The Top 5 Comics of DC's New 52

I am an unashamed DC Comics nerd. I have seen every single DC Comics animated film ever made, own pretty much every DC video game for the past two console generations (including, embarrassingly, the terrible Young Justice and Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe games),  I regularly watch every episode of their live-action series shows (Arrow, The Flash, Constantine, and even [shudder] Gotham) and spend an unnecessary amount of money each week on just DC comics.

I absolutely adore the universe and, more specifically, the great characters that inhabit it. Oh, I’m not talking about Superman, Green Lantern, the Flash, or any of the other big names that everyone knows. I’m talking about the myriad side characters that make up the DC universe that are truly unique and fleshed out. Something that, at least to me, the Marvel Universe lacks. Sure, Marvel’s main characters are much more present and varied then DC’s. But I have always felt that Marvel’s side characters have lacked a little something.

At any rate, the DCU is one of my favorite fictional universes. With the recent news that the DC’s relaunch line of the The New 52  is coming to an official end after the two month long Convergence event series, I thought it was time to take a short look back at what I feel are my favorite series of DC’s New 52.

HM: Injustice: Gods Among Us

I wanted to start this list off quickly with one cheat. Technically, Injustice: Gods Among Us is not a part of the New 52 world. Instead, it stands on it’s own in it's own universe. But, despite being a video game tie-in, this book has consistently BLOWN my mind. If you haven’t read this series, pick it up now. It’s a wonderful exploration of all the DC characters and what they are truly capable of when the absolute worst happens. The answers may surprise you. But what makes this series work is the true despair, grief, and sadness that comes from the characters that both feels incredibly strong and yet insanely believable, given all that we know about these characters after decades and decades of development. Many long-time characters die in this series and every single one breaks your heart in new ways because, due to this series stand-alone nature, we know that it’s actually permanent in this world. So it hurts. Read this series. Do it now. Why are you still here?

#5: Batman/Superman

While I have never been a huge fan of Superman as a standalone character, I have always found him to be at his most effective as a foil to other DC characters. And there is probably no greater opposite to Superman then Batman. What makes this title so great (besides Jae Lee’s always ridiculously gorgeous artwork) is how it juxtaposes Batman and Superman so clearly; from their methods, their beliefs, even their personalities. Outside of one truly atrocious storyline (the terrible Game Over storyline that also dropped Jae Lee’s art) this series compares and contrasts Bruce and Clark in constantly interesting ways while still exploring the true and powerful friendship that these two characters have for each other. A must read for any fan of this nerd-tastic bromance.

One quick sidenote: It’s this comic that has me optimistic for the upcoming Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice movie. While Man of Steel was FAR from a perfect movie, I find Synder’s decision to have (SPOILER) Superman murder Zod to be extremely interesting. I really hope they explore this gap between the two superheroes. On the one hand you have Batman, a dark and brooding hero who also vows to never kill anyone. On the other, you have Superman, a hero usually seen as a bright and shinning beacon of pure, unwavering goodness who has also committed the act of murder. If used correctly, these two characters can become BRILLIANT foils for each other as total contradictory characters in every way who still find a way to work together. Anyways, thanks for allowing this digression.

#4: Swamp Thing

There is so much to say about this series. From the excellent exploration of existential ideas to the brilliant storylines and artwork, Swamp Thing has never failed to amaze. While the series started with a great storyline, Rotworld, by the masterful Scott Synder (who, spoiler, will be appearing again on this list) that explored how Alec Holland dealt with the responsibility of becoming the Swamp Thing, the series really took off when the reins were handed to Charles Soule.

While I was originally extremely worried and skeptical with Synder’s departure, Soule took the series to new heights. Freed from the almost 2 year long Rotworld storyline, Soule began to explore smaller, yet no less impactful, stories that explored Holland’s drive, belief systems, and despair while attending to the duties of the Swamp Thing. It’s an absolute shame that this series will not be surviving the relaunch post-Convergence as it truly was a shining gem of the DC Universe. Though knowing comics, the Swamp Thing won’t stay down long.

#3: Harley Quinn

One of the big disappointments of the New 52 has been it’s treatment of many of it’s female characters (look no further then Starfire). However, one female character (along with Wonder Woman and Batwoman) who finally got a chance to really grow was Harley Quinn. While Harley Quinn has always been one of my favorites. It wasn’t really until recently that she really struck out on her own. Usually playing second fiddle to the ever popular Joker, Harley finally broke away from that abusive relationship and grew on her own. After finding independence in the pages of Suicide Squad, Harley finally got her own series, which has quickly become one of DC’s top sellers. As one would expect, Harley’s comic is zany and insane, yet completely adorable and endearing. Harley has quickly become the DCU’s version of Deadpool, breaking the fourth wall with ease and going on wacky adventures just for the hell of it. But what makes this series work is how believable Harley somehow remains, despite the zaniness of her adventures. Harley feels genuine sadness and happiness that constantly rings true. Harley’s bisexuality is also constantly explored in a believable way, with a non-committed but loving relationship with Poison Ivy. It fills me with joy that after Convergence, Harley Quinn will not only continue but also be getting a spinoff team-up comic with Power Girl. I am so down.

#2: Animal Man

Another New 52 series that ended too soon, Animal Man is an absolutely brilliant series.  Like Swamp Thing, the bulk of this series initial run dealt with the Rotworld storyline. It was a great storyline that wonderfully crossed over with Swamp Thing (and, for a short while, the F.R.A.N.K.E.N.S.T.I.E.N. series) that allowed writer Jeff Lemire to explore Buddy Baker’s motivations. Yet what made this series so unique as compared to the rest of the DCU was it’s incredible focus on family. With a wife and two children, Buddy has more to think about when he dons his costume then most heroes. Buddy’s sometimes opposing senses of duty and family are woven deeply into the series. Also like Swamp Thing, this series really took hold after the end of Rotworld.

Fair warning however. This series will break your heart. There are several moments that nearly destroyed me and the final issue of this series was the first comic that ever made me truly weep. The final images of this run are impactful and poignant, giving this book the wonderful finale it deserved, even if it came too soon.

#1: Batman

Did you really think it could be anyone else? As much as I wanted to give the top spot to a lesser known series, I couldn’t justify it. From day one, the amazing team of writer Scott Synder and artist Greg Capullo have knocked every single issue out of the park. From the truly creepy and mind-blowing Court of Owls storyline to the brilliant retelling of Batman’s growing pains in Zero Year to the great exploration of the Joker/Batman relationship (as well as the relationship between Bruce and the entire Bat-family) in Death of the Family and Endgame, this series has never let go. A sad tendency of many writers when it comes to Batman is to forget to make Batman human. Batman can be really easy to make larger-then-life. Everyone forgets that the whole point of Batman is that he is just human. Unlike Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and many other DC superheroes, Bruce Wayne is vulnerable. He can make mistakes, which is something that many writers and comic fans alike forget that Batman can even do. Yet Scott Synder gives us a Batman who is fallible and still can have the strong presence that the character of Batman embodies.

This series run is all about the relationships that Bruce has. From Batman’s relationship with his rouge’s gallery to Alfred to Gordon and to the Bat-Family, Batman is given more of a heart in Synder’s run then ever before. The series is also helped by Capullo’s ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT AND BEAUTIFUL ARTWORK. Also, let’s not forget the amazing coloring this series employs, especially during the Zero Year arc. Never before have a I seen such a harmonious fusion of art and content in a DC or Marvel mainstream comic. Despite everything, Batman is still number one.

Cause HE’S BATMAN!!!!!

Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments. I always love to hear feedback, good or bad. Thanks for reading.

The Walking Excellence: How The Walking Dead Manages to Stay on Top.

By James Earl

This past weekend, the AMC TV series The Walking Dead returned to for its second half of Season 3, once again breaking all kinds of cable viewership records. All this despite having to compete with the Grammy awards also on that night. With the show continually growing more popular, it’s surprising (or perhaps not so surprising), that the television has still managed to push boundaries and retain a stellar and consistent quality. The Walking Dead series has been translated into numerous mediums and yet in each medium it has still maintained an excellent standard of quality. What is it about The Walking Dead series that has allowed it to earn both critical acclaim and commercial success in not just one, but five different artistic forms?

AMC's The Walking Dead keeps breaking cable viewership records

For those that don’t know, The Walking Dead series originally started as a comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and drawn by Tony Moore way back in 2003. While the comic is still on-going, the series has grown into a full blown franchise, with the TV series starting in 2010, a series of webisodes in 2010, a series of books based on the comic starting in 2011, a multiple award-winning video game based on the comics in 2012 (which is also a favorite of the Pixel Splatter writers), not to mention an upcoming video game based on the TV series continuity and a sequel to the original comic-based game. For the especially nerdy, there are even well-reviewed Walking Dead board games. However, within each of these different mediums, from comic book to TV to internet to video games to literature, The Walking Dead never seem to dip in quality, and, even more surprising, has become leading examples in each medium.

So what is it about The Walking Dead formula that allows it to have (such) unqualified success and quality? Perhaps it goes back to its original mission statement. In the first issue of The Walking Dead comic book, writer Robert Kirkmen wrote “How these characters get there is much more important than them getting there. I hope to show you reflections of your friends, your neighbors, your families and yourselves, and what their reactions are to the extreme situations on this book.” Perhaps this is what gives the Walking Dead its power. The Walking Dead is supposed to a reflection of ourselves. While zombies certainly create the impetus and stress for the characters, it’s not the zombies that are important. Like all good zombie or horror fiction, the horrific force is just the impetus for an exploration of character. One only has to look at the recent slew of bad horror movies to realize that when one focuses on the concept too hard instead of characters, the whole thing falls apart.

The popular comic series focused on the characters, not the zombies

This focus on character has certainly helped out the franchise in all its forms. The TV show’s characters have always felt engaging. The ideological battle between the optimistic Rick and the survivalist Shane led to one of the most engaging character studies on television in recent years. In the video game, the relationship between protagonist Lee and the young girl Clementine, and Lee’s (and the player’s) willingness to do anything to protect her echoes every parent or family members love and caring for their loved ones. The Walking Dead only provides an impetus (zombies) for these characters to be put to extremes and show who they really are when society crumbles. It allows us to see what ourselves and our neighbors are really like.

However, it might also be the flexibility of the premise that has helped the Walking Dead. The original comic series certainly left a great blueprint to look at, but it’s how the other mediums were able to make the ideas their own that really helped make them unique. Instead of being a paint-by-the-numbers interpretation of the comic book, the TV series forged its own way. While still following the basic plot and characters of the comics, the TV series took great diversions from the source material. The diversion to the CDC, Shane’s survival past Atlanta, Andrea meeting the Governor, and even the creation of fan favorite character Daryl were all ideas created specifically by the TV show’s writing team, and are nowhere to be found in the comic series. This allowed the TV series to not be bound by preexisting continuity, and allows them to surprise comic readers and new fans alike. This flexibility can also be found in the video game which, despite being set in the same fictional universe of the comics, follows a completely different group of survivors. Despite all the differences between the mediums, it’s the themes that ties them together and still makes them The Walking Dead.

The video game may follow a different group of survivors, but its themes echo those in the other mediums

However, perhaps it is Robert Kirkmen’s other statement in his original issues that really shows the power of the Walking Dead. “I want The Walking Dead to be a chronicle of years of Rick’s life. We will NEVER wonder what happens to Rick next, we will see it. The Walking Dead will be the zombie movie that never ends.” From the very start, Kirkmen wanted The Walking Dead to be something different. Instead of a movie that starts and ends in two hours, The Walking Dead will, hopefully, never have a true finish. Instead, it will keep going on like real life. The story of the survivors of the zombie apocalypse should not be condensed or shorted for, like real life, the dangers and struggles that they encounter are faced on a daily basis. From the very start, The Walking Dead has dreamed to be something that never really ends. If the quality and the sheer beauty of the storytelling keeps improving and pushing new methods of storytelling, here’s to hoping that it never does end.