All of The New 52 comics from DC Comics released each week will compete in a NCAA like Bracket Challenge where I’ll determine which was the best comic. I plan to do these competitions for all four weeks in September and each week I will have a comic that was my favorite of the bunch. Only the first issues of The New 52 will be included in this completion and the weekly results will post on Sunday for each of the next four weeks. On October 2^nd I will have one final read of each of the four winning comics to determine the top first-issue comic of The New 52.

Round One

Catwoman vs. Wonder Woman–Most of the Catwoman story builds to a meeting with Batman where they become intimate for what is described as “not the first time.” She seems to be a purely sensual character drawn in various stages of undress – ideal for a teen audience but way over the top for me. Wonder Woman takes a mystical turn in her book as we see centaurs, Roman gods, and a mysterious woman. Overall the story was so different than what I would imagine a comic like this would be that I really enjoyed the book and even read it a second time. Winner: Wonder Woman

Legion of Super Heroes vs. Green Lantern Corps – The highlight of the Legion of Super Heroes book were the small text boxes that gave the reader and introduction to each character. Otherwise, the story jumped between 3 different locations with costume changes to challenge distinguishing each of the fifteen total characters we meet in the first issue – which was the worst issue of The New 52 to date and totally unfriendly to new readers. Green Lantern Corps was an intriguing read that was very new reader friendly. Through an interview we learn about the Corps, the powers of the rings they wear, what their job entails and the story gives you a strong reason to pick up issue number 2. Winner: Green Lantern Corps by a galaxy.

DC Universe Presents: Deadman vs. Captain Atom – The first issue of Deadman we get a back story as well as a history of the character to date. He must atone for the sins he committed in life by entering the lives of others and helping them overcome a challenge they face. Captain Atom had a story that was way over the top; with volcanoes erupting in Manhattan and a nuclear reactor melting down all at the same time. We never learn what the counter is in the corner of many of the panels, but the story was so horrible that I don’t really care enough to find the answer. Winner: DC Universe Presents: Deadman

Nightwing vs. Blue Beetle – Dick Grayson starts out the issue with a joyful taking back of the mantle of Nightwing after a year spent as Batman. The story hints at the timeline of the new DC Universe as Dick Grayson is said to be adopted by Batman and you don’t typically adopt an adult when their parents are killed. The internal monologues were insightful and helped move the story forward. Blue Beetle had multiple scarabs that would react like the rings of the Green Lanterns and seek out the next host. The story was targeted at an audience that did not include me and the highlight of the whole book was that one of the villains was dressed like a Dia de los Muertos character. Winner: Nightwing by a skyscraper.

Round one byes were given to Birds of Prey, Batman, Red Hood and the Outlaws, and Supergirl. Each will enter the Bracket Challenge in round 2.

Round 2

Wonder Woman vs. Birds of Prey – Wonder Woman has a ton of promise as a book. There are many things that are left unanswered in the first issue that I know I’d like to learn more about in future issues. Wonder Woman spends most of the issue protecting Zola, a woman who is pregnant with Zeus’s child – and doing a spectacular job of it I might add. Birds of Prey used a lot of flashbacks to tell the back story of the characters. I really connected with the story and thought the writing was impressive even though there were only two of the four characters on the team in the first issue. Winner: I will continue to read both books but Birds of Prey wins by a narrow margin.

Green Lantern Corps vs. Red Hood and the Outlaws – I have never been a fan of Green Lantern books but I really enjoyed this Green Lantern Corps issue. I learned that the rings can vocally interact with the wearer and then leave to find another wearer if a Green Lantern dies. There is a great evil threat that is going on a killing spree as well as an honest friendship between Guy and John. Red Hood and The Outlaws has very witty writing by Scott Lobdell and a group of castoffs coming together for a cause. Though I enjoyed the book overall, I felt it was more targeted for an audience that reads their comics for eye candy. Winner: Both books are worth picking up a second issue but I got more character development out of Green Lantern Corps. 

DC Universe Presents: Deadman vs. Supergirl – Supergirl spends the first issue being rocketed to Earth, fighting robots and believing she is just dreaming. She experiences all of her super powers once the sun starts to rise and is visited in the end by Superman. Overall the story is serviceable but I did not really connect with the character. Deadman must help to save a wheelchair bound veteran in the first issue of DC Universe Presents: Deadman. The back story was very complete and you can see the number of different people the title character has helped. Winner: DC Universe Presents Deadman for the serving the people aspects of the story

Nightwing vs. Batman – It is the recent (Dick Grayson) and current (Bruce Wayne) Caped Crusader challenge. Nightwing has some exciting fight scenes and a poignant moment when Dick Grayson returns to the circus where his family was killed. Nightwing is referred to as the “fiercest killer in all of Gotham” and the end of the issue demands you pick up the second issue. Gotham plays a major role in the first issue of Batman by describing what “Gotham is” rather than what Batman is. This book has everything for a fan of Batman; great villains, detective skills, Bruce Wayne appearances, Batcave scenes, Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, and a truly spectacular story. Winner: Batman

Round 3

Birds of Prey vs. Green Lantern Corps – Birds of Prey had a very gripping story with sleuth like reporters, strange looking armored soldiers, Barbara Gordon trying to help Black Canary, and we learn about Black Canary’s meta power – her scream. The reporter is saved from the high-tech soldiers and they are whisked away in an old classic car – just a really fun read. Green Lantern Corps was also an enjoyable read with the two main characters trying to get civilian jobs to follow their passion and we learn the names of all four Green Lantern’s who cover the sector Earth is in; Hal (Jordan), Kyle (Rayner), Guy (Gardner), and John (Stewart). It was a very captivating and well written book that I will certainly purchase a second issue. Winner: Birds of Prey by the slightest of margins

DC Universe Presents: Deadman vs. Batman – If I am honest, DC Universe Presents: Deadman faced some pretty minor competition up to this point beating one book I hated and the other book which didn’t connect with me. Once Deadman goes up against some real heavy hitters, it just can not compete. Batman is a heavy hitter as a comic book. It had simple character introductions with small blurbs for each villain and Batman family member. It had Joker seemingly turning sides to fight by Batman’s side only to learn a few pages later that it was Dick Grayson working undercover at Arkham Asylum. There was even a single panel of James Jr. as an Easter egg to Snyder’s Detective Comics run but it was subtle and would not make new readers feel left out. Overall you have a first issue that draws in both veteran and rookie readers alike. Winner: Batman and it’s not even close.

Round 4

Birds of Prey vs. Batman – Birds of Prey is a all female super-criminal covert ops team which is not typically the style I enjoy, but this book proved to not prejudge a book by its concept. Though artwork is secondary to story in my mind, Jesus Saiz does an amazing job with the art duties and really helps this comic story flow well. The major cliffhanger at the end of the book, and the fact that you’ve only met half of the team in the first issue, demands the reader pick up the second issue to see where the story goes. Batman however creates some tough competition for the all female team. There are so many layered aspects to Bruce Wayne as a character in the first issue alone; from interacting with Commissioner Gordon and beating up villains as Batman, to his more human side where he cares about his family and modernizing Gotham City. Since I spoke of art with Birds of Prey, Greg Capullo does a spectacular job of drawing both Batman as well as Gotham and the two page spread early in the book with many of Batman’s villains is incredible. Batman also has a dynamite cliff hanger which encourages readers to find out more of the story by picking up the second issue and beyond. Though I loved both books, in the end the Caped Crusader had a more complete first issue.

Week 3 Champion: Batman