Hopefully you've recovered from the Comic-Con blitz last week, because there are a lot of new comics to check out this week. DC delivered a host of new #1 issues, including Batgirl #1, Nightwing #1 and Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern corps #1. Marvel published the latest chapter of Civil War II and a wealth of new tie-ins to accompany it. Elsewhere, Dark Horse kicked off their Aliens vs. Judge Dredd vs. Predator crossover, IDW debuted their Rom revamp and Image released a stylish new issue of Jupiter's Legacy Vol. 2.
Scroll down to check out our reviews for these and various other new releases, and be sure to let us know your favorite books in the comments below.
Written by Dan Jurgens | Drawn by Tyler Kirkham
DC Rebirth should have learned two lessons from Amazing Spider-Man’s thrice monthly Brand New Day era - one artist per arc and (to help out problem #1) shorter overall arcs. The first few issues of this new run of Action Comics had been unpredictable thrill rides, but this issue is just a big fat boot slamming down on the breaks. This story worked when you didn’t have time to think (it’s Doomsday, go!!), when the book threw twist after turn and “wha?” after “huh?” at you. Tyler Kirkham’s blockier art style visually slows the book down from Patrick Zircher’s lithe, zooming action and this issue’s story feels almost wholly unnecessary. So little in the plot actually progresses aside from some semi-interesting Wonder Woman stuff. Hopefully this arc can finish as well as it started, but this middle issue feels like it was thrown together just to stretch out the arc. - Levi
Final Score:
Written by Hope Larson | Drawn by Rafael Albuquerque
The previous incarnation of Batgirl was fun, but there's something to be said for a new status quo and a change of scenery every so often. This relaunched series accomplishes both by taking Barbara Gordon out of Burnside and kicking off a new global journey of self-discovery and training. In terms of tone and style, the new Batgirl is still very reminiscent of the Stewart/Fletcher/Tarr run, though the new supporting cast and Japanese setting help spice things up. Hope Larson's characterization of the dynamic between Babs and her long-lost friend Kai is particularly charming. However, artist Rafael Albuquerque and colorist Dave McCaig are the real stars of the show. Albuquerque's dynamic style and McCaig's vibrant use of color make the most of the new setting and the wacky characters that Babs encounters. Albuquerque's scratchy, frenetic line-work generates a terrific sense of energy. So far, this series doesn't break any new ground in terms of storytelling, but it has plenty to offer Batgirl fans. -Jesse
Final Score:
Written by James Tynion IV | Drawn by Alvaro Martinez
“The Colony” isn’t nearly as cool of a name as “The Court of Owls” but in Detective Comics #937, we come to realize that they’re nearly as scary and in a whole different way. In this issue, Batman gets a chance to determine the extent of The Colony’s threat and their operation is alarmingly robust. Where an enemy like the Owls work in a horror genre, The Colony is more of a real life conspiracy concern, an elite army that’s disgustingly efficient at their job. Another point in the favor of this book, is that it doesn’t hit the same second month speed bump that so many of the other Rebirth books have. Namely, Alvaro Martinez is not the same artist as Eddy Barrows, but the two techniques are so similarly used in this series that there is almost no artist-change blues. By passing its second month with flying colors, Detective Comics is working its way up the Rebirth power rankings. –Levi
Final Score:
Written by Joshua Williamson | Drawn by Carmine Di Giandomenico
One of the more appealing aspects of DC's Rebirth is seeing creators tackle familiar characters in unique ways. Having already established Barry Allen as a self-taught speedster and a self described loner, writer Joshua Williamson continues to mine the other side of that track by utilizing a whole host of fleet-footed folks who need Barry's guidance. This allows for some great character play, from more page time with the ever scene-stealing August to a wonderful moment between Barry and a young girl struggling to control her new abilities. At times Williamson leans a bit hard on the inner monologuing, but his handle on Barry and who he aspires, and inspires, to be remains well formed. Carmine Di Giandomenico also continues his fast start (wink), again showcasing an excellent ability to convey kinetic movement. While there's the sense that it's yet to fully hit its stride, this remains one of Rebirth's more promising titles. -Jeff
Final Score:
Written by Robert Venditti | Drawn by Rafa Sandoval
"Like Green Arrow, Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps proves that it's possible to completely revamp and refresh a comic without changing writers. DC Rebirth has served as exactly the fresh start Robert Venditti needed to refocus his Green Lantern run and course-correct the story of Hal Jordan. Things are looking up in a big way for this franchise." -Jesse
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Final Score:
Written by Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti | Drawn by Elsa Charretier
Technically this issue qualifies as a series finale, even if DC is relaunching Harley Quinn in a mere seven days. But if this were the final chapter from Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti, it would serve as a satisfying conclusion. The writers abandon the overly scatterbrained pacing and plotting that's hindered the series of late. Here they focus on a singular conflict as Harley tries to juggle the demands of her day job with a desire to protect a neighborhood from the scourge of redevelopment. It reinforces Harley's new status as a champion of the common people and allows most of the book's supporting cast a chance to shine. The brief return of Poison Ivy is especially welcome (these two really need a team-up comic already). Guest artist Elsa Charretier makes for a pleasant surprise. Her cartoonish style is just reminiscent enough of Bruce Timm's work to hearken back to the classic Harley days. Were Charretier not headed over to marvel next, she'd be a great permanent addition to the Harley Quinn family. -Jesse
Final Score:
Written by Tim Seeley | Drawn by Javi Fernandez
As great as it is to see Dick Grayson back in the black and blue costume, simply reverting him to the familiar Nightwing status quo might not be enough after the wild ride that was Grayson. Luckily, writer Tim Seeley isn't content with the old status quo. This issue explores Dick's new role as a globetrotting minion of the Parliament of Owls. The real success with this approach is that it allows Seeley to celebrate Dick's confident, swashbuckling side while also positioning him as a man unsure about his place in the world or the monumental task he's taken on. This issue spends a little too much time on Dick's farewells to the Bat-family (especially in light of the Rebirth issue), but Seeley certainly nails those key character dynamics. Meanwhile, Javi Fernandez brings a very dramatic look to the series. Fernandez's facial work can be wonky at times, by he captures all of the grace of Nightwing's battles and the menace of his new partner, Raptor. -Jesse
Final Score:
Written by Dan Abnett | Drawn by Brett Booth
The Rebirth era of DC has had so many fireworks in its first few months, that it’s easy to forget that the whole thing began with the return of Wally West. The mystery that surrounds his disappearance and return looks to be the driving force behind this series in its early. To be honest, the issue winds up spinning its wheels in progressing that mystery, saving it all up for a fun last page reveal. But amidst a leisurely stroll of an issue, we get enough charming character/team moments and old school Easter Eggs to make this a pretty enjoyable issue. Brett Booth helps to sell the team dynamics, making us believe these characters really have a history together through some nice artistic body language. Titans #1 isn’t a debut issue that’s going to blow the doors off, but it’s certainly a pleasant one. –Levi
Final Score:
Written by Greg Rucka | Drawn by Liam Sharp
So, if you’re a writer at DC who is not named Greg Rucka, you’re pretty jealous of Greg Rucka, aren’t you? The dude is working with perhaps the two best artists drawing for DC right now. Nicola Scott blew us away with her gorgeous scenes in the first issue of her story arc, and Liam Sharp has continued to up his game with each subsequent issue in his story arc. This level of detail was present in his first full issue, but it’s wasn’t quite as consistently draw-dropping throughout the whole story like Wonder Woman #3 is. The story features Cheetah and a pack of cat-like warriors in a winding maze of a forest. Sharp’s renders those warriors and the forest with a sinister gloom that rivals Scott’s serene beauty from the other story arc. The story is good and is getting more intriguing as it goes, but the art is on a whole other level.–Levi
Final Score:
Continues
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