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. You’ll also notice that each comic will get a rating that falls on Graphic Policy’s typical ten point scale, which is there to help you pick between issues if you only want to check out one or two.

Not every comic is covered week to week, and that’s because I  sometimes forget to read them  (although that doesn’t happen often), or I really can’t bring myself to pic up the issue. 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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Action Comics #984 Superman smackdown! The last issue was basically just a super-fight with Superman, the New Super-Man, Super Lex, Supergirl, Super Woman and Steel taking on General Zod, Cyborg Superman, the Eradicator, Mongul, Metallo and a telepathic dude who loves white. There’s a rhyme and a reason behind this but it doesn’t really matter what it is at this point, does it? When we left, Zod had just discovered that Superman had a wife and child, and that they were inexplicably at the Fortress of Solitude during the smackdown. This issue is almost Friendly enough to jump right on board, but you may need it twice to get the most out of it. 7/10

Batman Beyond #10 Terry McGinnis ran/flew off to confront Ra’s Al Ghul in a suit that will likely kill him (there’s a dangerous AI in the suit, I think), and Bruce Wayne has flown after Batman to try and keep him alive. Oh, and Ra’s? Is actually Bruce’s son, Damian. This issue is really Friendly, assuming you’re slightly familiar with the Batman Beyond concept. 7.75/10

Detective Comics #961 The new agent of the Order of Saint Dumas is a cyborg sort of thing that’s confused by Azreal’s existence, but has somehow brainwashed Azreal into succumbing to his programming again. This will make even less sense if you’ve got no idea what that means because I have no idea how to briefly explain it effectively (but I’ll try: Azreal is a brain washed assassin under the control of said order, but he’s escaped his programming and has been working to spread peace a different way while occaisonly working with Batman), but the cyborg has been attacking old members of the order. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne is having flashbacks of when he trained with Zatanna in the past as he seeks her aid in the present and is somewhat unaware that Azreal is attacking the rest of the Batfamily. This issue is kind of Friendly, but worth the read anyway. 7/10

Hal Jordon And The Green Lantern Corps #25 Green Lantern Tomar Tu murdered a Yellow Lantern, which is kind of a big deal seeing as how the Green and Yellows are allied together. Anyway, Corps Leader Jon Stuart announced to the allied Corps that Tomar Tu has been accused of murder and will stand trial… and some of the Yellows weren’t too happy and have gone to extract the proverbial pound of flesh from the ringless Green Lantern, who just happens to have Hal Jordan visiting him in his jail cell. Meanwhile, Soranik found out that her son from the future is dead, and Kyle Raynor knew (and was also his father). This will end well, right? Oddly, a Friendly issue despite the shit storm brewing. 8.25/10

Justice League Of America #11 I would love to give you a recap of the relevant parts to this series, but it’s not exactly the best thing out there and I don’t remember what happened in #10. This issue is, at best, Unfriendly, and at worst utterly forgettable. 4/10

Suicide Squad #22 I missed the last issue, but the former leader of the Squad died saving them, and Amanda Waller appointed Harley Quinn as the leader in #20 or so. Once you know that, then you can muddle through this Friendlyish issue. 6.25/10

Teen Titans #10 The codenameless Teen Titan Jackson’s mother is fighting Black Manta while the rest of the Titan’s face an internal leadership struggle – Robin is too tough on them and, arguably, seems to expect too much from the team. Teen Titans #10 isn’t the most accessible issue, but if you pick up issue #9 as well as this one then you’ll find the comic Friendly, and it’s worth your while to grab them both. 8/10

The Flash #27 I honestly don’t remember much about the last few issues other than Eobard Thorne is back and has taken Barry and Iris to the future for the likely purpose of tormenting him, and somehow Barry tapped into the Negative Speedforce. Beyond that? Can’t remember really remember too much. Luckily this Friendly issue has a lot of awesome action scenes that make up for my poor recap. 8/10

Wonder Woman #27 I have no idea what happened last issue, but this comic is Friendly enough, I suppose. 5/10