5. Superman Wonder Woman #1 By Charles Soule And Tony S. Daniel (DC)
Remember I said we were largely free of gimmicky comics? Well, this is the exception. Superman and Wonder Woman... together at last? Actually it's not bad. I was very lukewarm toward Greg Pak and Jae Lee's Batman Superman series so I was apprehensive when I heard about Charles Soule and Tony Daniel's Superman Wonder Woman title, but this is a pretty good first issue for the series. As long-time readers of the New 52 will know, Superman and Wonder Woman are dating. Where's Lois Lane, you ask? She and Clark haven't hooked up in the reboot (so far). In a story arc suitably called Power Couple, the two are caught in a storm flying across the North Atlantic and Wonder Woman goes to help a plane in trouble while Superman investigates an unnatural maelstrom. The issue is nicely paced with the main story ending on the big reveal of the villain, who as far as I know is making his debut in the New 52 (discounting the Villains' Month one-shot). Meanwhile there's an ok scene referencing Clark's new job as an independent reporter on his own website with his ambitious new partner, and there's a romantic scene between Clark and Diana, out of costume, that establishes their relationship status for new readers. You'd expect Superman to dominate the action in this issue but it's Wonder Woman who gets the majority of the fight scenes while Superman is thrown around like a ragdoll. It's a nice counterbalance to expectations but also shows the series is aiming for a more even story between the two, that Wonder Woman is as tough, if not more so, than Superman. I'm also not the biggest Tony Daniel fan but I really liked his art in this issue. It's clean, it's striking when it needs to be, and he really captures the intensity of Wonder Woman's scenes as she fights to save innocent lives in the middle of a violent storm. Daniel's Superman is also the best representation of the character wearing his New 52 costume even if I kind of wished Wonder Woman were given trousers and straps over what she's currently wearing (and I know that's not up to Daniel to decide). I can imagine female readers of this comic rolling their eyes at some of the gratuitous shots of Wonder Woman's figure on display throughout, and I think it's time for a change too, don't you? Superman Wonder Woman #1 is a solid start to a promising new series starring two of DC's best and brightest. Good stuff, Charles and Tony, keep it up!