As most of you may know by now, DC Comics is relaunching their entire line of comics this Fall alongside a day and date digital comics initiative. What you might not know, however, is that it all starts this week with the releases of the last issue of DC’s summer event Flashpoint, and the beginning of the new universe with Justice League #1. There’s a lot of books to look forward to in these upcoming weeks, as well as plenty that you’ll probably want to stay away from for varying reasons. So, in the order of kindness and assignments from my editor, I will be breaking down each title with their creators, what they’re about, and what you can expect from each of the new books. And, guess what? I’m not in love with a lot of the decisions that they’ve made, so this should be fun!

Every Tuesday through the end of September, I will be writing another installment so you know when you can get yourself to the store, or to your mobile app, and purchase your new #1 from DC Comics! Also, it’s worth noting, dear reader, that since you’re coming to the game a little late, you can’t be guaranteed an issue at the comic book store, so call ahead to see if they have it. Or if you go the store and they don’t have any copies left of these DC books, you could always buy an indie comic like Invincible, Locke and Key, The Sixth Gun, and Skullkickers, which all come out this week, coincidentally. There’s more to comics than just superheroes from DC and Marvel, you know?

But that’s probably why you’re here, and now that I’ve gotten the indie comics alternative plug out of the way, let’s talk about the universe that I’d rather live in, the DC Universe!

AUGUST 31

Flashpoint #5 (Geoff Johns/Andy Kubert – $3.99): The end of the current DC Universe. This is the key to unlocking the new universe. You want to know why Nightwing has de-aged to around 21 years old, and yet was still Batman at some point? How did Barbara Gordon get out of that wheelchair, go back to college, and start dressing like Batgirl again? Why was Superman’s history completely thrown out? Why do the new Teen Titans dress like Club Kids hooked on ecstasy and dancing? How is Batwing going to protect all of Africa? Well, this issue probably won’t give you any of those answers, and we’ll probably not get any real answers to a lot of those questions, but if we were, they’d be here. Granted, there’s more to the story than just “how does DC go from this universe to the new one,” what with all the alternate realities, Professor Zoom, and the war between Aquaman and Wonder Woman, but let’s be honest. You want to know what happens to explain the universe changes, and the events of Flashpoint #5 directly lead in to the storyline purposes for the rebirth of the DC Universe. So, you’ll probably want to pick this up on Wednesday, just a thought.

Justice League #1 (Geoff Johns/Jim Lee – $3.99): The beginning of the new DC Universe will be in the hands of corporate executives Jim Lee and Geoff Johns. Oh wait, they also create comics? Huh… what do you know? Anyway, these two suit and tie gentlemen will be re-imagining the origins of the DCU within the pages of Justice League. This will be one of the most “important” comics in the new DCU, so if that’s something you’re into, pick this up. Also, Geoff Johns is a powerhouse creator who writes big stories with a lot of action, and Jim Lee? Well, Jim Lee is a world-renowned artist and is highly praised for his artistic depiction of muscular men and women that punch other people in the face. It’s pretty much a perfect pairing of creators. Aside from that, this comic takes place approximately five years prior to the rest of the new 52, and features the first time that the Justice League actually meet. And instead of joining together out of convenience, these heroes join together out of necessity. It sounds like it’s going to be a really exciting and fun comic, and as much as I personally don’t think Geoff Johns is the best writer in comics, Justice League is pretty much impossible for me to pass up.

But if you don’t know where your closest comic book store, and you don’t have a convenient way to read digital comics, then make sure to find your local comic shop from the Comic Shop Locator!

That’s it for this week, but make sure to show up next Tuesday for titles like Action Comics, Detective Comics, Animal Man, Batgirl, and more!