25
Justice League
Bryan Hitch, Tony Daniel, & Fernando Pasarin
This is the worst thing I’ve read in a long time. Hitch’s writing and art are super basic. The characters talk like their Silver Age counterparts, announcing their feelings and intentions, making them seem extremely flat. Some of these characters have had the chance to show some depth in their own titles, but in Justice League, they act cartoony, and I don’t mean in a good DCAU way. The story seems to move through expository dialogue instead of being motivated by character’s actions, which wouldn’t be all bad if Hitch could muster up some art that matches what he did in the Ultimates, or Ultimate Fantastic Four. I think taking on both duties is stretching the poor guy thin, which doesn’t give me a lot of hope for this book. – tyrannoflores
Works as a starting point for new readers, but that’s the only good thing it does. Lazy storytelling and even the art seems rushed in parts. The techno-organic space beasty is likely another Watchmen connection, so… enough to keep reading? – MMDG
First collection: Justice League Volume 1: The Extinction Machine (January)
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24
Deathstroke
Christopher Priest, Carlo Pagulayan, Igor Vitorino, & Felipe Watanabe
Well drawn but that’s all I can give it. Slade is a piece of shit and I’d rather watch him die. They aren’t even straddling the line and I don’t feel too compelled to read more about this guy. This book has badass overload; I don’t need to spend every page seeing Slade fuck, kill, or spit one-liners. Masochism without any sort of examination seems really pointless in this day and age. Won’t be reading more. – MeanOldPig
First collection: Deathstroke Volume 1: The Professional (March)
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23
Titans
Dan Abnett & Brett Booth
Titans proves to be what it’s always been at its core, a fun side story. Lacking is the doom and gloom you find in both the Flash and Superman books when dealing with the missing ten years; Titans is all about friendship and fun. It is interesting to note that this team seems to have been dealing with the missing time more than anyone else, which would lead me to believe that maybe the Titans will take a stronger roll as Rebirth plays out. On the other hand, for all the jokes about not being “teen” titans anymore, this book reads as extremely juvenile. From the boring PSA banter, to the telepathy, to the pizza party, it might be too light and fun for a serious situation. – D!
First collection: Titans Volume 1: The Return of Wally West (March)
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22
The Flash
Josh Williamson, Carmine Di Giandomenico, & Neil Googe
I really want to like the Flash. Super speed is my ideal super power, and with how many Flashes are running around, you’d think I’d be able to find one of them compelling. I think this is where my lack of DC background impedes my ability to get into the story. I know DC’s thing is having the same hero from different dimensions/ generations, but I feel this book suffers from “Too Many Flashes.” – tyrannoflores
This is lousy. The DC school of over-exposition is on full display, along with the annoying adherence to the CW TV show status quo. I was mildly interested in how things were going to be connected to Watchmen, but now that I understand that that particular storyline is Wally West and the Titans’ problem, I can safely stop reading Flash. – MMDG
First collection: The Flash Volume 1: Lightning Strikes Twice (January)
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21
Green Lanterns
Sam Humphries, Robson Rocha, Ardian Syaf
I find the home lives of the Green Lanterns and their dynamic together infinitely more interesting than the Red Lantern plot. An agoraphobic lantern? That’s genius. A Muslim man victimized by racism and blackmailed into helping the government? That’s modern stuff. I want more of that… but the rage tower stuff just isn’t clicking with me. I may read more just to see the characters develop. – MeanOldPig
First collection: Green Lanterns Volume 1: Rage Planet (January)
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The Institute of Idle Time 