Top 5 Fridays: Top 5 DC Comics Rebirth Story Arcs

Welcome back to another exciting installment of Top 5 Fridays! Rebirth has been going on for about five months now, and to say it's been a success would be putting it lightly. Nearly every comic rocking the Rebirth banner has been well received as it gets back to what we loved about the characters. Some of the first story arcs are still continuing, such as the incredible Titans, New Super-Man, and Wonder Woman, but I felt it was time to start showing some love to some of the Arcs that have been tied up.  As always this is an opinion based list, so if you don't see any heroes you like I apologize. Enough talk! Let's look back at the best Rebirth has brought out so far...


5: The Black Vault -Suicide Squad

When I first saw Rick Flagg running in to lead the team, I didn't know what to expect. This was before I read the original Suicide Squad and surprisingly liked it more than the new Squad. The Squad felt like there was an actual danger to what they were doing, other than just some crazy antics while Waller face-palmed at the base. In Rebirth, the threat is very much real and still manages to have some of the crazy antics we've grown accustomed to. I was shocked to see Captain Boomerang get disintegrated instead of a "maybe he died, maybe he didn't." He was just a pair of smoldering boots. While this may not be the deeper, emotional story like the others on this list, I still have a pretty good time with it, and I can't wait to see what missions this Squad will go on next. 


4: The Death and Life of Oliver Queen- Green Arrow

I won't lie; I HATED the last two volumes of Green Arrow before the Rebirth. It felt like a last ditch attempt to capture the mystical feel that Outsiders War did so fantastically. When I picked up the Rebirth issue, I was so enticed by the story; it nearly rocketed to the top of my 'must read' list. The series has Green Arrow fighting underground organization, reminiscent to the Court of the Owls, and it feels right. Green Arrow has always been a hero of the people, and him fighting a white collar, the evil organization brings him back to those roots in extraordinary fashion. Then came the biggest surprise: It was written by Benjamin Percy, the same writer to the final two volumes of the New 52 Green Arrow. I was honestly shocked. I can only hope that this series continues to rise in quality as we go further into this rebirthed world.


3: Rise of the Batmen - Detective Comics

Oh man, did this series kick me in the heart at the end. First off, I love the premise that this story takes, especially with giving attention towards this new team instead of just focusing on Batman. I love this team and loved how it grew from a bunch of solo members to an actual team by the end of it...only to have Tim 'die'. Man, that hit me a LOT harder than I thought. This story hit me in an emotional spot that I wasn't expecting! The most memorable scene of the story was it's ending when Batman learned Tim was ready to leave behind the vigilante life. That might have been the most emotional ending to a Batman story since... well before the New 52. Let's also not discount the kick ass action we see, showing off the skills of the Bat Team. Overall this was a great start, and I can't wait for more.


2: I am Gotham -Batman AND Son of Superman

This one was EXTREMELY tough to decide between, so I'm giving it to both. Batman's story might have become a little bit more 'comic book' than it has for a while, but the characters of Gotham and Gotham Girl and the mystery around their origin brought me in and made me wonder what the grand plan is with Tom King behind the wheel. Plus, let's not forget Alfred ready to fight the crazed Gotham in a Batman costume. It cracks me up just thinking about it.

Superman is a similar case, because not only do we get new adventures of the most iconic version of the character, but also get more character development for his son, who is stepping up as a hero himself. Add that to the return of classic villains and locations(Shout out to Dinosaur Island), and we have a series that young and old can enjoy. 



1: Path to Doom -Action Comics

When it comes to its namesake, Action Comics never hesitates to put out some of the most memorable action scenes in comics. So how do you start off a new era of this iconic series? By bringing in it's biggest bad from pre-new 52 and have him face off not just against the Man of Steel, but the NEWEST members of the Superfamily. This could be considered a giant action sequence, but I found something I wasn't expecting: heart and mystery. I felt the heart that Superman put in to protect the city he loved, and I was drawn into the mystery of what was going on with Mr. Oz, Pre-New 52 Doomsday, THE SECOND CLARK KENT! These mysteries will play out over time, but it drew me into the Superside of Rebirth. The action is as high as the quality of the book, and it has earned its spot as number one.

That's it for this week's Top 5 Fridays! What's been your favorite Rebirth story arc so far? Leave a comment, and I'll see you next time!