The Good

This issue is showing us that there is more to the Forever Evil arc than just the Crime Syndicate trying to take over the world. We saw mention of the Doom Patrol last month and find out more here. As we've been watching the New 52 Universe unfold, there has been a feeling that the DCU is a little on the small side. We've only seen characters and events as they play out in the comics. Hearing about groups such as Doom Patrol already having their start gives the DCU a bigger feel.

The main focus on this issue is Cyborg. We've seen Cyborg pretty much wiped out by the fact that his body was really under the control of Grid. It's no secret that Cyborg's body will get rebuilt and it's pretty cool to see this part of the story play out. The Crime Syndicate may be ruling right now but this might be where things start turning around. Maybe.

Ivan Reis provides the layouts with Joe Prado, Jesus Merino and Vicente Cifuentes doing the finishes. There are some cool scenes here and seeing the beginning of the next phase for Cyborg is very interesting.

The Bad

It's great seeing more of the DCU but it's also kind of a weird feeling. Suddenly we're finding out about Doom Patrol already existing and previously we briefly saw the appearance of Patrick "Eel" O'Brian (with no immediate follow up). There's also another mention of other characters at the end.

Last issue was heavily based on Forever Evil but this feels less so. It's a little unbalanced.

There were some moments the art felt inconsistent due to having three different artists work on the finishes.

The Verdict

Forever Evil is still happening but Geoff Johns is busy fleshing out other areas of the New 52 DCU. We may be wondering what the Crime Syndicate is up to but we're also discovering there's more going on in the background. Fans of Cyborg will need to check this issue out. It's the dawn of a new beginning in the DCU. Make sure you don't miss a moment of it.

Can't wait to pick this one up!

Love seeing the CS wreck everyone with ease.

This issue is a pretty good argument for a Johns Cyborg series.

@g_man: Was Patrick O'Brian in this issue or before?

They are using the wrong formation of DP

Finally Johns does something with Cyborg and it was nice to see him look more human

I must say, cyborg is looking pretty good. Now he just needs more white and blue.

Pretty solid issue.

@colanicole: Can't wait to see how they deal with them. Especially since Ultraman KO"ed both Black Adam and Metallo

@themanintheshoe: I believe it was issue 25

@g_man: Must have missed that, thanks

@wbr17: Well, um...after reading this, I think we'll see a different lineup if the Patrol surfaces again. >.>

Well I'll be damned. It looks like Johns is finally doing something with Victor other than making him the team bus.

Haven't been enjoying all of the flash back issues but felt like having an entire issue back in real time picked up the pace again

lets call him "cyborg slim"

also one of the artist messed up and added the old suit in one of the panels some how

@ravisher: Actually the idea is that he can bulk up during the battle...

agreed, also I'm really excited about the Doom Patrol coming back.

Hey, Jim! That's a bad out-fit. Whoo!

Good issue. Finally some development for a certain someone.

Thought DP was already formed before it, or rather Niles Caulder, ran into the Ravagers?

@mightyrearranger: I didn't read it. I only look the characters listed. I hope you are saying the are dead so we can have chief, cliff, larry and rita. I would like to see Dial H as part of DP.

where is @captain13???

@saren: exactly what I thought when I was reading the issue. I would pick that up.

I liked it a lot.

All i have to say is "finally!" Good work, Johns. Good work. Not perfect, but i still liked it. Good week for Cyborg.

Almost made me care about Cyborg.

Almost.

Yeah I am hoping for a Cyborg ongoing too.

lol thats a good start at least right? Hopefully he will continue in this direction with Cyborg

I'd be on board for that.

Cyborg and Daddy Stone.

oh them feels..

Dam it my Artfx Statue is now out of date. But really great read like every one else I am sold on Cyborg solo series.

Was it just me but without the appearance of Atomica and Johnny Quick in this issue would it have not felt like a tie-in. I liked the character development with cyborg and his father. I can relate since I'm half machine and half human.

It was soooooo cool to see the Doom Patrol! Sad what happened to them though.

@g_man do you happen to have any idea who that guy that said "looks like I'm going to have to start over" was?

@thefirstlantern said:

Niles Caulder.

Oh thanks it felt odd. i was a bit confused

@outlawrenegade said:

Much better, eh?

Love Cyborg's new look. Much slimmer, much sleeker and overall looks epic.

Now hopefully we'll get a Cyborg series following Forever Evil.

I'll be checking this issue out. I hope at least he still has a jetpack lol. Nice to see Cy stepping up.

@g_man: Reading this issue really make me wish we had a Cyborg solo series! This was a very good issue and I love the new tech design on Cyborg. It looks like a nod to the old school Cyborg.

Overall I loved the issue.

Couple probs though. First off, the scene with Niles should have been explained. Those of us familiar with the Doom Patrol would know who he was; to anyone else that was probably a big WTF moment.

Secondly... Geoff has introduced Plastic Man, the DP and Metal Men back into the DCU... But is anyone going to pick up the ball and run with it? It seems like he is forever launching ideas and characters out there that end up going nowhere.

I lost total interest in The Ravagers before it was unceremoniously cancelled; does this DP jibe with that version or is this yet another retcon?

After reading this issue, I feel I have become a bigger Cyborg fan, he got some great well-deserved character growth in this issue. Geoff Johns continues to surprise me with how well he handles people in his books, makes me wish for more Cyborg, either on his own or with a metal men team or a Shazam team up!