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.

Action Comics #976 “Right now, everything is so bizarre… that it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s not.” I’m going to let the opening of the comic speak for the recap, but you should still check the fourth part of the Action Comics/Superman crossover out.

Batman Beyond #6 The first part of a new arc that also neatly explains the previous story in bits and pieces is, as you should expect, quite Friendly.

Batgirl #9 I… don’r remember the last issue at all, and I think I missed it completely (don’t quote me on that). That said, this week Batgirl #9 will be judged entirely on  this issue, and it’s easy to read nature makes it quite Friendly.

Deathstroke #14 Another excellent issue that is tough to follow. Although I feel like I’m beating a dead horse here, you’re better trade waiting for this otherwise Unfriendly issue.

Detective Comics #953 The attack on Gotham that has been hinted at since Detective Comics relaunched happened a couple issues ago, and Batman wasn’t as ready as he’d have liked. There’s a scene in the beginning of the comic where Jim Gordon is brought up to speed that’s a very effective, and brief, recap for the story thus far making this comic Friendly enough on it’s own.

The Flash #19 Even though the last issue only came out two weeks ago, I don’t remember too much about it beyond the fact that The Flash is stuck working with Captain Boomerang who may or may not have been on a solo Suicide Squad mission (I may be wrong, but I can’t remember and won’t go back and check). That being said this is a really good, and Friendly, comic.

Hal Jordan And The Green Lantern Corps #17 After the craziness of the last issue, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this issue wouldn’t be the best place to jump on board… but it’s actually really Friendly, complete with it’s own moments where it fills in the gaps for you throughout the issue.

Suicide Squad #14 Somebody killed Amanda Waller, one of her enemies turned off the Suicide Squad’s brain bombs, Deadshot turned on the Squad and Boomerang murdered somebody. None of that does justice to the story itself, but it’ll get you more or less up to speed with this barely Friendly issue.

Teen Titans #6 A new arc commences that looks like it’ll introduce a water themed hero to the team, complete with an almost forced recap about the characters and their powers, make this a Friendly comic.

Wonder Woman #19 This series has had two stories running through it in alternating issues since the beginning, and while it was fairly easy to keep track of each story when Year One was being told, because both concurrently running stories are similar enough in setting I’m having  hell of a time keeping both separate in my head. Anyway, The Truth finds Diana in an institution following a perceived mental break down, and  minotaur named Ferdinand has gone to get her out. I’m not sure whether this would be Friendly with a decent recap or not at this point.