The New DCU: September 28, 2011 - A Simulblog

The following is a simulblog with Chad P. of Political Jesus, Josh Toulouse of Fat Train, and Arthur of Arthur the Lesser. You ought to be forewarned: there will be spoilers.

Chad's article, "Savage Nerdery: Week Four of DC's new 52: Simulblog Reviews," can be read here.

Josh's article, "The New DCU: Sept. 28, 2011, A Simulblog" can be read here.

Arthur's article may or may not exist in the future.

The final set of thirteen new titles were released this week: All-Star Western #1, Aquaman #1, Batman: The Dark Knight #1, Blackhawks #1, The Flash #1, The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men #1, Green Lantern: New Guardians #1, I, Vampire #1, Justice League Dark #1, The Savage Hawkman #1, Superman #1, Teen Titans #1, and Voodoo #1. If you've been following along and dedicating yourself like I have, then you've just finished reading all fifty-two of the new first issues. What do you think? As you know, I don't do issue-by-issue run-downs, but I'd love to hear your opinion. Let's get some good discussion going today.

Like my first post, the only thing that this post is concerned with is the Justice League. And there was a lot of Justice League this week. Aquaman, The Flash, The Fury of Firestorm, and The Savage Hawkman are all considered Justice League titles by DC's web site. Justice League Dark is not included on this list, but it features a recent variation of the Justice League (Batman, Zatanna, Wonder Woman, Superman and Cyborg) while also replacing the Justice League in a way with magical individuals. Batman: The Dark Knight, Green Lantern: New Guardians, and Superman feature individuals who have, at least at one point in time, been quintessential members of the Justice League. Teen Titans is like a baby Justice League. And finally All-Star Western gives the background of Gotham City, potentially impacting the back story of Justice Leaguer Batman.

I do not believe that we get a lot of important information this week regarding the battled between Superman and Batman this week. But I think this week was the best at filling in the gaps for the people on the cover of Justice League #1. Furthermore, I think that two of the greatest successes from the reboot came out this week: The Flash #1 and Aquaman #1. The reason that I think these books are successes is that I knew almost nothing about either Barry Allen or Arthur Curry, but after reading the first issues they have become two of the most interesting characters for me. Considering the fact that the goal is to bring in new readers, I think the reboot is at the very least a partial success. Barry Allen is the kind of superhero that I'm not familiar with. Batman is smart. Superman makes you believe. Green Lantern is strong of will. But Barry Allen is a sweetheart. One of two moments of strong emotion for me this week was when Flash was asked, "These things - It's as if they're personal to you?" And Barry responds, "They all are." (The other was the horrible feeling when Clark Kent went to Lois's door and met her boyfriend in Superman #1.) We can tell that he feels the troubles of the people he deals with. And it also seems clear that he's looking for love, which will probably be a really big point for this book. While the plot of the first issue did not intrigue me, I am incredibly intrigued by the character and where he is going.

Aquaman may be one of my favorite books of the entire reboot. Much like Justice League #1, the book is kind of subtle. There are no enormous earth-shattering battles. There is just Arthur Curry, the Aquaman, a half-Atlantean who wants to get to know his human half. The issue begins with Aquaman fighting crime not in the ocean, but in the middle of town. He then attempts to dine with the people only to be interviewed and made fun of. The book is incredibly comedic. When Aquaman orders fish everyone thinks that it is tantamount to cannibalism because they believe he talks to the fishes (and not in the "I got on the wrong side of the mob" kind of way), and when he's interviewed he's asked, "How's it feel to be nobody's favorite hero?" Aquaman #1 gives us an underdog story with a little bit of Little Mermaid added for zest, and it almost steps beyond the fourth wall insofar as it addresses our questions and mockery regarding Aquaman. I'm happy to see that Aquaman is Geoff Johns' new baby. I'm expecting that Aquaman is going to be the best DC comic within the year. I know it's bold. But so is my prediction that the Lions are going sixteen and oh this season. Boldness does not denote impossibility. It makes possibility.

Before giving you my scorecard for the entirety of the DC reboot, I want to tell you which comics from this week I am going to continue reading. All Star Western, Aquaman, The Flash, Green Lantern: New Guardians, Superman and Teen Titans easily made the cut. And who here loves how they're handling Kyle Rayner in New Guardians. I do. I do. There were a few shaky titles this week that I am at least going to read the second issue of, but likely no further. Batman: The Dark Knight was by far my least favorite Batman title, destroying Harvey Dent's brilliant Two-Face by transforming him into a titan serum Arkham Asylum video game wannabe. Ick. But I'm giving it one more issue because I'm biased toward Bat-books. Justice League Dark had an interesting villain and I loved seeing the current incarnation of the Justice League getting torn apart, sometimes literally. But I have little concern for the characters who are going to be the leads in this book. Well, except Zatanna. She's pretty awesome. The Savage Hawkman starts with an interesting idea and then turns it into a stupid mix of X-Files and Spider-man symbiotes. And while Voodoo has a lot of sexual exploitation, I felt like it told a decent story. I'm completely done with Blackhawks, The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men, and I, Vampire, though. It was hard for me to complete those first issues, let alone go out and get the second issues next month.

THE SCORECARD

All books are ranked from best to worst within their division of the reboot.

SUPERMAN

1. Action Comics #1*
2. Supergirl #1
3. Superman #1
4. Superboy #1

BATMAN

1. Batman and Robin #1*
2. Nighwing #1
3. Batman #1
4. Catwoman #1
5. Birds of Prey #1
6. Batwing #1
7. Batwoman #1
8. Red Hood and the Outlaws #1
9. Batgirl #1
10. Detective Comics #1
11. Batman: The Dark Knight #1

GREEN LANTERN

1. Green Lantern #1*
2. Green Lantern: New Guardians #1*
3. Red Lanterns #1
4. Green Lantern Corps #1

JUSTICE LEAGUE

1. Aquaman #1*
2. Justice League #1*
3. Wonder Woman #1*
4. The Flash #1
5. DC Universe Presents #1
6. The Savage Hawkman #1
7. Justice League International #1
8. Green Arrow #1
9. Mister Terrific #1
10. The Fury of Firestorm: The Atomic Men #1
11. Captain Atom #1

THE DARK

1. Animal Man #1*
2. Swamp Thing #1
3. Demon Knights #1
4. Resurrection Man #1
5. Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #1
6. Justice League Dark #1
7. I, Vampire #1

THE EDGE

1. All Star Western #1
2. Voodoo #1
3. Stormwatch #1
4. Men of War #1
5. Grifter #1
6. Deathstroke #1
7. Blackhawks #1
8. Suicide Squad #1
9. O.M.A.C. #1

YOUNG JUSTICE

1. Teen Titans #1
2. Static Shock #1
3. Blue Beetle #1
4. Hawk and Dove #1
5. Legion Lost #1
6. Legion of Superheroes #1

Well, that's it for The New DCU Simulblog. You know what's up. Make sure you leave some comments here and check out Josh's post, Chad's post, and Arthur's posts if/when it goes up. I think I'm going to feel a little bit more lonely with this simulblog out of the way. The question now is: What's next?

Anybody up for a simulblog on X-Men Regenesis?

My Favorite DC: Batman

A couple of the most interesting relationships in the DC universe are that which exists between Superman and Batman and that which exists between Green Lantern and Batman. Both of which are being explored in the first story arc of the new Justice League. While this particular comic won't deal with the relationship between Batman and Superman until the second issue, we know that Superman believes Batman to be fighting the right cause but that Superman does not like Batman's methodology, and vice versa. Justice League #1 does have plenty of time to deal with Batman and Green Lantern by showing that Hal Jordan wants to shine bright and let his enemies see him coming whereas Batman wants to stick to the shadows. Batman sees Superman as a boy scout and Green Lantern as a glorified police officer (and let's face it: Batman has a pretty bad idea of what police officers stand for from living with the corrupt police of Gotham), while they see him as a mistrusting misanthrope dwelling in the darkness. And yet all parties deem the others necessary.

When I lived in Fort Worth, Texas, I was attending a Divinity School. If you don't know what that is, then I guess it's pretty similar to a Seminary. I was attending a Master's degree program aimed toward Christian service, toward service of for the sake of God and man. The further I got into the program, the more I became skeptical and even cynical of Christian ministry, not because of the ministers, or, at least, not for the most part. I was surrounded by people training to be ministers who were incredibly thoughtful, critical and brilliant. They cared about people and were willing to devote their lives to them. But the people in the churches wanted their churches to support their laziness, their decision not to help their fellows in need, their businesses and their political parties. They wanted the Christian message to cater to their needs rather than allowing the radical ideas to unsettle them.

Each and every one of us was given a choice. We could serve in a church and project the light and the hope. We would be constantly hurt by those who chose selfishness of Dallas Cowboys football games over the socially conscious message of the Bible. And we would be paid better and have better job security if we didn't rock the boat. Or we could rock the boat. We could say what we felt called to say. We could do the right thing by suggesting that we ought to help those who have no protector, to do whatever we can to make sure those who have never had a voice can speak for themselves, to question the powers on this planet, the government, the wealthy, etc. Most of my friends have chosen to serve in churches, to hold the banner up, and to do the right thing in the brightest, most visible way. But I felt like I couldn't do that. I couldn't be paid for my service, because I feared that it would corrupt me and silence the voice in my ear that tells me what is right. I had to be able to point out hypocrisy wherever it arose, be it in my country, in my school, in my church, in my apartment complex, in my family, or inside of me. For the longest time, I felt alone because of this. I wondered why I couldn't just be like the other people. I felt sick to think that I was pursuing another degree and adding money to my student loan debt only to emerge without viable job options.

Batman was my way of making sense of all of this. Batman was the individual who was willing to put everything else aside for the sake of what must be done. And I'm not talking about the ends justifies the means sort of stuff that Kiefer Sutherland is always doing when he's Jack Bauer on 24. (Batman does not use firearms. Batman does not kill. And Batman does not torture. He takes the high road, even when it makes everything harder for him. He chooses the smart option and the right option over the expedient option.) I'm talking about the fact that sometimes people have to sacrifice their own well-being for the sake of doing the right thing, the fact that sometimes you have to risk losing friends and you just have to be a prickly individual because justice hangs in the balance.

Now, I am making my way in life. I continue to look for teaching and writing positions, but until then I just have to do hard work where work can be found. I'm starting a family with my girlfriend Amy. And I'm doing everything I can to stand up for what I believe is right. You may say that all of this diverges from Batman's identity, but I think you're wrong. Batman's life is devoted to hard work in the form of preparation and confrontation. And though he's something of a rough individual, he has one of the biggest families in the DC universe. He's mentored a variety of Robins, Batgirls and Batwomen. He's loved, truly loved, a couple of women. And after all of his time playing the surrogate father and mentor to orphans, he now has his own son named Damien to father. Though he's a difficult man, Batman is a beloved member of the superhero community.

In all truth, I think I kind of agree with Green Lantern and Superman. Batman shouldn't exist. He shouldn't have to exist. But, like them, I think it is a better idea to fix the world that created such a difficult man than to try and "reform" the Batman himself. Batman is a mechanism of our broken world, our corrupt world, and his purpose is to right the wrongs of a sick society, not by any means necessary, by the right means. This is why I look up to Batman, and this is why he is one of my favorite DC characters.

The New DCU: September 7, 2011 - A Simulblog

The following is a simulblog with Chad P. of Political Jesus, Josh Toulouse of Fat Train, and Arthur of Arthur the Lesser. You ought to be forewarned: there will be spoilers.

Chad's article, "Savage Nerdery: Week One of DCU's New 52: Simulblog Reviews" can be found here.

Josh's article, "The New DCU: Sept 7, 2011 A Simulblog," can be found here.

As for Arthur, he is satisfied with leaving comments here and there.

This week's "The New DCU" post is a little late compared to last week. Whereas one new comic came out last week (Justice League #1), thirteen comics came out this week (Action Comics #1, Animal Man #1, Batgirl #1, Batwing #1, Detective Comics #1, Green Arrow #1, Hawk and Dove #1, Justice League International #1, Men of War #1, O.M.A.C. #1, Static Shock #1, Stormwatch #1, and Swamp Thing #1). Instead of doing an individual review of each comic book (remember how long my review of Justice League #1 was?), I have decided to do an overview of the construction of the new DCU as witnessed by these thirteen comics followed by a rundown of which comics I intend to continue reading. If you have a question or want to discuss one of the comics or interesting moments that I didn't have time to address, leave me a comment. We'll turn this into a forum if need be.

Since last week's article focused on the Justice League as the center of the new DCU, I think perhaps it would be wise to spiral out from that center. While Geoff Johns and Jim Lee's book takes place five years before the establishment, several comics this week give short testimonial to the shape of the Justice League in the present (or nearer to the present). Stormwatch is a predecessor of the Justice League that has been "protecting the world from alien threats for centuries." Martian Manhunter is cited as a member of the Justice League. He even says, "I am known in some quarters as a hero. I can wear that shape. But when I need to be a warrior I do it with Stormwatch" (Stormwatch #1). When Animal Man leaves his house to negotiate a hostage crisis, his son asks if he can come along and film his father's heroism. He says that he will send it to the Justice League as an audition tape (Animal Man #1). The Justice League International is created as a United Nations controlled version of the Justice League, and it features Green Arrow as a Justice League contact and Batman as a Justice League connection (JLI #1). Finally, Batwing references a group of heroes known as The Kingdom who seem to be something of an African Justice League (Batwing #1). From these citations, the Justice League is understood as a very public organization whose members are heroes working for the sake of the greater good.

Since Justice League #2 is supposed to feature a battle between Batman and Superman, I thought it wise also to gather some information about who these heroes are. Action Comics #1 appears to take place before the events of Justice League #1. It features a Superman who is not nearly invincible, who is not as powerful as a speeding train. Lex Luthor muses that the "'Superman' who appeared six months ago could hurdle skyscrapers and toss trucks around" but that he is now faster and stronger and soon will be unstoppable. By the time of Justice League #1, Lex's prediction may have come true. Superman seems to be a fully formed "blur" capable of easily defeating Green Lantern, a character armed with the most powerful force in the universe, a green power ring. The Superman of Action Comics #1 is the people's Superman, a Superman who does not believe that the law works for the rich and poor alike. As such, Superman is illegal, the enemy of the city of Metropolis, not its favorite hero. (The issue is titled "Superman Versus the City of Tomorrow.') Superman creates of himself a cautionary tale, saying, "You know the deal, Metropolis. Treat people right or expect a visit from me." This is the first time that I've met a Superman that I really think I can relate to. In a time of idealism in American values, Superman was a patriot, but his patriotism slowly seemed to be a fault. In the 1980s, Alan Moore's The Watchmen spoke of the problems that happen when one nation has a superman and others don't. Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns shows what happens when you insert the Superman of the 1940s into a post-Nixon America. He becomes a dog for the federal government, serving the corruption of the powerful. In many ways, Morrison's Superman is the anti-Frank-Miller-Superman. He is the Superman who should be, not the Superman who could have been. (I know Chad will be a fan of this discussion because of his love for Superman and hatred for Miller and Moore's pessimism.)

Batman appears in Batgirl #1 (He doesn't actually appear, but Batgirl is described as his star pupil), Batwing #1, Detective Comics #1, Justice League International #1, and Swamp Thing #1, but none of these seem to date nearly as far back as Superman's appearance in Action Comics #1. Detective Comics #1 features a solo Batman and possibly Harvey Dent as district attorney (unless the Harvey they referred to was Harvey Bullock...), so it is potentially pre-Justice League and potentially similar to the era of Justice League #1. The Batman of Detective Comics #1 is pretty similar to the Batman we have known and loved for years. As Bruce Wayne, he is a playboy. As Batman he is hated by the corrupt Gotham police, romancing "a certain cat" that Alfred does not agree with, and most importantly, he is engaged in a strange dialogue with arch-villain The Joker. All of these projections suggest that the Batman of Justice League #1 is almost indiscernible from the Batman we know and love, except insofar as he is potentially younger and slightly more green. My guess is that he is not the experienced Batman who was capable of defeating Superman in stories like The Dark Knight Returns and Hush. The question of who will win in a battle between Batman and Superman may come down to a much more simple question, "Is the new DCU's Batman enough like our Batman? Does he always have kryptonite?"

I suppose we'll find out on October 19.

The concept of time in the new DCU is really interesting. Action Comics takes place a long time ago, but references events that happened six months ago. Animal Man takes place more recently, but references how things were "over the last three years." Batgirl reflects upon what happened in the past, how the Joker shot Barbara Gordon, she was paralyzed for three years, and then she recovered. Stormwatch #1 takes place after the events of Superman #1, which hasn't even been released yet, and reflects on centuries of history. There are a couple of really cool things that happen when every comic is taking place at a different time. First, it makes it easier for creators to explain what is canon and what is not canon from previous comics. Second, there is a sense of history that can be denied if fifty-two comic books started either "at the beginning" or "now." Third, the timeline resists what I call "The Wolverine Paradox" (a paradox that applies just as readily to Marvel's Spider-man and DC's Batman and Superman, as well as plenty of others). Sometimes over the last few decades it has seemed like Wolverine pops up in every single Marvel comic book every single month. If one presumes that each story is happening concurrently and that each feature Wolverine in a different place, then there is a problem. But if the presumption is removed that all comics happen at the same time, like in the new DCU, then Batman or Superman can appear in every single issue of every single DC comic book without a problem. The downside of every comic taking place at a different time, however, is that the timeline becomes incredibly confusing. I'm having trouble figuring out when events happen in reference to one another, and what exactly would be defined as "the present," if such a thing even exists in the new DCU. Right now, it's not as big of a problem, but in the weeks and months ahead I can see this turning into serious confusion.

Before I go on to my recommendations, I want to reflect for a moment on something that Arthur said in his previous post, "Why I Can't Simulblog," which can be read here. I have entered into the new DCU wide-eyed and excited, mostly because of my lack of knowledge concerning the old DCU. This new DCU gives me a chance to really talk about DC comics without feeling like a total noob. I felt this way until I encountered what I will call "Arthur's Prophecy." Arthur, who has read his fair share of DC comics and really knows his stuff, wrote, "And when subtle jokes about the previous continuity seep in, we’ll talk about them… and then someone will appear from the old universe. And then little pockets will come in. And the second there is a crack on the dam that is right now new and fresh and hip eventually the DCnU will be flooded out by the old stuff, and then I’ll add Flashpoint (2011) to the gradual death of the medium." I went into this week with my eyes open to possible cracks. Batgirl directly references the events of Alan Moore's The Killing Joke. Batwing seems to presume the events of Morrison's Batman run have taken place. Those don't seem to be terribly problematic. It is just another way of populating the universe. Hawk and Dove, however, refers to the possible existence of a crisis. Whether it's Crisis on Infinite Earths, Zero Hour: Crisis in Time, or Infinite Crisis, or some other crisis altogether, we potentially have our first crack. A crisis could potentially welcome another world in which the events of the old DCU were still canon, and it could potentially allow for travel between universes. Fearing Arthur's Prophecy, it is my express wish that DC explains this crisis as something as simple as Darkseid or Brainiac trying to take over the world rather than time bullets and Superboy punching reality.

As for my picks, I intend to keep reading Action Comics, Animal Man, Batwing, Detective Comics, Stormwatch and Swamp Thing. Animal Man was the comic that really surprised me this week. Blending the horror of Alan Moore and Darren Aronofsky, Jeff Lemire delivered a surprisingly frightening vision of Buddy Baker and family. I am still on the edge about Batgirl and Justice League International. Batgirl seemed more interested in editing than telling its own story, but I will probably continue reading simply because she is a part of the bat family and I'm intrigued by this villain who is targeting her. As for Justice League International, I think I'll keep reading it because of its Justice League and Batman tie-ins, and also because I have a strange love/hate relationship with Booster Gold. But the art isn't all that great, there are too many characters, and there is no apparent interesting story. I expect that I am going to abandon Green Arrow, Hawk and Dove, Men of War, O.M.A.C., and Static Shock. I love the person of Green Arrow, but like Hawk and Dove, O.M.A.C., and Static Shock, this comic seemed like too much of a 90s callback/reject. I am interested to know if we saw Captain Marvel and Black Adam battling in Men of War or someone else like Superman and Zod, but not interested enough to keep reading. And I'd really love to know more about this crisis that killed the original Dove, but I'll read more about it on the message boards. None of these decisions are set in stone, however, and I would love to hear which ones you Must Read, Maybe Read, Won't Read and whether or not you think I should change my mind.

Tune in next week for Batman and Robin #1, Batwoman #1, Deathstroke #1, Demon Knights #1, Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #1 (I've wanted to see more of him ever since Morrison's Seven Soldiers of Victory!), Green Lantern #1 (with Geoff Johns!), Grifter #1, Legion Lost #1, Mister Terrific #1, Red Lanterns #1, Resurrection Man #1, Suicide Squad #1, and Superboy #1. Until next week, read Chad P.'s article, "Savage Nerdery: Week One of DCU's New 52: Simulblog Reviews" and Josh Toulouse's article, "The New DCU: Sept 7, 2011 A Simulblog." And don't be shy. Let's start a really great discussion in the comments section about the stuff we didn't get a chance to discuss. Here's a possible prompt:

To paraphrase the great poet, "Can't read my, can't read my, no, he can't read-a-my Joker face."

The New DCU: August 31, 2011 - A Simulblog

The following is a simulblog with Chad P. of Political Jesus, Josh Toulouse of Fat Train, and Arthur of Arthur the Lesser. You ought to be forewarned: there will be spoilers.

Chad's article, "Savage Nerdery: The New Genesis of DC Comics, A Simulblog," can be found here.

Josh's article, "The New DCU: August 31, 2011, A Simulblog," can be found here.

And Arthur's article, "Why I Can't Simulblog," can be found here.

In the scheme of things, I don't know much about the old DC universe. And maybe that means that this new DCU was created for me. As a matter of fact, if it weren't for the influence of Josh Toulouse, Arthur, Amy Bolan and Chad P., I'd probably still be shouting out, "Make mine Marvel" and reading every single X-Men-based comic since 1963. (I've made it all the way to the last months of 1988. That's 25 years of comics.) Since I'm not exactly the oldest supporter of DC comics, I thought I'd lay it all out for you. I've read select Batman stories from 1987's Batman: Year One to 1993's Batman: Knightfall, select Green Lantern stories from the destruction of Coast City in the 1990s to the last few comics before Blackest Night, some stand-alone stories like Elseworld Batman tales and All-Star Superman, and I've been present for several conversations regarding the DCU. The only thing I know about Flash or Wonder Woman is what I learn in cross-overs like Final Crisis. I am a noob to the DCU, and this is the perspective that I am bringing to this simulblog series.

I believe that it is significant that Justice League #1 is the first comic book to be released in the new DCU. With a release date of August 31, 2011, it is the only comic book of the new 52 that doesn't have a September release. Furthermore, its permanent spot on the release schedule is the third week, with Justice League #2 coming out on October 19, 2011. Justice League's September release came out almost a full month early. I think this points to one of the most interesting architectural changes the DCU has ever seen. Whereas the original DCU began with independent heroes isolated to their particular city and acting out independent stories with independent sets of villains only to be brought together somewhat awkwardly a couple decades later, the new DCU begins with unity. The old DCU set up its borders, whereas the new DCU begins with heroes crossing borders. Justice League #1 begins with the Green Lantern of Coast City crossing into Batman's Gotham City and it ends with both heroes crossing into Superman's Metropolis. Hal Jordan comments that the entire space sector belongs to him, but his concept of dominion is soon changed when Superman knocks him flat on his butt.

This serves as a good segue-way into a discussion of who's who in the Justice League, and what the purpose and effect of the Justice League will be in the new DCU. Already we've met Batman, Green Lantern, and Superman. (Since these three are the main characters of the first issue, does this mean that the Big Three of the old DCU, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, are about to be overthrown?) Batman is somewhat insular and brainy, and when he meets Hal Jordan he almost seems as if he's something of a socially inept geek. Of course, he wows Green Lantern by his crime-fighting prowess despite his lack of super powers. Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern, is incredibly over-confident, and it seems clear that he has yet to be knocked down a few pegs by a truly good villain (or by Superman). Batman makes it clear that if he keeps shining his light everywhere he's going to get people killed. Some things never change. Superman is perceived as a rogue alien from Metropolis, and despite the confidence of both Batman and Green Lantern it seems to me that the two heroes are merely covering over the fact that they're kind of terrified of this Kryptonian powerhouse.

The first words that Geoff Johns writes in Justice League #1 are: "There was a time when the world didn't call them its greatest super heroes. There was a time when the world didn't know what a super-hero was." Clearly, by "them" Johns intends to name the Justice League. One is lead to believe that the time when the world didn't value or know of super-heroes includes the events of this issue, which happened five years ago. Not only were the members of the Justice League unknown; they were downright feared. The first part of the story features the Gotham City Police Department indiscriminately firing upon both Batman and the alien that he is chasing (and later Green Lantern). One officer communicates over the radio, "Is it one of them?" and is answered, "The way they're leaping twenty feet at a time? I'd say yes." This leads one to believe that the humans are scared of what in the old DCU would be called metas, individuals with super powers. (Ironically, the GCPD considers Batman "one of them," a meta.) The second part of the story features a Superman who may not stand for truth, justice and the American way, who may not have taken to heart all the simple country values of his Smallville origin and the responsibility that his powers entail. This may just be a self-serving Superman, and he may just be the reason why the world is up in arms against metas. Of course, this is only the state of events from five years ago, a dark period in the history of the new DCU perhaps, but in this same opening we are given hope. Johns suggests that the Justice League will become the greatest heroes, and perhaps just as importantly, the world will recognize them as such.

On the surface it appears that Darkseid is going to be the villain who unites the Justice League and allows them to rise to their rightful place in the new DCU. The alien that Batman tracked through his detective skills and that Green Lantern tracked with the alien-detecting device known as his Green Lantern power ring mentioned the villain before self-detonating. The alien that it took both Batman and Green Lantern to defeat was merely a minion of a higher power, the power of Darkseid. Darkseid and his army of followers are certainly a big enough threat to require the combined power of the world's heroes. Of course, this would be too simple. When the heroes duke it out in Metropolis, they do so in a demolition zone, a site that is being prepared for Lexcorp construction. The sign promises that Lexcorp is "building the city of tomorrow today." An astute reader will notice this and wonder if Lex Luthor is the true villain behind the events that will assemble the Justice League. Of course, this is a new universe: perhaps Lex Luthor is to the Justice League what Professor Charles Xavier is to the X-Men in the Marvel Universe (or what Nick Fury is to the Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe).

Overall, the new DCU appears to be focusing on subtle storytelling rather than flashy new adventures. Of course, that may just be Geoff Johns, but with Justice League as the flagship comic book, it would seem that other writers will be pushed to do the same with their titles. Not only will the new DCU be populated with new and interesting takes on characters, but it appears that a large span of time will be populated with new and interesting takes on the stories that these characters enact. Already, we have a look at what the world looks like five years ago in Justice League #1. I think we can assume that some titles will start their stories now whereas other titles might plunge back even further. We have met Batman, Green Lantern, and Superman, but we don't know how they come to be heroes. I'm not 100% certain where Johns is going with the Victor Stone/Cyborg story, but it seems interesting. It looks to me like Vic's father is spending all of his time studying metas so that his football playing son might some day walk among them as an equal. Of course, there's always that chance that Vic Stone might be transformed into Cyborg as a means of humanity fighting against the metas. Oh, and I'm sure that we'll see Wonder Woman, Aquaman and Flash at some point, too. After all, they are on the cover...

Next week, I intend to read every single new release. That means I will be reading Action Comics #1 (with Grant Morrison!), Animal Man #1, Batgirl #1 (I'm really interested to see how this one plays out), Batwing #1, Detective Comics #1, Green Arrow #1, Hawk and Dove #1, Justice League International #1, Men of War #1, O.M.A.C. #1, Static Shock #1, Storm Watch #1, and Swamp Thing #1. Of course, since I don't believe I could possibly read every DC comic for the rest of my life, I'll probably start crossing comics off the list if they don't interest me as much. Until then, however, read Chad P.'s article, "Savage Nerdery," Josh Toulouse's article, "The New DCU," and Arthur's article, "Why I Can't Simulblog."  And don't forget to leave your own opinion on the new DCU.

Why You Couldn't Be Batman, Part Three: Of Fists and Feet

Part One: Introduction can be viewed here.
Part Two: Those Wonderful Toys can be viewed here.

Bruce Wayne has seemingly endless bankroll and a first-rate mind, but so does Bill Gates. Is Bill Gates Batman? He most certainly is not. Like Bruce Wayne, Gates gives massive amounts of money to charities that attempt to right the structural wrongs of society - poverty, hunger, etc. Unlike Bruce Wayne, Gates is not a well-oiled machine, a human weapon who places his body, his everything, between the victim and the victimizer. I praise a man like Bill Gates, both because he has given away such a substantial portion of his wealth to people in need and because he does so while being non-fictional, but he's no Batman.

In a way, Batman is understood as police officer par excellence. He is the best detective. He is a fantastic fighter who does not need a gun and who does not kill perpetrators. He transcends law when law is not in the service of justice. Just as one might imagine that there must always be a police force, a group of individuals donning the uniforms of the dead or retired generation after generation in order to pledge solidarity against crime, so also there must always be a Batman. This is why an exhausted Batman had to push on in the "A Lonely Place of Dying" and "Knightfall" storylines, why Jean-Paul Valley / Azrael donned the cape and cowl when Bruce Wayne's back was broken and why Dick Grayson / Robin I / Nightwing became Batman after Bruce Wayne's death.

Whereas there is a police academy dedicated to training young people to replace the old guard, there is no Batman academy. (After writing this, however, I was alerted that because of the events of Batman Incorporated, there now appears to be a Batman academy.) If there were, Azrael would not have become a dangerous tyrant of a Batman. In training to become Batman, Bruce Wayne left his home as an angry young adult, traveling throughout the world in order to learn the best of martial arts, of illusion and of striking fear in ones opponents. This is one of the dominant themes in the 2005 film Batman Begins. The idea that I have gotten from the various manifestations of Batman, in comics, on TV, in movies, is that if there is a better fighter than Bruce Wayne then Wayne has either trained with this person or engaged in mortal combat with this person. Batman is a member of the Justice League, a founding member, and he is generally understood as someone you don't want to mess with. Were he simply a brain this would not be so. Even the most powerful heroes must have some resonating fear that Batman can best them physically, and this speaks well of the Batman's physical prowess.

There was an individual a few years back who had made a great deal of money selling rap records. I wish I could remember his name! But this individual realized that he was in a situation where he could become like Batman. As this story was told to me, I crossed my fingers that the next words would describe the rapper's journey to become an accomplished and self-controlled fighter. Instead, I heard the story of how this rapper had bought a Batmobile and Batman outfit.

I think that Batman's endless fight against crime and the sacrifice of his body is especially important when we think of Batman's mere humanity, of his mortality. Bruce Wayne can be injured by a knife or bullet just like any of us. He is no man of steel. And yet, unlike most of us, Bruce Wayne continues to best the most heavily armed enemies in spite of the obvious and real threat to his life. If you cannot do this, then you are not Batman.

Though I've largely made my point regarding Batman's martial arts ability and bodily sacrifice, I would like to discuss, for a moment, Batman and his relationship to violence. The most important truth about Batman is that he abhors violence. If he believed that violence could be stopped without resorting to further violence then he would no longer fight with fists and feet. Born in blood, Bruce Wayne wants nothing but to serve justice by ending corruption and bloodshed. It should be clear in any Batman story that Batman only wishes to disarm and capture adversaries, that killing is never a viable option. And yet that's not always the case. In the original Tim Burton Batman films, Batman straight up kills villains. There is no way many of these thugs could survive what Batman does to them. The video game Batman: Arkham Aslum is incredibly violent, and even beyond the idea of blowing up villains with concrete walls, the placement and force of Batman's punches and kicks could easily paralyze or kill villains.

I wanted to bring this up in order to caution first against striving to be a Batman who kills, but also to question whether training to become a vigilante who could die any day is anything you should aspire to. This series could be critiqued as holding Batman up as an example we ought to follow. Quite frankly, I don't know that people should learn how to meet violence with violence. In fact, I don't know that people should ever strive for Bruce Wayne's wealth. Even his level of intelligence is something I wouldn't be quick to recommend. It's a good way to feel alone. All the time. I do think that the Batman stories help individuals in moral development, but similar to religion, I caution against a monkey-see, monkey-do mentality.

Of the next post on why you couldn't be Batman, all I can say is that there will be blood. As you can probably guess, we will be dealing with Batman's tragic origin and its consequences.

Part Four: Crime Alley can be viewed here.

Neil Patrick Harris

Actor Neil Patrick Harris. Everybody's been raving about this dude for years, so I'll bet you have an expectation of what I'm going to tell you. You think I'm going to tell you that he was hilarious as himself in the Harold and Kumar movies, or as Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother. Both are fairly true, but that's not what I want to tell you. You immediately begin to think that I'm referring to the fact that he can sing and dance as witnessed by his roles in Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog and Glee. These are interesting facts, but not my concern today. I want to raise up Harris's true talent: voice acting. He was amazing as the voices of Nightwing in Batman: Under the Red Hood, Flash in Justice League: The New Frontier, and Spider-Man in the 2003 animated series. NPH, you've found your true calling!