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DC Announces Lots of Rebirth New Printings

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Graphic Policy Team

To help meet the fan demand, DC Comics is issuing second printings for many of its Rebirth titles as numerous first issues have sold out within hours of hitting shelves. The announcement comes with the news that the special one-off DC Universe: Rebirth #1 will enter a third printing.

Superstar DC writer Geoff Johns kicked off this line wide title re-launch on May 25 with DC Universe: Rebirth #1, a special issue that got fans, media and comic industry professionals buzzing with its incredible storyline, all-star team of artists (Gary Frank, Ethan Van Sciver, Ivan Reis, Phil Jimenez, Brad Anderson, Jason Wright, Joe Prado, Matt Santorelli, Gabe Etalb, and Hi-Fi) and shocking twist ending. With fan interest at an all time high, comic retailers quickly sold through the first printing. DC immediately issued a second printing of the book in a special square-bound format, and will now distribute a third printing, hitting shelves on Wednesday, June 29 at a price of $5.99.

Also arriving at local comic book stores on June 29 will be second printings of Aquaman: Rebirth #1, Batman: Rebirth #1, Detective Comics #934, Green Lanterns: Rebirth #1, Green Arrow: Rebirth #1, Superman: Rebirth #1 The Flash: Rebirth #1 and Wonder Woman: Rebirth #1. In addition, a second printing of Action Comics #957 will arrive in comic book stores a week later on Wednesday, July 6. These second printings will remain at their original price of $2.99.

Each new printing will feature the comic’s original cover art but will replace the blue curtain image with recolored Rebirth banners at the top.

Batman: Rebirth Leads to Greatest Battle in Batman History

Posted on June 11, 2016 by Graphic Policy Team

A bold new era for the Dark Knight begins! DC All Access talks to Tom King, the co-writer of today’s Batman: Rebirth, a special one-shot that sets the stage for Batman’s exciting adventures to come. What do Gotham’s two new vigilantes mean for the Dark Knight? What role will Duke Thomas play in the unfolding events? And is all this really building up to the greatest battle in Batman’s history? One thing’s for sure, you’re not going to want to miss it!

DC Rebirth Roundup: Week One

Posted on June 2, 2016 by Ryan C. (trashfilmguru)

Right off the bat, I have to say — this is a little more like it. As someone who can in no way, shape, or form be accused of being a “fan” of last week’s DC Universe: Rebirth 80-page introductory salvo, I’m more than pleased to see the continuity-drenched, backstory-heavy, and new-reader-alienating premise of that truly atrocious comic ditched (more or less) in favor of the simpler, scaled-back, one-shot stories that constitute the first wave of Rebirth specials. The approach on display here is, frankly, the one DC should have taken all along, in my view — and basically it’s one of “the characters you love have been here all along, we just haven’t been doing them proper justice. From now on, we will.”

Which isn’t to say that the four Rebirth comics we got this week were necessarily all that good — truth be told, most of them were thoroughly forgettable and a couple of them didn’t even rise to the level of mediocrity. But seriously, folks, this is all that was needed. All that shit about ten stolen years and Flashpoint essentially being one giant hoax and the implication that the characters from Watchmen are now going to be brought into the DCU “proper”? I’m just gonna pretend like all that didn’t happen unless and until I’m forced to acknowledge otherwise. At which point I’ll probably find myself seriously trimming my pull list. For now, though, DC seems quite content with ignoring all of that, as well, in favor of re-setting the table on all their books and just getting back to basics. I respectfully contend that it’s that very “back to basics” mindset that was all this entire Rebirth enterprise ever needed to be about.

But enough about the big picture. What of the individual books themselves? Let’s take a somewhat closer look at each :

Superman : Rebirth #1

Co-writers (actually, the credits list them as “storytellers”) Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason serve up a “let’s-bring-you-up-to-speed” yarn that not only feels the need to recap events from the “New 52” Universe, but from its predecessor, as well — which makes sense, I suppose, given that it’s the “old-school Superman” of earlier vintage that we’re going to be following from here on out. Most of the issue is an extended conversation between said Superman and “New 52”-era Lana Lang, who meet each other when they’re both out — doing a bit of grave-robbing? Yes, you read that correctly, and it sets the tone for what’s an awkward, stilted, highly disjointed story. Suffice to say, the Superman we’ve all been following for the past five years appears to be well and truly dead — and his Super-antecedent is finally convinced of that fact over the space of about two panels after denying it for the first 18 pages. Pretty lame stuff, really, but this comic had the most to do in terms of “housekeeping,” so let’s hope things get better from here on out. Penciller Doug Mahnke and inker Jaime Mendoza deliver flat, generic, thoroughly-uninspired “corporate comics” art that does nothing so much as provide the strongest possible “visual echo” of the question a lot of us have been asking, namely : “How can ‘The New 52’ really be over with if all the same people are still working on the books?”

Overall Score: 2 Recommendation: Pass

Batman: Rebirth #1

On the other side of the coin, Batman was probably in better shape coming into this thing than any other character in the DCU. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo‘s run was loved by fans, critics, and retailers all for the same essential reason : it was good, and good stuff sells. Still, it’s “out with the old, in with the new” time, so Snyder helps to usher in new writer Tom King by purportedly “co-writing” a book with him that, to be honest, feels almost nothing like a Scott Snyder comic. Which isn’t meant as a “knock” on this issue at all, given that King finds his “voice” with Bruce Wayne and Batman immediately, and introduces us to a chilling new iteration of the Calendar Man that propels that formerly-lame villain up a good few notches in my estimation — all while dropping some intriguing hints as to an entirely new role for former We Are Robin star Duke Thomas, as well. Much like his colleague behind the word processor, incoming artist Mikel Janin is allowed to delineate the proceedings in his own style right from the word “go” with little to no visual referencing of his celebrated predecessor on offer, and the results are pretty damn spectacular. DC “brass” seems to have the right idea with the Batman title — hire the best possible creators for the job, and then get the hell out of their way and let them tell stories. Too bad that philosophy hasn’t been adopted across their entire line.

Overall Score: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Green Arrow: Rebirth #1

Like most, I was pretty “iffy” on the idea of Benjamin Percy continuing on as writer of this book given that he seems to have done his level best to drive it into the ditch during the “New 52” era, but this issue at least proves that he understands the basics of Ollie Queen’s character and, needless to say, finally getting him together with Dinah Lance a.k.a. Black Canary should make pretty much everyone happy. The two of them bust up an underground human trafficking ring in fairly short order here and maybe make the acquaintance of some new recurring villains, as well. Hardly a memorable story, but a reasonably effective one with sleek, angular, individualistic art from Otto Schmidt that looks pretty darn nice.

Overall Score: 6.5 Recommendation: Read

Green Lanterns: Rebirth #1

Can you say “Same shit, different Lanterns?” Sure you can, and so can Geoff Johns, who takes one more swing at these characters by co-writing this book along with new scribe Sam Humphries. Simon Baz was introduced as a new GL some time back and subsequently forgotten about, while Jessica Cruz was introduced as Power Ring and subsequently focused on to the point of becoming annoying. Now they’re in charge of patrolling our “sector” of space and in between all the recapping and cheap, shorthand “character development,” we’re treated to some supposed “mystery” about the Guardians themselves that fails to elicit much interest right from the outset. There’s a fight with a Manhunter, too. Whatever. Co-artists Ethan Van Sciver and Ed Benes are virtually indistinguishable from each other stylistically, so don’t ask me which one of them drew which pages here. Essentially a “New 52” comic in all but name.

Overall Score: 3.5 Recommendation: Pass

So, there you have it. Not sure if I’ll keep this up over the course of the next few weeks here or not given that a lot of these books (which, incidentally, I paid for with my own money — no “freebies” involved) were thoroughly uninspired in terms of their execution, but at least DC editorial seems to have a grasp on how to put together an accessible-enough “jumping-on point.” It’s just too bad they didn’t roll these out before last week’s “crossover event”-style book that required a couple decades’ worth of prior knowledge to even begin to decipher.

Reviews

Around the Tubes

Posted on June 2, 2016 by Graphic Policy Team

It was a pretty jam packed new comic book day yesterday! What’d folks get? What’d you enjoy? What’d you dislike? Sound off in the comments below!

While you decide on that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

Around the Tubes

Gawker – The Best Worst Batman Fanfic Features Donald Trump and an ATV “Batmobile” – Wow. Just. Wow.

Women Write About Comics – This Song Was Written By a Committee: What Devin Faraci Gets Wrong About Audience, Ownership and Power – An interesting read.

Around the Tubes Reviews

Newsarama – Amazing Spider-Man #13

Comic Vine – Batman: Rebirth #1

Newsarama – Batman: Rebirth #1

CBR – Batman: Rebirth #1

Comic Vine – Civil War II #1

Newsarama – Civil War II #1

Comics Beat – Civil War II #1

CBR – Civil War II #1

Comic Vine – Green Arrow: Rebirth #1

Newsarama – Green Arrow: Rebirth #1

Comic Vine – Green Lanterns: Rebirth #1

Newsarama – Green Lanterns: Rebirth #1

Talking Comics – Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Pink #1

Comic Vine – Superman: Rebirth #1

Newsarama – Superman: Rebirth #1

Around the Tubes

Review: Batman: Rebirth #1

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Logan Dalton

Batman Rebirth #1 is a standalone adventure as Batman and his new protegé (But not a Robin.) Duke Thomas take on a slightly creepier version of the Calendar Man, who is most famous for helping Batman catch a serial killer in Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s seminal Batman: The Long Halloween. The use of this villain and a plot featuring the seasons in Gotham changing in a day thanks to Calendar Man’s biological weapon is a comment on the cyclical nature of superhero comics as well as the passing of the torch from writer Scott Snyder to Tom King, who collaborated on the issue. Snyder and King establish the new dynamic between Batman and his supporting cast as well as making him and Bruce Wayne sharp and confident as he saves Gotham and becomes an active part of Wayne Enterprises as well.

“Sexy” is another adjective that could be used to describe Bruce Wayne as artist Mikel Janin makes him radiate handsomeness while using big panels and spreads for action and give the Batcave and Gotham a dark, cluttered atmosphere. It isn’t even the first issue, and his visual imprint is already on the series while colorist June Chung gives his pencils a painter-like feel without making his art feel static. And she adds important pops of color like yellow on Duke’s new superhero costume, which isn’t a Robin one as Duke is more of a junior partner in Batman’s crime fighting enterprise than a sidekick to be lectured and berated.

The plot of Batman: Rebirth #1 is a pretty straightforward as Batman and his allies take down a villain with a gimmick with few surprises except for a haunting, ambiguous final page. But what this comic lacks in thrills, it makes up for it in setting a thematic groundwork for King’s upcoming run. This version of Batman is full of swagger and life-like he was at the beginning of Grant Morrison’s run (But without the James Bond references.) or in Neal Adams’ run in the 1970s where he was challenging Ra’s al Ghul to single combat and solving every case with intelligence and tenacity. (Janin brought back the chest hair too.)

One page (or image) really encapsulates Snyder, King, Janin, and Chung’s Batman, and it features Bruce Wayne, not Batman as he dangles from a helipad doing one-handed pull ups when it’s 100+ degrees outside while a sharply dressed Lucius Fox helps him get his company in order. Batman is a thrill seeker and in his physical prime, and his defeat of Calendar Man includes holding his breath underwater more than is humanly possible as Duke protests. But he is also responsible for Gotham and swallowed up in its fate, and this is why he is so tiny in comparison to the skyscraper, buildings, and body of water around him.

The line of dialogue “I’ve never been much for tradition” has just a tinge of irony as Bruce and Lucius have just had a self-aware conversation about the revolving door of Bruce’s interest in his company throughout 76+ years of Batman comics, and Snyder and King have restored Alfred and Jim Gordon to their traditional roles as Batman’s allies and confidants. But this is where Duke Thomas comes into play as in We Are Robin, he has proven that Robins can exist without a Batman to watch over them and help the ordinary people of Gotham, who might be neglected as Batman focuses on the colorful costumed freaks. And Batman has broken with tradition by not making him a Robin, but by giving him a costume that is an expert palette swap of his own courtesy of June Chung. Duke isn’t Batman’s equals and has a lot to learn, but Batman is training him to be a hero in his own right and not be the latest iteration of a legacy. Their relationship and dynamic is the strongest part of Batman: Rebirth #1 as Snyder passes a character that he created, and Lee Bermejo forged and strengthened in We Are Robin to Tom King for the next step in Duke Thomas’ heroic journey.

Batman Rebirth #1 establishes both a new visual identity and character dynamic in the Batman title that is a little old (Alfred/Gordon) and a little new (Duke Thomas, more formidable Calendar Man) taking a cue from DC Rebirth, but while telling its own story and focusing on its own relationships. Mikel Janin also continues to be one of DC’s finest storytellers as he melds the epic photorealism of Jae Lee’s recent work with quick cut panels to avoid any stiffness with a side of beefcake that works in favor of Snyder and King’s open, optimistic characterization of Batman. The final page twist (if it is twist) could be delineated a little better, but demonstrates Janin and Chung’s skill to work with the dark chaos of Batman stories as well as his more charming side.

Story: Scott Snyder and Tom King Art: Mikel Janin Colors: June Chung
Story: 7.5 Art: 9 Overall: 8.2 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Graphic Policy Team

Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Paul

Top Pick: Civil War II #1 (Marvel) – Here it is! The start of the next event that is going to split the hero community in half…again. You would think they would have learned after the first throw down. This time though, it isn’t registration that is looking to control the heroes and their actions; now we have an Inhuman who can see into the future…and there are those who think this can be used to prevent disastrous events. Is the future written in stone? Can you hold someone responsible for something they may do? That’s what the Marvel Universe will be exploring and you can bet it’s going to get ugly.

A-Force #6 (Marvel) – It’s A-Force vs. Nico (under the control of the Countess). Medusa has been skeptical about Nico’s powers from the start of this team…it’s going to be very interesting for her to find out first hand just what Sister Grimm can do. I just hope A-Force survive the ordeal. I’ve been a fan of this book since the start, and I am always excited when a new issue comes out. It’s a great read with laughs, sass and action; who can ask for anything more?

Green Arrow: Rebirth #1 (DC) – Yeah yeah, here’s a DC title on my list. I’ll be honest, I’m interested in this to see Black Canary and Green Arrow together again. Yes, I know that is just the gimmick (as mentioned in previous articles) DC is using to get readers into this Rebirth. Me, not being a regular to the DC universe, think this is a great time to jump in and see if it’s enough to make me consider making room for DC AND Marvel in my life.

Old Man Logan #7 (Marvel) – Logan is just looking to lay low and figure out his place in this new world he’s found himself in. Too bad Lady Deathstrike and her Reavers have other plans. I am really looking forward to seeing this showdown; this isn’t the Logan that Deathstrike is expecting to find…she may just get more then she bargained for.

Javier

Top Pick: Batman: Rebirth #1 (DC Comics) – It’s our first look with Tom King who is taking over writing duties from Scott Snyder.

Deadly Class #21 (Image Comics) – Summer finally is here, as freshmen finals end; but another freshman fails to make it to sophomore year. Rick Remender’s depressive, but action filled, take on prep school assassination madness,continues to entertain.

The Goddamned #4 (Image Comics) – Another biblical inspired story. It focuses on a seemingly immortal and wandering Cain, after the fall; set in the period of the mythical Nephilim prior to the flood. Jason Aaron weaves yet another must-read grim proto-human story.

Saints #9 (Image Comics) – Another excellent maxi-series reaches its conclusion. The holy war (or unholy, depending on your opinion) ends, when the young and hipster Saints crew come face to face with the Archangel Michael and God.

Unfollow #8 (DC Vertigo) – This dark spin on social media continues, with more of the 140 dropping off, but a new follower enters the fray.

Anthony

Top Pick: Birth of Kitaro GN (Drawn & Quarterly) – Kitaro is one of the most beloved characters in Japan. Created by Shigeru Mizuki, the titular character encounters a wide variety of yokai (creatures from Japanese folklore) in stories that appeal to both those interested in Japanese folklore and mythology as well as funny, great, entertaining manga. Finally, the West gets the first of a planned series of volumes with a translation by Zack Davisson.

Civil War II #1 (Marvel) – Say what you will about events for Marvel, this one looks to be the first event to make an impact in the post Secret Wars universe. Issue #0 didn’t really set many things up but did show a not too pleasant looking future. It will be refreshing to hopefully continue to have the series’ perspective from the same characters from the introductory issue.

Moon Knight #3 (Marvel) – Jeff Lemire, Greg Smallwood and Jordie Bellaire have been hypnotizing the reader thus far with a mysterious, brooding tale of Marc Spector combatting both demons (or Gods) both in his mind and in the physical world. This series has picked up the reigns from the last run of ‘Moon Knight’ and continues to prove that the character is one of the most intriguing in the Marvel universe.

Paper Girls #6 (Image Comics) – The first five issues were a fun callback to the action/adventure movies of the 1980s. It will be interesting to see what is in store with this title as the time frame switches to 2016. Plus, it is pretty hard to pass on Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang’s gorgeous visuals and one of the best colourists in the game with Matt Wilson.

The Revisionist #1 (Aftershock Comics) – Frank J. Barbiere is back with another intriguing title that is sure to bring the wit and fun nature of past titles like ‘Five Ghosts’, alongside artist Garry Brown and colourist Lauren Affe. All it takes, beyond the creative team, to be sold on this book are three words: time-travelling assassin. Plus, Aftershock has been releasing some really fresh, outside the box kinds of titles.

Alex

Top Pick: 4001 A.D. #2 (Valiant) – I’m not going to lie – I’ve already read this. It’s my top pick because I can’t wait to see the artwork in printed form. So excited.

The Goddamned #4 (Image Comics) – It feels like an age since the third issue came out, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed reading Jason Aaron’s take on the time before Noah needed his Arc. Brutal, bloody, and probably offensive. I love it.

Moon Knight #3 (Marvel) – To be honest, this isn’t the best Moon Knight series I’ve ever read, but it’s far from the worst. With each issue getting a little better, I’m hopeful for the rest of the series.

Old Man Logan #7 (Marvel) – After the anticlimactic first arc, the old man’s second story arc is, so far at least, feeling a hell of a lot better. What’s more classic Wolvie feeling than having him face off against the Reavers?

Will Eisner’s The Spirit #11 (Dynamite Entertainment) – Speaking of things I love… this is arguably the best series being published right now featuring an urban based vigilante.

Brett

Top Pick: The Red Virgin & the Vision of Utopia (Dark Horse) – A portrait of revolutionary feminist Louise Michel, who took up arms against a French regime that executed thousands. Deported to a penal colony, Michel joined the cause of the indigenous population against colonial oppression. Is there a more “me” graphic novel? Been reading it, and it’s really interesting.

Chum #2 (Comixtribe) – The first issue was a great mix of surfing and noir. Take Jaws, minus the giant shark, and add a crime story to it, and you have this comic. So good and looking forward to seeing where it all goes.

Hellboy in Hell #10 (Dark Horse) – This is it. Hellboy transforms into what he was always meant to be as Mike Mignola wraps up this series.

Rough Riders #3 (Aftershock Comics) – FDR and his gang of historical figures are heading to Cuba. There’s something really fun about this alternate history comic that dives deep into real history to get things right. It’s entertaining and will get you to do some research too.

Superman: Rebirth #1 (DC Comics) – I loved the Superman: Lois and Clark miniseries and to see where and how this Superman fits into the Rebirth universe is going to be very interesting. That miniseries was filled with action, but also a lot of positivity. This issue serves as a fantastic end cap to that bridging the cap between that and what’s to come.

Preview: Batman: Rebirth #1

Posted on May 28, 2016 by Graphic Policy Team

Batman: Rebirth #1

Written by: Scott Snyder, Tom King
Art by: Mikel Janin
Cover by: Mikel Janin
Variant cover by: Howard Porter
U.S. Price: $2.99
On Sale Date: June 1, 2016

Longtime Batman and Eisner Award-winning writer Scott Snyder co-writes with rising-star writer Tom King!

EVIL 365: Gotham City faces the threat of the Calendar Man!

DC Shows Off Rebirth One-Shot Variants

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Brett

DC Entertainment’s line wide titles relaunch, Rebirth, starts this month with the DC Universe: Rebirth Special, written by Geoff Johns with an all-star roster of some of the greatest artists in the game – Gary Frank, Ivan Reis, Ethan Van Sciver and Phil Jimenez! This 80 page blockbuster, priced at $2.99, sets the stage for an all-new universe of epic superhero storytelling beginning in June, featuring the characters and titles that have made DC Comics a favorite of fans for 80 years!

In June, fans will see the first of 17 titles that will ship twice monthly, also at a new lower price of $2.99, beginning with a series of “Rebirth” themed one-shots. Today, DCE is revealing for the first time the variant cover images that will be available for fans when these books go on sale:

Batman: Rebirth #1
On-Sale June 1
Written by Scott Snyder and Tom King
Art by Mikel Janin
Standard Cover by Mikel Janin
Variant Cover by Howard Porter

Superman: Rebirth #1
On-Sale June 1
Written by Peter J. Tomasi and Pat Gleason
Art by Doug Mahnke
Standard Cover by Doug Mahnke
Variant Cover by Andy Park

Green Arrow: Rebirth #1
On-Sale June 1
Written by Ben Percy
Art by Otto Schmidt and Juan Ferreyra
Standard Cover by Juan Ferreyra
Variant Cover by Steve Skroce

Green Lanterns: Rebirth #1
On-Sale June 1
Written by Sam Humphries
Art by Ethan Van Sciver
Standard Cover by Ethan Van Sciver
Variant Cover by Alex Garner