s previously mentioned, I’m on a one man mission to become the 14 year old comic book reader I always wanted to be. With the recent DC Comics reboot and their September of 52 issue #1s in full flow, it’s time to tuck into to some books and see how they fare.
With 52 books to choose from this September (and only a finite amount of time and money available) I’ll be checking out books from old favourites (that’s anything you might have heard of) and also testing DC’s claim that anyone can pick up a #1 issue without any previous knowledge (that’ll be me reading some unknown stuff).
Find out what I made of week 1 and week 2‘s titles.
The following books were released September 21st
Batman #1
Writer: Scott Snyder, Artist: Greg Capullo
Prior Knowledge
More Batman? Sweet! Not sure how this ties in with the Detective Comics though; if at all. This one’s written by Scott Snyder, who did the amazing Swamp Thing from week 1.
The story
In Batman #1 we get to see three sides of the caped crusader. At one turn he’s busting into Arkham, introducing the heel of his boot into a veritable who’s who of Gotham villains’ faces; we see the millionaire businessman, commanding a room with a powerful speech about how he intends to change Gotham and shmoozing with the political elite; and finally we get Batman the detective, walking through a crime scene pouring over clues with GCPD’s finest. In amongst this, anyone new to the Batman is deftly delivered with information about Robins past and present, and given a little history on Batman’s parental issues. In a nutshell: a great story driven by some classy dialogue.
The art
Dirty and grimy like it needs to be. The opening fight sequence is frantic but never confusing. The real triumph here is the facial expressions.
Favourite Panel
Did it make sense?
Even though Batman is a well known character, comic book reader or not, Snyder drops enough back story nods to keep even the most out of the loop reader on the page. For those of us who do know out Bats, there’s plenty of nods to the past to keep us happy.
Verdict
Film noir detective political CSI horror thriller? Yes please. 5/5
On the pull list?
Fuckyeah.
Red Hood & The Outlaws #1
Writer: Scott Lobdel, Artist: Keneth Rocafort
Prior Knowledge
None. The guy in the comic book store recommended this one. Don’t let me down, comic book guy!
The story
No surprise from the cover that this is another team book. Our three keepers of the piece are Jason Todd (Red Hood), Roy Harper and Kori (Starfire) and, to be honest, they’re kinda dicks. Like the cool kids at school who think they’re soooo great — but maybe that’s the point. After breaking Harper out of a Middle Eastern prison (which is pretty freakin’ sweet), and escaping with a little help from Starfire before you know it the gang are on a tropical island sipping cocktails from coconuts and indulging in some gratuitous T&A. We get a glimpse of a story arc but little is revealed. Perhaps it’s telling that his book ends with the line “To be explained”, rather than continued.
The art
The book’s saving grace is the art. Rocafort has done a brilliant job with the opening action scene and throught the book the panel design is always kept interesting, even if the content isn’t that compelling. He definitely had a lot of fun drawing Kori.
Favourite Panel
New reader friendly?
I definitely got the feeling I was late to the party. There’s a passing mention of Red Hood having something to do with Batman which isn’t explained. While other team books are opting to show us how the team assembled in their first issue, Red Hood… is seems to be about how the team got back together.
Verdict
If you like cartoon ass then this is for you (I’m looking at you comic book guy) 2/5
On the pull list?
No
DC Universe presents Deadman #1
Writer: Paul Jenkins, Artist: Bernard Chang
Prior Knowledge
Nothing. From the cover I’m guessing this is a book about a villain? And what’s the whole “DC Universe presents…” thing about?
The story
So it turns out that Deadman isn’t exactly a villain, he’s just an asshole. Big shot trapeze artist Boston Brand was “all up in everybody’s face” with his skills and girls and cars and what not. Enter a bullet, a very high fall and a Quantum Leap story line. Yes, in some sort of pre-death limbo Boston gets a telling off about how he’s been a dick and how he’s going to spend who knows how long leaping (they don’t say leaping, but we’re thinking it) into people’s bodies to help them steer their lives back on track. Even though this tired set up could work, it just doesn’t. If there’s one thing I’ve learned so far about comics is that, because page counts mean that space is at a premium, it’s got to be all killer not filler. In this book I got the impression that Jenkins had run out of things to say and story to tell. Not exactly a good start.
The art
It’s a good looking book, no doubt about that
Favourite Panel
New reader friendly?
Yeah. Although this is obviously an old character, it’s very much an origins story.
Verdict
The whole Quantum Leap thing could work nicely, but it’s handled poorly. 2/5
On the pull list?
More than likely.
Nightwing #1
Writer: Kyle Higgins, Artist: Eddy Barrows
Prior Knowledge
Some kind of Batman spin-off — again!? I know nothing of the Nightwing but his logo does have a massive bat behind it.
The story
So it turns out that Nightwing is ex-boy wonder Dick Grayson. Waddayaknow! And apparently it’s trapeze artist week as old Dick’s our second high flyer in as many books. A sort of anti-Batman, Nightwing loves Gotham; he’s moved from the Wayne Manor to a shabby part of town (aren’t they all), is fighting the demons of his parents’ death, and also fighting the many wrong do-ers of Gotham — as you’d expect. While Dick’s back-story is being padded out nicely there’s also a brilliant tie-in with Batman #1 — which I wont say anything about because, y’know, spooiiiiillers!
The art
As ever, Gotham looks good. I’m becoming a fan of interesting panel layout, especially during action sequences, and this book doesn’t disappoint in that department.
Favourite Panel
New reader friendly?
For sure. My only recommendation with this one would be to buy Batman #1 too — but you were always going to do that, right?
Verdict
My first geeky excitement at the possibility of a book cross-over. 4/5
On the pull list?
Yes.
Wonderwoman #1
Writer: Brian Azzarello, Artist: Cliff Chiang
Prior Knowledge
While Wonder Woman is a well known character, I do not know her well. In fact, I do not know her at all.
The story
I wasn’t expecting much from this (maybe I’m guilty of thinking a female-fronted book would be lame). Well shame on me as this was excellent. Diving headlong into modern day takes on Greek gods, we’ve got possessed groupies under the spell of Apollo (enter our main villain), Hermes the messenger and some centaur battles. Wonder Woman is in it too, and is soon obvious that this is no origins story. People are in awe of WW — a name she’s not too happy with (“call me Diana”). Diana’s character is fleshed out by some smart dialogue and actions rather than any in your face exposition, which is a nice touch. She’s also pretty badass at taking out centaurs. This book, surprisingly, has it all: characters, story and set up.
The art
Superb. A scene were our two centaurs come into being almost pushes this into horror territory — in a Wonder Woman book! The demise of those centaurs is possibly the best action sequence of the week too. All the Greek gods are brilliantly realised and even Zola, our human caught up in all this, is drawn in such a way that we get a pretty good idea of who she is before she’s even opened her mouth.
Favourite Panel
New reader friendly?
Although we find out that this is no origins story, we’re drip fed all the info we need to never feel lost.
Verdict
Possibly the most thought provoking book of the week. Some bold ideas well executed. In a Wonder Woman book! 5/5
On the pull list?
Yeah!
Picks of the week
Something of a polarising week really. In Batman, Wonder Woman and Nightwing we have three great books but then Red Hood and the Outlaws and Deadman are very much below average. Maybe it’s a weak week, maybe I made some ill-informed choices. Who knows.
Next week is the last of the 52 #1 issues and the list looks pretty tasty. A few more of DC’s ‘dark’ titles to get the teeth into. Keep ‘em on Culturedeluxe to find out if they’re worth your time.
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