-
5 (15) 4 (91) 3 (44) 2 (38) 1 (7) 3.5 starsAverage score of 194 user reviews
-
Not as good as issue #1 but still moving in the right direction 1
"Aquaman" #1 was one of my favorite books from DC's New 52. Issue #2 is fun and builds upon the first book but it lacks the pop I was hoping for. The story is strong enough although it does come across as a little contrived. The new threat is developed more and it looks like the stakes have been raised. But it almost feels like a traditional monster story that we've seen before.Reis is one of my favorite artists but his work here didn't live up to what I expected. I had trouble deciphering what ...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
A huge letdown from a stellar first issue... 0
"Action Comics" #2 may be the biggest letdown of all of DC's New 52 #2 issues. I loved the first issue with it's fast paced action and interesting setup to this new Superman. But in this second issue everything lands with a dull thud. Morrison basically focuses on Luthor's attempt to figure out what Superman is through a series of torturous experiments. The story muddles along through some pretty flat and emotionless dialogue and at the end I simply didn't care. It left me with such a different...
0 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
Doesn't live up to the greatness of the first issue. 0
Scott Snyder's "Swamp Thing" #1 was one of the most impressive first issue's of DC's New 52 relaunch. Snyder created a creepy story and sharply connected it to the new DC universe, all with Swamp Thing hardly in the issue at all. Issue #2 tries to build upon the solid first book but instead comes off as a talky history of Swamp Thing. Over half of the issue is spent on a bloated conversation between Swamp Thing and Alec and it isn't until the end of the issue that we get something that feels co...
0 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Sluggish and uneventful. Even Benes' fantastic art can't save it. 0
I really liked Red Lanterns #1 and while I wasn't sure how the concept could stretch out to be an effective series, it still provided some fun Green Lantern styled moments. Then we get issue #2 and it seems my above mentioned concern has merit. This issue features a lot of sluggish narration from Atrocitus. He tells of a war on Ghan IX between two factions that I couldn't care less about. After some children from one group are senselessly and mistakenly killed by two soldiers from the enemy a...
0 out of 0 found this review helpful. -
While this Detective run has a new tone, I still like it... 0
Tony Daniel's "Detective Comics" is certainly different than the recent Scott Snyder run. But just because it's different doesn't mean it isn't fun and entertaining. Issue #1 ended on a pretty macabre note. In issue #2, Daniel builds upon that moment a little as we get to see The Dollmaker and get a better idea of how this twisted new villain operates. Much like Snyder, Daniel incorporates a lot of detective-styled storytelling. But this Detective Comics has a much different tone that works in ...
2 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
An average issue that doesn't capitalize on it's potential. 1
I'm not a huge Judd Winick fan but his first issue of Batwing had some good characters and enough intrigue to keep me interested despite it's structural problems. Issue #2 has the same structural problems but left me less interested which could spell my departure from yet another Winick title. This has all the ingredients to be a good series but both Winick and artist Ben Oliver mess up the recipe. The first issue ended with Massacre's machete blade exploding out of Batwing's chest. Obviously ...
1 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
A mediocre disappointment. This should have been better! 0
The previous issue of "X-Men: Schism" finally got me on board this supposedly monumental X-Men event. The entire series was lacking the tension and believable conflict that could result in the splitting of the X-Men. But issue #4 sold it well and brought me in so I was really pumped for the final issue. But Jason Aaron's finale falls pretty flat and when mixed with Adam Kubert's distracting and poorly executed art, "Schism" turns out to be a series that never reaches it's potential. Heard that ...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Safe but strong first issue. Marcus To's art = Fantastic! 0
First off, I love the Huntress and I was pleased to see she was getting a six part mini-series introducing her into DC's New 52 universe. Writer Paul Levitz delivers a straight-forward, cut-and-dried first issue that finds Helena back in Italy to find the source of shipments of contraband that's been filtering into Gotham City. Of course she finds out there's more to it than just smuggling guns and the deeper she gets involved the more resolved the bad guys are to find her. There's a little Bat...
2 out of 3 found this review helpful. -
Entrails and bloody eyes doesn't equal good horror... 0
Unlike most, I wasn't the biggest fan of Jeff Lemire's "Animal Man" #1. I thought the story unraveled in the second half and Travel Foreman's art was erratic. Yet it still held enough intrigue to keep me on board for another issue. Now issue #2 has arrived and one thing has been made crystal clear - Lemire's Animal Man isn't for me. The story in issue #2 doesn't fall apart at the end like the first book. That being said, it also doesn't start of as strong as the first book. This issue begins w...
0 out of 4 found this review helpful. -
A flat and lifeless Batman book 1
The new "Dark Knight" #1 gives David Finch a second chance at putting together a good Batman series. Prior to DC's full relaunch, Finch had started a promising storyline but it fell apart due to huge shipping delays. Unfortunately Finch's second shot at a Dark Knight title starts nowhere near as strong as his first series. This issue never clicked for me. The first half of the book takes place at a charity function but it's main purpose is to introduce the new supporting characters. We get a ...
1 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
The ingregients are here but they aren't properly mixed 0
Firestorm has always seemed like a cool character but he's never been one I've followed. Once I saw Ethan Van Sciver and Gail Simone attached to the project I immediately decided to give it a try. "The Fury of Firestorm" #1 is a completely new start for Firestorm giving it a more contemporary feel. It's also a new start for the two moody, angry teenagers who Firestorm inhabits. It's a decent introduction to the characters. Too bad the characters aren't very likable. Both Ronnie and Jason spend...
2 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
Abrupt & jarring end to what was a strong story arc 3
"Wolverine" #16 is a strange issue that felt more like a super-hero counseling session than a Jason Aaron Wolverine story. This is an issue that has some good moments in it even though it brings Logan's self-imposed punishment and quest for self-discovery to an abrupt and rather silly end. This is a pretty absurd way for Logan to get closure especially considering that just two issues earlier he found out he butchered his own children. Before this wacky "snap out of it Logan" moment, we see ...
0 out of 0 found this review helpful. -
How could Thor vs. Galactus fail to deliver? 1
In "The Mighty Thor" #6, Matt Fraction's underwhelming story of Thor versus Galactus reaches it's conclusion. This idea should have been a guaranteed success. I mean who doesn't want to see Thor face off against Galactus? Unfortunately the series has been mired in mediocrity and has never really reached the height of the concept. That being said, Fraction's finale may be the best issue of the arc even though it features some of the same problems. Everything wraps up fairly tidy in this issue. ...
0 out of 0 found this review helpful. -
Brilliant is nearly every way. This is one great book. 0
Coming off of an amazing run on "Jonah Hex", Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray are back with "All-Star Western" #1, the only book of it's kind in DC's New 52 and hands down one of the most satisfying reading experiences of the entire relaunch. Everything that made Palmiotti and Gray's Hex run great can be found in the first issue. It features a wonderful period feel and some great character work. But in other ways this book is quite different. While Jonah is the same snarling, tough-as-nails guy ...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
DC's version of G.I. Joe worked for me! 0
There is no way you can read "Blackhawks" #1 and not feel like you're reading DC's new version of G.I. Joe. But as someone who grew up loving Marvel's G.I. Joe series, I had no problem latching onto this. Many of DC's new first issues have come across as strictly introduction issues and haven't done a lot to advance a story. "Blackhawks" #1 accomplishes both, introducing us to the team members and setting the table for the first arc. We get a little character development but being a team book ...
2 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
A very unique team for a unique story... 2
So who do you call when even Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Cyborg can't handle a mystical threat? Why Justice League Dark of course. The third Justice League book in DC's New 52 relaunch is "Justice League Dark", a magic oriented title featuring an intriguing band of characters primed for handling mystical problems. Writer Peter Milligan's team consists of Madame Xanadu, Deadman, Shade, Zatanna, and John Constantine. We see they are all being mysteriously brought together and we get lit...
2 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
Strong first issue even with Tan's art 1
Hawkman is a cool character and I've really missed him having his own ongoing book. In "The Savage Hawkman" #1, Tony Daniel gives us a new take on a character that may have the most confusing and convoluted history in the old DC Universe. This is a simple and fresh start for Carter Hall. He's a guy who has been Hawkman but doesn't want to be. He takes the Hawkman suit to a remote location and buries it thinking that would kill Hawkman. But the Nth Metal busts out of it's shallow grave in the fo...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
A good issue but doesn't shine as bright as the others 0
Admittedly, I wasn't expecting much from "Captain America and Bucky" but writers Ed Brubaker and Marc Andreyko quickly proved me wrong. It's been a beautifully crafted origin story of Bucky and his history with Captain America. Timewise, each issue has transitioned perfectly from one to the other and have focused on key events that helped shape the relationship between the two. It's been such a pleasant surprise. In this issue we get to see the Invaders and explore Bucky's sense of inferiority...
0 out of 0 found this review helpful. -
Clunky, underwritten issue with no real identity 3
Even before I decided to pick up "Green Lantern: New Guardians" #1, I couldn't help but wonder if this series was needed. With three other Green Lantern titles on the market, it was hard to imagine this one having legs. After reading this first issue I still find myself asking these same questions. If you've wondered where Kyle Rayner was, this is his book. Writer Tony Bedard takes Kyle from first getting his ring and becoming a Green Lantern to creating huge constructs in Times Square, all wi...
1 out of 6 found this review helpful. -
This is Aquaman! Johns & Reis nail this first issue... 1
Since the first moment I heard that Aquaman was getting a new ongoing series I was excited. The fact that the creative team of Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis would be handling it was the icing on the cake. Johns' take on the character is finally here and for me it's been worth the wait. "Aquaman" #1 is an introduction issue in almost every way. Johns goes to great lengths to introduce Aquaman, tell about his history, show off his powers, explain his current situation, and reveal him to be a frustra...
5 out of 5 found this review helpful. -
Decent story, so-so art, average results 0
Flash has been a character that I've liked but who's ongoing series have never been able to maintain my interest. So DC's relaunch offered me a good chance to give the character another try. "Flash" #1 is a solid and fairly well structured first issue that does a nice job introducing Barry Allen as well as his supporting cast. Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato's story moves at a brisk pace implementing elements from mystery and detective dramas while also giving us a couple of Flash action ...
2 out of 4 found this review helpful. -
Not the stongest issue of the series, but still solid 0
I've really enjoyed Jonathan Hickman's Star Trek meets Top Gun experiment titled "Red Wing". It's been a cool mix of time travel science fiction and military drama. The friendships have been developed and the family dynamics have been explored in a cool and original way. That gets to why this third issue didn't work as well for me. It's a good issue but with the exception of one scene, it really didn't offer the personal connection between the characters that I liked in the other issues. I also...
0 out of 0 found this review helpful. -
Decent and safe first issue... 0
In "Green Arrow" #1 writer J.T. Krul gives Oliver Queen a physical makeover but delivers a fairly safe and mundane first issue. The book begins with Oliver already established as both a millionaire corporate owner and Green Arrow. He already has his gadget arrows and eye-in-the-sky intel source. Krul's best moments are in the scenes that develop the corporate structure at Queen Industries. There are also some pretty good action sequences but they are pretty run-of-the-mill. My bigger gripe was ...
0 out of 0 found this review helpful. -
Yet another solid book in Waid's remarkable run... 0
Daredevil has to be one of the biggest surprises to hit the comics market. Mark Waid promised a new Daredevil and a new direction and he has more than delivered. Issue #4 is another solid issue that really sets up Waid's second arc nicely. It's not as fluid or polished as the previous issues and it seemed to have scenes that felt almost like filler. But the meat and potatoes of this issue is Waid's great character work from the more dialogue driven pages. My favorite parts of this new Daredevil...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Fun story but it's Pasarin's art that really shines. 0
Guy Gardner and Jon Stewart just want an everyday job. Never mind that they are members of the Green Lantern Corps and there's a massive amount of baggage that comes with it. "Green Lantern Corps" #1 is a pretty fun book than focuses on Guy and Jon while also developing a pretty cool space threat in Space Sector 3599. As a whole, I found myself enjoying this quite a bit. There's no doubt that Peter Tomasi knows these characters and they are really well written. But the whole idea of trying to ...
1 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Decent, but lacks the fun factor & visual appeal... 0
The coolest things about writer Victor Gischler's current X-Men story arc has been the great character moments we get with the X-Men's team-up with The Future Foundation and the fact that this story has felt fresh and unlike any of the other X-books. Issue #18 gives us a few good character exchanges and a little bit of the cool and fresh world, but not enough to make this quite as enjoyable as the previous two issues. This isn't a bad book and Gischler does move his story along. But as it unfol...
2 out of 3 found this review helpful. -
Solid story with serviceable art but not a lot more. 0
As a guy who knows little about the character, "DC Universe Presents: Deadman" #1 served as a jumping on point for me. I've always thought Deadman looked interesting so I was more than willing to give writer Paul Jenkins' book a chance. Most of the issue feels like a conversation between the reader and a man named Boston Brand. We learn that he was an arrogant pompous jerk who is given a chance at redemption after being murdered by a mysterious assassin. It's a well written explanation of the c...
0 out of 0 found this review helpful. -
Even with Rocafort's serviceable art, this book goes nowhere! 0
A cool concept and lots of potential doesn't always equal good results. "Red Hood and the Outlaws" #1 is a glaring example of that. Writer Scott Lobdell's first issue does nothing to create an engaging story nor introduce characters that I even remotely cared about. Lobdell introduces his cast via a prison breakout scene and an afternoon on the beach at some tropical hideaway. Neither scenario is that effective mainly due to the uninspiring characters and some silly, heavy-handed dialogue. Lob...
4 out of 7 found this review helpful. -
"Schism" finally feels important! 1
So this is where it all hits the fan? "X-Men: Schism" #4 is the issue I've been waiting for. After a strong first issue, Jason Aaron's game changing mini-series has been good but never sold me on it's premise that "things will never be the same". Here that claim is given teeth when Wolverine and Cyclops' relationship takes a violent turn as their different philosophies and heated history comes to a head amid a looming threat that could wipe Utopia off the map. Sound a bit dramatic? Well, it is ...
5 out of 6 found this review helpful. -
Gillen & Land mix together all the right ingredients.... 1
When considering the mediocrity that is "Fear Itself", "Uncanny X-Men" # 543 may pack the biggest emotional punch of the entire event. The last issue ended with Colossus being empowered by Cyttorak as the new Juggernaut so of course I was excited to see where the story was going next. But writer Kieron Gillen gives us a lot more than just that. Emma finds herself in a scandalous situation of her own doing that has consequences sure to be felt down the road. We also see a great scene between S...
4 out of 4 found this review helpful. -
Incredible! This is comic book storytelling at it's best! 0
It didn't take much to pump me up for Batman #1. But the news of Scott Snyder moving to Batman from Detective Comics only heightened my excitement for the book. Snyder has said he has a clear vision for Batman and especially Gotham City and that clearly takes form in this incredible first issue. One of my favorite things about a Scott Snyder book is that I always feel I've gotten my money's worth. At a time where some people gripe about comics being too wordy, I appreciate an issue that takes ...
5 out of 5 found this review helpful. -
DC's femme fatale team take off again... 0
"Birds of Prey" #1 relaunches DC's team of femme fatales this time without Oracle or Huntress, both personal favorites of mine. Black Canary takes center stage in a story that jumps head first into the action. The issue doesn't feel like a new book. It feels like a new chapter. It's assumed that we are familiar with the characters with the exception of a civilian reporter named Charlie Keen who finds himself caught in the middle of a huge donnybrook. We get a flashback appearance by Barbara Go...
5 out of 6 found this review helpful. -
A fun and solid start 0
Blue Beetle was never a character I knew a lot about so in a way I'm the type of reader this new #1 was for. In almost every way this issue was written as an origin story and introduction to the new Blue Beetle. There's a handy prologue which gives us a look at the history of Scarab Khaji-Da and how it arrived on earth, an introduction to Jaime, the key modern day character, and an action sequence that leads to him becoming the Blue Beetle. It all works together fairly well and succeeds conside...
5 out of 5 found this review helpful. -
Simple introduction issue that does all it needed to do. 0
"Supergirl" #1 is a New 52 book that I almost left off my pull list. I decided to grab it at the last second and I'm glad I did. As far as DC New 52 introduction issues go, "Supergirl" #1 doesn't get caught up in overwrought exposition nor does it trip over itself with contrived dialogue meant to explain the history and setting. In fact it uses one of the simplest yet most effective ways to introduce us to Kara. "Supergirl" #1 is an introduction wrapped up in an action issue. Writers Michael ...
4 out of 4 found this review helpful. -
Visually and emotionally flat from start to finish 1
"Captain Atom" was one of those DC New 52 titles that really needed to blow me away to keep me on board for more than one issue. Not only did it not blow me away, it turned out to be a drab and almost laborious read. J.T. Krul tries writing a story that both introduces us to a character and makes us care about his plight but I found it hard to invest in Captain Atom or his story. We get a sequence in the middle of the book that introduces us to the supporting characters working in a hidden rese...
5 out of 5 found this review helpful. -
Winick & March forces too much on an otherwise decent story. 1
Judd Winick said that one of his goals was to make Catwoman a violent but sexy book. At first I really liked the idea and I was really anxious for this book's release. On the same note, I was aware that this was going to be a Judd Winick book which meant it could be really effective or it could fall all over itself. Actually, "Catwoman" #1 falls somewhere in between. I love Catwoman and there are things to like in this first issue but both Winick and artist Guillem March make the same mistake....
5 out of 10 found this review helpful. -
A solid well-rounded introduction issue. 0
Blue Beetle was never a character I knew a lot about so in a way I'm the type of reader this new #1 was for. In almost every way this issue was written as an origin story and introduction to the new Blue Beetle. There's a handy prologue which gives us a look at the history of Scarab Khaji-Da and how it arrived on earth, an introduction to Jaime, the key modern day character, and an action sequence that leads to him becoming the Blue Beetle. It all works together fairly well and succeeds conside...
2 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
I'm not a big Superboy fan, but this was pretty fun. 0
" Superboy" #1 is yet another title that normally I would pass on but since this is part of DC's New 52 relaunch I decided to give it a shot. In many ways I'm glad I did. Scott Lobdell starts things at the very beginning as we follow the development of a clone named Superboy. He is raised, tested, and studied by a group called N.O.W.H.E.R.E. in an attempt to develop him into a super weapon of mass destruction. It's an intriguing story especially since we see so much from Superboy's perspective...
1 out of 2 found this review helpful. -
Is Fraction finally getting this back on track? 0
Marvel's summer event "Fear Itself" was promoted well but has never lived up to expectations. The first issue started strong and laid an interesting foundation but by the second issue the story was stumbling all over itself and lost it's feel of importance. With that being said, issue #6 may be the best of the series so far. This is a buildup issue as Matt Fraction puts all of his characters in place for the big showdown in next month's finale. This issue has what most of the other's lacked - ...
0 out of 1 found this review helpful. -
Tomasi & Gleason know Batman! 0
I do love a good Batman story. One of my favorite things about DC's New 52 relaunch is that it brings Bruce Wayne back to Gotham City. I love Dick Grayson. But Bruce has always been my Batman and always will be. "Batman and Robin" #1 pretty much follows the same blueprint of it's earliest issues. We get Bruce and Damian and the whole uncomfortable father and bitter, irreverent son dynamic that is fueled by some really sharp dialogue. Peter Tomasi puts together a strong issue centered around an ...
3 out of 3 found this review helpful.
Use your keyboard!
- ESC
Log in to comment