NEW 52 Impressions?

[SRScribe]

So, what's everyone think so far? I've yet to pick up my batch from the final week (my largest and most anticipated!), but so far I've enjoyed most of what I've read. Being a Marvel reader most of my life, the New 52 has been a lot of fun for me. I've enjoyed Swamp Thing, Legion of Super-Heroes, Demon Knights and Batman/Robin the most.

[sirandal]

I have enjoyed them. I was also surprised by how much I liked Swamp Thing (although I hate that artist's Superman.)

[The P.R. Man]

I'm kinda on the fence, glad they're updating superman's costume, cool that they're streamlining everything, and that D.C.'s trying to market it like a business, rather than the nerd only club, some of the new stuff seems cool, like superman's more proactive approach, and Cyborg on the JLA is a nice switch, the integration of the Wildstorm charecters is cool too. Superboy's always been one of my favorite charecters, so I'm cautiously hopefull that they'll return him more to the Grummet and Hazelwood roots, and away from Geoff Johns teen titans run I revile so. liked teen titans, hated the way the charecter was dealt with. they're keeping what seems to work, like Batman, and Green lantern, and trying something new with what may have grown stagnant

on the other hand, for want of a better term, it seems like they're really trying to slut it up.
catwoman's getting it on, starfire's out there, I can only imagine they decided to make oracle batgirl again simply becouse she's hottet in tights than in a wheelchair, and the Amanda Waller thing. now don't get me wrong, I'm all for the boobs and hot chicks getting busy in four colors, but it seems to me all this would be better suited to Vertigo or Wildstorm. through the limited exposure I've had to the new 52, there's not a chance in HELL I'd let either of my kids read any D.C. for the forseeable future, which is a shame, as I grew up reading D.C.

would I have been as upset five years ago? nah, I'd have probably praised their boldness to release something more saucy to the mainstream, but as a guy with an impressionable little girl and boy, I'm much more critical.


now to be fair, I haven't actually read any full issues, so my opinion is highly skewed, all of what I know is from preview pages online, and what they've been going on about at comicsalliance.com, but until my comics budget gets a much needed boost thats all I got.

[blamito]

zBefore this , I wasn't reading any DC. The stuff I've picked up has been pretty good but it's confusing to me. BM and GL supposed ly kept their continuity from before. Yet some seem to be starting over, some kept some of their past stories. Batgirl references getting shot by Joker a la Killing Joke, but nothing about her time as oracle. In Batmans world there's 3 ex robins, and I've never gotten if Jason Todd is a bad guy or not, but now he seems to be like a crazy good guy, I guess. In justice league which is 5 years before the current time line, Bat man seems to be just starting out, and then action comics has Superman just starting out even before that.

I just wish they put up some where on line or where ever what they kept from before and where the time lines fall. If you're trying to sell more books, make it less confusing for people. I don't know, maybe it's just me.

[NickRocks]

no ASBAR means no DC for me

nah on a serious note, theres nothing really compelling me to pick this up, so i vote neutral

[SRScribe]

...on the other hand, for want of a better term, it seems like they're really trying to slut it up...
That's a good point. Who knows, maybe DC fumbled with the sex appeal approach? I don't know how well DCs kid-centric department is, but even before Disney, Marvel has been great at creating versions of their characters for all audiences and formats. And that's where the money is.

I will say I'm a fan of the way the reboot was handled from a marketing standpoint. The pre-order information on the books and how accessible it was really sold me. Ironically, the preview of JLA actually discouraged me from buying that book. Something about the vibe told me it wasn't a book aimed at me and that actually helped me buy only what piqued my interest the most.

[blamito]

Just read flash. Not a Flash fan, but I liked it. The story wasn't spectacular, but the art was solid and the layouts and panel work was beyond what I expect from a comic these days. I actually had to go back and read the title page because I didn't realize there was a story in the layout. My issue with it was, it's a #1, but not and origin story. It doesn't HAVE to be, but if you're starting over your entire line, and keeping some things but not others, I'd like to know where I stand. There was one diologue reference that kind of talked about something Flash did in the past. So not knowing anything about recent Flash stories, it could have just been the first issue of a new stoey arc. Besides that the issue was good.

[The P.R. Man]

That's a good point. Who knows, maybe DC fumbled with the sex appeal approach?
.

That may well be, im all for boobs and scandelous storylines, but i thought thats what vertigo and marvels max lines were for. Sure, they dont need to kiddy the mainstream books up, but id sure like something else for my kids to read besides superfriends and superhero squad in a faw years.

Agreed on the marketing focus, its been a long time coming. More marketing from a business perspective will mean more profits, which allows risk for more obscure titles, which could help the industry as a whole.

[hadesillustrations]

I didn't expect greatness from every issue, so I wasn't horribly dissappointed when some let me down. I was also very pleasantly surprised with Swamp Thing and Batman. I'll be collecting the both of them and they were never on my list. I'll continue with the Justice League titles (International was fun, though a bit rushed). Legion Lost was kinda fun and I like the idea of being introduced to a few new characters (I'd never been familiar with Legion really). All Star Western is fantastic so far - better than Hex was. I like the new locale (Gotham) and the new character that describes Hex and his propensity for violence (Amadeus Arkham). While I'm not really interested in Superman, I heard it was good - very akin to what he was like in the early days of Superman - fighting for the common man, going after corrupt realestate developers, etc (I'm sure he'll have a good time with the banking industry). All in all, the New 52 has been a great success in my eyes. It pulled me in to DC and is keeping me in. I plan on collecting several titles, at least while the creative teams continue to impress me.

A special note on Swamp Thing and Batman: Scott Snyder impressed me so much with the writing in Batman I decided to read Swamp Thing. Then I realized who Yannick Paquette was (I've been a fan for a while, but had a brain fart on his name) and quickly Swamp Thing became my favorite book of the New 52. Snyder's writing with Paquette's stellar artwork make Swamp Thing a book worth picking up for anyone. (note: I didn't like his Superman face, but I let it pass - everything else was fantastic). Capullo is no slouch on Batman, but he falls into McFarlane clone mode here and there, but it was still a great read and the story telling was excellent.

[Teratophile]

Everything i've seen is unremarkable aside Animal-man.

Batman was okay too. I like Capullo though, so i may be biased.

[UnsungGuru]

Really enjoying Stormwatch and Animal Man, personally.

Is it just me though, or does Adam One look a lot like The Drummer from Planetary?

[Jeloschi]

When Marvel started their Ultimate universe years ago, I gave it a chance at first. I soon found myself uninterested in a universe that was pretending to be the one I knew and loved. One that was "updated" for more modern readers. I can't imagine this would be any different, and aside from Nightwing, I don't care for any of the redesigns. If they wanted to create a new universe for new readers, it should remain separate from regular continuity. If they do a TPB of the relaunch in the future, I may pick it up, but right now, it just feels like writers got too lazy to continue ongoing stories and went "I know, lets start over!".

[SRScribe]

When Marvel started their Ultimate universe years ago, I gave it a chance at first. I soon found myself uninterested in a universe that was pretending to be the one I knew and loved. One that was "updated" for more modern readers. I can't imagine this would be any different, and aside from Nightwing, I don't care for any of the redesigns. If they wanted to create a new universe for new readers, it should remain separate from regular continuity. If they do a TPB of the relaunch in the future, I may pick it up, but right now, it just feels like writers got too lazy to continue ongoing stories and went "I know, lets start over!".

KC, right on Jeloschi.

I feel you on the Ultimate U. For me, when it was good, (early and focused), it was great. But, it seemed like the focus was just telling 180 spins on the regular U. I think the NEW 52 is sticking closer to popular DC continuity than they let on, which is a good thing. I bought 14 of the new titles through September and enjoyed all but a few. My strategy has been to avoid the big focus books like JLA and stick with 2nd tier stuff. So far it's paid off.

And after I read a Bleeding Cool article about Marvel's page counts going down, but their price staying the same, DCs 2.99 across the board is much more appealing.

[sirandal]

Just finished reading Detective #2 and Action #2 and I am really enjoying them. I realize that Detective isn't anything ground-breaking, but it's been a long long time since I've followed any title, so it seems "new" to me.

Ditto for the new Action title, but man, it's really shaken things up. I really like the direction of the "powered down" Superman. The first two issues were fun.

[scmarooney]

J I really like the direction of the "powered down" Superman. The first two issues were fun.

Hmmmm, I picked up Action #1 a few weeks back, but wasn't really feeling excited by it. Too broke lately to pick up the rest of the new DC stuff.

Guess I'm old enough to remember back when John Byrne "De-Powered" and reinvented Superman with the whole Man of Steel thing. Don't recall how long it took DC to throw that retcon out? I wonder how long all this new stuff will "stick" before they toss it out and go back to the old-versions?

[cbikle]

I wonder how long all this new stuff will "stick" before they toss it out and go back to the old-versions?

Probably awhile or at least as long as Didio remains in charge of DC.

[malachimanson]

Probably awhile or at least as long as Didio remains in charge of DC.

But they need an event for Next Summer.


I haven't had a chance to pick up any books yet. Though I've been hearing great things for the second tier books. Its something I expected honestly because those books are always better. Still the books I'm interested in I know won't be around in a year so why invest in it? I'll wait for the trade for of the 6-12 issue run.

[SHAMWOW!]

my impression is that


captain atom maybe the most powerful hero

apollo is more stronger than superman

[NickRocks]

still dont really care for it too much

tshirt and jeans supes is ok
capullo batman is pretty with a weak story

[Popninja]

I'm buying Batwoman and Action Comics, even though odds are I will stop buying Action Comics because I'm not loving the art that much.

[NickRocks]

yeah, morales is on at some times and really really off at others

[cbikle]

I'm buying Batwoman and Action Comics

Along with Animal Man, those are the two titles that everyone seems to enjoy out of the New 52.

[Zippy]

Swamp Thing is by far my favorite, but I'm enjoying all the ones I regularly follow.

Swamp Thing - excellent in every way.
Batwoman - ditto
Batman - Great art, good story (not on par with the writing in the above two)
Just League Dark - ( Good art, great story)
Animal Man - Haven't been following it, but I've flipped through it several times and heard nothing but praise for it.
Detective Comics - same as above.

[Dann]

It used to be, comic book heroes were heroes because of morals or the want to make life better for the greater good and all that....now it seems like these guys are just young guys with chips on their shoulders and do what they do, not because of their morals, but because of revenge or whatever.
In a nutshell....it's like they put all the DC characters in the Wildstorm universe.

I really like OMAC and Justice League Dark tho...those are good books!

[Rene A.]

I am reading 32 of the 52 titles. Yeah, I'm diggin' it. And...I was never a real, solid DC fan. It somehow, IMO, seems like DC has recaptured a certain feel that's missing from the Marvel books these days (again, this is just my take.) I even like the way how all the DC books have a uniform look to their covers. The DC logo doesn't float all over the place, unlike Marvel's. DC has blurbs on their covers, which I think is pretty cool. Now I know you can't judge a book by it's cover, but I am also in a phase of discovering all these new characters in what is for me a new universe. So, my experience is that Marvel kind of lost me over the years, DC comes along and revamps and I'm at the right place at the right time.

My absolute favorite titles: Aquaman, OMAC, Animal Man, Justice League, Wonder Woman.

[Jonny-Ledford]

Hmmmm, I picked up Action #1 a few weeks back, but wasn't really feeling excited by it. Too broke lately to pick up the rest of the new DC stuff.

Guess I'm old enough to remember back when John Byrne "De-Powered" and reinvented Superman with the whole Man of Steel thing. Don't recall how long it took DC to throw that retcon out? I wonder how long all this new stuff will "stick" before they toss it out and go back to the old-versions?

That is basically how I feel. I do understand the ideology behind the idea of "reboots". Make the old material fresh again for readers that are not 30 somethings 40 somethings and so on. BUT, that being said I do feel it is a bit of marketing chicanery rather than a serious effort to draw long term readers. Bandaid for publishing I suppose. It seems the stories and titles that have the longevity are truly lightning in a bottle so to speak. When you pre-package hot name artists with riffy new edgier stories it is like "action films" Great the first time you see it, but a bit stale on further viewings.

I feel that most of these teams will dissolve after year one, and these titles will either end or drift into obscurity again. Probably end up one of those places you would not want to be put like Shooter's New Universe material. I hope it goes differently, but we have seen this time and time again with things like Heroes Reborn etc. It's fun at first, then it just kind of wanders off never to be seen again. Of course these my personal opinions for all I know it could dig in and make it. Let's hope it doesn't follow the usual life cycle of most reboots.

[SHAMWOW!]

jessica alba misses power girls boob window also.

http://img252.imagevenue.com/aAfkjfp01fo1i-65/loc60/327365282_jessica_alba_13_122_60lo.jpg

[BullyJack]

I read action which I like a lot and the art gets me happy, court of owls trade (I liked it a lot and heard a great podcast with Snyder talking about it), and detective comics which I think is great artistically but boring written at times. I really like capullos pencils in court of owls. He's a bada$$

[Doomsmith]

They went through the trouble of integrating the Wildstorm stable of characters into DC continuity but what about the Milestone stable of characters? They have just as much, if not MORE, depth and story potential in their backgrounds that's just waiting to be tapped.




D2k12!

[cbikle]

They went through the trouble of integrating the Wildstorm stable of characters into DC continuity but what about the Milestone stable of characters? They have just as much, if not MORE, depth and story potential in their backgrounds that's just waiting to be tapped.



From what I understand, DC doesn't own the rights to the Milestone characters and they have to pay whenever they use them.

[Doomsmith]

From what I understand, DC doesn't own the rights to the Milestone characters and they have to pay whenever they use them.

I think that if they want a chance at richer and more diverse stories and characters it'd be worth the investment. And it's not like Warner Brothers is hurting for money, y'know?




D2k12!

[cbikle]

I think that if they want a chance at richer and more diverse stories and characters it'd be worth the investment. And it's not like Warner Brothers is hurting for money, y'know?


To be honest, I think there's a lot of confusion at DC with lots of moving parts and different camps with different agendas.

With Harras and Didio in charge, I don't see a lot being done with the Milestone characters unless it gets mandated by their bosses (I think Static Shock wouldn't be a bad idea for consideration for the JL movie - even if only as a side character).

Personally, I was never really a fan of the Milestone characters, but I liked how McDuffie used them in his run on Justice League.

[malachimanson]

So the The New 52 is no longer 52 or new its like the New 46 or something as yet anther title is cancelled from their line. There have been more then 52 titles and they can them faster then they make new ones really sad.