This week was a bit slower than last week, but we picked up five of the new DC titles, including some surprises. In addition, we got some non-DC stuff, just to keep things interesting.

From my least favorite to most:

WARNING: SPOILERS FOLLOW

#5 – Batwoman

First things first, the art on this book is gorgeous. I mean that. It’s pretty to look at. The story, though, leaves a little something to be desired. I’ve read Batwoman: Elegy, so I had the background to understand why Batwoman was pissed at her dad, but the comic explains it clumsily. It doesn’t do better with Bette, the unexplained new sidekick. We never see her in action, though she claims to have once been a teen titan.

There are some other things that upset me. One is the picture of Renée Montoya. It’s on the wall at the police station. If you’ve ever been to a police station, you know that probably means that Renée is dead. Not cool. I’m a Renée fanboy, and if she’s gone, and not even on-screen, I’ll be upset. Another is that Kate Kane (aka Batwoman) is colored like she’s one of the Endless from the Sandman. She’s beyond pale, and into solid white. I’ve never liked that look, and it still doesn’t work for me.

The big upset is the villain. She’s some sort of ghost that drowns people, and is probably Batwoman’s presumed dead twin sister. I didn’t like that story in Elegy, and I don’t like it now. Seriously, you’re pulling out evil twins in Issue 1? Even if it isn’t an evil twin, I’m not sold on a baddie that drowns kids from a specific neighborhood.

Detective Maggie Sawyer shows up, and that’s a high point. Sawyer is a good cop, a fun character, and is a good, honest counterpart to the various Bats in Gotham. She tells worried parents the honest truth, that she can’t guarantee she’ll save their kids, but that she’ll never stop looking. I like her.

Overall Rating: C+
Next Month: Maybe. I want to know about Renée, but I might not be willing to pay $2.99 to find out.

#4 – Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.

I loved Jeff Lemire’s Animal Man so much that I bought this comic. I’m not exactly disappointed, but I’m not super happy, either. The story deals with Frankenstein, who works for the Super Human Advanced Defene Executive fighting monsters. He’s estranged from his wife (the Bride of Frankenstein, who else?) and was on vacation until a town gets wiped out by monsters.

I love me some mad science. And there’s a lot of mad science in this book. All of the “agents” (with one exception) Frank works with are experiments gone awry. They work out of a miniaturized flying city and have psychic internet access.

But the story doesn’t gel for me. I’m not given any reason to care about Frank, and the agents are pretty one-dimensional so far. I’m not crazy about the art, though it isn’t as distracting as Kate Kane, supergoth. I want this book to work, but it’s going to have to impress me next month.

Overall Rating: B-
Next Month: I like mad science, but I’m not compelled to care about Frank. I hope you pull out the big guns next time.

#3 – Mister Terrific

This was another comic I wasn’t expecting to pick up. I’ve never followed the JSA, and I know next to nothing about Mister Terrific. I heard, though, that Karen Starr (sometimes, in other timelines, known as Power Girl) was part of the story. So, why not?

I have to admit, I was a bit impressed by this one. Good art, solid story, sexy Karen Starr, what’s not to like? They don’t go over the top with origin story, giving us just enough for the character to make sense. His motivation? Well, to make the world a better place! I like that in my super heroes. It’s not enough to just stay in crisis management mode, you should really be working toward a better future. Terrific does that.

The villain appears to be using some sort of mind control, which may result in Mister Terrific being labeled as a villain. This I like, as long as it is dealt with soon. Don’t fall into the trap of having your hero be on the run forever! Clear his name!

Overall Rating: A-
Next Month: I’ll check it out. We’ll see if it has staying power. Also: WE (OKAY I) WANT MORE KAREN STARR. ALSO, MORE POWER GIRL!

#2 – Batman and Robin

I love Damian Wayne. My biggest fear of the relaunch was that he would become more…stable. I am happy to say that those fears were groundless. The book is not without it’s problems, but overall, I was quite happy. Damian is still a bit crazy, and entirely too violent, but that’s a part of his charm.

Really, the weak link here was Batman. The issue start out with him rethinking his relationship with his dead parents. It turns out that he now wants to celebrate their life, rather than focus on their death. Um…okay. It’s not like the murder of Bruce Wayne’s parents was the defining moment of his life. Well, actually, it was, but I’m sure that this new direction can work. We’ll have to wait and see how it’s handled.

Robin continues to push the relationship with Batman. In his previous incarnation, he was teamed with Dick Grayson as Batman, during the death of Batman stuff. Dick and Damian were an excellent team, with Dick being a flamboyant, outgoing Batman, and Damian acting as the dark, brooding Robin. The dynamic worked, especially because it was so different. Now, Batman is still dark, but Robin is starting to become more outgoing. I’m not sure how it’s going to work, but I have hope.

Overall Rating: A
Next Month: I’ll keep getting it.

#1 – Suicide Squad

This was a big surprise. I did not expect to like this as much as I did. I picked it up for Deadshot and King Shark, who were spectacular in Secret Six. I was hoping for something readable, and I got something that was fun.

So, here’s the basics. You go to death row, and spend 23 hours a day in your cell. That is, unless you join the Suicide Squad. Then, you get to do what you do normally, and the worst that’ll happen to you is that your implanted neck bomb goes off and kills you. Or, your bosses torture you to see if you’ll crack under pressure as a test.

There are six members currently – Deadshot, King Shark, Harley Quinn, El Diablo, Black Spider and Voltiac. The story is told through their voices, with the clever use of lettering and distinctive writing to make sure we know who’s talking. We get a bare bones introduction of why some of them are in prison, and each one has a personality that shines trough. (On a side note, Harley’s arrest story was actually kind of touching.)

I had very few issues in the book. It’s not long enough for every member to have a defining moment, but even Black Spider and Voltiac (who don’t have a lot of screen time) are presented as real characters. Hopefully, they’ll get their chance to shine soon. One other thing, King Shark’s new look is not great. I much prefer him as a Great White, rather than a Hammerhead. And he never once said “I’m a shark!”

Overall Rating: A
Next Month: I really, really want to see how they kill 60,000 people…which is their next assignment!