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 #987 Look here’s the deal: this issue reveals the identity of someone who has been pulling strings and plotting machinations in the DC Universe ever since Rebirth began. So there’s a chance that, if you just picked this issue up and it’s your first one in the series, not only will you not really know quite what is going on in the wider DCU, but you won’t care. If that’s the case, while this is slightly Friendly the impact of the big reveal will be lost on you. 6/10

Batgirl And The Birds Of Prey #14 Do you remember what’s happening in this series? Because I sure don’t. While the opening had a line that had me laughing out loud for the wrong reasons “someone has to stay in Gotham to hold down the fort.” Once I’d gotten past that, however, I did quite enjoy the issue and found it quite Friendly overall. 6.75/10

Detective Comics #964 Last issue saw Spoiler, the former member of Batman’s team who quit after the “death” of Red Robin, finally joining with Anarky and seeing his underground community that, on the surface of things, looks almost like a haven. So something’s up, right? Meanwhile Clayface is working with a doctor for a cure to his condition. While this issue is a decent read, it’s unfortunately just a touch Unfriendly even with this lackluster recap. 7/10

Hal Jordan And The Green Lantern Corps #28 Uh… basically the New Gods are being hunted and Hal Jordan has to find and protect Highfather. I’d give you more but I don’t know who the New Gods really are and the previous issue didn’t stick with me too well. Beyond that, this is a Friendly issue that’s also a great read. It’s a simple story that’s got a lot of heart in it. 8.25/10

Justice League Of America #14 Half of the JLA have followed  the distress signal of Ray Palmer, the original Atom, into the microverse (the plane of existence that exists beyond the microscopic level), and they’ve found that there’s a reality ending threat occurring down there. Meanwhile the other half of the team are investigating the origins of the threat from the last arc, a being that can take control/influence you through your dreams, called The Might Beyond The Mirror. The issue is pretty Fiendly, especially with another quick in character recap from Ryan Choi – the new Atom. 7/10

New Super-Man #15 I could give you a recap, but Kong Kenan does that at the beginning – and it’s just enough to make this issue Friendly (which helps as I forgot the last issue). 7.25/10

Red Hood And The Outlaws #14 I’m pretty sure Bizarro died in the last issue (hence the this issue’s title: Bizarro Reborn) and was subsequently resurrected with an incredible intellect. This issue is very Friendly. 8/10

Suicide Squad #25 Amanda Waller has been controlled by The People, a villainous group of folks hell bent on world domination or something (aren’t the all?), and is in the process of attacking the JLA. The chaotic conclusion to Kill  Your Darlings is here, and it’s pretty damn enjoyable – and Friendly to boot. 8/10

Supergirl #13 I…. honestly don’t know what’s going on here any more. It’s been awhile since I read the series, and while I harbour some disdain for using the annual as a part of an ongoing story, this issue is kinda Friendly. 6.75/10

Superwoman #14 Another series that I’ve missed for a few issues so there’ll be no recap here. While you can enjoy the issue, it’s a touch Unfriendly only in that you’re not too sure quite who everyone is and what’s going on. 6.5/10

Teen Titans #12 It’s a Dark Knights Metal tie-in, so whether you’re reading that story or not will depend on whether you enjoy this a little or a lot. Take that how you will.

Titans #15 While I genuinely don’t remember the previous issue too well, before that the Titans have been dealing with H.I.V.E. who have stolen Bumble Bee’s memories. At the same time, Wally West has a pretty bad heart condition caused by Damian Wayne in a recent Titans/Teen Titans crossover when he stopped Wally’s heart. This issue is pretty Friendly so long as you accept that there’s a couple small things that you may not get right away. 7.75/10

The Flash #30 Part one of a new arc! Do you need to know anything to jump in blind? Not at all. 7/10

Wonder Woman #30 Even though this is the fifth part of a story arc it’s oddly Friendly. Will you understand everything that’s happened this issue if you haven’t read the other four? Probably not – but this issue is written in such a way that it actually doesn’t matter. Wonder Woman #30 is a really enjoyable and fun comic. 7.5/10