DC's New 52 #0 Month

 As I have talked about before, DC Comics recently (about a year ago actually) re-booted it's entire universe, cherry picking which moments and events that they wish to keep in the current Universe and then changing them to fit their new timeline.  This September, they are doing #0 issues for all their current titles and their idea behind the #0 issue is that it delves back into that character's or team's history.  Some of these stories will take place before the character became a super-hero, others will take place during the new 5-6 year old timeline that currently makes up DC Continuity.  Now at the current time (which will include next month) I'm collecting the following titles from DC: Justice League, Action Comics, Batman, Batgirl, Nightwing, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, Demon Knights, Earth 2, Shade(mini), Justice League Dark, and Batman Inc. (mini). (I just picked up Animal Man and Swamp Thing via trade paperback and loved them but want to continue with those titles via trade -considering dealing with I, Vampire the same) What the #0 month gives fans is three things: 1.) this is the 3rd wave of new DC books - so the #0  issue is a good sampling issue of the history of those books and 2.) it can be a jumping on issue for books that fans have heard good things about but didn't know how to sample an issue without being lost in the middle of an arc or feel like they had to buy the back issues and 3.) gives fans an opportunity to find out the new history of some old and new favorite characters in the New 52 DCU.  I've provided the covers of the books I'm definitely going to take a look at and consider buying the #0 issues for and will also be talking about issues I'll be giving the spot look or flip through in the store.

First up in Green Arrow.  I tired the first issue of this series, and both issues of the next two writing teams to come on board and haven't really like/felt any kind of chemistry with the character.  However, I'm a big fan of Winick's take on Ollie and excited for him to do a character history issue.  Next Birds of Prey - I collected the first few issues of this series, but had to cut it for financial consideration as well as dwindling interest.  I am interested in giving it a second try and learning more about Black Canary and Starling and their relationship. 

With Flash, while the art is amazing, the story, for me has been hit or miss.  I plan on getting the Flash Annual tomorrow, mainly due to the art of a great artist named Wes Craig, I am interested in Barry's revised history and interested in seeing where this is going.

Now the next two books, I'm getting for two reasons: 1.) I am interested in seeing the New 52 back story for Guy and Kyle but also 2.) the #0 issues serve as prologues to the Third Army story line coming up in the Green Lantern titles and I have been a fan of the inter line crossovers in the Green Lantern lines - and like it as a model that DC has done well for all cross-overs.

 Next up is Red Hood and the Outlaws.  I have to say as much as I have problems with this title, especially its portrayal of women, I enjoy that Jason is less of a sociopath and much more as a more complicated and complex character- who has chosen to be more lethal and mercenary because of his experiences but not willing to cross certain lines against those he knows are doing good.  I find it compelling and much more interesting - it seems like his portrayal is less like the Punisher and more like the Winter Soldier with father issues.

 Next up is World's Finest featuring Huntress and Power Girl - formerly Robin (Batman & Catwoman's daughter)  and Supergirl from Earth 2 that are now on the main Earth.  I picked up the first two issues or so and really enjoyed the flashbacks but was not engrossed by a.) Power Girl's costume and b.) the villain they were fighting.  Therefore, a mainly history issue with art, again, by Wes Craig, has me sold.

 The Teen Titans is a book that I want to like.  After reading Booth's blog, I realize that the DC asked him for a lot of designs and they picked my least favorite.  However, I am interested in Tim's new Red Robin origin as well as Bunker's.

 Now this is an introduction issue of Wave 3 of DC's New 52 titles.  Talon is the one escaped assassin from the Court of Owls.  The character was a young escape artist from Haley's Circus that escaped.  Co-written by Batman scribe Snyder, this is a book which I'm willing to try out for the first arc/few issues.






 This last book signals a creative change on Superman.  (Along with the Supeman annual this week).  Lobdell and Rocafort are taking over Action and while Lobdell has been hit or miss with me, I'm going to give it a shot.



The other books which I will be giving the flip through/spot check in the store are: Stormwatch, Phantom Stranger, Batman & Robin, Suicide Squad, Team 7, Legion Lost, Legion of Super-Heroes, Batwoman, DC Universe Presents, Supergirl, Sword of Sorcery, I Vampire, Red Lanterns, and Fury of Firestorm.