In 2011, DC Comics rebooted their entire universe through the New 52, ​​an initiative designed to offer a new generation of readers a clean slate to start with all new first issues and origins. While some characters were only slightly tweaked for the new decade, others were completely reinvented, leaving many readers with a love/hate attitude towards the publisher. As much as this era has gone down as unpopular in the eyes of the average reader today, there are many comics still worth a read.
The New 52 was somewhat derailed by his DCYou initiative, whose failure sealed the fate of the era, prompting DC to pursue a return to form with Rebirth. As the company moved back to a more optimistic tone, readers made it clear what they preferred, but the influence of some key runs from the early 2010s continues to be felt. Just because some of the New 52 comics missed the mark shouldn’t mean the entire era is being forgotten—and the runs show there’s plenty to enjoy today.
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Batgirl
Gail Simone, Ardian Syaf, Vincente Cifuentes, Ed Benes, Fernando Pasarin and Jonathan Glapion
In the late 2000s, Gail Simone cultivated one of DC’s biggest creator fan bases through work on series like The Evil Six And The atom. During the New 52, ​​she was assigned writing duties on Batgirl, turning in a run that is still considered a fan-favorite take on the character to this day. Balancing Barbara Gordon’s personal life against her vigilante activities, the series introduces a variety of sympathetic enemies to her rogues gallery.
Simone’s tenure on Batgirl Moved over the great history of The killing jokeExplore a more relatable, deep take on the character and her role in Gotham. In contrast to other Bat-family members, this version of Batgirl was defined by empathy as much as intelligence and fighting skills.
9
Aquaman
Geoff Johns, Joe Prado and Ivan Rice
Aquaman has long been dismissed by the mainstream as one of DC’s goofier heroes, even to the point where many modern writers would shy away from including him in the JLA. In his New 52 run, Geoff Johns tried to emulate Peter David’s own tenure on the hero by bringing seriousness back to the character. Focusing on Arthur Curry’s journey when he renounces the throne of Atlantis, the series contributed a lot to improve the character’s image, adding a horror tone to the story.
The new 52 Aquaman Series served as direct inspiration for the DCEU movies, from Black Manta’s vengeful motivations to Monsters of the Trench. For many, Johns’ run on the Justice League’s aquatic hero is the best since the ’90s, thanks to his exploration of Atlantis and building the threat of Manta.
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8
Wonder Woman
Brian Azzarello, Cliff Chiang, Kano, Tony Atkins, Dan Green and Goran Sudzuka
Wonder Woman has proved a challenge for many writers in the modern era, but some creative teams have stood out in the minds of readers. Among the best of these is Brian Azzarello’s tenure on the Amazon, which gave her a new beginning as the daughter of Zeus, as opposed to being sculpted from clay. Now at her most powerful, the warrior princess sets out to rescue a woman from the underworld.
Azzarello Wonder Woman The series is somewhat divisive among DC readers, with some lamenting its direction while others saw it as a breath of fresh air. The series not only gave Diana what many now consider to be her definitive origin story, it also elevated her to her most powerful, pitting her against the best gods and monsters of the DCU. The series also explored a darker side of the Amazons, forcing a confrontation with Diana.
7
Sinestro
Cullen Bunn, Dale Eaglesham, Martin Cocollo, Jason Wright, Ethan Van Sciver, Brad Walker, Andrew Hennessy and Robson Rocha
Through the Johns/Van Sciver run on Green Lantern, Thaal Sinestro was built to be one of the greatest villains of the 2000s, thanks to added depth and the formation of the Sinestro Corps. In his New 52 solo series, readers are shown the hero living in exile after losing control of his corps to Arkilo, who has made it no better than a criminal gang. After being convinced to take control, the villain sets out to rebuild his team, and establish himself as the true law and order faction of the universe, ruling by fear.
The Sinestro Series follows the villain on an epic journey of conquest against his own former allies, exploring the philosophy that sets him apart from ordinary villains. As he rebuilds his empire and faces both rival cores and competition within his own ranks, Sinestro takes on the forces of evil, even rescuing survivors from his world of slavery.
6
Shazam
Geoff Johns and Gary Frank
Shazam has gone through a series of changes under DC since they first started publishing his adventures in the 1970s. During the New 52, ​​Geoff Johns and Gary Frank were hired to reinvent the hero for the 2010s. It began with a retelling of the hero’s ancestry, now as a member of the Vasquez family, a diverse family where he meets his new siblings. Beginning with his journey to the Wizard and being imbued with the powers of the gods, Billy faces off with Black Adam.
Unlike most New 52 heroes—and despite the character’s popularity—Shazam’s story was actually told through a series of backups in the main Justice League series. With some of the best art of the decade combined with a story that is perfect for modern America, readers got a start so great that it has survived the various DC reboots since.
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5
Green Lantern
Geoff Johns, Robert Venditti, Charles Soule, Doug Mahnke, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Billy Tan and Rob Hunter
Continue on the stellar success of his Green Lantern Running during the 2000s, Geoff Johns introduced Hal Jordan into the New 52 masterfully. The series follows Hal, no longer a Lantern, as he is pulled back into his superhero career by Sinestro. Forming a reluctant partnership, the two rivals team up to free Korugar from the Sinestro Corps. From there, the two lanterns set out on more adventures, although the series later opens the door to the story of new characters, such as Simon Baz.
The New 52 era of Green Lantern continued the franchise’s success after 2004, delivering great stories like the “Godhead” event and a plot to overthrow the Corps. While Johns led the series into the new era, Robert Venditti emerged from the New 52 as the leading Green Lantern writer of the 2010s, something that carried over into his Rebirth series.
4
The multiversity
Grant Morrison, Ivan Rice and Joe Prado
As the core events of the New 52 raged on, Grant Morrison explored the Justice League Incarnate as they explored the Greater Multiverse. Consisting of heroes like Calvin Ellis’ Superman, Thunderer, Dino-Cop and Captain Carrot, the series takes readers on an exploration of worlds like Earth-8, which houses a parody of The Avengers. From facing off against Nazis to a battle with the Gentry, the story highlights the heroes charged with protecting alternate worlds, which would later lay the foundation for DC’s Infinite Frontier era.
The multiversity Was one great adventure in the depths of the DC multiverse, and was followed by a lot of excellent tie-ins, which explored the best state of various superheroes, like Shazam. Effectively a tour of the company’s history and its alternate universes, the series established the Justice League Incarnate as the multiverse’s most underrated and essential team.
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Justice League: Darkseid War
Geoff Johns, Jason Fabok and Francis Manapul
The closing chapter to Geoff Johns’ Justice League Run, “Darkseid War” follows the war between Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor, which begins destroying worlds and targets the evil New God. With the Crime Syndicate and New Gods stepping in to join forces with the Justice League, heroes and villains face Mobius for the fate of their world.
“The Darkseid War” remains the most epic chapter of Johns’ Justice League series, one that saw key transformations for its heroes, with Wonder Woman becoming God of War as Batman took over the Mobius Chair. This event preceded the death of the New 52 and paved the way for rebirth, making it one of the era’s most important stories.
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Action comics
Grant Morrison, Rags Morales, Gene Ha, Andy Kubert, Rick Bryant, Brad Walker and more
Although the early days of Superman’s career have been explored by writers like John Byrne, the New 52 gave Grant Morrison freedom to reimagine a younger Clark Kent as he learns the ropes of being a superhero. Serving as a modern “year one” story, Morrison’s run explores the tension between the Man of Steel and Metropolis, with the hero defending the city from alien threats.
Morrison Action comics Run gave readers a young, energetic Superman, one who honored his golden age roots as a champion of the common man. Alternating between the present and the young Clark Kent, the series offers a fantastic and fresh take on the man of tomorrow, introducing his rogues gallery for the 21st century.
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Batman: The Court of Owls
Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo
One of the flagship titles of the New 52 was Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s long run on Batman, something that proved so popular the pair reunited for their Metal Events. Their time on the Dark Knight was ringing success with “The Court of Owls,” which explains that Gotham City has long been manipulated by a shadowy organization of elites. In response Batman uses his Bruce Wayne identity to his advantage, attempting to infiltrate the cabal.
“The Court of Owls” is still seen by many readers as the best modern Batman entry point for new readers, especially as it explores the dynamic between Bruce and Damian. Filled with plenty of action, a great conspiracy thriller subplot and Batman stepping into a suit of mechanized armor, the story assured readers the Caped Crusader was in good hands for the 2010s.