This was one of the biggest comic book weeks of the year. DC effectively closed out the New 52 with the release of Superman #52 and Justice League #50, while also offering a tantalizing glimpse of what's to come with DC Universe Rebirth #1. As if that weren't enough, they also kicked off the bizarre Scooby-Doo reboot, Scooby Apocalypse. Marvel, meanwhile, delivered the controversial Captain America: Steve Rogers #1 and new issues of popular books like The Mighty Thor, Deadpool, Star Wars and Extraordinary X-Men. And for fans of the long-running indie series Rachel Rising, it was a bittersweet week as Terry Moore brought the book to a close.
Scroll down to check out our reviews for these and various other new releases, and be sure to let us know your favorite comics of the week in the comments below.
Written by Brenden Fletcher | Drawn by Eleanor Carlini and Minkyu Jung
I don’t know how directly involved Brenden Fletcher is in the process of deciding which artists will draw his DC books, but every single one of those books just look great. Eleanor Carlini picks up her art duties where they left off from last issue’s fun adventure. It’s impressive to see that the book can still dazzle in many of the same ways that it did earlier in its run, even with the loss of all-star artist Babs Tarr. Even more impressively, the artist changes halfway through the issue, but this book is able to avoid the recent DC curse of “two mismatched artists”. Minkyu Jung is a wonderful complement to Carlini and a quirky fun artist in his own right. We’ll miss this run of Batgirl and hope the book will be able to keep up this artistic consistency post-Rebirth. - Levi
Final Score:
Written by Geoff Johns | Drawn by Various
"The New 52 played an important role in reshaping the tone and direction of DC Comics, and in bringing a new wave of readers to the publisher at a time when sales were slumping to dangerously low levels. All that being said, many mistakes were made over the course of the New 52's five-year existence. Some might even argue it fundamentally damaged the DC brand. The goal with the DC Rebirth relaunch is to polish this superhero universe, bring back some of those vital elements that have been missing lately and generally remind readers why they love the DCU in the first place. Beneath all the mind-bending plot twists and shake-ups, this one-shot succeeds because it focuses so much on what makes Geoff Johns' comics special - passion, emotion and big character moments." -Jesse
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Final Score:
Written by Van Jensen | Drawn by Jesus Merino
The problem with this issue, just as with the last issue, is that Van Jensen simply doesn’t write a clever or cunning enough plan for The Riddler. "A bomb set to go off" is pretty much the first supervillain play in the book. Luckily, other elements of this issue are strong enough to make for a decent final Flash issue. We get everything we would want from this finale - a team-up with the Rogues, an evolution in one of their powers, and even a moment for Wally West (though for all the buildup of this new character over the last few years, his first superheroic moment is a bit underwhelming). Additionally, Jesus Merino puts in a solid bit of action and Rogues rendering. This isn’t a particularly good comic, but it’s good enough. - Levi
Final Score:
Written by Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly | Drawn by Roge Antonio
Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly faced quite the tall task in taking over Grayson’s final leg. Not only did they have to build on the expansive story set by Tom King and Tim Seeley, they also had to find a way to wrap it up. Given Dick’s obvious standing in DC’s Rebirth, there was really only one way the finale could go. Nevertheless, Lanzing and Kelly do a solid job in crafting an end that both celebrates what’s come before while also setting the tone for what’s to come. Ultimately, it’s not the plot that makes issue #20 a winner, but rather the clear sense of character that’s consistent throughout. The writers really hone in on who Dick is and what he means to the people around him and, perhaps more importantly, what they mean to him. Artist Roge Antonio likewise shows a clear sense of focus, his intricate spreads a nice blend of trippy action and more earnest character. If nothing else, the issue succeeds in crafting excitement for Dick’s next adventure. -Jeff
Final Score:
Written by Geoff Johns | Drawn by Jason Fabok
"In any other week, Justice League #50 would easily qualify as the most significant DC release. This issue marks the finale of both "The Darkseid War" and Geoff Johns' entire run on the series. But with DC Universe Rebirth #1 also hitting stores today, this issue will have to settle for the second best Geoff Johns comic of the week." -Jesse
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Final Score:
Written by Tom King | Drawn by Barnaby Bagenda
DC deserves so many thanks for reconsidering cancelling this little-selling but beloved book. Tom King and Barnaby Bagenda got a chance to fully tell their story and, let me tell you, it’s one incredible ending. The Omega Men are on the cusp of victory and the only question left to answer is whether the team learned more from Kyle Rayner, or Kyle from them. And in perfect Omega Men fashion, the answer is more gray than the question. Additionally, all of the characters get their own sendoffs in a really clever, TV series finale style ending. The cherry on top is the wonderful, haunting final page to give this great series the finale it deserved. -Levi
Final Score:
Written by Keith Giffen & J.M. DeMatteis | Drawn by Howard Porter
"People always say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. But sometimes it's perfectly acceptable to look at a comic cover and say, 'Thanks, but I'll pass.' If Scooby Apocalypse #1's cover doesn't win you over with its depiction of a tribal tat-adorned Fred, a hipster-styled Shaggy and an emoji-spewing Scooby-Doo, nothing inside the comic will change your mind. This comic isn't nearly ironic or self-aware enough." -Jesse
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Final Score:
Written by Pete Tomasi | Drawn by Mikel Janin & Miguel Sepulveda
"As flawed as the execution has been, "The Final Days of Superman" has been a boon for a franchise that's so often struggled in the New 52. Superman's improved characterization has generally been enough to make up for the odd pacing and haphazard story focus. Unfortunately, that's not the case in the finale, which doesn't make great use of its page space and fails to achieve the full emotional impact needed." -Jesse
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Final Score:
Written by Dan Jurgens | Drawn by Lee Weeks
It’s starting to look like the Superman appearing in this Lois and Clark book might be “our” Superman going forward. If so, that’s great news to hear. For the last eight issues, Dan Jurgens has been channeling a hope and fun into Superman tales that still feel modern. This issue is the kicker of them all, telling a story that is just unconditionally sweet and heartwarming from beginning to end. Jon Kent has found out about his father’s secret past as Superman and is struggling to understand the implications of this. After wrapping up a battle continued from last issue, Superman returns home to help his son understand. The smiles Lee Weeks draws in the sequence are inspiring. This issue promises great things for Superman’s coming Rebirth. –Levi
Final Score:
Continues
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