Hey all! NG’s resident DC fan-girl (and Batgirl wannabe) here, I’ve once again decided to pick up my pen and dazzle, or bore, you with my opinions and insights into the New 52 Universe. As mentioned in my previous articles, DC decided to reboot their Universe, leaving many the Bat-fan trembling in their wake. At first I was unsure of what to make of this decision as, for one, a recent reboot had already taken place and, also, I’d invested a lot of time (and money) into their pre-52 story-arcs. Eventually I decided to nerd-up and give the New 52 a chance. DC Comics had not failed me yet, so why would they start now (*cue Batman theme tune*).

This time I was determined to do things right. Instead of focusing on one character’s story-arc, I made the decision to delve into many, thus giving me a more rounded opinion of this new Universe. My pre-52 collection mainly focused on the tales of Gotham, chiefly on Batman’s subordinates, rather than the big man himself. This time, however, I decided to branch out to the other towns and cities of DC, even to that of Metropolis and Smallville, despite my aversion to most things Superman. So far I have dipped into numerous storylines and I’m pleased to report that there have been very few disappointments (at least none quite as bad as Ryan Reynolds’s Green Lantern).

From what I’ve read so far the real stand outs have been;

• Justice League; Origin (Volume One)
• Batgirl (Volume One)
• Huntress (Of which I’ve read issues 1-6)
• The Court of Owls (Volume One)
• Batwoman (Volume One)
• Birds of Prey (Of which I’ve read issues 1-6)
• The Movement (of which I’ve read issues 1-3)
• Talon (of which I’ve read issues 0-1)

*As the more avid DC fan may have noticed I missed a few ‘0 issues’ there, a fact that has led to a few sleepless nights*

Evidently the majority of my favourites focus on the exploits of DC’s female superheroes and most are affiliated with the Bat-Clan… But let the nerd without bias cast the first stone! Personally I blame my well engrained loyalty to ‘girl-power’ and my over exposure to all things Gotham. Eventually I will get round to reviewing  a few of my choice favourites individually, though in some cases I would prefer to wait until the first volume is completed, rather than give my opinion on an incomplete story-arc. There are also a multitude of tales I still haven’t got round to, though not for want of trying, These include Catwoman (I’ve only read one), The Flash (I’ve read none) and Voodoo (no comment). One I’ve really looked forward to is ‘Trinity of Sin: Pandora’, but upon arriving at my local nerd HQ (aka; comic book store), I was horrified to discover I’d somehow managed to miss the first two issues (cue weeping and gnashing of teeth).

Now as NG followers will know our mantra is to write about what we like as opposed to ranting about what we don’t. So, therefore, I will refrain from listing those I was less impressed by. However, I will SUGGEST to stay away from a man with a penchant for the colour green (whose name also rhymes with sparrow) and will also INFORM you that my opinion of a certain sun-loving man currently remains unchanged.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not as well read as I’d like to be, though this is due to a brief lack of funds which, thankfully, has now been rectified. So once again, I am a nerd with a cause and have already planned and sourced numerous issues/volumes that I need (and yes, I mean NEED not want). So, like a plethora of the DC characters that we once thought dead, I’ll be back!

Siobhan