Crutch wrote:
Just got a whole mess of the New 52. The biggest surprises for me are Animal Man, All-Star Western, and Batman and Robin.
On it's surface, the idea that Bruce Wayne's son is now Robin sounds kind of dumb, but I actually like Damien and the conflict between the two. It's a nice metaphor for how I felt about the whole DC relaunch with the New 52. It was too easy to dismiss with a cynical "here-we-go-again-DC," but once I've actually taken the time to see what they're trying to do it's actually pretty cool. Thanks to this thread for encouraging me.
Blue Beetle is another title I'm enjoying.
I'll have to jump into the new Sandman eventually. It sounds pretty promising. Is that Before Watchman any good?
If you like Damian, you need to read Grant Morrison's run on Batman and Robin (which is pre-New 52 and sort of right in the middle of Morrison's story). Dick and Damian really were the best. But really, all of Morrison's 7 year run on Batman is worth reading. He did some cool stuff with him, and I'm really going to miss him writing it. Start with Batman and Son (Batman #655-658) and go from there. I knew about Damian before I started reading it and thought the idea of Bruce having a son was incredibly stupid, but Morrison completely sold me on the idea by the end of that story.
And if you like Dick as Batman, Scott Snyder's Black Mirror is a must. None of Snyder's Batman work since has lived up to that, but I think Zero Year has the most potential thus far to do so.
I haven't read any of them, but reactions to the various Before Watchmen titles seemed to range from "don't bother" to "it's alright."
Sandman: Overture is plenty fine so far. Gaiman hasn't lost the voice or tone of the world after all these years, and Williams's art is incredible. But considering how expensive the singles are, I'd say it might be worth waiting for the inevitable trade.