by Joe Iconic, Reporter

DC Rebirth continues!

Good news, DC fans.  There are great stories here.  I know I sound like I’m drinking the kool-laid here, but DC Rebirth has been fun so far.  Keep all those issues rolling to my pull list.

Warning: There are spoilers and a few bad puns below!

Justice League shines, some interesting patterns emerge, and the best of the old tropes and new elements and story lines blend to build compelling stories. Superman #2, Aquaman #2, and Batman #2 share dramatic reveals of the “Big Bad” for those story lines in the final panel of the issues. Green Arrow #2 and Green Lanterns #2 touch on important issues, just like the good old days.

The following is a round-up of DC Universe Rebirth comics for the week of July 6, 2016:

Justice League Rebirth #1:  (Writer/Illustrator:  Bryan Hitch)

Bryan Hitch wrote and drew the best of the DC Rebirth one-shots in Justice League Rebirth #1.  Since Justice League is the flagship of the DC comics, it is fitting that this story is the best so far in setting the stage of this new chapter.  Like its predecessor series, Justice League Rebirth has an epic battle with the Reaper. The mind-controlling giant alien with tentacles is an upgrade/homage to Starro, the giant mind-controlling alien starfish that brought the first iteration of the Justice League of America in The Brave and the Bold #28 in 1960.

This issue also has great character moments with pre-Flashpoint Superman and wife Lois discussing Superman’s participation in the Justice League.  Aquaman comforting Wonder Woman was nice, as well as Batman not trusting the new/old Superman yet sounded like Bat-logic.  The Green Lanterns make great additions, and the Wonder Twin quip filled my nostalgia requirements for the day.  I was also impressed with the reference to Cyborg stinking up the Watch Tower bathroom after Moroccan food.  This nod to the Teen Titans cartoon indicates that taking the DC Rebirth pattern of taking the best from previous incarnations and combining them is still the path ahead for our favorite characters.  It also compliments nicely with a quick exchange between Batman and Cyborg in the recent Justice League vs Teen Titans animated movie, in a scene in which Cyborg tells Batman he does not want to know where all of the food he consumes goes.  I know it is an overused cliché, but this book has synergy all around, and bodes great things for the future of the Justice League book.  If you are reading DC Rebirth, keep Justice League on your pull list.

Aquaman #2 (Writer: Dan Abnett, Penciller: Scot Eaton, Inker: Wayne Faucher)

Aquaman #2 picks up the action and story-telling from the previous two issues. Re-establishing Black Manta as Aquaman’s arch-villain is time well spent, but it is well-crafted to be resolved (mostly) in one issue.  The battle was fantastic art on its own.  The resolution of “we cannot kill each other” is an important new status quo, but felt a little overplayed.  The way Arthur took the harpoon out seemed odd but definitely registered on the Chuck Norris meter.  The character I am looking most forward to seeing develop remains Lieutenant Joanna Stubbs.  If the larger Atlantis/Surface World political thing is going to work as a story, it needs a human sympathizer…and Companion, similar to Doctor Who?   I mean, she is British!

I do not recognize the Big Bad reveal on the final panel, but her helmet has a Deadshot feel to it, as the masks of her henchman have an Anarchy look.  Both costumes look more like an upgrade than something from the second-hand supervillain outfitters store.  I would like to suspect the Guild of Calamitous Intent, if it wasn’t the wrong universe entirely.

Overall?  Aquaman #2 has strong strokes, and is more than keeping its head above water.  Insert more swimming puns if you have to, but this series stays on my pull list.

Batman #2 (Writer: Tom King, Art: David Finch)

Batman #2 continues putting Superman-class heroes into Batman’s backyard.  Gotham and Gotham Girl still feel like generic supers, but I am certain their origins will be told in upcoming issues.   The highpoints of this issue include Batman/Alfred needling each other, and more Commissioner Gordon being gruff and all business, which is a welcome return from his days as Iron-Batman.  One moment of dissonance occurs when Gordon asks if wearing a mask is itchy, which seems to either ignore his recent days as Batman’s stand-in, or just “we never speak of it again.” He’s taking up smoking again, too.   Also, the scene where Batman looks at the Gotham Supers and speaks of his inevitable death and Dick Grayson as well seems a little emotional for brooding Batman.  Seriously, if Alfred suspected Bruce was an imposter for emoting so passionately and knocked him out with a candle-stick, it would have been plausible.

Everything else is spot on. Batman #2 hits all the familiar notes.  Bruce Wayne uses the grandfather clock to go to the Batcave. Gordon fiddles with his pipe. Bruce leaves the beautiful woman on the dance floor when the Bat Signal appears.  Tom King blends the classic Batman elements with the new unknown Supers splendidly.  Batman #2 also has an interesting parallel with the Justice League vs Teen Titans animated movie.   Both have Batman defeating Solomon Grundy, and both portray Grundy as a throwaway Hulk.   I smell synergy!

The reveal of the “Big Bad” in the end has some well-known names, who express a variation on the theme of doing what it takes to save Gotham.  I’d highly recommend you follow Batman, if you like the current Batman.)

Superman #2 (Storytellers: Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason, Inker: Mick Gray, Colorist: John Kalisz)

Superman #2 has the most touching father-son moments I have seen in comics.  I love Superman loving being a father. It is not just the struggles of Jon Kent learning his powers, or trying to figure out how he has heat vision that can burn his father, but still bruise a knee.   Superman #2 is the feel-good story we needed from a Superman book.  I am sure Jon’s struggles will continue, but the patience of Superman, the passing on of the Midwestern values that molded our Superman, plus the glorious action sequences make “Son of Superman” a storyline to follow.

The storytelling is wonderful, and the art works beautifully.  The depiction of Superman as a loving father is perfectly captured in the nuances of expression when he is talking to his son.  Colorist John Kalisz deserves incredible credit here.  The vibrant hues are a sharp left turn away from the darker stories and colors of the recent grimdark past, and gives the story extra passion.

Superman’s loss of red underwear and red boots is very noticeable in Superman #2.  The black, shadowy void where the red underpants used to be is strange, and begs a “nether regions/Phantom Zone” joke or two, but is the only thing detracting from the wonderful combination of art and color for this fantastic storyline.  This is definitely my Superman.

Green Arrow #2 (Writer: Benjamin Percy, Pencils: Otto Schmidt)

Green Arrow #2 continues Oliver Queen’s descent into loss.  Green Arrow #2 includes many echoes from the CW television show with a liberal dose of pre-Flashpoint Oliver.  He remains rich and a bleeding heart compassionate liberal because the writers of Green Arrow have traditionally wanted our wealthy to be true philanthropists and heroes of the people.  This theme will be explored as wealthy people are punished by the Burned. This journey has Oliver losing nearly everything, Black Canary as the co-star she should be in a Green Arrow story, Diggle soon to be at his side again, and great Dante’s Inferno references.  Green Arrow #2 takes the most beloved elements of the previous comics and television show, and make a story that is worth the read.  I do not ever remember Green Arrow staying so close to the top of my pull list before, and I am looking forward for a quiver full of future issues!

Green Lanterns #2 (Writer: Sam Humphries, Pencils: Robson Rocha, Inks: Jay Leisten)

“Rage Planet” continues!  The Red Lantern Corps bring rage to Earth in Green Lanterns #2, infecting thousands, while Jessica Cruz battles her anxiety to learn how to project her willpower.   Simon Baz steals a stuffed animal, includes sarcastic “how’s my driving” sticker on his armored vehicle construct, and does his best to focus Jessica on the big threat.

Jessica Cruz is my favorite Green Lantern. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the United States, or roughly 18% of our population.  The readers of Green Lanterns will see Jessica battle her anxiety to become a hero, which is perfect, because battling anxiety takes heroic efforts.  Green Lanterns #2 shows Jessica struggling to maintain control of her willpower.  Every Green Lantern has unique constructs, and I cannot wait to see how Jessica manifests her willpower.   Just like Faith in the Valiant series, Jessica is a hero that feels real, and it is easy to pull for her.  Plus, look closely at how she is depicted.   She is attractive, but notice that her hips and waist are not drawn pixie-thin perfect.  Her realistic portrayal makes her more relatable, and by extension, truly beautiful.  I’m crushing on Cruz.  Please don’t tell Stephanie Brown, my other DC Comics crush.

Simon Baz is the perfect opposite of Jessica.  Seriously, this balance works as well as Spock and McCoy.  They are diametric opposites, and a wonderful odd couple. Keep them partners.  Although seriously, please do not have them become a romantic couple.  Not everyone falls in love with their attractive co-workers.  Female superheroes in the past have been largely defined by their relationships with male superheroes (Stephanie Brown, again, and many others.)   Adding more police nuances to the Green Lanterns feels like a natural way to grow the Green Lantern brand, and a police partner relationship has way more resonance than a work romance.

Taking a moment to briefly humanize the misfit toy Red Lanterns in the beginning of Green Lanterns #2 was nice, as well.

I’m keep a light on for Green Lanterns!

In summary?

DC Rebirth continues to provide compelling stories, characterizations, and fun.  If you follow for the art, the writers, or your favorite heroes, you should sample DC Rebirth. Long-term DC Comics fans and those new to the wonderful world of comics, these are the comic books you are looking for.

For more on comics, DC Rebirth, and the occasional pun at ComicsOnline.com and check out our Facebook, Twitter, Blip, Instagram, and iTunes for more comic reviews and everything geek pop culture!