoluted origin (which presumably they'll fix in the soft reboot), plus   he wasn't a founding member, but his inclusion in a revitalized Justice League is paramount to a revitalized franchise.

We'll talk more about the Martian Manhunter in a later entry when we talk about Stormwatch.

The meat of the DCU relaunch is selling comics to a new consumer base.  It's the real reason for the relaunches at the first issue of all the books and the combo pack for the first title in the relaunch is a great idea for initiating people into DC's digital content initiative.  

I'm not one of those retailers that is all panicky about digital comics.  Are we going to lose some  customers?  Well sure, but the hope of gaining some of those that only read digital product coming into the stores is more than enough to appease any misgivings.  The average comic-shop can deliver a community that simple downloads cannot, plus I honestly believe that a clean shop and courteous, knowledgeable staff can attract and keep new generation of comic readers if DC delivers great content that makes the new readership curious to the genre.

I'm far more confident in the efforts of a publisher that realizes that tablets are a new source of readers and actively goes after them then one that continues to cater to a diminishing client base.  As a publisher, it is DC's responsibility to do so and my job as a comics retailer is to try and do my best to sell in that environment.

On a scale of 1 to 5 DC Bullets Justice League is 5 DC Bullets, pretty much a must read. 

More thoughts on Green Lantern.

After a couple of days reflection, it occurs to me that there are some additional things about the movie that are interesting.

I think that Parallax's appearance in the movie is directly related to the visual look of the Sun-Eater.  Visual images parallel certain scenes in Final Night and I'm wondering if the intent was for future movies to do something similar to the Final Night story arc and have Parallax influencing Hal and destroying the Sun.

Parallax can't let Galactus get all the super-hero movie villain cloud action.

Ultimately, Hal sacrifices himself to re-ignite the Sun and leaving the door open to other Earth Green Lanterns to take up the mantle.

I get to be the Big Bad of a company event book no-one ever reads.

Just a weird speculation.

Tomorrow I'll be writing about the first week of DCnU books.

It's not easy being green.

So, the Green Lantern movie...

I found the movie to be a mess of disjointed, poorly edited scenes that somehow was enjoyable despite itself.

Green Lantern had the right feel, but fell short with inconsistent jumps in the plot that needed a little bit of fleshing out. Examples being how Hal knew that he needed to confront Hector in the government lab, the reasoning behind Hal running back to Oa to confront the Guardians on the plan to use fear as a weapon against Parallax and the motive behind the scene after the end title sequence.

You can get away with a couple of those moments in a film, that it is over and folks are at home getting a beer from the fridge they kind of go, "Hey, whataminute... Why did that happen?" Unfortunately for GL, this movie had far more of those than it had of "Holy crap, that's so cool!"

The cast does a very good job even with some very awkward exposition. Particularly Peter Sarsgaard, who pretty much plays Hector as the twisted parallel of Hal's life and father issues supremely well. Also, despite his lack of screen time, Mark Strong as Sinestro has a huge screen presence. In fact, for me, after Ryan Reynolds performance, Mark left the me with the most desire to see more of what he could do with the role.

Overall, Green Lantern seems much like Marvel's earlier effort, Daredevil. Some misfires and oddly structured scenes make for a somewhat confusing effort, but it's heart is in the right place and it really feels like the source material.