Picks of the Week - September 7, 2011

This week sees DC’s New 52 kick into high gear.  Here are my thoughts on this week’s releases.

The Keepers

Action Comics #1 – The action picks up early in Superman’s career.  This is a Superman who does not fly, does not really have a costume, and is at odds with the law enforcement of the era.  The story is an interesting take on the character with the Man of Steel only in Metropolis for roughly six months.

Batgirl #1 – Barbara Gordon returns to the cowl.  This issue covers a lot of what Gordon has dealt with, not denying what happened to her, but embracing it.  This Batgirl has more than just the physical scars from her fateful encounter with The Joker, which gives a new level of depth to the character.

Batwing #1 – I have to admit that this was one of the books I was not so sure about when DC announced its new 52 line up.  However, a great story by Judd Winnick and cool art by Ben Oliver adds a new dimension to the DC Universe as we move out of the safety of North America and Europe into the rest of the new DC Earth.

Detective Comics #1 – Detective Comics comes out with a bang with Batman vs the Joker.  The last pages of this book will certainly pull you in to wanting to know what happens next.

Justice League International #1 – As the Justice League is a team that assembles out of necessity, This version of JLI is assembled for exposure.  With an international team assembled as much for their visibility as they are for their powers.  It will be interesting to see how a team assembled in such a manner will function as a team.

Swamp Thing #1 – Another book that has pulled me in as Swamp Thing returns from the land of Vertigo to the new DC Universe  I particularly liked watching a newly resurrected Dr. Alex Holland deal with his memories of Swamp Thing.

We’ll See

Men of War #1 – The story of a new Sgt. Rock takes the forefront in this modern version of the classic war comic.  The current Rock is the Grandson of Frank Rock (DC’s original Sgt. Rock).  This story seems initially grounded in a realistic war, though it is apparent that we are in the DC Universe once the fighting starts.  The book also features a back up story, NAVY SEALS, which is definitely more grounded in a more realistic theater of operation.  Here’s hoping that the back-up story will be a revolving line-up.

Animal Man #1 – For me, the downside of this book was the artwork by Travel Foreman, which resembled Aeon Flux, though more stylized.  But, the story of Buddy baker and his family has enough bizarre twists to make the artwork work well.

Green Arrow #1 – This Green Arrow feels younger than Arrows past, and more in tune with what viewers of Smallville have seen.  This is not necessarily a good thing, but the addition of an entourage and decent action sequences put this book on my wait and see list.

Static Shock #1 – Dakota to New York transplant Static becomes the Spider-Man of the new DCU.  At least, that was the feel I got from one scene.  Milestone hero Hardware also shows up (sort of) as Static’s mentor.

Stormwatch #1 – Mixing elements of the Authority, past Stormwatch teams, and Justice League, this covert team makes an attempt to enlist a highly reluctant Apollo to their ranks.  This series rolls back some of the old Wildstorm characters, bringing Jack Hawksmoor, Jenny Quantum and the Engineer into the Stormwatch fold, and showing the first meeting between Apollo and Midnighter.  This book is one that could go either way for me, either being real cool, or degrading into the ultra-violent Authority style that began to be a real turn off for me.

OMAC #1 – This book teeters on the low side of my wait and see list.  I am curious to see what this OMAC’s connection is to Brother Eye, but the initial story itself did not leave me wanting more.

Soon To Be Dropped

Hawk & Dove #1 – I have never really been a great fan of Rob Liefeld’s artwork, and this book did not really turn me around on it.  It did not help that I found Sterling Gates’ story confusing some times, uninteresting other times.  I doubt that I will continue this book past the next issue.

Other Releases

The Punisher #3 (Marvel Comics) – It’s the Punisher against a new and more violent Vulture.  The fight between them is grueling and brutal, just as any Punisher fight should be.  Even in the Marvel Universe, this Punisher is very much human, fighting against injuries against a villain that very much wants to kill the Punisher.

The Big Lie #1 (Image Comics) – Just in time for the 10th anniversary of 9/11 comes this book about one woman’s attempt to stop the tragedy.  The book itself seems more concerned about telling the story of a woman trying to save her husband than it is in covering various aspects of the conspiracy theories that have been spun about 9/11.  This book is less a pick for me, but worth mentioning because of the nature of the story and about its release so close to the anniversary.

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