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What is it:

• Characters – DC Entertainment will highlight its iconic characters, like Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, as well as popular characters, such as Batgirl, Black Canary, Bizarro, Cyborg and Starfire.
• Talent – The campaign will spotlight top writers and artists, as well as emerging fresh voices, who are on board to help create an expansive line of comics that appeals to a broad audience of fans.  Comic talent featured in the campaign include Batman’s Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, Superman’s Gene Luen Yang and John Romita Jr., Justice League’s Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok, Justice League of America’s Bryan Hitch, Black Canary’s Brendon Fletcher and Annie Wu, among many others.
• Stories – The campaign will engage the readership, showcasing the diverse range of styles and genres as well as approaches to storytelling across the New DCU through various taglines, such as Are YOU ready to laugh?, Are YOU ready to hashtag this?, and Are YOU ready for the new awesome?
• Fans – As the campaign name suggests, the New DCU is first and foremost about our fans and our commitment to creating great stories for all fans.  The campaign will celebrate life-long fans as well as those new to comics.

Publisher: DC Comics

Review: by The Superior Spider-Sam

DC comics and ”DC YOU” Has a Problem, but it Might Be Better Than You Think

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Now some may know this, but I only call myself the “Superior Spider-Sam” because I thought it was a name that sounded funny. I’m DC Comics to my core. Now before you stop reading because you are a Marvel fanboy, let me explain. Superman is and always will be my favorite fictional character. That doesn’t mean I then have to hate Captain America.  You get me? I like the classic and modern DC tales more NOT exclusively.  In fact, my reasons for “disliking” Marvel may be unique.

Doctor doom is my 4th favorite villain ever (I actually made a list so that’s not something I’m just saying). Marvel Comics has DOOM, they have Iron Man, they have Black Widow, they have Ares, Hercules, Norman Osborne, and the Sensational/Spectacular/SUPERIOR (my fav)/ Avenging/ Amazing/Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man. Marvel has an ENTIRE mutant race, the first black superhero, the god of thunder, ALL the Avengers you may never have heard of, the recently popularized devil of hell’s kitchen, and even a guy who eats freaking planets. Therefore, is UNACCEPTABLE to me, that even with all of that for years including 2012-most of 2014 the greatest superhero books on the comic shelves involved a man in a Bat costume chasing a clown, and fighting some owls (please note that I specifically said superhero book because we all know Saga and Morning Glories are that ‘ish). AvX ended terribly in 2012, followed by a reboot of comics I did not care for outside of Avengers and New Avengers. DON’T GET ME STARTED on Original Sin or AXIS – I will lose my mind.   

But, Marvel is still dominating (and I mean DOMINATING) the stands, right? In the top 10 sales for last month, DC Comics squeezed out 2 and everything else was Marvel. Now Star Wars is a big part of that admittedly, but Marvel deserves credit- clearly people are reading their books more.  But why?  I seriously do not know the answer- I want to know why Marvel succeeds and DC fails. I mean DC’s New 52 was a great success in the beginning, but then it died off. I have friends who tell me it’s simply because people were tired of reboots whether it be comic books or big Hollywood films like Spider-man. Fair, but I don’t think that’s it, I mean how many Avengers #1s have come out in the last 5 or 6 years? We had one after Siege, we had one after AvX, and we have one coming up after Secret Wars.

So then is it simply the characters? You saw my rant about their characters above- they may be cooler but I believe outside of a select few they tend to fall short recently, especially the X-Men. Is it that Marvel has better writers?  That could be it. DC letting Charles Soule go was a mistake they should never have made.  Perhaps it is just marketing?  Marvel wants and has their characters everywhere.  From talk shows to bus-stop posters, TV commercials, and their awesome subscription service Marvel Unlimited for tablets and smart phones.  

In my honest opinion, think the latter is a huge part of it combined with something else – us. We the modern day comic book consumers do not give DC Comics a chance to succeed, which is at least 50% on DC Comics themselves  with the way they have marketed themselves.  Now, why do I say that? I have plenty of good friends who tell me DC is no fun or it’s too dark or there is not enough action. I can dig that. DC Comics has traditionally been the darker of the big two and outside of Justice League these days, you won’t really find the set epic set pieces that Marvel constantly throws our way. You also won’t find characters that can do what Marvel characters are capable of. But you know what you will find? A GOOD STORY. Remember my rant above, DC Comics rules the stands with Batman. He doesn’t fight in space or cause giant explosions- he’s just a great detective who can fight. But his badass attitude and his amazing gallery of rogues makes his struggle for his city much more intriguing than Marvel’s Watcher getting shot by a mystery bullet. There is an issue of Batman and Robin after Robin had died in which not one panel had a word, but it was still the best comic of that week and gave you a case of the feels.

From Batman and Robin #18

I’m here to tell you that Batman is not the only DC book like that. Despite how you have felt about previous iterations, I am telling you that most (definitely not all) of the books in “DC You” are really, really GOOD STORIES!  Now let’s go down a list of DC You books I suggest you check out.

Action Comics

I’m not sure if many people fell off of this book since it started, but it is actually really good. Now you will have to read its companion series (Superman) if you want full details on why the Man of Steel is now the Man of slightly less stronger steel.  “DC You” shows us what it’s like if Superman isn’t all that super and what happens when the world knows his real name.

Batman 

Scott Snyder is still on this so I won’t even discuss. Read this thing- it’s still top 3 of the best books out.

Batgirl

Issue 41 starts the “DC You” branding of this book along with a new arc involving the new Batman, but its just as you may remember from right before when Brenden Fletcher and  Cameron Stewart took over writing duties.  This is another book with great action but better story telling.

Black Canary

Brenden Fletcher the man behind the new Batman, was in charge of Black Canary’s “DC You” retelling and it’s fantastic. She is now a rock star and lead singer of her own band as well as a butt-kicking super heroine. DC needs to keep this guy around because he is killing it.

Catwoman

This is a book I believe is underrated. It should be in the top 5 each month it comes out. This book has taken a DRASTIC swing form it’s New 52 roots. You will have to start before the “DC You” branding which started at issue 41 and go back to the beginning of Genevieve Valentine’s AMAZING run on this book at issue #35. Spinning out of Batman Eternal, Selina Kyle is now a crime boss of Gotham. She now has to head an organized crime family which puts her at odds with people like Black Mask and Penguin. Keeping it honest, this book has its moments of fighting and violence, but it’s not like a Michael Bay film in terms of action. The new twist on the character makes for fantastic storytelling and is a prime example of what DC and “DC You” are embracing.

Constantine the Hellblazer

I’ve wanted to like a Constantine book for a while. The original Hell Blazer was terrific, but even as a DC fan I have to admit his time with Justice league dark waned. Now, it’s just John Constantine doing what he does best- being an arrogant, smart-mouthed, and loveable exorcist. This book reads like a murder mystery as Constantine is trying to solve a murder…of ghosts. Yes, someone has found a way to kill that which is already dead and Constantine is going to stop him. 4 issues in I am loving this book. Please give it a try.

Cyborg

They gave him his own book and it’s awesome. This is one that has the action and the character development all in one great package. The enemy he is to face has yet to be identified- which I normally dislike- but just learning more about this new Cyborg outside the pages of Justice league is a welcome treat. Victor Stone is a character you want to get to know.

Grayson

If you didn’t know, the former Robin turn Nightwing is now a super spy…and he is really good at it. This book was killing it before the “DC You” branding and it still continues. It’s a spy thriller so there is plenty of intrigue, backstabbing, cool gadgets, and awesome fights. Check this out.

Green Arrow

Before you continue, if you did not read Jeff Lemire’s run on this book from issues #17 to 34, stop and go fix that. He turned a dead in the water series into a champion series that made plenty of pull lists. Now, picking up with the “DC You” rebranding we see the Emerald Archer chasing down a serial murderer in his city of Seattle. The villain is admittedly kind of weak, but it’s Oliver Queen’s newly discovered sister, Emi, that steals the show. She is just as good- if not better than Oliver when it comes to archery (this is all in Lemire’s run- seriously read it!) and has ruthlessness akin to Damian Wayne when she wants something. This would not be the highest on my DC You pull list (though I do pull it every week), but I feel it deserved a mention especially with the success of the TV show.

Gotham Academy

What happens in a private school funded by Brice Wayne, located in Gotham, and attended by a socially awkward yet curious and brave young girl? I get a FANTASTIC BOOK IS WHAT! Please, please, please read this if nothing else. This book is all the positive words you can think of and I am shocked it is not getting the attention it deserves. The mysteries of Gotham Academy demand any comic book lover’s attention.

Justice League

I shouldn’t even mention this as this post is for “DC You” comics you may be on the fence about or don’t care for. Justice League I not that. Justice League is on fire! This Darkseid War is the best thing in comic books right now.

Robin- Son of Batman

Damian Wayne- the absolute coolest Robin- is on a quest in the comic book. Turns out while still under the control of the Ra’s Al Ghul , part of his training involved what was known as “The Year of Blood.” It is as bad as it sounds, and now he is on a quest to right the wrongs he committed during that time, but there are some people he seriously pissed off that do not care how reformed he may be. Bad news for them is, this is not only an assassin he is also the son of the Batman.  Damian Wayne is always entertaining and in this book you’ll find action, mystery, joy, and laughter at those moments you again realize that Damian is only 10 years old.

Starfire

They finally dressed her more appropriately and moved the former Titan to Key West. This is literally the story of what happens when an alien moves into small town. Only 3 issues in, and it is one of the books I look forward to each month. This is a “lighter” books DC has to offer so it will appeal to those who aren’t fans of the dark and gritty. The characters are delightful and engrossing. Starfire herself is comedy gold most of the time with her lack of understanding Earth customs and sayings. For example if one says a phrase like “the straw that broke the camel’s back” you would see Starfire bewildered and a thought bubble above her with a picture of a camel struggling with a straw on its back. I didn’t think this would be as good as it is. Another “DC You” surprise.

Finally We are Robin

A spin-off of sorts from the Zero Year Arc in Batman, We are Robin stars a group of teens including Duke- the kid who aided and helped heal Batman after Riddler took over the city during Zero Year. These teens were wrangled together by a mysterious someone (whom most of the believe is Batman) to fight crime on the streets of Gotham. And, you guessed it, each of them wears his or her own variation of the Robin costume.  We mainly follow Luke in this first arc as he is contacted by the group and reluctantly joins when it becomes clear they are the only ones who can stop a bomb threat to the city. Following instructions via text message from the mystery benefactor (whom Luke know is not Batman) the Robins embark on a quest to stop the bombs and bombers before it’s too late. This is a book I feel will get better as it goes along. After issue #1 I wouldn’t have put it on this list, but it got better with each issue and is heading in the right direction. The story telling is tighter and the characters start to mean more to the reader.  This is one I would pick up weekly.

Honorable Mentions to: Superman, Green Lantern: The Lost Army, Harley Quinn, and Martian Manhunter, Midnighter, Injustice: Gods Among Us

Now, I went on Marvel earlier, so it’s only right I do not show bias and tell you that some of the DC books are some absolute TRASH. Remember the title of this article said “Might be better than you think” because it sure is not perfect. These are the ones to stay away from:

Aquaman – Just bad with the DC You reboot. No sense of direction and personally, I dislike Arthur’s new outfit.

Batman Beyond – Beyond Dumb; This book has failed both now and in the past to capture the magic of the TV show that was great. This spin off from the terrible Future’s End event is not worth reading.

Deathstroke – It’s nothing like fans of the Arrow TV show would want. It’s nothing like fans of the old Deathstroke would want. It has gorgeous art, but the story telling is not up to par as of yet. This has more hope than others though

Doomed – This new book by Scott Lobdell has its moments, but ultimately falls flat. I think it’s cancellation was already announced, but if not it will cancelled by next year.

Earth 2 Society – Needs to be scrapped and they need to start over. Earth 2 has been wholly uninteresting since the new 52 started. Outside of the lantern, none of the characters seem are that likeable.

Justice league 3001 – It saddens me that this has, ”Justice League” in the title. I cannot describe why this book is bad with words, just trust me. It is not good.

Teen Titans –  Bad. Just Bad.

Wonder Woman – Like Deathstroke it has amazing art, but the story isn’t going anywhere. Needs a new creative team.

There you have it. My thoughts on DC Comics and DC You so far.

Tell me what you think of DC’s new DC You so far in the comments below.