Welcome to Graphic Policy’s Rebirth 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.

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, with more consideration given for the specific issue being read when it comes to the final rating than the series overall. You may notice that not every comic is covered week to week, and that’s because I have a memory like a sieve and sometimes forget to pick them up. If I have missed an issue, typically I won’t go looking for back issues to to catch up on events – this feature is all about accessibility for new readers, after all.

This week saw a couple of new number one issues, as well as a couple of easily accessible jumping on points.

---

Aquaman #7 This is a really interesting series so far, with Aquaman being shown in his more kingly duties as he tries to build relations between the surface world an Atlantis – and stop the war between the two that is brewing. Unfortunately, unless you’re more familiar with the series than the above synopsis, this may be a touch Unfriendly.

Batman #7 Gotham faces a hurricane and DC’s first post Rebirth crossover story begins here as Night Of The Monster Men kicks off. Supposing you have a passing familiarity with Detective Comics current story line then you’ll find this a Friendly issue.

Cyborg #1 The rule of thumb with DC‘s post Rebirth comics is that a first issue will be accessible. Occasionally this is only the case if you’ve read the Rebirth special, with the first issue of a series functioning more as a second. That’s not the case here – if you haven’t read the Rebirth  special, you’ll be fine. Cyborg #1 is a very Friendly comic, and well worth reading – whether you’re a fan of Cyborg or not.

Green Arrow #7 The second part of an interlude story that focuses on Emiko’s journey, this is an Unfriendly comic unless you’ve read the previous issue.

Green Lanterns #7 Not only has this series been consistently one of the higher quality series pot Rebirth, but every issue has been accessible to new readers; some more so than others, obviously, and this is one of the most Friendly of all of them as we get to see the two heroes in a moment of downtime that allows us to get to know them, and themselves each other.

Justice League #5 I’ll be honest here – having read the first five issues, I still have very little clue as to what is happening here making this a very Unfriendly comic for new readers.

Harley Quinn #4 This is a comic that, honestly, is far from my cup of tea. That being said, it’s a self contained story that has a couple references to the last three part story, but it’s still a Friendly issue.

Nightwing #5 Did you read Batman #7 this week? Read that, otherwise this will be very Unfriendly as this issue contains the second part of the Bat-centric Night Of The Monster Men story arc.

Raven #1 Unlike the rest f the Teen Titans, I have absolutely no idea as to who Raven is. If you’re in the same boat, then you’re in luck because this is a very Friendly comic. We get caught up on Raven’s background through her narration, but the comic itself is about a fish out of water – and that’s very relateable for many of us.

Superman #7 A one shot story of the kind I really enjoy; superheroes on a rare day off. This issue is a very Friendly comic once you accept Superman has a son with Lois now, and goes by the name Clark smith, but if you’ve paid a modicum amount of attention to DC lately you’ll know this already.

Trinity #1 By this point, you’re probably at least partially aware that the Superman currently in the DCU isn’t the one from the New 52 (unlike the Batman and Wonder Woman), and if that’s the case, then you’ll find this a Friendly comic. Which is somewhat relieving considering it’s a first issue, eh?