Thoughts on the New 52

Thoughts on the New 52

I picked up, almost, all of the New 52 #1 and some I kept, some I didn't. Here's why and what made the cut...

Editorial Opinion
By CraptainAmerica - Jan 05, 2012 04:01 AM EST
Filed Under: DC Comics

I know a lot of the new 52 from DC has been met with resistance and disappointment. I agree, to a degree, that it wasn't a neccessary move by DC but it did something for me that Marvel achieved. When Marvel released their 'Ultimate' line I was actually excited. I love the vintage characters but ti gave them a chance to approach each from a different angle. To me, most are an institution. The original will never be replaced in the hearts of comic book readers. But these changes mean that character features that have been present for the last 50-70 years can be tweaked to be relevant in the modern age of the comic book reader.

There are some of us who have been reading for many years and have grown up with these characters but there if also a generation of new readers that are influenced from the cinematic side of Marvel and DC. It is never a change for change sake. Most will will be crying "...it's just like a bank or mobile phone company. They look after their new customers and care little for their existing customers". I agree but also am aware that this is a neccessity in any business...and that is what it is, good business.

I have always read, and loved, both Marvel and DC. The only difference now is that my DC reading outweighs my Marvel pull list. That is because of the new 52. So it's not just new readers who can be converted to spending more. It's also people, like me, who felt a little disillusioned with where DC was heading a year ago. A lacklustre run after Blackest Night.

Here are those that fill my bags, boards and boxes currently. What has already been omitted. And those that are in danger of being forgotten:

Batman Titles:

Detective Comics/Batman/The Dark Knight:

I initially didn't pick this up. It was only the fact that 'Batman' was so slow that I decided to jump ship so quickly. The artwork for 'Batman' was way too simplistic for my liking and seemed to start on a very flat note. All the complete opposite of 'Detective Comics' in my opinion. It's great to see Batman back to being a detective in this run. We get an insight in to what he is thinking as he's pursuing whichever villain is trying to foil him. It actually takes time to depict the detective in him whilst also have plenty of action. 'The Dark Knight' started at a far better pace than 'Batman' which is why it was also a tidy replacement for the flagship title. Maybe I'll come to regret this decision but I wasn't willing to wait 10 issues for something to attract me to a title.

'Batman' (dropped), 'The Dark Knight' (in), 'Detective Comics' (in)

Superman Titles:

Superman/Action Comics:

I found 'Superman' to have the same problems as 'Batman'. It was very slow. The artwork was incredible and #2 looked like it was going somewhere. But it sadly didn't grab me in its first outing. Action Comics on the other hand had a refreshing take on the man of steel. Ok, so I can agree that the costume is extrememly lame but I'm willing to hang around for him to go through that change. The artwork wasn't as eye-popping as 'Superman' but the story of an alien appearing from nowhere and having to win over a city that's against him, despite his heroics, is more captivating. 'Superman' has the lonely Superman wondering what his purpose is. 'Action Comics' is more about a Superman who is heroic despite peoples resistance to accepting him. I feel I've made the right choice between the two.

'Superman' (dropped), 'Action Comics' (in)
Green Lantern Titles:

Green Lantern/Green Lantern Corps/Red Lantern Corps/New Guardians:

I will start by saying I am a HUGE Green Lantern fan. I have EVERYTHING from 'Rebirth' onwards. I've been such a fan of what the guys at DC have done with this character. It's never about a generic 'save the girl' storyline. It has expanded into an entire universe that has always, to me, been exciting. 'Green Lantern Corps' was a bit saggy and 'Emerald Warriers' was a bit of a skidmark. Both have been rectified in the new 52.

'Green Lantern' has been one of the major disappointments. It was great that the reset button wasn't pressed for this title but it was in such an awkward position prior to the 'relaunch' it has fallen flat. I'm still collecting due to a ridiculous commitment I have to the book. The only saving grace for me has been the exciting and reinvigorated 'Green Lantern Corps'. I was always a Hal Jordan fan but Gardner and Stewart, along with many interesting Corps members, are making this my most anticipated comic of these titles. Even the intriguing 'New Guardians' has been slow to inspire, yet the concept was more exciting than all of the others put together following the 'relaunch'. Again, it's my loyalty to Green Lantern that's kept this on my monthly list. I'm sure as more issues roll out I'll find that enjoyment again...it has 10 issues to do so. The same goes for 'Red Lantern Corps'. I was suprised that they chose to expand on this side of things. But it does offer a darker insight into the corps (all of the spectrum) in general. With the Krona factor still in play and some deathly dealings on earth brewing I think it can be saved after a 3 issue introduction.

'Green Lantern' (in (just)), 'Green Lantern Corps' (in), 'Red Lantern Corps' (in), New Guardians (in)

Aquaman:

A title that threatened to be a joke. And the first issue took the opportunity to not take itself too seriously. With crisp pencilwork and some killer wit it has been my biggest suprise pick-up. I think an issue dispelling some of the laughable myths (powers0 surrounding Aquaman actually engaged me more and drew me more to the likeable side of Curry. The following issues have also shown that he isn't just going to swim around saving Dolphins from nets. It's actually diplayed some of the same charcteristics that made 'Detective Comics', in my opinion, more of a read than just pretty pictures.

'Aquaman' (in)

Flash:

I actually thought this would be a winner. After his exploits in the brilliant 'Flashpoint' I was expecting more. I picked up the first two issues but couldn't quite get in to it. Maybe I have less love for the character as a whole but it just felt like it was more action and no substance. I was hoping for more of a CSI title. Maybe that will change further down the line but it, like most of the titles, had to have a great first issue to keep me spending my money. It, sadly, didn't.

'Flash' (omitted)

Justice League:

This was one of the ones I was looking forward to most after 'New Guardians'. It hasn't disappointed. It displays the dynamic between these characters that shows they shouldn't eb together. It's, most probably, the angle we'll see in the up and coming Avengers movie. Ego against ego. Each thinking they are top dog when in truth they need each other to accomplish overcoming a serious threat. We have Hal Jordan in his infancy (?) as a Green Lantern. His cocky demeanour overpowering his ability to work in this team. Batman and Superman both showing the cool head that shows why they will eventually lead this group of exceptional individuals. From Wonder Woman's strong heroic personality to everybody's question mark over Aquaman's credibilty it will really show all those new to the title what it took to get these people together. I'm also happy with the addition of Cyborg and the journey he will take to come form confused college student to having a place among these big characters. I count down to every issue.

Justice League (in)


I'm a big 'Ultimates' fan so have been happy to see a refreshing take on these characters. So I have to admit, I haven't picked up every title. I would be glad of any input regarding what's good and what's not. My apologies for not naming every writer and artist but i felt it best to keep it as short as possible...even though I seem to have let my typing finger get the better of me. Apologies for any typos also.

Your comments are welcome as always!

Your Craptain Salutes You!

ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN First Look And Details Reveal That Diana Prince Is The World's First Public Superhero
Related:

ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN First Look And Details Reveal That Diana Prince Is The World's First Public Superhero

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Rumored To Be Writing His First DC Comics Series For Release Next Year
Recommended For You:

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Rumored To Be Writing His First DC Comics Series For Release Next Year

DISCLAIMER: ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and... [MORE]

ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

superotherside
superotherside - 1/5/2012, 8:24 AM
You should have continued with Batman, better one of the best if not the best title in the New 52 IMO.

While I still love DC, Marvel's great titles are superior to DC's great titles Marvel great titles: Captain America, Venom, Secret Avengers, Daredevil; DC great titles: Batman, JL, GL, Batwing (it really has been a good title); IMO. Still DC has more titles which are good, like JL is better than Avengers, Action Comics is better than Spider-man, etc. Plus DC has some titles which are really good, that are just plain suprising like who ever thought that Aquaman would be even readable? :P

So personally I love both. :) Good write up btw. :) Oh and get Batman. ;)
CraptainAmerica
CraptainAmerica - 1/5/2012, 9:01 AM
DAM! I feel all sorts of confused now! I feel shame that I let Batman go...maybe I'll retract when I get a let at the next couple of issues

As for Batwing...I too have heard good things. All I needed was a little prompting that I'm missing out. I'll give it a look.

As for Aquaman...he ate fish and chips?! Biggest news of 2011 :-P

Thanks for the feedback
m1312020
m1312020 - 1/5/2012, 10:03 AM
I'd check out Superman again when Jurgens gets on.
He was in my opinion one of the best Superman writers in
the 90's.
George Perez really needs a good dialogue man I can see
why you dropped the title in its current condition.
Shadowelfz
Shadowelfz - 1/5/2012, 10:20 AM
Yeah I felt the same way when I read the first Batman book. It was lame so I almost dropped it by the second issue it picks up and now its one of the best.
Fastestmanalive
Fastestmanalive - 1/5/2012, 10:53 AM
Cool article.

Yea I agree with everyone here, I dropped Batman after the first issue cuz I was already collecting the awesome Detective comics, and the art dident do it for me, but its really good, definitely recommend it.

I actually prefer Superman over Action. Although the writing for Superman has been pretty bad I've been sticking around for the art which is beautiful, and cuz its Superman, but actually in the latest issue, four, it has gotten alot better and was actually one of my favorite reads for the month of December. But I am looking forward to Jurgens takeover, he did an outstanding job on Cap in the early 2000's.


I'm also a huge GL fan since Rebirth but I disagree with you on this one. Although issue 2 was a little weak GL has been one of the two best books, (Detective comics), out of the new 52 thus far. GL Corps has been decent and I Love Pasirin's art.

Red Lanterns, I love the concept and Ed Benes art, buts its been moving way too slow so I just picked up the first issue but dropped it after that. Maybe I'll pick it up again when they actually start telling a story.

I collect nine titles now, just dropped JL Dark, dident care for it still after three issues. And Im loving them, but Detective, Batgirl, and GL are my top three.
Supershadowbat
Supershadowbat - 1/5/2012, 11:16 AM
I'm am old DC die hard, but I have to admit most of the new 52 has pleased me. You should stick with Batman though, it's starting to pick up steam. JLA, great title, alesys look forward to the next issue. Action is great, going back to Superman's beginnings. The Superman title does need a new writer and for George Perez to do the entirety of the artwork, have always loved his visuals.
superotherside
superotherside - 1/5/2012, 11:28 AM
C***tainAmerica No prob dude. ;) Batwing is a bit violent at times, but quite good. Can't wait to read the latest issue. :) Do you read any Marvel titles? BTW do you have a twitter? Here's mine: superotherside
Sorry if I already asked that and followed you or something... lol :P
CraptainAmerica
CraptainAmerica - 1/5/2012, 11:32 AM
DOUBLE DAM! I'm gonna have a backlog on my hands!

Ok, I'm willing to go back and collect Batman and Superman and give it the 10 issue berth it deserves. I just felt the artwork with GL lacked somewhat. Perez has done a great job but I guess there's only so thinly he can spread himself.

Great feedback guys...but don't be surprised when my bank account starts hurling abuse at you for putting it under strain ;-)
CraptainAmerica
CraptainAmerica - 1/5/2012, 11:34 AM
@superotherside:

I do collect Marvel also. Although it's take. A nosedive of late, I'm a big Ultimates fan mainly (for my sins). I had quite a pull list but stripped it down.

On twitter as CraptainAmerica
JustDame
JustDame - 1/5/2012, 11:35 AM
hmm. i dropped both tdk and dc and absolutely loved batman from the beginning. heard good things about batwoman but never read it. my favorite batman books are batman and batwing. art in batwing is awesome and i also love capullo's art in batman.
TheOverlord
TheOverlord - 1/5/2012, 11:43 AM
Batman got real good real fast. It's one of my favs of the new 52. Others: Animal Man, JL and Wonder Woman. The best Super-family book had been Supergirl: a pretty interesting take on the character. Collecting Flash just because I'm a huge fan. GL has been dead for me for a while, though - I can't stand the whole every-color-has-a-lantern thing. ("Will" is NOT an emotion, so the whole "emotional spectrum" thing makes no sense and really pisses me off.)
superotherside
superotherside - 1/5/2012, 11:46 AM
C***tainAmerica Oh ok I am following you... lol just wanted to make sure... lol ;)

While I haven't read many, I never really cared for Ultimate that much of what I read, I read the first issue of Ultimate SM, I think and didn't feel like reading much more. Although I do know 80% of ultimate just because I read most of the story lines on Wikipedia. :)

As for good books of Marvel I would recommend (in this order): Captain America, Daredevil, Venom, and Secret Avengers (this title was better when it started, it's not bad now but I liked the earlier issues better). Those are the best titles ATM IMO. Sorry to only add more strain on your wallet btw. :P
xstryker
xstryker - 1/5/2012, 11:47 AM
Batwoman and Animal Man are the best titles DC has running now IMHO. Great art, great writing, comics for adults without using "adult" as a euphemism for sex and violence.
CraptainAmerica
CraptainAmerica - 1/5/2012, 12:31 PM
Hasn't considered 'Western' AT ALL! I got given some of my stores cover-less returns. I got a look at Catwoman, Nightwing, Superman and Red Hood, all #2's. I have to admit that all that drew me to any of those was Catwoman's chesticles.

@superotherside:

Ultimates and Ultimates 2 we're great. Just awesome. Some of the runs that branched off at the time were great. Loved the introduction of Mahr Vehl. Ultimate Spiderman got a little out of hand but the initial FF and X-Men issues were inovative and great to look at (and read of course). Its just a shame 'Ultimatum' ruined it all! It did indeed "change the ultimate universe forever" but killed of most charcyers of note which left it nowhere to go. I liked the Ultimate Ultimate universe for having less barriers to keep to than the 616 continuity but that was so far from the barrier it was un[frick]able. Thor was the only decent one they have done more recently.
superotherside
superotherside - 1/5/2012, 1:12 PM
C***tainAmerica Yeah, I've heard that the first of Ultimate was pretty good, I may read the first few issues someday but IDK. Plus they are probably easier for new readers to get into so I totally understand it. But despite being young I was brought up on the original Stan Lee Spider-man etc. so yeah I usually have a bit more love for the 616... lol. :)

Still you might should check out the titles I mentioned, very easy to read and understand you don't really have to know much about the characters to get into them. It's really quite nice how they introduce you to everything off the bat. :)
PaulRom
PaulRom - 1/5/2012, 2:16 PM
Yeah, Batman is perhaps DC's best title right now. Kind of close with Justice League and Detective Comics though.
Rosso
Rosso - 1/5/2012, 2:58 PM
The book that has really caught my attention was I, Vampire. I am really getting into this series! It has been a little slow, but I know that it will pick up. Amazing art and an interesting Protagonist. I am curious how they are going to have it fit into the rest of the universe!
CraptainAmerica
CraptainAmerica - 1/5/2012, 3:24 PM
It seems that 'Batman' is a pretty prominent favourite out of the new 52. Great to see the differences in opinion regarding some of the more obscure runs.

What were people's thoughts in 'Aquaman'? Or did some people steer well clear from the get-go?
gravedigger9906
gravedigger9906 - 1/5/2012, 3:33 PM
youve got me re-thinking some titles. you should do more. i'm interested in hearing what you think about nightwing and deathstroke.
CraptainAmerica
CraptainAmerica - 1/5/2012, 5:04 PM
Sadly they were titles I didn't go for. I picked up all #1's of the 'main' characters only. Having read Nightwing #2 I'd say it looks good. I just have little enthusiasm for Batman understudy characters sadly
113
113 - 1/5/2012, 6:27 PM
1) Justice League
2) Action Comics
3) Superman (don't understand all the hate for this one. It's not the best thing ever but I enjoy it)
4) Aquaman
5) Green Lantern
andrewbrooks
andrewbrooks - 1/5/2012, 7:22 PM
i gave the dark knight 4 comics and i stopped. its terrible, but batman is the best story/art arc that iv'e read in a long time from that series!
Fastestmanalive
Fastestmanalive - 1/5/2012, 11:52 PM
@CraptainAmerica
Aquaman was a must for me from the start since I love the character and have all his comics since the 60's.

The art is amazing, Ivan Sciver, story wise, the tongue in cheek humor is cool but story wise it felt a bit flat for me.

The trench seems pretty cool and could'eve been so much more but they did'ent do much with them. It was a lot of build up with hardly any pay off.

But the next story arc is the sinking of Atlantis which sounds interesting, and Johns has said that he has an overall plan for Arthur spanning at least for the next two years, so hopefully even though its off to a slow start it'll start developing soon.
CraptainAmerica
CraptainAmerica - 1/6/2012, 12:54 AM
@fastestmabalive:

I think that although Aquaman is serious in tone it saves itself by inadvertently calling Curry 'a bit lame'...because he is. But it's that sarcasm and wit that makes me look forward to it. It's a refreshing break from the norm. Just wondering how similar to the JL Aquaman he is!
CraptainAmerica
CraptainAmerica - 1/7/2012, 3:36 AM
I have to admit that Wonder Woman's persona in 'Justice League' has been quite refreshing. Almost Ultimate Thor-like in the sense she's an all out otherworld warrior dropped into the present day...and has no idea that she seems strange to the surrounding cast. Again, it isn't a title I considered to be fair.

I think there's a stigma involved with Aquaman. People just assume he's superlame in comparison to the other big hitters...I like the turn aroundand that fact it's so dam enjoyable. Hopefully they can keep interest from the villain point of view. It's great to see him standing so stongly on his own
zoltron12
zoltron12 - 1/14/2012, 3:42 PM
I collect 17 titles, and Animal Man is my favourite. Batwoman is a close second, you just can't beat the artwork.
batmanmovie2012
batmanmovie2012 - 1/16/2012, 3:09 PM
ya i was also not a fan of issue #1 of batman but it's gotten much better. red lanterns had the best #1 but it just has slowed down to much it needs to pick up it's pace. also everything geoff johns is writing is just amazing
View Recorder