Week One of DC’s New 52 had some stars: Animal Man, Detective Comics, Swamp Thing. Week Two brought us a pleasant surprise in Superboy, and Batwoman gotta whole lotta love. But I felt Week Three really brought us both the best and, unfortunately, the worst of the New 52 so far.

Starting with the best. We’ve been waiting for it. Scott Snyder writing Batman. And BATMAN #1 did not disappoint. Terrific book. Thought the opening page really set the tone for the book. Thought including all the “Robins,” Alfred, Jim Gordon, Harvey Bullock, Vicki Vale and the Rogues Gallery gave us a perfect overall view of Gotham. Thought the plot was laid out great. Loved that Mr. Snyder was able to add his “creepy mystery” touch to the book. Great job! Read it up!

Really liked NIGHTWING #1 and RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1, too. While the two books could not have been further apart in style, plot and tone, I highly recommend them both. Thought it was hilarious (and truly the one and only overall error DC has made with the New 52) that Nightwing said, “For almost a year I’ve been filling in as Batman.” Which while I suppose is technically correct, but if the Justice League was formed five years ago… yep, I’m nitpicking. But I do think it was a mistake to try and put dates on events. It never works. And don’t you dare tell me someone’s age!

The surprise of the week was DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1. Featured Deadman. And Evel Knievel! Very strong start. Just enough Deadman history without getting bogged down in history. Explained the character in very broad strokes. Read it up!

And I will put those four titles up against any of the others that we have seen so far. And since grades are now required. They all get A’s. Heck, Batman gets an A+.

The GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1 jumped right into a Guy Gardner/John Stewart action adventure. CATWOMAN #1 was titled and also ended with the words, “and most of the costumes stay on.” Batman makes an appearance and, yes, it does mean what you think it means. And like many, many of the issues we have seen so far in the new DCU both BIRDS OF PREY #1 and SUPERGIRL #1 were pure set-up issues, which I enjoyed, and we will have to see where they go from here. B’s all around.

LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #1 gets an I for Incomplete because, as I mentioned last week, I just don’t read the Legion. Tell us what you thought!

BLUE BEETLE #1 gets an unfair D from me because I’m not remotely close to a 16-year-old Hispanic boy. But to DC’s credit I will give them props for publishing a wide range of “genres” in the New 52. There is something for everyone.

CAPTAIN ATOM #1 I flat out did not like. Captain Atom looks like he is going to die on the last page and by the time I got to the last page I really didn’t care. D-.

Which brings us to Wonder Woman. Poor Wonder Woman. WONDER WOMAN #1 was one of the more highly promoted, highly anticipated books. Brian Azzarello, Cliff Chang. Everyone was rooting for a Wonder Woman book we could read. I just have one question: What the hell was that!?!?! Missed on so many levels. Worst one I have read yet. Horrible. And that, my friends, would be an F!

It is worth noting that I also hated the first issue of Moon Knight and have nominated every issue since for Best Book of the Week. So we shall see what happens with Wonder Woman. In the mean time, read Batman! Or Nightwing! Or DC Universe Presents! Or…

See ya!

Rusty