Dc Universe

"They've been resurrected - for a reason!" That's the tag line for DC's ambitious and mysterious new title, "Brightest Day. " Issue No. 0 sets the stage for the series, briefly introducing readers to the recently resurrected characters who again have a role to play in the DC Universe. They include: Boston Brand, Aquaman, Reverse-Flash, the original Captain Boomerang, Hawkman and Hawkgirl, Maxwell Lord, Martian Manhunter, Jade, Ronnie Raymond, Osiris and Hawk. Thanks to the deft storytelling by writers Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi, new readers are brought up to speed on each of these characters' powers and importance.

The "Countdown" has begun! On May 9, DC Comics debuted "Countdown," a year-long weekly series - the series starts with issue No. 51 and then counts down to No. 0 - headed by comics superstar Paul Dini, an Emmy-winning writer best known for his work on "Lost" and the classic "Batman: The Animated Series. " With DC fresh off the conclusion of the best-selling, critically acclaimed weekly series "52," many wonder if fans will be ready to embrace another weekly series for a year.

A despotic ruler of a Persian Gulf nation sponsors anti-American terrorism and rubs out anyone who opposes him. How would you take care of this tyrant? - (a) pound his country with countless sorties, (b) nuke the slimeball, or (c) call Superman? While the U.S. public regularly choose options (a) or (b), the editors at DC Comics appear to be playing topical in this month's "Superman. " In the latest issue, the guy in tights escorts Marlo, the tyrannical leader of the fictional nation of Qurac, back to the United States for a Manuel Noriega-style trial.

The first appearance of the popular African-American comic character Static in the regular DC Universe is in the new "Terror Titans" miniseries. This is good news for fans of Static, who has starred in both an animated TV series ("Static Shock") and a video game. It has been almost 16 years since the origin of Static, when he starred in a solo book and was considered one of the linchpins of DC's Milestone imprint - a line that featured African-American characters in a universe that was not only separate from the DC Universe but one in which DC icons like Superman were considered fictional and characters like Static were considered the real deal.

Dynamite has attempted to spin off one of its more-popular franchises yet again with its "Battlestar Galactica: Ghosts" title and chosen to do so with a virtually unknown cast - Cylons excluded. Despite the scarcity of fan-favorites or even recognizable faces, the book succeeds in giving readers their money's worth. At $4.99 a pop that may seem like a tough task, but writer Brandon Jerwa and the publisher are more than up to it. Jerwa seems to take his cast of unknowns as a challenge.

The last time Barry Allen was a prominent player in the DC Universe, Ronald Reagan was president and Buddy Ryan had just been named head coach of the Eagles. Yes, 23 years is a long time to be absent and with the release of "The Flash: Rebirth" No. 1 this month, we see Allen returning to find the world he left behind is a very different place. It should be noted that, for many readers - and even those who have grown up with Wally West as The Flash on TV cartoons - Allen will be a very different Flash.

When I did a column on "Manhunter" back in May, I was informed it got some people to try the book. Then, a couple weeks later, DC Comics announced it was cancelling it. But apparently there were others like me who found the book unique. DC's Dan Didio stated that he had never seen such strong fan reaction on a title he had cancelled. Less than two months later, he declared it "uncancelled" and said that instead of ending with issue No. 25, the book would get at least one more arc that would take it to No. 30. DC will judge it again after that.

WHEN DC EXECUTIVE Editor Dan DiDio stated that the new weekly series "52" would "redefine what readers would and should expect from comics," it seemed yet another bit of bombast from DC's hyperbolic head man. But after a single issue, DiDio may have understated his case. "52" is magnificent. The story is simple but complex: In a world without Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Justice League, what heroes will step forth to take their place and confront the dangers of a new and changing world?

A relaunch of the Justice League of America doesn't happen every day. Re-energizing a title that had been published almost continuously for more thanfour decades, featuring the world's most popular and recognizable characters - Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash and Green Lantern - is a daunting task. Fortunately for DC Comics, they found best-selling novelist Brad Meltzer. Meltzer (who will do a signing for his latest novel, "The Book of Fate," Sept. 21 at Chester County Book Co. in West Chester)

"Everything that was yours is mine to ruin," says Hurt, the latest arch-foe with a master plan on how to destroy Batman, in "Batman and Robin" #16. One could make the case that this is what writer Grant Morrison is telling longtime Batman fans - that their ideas of what Batman and his place in the DC Universe should be are obsolete, and that he is going to shatter them. Which is surprising. Though some of Morrison's more radical ideas cross into randomness and incoherent storytelling, he had reined himself in on "Batman and Robin.

"Everything that was yours is mine to ruin," says Hurt, the latest arch-foe with a master plan on how to destroy Batman, in "Batman and Robin" #16. One could make the case that this is what writer Grant Morrison is telling longtime Batman fans - that their ideas of what Batman and his place in the DC Universe should be are obsolete, and that he is going to shatter them. Which is surprising. Though some of Morrison's more radical ideas cross into randomness and incoherent storytelling, he had reined himself in on "Batman and Robin.

"Diana is far too undervalued by this world. This must change. " So says a character in the landmark issue " Wonder Woman " No. 600 - and this issue goes a long way toward changing that. Besides the development within that has hit the comic community with the force of a nuclear bomb (see below) it is clear DC made a conscious effort to make this issue special for fans, while reminding everyone what makes Diana Prince iconic, special and deserving of sales numbers and respect accorded the other two members of "DC's Trinity," Batman and Superman . Virtually everyone who has made a substantial contribution to the Wonder Woman mythos the past two decades is included in No. 600. Gail Simone , who is credited with bringing stability and a modern sensibility to the character after a problematic relaunch a couple years ago, ends her run with a short story that accentuates WW's place in the DC Universe.

"They've been resurrected - for a reason!" That's the tag line for DC's ambitious and mysterious new title, "Brightest Day. " Issue No. 0 sets the stage for the series, briefly introducing readers to the recently resurrected characters who again have a role to play in the DC Universe. They include: Boston Brand, Aquaman, Reverse-Flash, the original Captain Boomerang, Hawkman and Hawkgirl, Maxwell Lord, Martian Manhunter, Jade, Ronnie Raymond, Osiris and Hawk. Thanks to the deft storytelling by writers Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi, new readers are brought up to speed on each of these characters' powers and importance.

Though Comics Guy has been underwhelmed with DC's team-up title "The Brave and the Bold" lately, he was looking forward to the debut of superstar J. Michael Straczynski ("Babylon 5") on issue No. 27, starring Batman and Dial H For Hero. It is one of the most pleasant surprises in comics I have experienced this year. Straczynski makes Dial H For Hero compelling, the overused Joker actually seem a little fresh and Batman almost touching. It is one of the best comics I have read this year - and proves that Straczynski not only knows how to spin a helluva story but write dialogue as well or better than most in the business.

The last time Barry Allen was a prominent player in the DC Universe, Ronald Reagan was president and Buddy Ryan had just been named head coach of the Eagles. Yes, 23 years is a long time to be absent and with the release of "The Flash: Rebirth" No. 1 this month, we see Allen returning to find the world he left behind is a very different place. It should be noted that, for many readers - and even those who have grown up with Wally West as The Flash on TV cartoons - Allen will be a very different Flash.

The first appearance of the popular African-American comic character Static in the regular DC Universe is in the new "Terror Titans" miniseries. This is good news for fans of Static, who has starred in both an animated TV series ("Static Shock") and a video game. It has been almost 16 years since the origin of Static, when he starred in a solo book and was considered one of the linchpins of DC's Milestone imprint - a line that featured African-American characters in a universe that was not only separate from the DC Universe but one in which DC icons like Superman were considered fictional and characters like Static were considered the real deal.

Dynamite has attempted to spin off one of its more-popular franchises yet again with its "Battlestar Galactica: Ghosts" title and chosen to do so with a virtually unknown cast - Cylons excluded. Despite the scarcity of fan-favorites or even recognizable faces, the book succeeds in giving readers their money's worth. At $4.99 a pop that may seem like a tough task, but writer Brandon Jerwa and the publisher are more than up to it. Jerwa seems to take his cast of unknowns as a challenge.

Comics Guy absolutely loves Kate Spencer, so he hopes she can excuse him for reviewing her series for a third time. Why the apology, you ask? Well, the first time I reviewed Kate Spencer's alter-ego "Manhunter" (issue No. 21), I was told I helped increase awareness and sales for the character, but the title's cancellation was announced less than two months later. Then, when I reviewed issue No. 26, I was again told I helped increase awareness and sales. However, despite that and an arc featuring Wonder Woman and Batman, less than two months later DC announced the title was being cancelled again.

The "Countdown" has begun! On May 9, DC Comics debuted "Countdown," a year-long weekly series - the series starts with issue No. 51 and then counts down to No. 0 - headed by comics superstar Paul Dini, an Emmy-winning writer best known for his work on "Lost" and the classic "Batman: The Animated Series. " With DC fresh off the conclusion of the best-selling, critically acclaimed weekly series "52," many wonder if fans will be ready to embrace another weekly series for a year.

When I did a column on "Manhunter" back in May, I was informed it got some people to try the book. Then, a couple weeks later, DC Comics announced it was cancelling it. But apparently there were others like me who found the book unique. DC's Dan Didio stated that he had never seen such strong fan reaction on a title he had cancelled. Less than two months later, he declared it "uncancelled" and said that instead of ending with issue No. 25, the book would get at least one more arc that would take it to No. 30. DC will judge it again after that.