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.

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Aquaman #23 Arthur Curry and Mera have been away from Atlantis fighting water demons (if it sounds stupid, check out the previous arc because it was actually a solid story), and are just returning to Atlantis as a new arc begins. Coincidence…? Likely. Friendly? Yeah, more or less.

Batman #23 A standalone story that has Batman and Swamp Thing working together that’s one of the more interesting issues that Tom King has written. It’s as Friendly as a standalone Batman story can be.

Batwoman #3 Part three of the arc… and I really don’t remember anything specific about the previous events… which makes this a touch Unfriendly… but it’s actually quite enjoyable all the same.

Green Arrow #23 Green Arrow has hit rock bottom. His company has been taken from him, Oliver Queen has been declared dead, he’s living in a giant tree house in the woods… and his beloved Seattle is currently in the midst of a prolonged terrorist attack  (but I can’t remember why) – at the end of last issue, Green Arrow’s tree house burned, with hi tech guru Henry supposedly inside. This is an intense, barely Friendly place to start, but you can do it.

Green Lanterns #23 Lost In Space part two opens up with the two newest Green Lanterns being trained by Kyle Rainor (Simon) and Guy Gardner (Jess) after they were called to Mogo for some reason or another. It’s going about as well as you’d expect, but it does make for a Friendly and entertaining comic.

Justice League #21 Flash is time jumping to prevent some kind of catastrophe of some kind (probably a big explosion – I forgot last issue), but he doesn’t have complete control over when he goes… it’s an odd premise, but Friendly enough, I suppose.

Nightwing #21 A team-up with Wally West for a villain of the week style story that will probably lead into something more, this is a Friendly place to start with the series.

Super Sons #4 Superboy and Robin have been battling robots that can assume the powers and basic look of a person. While confronting the robots, the young heroes have been captured by Kid Amazo…. it sounds more confusing than cricket, but it’s actually Friendly.

Teen Titans #8 Despite this being the second part of an inter-title crossover, I neither remember the first part of this story, but nor did it stop me from enjoying the comic. For that reason, I’m marking this as a Friendly issue.

Trinity #9  It’s a new arc that starts here, so the only realy question you need to ask yourself is whether you know who Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman are? Because if you do, then you’ll find this Friendly. There’s a bit of a throwback to the first arc, but nothing that’ll have you scratching your beard in wonder.