Once again – with gusto – here are my New 52 One Sentence Reviews.
Each comic is scored out of five and at the end I have a cumulative leader board (averaging the scores of each title) to show which are consistently excellent, which are on the rise, and which are circling the drain.
I have also reviewed the mini-series issues but they aren’t included in the leaderboard.
Warning, there could be spoilers ahead (although I try to avoid them).
Resurrection Man #5
I’m a sucker for redemption stories and I don’t know much about Mitch Shelley before the New 52, so I hungrily devoured this issue’s origin tale, which gives a telling glimpse of Mitch’s past … and it ain’t pretty – 4.5
The Ray #2 (of 6)
Backing up strongly after a fantastic debut, this issue continues to follow some of the freshest characters of the New 52 as they tackle some of the most interesting (and unique) situations I’ve seen in a DC comic … it’s got everything, including action, drama and a healthy heaping of humour (here is another read/RANT review for this issue) – 4.5
The Shade #4 (of 12)
Wow, another high quality and greatly entertaining issue in this impressive maxi-series, in which the Shade shares an adventure from yesteryear, aptly and beautifully illustrated by Cooke (here is another read/RANT review for this issue) – 4.5
Green Lantern #5
Writer Johns seems hell-bent on making Sinestro likable as a hero … and it’s working (on me, at least), as the tyrannically-inclined Lantern – with fairly minimal assistance from Hal – works to free his homeworld of Korugar from the oppressive presence of his fear-powered corps – 4
Bagirl #5
Despite a few odd bits and pieces in this issue (already commented on by my friend here), I really enjoyed the introduction of new villain Gretel and a cracker of a final page – 4
Suicide Squad #5
While this title lacks the heart and sense of fun of its predecessor, Secret Six, it’s doing most other things pretty well … this issue in point, in which Deadshot and his desperate crew must put down a super prison riot – 4
Batwoman #5
As beautifully illustrated as always, Batwoman’s final confrontation with the Weeping Woman isn’t as exciting as I’d hoped it would be, which the DEA story is more interesting in terms of where it could lead in the future than what’s actually on the page in this issue – 3.5
Batman and Robin #5
Some great, emotionally-charged scenes dealing with Batman’s role (failure?) as a father and the darkness that continues to plague Damien are let down a little by an uninspiring back story for Nobody – 3.5
Mr Terrific #5
After bagging the previous issue for its Ninth Dimension setting, #5’s conclusion to that story is surprisingly good, despite a very dull final two pages set back on Earth … it’s a shame this title is getting axed because Michael Holt is a character with potential – 3.5
Demon Knights #5
This title is “good” but could be a lot better, which the slow pace being the primary drawback … the siege set up in the early issues is only (seemingly) getting underway on the final page of this issue – 3
Superboy #5
Another solid issue that nevertheless failed to wow me … I just don’t like this Superboy yet, but maybe the rebellious streak he further demonstrates in #5 will help to eventually endear him to me (the sooner he escapes from N.O.W.H.E.R.E. the better, I think) – 3
Deathstroke #5
Is it possible that this week’s announcement about Liefeld taking over this title from #9 is already spoiling it for me … I wonder because, while there’s nothing really bad about the back story for Ravager and Peabody or the throwdown with a powerful, new Legacy, I just didn’t dig this issue that much – 3
Frankenstein – Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #5
I don’t think Ponticelli’s artwork is suited to city settings, as while the panelling and visual storytelling of Frank’s fight with O.M.A.C. are quite good, I found it a bit messy and ugly, meanwhile when the story moved away from the brawl the issue lost a lot of momentum – 3
Grifter #5
Clark’s artwork works well for this title, and this issue has a good dose of action … but I still don’t care enough about Grifter as a character to genuinely enjoy it – 2.5
Legion Lost #5
Like my fellow reviewer (click here), I have found this the most readable – almost enjoyable – Legion title in the New 52 and have appreciated the individual character perspective approach used in each issue … but I also don’t particularly like Tellus, so the focus on him detracts from #5 for me – 2.5
If you haven’t already, check out last month’s reviews and those from earlier this month here:
Please note, since a title is only as good as its last issue, the books are ranked firstly by their average score, then their most recent score (shown in brackets), and the number of issues is the final number.
LEADER BOARD
1. Swamp Thing 4.4 (4.5) 5
2. Animal Man 4.2 (4.5) 5
3. Resurrection Man 4 (4.5) 5
4. Batman and Robin 3.9 (3.5) 5
5. Batman 3.88 (4.5) 4
6. Aquaman 3.88 (3.5) 4
7. Batwoman 3.8 (3.5) 5
8. Blue Beetle 3.75 (4.5) 4
=9. Birds of Prey 3.75 (4) 4
=9. I, Vampire 3.75 (4) 4
11. Justice League Dark 3.75 (3.5) 4
12. Batwing 3.7 (4) 5
=13. Green Lantern Corps 3.63 (3.5) 4
=13. Wonder Woman 3.63 (3.5) 4
15. Stormwatch 3.6 (4.5) 5
16. Green Lantern 3.6 (4) 5
17. Detective Comics 3.5 (3.5) 5
18. Justice League 3.5 (3) 4
19. Batgirl 3.4 (4) 5
20. Demon Knights 3.4 (3) 5
21. Batman – The Dark Knight 3.38 (4.5) 4
22. Teen Titans 3.38 (4) 4
23. Blackhawks 3.38 (3.5) 4
24. Supergirl 3.38 (3) 4
=25. Action Comics 3.3 (4) 5
=25. Suicide Squad 3.3 (4) 5
=27. Captain Atom 3.25 (4) 4
=27. Green Lantern – New Guardians 3.25 (4) 4
29. Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. 3.2 (3) 5
30. Catwoman 3.13 (3.5) 4
31. Nightwing 3.13 (3) 4
32. Justice League International 3.1 (3.5) 5
33. Red Lanterns 3 (3.5) 5
=34. Deathstroke 3 (3) 5
=34. The Flash 3 (3) 4
=34. Superboy 3 (3) 5
=37. Men of War 2.9 (3.5) 5
=37. Mister Terrific 2.9 (3.5) 5
=37. O.M.A.C. 2.9 (3.5) 5
40. Static Shock 2.9 (2.5) 5
41. Voodoo 2.88 (3.5) 4
42. All Star Western 2.75 (3.5) 4
43. DC Universe Presents 2.63 (3.5) 4
44. Superman 2.5 (2.5) 4
45. Legion Lost 2.4 (2.5) 5
46. Red Hood and the Outlaws 2.38 (3) 4
47. The Fury of Firestorm 2.38 (2) 4
48. Green Arrow 2.3 (3) 5
49. Grifter 2.3 (2.5) 5
50. Hawk and Dove 2 (2) 5
51. Legion of Super-Heroes 1.75 (2) 4
52. Savage Hawkman 1.5 (1) 4
We’ve talked about Suicide Squad before. It’s a flawed book. But it delivers what I want from a Suicide Squad book. Mostly, it’s fairly unpredictable. For example, I love how short Boomerang’s leadership of the team turned out to be. And now, they are hunting one of their own. I enjoy every issue more than I should.
It doesn’t hold a candle to Secret Six, but that’s an unfair comparison to make.
You know, I don’t especially “like” the character of Superboy yet either. I don’t think we’re supposed to. He hasn’t committed to the side of the angels fully yet. He’s still in a developmental stage where he could go either way (though we all know he will eventually get his head on straight).
Still, I really like this book. Like Suicide Squad, I’m never fully certain what to expect next. And I like the stealth way Lobdel has reinvented Gen-13. Lobdel is doing a lot of world building in his books. He’s starting off with flawed characters who he clearly intends to redeem over time. I have found all 3 of his books to be pleasant surprises. Superboy maybe more so than the others.
I don’t think I enjoyed Green Lantern nearly as much as you. It’s okay for what it is. But I question Johns’ sanity in making Sinestro so sympathetic. At this point, Hal and the Guardians just kind of look like boobs.
Agreed on SS.
As for Superboy, I “like” Deadshot, so characters don’t have to be “good” or particularly heroic to win me over. I usually find villains more appealing. Hahaha. With Superboy, it’s more that I don’t have a sense of any heart in the character yet. I can see why other people like the title (for the reasons you mention).
I kind of feel dirty for liking Sinestro so much. There’s a good dose of “cheapness” in Johns’ handling of GL … but I like in spite of that. It must be my villainous leaning. That said, while I’m into redemption yarns, I’m not normally that keen on “villains as heroes” stories.
Agreed that Lobdell’s characterization of Superboy is still lacking. I’m just finding enough other stuff in the book to carry me along.
The weird part about that is I felt like he established a really likeable character in the first issue and then kind of abandoned that characterization in the subsequent issues.
Johns’ GL. I realy just don’t know what to say about it. It’s not his best work. And yet, people eat it up. I’ve been enjoying the Sinestro stuff more than I have enjoyed GL in a long time. How about that? But it does have that “cheapness” you speak of.
I enjoyed Batman and Robin, but the start of Nobody’s life story I think wasn’t really needed. It was also awkward, for how it started seemed like Bruce was telling it to Damian, though of course Damian was not there.
As for Superboy, I like it – along with Batman, its the only guarenteed comic right now of DC’s I’ll keep up with. Either way, I agree with Lebeau that we probably aren’t suppose to like him yet. He’s not the old Superboy (not yet at least), but I’m enjoying seeing the decisions he’s making and why.