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DC Comics: The New 52 Week 2, Part 2
Our next batch of DC's Relaunch titles reviewed. By
Rob Vaux
September 19, 2011
DC Comics: The New 52 Week 2, Part 2
© DC Comics/Robert Trate
Title: Green Lantern
Written by: Geoff Johns
Art by: Doug Manke
Published by: DC Comics
Grade: A-
Green Lantern constitutes not only a high point for this week in the DC Comics relaunch, but proof that tried and true formulas can work if presented with imagination and poise. This issue taps the “reformed villain” shtick with Sinestro apparently rejoining the Green Lantern Corps… against his will. We divide time between him and Hal Jordan, now bereft of his ring and trying to adjust to a normal life on Earth.
The twin halves of the storyline work well together, avoiding the too-slick cliché of parallel action and instead making for a healthy mix of character development and fisticuffs. Jordan plays the do-right card a little too forcefully and ends up in the slammer, while Sinestro pays a visit to his Yellow Lantern colleagues with equally explosive results. Doug Manke’s crisp artwork keeps the narrative flow clean, and Geoff Johns expertly conveys the characters’ frustrations and desires with a bare minimum of dialogue. He hints at bigger things in the bargain – a rift between the Guardians, the possibility of Jordan and Sinestro teaming up, etc. – but doesn’t tip his hand unduly while doing so. The issue thus balances the need for immediate fulfillment with the promise of better things: a tasty treat in a week that seems bereft of them.
Title: Batman and Robin #1
Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Patrick Gleason
Published by: DC Comics
Grade: C+
Batman is hard on his partners. We all know that. And when that partner happens to be his son, it gets worse. That’s not entirely a good thing, as Damian Wayne continues in his role as Robin while Bruce mentors him in the art of crimefighting. Sadly, it quickly degenerates into an unbecoming whine-fest, ad Damian repeatedly points out that he’s not like other Robins and Bruce grows increasingly exasperated at his partner’s headstrong ways. Been there, done that, what’s next?
It’s doubly frustrating considering the larger plot afoot. Someone is picking off members of Batman Inc.; what’s worse, they know who Bruce is, and may be dropping in to pay him a decidedly nasty visit before too much longer. But only see bits and pieces of the tantalizing development. Instead, the Dynamic Duo cleans up a trio of high-tech burglars while exchanging catty barbs and basically making each other miserable. The interplay between Damian and Dick had some distinction, with Robin the grim avenger and Batman the more fun-loving half of the equation. Adding Bruce to the mix just leaves us with a pair of terminal brooders and nowhere better to go. Patrick Gleason’s sharp artwork helps matters somewhat, but the overall impression is too sour and threadbare to give DC’s showcase character his due.
Title: Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #1
Written by: Jeff Lemire
Art by: Albert Ponticelli
Published by: DC Comics
Grade: D
Fourth-tier title? You’re soaking in it. DC Comics can do horror quite well – witness Swamp Thing or Etrigan the demon –but their take on Frankenstein’s monster has always struggled. For starters, they call him “Frankenstein” rather than “the monster” or “Frankenstein’s monster:” a mistake that constantly grates on the nerves. His position here with a super-secret group of parahuman agents stems from the most shopworn clichés of comic-dom. Writer Jeff Lemire tries to infuse a lot of Neil Gaiman into his script, but he lacks Gaiman’s literary wit or the dark absurdity of the Sandman series. We find nothing compelling here: just a lot of monsters running amok and yet another band of misfit freaks tasked with taking them down.
Ray Palmer, AKA The Atom shows up with a microscopic fortress for Frank and his friends to use, which only compounds the issue’s “weird for the sake of weird” vibes. New characters are thrust at us in an ungainly lump and Albert Ponticelli’s artwork is deliberately crude without becoming distinctive. With a story that fails to compel us and images that never engage us, we have only character goodwill to pull us through. Lemire works hard to give Frankenstein his due: erudite and literate like Mary Shelley’s creation instead of the mute savagery of the movies. But with so much else going on – so many oddball details thrown at us – the character becomes lost in the din. We’re left with a forgotten title trying too hard to stand out, and offering nothing to make us keep reading.
Title: Grifter #1
Written by: Nathan Edmonson
Art by: Cafu
Published by: DC Comics
Grade: B-
Another secondary character in the DC pantheon actually acquits himself better than expected. Cole Cash -- a creation of Jim Lee during the infamous Image Comics days – became the unwilling recipient of alien experiments and now exhibits enhanced physical and telepathic powers. Pursued by the beings who initially abducted him, he’s determined to fight back… in this case by instigating a lethal fight on a plane right as it takes off. The “Grifter” handle comes from his ability to pull off elaborate confidence games (one of which is detailed here), a skill that helps him hide from his hunters and plot some form of payback.
It’s an intriguing notion, and the quick pace of the issue helps it along tremendously. Writer Nathan Edmonson helps newbies get up to speed with the basics, though opening in media res the way he does becomes a bit disorienting. The character’s little-known origins constitute a bit of a stumbling block as well, though WildC.A.T.s fans will probably jump for joy at his reappearance (and in his own title to boot). Grifter may struggle to make new hard-core fans; nothing here feels unique, just well-made with a bit of flair. But for a smaller hero looking to find a niche in the DC Universe, it feels just about right. As is typical, the first issue serves merely as set-up for a larger story. The proof of the pudding lies in subsequent issues; for now, the creators can rest assured of a job well done.
Title: Batwoman #1
Written by: J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman
Art by: J.H. Williams III
Published by: DC Comics
Grade: C
I never saw any reason for resurrecting Batwoman – an appendix from the Silver Age given modern relevance by making her a lesbian. It smacked of gimmickry and added a superfluous character to an already crowded Batman mythos. The inaugural issue of the new Batwoman doesn’t do much to change that perception, as Kate Kane seeks out a spectral child kidnapper while sparring with her junior partner (the once and former Flamebird and “original” Bat-Girl). The artwork is suitably haunting, with ephemeral water colors punctuating hard inks, but the character never steps into focus. She berates Flamebird the same way Batman rides his partners, while flirting with yet another lesbian cop in an effort to lend her some humanity.
Part of the problem lies in the fact that the two authors are both men, with men’s sensibilities about women and their relationships. They’re always respectful, but they also fall back too readily on stereotypes rather than aiming for something truly different. It stands in stark contrast to the new Batgirl – written by a woman with the attendant shift in sensibilities. The other problem is one of a more direct nature. Why Batwoman? Do we really need another book with a “Bat” on the title? Bringing her back smacks of another stunt to boost circulation, and while the creators here give it their all, they can’t shake that pall from the results.
Title: Red Lanterns #1
Written by: Peter Milligan
Art by: Ed Bens
Published by: DC Comics
Grade: C
As with a lot of other titles this week, Red Lanterns beggars the question of why DC wanted to put this out to begin with. Was there some great groundswell of support for the “rage” branch of the Green Lantern family, such that only a monthly title would suffice? The inaugural issue suggests a need to pad out the “New 52” rather than delivering any compelling characters worthy of their own title.
The issue focuses on Atrocitus, whose entire sector was wiped out by the Manhunters back in the day and who now directs his anger toward avenging atrocities of every variety. He suffers a crisis of faith as he feels the purity of his rage diminish, and battles to get it back lest he lose command of the other Red Lanterns.
It works on the most basic level, and it’s interesting exploring this side of the Lantern mythos, but we don’t feel any energy or excitement at the various figures on the page. The Red Lanterns remain more of an abstract than a series of characters: we don’t have a Hal Jordan to latch onto and while writer Peter Milligan finds Atrocitus’s voice readily enough, he can’t bring us fully into the right mindset. The possibility of the Corps turning against him holds no dramatic weight because the characters aren’t sufficiently well-established (the Red Lanterns themselves are just a few years old). Out of all the books released thus far, this one was perhaps most in need of hooking us right away. It can’t, and the prospect of pressing on through future issues lacks any significant appeal.
Title: Demon Knights #1
Written by: Peter Milligan
Art by: Ed Bens
Published by: DC Comics
Grade: B-
Here’s a book that has the potential to do great things, but hasn’t quite realized that potential yet. Jason Blood and Etrigan remain two of DC’s most under-utilized creations: a demon harnessed to an unwilling mortal who does good almost by accident. Demon Knights explores their adventures in the Middle Ages: quickly recounting how the wizard Merlin bound them both together as part of some long-term scheme.
The story picks up nearly a century later. The evil Questing Queen is on the march, eager for dark magic to increase her power. Jason and his lover Xan stand in the way. Writer Peter Milligan hits upon an interesting wrinkle for the two lovers – she’s actually more attracted to Etrigan – which keeps the relationship between demon and man interesting. The medieval setting provides a new atmosphere for Etrigan to wander loose in, and the villains seem up to the task of providing sufficient obstacles for him to overcome.
The problems come in little details. Etrigan’s dialogue doesn’t rhyme, for example, which loses one of the character’s most enjoyable aspects. The action moves haphazardly as well, and the big twist at the end of the issue feels uninspired at best. Demon Knights spends most of its time establishing the basics, counting on future issues to make good on its promises. That’s fair enough for an opening issue, though we definitely hoped for better. With figures as compelling as this one, however, a little patience often produces impressive results.
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Batwoman's art for me was the seller to try this new series and I loved it. Of all the DC's relauch, this is one of my favorite, mostly because of the art.
It wil be interesting to see how long many of these issues will stay on forever, I'm sure they won't all sell well forever.