As you may or may not have heard, DC Comics recently made the bold decision to relaunch their comic book universe. Dubbed “The New 52″, the rebooted universe is an effort by the comic publisher to make their superheroes and stories more “modern and accessible”. The controversial relaunch will offer a fresh start for iconic superheroes and lesser known characters alike with all 52 titles being renumbered to #1.

Actor/comedian Nug Nahrgang and writer/director Andrew Cymek (Dark Rising) will be hitting The Silver Snail in Toronto every week to review “The New 52″. The pair plans to review EVERY single issue of “The New 52″ through their first story arcs.

We’re playing catch up today, but check back every week for more reviews from Nug & Cymek. Also be sure to follow @Nug13, @AndrewCymek and @SilverSnailTO on Twitter.

September 14th, 2011

Part 1 – Deathstroke #1, Superboy #1, Mister Terrific #1 (Nug’s Book of the Week), Suicide Squad #1, Frankenstein: Agent of Shade #1, Resurrection Man #1 and Legion Lost #1

Part 2 – Demon Knights #1, Red Lanterns #1, Green Lantern #1, Batwoman #1, Batman and Robin #1 (Cymek’s book of the week), Grifter #1 and Red Tornado Watch.

Spinning out of the events of Battle for the Cowl, is the debut of the new Dynamic Duo of Dick Grayson and Damien Wayne. I thoroughly enjoyed the new Batman and Robin series at first, but found my interest waning during the second story arc. By issue #13, I had dropped the title from my buy list, in part from sheer Bat burn-out as the Return of Bruce Wayne and its tie-ins flooded the new arrivals rack. Also, while this series seemed to offer unique clues to the mystery of Bruce’s return, the plot just did not deliver. So, other than a quick browse to glean what I needed to know about the main event, I was finished with this title.

That is, until I saw the previews for the latest issue tucked at the end of all the major DC comics this week. With a new creative team on board – Green Lantern Corps’ Peter J. Tomasi, and Patrick Gleason, the few pages shown are a great hook. An angel fallen to earth, lying shattered and bleeding at the feet of an astonished crowd. I bought the book, and I am definitely into the three issue Dark Knight, White Knight arc.

Tomasi really draws out the best possible elements of this title. I often enjoy Damien (unlike some others), but only when he is being written right. Damien works best when he can play off another more ‘straight-laced’ and humouring character. This is what makes him the perfect foil for Dick Grayson’s Batman. If Robin is usually meant to be the bright, comic foil for the grim Dark Knight, Damien showcases just how Grayson isn’t the same Batman that Bruce was.

A visually stunning comic, with a riveting new mystery, equals a Batman book I will definitely be buying again!

Special guests Peter Kuplowsky, programmer at the Bloor and the After Dark Film Festival, and Noah Taylor, blogger extraordinaire, join Jeff, Lucas, and Will for a discussion of recent films and comics. Peter lets us know what he saw at The Cannes Film Festival, and Jeff talks to us about Batman and Robin #1. “Here we go!”

Download: Dork Shelf Podcast 7 (42 MB, MP3, 61:00)
Subscribe: Dork Shelf Podcast RSS Feed
Listen:

Programme:

• 0:00 — “The Hard Sell (Encore)” by DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist
• 2:30 — Up and 3D cinema
• 9:30 — Drag Me and Katie Holmes on A–B replay
• 15:15 — The Hangover, Old School, and Visioneers
• 22:00 — “Credit River” by Constantines
• 26:00 — Cannes: Moon, Basterds, Tarantino’s cuts
• 36:00 — Who is the French Elvis? Incestuous vampires?
• 40:00 — Terry Gilliam’s Imaginarium. The second
• 50:45 — Bat-Dick and Robin al Ghul
• 60:15 — “4th Chamber (Instrumental)” by GZA/Genius

Discussed:

• Up, Drag Me to Hell, The Hangover, Moon, Inglourious Basterds, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Vengeance, Thirst
• Batman & Robin, Park Chan-wook, Terry Gilliam, Johnnie To, Heath Ledger, Brangelina

Welcome back to this week’s pull list: what comics I’m looking forward to reading in the next week, and why I’m excited about them. Last week, I explained what pull lists are, and I hope since then some of you are now happy pull-listers in your own right.

Batman and Robin #1
Spoiler Alert!  Dick Grayson and the son of Talia al ghul and Bruce Wayne are the new Batman and Robin.  Much like Bucky replacing Captain America, Robin replaces Batman; the sidekick takes over the mantle of his mentor. From the creative team that brought us All Star Superman, Frank Quietly and Grant Morrison.

Dark Avengers #5
The Sentry and Norman Osborn square off. The Sentry, whom the Dark Avengers thought dead in the previous issue, returns and is not pleased. Written by Brian Micheal Bendis and Art by Mike Deodato Jr. this is a book that will provide newcomers with a lot of enjoyment, while keeping longtime readers entertained with little nuggets of awesome.

Mighty Avengers # 25
This weeks issue includes a guest spot by the Fantastic Four, and is a great point to jump on. Written by Dan Slott, and featuring art by Khoi Pham. Khoi’s art has kept me on this book from day one. Slotts writing, while enjoyable, is not particularly my cup of tea. The Avengers roster selection seemed very mismatched, but they have brought them together rather well over the last few issues, I like where it’s going.

Ultimate Spider Man #133
Brian Micheal Bendis and Stuart Immonen bring you the second last issue in this series. With the events of Ultimatum echoing through the Ultimate Universe this book is the one that has never disappointed. The series will relaunch after Ultimatum, until then make sure you go back and pick up the trades. Great books for guys who want to get their girls into comics as well.

Ultimatum #4
Well, that happened. Jeph Loeb was tasked with ending Marvel’s Ultimate Universe as it is…. and he’s certainly doing it. In the multi-title crossover event, Loeb’s tells the story of Magneto, seeking revenge for the death of his children no matter the cost. The first three issues featured the deaths of some of the most major characters in the Ultimate Universe. More to the point several other major heroes have been amped up, in a throwback to their 1990′s Marvel universe counterparts, I’m interested in seeing how this ends. Now I’m not saying the book is bad, it’s decent. David Finch’s art grows on each page and is an incredible visual read.

Your suggestions and questions are always appreciated. Drop a comment below or email me.

Until next week, same Dork Time, same Dork Channel!