DC Relaunch Story Discussions ONLY (no market info or spec)

[400yrs]

My DC pull books before New 52:
- nothing


My anticipated pull list after the announcement of the New 52:
- Animal Man
- Batman


My current DC pull list:
- All Star Western
- Animal Man
- Aquaman
- Batman
- Flash
- Swamp Thing
- Wonder Woman


I'm guessing that the first ones I will end up cutting are All Star Western (it's 3.99 and the back ups will likely wear me down) and Wonder Woman.

People are saying really good things about Batman #3. This is when I hate mail order, but oh well.

[aceraxon]

I'm posting reviews of most of the New 52 on my website if anyone wants to join in a discussion there. I'm going to try and review as many of them as possible.

[400yrs]

I picked up Supergirl #1 last night. I said I wouldn't, but I had to check out Mahmud's art. I pretty much agree with Sean's opinion from the OTV podcast. It's all one big scene and nothing really happened. This would've been good if it was 10-12 pages and then the Superman convo or whatever was included as well.

The art was excellent. The fault with this comic lies in the scripting process. This one is on the writer who I've never heard of before. I will likely flip the trade. If it develops substance, I might pick it up just to check out Asrar's art.

[caxiotis]

Just read:

Animal Man #3 and it was amazing (5/5). This is the best book of the year. Issue three has me captivated and I can't wait for the next issue

Batwoman #3 (3/5) - Still good and consistent with prior issues. I think i would like this series more if I sat down and read the first three issues in a row. It has a slow pace, but enjoyable.

Batman #3 (3.5/5) - Enjoying the Snyder run. Still getting used to Cappulo's art again. Excited to see what happens next.

Aquaman #3 - (4/5) - This issue had more action and was better than the last. I still want Aquaman to have more confidence.

Swamp Thing #3 (3.5/5) - Better than issue number #2. This story has mad potential and I think is somehow going to intersect with Animal Man. I am excited to see what happens next.

Action Comics #3 (2/5) - Officially dropped. Just not my thing.

Wonder Woman #3 (2.5/5) - This dropped off quite a bit for me. I really enjoyed the first two issues and this one was just okay. Maybe because the story was jumping around a lot, but I am still going to keep reading for now.

[400yrs]

Just read:

Animal Man #3 and it was amazing (5/5). This is the best book of the year. Issue three has me captivated and I can't wait for the next issue

Batwoman #3 (3/5) - Still good and consistent with prior issues. I think i would like this series more if I sat down and read the first three issues in a row. It has a slow pace, but enjoyable.

Batman #3 (3.5/5) - Enjoying the Snyder run. Still getting used to Cappulo's art again. Excited to see what happens next.

Aquaman #3 - (4/5) - This issue had more action and was better than the last. I still want Aquaman to have more confidence.

Swamp Thing #3 (3.5/5) - Better than issue number #2. This story has mad potential and I think is somehow going to intersect with Animal Man. I am excited to see what happens next.

Action Comics #3 (2/5) - Officially dropped. Just not my thing.

Wonder Woman #3 (2.5/5) - This dropped off quite a bit for me. I really enjoyed the first two issues and this one was just okay. Maybe because the story was jumping around a lot, but I am still going to keep reading for now.

I'm still waiting on my #3s. I'm really looking forward to Animal Man, Batman and Aquaman.


I did pick up Supergirl #2 and #3 at a half off sale...... mainly for the Asrar art. Both of these were very light again.

If the first issue of the series was the plot of #1-2 combined or maybe even #1-3, this would've been fantastic. It's too decompressed to pay $3 for this.

[Dr. Solar]

If the first issue of the series was the plot of #1-2 combined or maybe even #1-3, this would've been fantastic. It's too decompressed to pay $3 for this.

That's pretty much how I feel. If the story that was spread out amongst #1 and #2 was all contained in the first issue, this would be one of the books I rather liked. I really like the story that is being told so far, but there's not enough value for me to keep buying it.

I've got the first three weeks of #3 books in a stack on my table at home, staring me in the face every night. After reading the first two issues, and with all the third issues sitting there, I'm finding that there aren't that many that I am really excited about reading.

I think that a lot of the books got better with the second issue, but nothing is really stellar.

Even the books I really like, Action, Batwoman, Animal Man, Swamp Thing, aren't super exciting to me. These books really aren't making me feel like I've got to keep reading them, like I've got to find out what happens in the story.

[400yrs]

Even the books I really like, Action, Batwoman, Animal Man, Swamp Thing, aren't super exciting to me. These books really aren't making me feel like I've got to keep reading them, like I've got to find out what happens in the story.

Right now, I'm only feeling really excited about Animal Man, Aquaman and Batman and Flash just because of the art.

All Star Western I'm probably going to drop because of the price. Swamp Thing I'll stay on until the crossover with Animal Man. Wonder Woman better be good in the next issue or 2 or I'm out.


If we are feeling this way (not apathetic, but not entirely enthused), you have to imagine the rest of the comic world feels similarly and that will likely show in sales in the #6, 7 and 8 issues if not before.

[Dr. Solar]

If we are feeling this way (not apathetic, but not entirely enthused), you have to imagine the rest of the comic world feels similarly and that will likely show in sales in the #6, 7 and 8 issues if not before.

I don't know if we're typical comic readers. I don't know that were not either, I just don't know.

I wonder if we, meaning the comic audience in general, have been trained to not expect much.

I know I'm just not that enthused about super heroes like I used to be, but I don't know if that is because I'm just not that into superheroes, or because there aren't any superhero books that are really exciting to me.

I feel like I am looking for something pretty simple: compelling plot and compelling characters. Maybe that is harder to pull off than I think.

[geocarr]

I know I'm just not that enthused about super heroes like I used to be, but I don't know if that is because I'm just not that into superheroes, or because there aren't any superhero books that are really exciting to me.

I feel like I am looking for something pretty simple: compelling plot and compelling characters. Maybe that is harder to pull off than I think.

Are you reading Invincible? If you're not and you want to get excited about a superhero book, then you should be.

[400yrs]

Are you reading Invincible? If you're not and you want to get excited about a superhero book, then you should be.

That book is so good, I think it made me like Spider-Man again too.

[Dr. Solar]

Are you reading Invincible? If you're not and you want to get excited about a superhero book, then you should be.

I read the first trade or two, but haven't read anything past that. I liked it well enough, I just haven't gotten around to picking it up. It's on my "eventually" list.

[geocarr]

Are you reading Invincible? If you're not and you want to get excited about a superhero book, then you should be.

I read the first trade or two, but haven't read anything past that. I liked it well enough, I just haven't gotten around to picking it up. It's on my "eventually" list.

Check out the Compendium. You get like 40-something issues in one book for about $35 bucks I think. It's definitely the way to go if you read in trades.

[Elveen]

I know I'm just not that enthused about super heroes like I used to be, but I don't know if that is because I'm just not that into superheroes, or because there aren't any superhero books that are really exciting to me.

I feel like I am looking for something pretty simple: compelling plot and compelling characters. Maybe that is harder to pull off than I think.

Are you reading Invincible? If you're not and you want to get excited about a superhero book, then you should be.

Geo for the win!

[caxiotis]

Even the books I really like, Action, Batwoman, Animal Man, Swamp Thing, aren't super exciting to me. These books really aren't making me feel like I've got to keep reading them, like I've got to find out what happens in the story.

Right now, I'm only feeling really excited about Animal Man, Aquaman and Batman and Flash just because of the art.

All Star Western I'm probably going to drop because of the price. Swamp Thing I'll stay on until the crossover with Animal Man. Wonder Woman better be good in the next issue or 2 or I'm out.


If we are feeling this way (not apathetic, but not entirely enthused), you have to imagine the rest of the comic world feels similarly and that will likely show in sales in the #6, 7 and 8 issues if not before.

That's funny because I feel similar. Animal man is the book that I am the most excited about (and most surprised by). The rest that I am reading are good, but I am not sure I am going to keep reading them for the long term.

[superman-prime]

so far very good stuff

[leonmallett]

so far very good stuff

For me not so much. It may be down to my choice of books, but I am only really enjoying one of the 'new 52' that I read (and I won't say which one - it is fun for me rather than high-quality comic literature - not saying which one for fear of a Draco-led lynch-mob with pitchforks and burning torches! ), and the other DC book I really like is a mini (Shade) and so not one of the 'new 52'.

I have dropped 3 books already, with another 4 on the cusp of being dropped. I can foresee me not reading any DC books at some point, which would be the first time ever during my comic book reading.

[Jersen]

Wow, I've actually been adding books to my DC pull list over the past couple of months. I am behind on my reading of the New 52 and related minis, but I've found that I've been by and large very happy with most of what I've read in these books. Granted, I didn't order any that seem to have been universally regarded as out-and-out stinkers, like Savage Hawkman (OK, so I did get DCU Presents), but I've honestly enjoyed what I've read so far. I may change my mind down the line a ways about some of the books, but I'm enjoying the DC relaunch so far, and I'm not a new turn-on to DC.

Unlike many, I actually really like the approach DC has taken to this relaunch, where the top-tier stories that have been ongoing epics for years now (ie, Batman and Green Lantern) continue basically unchanged and nice, neat jump-ons have been made for everyone else (let's face it, were THAT MANY people really following what was going on in Superman?). Someone on the CGS call-in podcast was griping about the fact that he was bent out of shape about the whole 4 Robins in 5 years thing with Batman, but really, it's not like an exact figure has been put on this timeline. The only thing concrete is that this initial JL story is 5 years ago. Batman could have been around before that time with Dick Grayson! I think it's a mistake to think too hard about this. As I've said in other posts, it's very easy to make up your own continuity and leave out what you don't consider to be relevant.

On the other hand, we all have things that we hate about the official canon and have to live with. I hate the fact that Jason Todd is alive and kicking as the Red Hood. Even though I haven't given it a chance, I dislike the fact the Ted Kord is STILL dead and Jaime is Blue Beetle. Doesn't keep me from involving myself in a universe that I have developed a great affinity for since childhood.

Ugh, sorry for the rant. Made the mistake of taking time to think.

[Dr. Solar]

I thought DCU presents got quite a bit better with issue 2 than it was with issue 1.

I think that it is possible that across the board, the average quality of DC books is better than teh average quality of Marvel books.

There is just nothing really jumping out at me yet as exceptional.

[Draco]

so far very good stuff

For me not so much. It may be down to my choice of books, but I am only really enjoying one of the 'new 52' that I read (and I won't say which one - it is fun for me rather than high-quality comic literature - not saying which one for fear of a Draco-led lynch-mob with pitchforks and burning torches! ), and the other DC book I really like is a mini (Shade) and so not one of the 'new 52'.

I have dropped 3 books already, with another 4 on the cusp of being dropped. I can foresee me not reading any DC books at some point, which would be the first time ever during my comic book reading.

Dude, i knew the second I read 'I am only really enjoying one' and had a little chuckle. It may not do it for some, but that's a throwback book, not great, but not so bad i can trash it

This for me is actually what i like about the scope of the New 52, they are catering for more than just Zombies who want to read, understand and have complete tight continuity over 40 monthlies.
Something for everyone?
Pretty cool across the board.

[leonmallett]

so far very good stuff

For me not so much. It may be down to my choice of books, but I am only really enjoying one of the 'new 52' that I read (and I won't say which one - it is fun for me rather than high-quality comic literature - not saying which one for fear of a Draco-led lynch-mob with pitchforks and burning torches! ), and the other DC book I really like is a mini (Shade) and so not one of the 'new 52'.

I have dropped 3 books already, with another 4 on the cusp of being dropped. I can foresee me not reading any DC books at some point, which would be the first time ever during my comic book reading.

Dude, i knew the second I read 'I am only really enjoying one' and had a little chuckle. It may not do it for some, but that's a throwback book, not great, but not so bad i can trash it

This for me is actually what i like about the scope of the New 52, they are catering for more than just Zombies who want to read, understand and have complete tight continuity over 40 monthlies.
Something for everyone?
Pretty cool across the board.

So no lynch mob then?

I was talking with one of my LCS guys about this very subject a couple of days ago, and it may well be that I simply chose the 'wrong' books for me, but then again we also agreed that at our respective ages, he and i are not the target audience that DC is going after. I am okay with soon dropping more DC titles.

DC Comics has been an important 32 years of my life. With the new 52 I considered 'jumping off'; with hindsight I probably should have done so. Seeing 'Superman' depicted wilfully dismembering an alien creature (he does not know it is a parademon at the time) is not the 'Superman' I grew up with. Maybe it really is time for me to just remember DC as it was and move on.

[Draco]

so far very good stuff

For me not so much. It may be down to my choice of books, but I am only really enjoying one of the 'new 52' that I read (and I won't say which one - it is fun for me rather than high-quality comic literature - not saying which one for fear of a Draco-led lynch-mob with pitchforks and burning torches! ), and the other DC book I really like is a mini (Shade) and so not one of the 'new 52'.

I have dropped 3 books already, with another 4 on the cusp of being dropped. I can foresee me not reading any DC books at some point, which would be the first time ever during my comic book reading.

Dude, i knew the second I read 'I am only really enjoying one' and had a little chuckle. It may not do it for some, but that's a throwback book, not great, but not so bad i can trash it

This for me is actually what i like about the scope of the New 52, they are catering for more than just Zombies who want to read, understand and have complete tight continuity over 40 monthlies.
Something for everyone?
Pretty cool across the board.

So no lynch mob then?

I was talking with one of my LCS guys about this very subject a couple of days ago, and it may well be that I simply chose the 'wrong' books for me, but then again we also agreed that at our respective ages, he and i are not the target audience that DC is going after. I am okay with soon dropping more DC titles.

DC Comics has been an important 32 years of my life. With the new 52 I considered 'jumping off'; with hindsight I probably should have done so. Seeing 'Superman' depicted wilfully dismembering an alien creature (he does not know it is a parademon at the time) is not the 'Superman' I grew up with. Maybe it really is time for me to just remember DC as it was and move on.

Through our life times this is something we all have to do fro time to time and I agree this is a great jump off point for people who have clung on for maybe the last 10 certainly 5 years. DC have been awful as a shared universe since Infinite Crisis ( which i loved) and then 52, one year later etc, Sure some great books in between, but together = FAIL.

The New 52 is something for the times, not for people who got into comics way back when, though the odd title will hopefully still appeal.

[Tim]

...were THAT MANY people really following what was going on in Superman?

I was.

I was also one of the (evidently) few people who were REALLY enjoying the Superman books until the last 10-12 issues of their runs. Straczynski's "Grounded" was a fun idea, but terribly executed until Chris Roberson took over and just barely salvaged it. I remember reading that Superman was always Straczynski's favorite superhero and he'd always dreamed of the day he'd get to write the character but when I actually read his first few issues I honestly wondered if he'd ever read a Superman comic book before. Paul Cornell's Action run was downright godawfully dull. Times in that run I was actually too bored to even roll my eyes or yawn. I enjoyed the New Krypton stuff terribly, and was looking forward to getting back to that after Cornell and Straczynski finished their wanks, but sadly (for me, at least) it wasn't to be.

[Tim]

DC Comics has been an important 32 years of my life. With the new 52 I considered 'jumping off'; with hindsight I probably should have done so. Seeing 'Superman' depicted wilfully dismembering an alien creature (he does not know it is a parademon at the time) is not the 'Superman' I grew up with. Maybe it really is time for me to just remember DC as it was and move on.

I feel the same way. I went through plenty of emotions when I heard about the Relaunch, none of them good. I broke my vow of not buying any, partly out of my love for the characters and partly because of loyalty to certain creators and I have even enjoyed a few on pure entertainment value. Friends who know I'm a Trekkie asked me what I thought of the new Star Trek film when it came out and I'd always tell them that it was "a fantastic, fun, awesome movie that had absolutely nothing to do with Star Trek". That's how I feel about the new DCU (except for the fantastic, fun and awesome part). One of the many things that I loved about the DCU it is that it tied into stories that I read when I was a kid and watched build, for better or worse, all of my adult life. I fully admit that as a comics fan, personally I want to read stories that reference stories that I have already read and I don't even really give a sh!t if they're good or not.

I'm still loving Supergirl and enjoying Aquaman, but in all likelihood, as soon as something catches my attention and requires me to make a cut somewhere else in my comics budget, these will be the first to go on the block. Flash is dropped, which is something a man with almost an entire room devoted to Flash comics, sketches, action figures and other memorabilia finds hard to even believe himself.

That being said, there's still enough older material that I missed the first time around to keep me buying and reading for probably the remainder of my life. Sweet!

[Jersen]

Tim, I get your point, and totally respect that fact that you've given yourself a nice, neat jumping off point to dive into what you've missed in the era you love, but don't you think your Star Trek illustration of your point comes off as a bit elitist? I don't consider myself a Trekkie, I've never seen the entire original TV series, but I do love all of the original movies (yes, I even like "The Motion Picture") and Next Generation. I thought the new Star Trek movie was a great approach that balanced the cerebral approach of traditional Star Trek with the action/excitement that many people found lacking in the other franchises. I also thought the way that this franchise spawns from the original to be a VERY comic book-ish way of handling things with lots of touches that were Easter eggs for those acquainted with the original crew/stories.

To make a statement like you made about either Star Trek or DC in the context of their relaunches ("It's very exciting, but has nothing to do with Star Trek/DC.") comes off sounding like people who are newbies are lower than you and not as worthy of respect. In the case of either, isn't the discussion about the characters and stories, and the opportunity to include others in such a rich mythos a more valuable experience than to separate yourself or refuse to lower yourself to what's happening?

Sorry, man, I'm not trying to be a *SQUEE* or combative, believe it or not. Just facilitating a little discussion. Feel free to have me shut up and move on.

[Draco]

Tim, I get your point, and totally respect that fact that you've given yourself a nice, neat jumping off point to dive into what you've missed in the era you love, but don't you think your Star Trek illustration of your point comes off as a bit elitist? I don't consider myself a Trekkie, I've never seen the entire original TV series, but I do love all of the original movies (yes, I even like "The Motion Picture") and Next Generation. I thought the new Star Trek movie was a great approach that balanced the cerebral approach of traditional Star Trek with the action/excitement that many people found lacking in the other franchises. I also thought the way that this franchise spawns from the original to be a VERY comic book-ish way of handling things with lots of touches that were Easter eggs for those acquainted with the original crew/stories.

To make a statement like you made about either Star Trek or DC in the context of their relaunches ("It's very exciting, but has nothing to do with Star Trek/DC.") comes off sounding like people who are newbies are lower than you and not as worthy of respect. In the case of either, isn't the discussion about the characters and stories, and the opportunity to include others in such a rich mythos a more valuable experience than to separate yourself or refuse to lower yourself to what's happening?

Sorry, man, I'm not trying to be a *SQUEE* or combative, believe it or not. Just facilitating a little discussion. Feel free to have me shut up and move on.

I think this simply means that from a past enjoyment tense, these are nothing to do with a DC Tim's familiar with, therefore they come across like a whole new product that no one collecting DC the last 30 years will understand.