Welcome to Graphic Policy’s DC Rebirth: Recap And Review where we take a look at the comics released under DC‘s Rebirth banner and try to work out just how accessible they are for new readers – we’ll also be providing  recap of sorts for the relevant story beats up until the issue in question in order to help you figure out if the series is something you’re interested in.

Each comic will receive a rating of Friendly or Unfriendly based on how easy it was for
new readers to pick them up; the ratings are based solely on the issues released in the post-Rebirth ongoing series. More consideration regarding the comic’s accessibility will be given for the specific issue being read rather than the series overall, but if reading a back issue will help, then that will be mentioned. Generally, the quality of an issue won’t be discussed unless it directly impacts a new reader’s enjoyment of the series.

You may notice that not every comic is covered week to week, and that’s because I  sometimes forget to read them  (although that doesn’t happen often). If I have missed an issue, typically I won’t go looking for back issues to catch up on events – this feature is all about accessibility for new readers, after all.

There were a lot of new story arcs starting this week, so expect a smaller post as many of the comics didn’t need to much of a recap.

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Action Comics #973 The funny thing about this comic, is that some of the events you’ll need to have a passing familiarity with didn’t actually happen in this issue. Lois Lane and Superman are from the Pre-New 52 DCU, and have found themselves in the post Rebirth world. Now Lois has taken her doppelganger’s place due to a slight case of death but who is the human Clark Kent running around? Meanwhile Superwoman is weakened  and in need of Superman’s help (the reasons why are explained in her own series; Superman doesn’t know why). It’s Friendly, more or less.

All-Star Batman #7 Mr. Freeze released a deadly bacteria last issue, and who better to help with that than a botanist? I actually forgot what was going on in this series and was still able to follow this comic well enough to make it Friendly.

Batgirl And The Birds Of Prey #7 Another Friendly comic. I say this without a recap because I don’t actually remember what happened last issue but I was more than able to follow along here.

Detective Comics #950 The big anniversary issue, and the start of a new arc, so what better place to attract new readers, right? With a bumper sized issue that fleshes out some of the quieter, or lesser known, members of Batman’s new team we get on of the most easily accessible issues in a long time. Each story within is solid is both Friendly, and really quite good.

Flash #16 I didn’t read the last issue, so I can’t really give you much of a recap. Fortunately, the comic does a good job of that on its own, making this an effortlessly Friendly comic.

Hal Jordan And The Green Lantern Corps #14 Part one of a new arc that finds the Green and Yellow Lanterns trying to forge a partnership for the betterment of the cosmos after their numbers were drastically reduced over the course of the last 13 or so issues. This is another Friendly place for you to delve in.

Justice League Of America: Rebirth #1 As with all of the Rebirth specials, this is going to be easy for you to pick up. There seems to be something brewing in the DC Universe, and I’m thinking that with all the hints laced throughout the Batman titles over the past few months, the Batman/Flash series is going to have a part to play in that. Despite my sidetrack, though, this is Friendly.

Red Hood And The Outlaws #7 All you need to know is that this is a Friendly issue. It’s also relatively standalone, too.

Suicide Squad #11 After the events of the Justice League Vs The Suicide Squad miniseries, Amanda Waller is under investigation for allegedly setting up the whole thing.The Squad are regrouping, but Waller’s up to something. This is a Friendly issue, but only barely.

Supergirl #6 Wraps up an arc in which Supergirl had to choose between resurrecting her family and people or saving her new home. I’m sure you can guess where her loyalties were, which means that if you do grab this issue then you can enjoy the Supergirl vs Cyborg Superman fight – oh, the Cyborg Superman is Supergirl’s father trying to resurrect Kryptonians with a mix of cybernetics and human life force.

Superwoman #7 Lex Luthor is trapped in his armour as his sister wages war with her super powers, and I have no idea what’s happening.

Titans #8  Now that the Titans are reunited with Wally West and settled in Manhattan, this issue sees a new arc kicking off. Because I have next to no experience reading Titans or Teen Titans comics prior to Rebirth, there are some thing I’m not familiar with, such as who a certain character is, but there’s editors notes that let you know where to go to learn more. Overall, this is a Friendly comic.

Wonder Woman #16 The beginning of a new arc finds us at an almost…. Unfriendly  place because I don’t know quite what’s happening, other than I really enjoyed the issue. I’d still suggest you pick this up if you’re curious about the series.