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 #977 Superman Reborn is over, which means that if you haven’t read any Superman stories post Rebirth, then you’re going to find that this is easily one of the Friendliest places to start.

Batgirl And The Birds Of Prey #9 A series that I occasionally love and occasionally just find okay, I often forget the previous issue… and I don’t really remember too much here, other than Black Canary has gone undercover in an underground fighting ring in order to break into a metahuman training school. It’s a Friendly issue, even for those who may have forgotten much of the previous issues.

Detective Comics #954 Gotham is under siege from the allegedy mythical League of Shadows led by Lady Shiva (not to be confused with R’has Al Ghul’s League of Assassins). Batman is on his back foot, having lost almost all of his allies, he finds himself face to face with his greatest enemy whilst the militant force patterned on Batman’s crime fighting menace escapes his custody. It’s Friendly enough, if you accept that you may be a bit lost.

The Flash #20 I don’t remember whether I read the last issue or not (which, really, is never a goo sign), so there’ll be no recap here; just a Friendly enough comic to enjoy.

Justice League Of America #4 Cards on the table, I really don’t like this series, but if you are tempted by a well drawn extended fight sequence then you can either jump into the first finale in the series… or wait till next issue which, unlike this one, should be Friendly.

New Super-Man #10 Lex Luthor is, surprise surprise, trying to take advantage of the New Super-Man by activating his unactivated powers the easy way through a literal gate to Hell. Kenan’s mentor is, as you can imagine, quite opposed to the idea of his pupil taking the easy way out. This is probably not the easiest place to jump on board, but it’s Friendly enough that you can enjoy the issue with minimal backstory.

Suicide Squad #15 A good conclusion often makes for an Unfriendly jumping on point, and that’s the case here. Romita Jr’s art is decent, although there’s an artistic switch up that leaves Waller changing body shapes as fast as Clark Kent changes his costume.

Supergirl #8 This is actually a pretty Friendly place to begin as Kara spends much of the issue reminiscing with her cousin.

Titans #10 The Flash and Nightwing were captured by the Fearsome Five (who faked losing their powers, but actually haven’t), and the rest of the Titans are going to rescue them. There’s not much more you need know, honestly, to enjoy the mayhem of this Friendly issue.

Wonder Woman #20 The opening line of this comic is “absolutely beyond our capacity to explain,” which is how I feel about this series. It’s unfortunate because I truly think that beneath the two concurrently running stories that would do more to confuse a new reader than help them is a brilliantly woven tale.