Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    DC

    DC RELAUNCH: Revisiting the New 52 six months later

    Robot OverlordBy Robot OverlordMarch 1, 2012Updated:March 1, 201219 Comments11 Mins Read

    It’s been six months since DC shook the comic industry and gave it a much needed boost.  Six months and six issues later, and we’ve seen (or nearly seen) the completion of the first story arcs.  While some of the titles have already been announced as being canceled, we thought it was time to take another look at the New 52 and see where we stand on each of the titles.

    NOTE FROM THE BENEVOLENT ROBOT OVERLORD: Instead of making each member of the Major Spoilers staff write a review on each title, we’ve asked each of them to fill out a spreadsheet that shows what titles they are still reading, which ones they’ve dropped, waiting for the trade and so on.

    GEORGE: Of course DC’s goal for the New 52 was for customers to buy more DC Comics, and at the very least, it worked on this reader. Before the relaunch, I had maybe three or four DC titles on my pull list, and right now the number must be double that. Sure, I’m not reading a huge percentage of DC books, and I am pretty close to dropping some titles on the cusp (like Batwing and Demon Knights), but I am definitely committed to more books from the New 52 than the old 52. I grew up reading Marvel, and so I have a greater fondness for characters from the House of Ideas, but the New 52 did get me to try out some titles I never would have otherwise.

    My top three titles are “Batman,” “Swamp Thing,” and “Animal Man.” I didn’t pay much attention to Scott Snyder before the relaunch, and clearly I should have (it also doesn’t hurt he’s been paired with two wonderful artists). I love the shared storyline being crafted in the latter two titles, and the art on both is horrific in all the right ways. The biggest casualties from the New 52 relaunch have to be “Batman, Inc.” and Gail Simone’s superb “Secret Six,” but at least the former is returning in some fashion. I still dig the misunderstood and underrated “Suicide Squad,” even if it does not reach the heady heights of its predecessor. I am also loving the direction Brian Azzarello is taking Wonder Woman. The character has had precious few great storylines, but we’re in the middle of one now.

    What has disappointed me the most is the lack of quality in the war comics. I was cautiously optimistic in my early reviews of “Men of War” and “Blackhawks,” but quickly dropped them after it was clear that those titles just weren’t doing anything for me. War comics should be a viable genre, and I am hopeful that the replacement “GI Combat” will provide what I am looking for. Able writing duo Gray and Palmiotti from “All Star Western” (another New 52 book on my pull list that wasn’t before) will be handling the Unknown Soldier, and John Arcudi, who kills over on Dark Horse’s B.P.R.D. books, is writing the Haunted Tank. I also cannot overstate my excitement that one of my favorite novelists, China Miéville, will be writing the upcoming “Dial H for Hero.”

    Bottom Line:  At the very least, DC attracted me to books I probably would not have looked at before the New 52. So I’ll call that a success, even if my wallet won’t.

    George’s Checklist

    GEORGE
    TitlePrintDigitalDroppedWaiting for the tradeNever picked it up
    ACTION COMICS #1X
    ALL-STAR WESTERN #1X
    ANIMAL MAN #1X
    AQUAMAN #1X
    BATGIRL #1X
    BATMAN #1X
    BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #!X
    BATMAN AND ROBIN #1X
    BATMAN INCORPORATED #1 (2012)X
    BATWING #1X
    BATWOMAN #1X
    BIRDS OF PREY #1X
    BLACKHAWKS #1X
    BLUE BEETLE #1X
    CAPTAIN ATOM #1X
    CATWOMAN #1X
    DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1X
    DEATHSTROKE #1X
    DEMON KNIGHTS #1X
    DETECTIVE COMICS #1X
    FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF SHADE #1X
    GREEN ARROW #1X
    GREEN LANTERN #1X
    GREEN LANTERN: THE NEW GUARDIANS #1X
    GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1X
    GRIFTER #1X
    HAWK AND DOVE #1X
    I, VAMPIRE #1X
    JUSTICE LEAGUE #1X
    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1X
    JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1X
    LEGION LOST #1X
    LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #1X
    MISTER TERRIFICX
    NIGHTWING #1X
    OMAC #1X
    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1X
    RED LANTERNS #1X
    RESURRECTION MAN #1X
    SGT. ROCK AND THE MEN OF WAR #1X
    STATIC SHOCK #1X
    STORMWATCH #1X
    SUICIDE SQUAD #1X
    SUPERBOY #1X
    SUPERGIRL #1X
    SUPERMAN #1X
    SWAMP THING #1X
    TEEN TITANS #1X
    THE FLASH #1X
    THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #1X
    THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1X
    VOODOO #1X
    WONDER WOMAN #1X

    JIMMY:  I’ve been very pleased with the DC Relaunch so far, with a few exceptions. My top titles from the New 52 are Demon Knights, Batwoman and The Flash, and I’ve been loving Scott Snyder’s work on Batman. Swamp Thing and Animal Man have been great as well, though I haven’t been enjoying the last couple issues of Swamp Thing as much as the first few–but I associate my enjoyment of Animal Man with Swamp Thing, so I’m still reading it.

    There’ve been a couple titles that’ve disappointed me–Detective Comics has been absolutely awful, which is unfortunate considering it’s supposed to be DC’s eponymous flagship title. I’m not sure why they put Tony Daniel on the book, especially considering how poorly his writing has been on every other Bat-book he’s written, but DC isn’t always good at picking its writers (as we’ve seen with the addition of Rob Liefeld to half the books in the New 52). I also was disappointed with Deathstroke, not because of any flaws with the creative team but because I couldn’t get behind the direction they took with the book. Another let-down was Justice League International, with Jurgens jettisoning everything that made the original JLI a good book and instead making it a JL-lite book written for the preteen demographic.

    The one book that I absolutely wanted to love and just couldn’t get into it was Batgirl–I loved Gail Simone’s work on Secret Six and Birds of Prey, and feel like she did a great job of making the Barbara Gordon character her own. Unfortunately with the de-aging of Babs she seems to have lost her sense of the character, and Gail just can’t identify with the 20 year old Batgirl anymore.

    Bottom Line:  Overall the New 52 has been highly successful for me. I’m reading more comics now than I was before–and it’s not JUST DC titles; I’m reading more Boom! Image and Dynamite comics than ever before. This move by DC is having a snowball effect that is benefiting the entire industry.

    Jimmy’s Checklist

    JIMMY
    TitlePrintDigitalDroppedWaiting for the tradeNever picked it up
    ACTION COMICS #1X
    ALL-STAR WESTERN #1X
    ANIMAL MAN #1X
    AQUAMAN #1X
    BATGIRL #1X
    BATMAN #1X
    BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #!X
    BATMAN AND ROBIN #1X
    BATMAN INCORPORATED #1 (2012)X
    BATWING #1X
    BATWOMAN #1X
    BIRDS OF PREY #1X
    BLACKHAWKS #1X
    BLUE BEETLE #1X
    CAPTAIN ATOM #1X
    CATWOMAN #1X
    DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1X
    DEATHSTROKE #1X
    DEMON KNIGHTS #1X
    DETECTIVE COMICS #1X
    FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF SHADE #1X
    GREEN ARROW #1X
    GREEN LANTERN #1X
    GREEN LANTERN: THE NEW GUARDIANS #1X
    GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1X
    GRIFTER #1X
    HAWK AND DOVE #1X
    I, VAMPIRE #1X
    JUSTICE LEAGUE #1X
    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1X
    JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1X
    LEGION LOST #1X
    LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #1X
    MISTER TERRIFICX
    NIGHTWING #1X
    OMAC #1X
    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1X
    RED LANTERNS #1X
    RESURRECTION MAN #1X
    SGT. ROCK AND THE MEN OF WAR #1X
    STATIC SHOCK #1X
    STORMWATCH #1X
    SUICIDE SQUAD #1X
    SUPERBOY #1X
    SUPERGIRL #1X
    SUPERMAN #1X
    SWAMP THING #1X
    TEEN TITANS #1X
    THE FLASH #1X
    THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #1X
    THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1X
    VOODOO #1X
    WONDER WOMAN #1X

    MATTHEW:  I think the biggest problem that I had with the all-new all-different DCU was how little was actually different.  Much has been made of the decision to do a “soft” reboot on the successful Bat and Lantern franchises, but I actually support that.  I’m talking more about the fact that entire teams of characters made it through essentially unaltered, how many of the changes to the higher-profile characters were merely cosmetic, and how (with the exception of Martian Manhunter) we’re back to a “Big Seven” Justice League.

    For any complaints on that score, though, DC did gamble quite a bit on this relaunch, and to their credit, the didn’t choose to play it entirely safe.  Not every book had what it took to be a long-term seller, but I’m quite certain that this was factored in at the beginning, and taking risks on properties like Mr. Terrific, O.M.A.C. and Voodoo was daring from an editorial standpoint.  Best of the relaunch in my eyes: Animal Man, I Vampire, Batwoman and Wonder Woman.  Matthew’s Least of the relaunch:  Hawk & Dove, Deathstroke, Flash and Grifter.

    Bottom Line:  The streamlining of DC, Vertigo and Wildstorm worked better than I expected, though, and I kind of enjoy seeing Gen 13, Authority and WildCATS characters swanning about alongside Cyborg, Superboy and the Martian Manhunter.  For me, there’s still enough going on to keep me reading not-quite 30 of the books with some doubt as to the longevity of a couple.  Superman has left me cold, while Batwoman’s change in art has been quite jarring, and the move to present day in Action Comics makes me worried that the ennui I feel about the Superman title will carry over.  DC has cancelled three of the titles I follow (Static Shock, OMAC and Mister Terrific), but I’m provisionally intending to pick up four of the Second Wave books.  In short, I’m currently reading about half of the New 52, enjoying about 85% of that, and I’m pleased with DC’s handling of the revamp from both a reader and a retailer perspective.  The real question for me is how long it will take the legendary venom of comics readers to start seeing this Brave New World as the Same Ol’, Same Ol’ and cry for things to go back to the way they used to be.

    Matthew’s Checklist

    MATTHEW
    TitlePrintDigitalDroppedWaiting for the tradeNever picked it up
    ACTION COMICS #1XOn The Bubble
    ALL-STAR WESTERN #1X
    ANIMAL MAN #1X
    AQUAMAN #1X
    BATGIRL #1X
    BATMAN #1Dropped after issue #1
    BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #!Dropped after issue #1
    BATMAN AND ROBIN #1Dropped after issue #1
    BATMAN INCORPORATED #1 (2012)
    BATWING #1Dropped after issue #1
    BATWOMAN #1XOn The Bubble
    BIRDS OF PREY #1X
    BLACKHAWKS #1Dropped after issue #1
    BLUE BEETLE #1X
    CAPTAIN ATOM #1Dropped after issue #1
    CATWOMAN #1Dropped after issue #1
    DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1X
    DEATHSTROKE #1Dropped after issue #1
    DEMON KNIGHTS #1X
    DETECTIVE COMICS #1Dropped after issue #1
    FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF SHADE #1X
    GREEN ARROW #1Dropped after issue #1
    GREEN LANTERN #1Dropped after issue #1
    GREEN LANTERN: THE NEW GUARDIANS #1Dropped after issue #1
    GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1Dropped after issue #1
    GRIFTER #1Dropped after issue #1
    HAWK AND DOVE #1Dropped after issue #1
    I, VAMPIRE #1X
    JUSTICE LEAGUE #1X
    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1X
    JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1X
    LEGION LOST #1X
    LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #1X
    MISTER TERRIFICXCancelled At #8
    NIGHTWING #1Dropped after issue #1
    OMAC #1XCancelled At #8
    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1X
    RED LANTERNS #1Dropped after issue #1
    RESURRECTION MAN #1X
    SGT. ROCK AND THE MEN OF WAR #1Dropped after issue #1
    STATIC SHOCK #1XCancelled At #8
    STORMWATCH #1X
    SUICIDE SQUAD #1Dropped after issue #1
    SUPERBOY #1Dropped after issue #1
    SUPERGIRL #1X
    SUPERMAN #1XOn The Bubble
    SWAMP THING #1Dropped after issue #1
    TEEN TITANS #1XDropped
    THE FLASH #1Dropped after issue #1
    THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #1X
    THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1Dropped after issue #1
    VOODOO #1X
    WONDER WOMAN #1X

    ROB:  I have been enjoying the The New 52.  Most of the titles that I”ve dropped was stuff that I checked out a few months in instead of on launch and may still continue to go that route, kind of a waiting for the trade without the trade being involved.  Only three titles got dropped from my pulls, Batman & Robin, Captain Atom, and Hawk & Dove.  The first one failed to hook me at all in issue one, was more of a retread of the last two years of Morrison.  The second drove me away with the art and got the axe because of a dull story.  The third I only picked up to do the review and knew I wouldn’t be getting anymore because it’s Leifeld.

    As for the rest of what was picked up and dropped: the Legion titles, which will likely be obtained in trade, the two war/army titles were kinda dull, and DC Presents because it was picked up for the full Deadman arc.  I’m still picking up 30 titles a month and am enjoying them for the time being.

    Bottom Line:   I’m happy with how the grand experiment has gone so far and am very much looking forward to the majority of it in the future.  I know some titles I like are going away and others are likely to be dropped due to the creative change, but that’s how the business goes.  I say let it continue and more good should come forth.

    Rob’s Checklist

    ROB
    TitlePrintDigitalDroppedWaiting for the tradeNever picked it up
    ACTION COMICS #1x
    ALL-STAR WESTERN #1x
    ANIMAL MAN #1x
    AQUAMAN #1x
    BATGIRL #1x
    BATMAN #1x
    BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #!x
    BATMAN AND ROBIN #1xx
    BATMAN INCORPORATED #1 (2012)x
    BATWING #1x
    BATWOMAN #1x
    BIRDS OF PREY #1x
    BLACKHAWKS #1xx
    BLUE BEETLE #1x
    CAPTAIN ATOM #1xx
    CATWOMAN #1x
    DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1xx
    DEATHSTROKE #1x
    DEMON KNIGHTS #1x
    DETECTIVE COMICS #1x
    FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF SHADE #1x
    GREEN ARROW #1x
    GREEN LANTERN #1x
    GREEN LANTERN: THE NEW GUARDIANS #1x
    GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1x
    GRIFTER #1x
    HAWK AND DOVE #1xx
    I, VAMPIRE #1x
    JUSTICE LEAGUE #1x
    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1x
    JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1x
    LEGION LOST #1xxx
    LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #1xxx
    MISTER TERRIFICx
    NIGHTWING #1x
    OMAC #1x
    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1x
    RED LANTERNS #1x
    RESURRECTION MAN #1x
    SGT. ROCK AND THE MEN OF WAR #1xx
    STATIC SHOCK #1x
    STORMWATCH #1x
    SUICIDE SQUAD #1x
    SUPERBOY #1x
    SUPERGIRL #1x
    SUPERMAN #1x
    SWAMP THING #1x
    TEEN TITANS #1x
    THE FLASH #1x
    THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #1x
    THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1x
    VOODOO #1x
    WONDER WOMAN #1x

    RODRIGO:  I feel bad, because even though I really like a lot of the ideas behind the new 52, I don’t have the budget to support it. I picked up Animal Man, Justice League and both Legion titles but have only sort of kept up with Animal man… sort of, because I’m like 9 issues behind… or two, maybe, how many issues have come out again? I’m bad at monthly comics.

    Bottom Line:  I keep hearing good things about Demon Knights so I’ll probably wait for the trade. I might get Animal Man in the trade if I can’t find one of the issues I’m behind on. Was the New 52 successful? I think so, honestly it got me actually buying comics again, if only for a couple of months.

    Rodrigo’s Checklist

    RODRIGO
    TitlePrintDigitalDroppedWaiting for the tradeNever picked it up
    ACTION COMICS #1X
    ALL-STAR WESTERN #1X
    ANIMAL MAN #1X
    AQUAMAN #1X
    BATGIRL #1X
    BATMAN #1X
    BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #!X
    BATMAN AND ROBIN #1X
    BATMAN INCORPORATED #1 (2012)X
    BATWING #1X
    BATWOMAN #1X
    BIRDS OF PREY #1X
    BLACKHAWKS #1X
    BLUE BEETLE #1X
    CAPTAIN ATOM #1X
    CATWOMAN #1X
    DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1X
    DEATHSTROKE #1X
    DEMON KNIGHTS #1X
    DETECTIVE COMICS #1X
    FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF SHADE #1X
    GREEN ARROW #1X
    GREEN LANTERN #1X
    GREEN LANTERN: THE NEW GUARDIANS #1X
    GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1X
    GRIFTER #1X
    HAWK AND DOVE #1X
    I, VAMPIRE #1X
    JUSTICE LEAGUE #1X
    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1X
    JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1X
    LEGION LOST #1X
    LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #1X
    MISTER TERRIFICX
    NIGHTWING #1X
    OMAC #1X
    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1X
    RED LANTERNS #1X
    RESURRECTION MAN #1X
    SGT. ROCK AND THE MEN OF WAR #1X
    STATIC SHOCK #1X
    STORMWATCH #1X
    SUICIDE SQUAD #1X
    SUPERBOY #1X
    SUPERGIRL #1X
    SUPERMAN #1X
    SWAMP THING #1X
    TEEN TITANS #1X
    THE FLASH #1X
    THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #1X
    THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1X
    VOODOO #1X
    WONDER WOMAN #1X

    STEPHEN:  There were a lot of books that had a great initial hook, but after the third issue, I had lost a lot of interest in a majority of the books.  Some of it had to do with the time factor in reading all the DC books in a single month, some had to do with finances, but for the most part, I simply lost interest in the characters and their new world.

    I’m still reading all the Bat books in one form or another, but I’m so very close to dropping Detective Comics at this point, that the only thing that is keeping it around is the upcoming Court of Owls crossover.  Action Comics still entertains, and after Batman by Scott Snyder, it is my favorite series (well played Morrison, well played… )

    Bottom Line: I’m reading about half of what was originally announced, and I’m okay with that.  I have a feeling going forward that more of the books that I am currently picking up in print form are going to make their way to a digital only format, as I’m still interested enough in the titles to read the ongoing adventures, but not committed enough to have them taking up space in the Nerd Room of Doom.

    Stephen’s Checklist

    Stephen Schleicher
    TitlePrintDigitalDroppedWaiting for the tradeNever picked it up
    ACTION COMICS #1xx
    ALL-STAR WESTERN #1x
    ANIMAL MAN #1x
    AQUAMAN #1x
    BATGIRL #1x
    BATMAN #1x
    BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #!x
    BATMAN AND ROBIN #1x
    BATMAN INCORPORATED #1 (2012)
    BATWING #1x
    BATWOMAN #1x
    BIRDS OF PREY #1x
    BLACKHAWKS #1x
    BLUE BEETLE #1x
    CAPTAIN ATOM #1x
    CATWOMAN #1x
    DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1x
    DEATHSTROKE #1x
    DEMON KNIGHTS #1x
    DETECTIVE COMICS #1x
    FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF SHADE #1x
    GREEN ARROW #1x
    GREEN LANTERN #1x
    GREEN LANTERN: THE NEW GUARDIANS #1x
    GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1x
    GRIFTER #1x
    HAWK AND DOVE #1x
    I, VAMPIRE #1x
    JUSTICE LEAGUE #1xx
    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1x
    JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1x
    LEGION LOST #1x
    LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #1x
    MISTER TERRIFICx
    NIGHTWING #1x
    OMAC #1x
    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1x
    RED LANTERNS #1x
    RESURRECTION MAN #1x
    SGT. ROCK AND THE MEN OF WAR #1x
    STATIC SHOCK #1x
    STORMWATCH #1x
    SUICIDE SQUAD #1x
    SUPERBOY #1x
    SUPERGIRL #1x
    SUPERMAN #1x
    SWAMP THING #1x
    TEEN TITANS #1x
    THE FLASH #1x
    THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #1x
    THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1x
    VOODOO #1x
    WONDER WOMAN #1x

    ZACH:  DC’s “The New 52” was my first big hoo-ra-ra into the world of comics. If the company’s main goal was to grab new readers count me one of them. I didn’t grab every new title in September; some titles just didn’t interest me, while others I picked up on a whim and have become my favorite reads.

    One such unexpected book for me was Teen Titans. I had no real desire to read this until I flipped it open on release day and saw the art, and believe it or not the story has continually been just as good. Even though I initially dropped Legion Lost (picking up the trade though) I’m looking forward to their crossover with Teen Titans coming up.

    Bottom Line:   So here we are six months later and the world hasn’t exploded like some thought. I’m not reading everything I initially picked up, but I’m excited about everything I am. Glancing at the solicitations for the coming months the Court of Owls crossover and Green Lantern: New Guardians stories are high on my reading list. It is good time to be reading comics.

    Zach’s Checklist

    ZACH
    TitlePrintDigitalDroppedWaiting for the tradeNever picked it up
    ACTION COMICS #1X
    ALL-STAR WESTERN #1X
    ANIMAL MAN #1X
    AQUAMAN #1XX
    BATGIRL #1X
    BATMAN #1X
    BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #!XX
    BATMAN AND ROBIN #1XX
    BATMAN INCORPORATED #1 (2012)X-preemptive
    BATWING #1X
    BATWOMAN #1X
    BIRDS OF PREY #1X
    BLACKHAWKS #1X
    BLUE BEETLE #1XX
    CAPTAIN ATOM #1X
    CATWOMAN #1X
    DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1X
    DEATHSTROKE #1XX
    DEMON KNIGHTS #1X
    DETECTIVE COMICS #1XX
    FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF SHADE #1X
    GREEN ARROW #1XX
    GREEN LANTERN #1x
    GREEN LANTERN: THE NEW GUARDIANS #1X
    GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1XX
    GRIFTER #1XX
    HAWK AND DOVE #1X
    I, VAMPIRE #1X
    JUSTICE LEAGUE #1X
    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1X
    JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1X
    LEGION LOST #1XXX
    LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #1XXX
    MISTER TERRIFICX
    NIGHTWING #1X
    OMAC #1X
    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1XX
    RED LANTERNS #1XX
    RESURRECTION MAN #1X
    SGT. ROCK AND THE MEN OF WAR #1X
    STATIC SHOCK #1XX
    STORMWATCH #1X
    SUICIDE SQUAD #1X
    SUPERBOY #1X
    SUPERGIRL #1X
    SUPERMAN #1X
    SWAMP THING #1X
    TEEN TITANS #1X
    THE FLASH #1X
    THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #1X
    THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1XX
    VOODOO #1X
    WONDER WOMAN #1X

    ROBOT OVERLORD:  There you are Dear Reader, our look back at what DC has done, and what we are reading going forward.  It’s a long list to read through, but we hope this answers the questions you have been asking us related to the current state of DC’s New 52.

     

    dc comics dc relaunch New 52
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleMOVIES: Indiana Jones to get Blu-ray collection arrives this fall
    Next Article TRAILER: John Carter final trailer arrives
    Robot Overlord
    • Website

    Warning: Pregnant women, the elderly, and children under 10 should avoid prolonged exposure to the Robot Overlord. Robot Overlord may suddenly accelerate to dangerous speeds. The Robot Overlord contains a liquid core, which if exposed due to rupture, should not be touched, inhaled, or looked at. If Robot Overlord begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and cover head. Do not taunt the Robot Overlord.

    Related Posts

    Geek History Lesson – Action Spies MEGA EPISODE (Mission Impossible, James Bond 007, Is James Bond Still Relevant)

    Read More

    COMICS PORTAL: No More Printed ‘PREVIEWS?’

    Read More

    Even more Marve/DC team-ups await in Deadpool/Batman #1

    Read More

    19 Comments

    1. J_Michael_T on March 1, 2012 9:58 am

      Great insight into what’s been happening to most of us too. I buy more comics now than I did before the New 52 kicked off, but have reached the “ok, now which ones do I keep buying and which ones get dropped” stage.

      The two titles vexing me right now are the Legion titles. I am a “legacy” fan of the Legion (started way back in the ’70s) and I feel an “obligation” to pick up the tiles due to nostalgia, but I am switching to digital-only in what I feel may just postpone the inevitable.

      Overall I have enjoyed the opportunity to see a refreshed DC as many of us screamed for… Kudos to DC for trying :)

      Reply
    2. Mela on March 1, 2012 10:05 am

      I’ve overall been pretty happy with the New 52, even if the flagship title for my favorite DC group (the Legion) has been woefully mishandled. I think some of the 1st issues were too weak, though, since some of the ones I was on the fence with (Teen Titans & Voodoo in particular) have improved with every issue & turned out to be pretty damn enjoyable. I am sad to see OMAC in particular go, and I don’t like the current “let’s give Jaime yet another friend turned into a dark mirror enemy” storyline so soon after the pre-relaunch issues did it in Blue Beetle. But I’m on board with the multiverse stuff from Earth 2 and I still hope that they’ll revamp Legion to make it readable again.

      Reply
      • J_Michael_T on March 1, 2012 10:08 am

        Definitely hoping for a “better” Legion treatment soon. Your post reminded me that I am excited for the Earth-2 books as I have always been a big JSA fan.

        Reply
    3. ikdks on March 1, 2012 10:42 am

      Concerning war comics, I was going to pick a couple of them up until I found out that they were all placed in the DC(n)U. The US was in two wars for almost a decade. War is a much more real thing to Americans then it was in the 80’s and 90’s.

      I was hoping that they would approach war in comics from a more literal perspective. A buddy of mine did two tours in Afghanistan, and Christ, the stories he tells me are insane. I think there’s a market for telling the real story of war with all its glory and horror, and the idea of guys in spandex running around in that environment seems a little, I don’t know, disrespectful.

      Having said that though, I hate it when angry nerds act as though “it wasn’t what I expected” is a legitimate criticism, so I’m not saying that. And maybe doing real war stories is more appropriate for one of the smaller publishers, but if DC had I title where they did it like the old Dragnet series, fictionalized stories based on real events, it would go to the top of my pull list.

      Reply
      • George Chimples on March 1, 2012 2:13 pm

        The backup story in Men Of War didn’t have any supernatural elements, if I recall right. But it was a bit too generic, unfortunately.

        You make an interesting point. Personally, the immediacy of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan can make it harder for me to consume popular media about them. I always think about the John Wayne Green Berets film and Vietnam – with things as complex as real life wars, it’s hard to take an even, reasoned view while they’re still ongoing. But at the same time, as you say, there are still plenty of stories to tell that need telling.

        Haunted Tank is going to be set in Afghanistan, at least… but yeah, it’s a haunted tank, so it will be a bit ridiculous. The War That Time Forgot is soldiers fighting dinosaurs, so obviously that’s very ridiculous. Don’t know what changes are being done to the Unknown Soldier.

        Reply
        • ikdks on March 1, 2012 3:32 pm

          It’s kind of like the movie Shane. If you watch cowboy movies before Shane, when people got shot they would grab their side and slump over, but Shane was made after World War 2 when many average people had actually seen people get shot.

          Shane was the first movie to tie a line to a stuntman and pull him back off his feet to simulate the impact of a bullet. It was the first movie to show a guy go instantly brain dead when he was shot in the head. Like then I think we’re more sophisticated about what war really is, and some fantastic depiction would ring untrue.

          On the other hand a lot of hyper-realistic war stories tend to get political, and I don’t think modern audiences would be interested in a conservative of liberal screed on the subject either. Holy Terror wasn’t exactly a new classic.

          Reply
    4. Trey on March 1, 2012 11:15 am

      These are the issues I picked up which is good sinceI had stopped getting comics for awhile before that.

      ACTION COMICS
      ALL-STAR WESTERN
      BATGIRL #1 Dropped after issue 4 (Couldn’t get into it. I liked Cassandra Cain as BG and Babs as Oracle)
      BATMAN #1 (Still getting it but hated the arc. Wouldn’t be so bad if was shorter)
      BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #1
      BATMAN AND ROBIN #1 (Hate Damian with great nerd rage. Dropped after issue 4)
      DEATHSTROKE #1 (Dropped after issue 1. Liked it until he gunned down his team to show how bad ass he was)
      DEMON KNIGHTS #1 (still getting it . still a little confused. I think i’m only getting it because I like fantasy adventure. )
      DETECTIVE COMICS #1
      GREEN ARROW #1 (Cancelled after #3. Bad)
      GREEN LANTERN #1 (I dislike the focus on Sinestro. Hopefully Hal will get his drek together)
      GREEN LANTERN: THE NEW GUARDIANS #1 X
      GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1 (really? they were under Guy’s bar? Still buying it though.)
      JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 (I like it. Not sure if the first arc needed to be 6 issues. Needs Manhunter)
      JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1
      JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1 (If this continues to be Justice Losers International I’ll drop it)
      NIGHTWING #1 (dropped after #4 . That’s the problem with long arcs. If I don’t like the story I won’t continue buying it.)
      SUPERGIRL #1 (On the fence with this one)
      SUPERMAN #1 (Didn’t like the arc but at least each comic stood on it’s own.)
      THE FLASH #1 X (Dropped after #4. Wally is my Flash. Sorry. I don’t see a point in going back to Barry after 15 years.)
      THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #1 (Dropped after first issue. HATED it. Why go back to Barry but not to the orginal Firestorm?)
      WONDER WOMAN #1 (Dropped after Issue 3 . Think I need ovaries for this one.)

      In my opinion, I think it would have been better if the entire universe was started over. Now it seems like JL and Action are in Year 1, most others in Year 5 with GL and Batman titles in year 10+ . If they wanted to bring back Barry, Hal, and reboot most of the universe they should have just started over full bore.

      Reply
      • ikdks on March 2, 2012 9:46 am

        It’s all about the Robins. Making Dick 10 years old again, no Red Hood, no Red Robin, no Damian, they would have had to give up too many characters. It wouldn’t have been worth it. A little awkward consistency is the price we pay for keeping all that backstory.

        Reply
        • Trey on March 2, 2012 11:05 am

          How many Robins do we need?

          Reply
          • Stephen Schleicher on March 2, 2012 11:37 am

            An army…

            Reply
          • E. Hobbs on March 7, 2012 12:43 pm

            One Flock

            Reply
    5. LemmyCaution on March 1, 2012 1:18 pm

      I think Demon Knights and Wonder Woman are the only titles I consider must-reads. I really wanted to like the Legion stuff, but I just don’t. Liking All-Star Western and Animal Man. But Demon Knights is where it’s at for me.

      Reply
    6. alvarlux on March 1, 2012 4:04 pm

      I was a big Marvel reader and would pick up the occasional trade or event for DC but the NEW 52 has definitely got me following some titles.

      My favorites right now are probably Teen Titans, Red Hood and Suicide Squad

      Biggest issue I have with it so far has been the feeling like these are very much different worlds – Like in Firestorm every issue there is some new terrorist or villain that is a clone of Firestorm – How has this not been a concern for Stormwatch or JLI/JLA?

      Flash also seems to keep adding new super powers – is he the new Superman? “Oh crap, he’s too powerful – we’ll need to nerf him and hope no one notices…”

      As I start reading issue #6 for some of the ones I am still following pacing seems to be catching up with a lot of these titles… Demon Knights came out really strong but now… they’ve been bogged down during the same night telling back stories that hurt the mysterious strangers working together aspect that made me enjoy the title to begin with.

      Other titles have completely put me off with the art – OMAC, Batwoman, Hawk and Dove (Dear god why does Leifeld get still get work?)

      Reply
    7. Kirby on March 1, 2012 4:31 pm

      For me the best series has surprisingly been Swamp Thing. All-Star Western would be great, if they could be in the West. Demon Knights needs better pacing. Supergirl’s been good, if a bit of a rehash of older stories. The possible saving grace of Keith Giffen keeps me on Superman for one more issue. Blue Beetle, broke my heart to drop (because of love of the character), but that was awful. Ressurection Man really enjoyable. Aquaman I feel is some of the best Johns has put out in the past few years. Justice League Dark meh, probably dropping soon.

      Reply
    8. Monte on March 1, 2012 4:48 pm

      Most disappointing thing in the new 52 that happened for me actually took place in BATWOMAN #6, where DC took J.H. Williams II off art. (first 5 issues of the series would make an amazing trade paperback)

      I picked it up on Matthew’s recommendation, and am giving it two more issues before I drop it completely.

      Reply
    9. OSPerry on March 1, 2012 5:35 pm

      I’ve been collecting since the 80’s regularly with a 67%-33% Marvel DC ratio, and this is still pretty much true even after the New 52. I think I picked up 2 additional titles… Batman and Action.

      I’ve been buying titles with Booster Gold since he debuted. I’m not a super fan or anything, but now its become more of a completionist thing with me, but I’m thinking of dumping JLI. (poor booster) Where is Skeets by the way?

      I think there are some cool ideas being bantered about in this new 52, but I agree on “Now it seems like JL and Action are in Year 1, most others in Year 5 with GL and Batman titles in year 10+” That is a spot on observation. I think they should have taken the whole thing back to year one, or put everyone at year 5… but it does seem discombobulated. Why can’t publishers like Marvel and DC just halve the number of titles they produce, and put the best writers and artists they have on them… seems to be a lot of mediocrity and subpar work out there from DC and Marvel.

      Reply
    10. Walsh on March 1, 2012 7:42 pm

      For me, the New 52 has been an out and out failure.

      I had to drop Wonder Woman because each passing issue made me want to put my fist through a wall. Abyssmal, utterly abysmal. Meanwhile, over in Justice League, Geoff Johns STILL can’t write her for s**t.

      I was buying the Huntress mini-series and thought it was decent…until they sucker-punched me with it apparently being Helena Wayne the whole time. Sorry–no Bertinelli, no sale.

      Beyond that, I couldn’t care less. So, in nutshell, DC’s dead to me for the foreseeable future.

      Reply
    11. Frank on March 2, 2012 8:17 am

      For me, the New 52 was an opportunity to shuffle my pull list. Prior to the New 52, I used to get 7 DC titles. I took the opportunity to drop all the Bat titles.
      After Flashpoint, I am getting Flash, GL and GLC, though the latter two are ‘on the bubble’. I am considering picking up World’s Finest when it debuts.

      I really wish I had the budget to pick up more…

      Reply
    12. David on May 16, 2012 4:21 pm

      Let me start by saying I’m a life-long DC fan. Before the new 52, I bought about 40-50 DC titles each month. (Some were duplicates to give away but still I enjoyed them enough to do so). My Marvel haul was roughly 3-5 books each month.

      Despite my initial reservations about the new 52, I decided to give it a go and sample it. I began with 22 of the new books.

      Justice League- I enjoyed the first arc for the most part. It read well for an origin story but the big “ooh” moments really didn’t impress me much because I’ve read so many of these types of stories before. Yet another Justice League origin, but a decent read. I give DC props for the origin beginning with Darkseid.

      Action – It didn’t appeal to me at all. I dropped after the first 3 issues.

      Green Lantern – Too Sinestro-oriented. Dropped after the first four issues.

      Superman – Same fate as Action.

      Aquaman – This has been one of the biggest surprises for me. I’ve never been much of an Aquaman fan, but I’ve enjoyed this take on the character.

      Teen Titans – I don’t enjoy it as much as the previous incarnation. At some point, I’ll probably drop this title for the first time in decades.

      Wonder Woman – Another book I didn’t think I’d enjoy as much as I did initially. It seems to have lost some steam though. I am dropping it but haven’t gotten around to doing so yet.

      Batgirl – I love Barbara Gordon – as Oracle. DC gutted one of its strongest, and most interesting, female leads in favor of more “Bat-action”. Sadly, this one will also be dropped soon.

      Swamp Thing – I enjoyed this one initially, but it’s not a must-read. Probably will drop soon.

      Justice League Dark – I’m in the minority but I enjoy this book.

      Justice League International – Another one bound to be dropped soon.

      Birds of Prey – I’ve enjoyed the Birds of Prey since the original Dixon mini years ago and have purchased every issue since, so of course I had to try the new one. The heart of the book is gone without Oracle. Again, a watered-down version fails. Black Canary as a villain fails here too (although it harkens back to her original origin). I can take Katana or leave her in the mix. No preference either way. I enjoy Poison Ivy thrown into the mix. I’m not sure how believable it is, but I like it. I also enjoy the new character, Ev. Still, I much prefer the previous incarnation of the team. I’ll probably keep the book on my pull list though.

      All Star Western – I loved the previous Jonah Hex series. Gray and Palmiotti still have an excellent grasp of the character. I dislike Hex being tied to the Gotham City (and by extension, Batman) myth though. Still, I’ll keep it as long as it doesn’t get too bad.

      Legion of Super-Heroes – The Legion is my first love in comics. I was stoked when the original team returned in the Lightning Saga and glad they were one of the properties that escaped the radical makeover. I enjoy the new series but feel it’s lagged the last few issues. The book would be stronger without the two tales per issue format we’ve seen lately.

      Legion Lost – I’ll continue to buy as a Legion fan, but this is awful. I would not buy if it weren’t a Legion book. And some of my favorite characters are included in this title!

      Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E – I love this quirky, offbeat book. Apparently, I’m one of the few so my guess is that it will drop me before I drop it.

      Firestorm – One of the worst comics I’ve ever read. Definitely will be dropped.

      Resurrection Man – I enjoyed this from the onset, but have lost interest. I will drop it.

      Voodoo – Another book I enjoy, but it will also likely drop me before I drop it.

      Mister Terrific – As a long-time JSA fan, I had to sample this one. Unfortunately, one issue was all it took to realize it was a stinker and I dropped it.

      Static Shock – I wanted to like this book, but it has been a great disappointment. The only reason I haven’t dropped it yet was that my comic shop has a policy of three months warning on drops. Given the timing of the cancellation announcement, it didn’t make sense to even bother.

      Blackhawks – There’s a nostalgic side of me that loves the old Blackhawks books. I have a complete run of the 1970’s series, the Showcase anthology, multiple Silver Age issues, etc. This was an abomination. Glad to see it failed.

      So 19 books, and I will likely continue with nine. Of those, several are candidates for cancellation. I’m going to try Earth Two and World’s Finest, but I’m expecting to be disappointed. I’m thinking it’s about time to leave the hobby I loved for so many years. It’s too expensive to not enjoy it thoroughly.

      Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    AMAZON AFFILIATE

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    6.7
    June 23, 2025

    The Avengers #27 Review

    7.3
    June 22, 2025

    Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1 Review

    6.7
    June 22, 2025

    Retro Review: Menace #11 (May 1954)

    8.0
    June 20, 2025

    Jeff the Land Shark #1 Review

    4.0
    June 20, 2025

    Toxie Team-Up #1 Review

    Patreon Support
    Major Spoilers Store
    Recent Comments
    • Bunty Original on Warner Bros. plans Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge virtual viewing party and panel
    • Derrigable on COMICS PORTAL: Where Is All The Cool Merchandise?
    • ZackaryTobias on COMICS PORTAL: Where Is All The Cool Merchandise?
    • Nathan on Wayne’s Comics Podcast #696: Interview with Creators from Concrete Arcanum
    • Austin Cowboy on FIRST LOOK: Conan the Barbarian #21
    Subscribe to the Major Spoilers E-Mail List
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2025 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT