Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Ranking All 52 of DC Comics' New #1s

Last month, DC Comics embarked on an unprecedented experiment. They cancelled all their ongoing titles and restarted them all with new #1s. The "DCnU" -- as it's colloquially known -- consists of 52 brand new series. I've read them all. Here's how I rate them, starting at the top with my favorites (the books that everyone should read) and working my way down to my least favorites (the books that everyone should avoid like a techno-organic virus) Here we go:

1. All-Star Western
2. Swamp Thing
3. Batwoman
4. Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.
5. Batman
6. Action Comics
7. Resurrection Man
8. Justice League Dark
9. Wonder Woman
10. Batwing
11. Nightwing
12. The Flash
13. Captain Atom
14. Aquaman
15. Teen Titans
16. OMAC
17. Green Arrow
18. Green Lantern
19. Voodoo
20. Birds of Prey
21. Animal Man
22. Justice League
23. Stormwatch
24. Batgirl
25. Green Lantern Corps
26. Justice League International
27. Batman & Robin
28. Blackhawks
29. Superman
30. Suicide Squad
31. Men of War
32. Superboy
33. Mister Terrific
34. Supergirl
35. Deathstroke
36. Static Shock
37. The Fury of Firestorm
38. The Savage Hawkman
39. Blue Beetle
40. Legion of Super-Heroes
41. Demon Knights
42. Red Lanterns
43. Batman: The Dark Knight
44. I, Vampire
45. Green Lantern: New Guardians
46. Detective Comics
47. DC Universe Presents
48. Grifter
49. Legion Lost
50. Catwoman
51. Hawk and Dove
52. Red Hood and the Outlaws

I kind of wish I had time to write more about these books because I've actually got a lot to say about some of them and about the entire line-wide reboot in general, but I just don't have the time. If you've got specific questions or thoughts about my list, leave a comment and I will definitely try to respond with more details. In the meantime, here are some "awards" for the #1s (and just the #1s -- the quality of the second issues could change the outlook for a lot of books):

Most Dramatic Reboot: Stormwatch
Least Dramatic Reboot: Legion of Super-Heroes
Smartest Reboot: Green Arrow
Dumbest Reboot: The Fury of Firestorm
Most Confusing Reboot: Red Hood and the Outlaws
Best Art on the Worst Book: DC Universe Presents
Worst Art on the Best Book: Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.
Biggest Disappointment: Justice League
Most Pleasant Surprise: Justice League Dark
Most Overrated: Demon Knights
Most Underrated: Teen Titans
Best Costume Redesign: Nightwing
Worst Costume Redesign: Deathstroke
Sleepers To Keep Your Eye On: OMAC, Superboy, Voodoo