And yes, I’m aware that a civil war rages in Syria, human trafficking has been identified as the fastest-growing criminal industry, and apparently, Miley Cyrus committed war crimes at the VMAs. But anyone who pays attention to comics knows that DC rebooted a couple of years back, restarted every title with #1, chucked Superman’s external underwear, and launched the New 52, a project which has been marked by controversial decisions. More than a few fans have taken issue with DC’s reboot. My own thoughts follow with additional links and, we hope, some discussion.
Category Archives: 52
Review: Crime Bible
Fifty-two introduced the Crime Bible and the Religion of Cain. This five-issue mini-series examines the implications of these elements, while focusing on two of 52‘s best-drawn characters, Kathy “Batwoman” Kane and Renee “the Question” Montoya.
Does it live up to its promise?
Review: The Four Horsemen #4-6
Wetched mowtahl! Yuuwd wiw make you watch whiwe he sucks the mawwow fwom yuh bownes!
–Famine (“Yuurd”) follows Fudd after being super-punched in the mouth.
This six-issue follow-up to 52 features DC’s Big Three and a handful of others battling the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The series ended this past week and a trade doubtless will be released soon.
Is it worth reading?
Review: The Four Horsemen #1-3
I abandoned Countdown, so I thought the replacement should be another 52 tie-in, The Four Horsemen. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse or, rather, Apokolips, have survived their apparent death in 52, and face DC’s four greatest heroes: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and… Snapper Carr?
Comic Review: Countdown #35-32
This will be for me the final Countdown. I lost interest some issues ago, and cannot recommend this to anyone but DC completists.
Continue reading →
Countdown #39-36
Somebody tell me how this isn’t a massive waste of time?
–Batman, Countdown #36
Countdown #43-40
So it’s true—all the good names are taken.
Lois Lane, reacting to news of Jimmy Olsen’s other identity.
Countdown #47-44
DC’s follow-up to 52 continues with crossovers and angst.
I’m giving this another month or two.
Countdown #51-48
Hey! Y’can’t just stop…. This is Metropolis! Stuff like this happens twice a week!
–Annoyed Cabbie, to a driver who has stopped to witness an earth-shattering event.
Following the success of their weekly series, 52, DC hopes to see lightning strike again with Countdown, which maps out the new DCU, the one changed by events from 52. Although the issues count backward from the end of that series (starting with #51), roughly a year has passed, chronicled in the mainstream DC titles.
52 Possible Franchises
Over at Newsarama, Grant Morrison discusses the legacy of 52, and some new directions for the DCU.
Continue reading →