New Look, New Type of Bad Ass
As the New 52 has been famous for it's hit or miss recreations. It's either changing a sexual orientation or their race. For Lobo it was a complete re imagining from BAMF Biker to a more stealth based assassin. Before I answer the question if Cullen Bunn was able to make it work, I wanna say a little bit about where I stand with the character.
FLASHBACK!!!
When I was a kid I actually didn't watch superhero cartoons. It wasn't till I was in my teens that I actually saw the episode on Superman TAS that I grew some interest in the character. The bounty hunter with a code that could take on Superman got me hooked. He's actually one of the few characters I bought comics for Pre 52 and even some old ones like his GAWD arc. It's actually my goal to collect his fight with the Mask in single issues :D
So I do have a special place for the character.
Now as for how the story went, lets take a look.
The way the story was pitched was that New Lobo and Old Lobo were building up to a confrontation and they were right, opening the book took forever. He literally kills Old Lobo in the first 2 pages of the story... DAMN. Kinda wanted them to make an arc out of it :(. As with the recreation comes a new (although unclear) origin, no longer a murderous student he now was a bodyguard for the king. And like many pretty boys the princess can't take their hands off him and wanted him to draw her like one of his french girls. As to how Czarnia went, it's unclear at this moment but he does blame himself for it. After this we get to the meat of the arc which is a contract to kill 8 assassins from reaching their goal. Lobo it what should get best battles, easily beat the guards and took down one of his targets easily enough. Although not done in his usual cartoony way of blasting everything, he did it like more of a bad ass ninja with laser katanas. Friggin sweet.
If I had to say what was bad with the story, is that it was all kinda rushed. The death of Old Lobo, the origin and the introduction to the new arc. That being said it does seem like things are gonna get interesting. I just hope they don't call it quits before reaching the double digits or rush him into crossovers like they did with Sinestro. I will only allow it, it its with Action Comics and it's a Superman vs Lobo story.
I would rate this issue a 7 or 7.5
Did Bunn pull it off?
Well... yes and no. While I do think that the writing is still good, this Lobo still has ways to go before I put my seal of approval. His "origin" isn't a good as Old Lobo and I will miss the old Lobo. But as long as the writing is good and he's a BAMF that can go toe to toe with Supe's I'll manage the nerd rage inside me.