With Rebirth now in full swing and so many exciting new titles to try, we can’t blame anyone for needing a reminder of what happened in the last issue. Or maybe you’re looking to add a new book to your list and need to get caught up on earlier chapters? Either way, we’re here to help. Every Tuesday, we’ll be recapping the prior issue of that week’s new Rebirth and Hanna-Barbera comics, as well as sharing our favorite moment. It’s a quick, easy way to ensure you’re up to speed and ready for New Comic Day. We hope you find these recaps helpful, but be aware that they do contain some spoilers!

 

 

Batman #1

By Tom King, David Finch, Matt Banning and Jordie Bellaire

A Kobra operative has shot a plane out of the sky above Gotham and Batman has mere minutes to save not only the passengers but also any civilians in the impact zone. Wasting no time, Bruce jettisons himself from the Batmobile to land atop the plummeting aircraft. While clinging to the hull, he plants remote controlled booster engines along its exterior to reroute the crash to the bay rather than the city skyline. Doing so will save the passengers, but there is no way for Bruce, still maneuvering the wreckage from the outside, to survive the collision with the water. Undeterred, Batman is prepared to sacrifice himself for the good of the passengers. He relays his goodbyes to his family for Alfred to pass along, but the impact never comes. Two flying, super strong heroes catch the plane inches above the water. They call themselves Gotham and Gotham Girl, and they’re here to save the city, whether Batman wants them to or not.

Unforgettable Moment: As Bruce radios what he believes are his final goodbyes to Alfred he asks if this, if saving these people on this plane, should be considered a “good death”—if it would make his parents proud. Alfred, unflinching, does not hesitate to say yes, they would be proud, as proud as he ever was.  It’s a poignant moment of vulnerability for a traditionally stony Dark Knight.


Green Lanterns #1

By Sam Humphries, Robson Rocha, Jay Leisten and Blond

Jessica and Simon’s distain for one another continues to grow as each one thinks they can do a better job than the other.  After stopping a Red Lantern fanatic, the two make a grisly discovery, finding multiple dead bodies in the basement of an abandon house. Just as A.R.G.U.S. shows up to investigate the crime scene, a massive explosion spurs a huge structure to grow out from the foundation of the house. Atrocitus disciplines Bleez on planet Ysmault for causing the structure to be “born” prematurely—claiming that the Red Lanterns’ survival depends on the “Hell Tower.” Through an intense vision, Simon learns he has the ability to experience Emerald Sight.

Unforgettable Moment: We have to go with Simon’s vision. Not only is there so much mystery as to why the ring chose him, but now we have to wonder what this Emerald Sight ability is!


Superman #1

By Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray and John Kalisz

Superman’s son Jon playfully chases the family cat, Goldie, around the farm. When a hawk swoops in and snatches her up, young Jon panics and loses control of his powers—releasing a beam of heat vision that incinerates both Goldie and the hawk. Overcome by the emotion of the situation, Jon looks up in tears and notices a young girl who saw the whole thing. During dinner, the young girl drops in, offering a gift of fresh milk and introducing herself as Kathy Branden—explaining that her grandpa just bought the dairy farm across the way. After she leaves, Lois encourages Jon to hang out with her, but the moody teen erupts in an emotional tantrum about how much he hates having to live their lives in secret. Later that night, Jon spots his dad talking with Wonder Woman and Batman and is likewise spotted by them. In shock, Jon is surprised further when his costume-clad father asks him to join him.

Unforgettable Moment: Jon accidentally incinerating Goldie is a sad moment that shows the fragility of life and the fine line guys like Superman and other heroes must walk. It will be interesting to watch the super son continue to grow and progress—both in life and with his powers.


Green Arrow #1

By Benjamin Percy and Otto Schmidt

The pursuit of the Underground Men and their masked employers leads Ollie, Dinah, and Emi uncomfortably close to home when they find Queen Industries shipping containers are being used to traffic the victims. Ollie questions his CFO Cyrus Broderick about his company’s finances but in doing so unknowingly tips his hand. Broderick, who is actually the owner of the grimacing arrowhead mask Ollie had seen on the screens at the auction, sends the assassin Shado to attack him in his home. Riddled with arrows and struggling to fight, Ollie attempts to warn Emi of the danger but is shocked to see Emi taking aim at him as well. It would seem she’s been waiting for her mother’s return for quite some time and Broderick isn’t the only person he was wrong to trust.

Unforgettable Moment: Dinah gives Ollie a reality check about trying to solve problems and win people over with money. Money may not be able to buy real happiness, but the Emerald Archer has been more than willing to keep writing checks.  Time to do some serious looking at your roster of friends and allies, huh, Ollie?


Aquaman #1

By Dan Abnett, Brad Walker, Andrew Hennessey and Gabe Eltaeb

Hoping to improve relations between humans and Atlanteans, Aquaman opens the Atlantean Embassy called Spindrift Station. Inviting people from the world’s press and international agencies, including Joanna Stubbs of the British Royal Navy, Aquaman and Mera explain their hopes that the embassy will serve as a place of understanding to bring humans and Atlanteans together. One guest, Ray Delane from the Daily Planet, is not who seems. After sneaking away, “Ray” plants explosives inside the embassy that he quickly ignites—before revealing himself as Black Manta. As Mera and Joanna scramble to help save guests in the now-crumbling embassy, Aquaman and Black Manta engage in a fierce battle, ending with Black Manta slamming a knife into Aquaman’s chest.      

Unforgettable Moment: When Black Manta reveals himself with the beautiful embassy shattering around him… We definitely got that sinking feeling in our stomach.


Future Quest #1

By Jeff Parker, Evan “Doc” Shaner, Steve “The Dude” Rude and Jordie Bellaire

Ray Randall and Deva Sumadi, two agents of the international peacekeeping organization Inter-Nation, are sent to meet with reclusive genius Dr. Benton Quest on the island home he shares with his sons Jonny and Hadji, and their bodyguard Race Banner. Dr. Quest shares his findings on the strange vortex phenomena he has been studying, as well as his fears that he’s not the only one doing this sort of research. This suspicion is confirmed when, on the other side of the island, Jonny, Hadji and Race are attacked by a swarm of battle drones sent by Quest’s rival, the evil Dr. Zin, near a highly active vortex site. Race and the boys are separated. The vortexes begin to flare and reality bends and warps around them. Back at the lab, Dr. Quest receives the distress call about the attack and Ray Randall springs into action, revealing his true identity as Birdman, hero and modern myth. But before Birdman can find them, Jonny and Hadji come face to face with a visitor from beyond the vortex who does not seem pleased to see them.

Unforgettable Moment: The pages dedicated to Ray Randall’s transformation into Birdman feel right out of the classic cartoons. To my side, Avenger!


We'll be back in two weeks with another set of Reader Recaps. Also, don't miss our weekly new comic book unboxing every Tuesday on Periscope for an exclusive preview of the week's new comics!