Why You Should Read CYBORG #1

Cyborg is a character that’s been around since 1980. He became a member of the Teen Titans in the original continuity but in the New 52, he became a founding member of the Justice League. Since then, he’s played a big role on the team but never had the opportunity to fully venture out on his own adventures. That’s changing now.

The new series by David Walker, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, and Adriano Lucas explores the recent changes started in the CYBORG Sneak Peek issue. Victor Stone is headed back “home” and that allows us to see his roots explored more as the focus is placed on who is was and what he’s becoming. We’re used to seeing so many miraculous characters with extraordinary powers and abilities, it’s easy to forget the things that makes Cyborg a fascinating and unique character. From this first issue, it looks like there’s a few different things we’ll get to explore.

There may be some minor spoilers below.

The Detroit Corner of the DCU

We tend to see the same locations in the DC Universe. We know all about places like Gotham City, Metropolis, Central City, etc. There was a tie when a lot of time was spent in Detroit. It’s understandable that other areas have a bigger focus but it’s great to see a quieter section with its own environment be used. Getting a different locale for action in the DCU is welcomed.

Tense Relationship with His Father

Relationships between children and their parents can often be tricky. With the separation between ages, they don’t usually see eye to eye. With Silas Stone, it’s understandable that it’s simply in his nature to dive into his work and become oblivious to his surroundings. Yet despite everything Vic went through which caused him to become Cyborg, you would think his father would try to re-evaluate his priorities. With everything he’s seen and done since becoming Cyborg and with his position in the Justice League, it would seem his visiting would be kind of a big deal. He’s not just stopping by for something to eat. They’ve had a convoluted history before and after his first accident. Seeing this strained relationship explored is intriguing.

Friends/Supporting Cast

We've all seen and love the friendship Cyborg has formed with Shazam/Billy Batson. As fun as it would be to see explored further here, it's extremely important to allow Victor some time away from his Justice League teammates. His childhood friend Sarah knows him better than most other people. He needs to be able to talk to others that aren't part of the crazy and chaotic superhero world. There is also the potential for another character to become closer to Victor's inner circle in this issue. Although, I can't help but be a little suspicious that this other character might have some ulterior motives.

Victor’s Feelings

As seen in the image above and the previous one, Victor is more than just a machine. There is some humanity inside. He's had a tough life growing up with a father who basically ignored him. He's gone through some horrific moments in becoming part machine and has actually died. All the while during his JUSTICE LEAGUE adventures, we never really got to see him deal with everything. With even more changes happening, it's important for us to be able to see what he's going through and how he's handling it all. Seeing this bit of humanity just makes Cyborg more relatable to readers.

Part of the Problem

I'm a big fan of seeing some real-world elements integrated into the fiction of superhero comics. Cyborg is a miracle. He can do amazing things. His attachments are so technologically advanced that it blows away what the average person in need could have. Where this protest scene goes in upcoming issues remains to be seen. I just dig seeing it acknowledge that the slightest bit of technology the heroes have could make a huge difference for the average citizen if they only had access.

A Deadly Threat and Big Changes

If you read that Sneak Peek issue, you saw Cyborg go through a tough battle. There's more to come with these guys. There's also the changes Victor is going through. We'll need to see the affects of what happened to him and find out if there's any further repercussions.

CYBORG #1 is the comic Cyborg fans have been waiting for. David Walker has a great handle on who Victor is and who he can be. It may just be that the time wasn't right before but now it is time for Victor to shine in the spotlight. We need and want to see him fleshed out more (no pun intended). Ivan Reis and Joe Prado are killing it with the art and Adriano Lucas' colors adds to the detail in the scenes and the emotions of the characters. If you're a long time fan of Cyborg or are looking to find out more about him, be sure to check out this book.

The preview didn't give me much faith.

I will definitely read it. Love me some Cyborg.

Of course I'll read it.

All the reviews I have seen have been good. Looking forward to it.

Surprisingly enough, I really enjoyed this issue. My one gripe with was that I felt the daddy issues came off a little too strong. But regardless, beautiful art and a great start for a story.

read it and loved it

@redwingx: I'm just curious. Do you always judge a book by it's preview?

I really hope those protesters become the Post Flashpoint version of the Phantom Limbs.

Seems like some interesting themes will be covered in Cyborg's story. At least in issue 1.

This issue was very good.

That's what previews are for.

i'll pick it up in Tradepaperback.

It was a solid issue. I always felt that Cyborg place in the league was unneeded, he does his part, but could easily be replaced with someone else, his character was never made interesting in the new 52, hopefully now we can get something that proves he's not just a spot filler, but a complex character that is worth exploring. Also, Cyborg finally has a book!

I'm a fan!!

Loved the first issue. I want more right now!

Issue was great. Cant wait for the second issue . I like this new edition cyborg tech look

I read a couple previews and it was a fun read. im definitely giving this a try.

it was a good issue, cant wait for the rest

@redwingx said:

I can only speck for myself, but i've read a few previews that made a book like bad, but than after reading a copy I actually liked the book. My point is sometimes previews make a book like worse than it really is.

I didn't love this as a "knocked it out of the park" first issue, but it was good and interesting enough that I'll give it at least a couple more issues to see how it goes. I think the book has a ton of potential.

I dislike the use of the word "should" on these articles. It leaves with it negative connotations such as regret, and implies that you know best and that I lack the ability to make the best decisions for myself.

it was really good

To be fair though, everyone's a little replacable in the league.

Superman has strength, but comparably you've got guys like Shazam and Wonder Woman.

Flash is fast, but Superman, Shazam, and Wonder Woman aren't slow by any means.

Batman is smart, but so is Lex Luthor and there are things about the world Aquaman knows that Bruce doesn't. Cyborg is smart too.

Wonder Woman, isn't the only person with magic, when you include Shazam and Aquaman.

Just to name a few.

@maxsavage said:

I completely disagree, I think he's been one of the most engaging characters in the New 52.

Also, Cyborg finally has a book!

I don't understand the point of this sentence.

@scouterv: Replace Superman, Batman , Wonder Woman, Flash etc and it seizes to be the core Justice League. Their powers equates to but a quarter of what they individually bring to the team

This big threat looks like The Reapers and some Geths from Mass Effect.

Not saying replace them. What I'm saying is, if someone is indisposed, (say Superman is on the ropes with Joker, and can't help stop your Alien invasion,) then the good thing about The League is, there are members that can pick up the slack. You can't really say that Cyborg is unneeded. He's no more indispensable than anyone else on the team, and honestly, if someone HAD to go, Cyborg would not be on the chopping block if I were calling the shots, and if whoever was was smart.

@captainmarvel4ever: Maybe unneeded wasn't the best word to use. Essentially what I'm trying to say is that i'm glad he's finally getting some attention and finally his own book, because he's the only member who doesn't have an individual story line of the 7.

I might get this when it becomes a trade.

Oh, I didn't know we were getting daddy issues in this book -- I'm in :)

too smooth

I didn't have any issues with the book but I wasn't blown away either. It was very basic. Which makes sense because it seems like they are presenting the book as an introduction to the character. So they cover familiar ground ( his origin and his relationship with dad) . I hope issue two picks up.

This, pretty much.

Likewise. The art was awesome, as was the plot (I guess), but the dialogue was really cheesy. I hope it improves, I really want this title to succeed.

the sneak peek on DC's website is wayy better

That bad dialog made me not want to pick it up.

I agree with this.

This Cy book was a great read

^^this.

Ivan Reis' art seems no different than it was years ago to me. I don't see any growth in the range of expressions for his characters. They always have an intense scowl when they are saying something. And every character has the same open mouth. His work on Aquaman and Green Lantern was beautiful but I'd like to see his style evolve and grow with time like every other artist.

The writing isn't grabbing me here either. I might not read this one.

@kidchipotle: daddy issues are a gigantic part of why vic is who he is. So yeah.

People complaining about Ivan Reis art???!!! With NO DUE respect, you are all wrong, and insane.

Artwork was solid and beautiful. Hoping that the story doesn't turn into another gold suit cyborg rehash story. Writing was excellent though I could have done without the silly space alien crap. Getting into the characters head was really good. Def. continuing on with this one.

Cyborg never really caught my attention. I don't know why he just isn't a very appealing super hero.

We see in JLA how Cyborg keeps getting more and more technologically advanced, but I hope we see Victor really get an opportunity to be more human. Some of the initial interactions with other people gives me hope, but let's address some other silly little things: liking to eat certain foods (even if he doesn't need to); maybe wearing some clothing (the guy pretty much marches around town naked); the value of watching a movie in real time instead of instantly uploading it to his brain.

The artwork is amazing, the direction the story is going in (emergence of a new threat, highlighting the relationship between Vic and Sarah, etc.), his evolving tech, the writing- it's all awesome. I know that if the pessimists who immediately see something new bothered to actually pick up the first issue, they would, at the very least, find it mildly interesting. Cyborg's always been one of my favorite Titans, and I always wondered why every Justice League team member had an ongoing post New 52, but Cyborg and Shazam (or as I like to call him, "The Artist Formerly Known as Captain Marvel") were the only ones left out.

Now all we need is a Shazam ongoing that isn't just a mini in the back of a different title, a better Static relaunch, Blue Devil, a Firestorm series that sees Jason and Ronnie taking turns being Firestorm, and soooo many others.

@nightfang: I judge a book by it's character, it's preview (dialogue and artwork), it's released review, and a skim through the first issue itself. (If the issue fails to impress, but later issues are rated highly, then TPB will be purchased). Cyborg has boring artwork (Green Arrow post Lemire), boring robotic story, and an alright character whom I prefer to read about only in Justice League.

@starbrand1: Yeah but it wasnt this bad ever in previous continuity.

hmmm this may have actually made me less likely to read it

@starbrand1 said:

IKR?

I thought it was bad enough when people complained about John Romita Jr. or Bryan Hitch, but Ivan Reis? the f*ck?