Jumping in Headfirst

Hawk and Dove Writer: Sterling Gates Artist: Rob Liefeld I'm a tad puzzled on this one. To begin with, who decided Hawk and Dove was a property to be marketed over The Question, or a second Flash title, Justice Society of America, Captain Marvel, or (since they're doing it this way), any number of WildStorm or Milestone properties? It's a unique enough pair, but DC has dozens of others more likely to be sure hits; I'm truly boggled they went with this. Also...Rob Liefeld? Sure is 1993. Granted, dude has like every right to continue drawing, regardless of what haters say. There doesn't exist an artist whose work is more openly and frequently mocked than Liefeld. But he and Gail did two issues in the middle of Geoff Johns' Teen Titans run (oddly enough, featuring these two characters)? Sold like gangbusters. Man's a testament to how worthless Internet criticism actually is. I'm no Liefeld fan to be honest, but he's not a minus to me, so it...

Resurrection Man Writer: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning Artist: Fernando Dagnino A cult favorite character returns in a new series written by his classic creative team of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. Joining them is JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST artist Fernando Dagnino. RESURRECTION MAN #1 is the story of a hero who wakes up with new powers each time he’s killed. ...This, is a real blast from the past. I actually started reading comics just around the time the first Resurrection Man came out. The concept intrigued me but it cost enough just to keep up with the series I read at the time--I simply couldn't afford to buy another comic every month. But it seems DC, in it's "infinite wisdom", has decided to bring back this character. Same powers, same writers from when the title was first released, and although the artist is new, I like what I've seen of his work. LOVE Dan and Andy--they created my favorite Legion run, and spear-headed Marvel's cosmic characters...

Swamp Thing Writer: Scott Synder Artist: Yanick Paquette DC Comics embraces its dark side. On the 40th anniversary of the character’s creation, the New York Times bestselling writer of AMERICAN VAMPIRE, Scott Snyder, teams up with Yannick Paquette (BATMAN, INCORPORATED) to bring horror back to the DC Universe in SWAMP THING #1. For years, one man served against his will as the avatar of nature. And while he may have been freed of the monster, he’s about to learn the monster will never truly let go of him. No particular comments about this. Yanick Paquette is an immensely talented artist, and though I haven't read his work, Scott Snyder seems like he would be a good fit for this book. I've never read a Swamp Thing book (too young and it isn't high on the list of vital runs for me to read), so for now I'm content to give this series a try. Wondering if he's still the White Lantern, or if they've dropped that to make things more accessible.

Nightwing Writer: Kyle Higgins Artist: Eddy Barrows After a tenure as the Batman of Gotham, Dick Grayson resumes his mantle as Nightwing! As Dick embraces his identity, Haley’s Circus, the big top where he once performed with his family, returns to Gotham - bringing with it a history of murder, mystery and superhuman evil. Nightwing must confront friends and enemies from his past as he searches for the source of an even greater evil. I have no idea who that writer is, but Eddy Barrows is capable of decent artwork, usually. ...New costume sucks, but whatever. I'm glad to have Dick Grayson be who he's supposed to be--Nightwing. I got behind a bit thanks to a weird Tuesday, but I'll be double-timing it today and hopefully getting far more done than yesterday.

Catwoman Writer: Judd Winick Artist: Guillem March Meet Catwoman. She’s addicted to the night. Addicted to shiny objects. Addicted to Batman. Most of all, Catwoman is addicted to danger. She can’t help herself, and the truth is – she doesn’t want to. She’s good at being bad, and very bad at being good. Find out more about what makes Catwoman tick in CATWOMAN #1, written by Judd Winick and illustrated by Guillem March. For the curious, Guillem March did that cover. I like his art style, and normally I'd follow that (as I have with so many others) with my saying that I'm a huge fan of the writer as well. ...But Judd Winick has a habit of getting in his own way, often a decent story can be weakened by the attempt at being relevant or edgy. Still, I've always wanted to read a Catwoman book--particularly since hers got canceled not long after OYL five years ago. And from what I hear, the last story he did--Justice League: Generation Lost, worked out rather well. ...Gonna need...

Birds of Prey Writer: Duane Swierczynski Artist: Jesus Saiz The Birds of Prey are Gotham City’s covert ops team, taking down the villains other heroes can’t touch. Mystery novelist ands comics writer Duane Swierczynski teams up with Jesus Saiz for BIRDS OF PREY #1, the first issue of the hard-hitting new series. I'm so iffy on this title, it's hard to explain. To begin with, I'm not all that certain on Duane as a writer. His Cable kinda pissed me off in that it *never* once became a bright story. Can't deal with that over at DC, so hopefully he's bringing a different game here. And then, to follow. Who ARE these girls? I recognize Black Canary, but it's not promised that the girl with the plants is Poison Ivy (could easily be Thorn), the girl with the Katana could be...someone else...and who's the chick with the rose tattoo??? This isn't even the Birds of Prey line-up. Lastly, I'm not sure this book should exist anymore. What made Birds of P...

Batgirl Writer: Gail Simone Artist: Ardian Syaf and Vicente Cifuentes ..I'm really curious as to how and why this is happening. The Bat-Universe is leaving me very confused. When they initially mentioned this relaunch, it sounded a lot like a reboot. There was a new number one for every comic, the characters would be younger, some histories would be different. All sounded like a giant "start over" button to me. I figured the Green Lantern universe, solid as it was, would remain largely unchanged...but mostly everything else? I expected to be changed, if not altered heavily. But we came to the Batman announcements and learned instead that largely nothing had been changed. Damian was still Robin (with all the continuity that that entails left in this "new DC Universe"); indeed, he may be the only Robin now. Dick is back to Nightwing (a decision I support...he was only Batman until Bruce came back), while Tim Drake is nowhere to be found, Jason Todd is leadi...

Batwoman Writer: J.H. Williams III & W. Haden Blackman Artist: Amy Reeder I miss Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams' work with this character, but it's whatever. Amy Reeder does absolutely gorgeous work, and J.H. Williams must have SOME concept of how the character should be written after having worked with her for at least three years now. Of the Bat-books announced, aside from Batman and Detective, this is the one I approve of the most.

Detective Comics Writer: Tony Daniel Artist: Tony Daniel Tony Daniel's Batman was actually pretty good when I read it. His art's beautiful and his work writing the Dick Grayson Batman was, while not stellar, more than good enough for me to give him a shot as he writes Bruce Wayne under the cowl this time. The opening story has Bruce Wayne searching for a dangerous serial killer called the Gotham Ripper. That means (we hope) this is a story that has nothing to do with Batman's overused (though great) rogues gallery. Neat.

The anthology series gets a new look in DC Universe Presents, a new series that will focus on multi-issue story arcs each featuring a different superhero from the DC Universe’s rich cast of characters, told by some of comics’ most exciting writers and artitsts. DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1 kicks off the first arc of the series: a Deadman story by Paul Jenkins and Bernard Chang. The cover to issue #1 is by Ryan Sook. DC Universe Presents Writer: Various Artist: Various 'Cause anthologies work so well. Especially when they feature rotating casts. I can only hope day/date digital releases help the sales on this comic, since I do enjoy them usually. I'm also going to guess that this will be where DC explains a lot of the stories of characters in this rebooted universe. Who's still here, what's new, and so on. I'm definitely down DC, but good luck actually selling this to people. Anyway, that's it. I didn't post the Wonder Woman announcement because I'm not...

Captain Atom has all the power in the world, but no hope of saving himself. Charged by nuclear energy, possessing vast molecular powers, he has the potential to be a god among men – a hero without limits. But the question is this: Will he lose himself in the process? JT Krul and artist Freddie Williams II take the character in a bold new direction in CAPTAIN ATOM #1. The cover to issue #1 is by Stanley “Artgem” Lau. Captain Atom Writer: J.T. Krul Artist: Freddie Williams II Another title I'm not wholly sure about. The ground being tread from this spoiler here is very, very well-tread, so J.T. Krul needs to be a genius to make it work. I mean, a man with the potential to be a god? DC, Jim Shooter called from the 90's--he said he already did that with red Cyclops . Still, Captain Atom's a decent character and Freddie Williams Jr. puts us back to "Artists That Are Beyond Awesome" in terms of quality. It can get four months and some interviews too.

The world’s third-smartest man – and one of its most eligible bachelors – uses his brains and fists against science gone mad in MISTER TERRIFIC #1, the new series from writer Eric Wallace and artist Roger Robinson. The cover to issue #1 is by J.G. Jones. Mister Terrific Writer: Eric Wallace Artist: Roger Robinson A bit iffy on this one. Huge fan of Mr. Terrific, what with him being one of the smartest men on the planet. (Somehow, third-smartest actually sounds better than second. 'Cause I'd put money on the smartest man being a white guy, and that has Unfortunate Implications all over it.) But I have no idea who Roger Robinson is, and Eric Wallace's "villain Titans" sounded like crap so I just never bothered to read it. Still, I am nothing if not a man of second chances. I'll give him the rest of this year to see whether or not Mister Terrific is any good. Four issues, which hopefully will be an entire arc. And whatever information CBR and Newsarama get...

A team of internationally-drafted superheroes fight each other and their bureaucratic supervisors as much as they do global crime in JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1 from writer Dan Jurgens and artist Aaron Lopresti. The cover to issue #1 is by Aaron Lopresti. Justice League International Writer: Dan Jurgens Artist: Aaron Lopresti You know...this raises a lot of questions for me, and answers several others. First question: Why not call the other team Justice League of America? It's a classic name, and since you *already* had a JLI, I can't see a reason *not* to do it. Second question: That's clearly a different Batman, so...we have two, still? I'm, not certain how I feel about that. There really should only ever be one Batman (whether it's Dick Grayson or Bruce Wayne), as it's not exactly the Flash Family or the Green Lantern Corps. I'm guessing that's Dick under the mask, but I'd be super-happy if it were actually Bruce and he was running some k...

Oliver Queen is an orphan who grew up to fight crime as the Green Arrow, a billionaire playboy who uses his fortune to become a superhero – able to fight the most powerful super-villains in the universe with nothing but a bow and arrow. JT Krul will write GREEN ARROW #1 with art by superstar artist Dan Jurgens. The cover to issue #1 is by Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund. Green Arrow Writer: J.T. Krul Artist: Dan Jurgens Dan Jurgens not drawing Booster Gold anymore makes me very, very sad. So this comic needs to be good. I got a little busy around the time they relaunched Green Arrow, so I have no idea if J.T. Krul is any good or not. (If you are...sorry for doubting.) Anyways. That origin....is just a little different from what I'm used to. I'm guessing this is one of our first "seriously revised" characters that we'll be hearing about. Oliver Queen used to be born into money, and eventually he gave it all away as he took on an ultra-liberal political stance. ....

The Savage Hawkman Writer: Tony Daniel Artist: Philip Tan Information: Batman writer Tony Daniel will team up with artist Philip Tan (GREEN LANTERN: AGENT ORANGE, THE OUTSIDERS) for THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1. Carter Hall’s skill at deciphering lost languages has led him to a job with an archeologist who specializes in alien ruins – but will the doctor’s latest discovery spread an alien plague through New York City? No matter the personal cost, Carter Hall must don his cowl and wings and become the new, savage Hawkman to survive. The cover to issue #1 is by Philip Tan. This is one of those cases where the writer/artist thing works out. (I knew I'd remember one sooner or later.) Tony Daniel is one of my favorite artists in comics--his work is super-detailed without crossing an overly realistic line. I didn't read much of his Batman, but what I read was competent and actually rather good. I think they're putting "too much mustard" on it with the "new, savage Hawkm...

The Fury of Firestorm Writer: Gail Simone/Ethan van Sciver Artist: Yildiray Ciner Information: Welcome to a major new vision of the Nuclear Man as writers Ethan Van Sciver and Gail Simone team up with artist Yildiray Cinar to deliver THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #1. Jason Rusch and Ronnie Raymond are two high school students, worlds apart – and now they’re drawn into a conspiracy of super science that bonds them forever in a way they can’t explain or control. The cover to issue #1 is by Ed Benes. When Gail Simone said she and Ethan van Sciver had a project they were doing together, I figured he would be drawing and they would be doing Plastic Man. This...is far, far better. I'm loving the way they've put a completely different spin on how Firestorm works--WITHOUT getting rid of Ronnie Raymond. There are a whole bunch of people that, no doubt, dislike "Jasonstorm" (which I honestly can't hear without it sounding a tad racist, but whatever), but I'm not one of them. ...

The Flash Writer: Francis Manapul/Brian Buccellato Artist: Francis Manapul/Brian Buccellato In a way, it's...fitting to have the Flash actually bring about the change that he has. It was the Flash who saved the world in the 1980's and created the Crisis. And it was Barry Allen, again, who in the 1950's started the Silver Age and ignited the Revitalization of all the DC characters. So for him to do it a third time, thirty years later, almost makes sense. By accident or on purpose, it truly does all begin with the Flash. I do love the Flash and his universe, but I'm always iffy when an artist picks up pencil to do more than draw. Though there are plenty of examples of people that can (though none are springing to mind at the moment), when it doesn't work out the results are...well, troublesome, to say the least. That said, Flash is known for getting people on it who you aren't sure about/don't know and turning them into superstars. Mark Waid. Geoff John...

After their monumental decision to reboot all of their characters , DC follows a day of silence with the announcement of several new comics that will exist in their new universe. So, of course, I'm back to see about which titles I'll be reading when they're actually released in three months time. First up? Aquaman Writer: Geoff Johns Artist: Ivan Reis This comic will be gorgeous. I love Ivan Reis' work--I have since Geoff first dragged him onto Green Lantern years ago. One of the greatest artists in comics today with an amazing eye for detail, seeing him tackle the beautiful undersea world of Atlantis will be a joy to read month in and month out. My only qualms about a comic book like this is actually the writer. Lately, Johns hasn't actually stayed on most of his titles for longer than a year or two at most. I don't want to see that happen with Aquaman, who really *needs* someone to stay on the title at least as long as he has Green Lantern. Long-form s...

I've made several prior attempts to catch back up with comics, and--obviously--they haven't worked. Quite simply, it's difficult to go through eighty comics a week like I used to, and STILL have time to read every other comic I like every month. So with DC doing a "soft reboot" for the universe as a whole and starting at #1 with, well...everything, this column will be examining some of the comics coming out and their creative teams. Specifically, the ones I actually care about. We begin with... Justice League Writer: Geoff Johns Artist: Jim Lee Cautiously optimistic on this project. I love Geoff Johns and Jim Lee's an amazing artist, but it sounds...too perfect. Like, Geoff Johns is responsible for several dozen comics that I absolutely love, and he's not known to strike out (unless it involves him leaving mid-way through a run), but...who knows. I'll definitely be reading this, to see what happens. Rumored since sometime in 2009, this supersta...

Sometimes, all you need is an interesting take on a superhero to make them worth reading. Nowhere is this more true than with the Fantastic Four. Done correctly, it's a series that's not as much about superheroic action as it is the ultimate adventuring family. Your family goes mountain-climbing on vacation? Neat. The Fantastic Four go mountain-climbing too. In an alternate universe. On a different planet. Up a volcano. To stop an alien race. Before breakfast. It's a tightrope act--you balance the family stuff with the big adventures and bigger ideas. Reed Richards is the smartest man on the planet, after all--he needs to constantly be thinking ten steps ahead of everyone else, and that means his solutions to problems can't be the same level of other heroes. So when they hired this new guy, Jonathan Hickman, a writer who had been known for gigantic ideas and concepts, I gave it a try, and it was excellent. (It helped to have one of my favorite artists of all ...