Although at this point in time the new DC 52 are sort of the moderately scuffed DC 52, I still want to take a moment to weigh in with some comments. Particularly, Catwoman was held up as a reprehensible example of what would be wrong with the new comics. Well, I’ve read a lot of first issues and some second issues, and here’s what we got generally.
1. These are not comics for new readers. If you don’t know the DC universe, you will be so very, very lost. The idea that these comics are being rebooted to attract new readers is patently false. There is no set-up or characterization that marks these characters for you. You fall into the action, and you’re supposed to figure out what’s going on and why. Without that background, it is nigh unto impossible.
2. These are not comics for women or girls. I haven’t seen a single one of the new 52 that portray women in an intelligent or developed way. You might hold up Batgirl as an example. We’ll see. Because of number one above and number three below, the jury’s still out. Most of the characters, not just women, are cardboard cut outs. Some of the characterizations are just horribly, horribly yucky. And I use that terminology as an academic.
3. These comics do not tell stories. The majority of these comics just sort of throw you in some punchy action, and hope you don’t notice that the writing is just not there.
4. These comics clearly pander to adolescent male fantasy. Some of you might say what’s new.
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Of course, these are generalizations, and are not true for each and every new 52 comic. I thought I’d give you a break down of a really good one, and a really bad one.
Deadman: I am always happy as a reader to see the return of Deadman. The story of Boston Brand is a story of a man on a path to redemption. He is truly trying to do good by the people he possesses. Writer Paul Jenkins starts you in the action, but establishes DM’s motivations early on. The style of Deadman harkens back to its heyday in the 70s. I will be looking forward to the next issue of the comic to see if the creative team can keep delivering.
Catwoman: I learned a few things from this comic–Catwoman has at least one red bra. Catwoman and Batman don’t wear underwear as a rule, because when they have sex, they clearly didn’t have to remove any as they didn’t take their uniforms off. Which leads me to all sorts of questions about Batman and athletic support, but I digress. Also, Catwoman doesn’t mind using pretty much any excuse to get down to her underwear, much to the delight of the target audience of the comic.
Yup, Catwoman is about the most shallow sex and violence. Each happens with absolutely no reason or motivation from the characters. It is supposed to be enough to excite and titillate via visual image, rather than tell you anything. Catwoman is either flashing a character in the book or hitting a character in the book. Oh, she takes about four panels out to talk to an ugly friend who can put her up at an expensive hotel, but that’s about it.
So, if you’re looking for really soft porn and titillation, this is your book. Knock yourself out. If you’re looking for a real story, you ought to be reading something else. And I wouldn’t let my imaginary children at any age near this book. It sends all the wrong messages about men and women and how they ought to behave.
So, to summarize:
New 52? Meh. Write better. Don’t expect me to be excited by adolescent pablum.
Deadman: You guys got the message! Good work!
Catwoman : You guys could aspire to pablum. Good luck with that.
See you guys later,
Cath
I think the commentary at the bottom of http://www.statesman.com/life/books/a-look-at-the-best-and-worst-of-2010712.html?viewAsSinglePage=true sums it up pretty well. His top o’ the year picks are pretty dead-on, too.