In June, DC Comics announced that there were going to be some changes to the DC Universe with the first image of the new Superman.

For those unaware of what has been happening in comics lately, Flashpoint has set up for the entire DC Universe to be rebooted. The DC Nation column revealed that the new Justice League book and the final Flashpoint were the only books DC released on that day because it signaled the end of the old era and the beginning of the new, meaning changes for every character and a good starting point for noobs or those looking to jump into a new story arc.

Meanwhile, more controversy was erupting around Wonder Woman. Starting at Wonder Woman  #600, Jim Lee redesigned  her costume to have pants and look more street fighter than warrior princess. A television show was also in the works, running with the new design.

Comic book fans and fans of the original television show were revolted by the news, and forums on several websites exploded with naysayers.

The release of The New 52 preview book showed Wonder Woman with the Justice League in pants, further fueling the anger, but initial images of the first Wonder Woman book had been changed by the preview’s release, showing her with legs.

The release of the actual book showed her on the cover with bare legs to the delight of many fans, but other problems riddle the reboot.

The preview came out with a darker color palette, which better suited the opening of Batman running from the cops, as well as being illuminated by the Green Lantern’s constructs; however, the preview was missing some very cool details. Exhibit A: The two-page spread of Batman jumping across the roof of a building away from a swat team firing on him. Exhibit B: The rest of the story.

Also, the minion at the story’s beginning may be relatively unimportant, gaining no full panel battle shots to extra emphasis (even being called a Transformer belittles it to a hand puppet), the monster’s battle cry before its death (for those wanting a spoiler alert before that: issue one—the good guys win) tells you exactly who’s up to something and what to look out for in the future. 

There are many extras in this issue not found in a usual comic book; a series of rough drafts of the heroes costumes, including several of Wonder Woman as they argued back and forth whether or not she should wear pants. When the preview was released, it showed her in long pants. The new cover shows her back in underwear. What works best is for you to decide.

Another major change to the costumes is Superman. The suit looks more armor like, with sections for leg, chest and stomach armor. Another addition is the neck to the suit, which has been seen from time to time on holograms of his father and General Zod. There was also an addition of what looks to be spikes or at least something sharp just over the fists. His belt was changed from yellow to red with the buckle in the “S” symbol shape, and it also looks like he was finally notified that normal humans wear underwear inside of their pants. 

If there is any problem with this, it is that Superman feels out of control by both Batman’s statements and the looks of reckless youth rather than his seasoned need to serve. He looks like a troubled youth rather than a seasoned veteran. This is not the ever-reliable Superman that we all know and love, much less the icon we grew up with.

Overall, the last frame feels like Superboy is pretending to take Superman’s place. 

Justice League #1 completely sold out, according to online sources, but a second printing is said to be planned for the future. The book retails at regular comic book outlets for $3.99 plus tax.