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Graphic Breakdown: ‘DC: Rebirth’ Reviews – A Step in The Right Direction?

Welcome  to Graphic Breakdown!

This week we cover DC’s Rebirth and ask the very real question: Is Rebirth an improvement over the new 52…or are we in a worse place then before?

Let’s find out!

 

Detective-Comics-936Detective Comics # 936

Written by James Tynion IV and Illustrated by Alvero Martinez
Published by DC Comics

I feel bad for James Tynion IV. He’s a halfway decent writer who’s been writing his heart out over at DC. Problem is the stories (like most of the DC line currently) are about B- tops at best. The first two issues of his “Rise of The Batmen” storyline were decent at best. This issue dipped below decent.

And why? The first two issues aren’t bad. This issue is just bland.

It’s not even Tynion’s fault so much. He writes a tale in this issue that is about Batwoman and a few others forming a kind of “Batman army.” It’s kind of a snooze fest. Bland but okay. The art by Martinez fails to impress too. It’s just bland layered in bland. I wanted to like it actually…but alas I was glad when I was done reading.

DC gave us new hope with Rebirth. I wish they would try to put more quality into it. This is below standards and a lot of them are. This feels like it should have a direction, and I’m just not seeing it if it’s there.

RATING: C+

2The Flash #2

Written by Joshua Williamson and Illustrated by Carmine Di Giandomenico
Published by DC Comics

The Flash represents to me the best of the Rebirth line. The rest of the titles should take a cue from Williamson’s book: Tell a good story that feels important. Not something disposable.

This is a damn fine book.

Barry Allen is back dealing with the Speed Force and I’m loving it. The Flash is at his best when he is going against something bigger than him…and Williamson understands this. The stakes are high.

Yet, Williamson keeps up with the characters, giving us strong characterizations, good dialogue, and excitement. I’m in.

There also feels like there is a scope to this series and I can’t wait to see what Williamson has is in store for readers.

The art so far has been consistent (a lot of the Rebirth books haven’t been). I’m into it and this book stands out against the herd.

RATING: B+

 

91C-Xt2dDxLHal Jordan and The Green Lantern Corps: Rebirth #1

Written by Robert Venditti and Illustrated by Ethan Van Sciver
Published by DC Comics

Woof. This was pretty darn hard to get through. I love Hal Jordan. Love him. But Woof. This book was barely written and feels like it was barely put together. In fact, it feels like a 22 page highlight reel. Here we go.

Hal Jordan is back in comics and it’s a fairly dull affair. It’s yet another new beginning for Hal…and I ask myself the question: Why should I care?

There was no meat on this story. No sense that there is a plan ahead. Instead we get snippets of the past, a hint at something to come that put me to sleep and art that feels recycled on top of feeling recycled.

I was pretty bored.

I like Venditti as a writer. I wish he put something into this. There’s not a lot for me to say.

Except maybe I wish Williamson wrote this title. Maybe that would have made me happy.

RATING: C-

 

2-1Nightwing: Rebirth #1

Written by Tim Seeley and illustrated by Yanick Paquette
Published by DC Comics

Well, I had hopes for this one. It just turned out to be a cartoon-y for me. It was okay at best, I liked the story enough. But Nightwing is a cool character who here just feels kinda lame.

The one decent book in the New 52 was actually Nightwing. It had some good things going on with it. Well, those elements are gone now.

Where did it go wrong?

Although Seeley isn’t the strongest writer, Paquette is a decent artist. So why does it hurt so much to read?

There’s just no passion. No gravitas.

I almost laughed when the Midnighter from the Authority showed up.

With Watchmen now in the DC Universe I started wondering: When will we see Batman Vs. V for Vendetta happen? (I better shut up now)

Compared to the other books it isn’t that bad. Compared to the Nightwing of two years ago? This is a C+ at best.

RATING: C+

AC_Cv959_dsAction Comics #959

Written by Dan Jurgens and Illustrated by Tyler Kirkham
Published by DC Comics

Superman is kind of a tough character to crack. He’s been around forever and nothing really new has been done with him. The new Action Comics feels like it was done in the early 90’s and it feels like the last 30 years never happened.

So here we are. Part three of the dull Doomsday storyline.

Superman fights Doomsday. But what is at stake? Literally nothing.

Except maybe my sanity. Jurgens does what he does writing. I was kind of confused but it might be my mind numbing. Or both. Kirkham isn’t bad on art but the whole thing seems a mess.

I would like to see Superman maybe rebooted again. Sound terrible? Well anything is better than this.

RATING: D+

new-super-man-2016-001-000New Super-Man #1

Written by Gene Luen Yang and Illustrated by Viktor Bogdanovic
Published by DC Comics

In a true case of be careful what you wish for, here comes the New Super-Man title! This is a Superman that takes place in China! But how is it?

Well, this book isn’t for me. For kids younger than me, this could be really great however. It kind of reminded me of when Marvel did their 2099 line. This has a similar feel to me.

Yang writes pretty well, but nothing to write home about. Still, at least if it’s not fresh, it is passionate. And there is a layer of creativity on it. So, it’s not bad. The art isn’t bad either.

I could see the 11 year old me picking this up and loving it.

Maybe that’s who this is for then. And why not?

Comics should be for kids. They may even see themselves in it. However, I’m a bitter old 39 year old and for me, I want something more. So B-

RATING: B-

Wonder-Woman-2-2016Wonder Woman #2

Written By Greg Rucka and Illustrated by Nicola Scott
Published by DC Comics

Well, this is better than the first issue. It was readable and halfway decent.

Rucka finally gives us some meat on the story and the whole affair isn’t that bad.

The story is Wonder Woman: Year One. I guess that’s a good place to start.

Yet, I ask do we need another year one do closely on the heels of Grant Morrison’s and Yanick Paquette’s brilliant Wonder Woman: Earth One?

Not really! But this one does has his merits.

Rather than give us a big action scene, Rucka writes and gives us characters. And Scott on the art is good enough. It’s a solid B- for sure but let’s see where it goes.

So is the new Rebirth better or worse than the New 52?

Well, so far, it’s batting about the same. There doesn’t seem like much of a plan in place. Just more titles, twice a month with less quality. Give us a story and characters worth caring about. That’s the way to win DC. That is what will bring people in. Stories we care about and remember. And not this.

RATING: B-

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