Discover An All-New Batman, Earth 2, Gang a' Harleys & More in "DC You" Week 2

"Convergence" has concluded and the "DC You" has begun. The new umbrella from DC Comics features 24 new series and brand new status quos for multiple continuing titles, which the publisher has promoted as both more accessible to readers and more diverse, in terms of the types of stories being told, the creators involved and the characters represented.

This week, the second set of comics from the "DC You" arrived in stores and gave readers an all-new Batman with an all-new Batsuit, a whole new world with a familiar name and much, much more. Here's a recap of what went on during the second week of DC Comics' brand-new era.

"Batman" #41

The first full appearance of Commissioner Gordon as Batman -- yes, if you haven't been keeping up with the latest DC developments, you read that right -- was unsurprisingly eventful, featuring the full reveal of the Greg Capullo-designed new Batsuit, the introduction of a new villain and the backstory on exactly how Jim Gordon ended up with the unexpected new gig.

Yet the biggest revelation in "Batman" #41 may be at the end of the issue, clearly suggesting that Bruce Wayne is in fact alive, and back in Gotham City. Scott Snyder isn't shy about it, telling CBR News, "Of course, he's not dead. He's Bruce Wayne. You would never do a story like this unless you had a way of bringing him back, eventually, in a more interesting, weightier way than how you took him away."

"Batman/Superman" #21

Both Batman and Superman have major new status quos in the post-"Convergence" DC Universe, making Greg Pak and Ardian Syaf's latest installment of the team-up series especially consequential. And while the interactions between the power-depleted, identity-revealed Superman and the new Batman are limited -- for now -- readers do see a one-on-one conversation between Clark Kent and Lex Luthor, the latter of which can't quite come to terms with the reality of the Man of Steel's situation. As he puts it: "You can't really be Clark Kent, can you? He's just another loser."

"Starfire" #1

Like many characters involved in the new DC YOU initiative, Starfire -- who goes by Kori in this issue -- has undergone a bit of a transformation. There's something much more innocent and spunky about her latest incarnation as she sweeps through Key West, Florida on a mission to assimilate into earth culture with the help of Stella, the sheriff. Starfire is on her own, without her teammates or any of her people, but the book quickly establishes a handful of interesting new characters to act as her supporting cast, from Stella to her landlord and the landlord's grandson. Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti and Emanuela Lupacchino have started the character in a totally different but bright direction that channels the original "Teen Titans" cartoon.

"Constantine: The Hellblazer" #1

In his latest book, Constantine is a bit of an ass -- albeit a charming one. Selfish, lusty and very much bisexual, Constantine spends the issue looking for some peace and quiet and maybe a little tail but winds up, as he always seems to, in a world of trouble after Blythe picks him up in a bar. As expected, Constantine's actions aren't motivated by altruism but rather by the need to get himself out of a sticky situation, and his dalliance might just cost him his ghost entourage in a way he didn't even think possible -- a way, in fact, that could change the way the afterlife and its hierarchy works.

"Gotham Academy" #7

The latest issue of "Gotham Academy" picks up immediately where the series left off pre-"Convergence." However, this issue is all Maps all the time, with no Olive in sight. Finding herself magically attached to Damian Wayne, Maps must hunt down an infected quill with the very reluctant Boy Wonder attached. Unfortunately, Damian's stay in the book isn't a very long one, though his chemistry with Maps is highly enjoyable and Maps' realization by the end could make for some interesting plotlines later on (if anyone believes her, of course); however, Olive's absence is not only notable but builds for a good cliffhanger that could potentially alter the confined setting of the book, if only for a little while.

"Detective Comics" #41

You might think all the big Bat-developments would have hit in "Batman" #41, but you'd be wrong as "Detective Comics" held a few surprises of its own. While seeing Harvey Bullock in a committed relationship with his partner Nancy Yip was unexpected, the first appearance of this DCU's Renee Montoya as the head of GCPD's new Batman Task Force is the real news here. Oh, and Yip is actually part of a secret plan to take down the Task Force and kill Harvey, Renee and the rest...

"Harley Quinn" #17

Most of "Harley Quinn" #17 was spent setting up the new Gang a' Harleys, though the back half of the issue did feature an unusually calm Harley reminiscing about her childhood. During this semi-flashback, it was revealed that Harleen Quinzel is one of four siblings, the older(?) sister to three brothers. As the series continues to meld slapstick humor with genuine character development, expect we'll learn more about the Quinzel boys sooner than later.

"Earth 2: Society" #1

As one of the DC YOU titles with characters directly involved with -- and a series that comes as a direct result of the fallout of -- "Convergence," the first issue of "Earth 2: Society" by writer Daniel H. Wilson and artist Jorge Jimenez is a tad mired with continuity catch-up. However, it all serves to establish and lay the groundwork to this all-new Earth 2. Told from the perspective of new Batman, Dick Grayson, the issue jumps between present day and 12 months prior, revealing a New Gotham created from the wreckage of one of the escape ship used by the refugees from the original Earth 2 following the destruction of the planet. It's all very complicated, but Wilson does a good job catching new readers up on the relevant details. Although not a whole lot happens plot-wise, we do discover Terry Sloan on the run for crimes against humanity and see the debut of classic DC Comics villain Johnny Sorrow.

"Red Hood/Arsenal" #1

Much of the primer issue of Scott Lobdell and Denis Medri's "Red Hood/Arsenal" features mainly just Arsenal off on his own doing the Outlaw thing by his lonesome, but that more or less works out okay since the issue plays out like a "bringing the band back together" moment. This of course following the metaphorical band breakup from "Red Hood and the Outlaws" #40. Although, like the title suggests, the band is one member short since Starfire has spun off into her own self-titled series. Regardless, by issue's end, Red Hood Jason Todd and Arsenal Roy Harper are back together again, and while their status quo doesn't really seem changed at all, Lobdell puts forward the implication of them attempting to "go legit." Although, one has to wonder how well that can go considering the long, bloody trail of dead bodies they tend to leave behind.

CBR Senior Editor Stephen Gerding, Managing Editor Albert Ching, Assistant Editor Meagan Damore and Reporter Kevin Mahadeo contributed to this article.