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

[superman-prime]

from G Johns getting GL to current, ive liked most everything Brightest day is the one let down, and it was still pretty good, the war of light rage and sinistro war, wee all amazing, ganna sit down and reread most of it sometime sooner or later.

[ian_house]

I agree with 400, Batman, Animal Man and Swamp Thing are essentials. I'd also recommend trying Batwoman and Suicide Squad both are fun books, not quite up to the other 3's standard but nonethless enjoyable.

EDIT: JLI has been pretty fun too!

[xodacia81]

http://comics.ign.com/articles/121/1219917p1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[xodacia81]

from G Johns getting GL to current, ive liked most everything Brightest day is the one let down, and it was still pretty good, the war of light rage and sinistro war, wee all amazing, ganna sit down and reread most of it sometime sooner or later.

I'm in the minority, but I'm really digging the post War of the Lanterns relaunch in the New 52. Each book is doing a slow build, yes, but that's to be expected when something this epic is being told. I won't spoil it, but the end of GL 7-out today-and the end of Red Lanterns 7, out last week...it looks like the books have reached turning points. Suffice to say, long running stories kicked into high gear with these issues. In the case of GL, a story that's been around for YEARS is about to get some major light shed on it. Can't wait.

[ian_house]

http://comics.ign.com/articles/121/1219917p1.html

Some interesting points:

Batwing rated B - I've not heard alot about this series, has anyone been reading it?

Green Arrow - F! - Again not heard anyone reading it, is it THAT BAD?

I, Vampire - A - I dont really use IGN, tend to get most of my news from ifanboy who have overlooked this series, does it really deserve this hype?

JLI - F - Don't agree with this personally and they don't seem to give any reason. I thought Booster, Guy and the General particularly have been very entertaining. Good fun action comics.

Red Lanterns - D - Lowest graded of the GL books, I tried a few issues of this and it seemed fun. A mate of mine claims its the best GL title at the mo.

[400yrs]

I haven't read a single issue on any of those as they aren't my interest.

The different websites all have very different opinions on the different DC books. Some sites will love a book while others will hate it. If you have a columnist or two whose opinions you usually respect and agree with, I'd read those and listen to their opinions on those books.

The websites are kind of all over the place on nearly every book. The only books that are getting consistent praise everywhere I've read is Batman and maybe Aquaman. Every other book, I've heard bashed at least one place.

[xodacia81]

http://comics.ign.com/articles/121/1219917p1.html

Some interesting points:

Batwing rated B - I've not heard alot about this series, has anyone been reading it?

Green Arrow - F! - Again not heard anyone reading it, is it THAT BAD?

I, Vampire - A - I dont really use IGN, tend to get most of my news from ifanboy who have overlooked this series, does it really deserve this hype?

JLI - F - Don't agree with this personally and they don't seem to give any reason. I thought Booster, Guy and the General particularly have been very entertaining. Good fun action comics.

Red Lanterns - D - Lowest graded of the GL books, I tried a few issues of this and it seemed fun. A mate of mine claims its the best GL title at the mo.

I haven't read the others, but when it comes to the two I have...yes, Green Arrow is a mess and as such, out of completeness, I'm going to finish out the first year or so and quit. As for Red Lanterns, I enjoy it. I don't think it's THAT cheesecake. Sometimes I question the...interests of the guys and gals doing the reviews. It very well could be the best of the GL books right now. Of course, I'm biased as GL is my all time fave DC character.

[xodacia81]

I haven't read a single issue on any of those as they aren't my interest.

The different websites all have very different opinions on the different DC books. Some sites will love a book while others will hate it. If you have a columnist or two whose opinions you usually respect and agree with, I'd read those and listen to their opinions on those books.

The websites are kind of all over the place on nearly every book. The only books that are getting consistent praise everywhere I've read is Batman and maybe Aquaman. Every other book, I've heard bashed at least one place.

I can't speak to Batman, but I think Aquaman is truly special. Green Arrow is truly bad and the GL books? They are better than they were just before the relaunch but not where they were at during Blackest Night.

[400yrs]

This month I have read a bunch of DC books. My assessment is almost exactly the same as last month. See below:

Aquaman #6 (2/5) - I was not very impressed with this issue. It was all about Mera and I thought the story was just too cheesey. I am teetering on dropping this title. Issue #5 was okay and this one not good. If it does not get better in the next couple issues I am through.

Animal Man #6 (5/5) Again, this was amazing.

Batwoman #6 (3.5/5) - Still good and consistent with prior issues. Still a slow pace and enjoyable. Love the art, but sadly, I have decided to drop this series. I like it, but with the relaunch of VALIANT I can't keep buying stories that are just okay.

Batman #6 (5/5) - Another great Snyder book.

Swamp Thing #6 (5/5) - This issue was awesone. This series has really picked up and I am excited

I still need to read Batman #6, but I agree with you on Animal Man and Swamp Thing.

Swamp Thing #6 - 5/5 you couldn't even tell it was a fill in artist. That story is getting very interesting.

Animal Man #6 - 4.5/5 - Took the fill-in artist approach in a very uniqe way.

Flash #6 - 4/5 - They really lamed out on the new Captain Cold's origin, but the art was great.

Wonder Woman #6 - 2/5 - Glad I dropped this.

Aquaman #6 - 5/5 - I really liked this issue. I liked the Mera story and it wove into the ongoing mystery of the series so far. This is still among my favorite series.

[400yrs]

Batman #6 - 4/5 - I enjoyed it, but I wish we were moving on from the owls story. It looks like it's continued next issue. I just don't think I care for Bruce Wayne at all. The Detectives with Dick were better.

[ian_house]

Batman #6 - 4/5 - I enjoyed it, but I wish we were moving on from the owls story. It looks like it's continued next issue. I just don't think I care for Bruce Wayne at all. The Detectives with Dick were better.

The court of owls has only just started?! Not sure how you can go from praising the intro to it to wishing they'd moved on already.

[400yrs]

Batman #6 - 4/5 - I enjoyed it, but I wish we were moving on from the owls story. It looks like it's continued next issue. I just don't think I care for Bruce Wayne at all. The Detectives with Dick were better.

The court of owls has only just started?! Not sure how you can go from praising the intro to it to wishing they'd moved on already.

I kind of thought the maze in last issue felt like the high point. Snyder will probably prove me wrong though.

[ian_house]

Batman #6 - 4/5 - I enjoyed it, but I wish we were moving on from the owls story. It looks like it's continued next issue. I just don't think I care for Bruce Wayne at all. The Detectives with Dick were better.

The court of owls has only just started?! Not sure how you can go from praising the intro to it to wishing they'd moved on already.

I kind of thought the maze in last issue felt like the high point. Snyder will probably prove me wrong though.

Hope so. Plus Dic k has been absolutely crap in the new 52. The Nightwing title is a joke.

[400yrs]

Long time, no bump. Anyone still big time into the New 52? Not I.

I'm still getting - Animal Man, Swamp Thing, The Flash and Aquaman.

The only two that I'm really enjoying are Animal Man and Swamp Thing. I feel like I get my money's worth with those each issue.

I'm likely dropping Flash and Aquaman. Flash is ok, but nothing great. Aquaman is good, but it's too quick of a read. I'll likely get these out of dollar bins in the future.

[Tim]

I'm down to Aquaman and Supergirl. Still enjoying both of those thoroughly.

I'm also temporarily picking up Hawkman and Deathstroke but only because of Liefeld. The current Deathstroke storyline is a no-brainer (literally) for any fan of his. His over-the-top writing and drawing style isn't suited for too much these days, but a slugfest / shootout between Deathstroke and Lobo is perfect. These titles will definitely be dropped when he leaves them, though.

I'd be checking out his Grifter too if I could summon up ANY interest whatsoever in the Wildstorm characters.

[ian_house]

Yeah I'm still reading a fair few, as I've said before probably less than pre-52 but still quite a few:

Action Comics *
Animal Man *
Aquaman
Batman *
Earth 2
Flash *
Dial H *
Justice League
Justice League International (cancelled).
Swamp Thing *

I've starred the ones I feel I couldn't drop at the moment (Earth 2 was a close contender but we're only 2 issues in).

400, how come you dropped Batman?

[400yrs]

400, how come you dropped Batman?

I've come to the realization that I just don't like Bruce Wayne as a character nor the bat-villains as villains. For instance, the Annual that just came out with the origin of Mr. Freeze.

I thought that was an excellent story for the first half. I don't know much about the character, but the first part of that story set up a beautiful, tragic origin story for the villain. Then, the story is pulled out from under the reader at the end by Bruce.

There's nothing human about Bruce Wayne. He's rich, with no love interests and no real problems. There's nothing human about the bat villains. No tragedies that made them who they are. They are all just crazy. That pretty much also explains why I've always enjoyed Marvel moreso than DC.

[ian_house]

400, how come you dropped Batman?

I've come to the realization that I just don't like Bruce Wayne as a character nor the bat-villains as villains. For instance, the Annual that just came out with the origin of Mr. Freeze.

I thought that was an excellent story for the first half. I don't know much about the character, but the first part of that story set up a beautiful, tragic origin story for the villain. Then, the story is pulled out from under the reader at the end by Bruce.

There's nothing human about Bruce Wayne. He's rich, with no love interests and no real problems. There's nothing human about the bat villains. No tragedies that made them who they are. They are all just crazy. That pretty much also explains why I've always enjoyed Marvel moreso than DC.

It's a shame as what they've done there (in your spoiler section) is actually remove the tragedy from Freeze's origin, which really set him apart from the rest of Batman's rogues gallery.

I understand your point of view but I find that tragedy or reasoning behind Marvel villains a major issue as they almost always act out of character because of it. In concept Magneto and Doom are brilliant villains but in reality they do things that are against their core principles and destroy my involvement in a story... the Joker is unpredicatable, whatever he does is in character even if he spares the life of someone close to Batman.

Plus the Flash rogues make all of your points moot

[grendeljd]

Long time, no bump. Anyone still big time into the New 52? Not I.

I'm still getting - Animal Man, Swamp Thing, The Flash and Aquaman.

The only two that I'm really enjoying are Animal Man and Swamp Thing. I feel like I get my money's worth with those each issue.

I'm likely dropping Flash and Aquaman. Flash is ok, but nothing great. Aquaman is good, but it's too quick of a read. I'll likely get these out of dollar bins in the future.

I posted part of this in the 'What Books are You Reading' thread but it's probably more fitting here;

Animal Man & Swamp Thing are my top favourites of the New 52 as well. I'm *almost* at the point where they are the only N52 titles I am gonna keep reading...

I'm also reading Resurrection Man & Batman, but RM is getting cancelled soon, and although I like the Court Of Owls story currently happening in Batman, I really don't appreciate the jump to $3.99, even with the extra back-up pages. I probably will drop that one once the CoO story is done & I am up to 4 Valiant titles a month

I tried out Dial H to see what Mieville was gonna do with it [LOVE that guys novels], but so far I am not overly impressed.

I originally tried out about a dozen books;

1] All-Star Western ~ [lasted 4 issues. Cool book, but I didn't want to pay $3.99 for the crappy back-up stories]

2] Animal Man ~ [still going, great read]

3] Batman ~ [still going for now, enjoying the core Court of Owls story - not getting any other Bat-Titles]

4] Dial H ~ [still going for now but may not keep up - I really don't like the art]

5] Deathstroke ~ [lasted 2 issues. I was hopiong it would be great, I love the character, but didn't care for this version]

6] Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. ~ [lasted 1 issue. Love the cover art, and kind of a fun idea, but no thanks]

7] I, Vampire ~ [lasted 6 issues - good stuff there but feels like a Gilligan's Island sort of plot concept; i.e. he'll never catch or really stop/kill Mary]

8] Justice League ~ [Grabbed #1 just to have the first of the New 52. I don't really expect it to be a collectors item or anything, plus I do always like to see what Jim Lee does from time to time]

9] Legion Lost ~ [lasted 7 issues - I always liked LoSH, but wasn't keen on getting into it all over again. I enjoyed the idea of this title, and it was a decent read for a while but once the crossovers started I got turned off]

10] Resurrection Man ~ [still going, gonna ride it until it ends at 12]

11] Suicide Squad ~ [Just got #10, I think I'm done with this one now. Fun, but >meh<.]

12] Swamp Thing ~ [Still going, still enjoying it]

[dbngaa]

I tried all of the Bat titles when the re-launch started. Some were immediate No's (Red Hood, Dark Knight, Catwoman), some I stuck with through the 1st story arc and that was enough (Batwing, Batgirl, Nightwing), and some I am still getting (Batman, Detective, Batman & Robin, Batwoman, and Birds of Prey). Plus, Swamp Thing, Animal Man, Wonder Woman, and now Batman Inc. and Justice League Dark.

So 10 titles. Of those, a few are on the bubble at the moment.

BoP - I picked this up due to Bloodshot's own Duane Swierczynski being the writer. It's been fun, but I will probably drop it if/when he leaves.
BW - I really liked the 1st arc, when Williams did the art; but the 2nd arc has been a bit less interesting to me (maybe due to the time/character jumps). We'll see how it progresses.
WW - similar to BW, liked the 1st arc and the art, 2nd one not as much, but we'll see.

Detective would have been dropped, but I have every issue going back about 30 years and feel compelled to keep up with it. May drop it and pick up issues on the cheap later.

Swamp Thing and Animal Man are the best of the bunch. Batman has also been very good, and I just really like Damien in BM&R so that keeps me sticking around. I think Lemire's JLD will be good, as will Morrison's BM Inc.

[MichaelPaytonMZ]

I dropped Deathstroke once Rob started. This is one of my favorite villains in all of comics. He deserves better than the hack that keep recycling the same four characters in every series he "creates". I'm actually pretty disgusted by the entire New 52 take on the Teen Titans mythos. from the awful main Titans books (even Tim Drake can't keep me interested in it) to the porn slut that they turned Kori into.

I dumped Superman & Action as well. Any hopes that Morrison would bring a second coming of "all-Star" with his run on Action are long evaporated for me. Luckily, Superman Beyond and Smallville satisfy my Superman fix well enough.

I didn't like his Batman that well either, so I'm hesitant to stick with Batman Inc. Esp with so many better Bat-books, like Snyder's Batman, Legends of the Dark Knight, Batman & Robin, Batman Beyond and the Arkham City End Game arc.

I adore Animal Man, Swamp Thing, Wonder Woman, Lemire's JL Dark and the Flash. Also a huge fan of Lemire's Sweet Tooth and Snyder's American Vampire books. There are definitely NO sparkly vampires here, thank God. I'm giving John's JL till the end of this arc to convince me to stay with it. It's picked up quite a lot since the Michael Bay-like debut arc. I liked the Justice League Beyond origin of Warhawk. It's nice to see the Timmverse still kicking this way.

[400yrs]

So, I just dropped Batman. However, Snyder is doing a Joker story starting at #13. No way I'm missing that.

[ian_house]

So, I just dropped Batman. However, Snyder is doing a Joker story starting at #13. No way I'm missing that.

[Cyberstrike]

I might have to start reading Batwoman as a monthly, I've really enjoyed the Elegy TPB and Hydrology HC I bought. Don't know if I have the patience to wait for the next HC/TPB.

[dbngaa]

Yea, Batwoman is quite good. I'm hanging on with Batman, but have dropped Detective. Maybe if the creative team changes I'll try it again.