DC Comics: The New 52

DC Comics has collected all 52 first issues of their recent “new 52” relaunch, which skyrocketed DC’s sales and profile. By streamlining and reimagining the world of DC Superheroes, the editors planned to make the comics more exciting and accessible to new and lapsed fans. Did the actual comics live up to this lofty goal? Some more than others. Arguably the most important and controversial comic here is Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #1, with a darker and angrier Superman for today’s audiences. Paul Cornell’s Demon Knights #1, a sword and sorcery comic set in the DC Universe’s medieval past, is a genuinely creative adventure, and Jeff Lemire’s Frankenstein: Agent of SHADE #1 is as deliriously weird as any vintage horror comic. J.H. Williams’s Batwoman #1 goes nowhere in particular, but does it with vivid style and panache. Despite amateurish art, Scott Lobdell’s Teen Titans #1 is an exciting story that will appeal to actual teenagers. Still, the flagship book, Justice League #1, by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee is unaccountably nonsensical, and most of the Legion of Superheroes and Green Lantern–based books, contrary to reboot plan, will make absolutely no sense to new readers. Clocking in at eight pounds, this is an uneven behemoth that dedicated collectors will admire sitting on their shelves. (Dec.)