52 Pick Up for 09/14/11

With all the new titles DC is releasing for their line-wide September revamp, it can be hard to know what is and what isn't worth buying.  Therefore, we here at the Weekly Crisis would like to help you navigate the DCnU, so we are taking it upon ourselves to help you separate the wheat from the chaff.  Every week, another edition of 52 Pick Up will go live, providing you with our thoughts on the most recent crop of titles.

We find ourselves at the end of the second week of new DC titles, and it's clear that September is going to be a busy month.  It appears that the onslaught of Batbooks will never end, but there's lots of other books to choose from this time around, including Green Lantern, Demon Knights, and everyone's favourite, Suicide Squad!  Check after the jump to see our collective thoughts on these titles and more!

BATMAN AND ROBIN #1

Written by PETER J. TOMASI

Art by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY

Battling evil with his son, Damian, at his side, Batman now realizes that the hardest part of the job may be trying to work together! As Batman and Robin try to adjust to their new partnership, a figure emerges from Bruce Wayne’s past: His name is NoBody, and he’s not happy that Batman Incorporated is shining a light on his own shadowy war against evil...

Ken: This is the bat book that should have been released in the first week, because it does everything a book should achieve in the relaunch. We have a new villain, Bruce turning over a new leaf and trying to turn away from the constant brooding that has been a staple of the franchise since No Man's Land, and Damian stealing the page every chance he gets.

Tomasi has never written Bruce Wayne for more than a few pages in previous works, be it Nightwing, Outsiders, or the first volume of Batman & Robin, but his decision to have Bruce stop memorializing the day of his parents death and rather their wedding anniversary is a much needed step in the right direction. Damian purposely being the antagonist also works in keeping Bruce's ego in check, to the point where you wonder if Damian really does have any respect for Bruce after being with him for more than what was the occasional weekend custody visit.

Gleason's art is smooth and articulate, with facial expressions that work when the two are in their costumed identities. The only downside I have to the issue is that in the print version, the coloring was a bit too dark. It really stands out in how guns in this issue lose all their detail because of an abundance of black on the page, with no real contrast. It's something that can hopefully be corrected in future issues.

Verdict - Buy It. A fun issue, accessible to both new and existing readers of the Batman line, and stellar art. The only thing that could have been better was if Tomasi and Gleason were still writing Dick and Damian as the Dynamic Duo.

BATWOMAN #1

Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN

Art by J.H. WILLIAMS III

At last! Batwoman’s new series begins, from the multiple award-winning creative team of J.H. Williams III and Haden Blackman!

In “Hydrology,” part 1 of 5, Batwoman faces deadly new challenges in her war against Gotham City’s underworld – and new trials in her life as Kate Kane.

Who or what is stealing children from the barrio, and for what vile purpose? Will Kate train her cousin, Bette Kane (a.k.a. Flamebird), as her new sidekick? How will she handle unsettling revelations about her father, Colonel Jacob Kane? And why is a certain government agency suddenly taking an interest in her? The road to the answers begins here!

Grant: Batwoman #1 has been in the pipeline for nearly a year at this point, and the extra time really shows, because this book is great.  Batwoman makes a triumphant return in J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman disturbing tale of supernatural kidnappings, where Gotham children are being stolen by a vengeful spirit.  The concept might sound a bit weird, but Williams III' art sells it perfectly.  He is the reason why everyone had been eagerly anticipating this book, and he does not disappoint.  In fact, I would venture that the work he is doing in this book exceeds what he was doing on Detective Comics with Greg Rucka.  Williams III drastically changes his style from a world of grim, near-photorealistic darkness for the supernatural scenes and a far lighter, calmer world for everything else.  It is a daring move that really pays off, providing a clear and visual distinction between these separate moments in the book.

Perhaps the most surprising part of this book is that Rucka's presence isn't missed as much as I would have expected.  This comic is well-written and provides four or five distinct storylines for the series to follow and pick up on as it goes along.  It's quite exciting to see all the things that will be touched on over the course of this book's lifetime, including the aforementioned kidnappings, the relationship between Kate Kane and Maggie Sawyer, the ongoing training of Flamebird (Kate's cousin, Bette), and some mysterious proposition that Batman offers at issue's end.

Verdict - Must Read.  This book is an absolute joy.  It may not be entirely friendly to new readers, but the Kate Kane we find in Batwoman is the same wonderful character that we knew from Detective Comics.  The writing is solid and the art is out of this world.  Williams III is going to start turning heads all over again.  His panel layout alone should be enough to get you reading this title.

DEATHSTROKE #1

Written by KYLE HIGGINS

Art by JOE BENNETT and ART THIBERT

“Friends die, family disappoints, but a legacy... That lives forever.”

Slade Wilson is the best mercenary in the DCU, and he’s been doing this a long time. Some might say too long. But they’ll learn: Never turn your back on Deathstroke the Terminator. He won’t quit, no matter how high the stakes. Kyle Higgins (BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM) and Joe Bennett (TEEN TITANS) team up to bring you the finest in mayhem and gore.

Grant: I'm conflicted about this one.  I've never been a huge fan of Deathstroke, but the interpretation offered in the reboot of a major badass that people are starting to think is too old to do what he does is almost interesting.  However, the rest of the issue leaves a little to be desired.

I suppose it shouldn't be that surprising for a book about a guy who is known as Deathstroke the Terminator, but I felt that this book was a little heavy on the gratuitous violence.  Deathstroke drops people left and right, and their deaths are usually unnecessarily graphic, or simply unnecessary.  And once you look past the violence and death, there doesn't seem to be all that much going on here.  Deathstroke is threatened by some unnamed enemy and wants to show the world that he is still as capable as ever.  As far as I can tell, the solution to both those problems will be more violence and murder, which doesn't leave the impression there's going to be much else going on.

Verdict - Skip It. I'm not against killing and maiming as a rule, but I do generally prefer there to be something else going on in the book.  That doesn't really seem to be the case here, so I'll be dropping this book as quickly as Deathstroke drops his foes.

DEMON KNIGHTS #1

Written by PAUL CORNELL

Art by DIOGENES NEVES and OCLAIR ALBERT

Set in the Dark Ages of the DC Universe, a barbarian horde is massing to crush civilization. It’s fallen to Madame Xanadu and Jason Blood, the man with a monster inside him, to stand in their way – though the demon Etrigan has no interest in protecting anyone or anything other than himself! It’ll take more than their own power to stop an army fueled by bloodlust and dark sorcery, and some very surprising heroes – and villains – will have no choice but to join the fray!

Grant: I don't even know where to begin with this one.  I had been looking forward to Demon Knights, but this book was nothing close to what I thought it would be - it was much, much better.

Although this book features a number of characters out of DC's catalogue of heroes (both old and reimagined), Demon Knights #1 feels nothing like a superhero book.  Indeed, it has a lot more in common with the fantasy genre than that of our modern, spandex-clad men of myth.  And that is incredibly refreshing.

There's a short prologue introducing how Etrigan works in the DC Reboot (apparently he doesn't have to rhyme, which is the biggest relief), and then the book jumps ahead a bit to focus on some random evil empire (The Horde of the Questing Queen, apparently) who are causing some trouble.  Then there's a quick jump to an older Jason Blood and his travelling companion, Madame Xanadu, coming to the town the Horde will be attacking.  The two of them seem to be immortal and run into some other ageless chums, including a reinterpreted Vandal Savage, the reappearance of Sir Ystin of Seven Soldiers of Victory fame, and others.  They talk briefly and then beat up a bunch of evil dudes.  The evil dudes response?  Throw a bunch of dragons at our intrepid heroes.  Yes please.

The art is also really great, adding a lot to the atmosphere of the story.  Diogenes Neves' pencils are fantastic and Oclair Albert's inks add a lot to the image on the page.  This incredibly fun book also looks incredible, which is a definite plus.

Verdict - Buy It.  This book is so good.  It's not necessarily a classic like Batwoman, but it's a ton of fun and is also quite different from most of the titles DC is rolling out with the reboot, which is always appreciated.  If I were to try to define it, I think I'd call Demon Knights a mixture of Dungeons & Dragons and DC superheroes.  And that is a ridiculously fun combination.  If you decided to give this book a pass, I would strongly suggest reconsidering that choice.  You shan't be disappointed.

Matt: I wasn't very impressed with Paul Cornell's other book last week, Stormwatch, but he fares better with Demon Knights this week.

I have to admit that part of the charm is just to see DC publish something so completely against what they normally do. Medieval fantasy comics are not very common at all, and hard to establish at first (what with all the magic, rules, kingdoms, and so on that must be introduced). Cornell takes the easy (but no less entertaining) way out by using characters that readers might already be familiar with, like Etrigan and Madame Xanadu but also others like Vandal Savage and Shinning Knight.

Something I didn't like? Two words: exploding baby. That was really unnecessary.

I'll admit that not everything is laid out clearly, such as the prologue which confused me a bit, but I am more willing to give it the benefit of the doubt than with Stormwatch. Neves art is quite wonderful, and absolutely fitting with the period pieces that he is called to draw. I really hope that he can keep a solid schedule, as he is probably a perfect match for this book.

Verdict - Buy It. Good but not perfect, Demon Knights shows a lot of promise and some damn good art. This is one to watch. 

FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #1

Written by JEFF LEMIRE

Art by ALBERTO PONTICELLI

It’s Frankenstein as you’ve never seen him before, in a dark new series from acclaimed writer Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH) and artist Alberto Ponticelli (UNKNOWN SOLDIER)!

Frankenstein is part of a network of strange beings who work for an even stranger government organization: The Super Human Advanced Defense Executive! But can he protect the world from threats even more horrifying than himself? And since he’s vilified for who and what he is, will he even want to take on this mission?

Ken: Another one of those books that could have been easily included into the previous DCU without much problem, and in what seems to be a trend is also one of the better books of this relaunch. You've got Frankenstein's monster having his vacation on Mars interrupted, Father Time choosing to be an elementary Japanese girl for his new body, and Ray Palmer shows up to make one of the better superhero bases in years with the Ant Farm.

Ponticelli's art might be a problem for some, but I think the rough style works very well for this book. It's supposed to be monsters blowing up other monsters, and the art conveys that perfectly.

Verdict - Buy It. You've essentially got a mashup of old Suicide Squad with Marvel's MI-13 series here, which is a win/win combination. It's a book that succeeds precisely because it doesn't take itself too seriously or attempts to be extreme simply because it has monsters in it, which is a balance many similar books fail to grasp. Pick it up.

Ryan L: This one's going to get compared to Animal Man because it's written by the same scribe, Jeff Lemire, and that's a shame. Is it as good as Animal Man's debut, possibly not, but it isn't far behind. This book is an insane horror superhero romp that doesn't mind being a little stranger than you might expect.

As a #1, this issue sets up the parameters of this world exceptionally well. The characters are all introduced and set into play and while you might not know exactly who Father Time is, or why he would choose a little Japanese girl's body to inhabit, it doesn't detract from the overal enjoyment of the issue.

I've never read the DC Frankenstein before and I felt after this one issue I have a good handle on his character. He comes alive on the page, if you will, and I can see him holding my interest for some time. The supporting cast rolls deep and not one ensemble member is like another. Lemire throws in some nods to other old Universal Horror monsters as well as including Ray Palmer (which seems to be pleasing people).

Alberto Ponticelli's art is pretty damn great and exciting. He seems to be somewhat aping Lemire's own artistic sensibilities but not to the point where it's distracting or hurting the book. Ponticelli manages to make this book feel unique from the other 51 titles and also packs in the sort of scope you need when monsters fight monsters in the streets with giant swords gnashing teeth.

Verdict - Buy It. This book is a whole mess of fun. It's a delight to look at and the characters give me a solid base for fun and action. The cliffhanger at the end also wasn't a bad touch at all. This one definitely stays in my pull list.

Grant: I was a big fan of this book, for most of the reasons listed by Ken and Ryan above me.  I think this is a solid first issue that sets up the status quo for the characters in the book, provides them a problem to overcome, and hits the ground running.

The beginning is perhaps a little slow, needing a lot of space and caption boxes to explain what S.H.A.D.E. is all about, but it's worth it once things get going.  I love the use of so many different monster tropes here, including Frankenstein's monster, a wolfman, a vampire, a mummy, and a swamp creature.  Ponticelli kills it on art, doing a great job of depicting all these wacky creatures and the hulking monsters that they fight against for the balance of the book.  I love me a good team book, and it looks like that's exactly what we'll be getting with Frankenstein, Agents of S.H.A.D.E.  Should be good.

Verdict - Buy It.  As Ryan said, this is a very different beast from Animal Man, and the book makes no apologies for that.  And it shouldn't, because Frankenstein is a terrific book in its own right that I cannot wait to follow.

GREEN LANTERN #1

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Art by DOUG MAHNKE and CHRISTIAN ALAMY

The red-hot GREEN LANTERN team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Doug Mahnke introduce an unexpected new Lantern.

Ken: This was actually a surprise for me this week, as I didn't expect the book to be this good. I thought Johns was going to focus his writing more on the Justice League reboot, and keep this as his pet project until he leaves DC. But it reads as though the opposite occurred, in that this is where Johns' attention went.

Sinestro works really well in just trying to figure out why his own Corps is disobeying his orders, and uses one of the most simple constructs ever to show he is not to be messed with. You also have Hal really having a hard time trying to adjust to life on Earth without a ring or a sense of direction. Even his ability to communicate with people outside of the hero world is rusty, leading to a genuinely funny moment. And of course, Mahnke brings his A-game with this issue, with some excellent coloring from David Baron.

Verdict - Must Read. This is essentially Green Lantern #68, and because Johns and Mahnke stay the course, you've got a book that is great for new and current readers alike. Enough space action, enough character moments that feel much more genuine compared to Justice League, and stellar art carry this book to the top of the relaunch so far, with only Animal Man beating it out so far.

Matt: I am very conflicted about this issue. On one hand, it is a direct continuation of the events from of the previous series, which was some good ol' fashion dumb-but-fun comics. I quite enjoyed the previous 60 or so issues, and this one is no exception. The Johns/Mahnke team is very solid, and they work perfectly in unison to deliver entertaining and fun comics. Having Sinestro as the lead brings a refreshing change of pace, and the scenes of Hal adjusting to Earth are really funny, though I have a bad feeling they won't last long.

On the other hand, this was a terrible part of the reboot. Johns doesn't go a long way to explain who these characters are, what do they want, or why should we care about them. This comic just completely assumes you have been reading Green Lantern in the past or at least know who all the characters are. I enjoyed it because I have been reading the adventures of Hal Jordan for the past 4 years, but not everyone has.

Verdict - Buy It. Like I mentioned above, this is a good comic, but a bad introduction to new readers (because it never attempts to be). If you are willing to look past that, you will find it to be a very entertaining issue. 

GRIFTER #1

Written by NATHAN EDMONDSON

Art by CAFU

The DCU’s most wanted man stars in his own series!

Cole Cash is a charming grifter few can resist. And yet he’s about to be branded a serial killer when he begins hunting and exterminating inhuman creatures hidden in human form – creatures only he can see! Can the biggest sweet talker of all time talk his way out of this one when even his brother thinks he’s gone over the edge?

Ryan L: I thought everyone was raving about CAFU's art. I was expecting...something different. Not only didn't the art grab, I found it actively distracting. There's a lifeless feel to the pages and the sequences didn't pop for me at all.

I was pretty pumped for this one but it just didn't grab me like I had hoped. Edmondson seeds enough action, and mystery, into the issue that I'll get the next issue but I cannot guarantee past that. The central mystery is that Grifter has lost 17 minutes of his life, or is it 17 days. He's unsure and we don't yet know. We certainly don't know what happened in that time. It's a good mystery but it's otherwise surrounded but not much being great.

I'm worried that Edmondson is relying on the 'strange voices appearing in my head' schtick which he's playing so superbly over at Image with Who Is Jake Ellis?

Verdict - Check It. I wouldn't steer you away from this issue but I'd let you make up your own mind. This one is looking like it might be the first to drop off my list if it can't hook me with more than just some central mystery. I want a lead character I can really hang my hat on and art that doesn't make me glaze over and jump from caption box to caption box.

LEGION LOST #1

Written by FABIAN NICIEZA

Art by PETE WOODS

Seven heroes from the 31st century have traveled back to the present day. Their mission: Save their future from annihilation. But when the future tech they brought with them fails, they find themselves trapped in a nightmarish world that, for them, is the ultimate struggle to survive!

Don’t miss the start of this all-new LEGION series illustrated by Pete Woods – fresh off his spectacular run on ACTION COMICS – who is joined by writer Fabian Nicieza (RED ROBIN)!

Grant: What we have in Fabian Nicieza and Pete Woods' Legion Lost is yet another mediocre book from DC's relaunch.  This is a book based on a group of heroes getting stranded in time, which can, admittedly, be a pretty fun concept, but the whole setup of why they are rushing and taking such huge chances is completely glossed over, making it feel contrived and fake.  The future talk and techno babble that fills the issue doesn't do much to help the impression that this book doesn't really know where it's going.  There are some kind of interesting moments sprinkled into this mess, but the issue comes off as poorly conceived and poorly executed.

Verdict - Skip It.  There isn't anything worthwhile happening in this book.  The main hook of time travel is pretty much ignored, because the story wouldn't really hold together under the scrutiny of logic.  Pass.

MISTER TERRIFIC #1

Written by ERIC WALLACE

Art by GIANLUCA GUGLIOTTA & WAYNE FAUCHER

The world’s third-smartest man – and one of its most eligible bachelors – uses his brains and fists against science gone mad in this new series from Eric Wallace (TITANS) and Roger Robinson!

Michael Holt is the head of a successful high-tech corporation and an institute that recruits and encourages the finest minds of the next generation to excel. As Mister Terrific he inhabits a world of amazement few others know exists, let alone can comprehend.

Grant: I was pleasantly surprised by this book.  I've never been a big fan of Eric Wallace's writing, but he managed to produce a rather interesting opener for the new Mister Terrific series.  I would say this is perhaps one of the most new reader friendly books that I've read thus far, as plenty of time is spent establishing who Michael Holt is and what his motivations are.  It also doesn't hurt that Michael seems to be a pretty laid back and relaxed kind of guy, which creates a nice tone for the title.

I'm still a little hesitant about the yet-to-appear villain, Brainwave, whose power seems to be increasing someone's IQ until they become so intelligent that they have no choice but to be a huge jerk and commit murder, but I'm hoping that it'll make a bit more sense with a few more issues under the series' belt.

The other thing that really surprised me is that Karen Starr, otherwise known as Power Girl, is one hundred percent in this book.  She hangs out with Michael for a large chunk of the comic, but it's unclear what their relationship is and whether or not she has any superpowers (as she hasn't demonstrated that she does as of yet).  She was probably the last character I expected to find in this book, and I'm surprised that I haven't seen her appearance mentioned anywhere else - but maybe I just wasn't looking hard enough.

The art is interesting.  It's perhaps a bit more exaggerated than I am used to, but it suits the tone of the book.  Some good stuff here.

Verdict - Check It.  This is a pretty good comic.  It's definitely one of the better offerings in terms of rebooting and redefining a character thus far, seeing as how it actually does both of these things, instead of just picking up from where a series had left off.  I don't know if I'd be willing to buy this on a monthly basis considering the many other DC titles that are coming out right now, but it could happen.

RED LANTERNS #1

Written by PETER MILLIGAN

Art by ED BENES and ROB HUNTER

Atrocitus and his Red Lantern Corps return in their own series, battling against injustice in the most bloody ways imaginable!

Grant: As I explained in my Previews, I just don't see the need for this title.  I like the Red Lanterns as much as the next guy (perhaps more, depending on who that guy is), but I don't know if they should or could be starring in their own title.  I feel like a "Lantern Corps" book that could switch from Corps to Corps every couple of issues might have been a better idea, but that isn't what we ended up getting.

What we did end up getting was a book that could have passed for a Green Lantern title, if perhaps a more violent (and redder) version.  What I'm trying to say is that there wasn't really any new ground being tread in this issue.  There were some fights, appearances by fan favourite characters (I'm looking at you Dex-Starr), and the foreshadowing of the first Red Lantern from Earth.  There's also some leadership issues brewing and a terrible prophecy, but Atrocitus is too popular to be overthrown by the ever-annoying Bleeze and the universe won't be defeated because the New 52 just started.

Verdict - Skip It.  There's nothing particularly new going on in this issue, and while that's not necessarily a bad thing, when there are three other Green Lantern issues coming out in the same month (and one even in the same week), it's hard to rationalize needing to buy more of the same.  If you're a huge Green Lantern fan, I'm sure you can find something to like here, but if that's the case, you've probably already read this issue a number of times.

RESURRECTION MAN #1

Written by DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING

Art by FERNANDO DAGNINO

It’s the return of Mitch Shelly – and he’s still dead.

Resurrection Man can’t stay dead for long, though – and with each rebirth comes new and unexpected powers. But his many returns have not gone unnoticed, and forces are gathering to learn what’s so special about him – and to see which of them will finally stop Resurrection Man dead.

Matt: I came into this comic as a complete newbie, having never read anything about this character before (not even on Wikipedia!), and I came out a believer. DnA do a very good job of establishing our protagonist and how his mysterious powers work. The premise is a clever one, which lends itself to all sorts of stories and has tons of potential: every time this guy dies, he comes back with a new set of supernatural powers and a nebulous sense of mission that compels him to keep going.

We are also introduced to some of the antagonists, who will be hunting Resurrection Man, and they seem to be angels. As a whole, this feels very much like a Vertigo book, with absolutely no superheroes in sight throughout the story. The art, while nothing that will win any awards, is serviceable and suitably dark to carry along the ominous sense of the story. The character design for the angels is pretty inspired, and there's some certain Asian/Eastern tinges to it.

Verdict - Must Read. Probably on par with Animal Man and Swamp Thing from last week as one of the best books to come out yet. Looking forward to see what Resurrection Man can bring to the table.

SUICIDE SQUAD #1

Written by ADAM GLASS

Art by MARCO RUDY

They’re a team of death-row super villains recruited by the government to take on missions so dangerous – they’re sheer suicide!

Harley Quinn! Deadshot! King Shark! Defeated and imprisoned, they’re being interrogated about their mission – and about who’s pulling the strings behind this illegal operation. Who will be the first to crack under the pressure?

Grant: Virtually every site seems to be lampooning this book, especially when it comes to Amanda Waller's new trim physique.  While I'm not sold on the need for the Wall to be svelte and sexy, I did enjoy the rest of this book.

Adam Glass is back with his insistence on writing "tough" and "gritty" stories, starting up the narrative with the members of Suicide Squad being tortured by some unknown group that is intent on discovering who coordinates the group.  It's a little over done, and most of the character's new costume really suck (including Deadshot's weird armour and Harley Quinn's juggalette outfit), but the torture conceit as a way to provide some insight into who this team is and who its members are mostly works.  While this new King Shark can't really compete with what Gail Simone managed to create, I am kind of interested in El Diablo.

Anyways, the torture thing ends up being the final test to prove the loyalty of the members of Suicide Squad, which was kind of predictable, but their first mission, that of killing all sixty thousand fans in the Megadome sports arena, actually sounds kind of fun.  I'm kind of interested in why this is something that the US government needs done and what kind of explanations could be offered to rationalize such brutality.

Verdict - Check It.  This comic is far from great, but it is also far from terrible.  It's a little above mediocre, which isn't exactly a rave review, but it is what it is.  If you're looking for a book where a bunch of (perhaps too) tough characters kill stuff, you'll definitely find that here.  It pales in comparison to the original Suicide Squad series, but taken on its own merits, it could make for a fun read.

SUPERBOY #1

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art by RB SILVA and ROB LEAN

They thought he was just an experiment – and a failed one at that! Grown from a combination of Kryptonian and human DNA, the Clone was no more than a set of data to the scientists of Project N.O.W.H.E.R.E. But when the scope of his stunning powers was revealed, he became a deadly weapon! Now the question is: Can a clone develop a conscience?

Grant: After reading this, I feel like this comic had both too much and not enough.  There was way too much going on, but not enough time spent explaining what any of it was.  Twenty pages later, I've read a story about how the government made a clone from Superman and some human, whose identity was specifically not mentioned, and how that clone seems to lack a conscience.  And then some random guy that everyone calls Templar shows up and explains that he needs to use Superboy to be  sleeper agent in the Teen Titans?

There's also some stuff about how Superboy learns stuff super fast and has kind of interesting powers, but this book somehow manages to present a lot of different information and events without bothering to explain the importance or relevance of any of it.  It seems like there's some interesting stuff going on, but none of that potential is really used in any way during this issue.

Verdict - Skip It.  Again, it seems like something is going to come out of this, but there's no way of knowing what that is or when it will happen.  There's also the fact that it seems like this series is going to cross over heavily with Teen Titans, which is another detraction.  With all the titles DC is releasing, it's hard to rationalize picking up one, let alone two new ones when there is so little to go on.  Which of course means that Superboy will not be on my pull list next month.

Things are by no means slowing down, and we have yet another week of mixed quality.  Some incredibly wonderful books dropping this week, alongside a number of lesser offerings.  How are you finding the New 52?  Do you share our feelings on the books above, or are we way off the mark?  Feel free to share your thoughts below!

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