By now, the errors and missteps of DC’s New 52 reboot are not only well known, but mostly corrected and entirely erased. But just to make sure readers don’t forget everything the New 52 “got wrong,” the publisher used its massive DC KO event to bring one of the most controversial, openly despised and actively disavowed superhero revamps back into the canon. Even if it gives Wolf the fans’ nightmares begin again.
Lobo brings back its famous new “sexy” redesign of the 52
DC KO Wonder Woman vs. Lobo #1 by Joëlle Jones, Jason Howard, Cary Nord, Daniel Bayliss and Tamra Bonvillain
The bar was set quite high during the first battle of DC KO Superman vs. Captain Atomas the first series of head-to-head battles to determine the winner of DC’s universe-wide fighting tournament. But as Superman returned to his iconic “DC One Million” form, comic book readers had no idea the dangerous precedent that was being set. A danger that finally returns in the second round: Wonder Woman vs. Lobo.
After opening their match with the near-instant death of Wonder Woman, both fighters are given the opportunity to select a new character. “form” for the next round of their best-of-three fight. While Wonder Woman calls upon her most trusted Wonder allies, Lobo takes a different tack… returning to his wildly controversial and notoriously hated New 52 revamp.
The return of the new 52 Lobo answers some major lingering questions
The relationship between Classic Lobo and this version has never been clear
There’s no doubt that for most of those who “were there” when the New 52 came out and this radical reimagining of Lobo was revealed, this is a chapter in the story they would prefer to remain closed. But for the sake of the comic story, this moment needs to be told. After all, DC’s decision to do away with Lobo’s leather-clad, cigar-chomping, beer-drinking space biker attitude for a slimmer, sleeker, sexier “space assassin Lobo” sparked a level of notoriety and hatred in fan circles rarely seen. And even more rarely aborted so quickly.
The creators were vocal at the time in defending the character, but for most comic fans, just take a look at Lobo’s new design (the exact same one seen in Wonder Woman vs. Lobo) was enough for the matter to be settled. And no matter how slowly this new Lobo returned to the attitude or character he had replaced, his fate was sealed. Last seen in a bottle town, DC restored the original version of Lobo, agreeing to pretend this New 52 revamp never happened. Until now.
Interestingly enough, this joke DC KO the team is doing more than just having fun with the disaster (now that enough time has passed to look back and laugh). To begin with, the explicit confirmation that the New 52 Lobo is a “form” from the main universe Lobo, helps settle this question (as opposed to a clone, copy, or other explanation). But more importantly, the story gives fans the design of the New 52, but without sacrificing any of Lobo’s iconic characters.
Will this be enough to soften fans’ feelings towards the “sexier” incarnation of Lobo, or is the past set in stone? Readers can see for themselves by reading DC KO Wonder Woman vs. Lobo #1available now from DC Comics.
