Note: If you are coming into the comic expecting a New 52 version of the animated TV show, you will be disappointed. Also, I am going to keep spoilers to a minimum in my review. After many years of fans patiently waiting and hoping, it has finally happened. Batman Beyond has finally received his own solo title, effectively joining the main DC continuity. After reading the first issue, I have to say that it does a good job creating interest for the character and his world, but one major issue holds it back from being a solid first step. To being with, the comic’s major strength comes from Bernard Chang’s top-notch artwork. He does a fantastic job in creating the world of DC’s bleak future and the characters that inhabit it. Jurgens does an admirable job in fleshing out the characters through their interactions with each other, and overall creates a story that is average at best (like the fight at the beginning), and pretty good during certain moments (like Batman fighting a Cybernetic Superman). However, the major issue that holds it back revolves around Jurgens' exclusion of a Future’s End retrospective at the beginning or during the story. To summarize, Future’s End was a major comic book event that leads into this title, and is heavily referenced throughout Issue #1. If Jurgens had included a quick retrospective, it would have helped people who did not read Future’s End, such as myself, understand what is being referenced from it. Instead, readers who did not follow the event might feel lost and have many questions about what a character is talking about. It could lead to reduced enjoyment while reading the comic. In summary, Batman Beyond #1 is a good first step in bringing this underrated character into the main DC continuity. However, if you are not up to speed of what happened in Future’s End, you might experience some confusion while reading it.

Convergence has officially begun! This first issue is one of mostly explanations into what Convergence is, and what will mostly likely happen in the main and supplemental stories. It might seem like it is doing the same thing as the zero issue, but it does a better job of laying out the path the main story will travel while introducing the main heroes of the event; the surviving heroes of Earth 2. With consistently good artwork in each page, the first issue establishes a sturdy foundation for Convergence to build off of. My only concern stems from how effective Telos can and/or will be. Will he be as dangerous as Darkseid or the Anti-Monitor? Will he just be a lackey to Brainiac? Can he establish as a unique villian or seem like a Brainiac knock-off? Time will only Overall, I recommend picking it up if you are interested in the Convergence event or in the supplemental reading that coincides with the main comic.

The truth will set you free! Or in Superman’s case, the truth will set your world on fire! Greg Pak is one of the few writers in the business who knows how to write Superman well, and Issue #41 is no exception. It is a great start to what might possibly be an amazing storyline, and lays the blueprint to what will come next. My only concern with this comic was the inclusion of citations on certain pages that say to check out what happened to Superman in this comic that has not even been released. To me, that is just shameless promotion, and only serves to take you out of the story. I recommend this comic to fans of Superman, people who want to see the Man of Steel at his most vulnerable in years, and to people who want to read a story that encompasses other comic book publications.

Nightwing/Oracle issue #1 starts off with a bang, and continues along by illustrating how being under a dome for a year has affected the Pre-New 52 Gotham City. The comic is chronicled through the eyes of Barbara Gordon, a.k.a. Oracle, about how the citizens are trying to adapt, how the dome affects some of Batman’s villains, and how the feeling of isolation is affecting her personally and her relationship with Nightwing. It also sets up the next issue nicely with the coming of Flashpoint Hawkman and Hawkgirl to Gotham City. The strongest part of this issue comes from how the dialogue and artwork paints a great picture of Gotham City after a year under the dome and the strain it has put on the relationship between Barbara and Dick. The only dislike for this comic so far is that Gail Simone has not really given enough time to show how depressed Barbara really has become. She said she is, but it is only really shown through her narration only and a certain scene towards the end. Overall, I recommend this comic to anybody who wants to have a look into how the domes can affect citizens, villains, and heroes. Also to people who have been wanting to see the return of the Nightwing/Oracle power couple.

Secret Wars is shaping up to be the best decision Marvel has made with its comic books since the beginning of the Ultimate Line. Although this issue isn't as action packed as the first one or as world building as the second issue, the third issue’s strength is its character development of God Emperor Doom and his adviser Strange. It gives Doom a third dimension to his personality, while still showing he is still the same old Doom. It also gives Strange more character development and to show his strange “friendship” with Doom. The issue also answers a few lingering questions, such as what happened to Earth-616’s life raft? It also gives some answers to questions we probably didn’t have, like what created Battleworld’s sun? Overall, this issue does a fantastic job at giving character development to the main figureheads of Secret Wars, while still advancing the story along at a nice pace. If you are not reading Secret Wars, I highly suggest you start asap. It is not only Marvel’s game changer, but it is a fantastic read as well.

The Darkseid Wars has finally begun! After reading Issue #41, I feel that this must be said… If each issue after this one is as good as or even better; I have no doubt that The Darkseid Wars will be one of the best stories this year and possibly this decade. The story strikes all the right notes to near perfection due to its top-notch writing by Geoff Johns and stunning artwork by Jason Fabok. From its interesting start to its chaotic end, the twists and turns in this issue will keep you on the edge of your seat and anticipating what will happen on the next page. It also does a fantastic job in setting up the various story lines that will affect the overall plot. I am excited for what will happen in the next issue and for what Geoff Johns has in store. I recommend this to anyone who is still on the fence about reading it; who has been waiting for an opportune time to start reading the Justice League; and for people who enjoy epic comic book storylines.

Out of all of the comics I have read up to this point, this is still my absolute favorite to read. Set in the Charlton Comics Universe, Grant Morrison has done an excellent job in not only paying homage to Watchmen; but also making it stand out from it as well with its innovative storytelling. The only gripe I have with this comic is that this might possibly be the only issue of it with no planned continuation so far. Out of all the Multiversity stories that have come out, this one needs to continue. I recommend this to anybody who wants to read an excellent story; comic book reader or not. I also want to point out that this is the same reason to read Watchmen, the main inspiration of the comic.