Way, way back in the year of our lord 2011, DC Comics attempted to jumpstart their slowing comic business by relaunching their entire universe, in an event called The New 52.

While DC’s never strayed away from rebooting their universe in the past (see every single crossover with Crisis in the title, or the 90’s classic Zero Hour), this was certainly the most dramatic, tossing out pretty much all of the existing continuity and picking and choosing the pieces they liked the most to move forward. It was jarring for readers both old and new, but it certainly grabbed headlines. Heck, I tried to review every one of them.

That said, here we are, almost four years later, and not much has changed for DC Comics. Clearly - they feel the need to do something about that.

Even with a major Geoff Johns/Jim Lee pairing on Justice League, the needle didn’t move very much for the #2 publisher of comics. There were solid runs on stalwart titles (Geoff Johns’ run on Superman, Grant Morrison’s Action Comics, the stupendous run of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo on Batman), unique books that no one read but should’ve (Jeff Lemire’s Animal Man), and - as one would expect out of fifty-two new comics published every month, a lot of filler. Many books that targeted the same old DC Comics reader, just with a new splash of Jim Lee designed paint and a #1 on the cover.

That said, over the last year, two books in particular started to move the needle, both from the Batman franchise. The incredible Batgirl reboot, a more modern-day take on the popular heroine, combining whip-smart writing from Cameron Stewart and Brenden Fletcher with brilliant art (and a brilliant, realistic redesign) from Babs Tarr, and the Harry Potter-esq Gotham Academy, written by Brenden Fletcher and Becky Cloonan, with gorgeous art from Karl Kerschl.

What makes those books great? They dare to be bold. They take risks. Even with the heights of some of the aforementioned comics in the New 52 (the Zero Year storyline in Batman is an AMAZING retelling of Batman’s early years), they never strove to be as unique as Batgirl and Gotham Academy have been - and the fandom for each title has grown.

So, what has DC decided to do? Start again. But in a…possibly good way?

This June, DC Comics will be relaunching their comic line. For the month of April and May, a company wide crossover, titled launch an entire line of DC Comics films (a’la Marvel Studios). When they get back to normal in June, it’s a brand new day.

What’s really exciting, however, is that THIS time, DC seems to be paying attention. What’s working will stay. What isn’t is going away. And they’re looking to cultivate unique voices and develop comics in the “Batgirl style", such as a new Prez comic with a funky robot lead and a Black Canary series (featuring art from Hawkeye artist Annie Wu) placing the classic hero as a leader of a rock band, among others.

It’s a really bold move - and one I applaud. However, it may not all be roses.

Why? Because - apparently - it’s time to redesign everyone again. Many iconic DC characters will once again get a new coat of paint.

As opposed to Jim Lee re-designing everyone (NOW WITH MORE ARMOR LINES!), we definitely look to be in quite a re-imagination for some iconic heroes, and they ain’t all as good as Batgirl.

Batman’s New Look

First up is Batman. Showcased earlier this week by Comic Book Resources, this new look for the Dark Knight debuts in June’s Batman #41 from Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. And apparently he’s gone CRAZY with the armor.

Look, I’m not entirely pleased with this idea visually - he looks like Chappie for goodness sake - but with a track record of making good on interesting ideas for almost four years now, I’m going to give Snyder and Capullo the benefit of the doubt here. I just hope there’s a good explanation for Batman having a gun.

Verdict: Too early to say.

Superman’s New Look

Nerdist got to premiere the new look for Superman today, premiering in Action Comics #41, and I’m not entirely feeling it. Yes, the New 52 armor was kind of egregious, but this may be too simplistic for Superman. It’s got elements of Connor Kent as Superboy, The New 52 look from Action Comics - but in a cool touch, a very 1940’s-esq Superman shield.

Verdict: Makes for easier cosplay, but just doesn’t feel “Super".

Wonder Woman’s New Look

Oof. Where do I begin here? Premiering in Wonder Woman #41, we have this…armor.

I realize, we probably want Wonder Woman to have a less revealing, more female-empowering costume for this age. But did you really have to let David Finch crap this out and call it good? I almost feel bad for Hitfix for getting this as their exclusive.

ESPECIALLY when you have a superior look for Wonder Woman in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, or you could just re-use the absolutely stellar armored look designed by Cliff Chang. Instead, you have this look that would’ve been bad in the 1990’s.

I suppose it could always be worse.

Verdict: Wonder Woman deserves far, far better.

The Flash & Green Arrow Get New Looks Too!

Topless Robot also got to premiere some new costumes thanks to some exclusive cover reveals today, but these are a bit more minor. Green Arrow gets some sweet swooshy pants starting in June’s issue #41, and The Flash gets a new look that seems to be a sweet spot between his New 52 look and what we see on the CW TV series.

Verdict: Breaks even.

I know, this turned into superhero fashion police, but lets be honest…in comics, you’re far more likely to judge the book by its cover(s).

That said, I actually believe in DC Comics here. I want to believe they’re learning the right things from the success of Batgirl and Gotham Academy, heck even from what Marvel’s Marvel NOW has done - give us solid books that move our favorite characters forward that look as good as they read, and we’ll gladly come back every month.

Please, DC. Make me want to come back every month.