The New 52 hits UK newsagents with an anthology featuring Justice League, Action Comics and Green Lantern.

‘Justice League’ #1 comes across like the prologue of a novelization of a terrible, terrible movie.

As a first issue for the new DC universe, ‘Justice League’ #1 is unexpectedly understated.

‘DC Universe Presents’ is the latest UK title to reprint US comics for the UK newsstand, and with one great story and two quite good ones it represents very good value for your three quid.

Remember when you were a kid, and you thought that growing up would be great because you could buy all the candy that you wanted? And that you absolutely would, without fail, do exactly just that, because how can too much sweetness be bad for you? Then you grow up and you realize that you weren’t so keen on eating all of that candy after all?

Yeah. ‘Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds’ is like that.

… Bolton Wanderers Nil.

It’s a confused and empty sentimental spectacle with a few good moments here and there but a central core of story that is muddle-headed and painful.

‘Infinite Crisis’ #3 is another confused and confusing issue of the potboiling mini-series.

I was, I’ll admit it, really quite moved by the final page of ‘Infinite Crisis’ #1 the appearance of Kal-L, the Golden Age Superman, the first, best, character in super hero comics and the progenitor of the whole of this medium’s primary genre.

After months and months of the set up burbling away in the background, much of it rather humdrum and offputting, the first actual issue of Infinite Crisis is here.

I like it.

If yellow is the colour of fear in the spectrum of emotion… what are puce, aquamarine, indigo and lavender?

The most ungainly retcon in history sits at the heart of this wibbling mess of an issue and the cliffhanger ending is probably the worst I’ve ever read.

It’s quite hard for me to express just how bad, and just how fundamentally wrong headed, ‘Green Lantern: Rebirth’ # 1 is.

Mean spirited retro-grade trash, written to a shopping list….

My name’s Wally West, I’m The Flash, the fastest man alive…

Previously on ‘Doctor Fate’…

I will confess to a sick love for the character of Hawkman. Not the pure, ‘Conan with Wings’ kick-ass Hawkman either. No. I like Hawkman because he’s a mess: because of, not in spite of, the horror of his continuity and backstory…

Scott Kolins’ run on ‘The Flash’ comes to an end with #200, and as he’s taken a mere two issues off since his debut back in #170 his absence from this issue…

This title had been in the grip of Kurt Busiek ever since the ‘Heroes Return’ event…

I like the art, I like the characters, and I think the cliffhanger is exceptional. I’m not keen on the cover, but not for the first time in recent months I find myself troubled by the ethical and social implications of a superhero comic.