This week on Multiversity Comics Countdown, we wrap up our publisher countdowns with DC. Personally, I think DC is on a bit of a creative downturn right now, but I do think they’re making some damn good books at the same time – they’re just rather top heavy at the moment.
MC writers Matt, Brandon, Gil and myself all voted on this, so this is a comprehensive look on what books we think is the cream of the DC crop. Check it out after the jump, and let us know what you think in the comments.
Note: The ones that are notated (Matt) were written up by Matt Meylikhov. The rest are all me.
1. Justice League: Generation Lost
Who Makes It: Judd Winick and a slew of artists (and some help from Keith Giffen)
What Is It: When the White Lanterns brought 12 people back, everyone was rather surprised that one of them was Maxwell Lord, the man Wonder Woman killed after he tried to have Superman kill her and Batman as well as having successfully killed Blue Beetle. With his return, his old team – the Justice League International – gets back together to stop whatever he’s planning with no help from the rest of the world after Lord manages to use his prodigious mental powers to make everyone else forget his existence.
Why It’s Awesome: Did you read that synopsis? This book KILLS. Every two weeks we’re assured a damn good story from Judd Winick, who must have read the old JLI run from Giffen and JM Dematteis with a passion that most save for the Bible. He’s perfected the relationships of the cast, having successfully emulated the humor and history that Giffen and Dematteis had crafted so delicately over their run. It’s hilarious, it has high stakes, it’s badass, and it is just a phenomenal book.
Plus? The rotating artist idea is working out exceptionally well, with each and every artists contributing top notch work in the series (especially Aaron Lopresti, who is a perfect fit for the book). Cliff Chiang’s covers also excel, and they are good enough that they have actually driven Brandon to say that they are his favorite regular covers since 52. And Brandon LOVES 52. That is saying something.
Here’s hoping Winick and the rest keeps this gravy train rolling for the rest of the run, and then when it wraps up we can get a new JLI series from Winick and Lopresti. A boy can dream, right?
2. Batman and Robin
Who Makes It: Grant Morrison and friends (Quitely, Tan, Stewart, Clarke, Irving)
What Is It: In the wake of Batman RIP and Battle for the Cowl, Dick Grayson took on the role of the Dark Knight, teaming up with young Damian Wayne to become the new Batman and Robin. Fighting a slew of villains, the two have gone through quite a few short and sweet story arcs as Gotham’s new protectors – fighting villains such as the deranged Professor Pyg and the all new Red Hood.
Why It’s Awesome (Matt): Well first of all, it’s Grant Morrison. Second of all, it’s Grant Morrison writing Batman. Ever since he came on the title with Andy Kubert for “Batman and Son”, I’ve honestly thought that Batman is the best that it’s ever been. He’s totally thrown the Bat-world on it’s head and finally given a story that doesn’t revolve around Batman being a grump all day, and now that Dick is Batman it really allows Morrison to play with a new dynamic. On top of that, the book has been paying off loose ends from Batman RIP, all of it coming to an explosive conclusion in “Batman and Robin Must Die!”, the current arc with art by Frazer Irving that brings back the Black Hand (among others).
With short 3-issue arcs and a slew of artists, Batman and Robin is really Morrison’s playground, and has offered some amazingly intricate web weaving for the master storyteller. One might be afraid that he’ll leave and it’ll all go to hell, but fortunately he’ll be followed by Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason, and if Green Lantern Corps taught us anything, it’s that the book will be in good hands.
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3. Green Lantern
Who Makes It: Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke
What Is It: It’s all about Hal Jordan, with Hal teaming up with a range of other Lanterns (namely Larfleeze, Carol Ferris and Sinestro) as they try and track down all of the entities in the full color spectrum.
Why It’s Awesome: After Blackest Night, Johns has rediscovered his mojo with this book and turned it into a rip roaring adventure with a stellar cast, surprises around every corner, and a plot that will reverberate across the DCU. It’s been damn good, and Johns has been nothing short of a magician blending this large but remarkably well honed cast into a cohesive unit. It’s the best it has been in quite some time.
Part of that is because Doug Mahnke is without a doubt one of my favorite artists in the industry, and he’s been absolutely killing it on this book. Some people prefer Ivan Reis, some people prefer Ethan Van Sciver…this guy? I’m all about Mahnke and his powerful and intense visuals he delivers each and every month. I’m so glad this book got its groove back, because it was sorely missed.
4. Secret Six
Who Makes It: Gail Simone and J. Calafiore
What Is It: What do you get when you combine a slew of ruthless mercenaries (anywhere from 6 to 12 of them depending on the arc) that have wondrously deadly and hilarious personality quirks into a team-up book based around doing dastardly things? I believe it’s called Secret Six.
Why It’s Awesome: This is my favorite book DC is currently producing, even with the wonderful Nicola Scott being replaced by the surprisingly fantastic J. Calafiore. No matter who is in the cast, it seems like Gail Simone can make it work with her often sick and hysterical scripts and moments that surprise you with how much they touch you and disgust you. Granted, the cast is at its best when it’s Scandal, Catman, Ragdoll, Bane, Deadshot and Jeanette, but Simone can always make it work.
This is the most consistently entertaining book DC produces, and a tip of the cap to Simone for making this ragtag bunch of characters the group I look forward to the most every month from the Distinguished Competition.
5. The Flash
Who Makes It: Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul
What Is It: Barry Allen is back, as he and his wife Iris start getting back to business as usual in Keystone City. That means Rogues of the present and Rogues of the future as Allen is embroiled in a murder mystery in both his cape identity and his identity as one of the premier forensic scientists in the city.
Why It’s Awesome: I have to lead with my favorite reason: Francis Manapul is a freaking god on this book. His art is without a doubt my favorite Flash work since Mike Wieringo (sorry EVS and Scott Kolins), and the level of energy he fills every page with is perhaps the most befitting I’ve ever seen on a speedster title.
Meanwhile, Geoff Johns is telling a tale that I only occasionally connect with, as some things work really well (Captain Boomerang, The Top from the future, Barry Allen rebuilding an apartment complex he accidentally knocks over) and others do not (the old Mirror Master’s completely ridiculous former failsafe). The complete absence of all other speedsters is perhaps a bit bothersome as well, but I know why Johns is doing that: reestablish Allen in the first arc and develop from there. Makes sense, and I see only upside for The Fastest Man Alive going forward.
6. Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors
Who Makes It: Peter Tomasi and Fernando Pasarin
What Is It: This new series from Tomasi (the former writer of the once exceptional Green Lantern Corps) focuses on Guy Gardner and his crew of Lanterns (of all colors!) that includes Kilowog, Arisia, more than likely the currently “dead” Sodam Yat, and a range of other characters as they go off on a secret mission in the Unknown Sectors that Ganthet, Gardner and Atrocitus put together.
Continued belowWhy It’s Awesome: I want to say this – if it weren’t for the fact this book was only two issues in, this book would be near the top. I’d match up the last two issues of this book against any other book on this list, as Tomasi and Pasarin have quickly begun telling us a captivating yarn that has exceptional character work (of course it does, Tomasi is a killer with this cast) and stunning art from Pasarin. I won’t say I’m surprised this book is good, but I will say I’m surprised how quickly it surpassed Tomasi’s former title in the Green Lantern rankings.
Once Yat joins the team and all of Tomasi’s plans start gelling, I wouldn’t be surprised if it surpassed even the flagship GL book near in the future. That’s some serious praise for this young series.
7. Brightest Day
Who Makes It: Geoff Johns, Peter Tomasi, Ivan Reis, Patrick Gleason, Scott Clark, Joe Prado, Ardian Syaf and David Finch
What Is It: This is a year long maxi-series that follows up on the happenings in Blackest Night, namely all of the characters that came back as White Lanterns at the end of it and what their roles will be in DC Universe going forward.
Why It’s Awesome: Much like 52, Brightest Day has done a good job of highlighting a bevy of smaller characters and turned into a solid story in the process. Granted, it isn’t doing nearly as good of a job (52 will likely end up being the pinnacle of this type of storytelling forever and ever), but it is a very enjoyable romp that has managed to make Deadman one of the most intriguing characters in the DC Universe. Not only that, but the art has been superb and fairly consistent considering it has such a large list providing it. All in all, a very solid book that will likely get better and better throughout its run.
8. Power Girl
Who Makes It: Judd Winick and Sami Basri
What Is It: As the fan-popular team of Palmiotti, Gray, and Conner leaves, Winick and Basri step in to tell an all new Power Girl story. As her corporation begins to fail, PG is set up against a series of seemingly unrelated villains and encounters, all of which intertwine loosely with the events of Justice League: Generation Lost (also written by Winick) as Max Lord has recently revealed his hand.
Why It’s Awesome (Matt): I didn’t read the previous run on Power Girl, but thought to give this a chance just because I was enjoying Generation Lost. It turned out to be one of the better decisions I’ve made in new comics, as I find this book absolutely addictive. Basri’s art style is perfect, with a very sleek sense of style that really propels the book beyond what it once was in my mind, and Winick has had an absolute turn around as a writer as far as I’m concerned. The shorter story format he’s brought with his writing helps condense the action and story into interesting segues, and with his first actual arc just starting now, it’ll be interesting to see how much further the book gets intertwined with Generation Lost (as December’s solicit teases).
Also, Basri draws an adorable kitten.
9. Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne
Who Makes It: Grant Morrison and friends (Sprouse, Irving, Paquette, Jeanty, Sook, Garbett)
What Is It: Shot backwards through time by Darkseid’s Omega Sanction, Bruce Wayne must battle against history itself as he tries to make his way back to our era as split into six issues (one for each time period).
Why It’s Awesome (Matt): When you put Grant Morrison together with Batman, you just get great stories. It’s a character he really loves, and having this as an epilogue to Final Crisis, a prequel to Batman Inc., and a … “sequel” (of sorts) to Batman and Robin’s third arc really helps to tie his ideas together. Morrison is telling a very epic in scope story here with many different areas to elaborate on, so giving this story it’s own mini with different artists has definitely allowed Morrison to play with some of his greater ideas. It ends up being it’s own reward as we’re given a look at the importance of Batman as a character and icon, and it serves to give Bruce Wayne a much needed reflect on his life (which will hopefully get rid of some of his grump).
Continued belowPlus, you gotta love Cowboy Batman vs. Vandal Savage and Jonah Hex. That was just awesome.
10. Supergirl
Who Makes It: Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle
What Is It: After crash landing on Earth much later than she expected, Supergirl has gone on to have her own adventures in a solo title. Most recently, she’s finally decided to match her cousin Kal by becoming Linda Lang and fitting into Earth’s society – that is, before New Krypton happens and sets her life all a-mess. Once that was all sorted out though, she was able to get back to her normal life – and fighting Bizarro Supergirl!
Why It’s Awesome (Matt): Sterling Gates is, for all intents and purposes, Geoff Johns’ protege. Since joining DC, the man has turned out nothing but great and solid work, even in the midst of jumbled up crossovers and mini-events. He’s also given Supergirl a complete turn around in terms of characterization, as most people sort of snubbed their noses at poor Kara until he came along. Now he has taken the book, given her a new sense of confidence and importance, and turned Supergirl into the crown jewel of the Super-family titles. Supergirl has been the one steady title throughout ALL of New Krypton (which was right when Gates came into the book), and has maintained high levels since. Gates has also been teamed with Igle for the majority of the book (minus an issue or two, such as the upcoming Bizarro arc finale), and the two make for an excellent comic book pair.
If there is one DC book that you should be reading and aren’t, it’s definitely Supergirl. Hands down, no questions asked.
