Welcome to Graphic Policy’s DC Rebirth Roundup where we take a look at most of 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 pick 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.

---

 

Detective Comics #977 The team Batman had assembled to fight crime in Gotham has imploded, with Batwoman, Batwing and Azreal signing up with the Colony – a paramilitary group modeled off Batman. Last issue Tim Drake was approached by the former colony operative responsible for weapons development who wanted to prevent a dark future… As far as thing goes this is a Friendly issue, and one that provides an interesting snapshot into a possible future for Gotham. 7.5/10

The Flash #43 Slightly better than last issue, but this still isn’t great. To recap: Grodd stole the Speedforce from Barry, the Flash family stepped up to save the day, but Barry was a selfish jerk tried to steal back his powers because he didn’t trust anybody else to save the day. Upon getting his powers back, for reasons best attributed to shitty writing, Grodd had control of the Flash family through the Speedforce. While this is Friendly, it’s not something I’d recommend you reading. 5/10

Hal Jordan & The Green Lantern Corps #41 Kyle Raynor and Hal Jordan were attacked and captured while checking out a planet that happened to be General Zod’s new home. After a bit of a scrap as the rest of the Corps came to free them, we’re left with Hal Jordan verses General Zod. A Friendly issue that’s basically all a green brawl. It’s awesome. 8/10

The Hellblazer #20 It has been far too long since I read a Hellblazer comic, so there’s no recap, but this comic is still Friendly enough and enjoyable enough for new readers to jump in with no issues. 8/10

Justice League Of America #27 It’s a part one, he says. Should be Friendly, he says. It’s not. It’s an Unfriendly opening to a story that does little to draw me in. 6/10

Teen Titans #18 When Beast Boy left the Teen Titans and hooked up with a game company, the rest of the team stopped a bus from crashing into the river – driven by an otherwise great kid. Suspecting foul play, Robin found a doowhatsit in the kid’s brain, and guess which game company was responsible? Friendly and worth a read. 8/10

Suicide Squad #38 Part one of a new arc that finds the Squad being superseded by a one man wrecking ball – the super soldier code named The Wall. The rest of the background is relatively irrelevant as you’re brought up to speed on what you need to know as it happens; the comic is Friendly and entertaining. 7/10

Wonder Woman #43 An average comic at best which is Friendly in its simplicity. 6/10