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52
52, Vol. 3
After the INFINITE CRISIS, the DC Universe spent a year without Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman -- a year in which those heroes were needed more than ever as the fate of the world hung in the balance.
52 combines the brightest and best talents from the comic book writing field, Geoff Johns (INFINITE CRISIS), Grant Morrison (ALL STAR SUPERMAN), Greg Rucka (WONDER WOMAN) and Mark Waid (KINGDOM COME), working together with the world's finest artists to tell the tale of a world awakening from a nightmare to face a new day.
The DC Universe's most eventful year continues in this latest volume of the acclaimed series with Booster Gold, Renee Montoya, Black Adam, The Elongated Man, Animal Man, Lobo, Starfire and Adam Strange taking center stage.
Collects 52 #27-39.
52 combines the brightest and best talents from the comic book writing field, Geoff Johns (INFINITE CRISIS), Grant Morrison (ALL STAR SUPERMAN), Greg Rucka (WONDER WOMAN) and Mark Waid (KINGDOM COME), working together with the world's finest artists to tell the tale of a world awakening from a nightmare to face a new day.
The DC Universe's most eventful year continues in this latest volume of the acclaimed series with Booster Gold, Renee Montoya, Black Adam, The Elongated Man, Animal Man, Lobo, Starfire and Adam Strange taking center stage.
Collects 52 #27-39.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2007
37 people are currently reading
566 people want to read
About the author
Geoff Johns
2,718 books2,410 followersGeoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s in search of work within the film industry. Through perseverance, Geoff ended up as the assistant to Richard Donner, working on Conspiracy Theory and Lethal Weapon 4. During that time, he also began his comics career writing Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and JSA (co-written with David S. Goyer) for DC Comics. He worked with Richard Donner for four years, leaving the company to pursue writing full-time.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
January 15, 2014
OK, we’re into weeks 27 through 39. I suppose you could argue that here is where the metal meets the meat. In other words: things start getting (even more) hairy.
Off the bat Ralph Dibny’s story ventures into Spectre territory and turns weird, as could only be expected. In the The Question arc, Renee Montoya’s fate is about to be decided. In fact, most of the arcs are coming to a head. Notably: the Skeets issue.
More DC characters wander into and out of the series. Even Waverider makes an appearance. Anybody remember him? Like I mentioned in my review of volume 2, this is edgy stuff. Some characters are killed off in 52. This series is rather indicative of what it might be like if we actually lived in a world filled with super-beings. Life, death and taxes – so to speak. Granted, it’s not as gritty as some of the stuff on the Vertigo imprint.
The seemingly unstoppable invasion of the sinister Lady Styx concludes here, which is just as well. (edit - um, please bear in mind that I wrote this before my re-read of Vol. 4) I could never quite understand how this invasion force could be so powerful that the Green Lantern corps seemed unable to stop it. Perhaps I missed something: anybody care to comment? At least Ekron plays a part in the finale.
The science squad storyline also peaks here, and I did kick myself just like I foretold in my Volume 2 review. After all: I did remember the Kahndaq / Bialya events. Some more light is cast on Luthor’s “Everyman” project and his desire for power, as well as the lengths he is prepared to go.
Supernova, of course, is fantastic. There could easily have been a future for this character in DC comics… but wait? Yes, his identity is revealed at last. If this is your first time reading 52, and this doesn’t mess with your head just a little, then I don’t know. This sequence is easily one of my favourites. Ever.
Honourable mention: Nightwing giving Batwoman (not just another) Batarang for Christmas!
Best bit: Supernova revealed!
Off the bat Ralph Dibny’s story ventures into Spectre territory and turns weird, as could only be expected. In the The Question arc, Renee Montoya’s fate is about to be decided. In fact, most of the arcs are coming to a head. Notably: the Skeets issue.
More DC characters wander into and out of the series. Even Waverider makes an appearance. Anybody remember him? Like I mentioned in my review of volume 2, this is edgy stuff. Some characters are killed off in 52. This series is rather indicative of what it might be like if we actually lived in a world filled with super-beings. Life, death and taxes – so to speak. Granted, it’s not as gritty as some of the stuff on the Vertigo imprint.
The seemingly unstoppable invasion of the sinister Lady Styx concludes here, which is just as well. (edit - um, please bear in mind that I wrote this before my re-read of Vol. 4) I could never quite understand how this invasion force could be so powerful that the Green Lantern corps seemed unable to stop it. Perhaps I missed something: anybody care to comment? At least Ekron plays a part in the finale.
The science squad storyline also peaks here, and I did kick myself just like I foretold in my Volume 2 review. After all: I did remember the Kahndaq / Bialya events. Some more light is cast on Luthor’s “Everyman” project and his desire for power, as well as the lengths he is prepared to go.
Supernova, of course, is fantastic. There could easily have been a future for this character in DC comics… but wait? Yes, his identity is revealed at last. If this is your first time reading 52, and this doesn’t mess with your head just a little, then I don’t know. This sequence is easily one of my favourites. Ever.
Honourable mention: Nightwing giving Batwoman (not just another) Batarang for Christmas!
Best bit: Supernova revealed!
February 1, 2013
THE SERIES
This tale follows a “missing year” in the DC Universe after the groundbreaking “Infinite Crisis” story (see my review for that one) which was one of the bestselling graphic novels for the 2006 year. Note that "Final Crisis" follows after this and was published in 2009.
52 asks the questions who takes the role of the most popular superheroes (Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman) when they step down from their roles? There are a list of vying superheroes trying to make a name for themselves but everybody especially feels the lack of Superman in Metropolis. Meanwhile, it should be no surprise that the aftershocks of Final Crisis are far from resolved. Expect old and new villains, as well as some villains who have not been seen in some time.
Each chapter has a page of commentary from the writers and artists as well as a page or half page of script. The back has various art covers.
The writing team has to produce 52 issues in 52 weeks! That must have been intense. That writing team was: Greg Rucka, Mark Waid, Keith Giffen, Grant Morrison and Geoff Johns. Artwork and such by (listing only some of them): Joe Bennett, Chris Batista and Ruy Jose.
Note that this series comes in four volumes.
VOLUME THREE
Things begin to pick up and stories start to come together in volume three.
In this particular volume Ralph Dibny is tested and Detective Montoya tries to find peace and Batwoman's overconfidence gets her into a serious jam. The JSA questions whether it has become an antique as Luthor's young superheroes gain fame.
Bruce Wayne tried to “find himself” in the desert and meets a long lost supervillain from old DC times (I only knew that because I read the commentary). The Green Lanterns have some serious problems off Earth, Ralph Dibny and Supernova link up and the Teen Titans consider accepting someone from the Black Marvel Family (but some people do not want that to happen).
Oh, yeah, those dweebs in outer space have their tales, too. Heh.
The Black Adam Family gets “ambushed”, Luthor's plans for his superheroes starts to become evident and several superheroes respond to the crisis which follows.
Supernova reveals himself!
The nerd scientists dabble in something they arguably should have left alone but what do you expect from evil geniuses with major hubris?
John Henry to the rescue? That's all I shall say on the matter.
ARTWORK PRESENTATION: B plus; STORY/PLOTTING: B plus to A minus; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B to B plus; DC MYTHOLOGY: B plus; ACTION SCENES: B plus; OVERALL GRADE: B plus; WHEN READ: end of October 2012.
This tale follows a “missing year” in the DC Universe after the groundbreaking “Infinite Crisis” story (see my review for that one) which was one of the bestselling graphic novels for the 2006 year. Note that "Final Crisis" follows after this and was published in 2009.
52 asks the questions who takes the role of the most popular superheroes (Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman) when they step down from their roles? There are a list of vying superheroes trying to make a name for themselves but everybody especially feels the lack of Superman in Metropolis. Meanwhile, it should be no surprise that the aftershocks of Final Crisis are far from resolved. Expect old and new villains, as well as some villains who have not been seen in some time.
Each chapter has a page of commentary from the writers and artists as well as a page or half page of script. The back has various art covers.
The writing team has to produce 52 issues in 52 weeks! That must have been intense. That writing team was: Greg Rucka, Mark Waid, Keith Giffen, Grant Morrison and Geoff Johns. Artwork and such by (listing only some of them): Joe Bennett, Chris Batista and Ruy Jose.
Note that this series comes in four volumes.
VOLUME THREE
Things begin to pick up and stories start to come together in volume three.
In this particular volume Ralph Dibny is tested and Detective Montoya tries to find peace and Batwoman's overconfidence gets her into a serious jam. The JSA questions whether it has become an antique as Luthor's young superheroes gain fame.
Bruce Wayne tried to “find himself” in the desert and meets a long lost supervillain from old DC times (I only knew that because I read the commentary). The Green Lanterns have some serious problems off Earth, Ralph Dibny and Supernova link up and the Teen Titans consider accepting someone from the Black Marvel Family (but some people do not want that to happen).
Oh, yeah, those dweebs in outer space have their tales, too. Heh.
The Black Adam Family gets “ambushed”, Luthor's plans for his superheroes starts to become evident and several superheroes respond to the crisis which follows.
Supernova reveals himself!
The nerd scientists dabble in something they arguably should have left alone but what do you expect from evil geniuses with major hubris?
John Henry to the rescue? That's all I shall say on the matter.
ARTWORK PRESENTATION: B plus; STORY/PLOTTING: B plus to A minus; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B to B plus; DC MYTHOLOGY: B plus; ACTION SCENES: B plus; OVERALL GRADE: B plus; WHEN READ: end of October 2012.
January 9, 2012
Volume three is the point where the storylines start to ramp up, and some of them are coming close to concluding. There's still quite a bit left to go, and there's obviously still a lot to cover. The quality has remained surprisingly high, with the exception of the space storyline. Sorry, but I just hate Lobo.
August 13, 2023
This one is better than the last. Especially the Black Adam stories and the Question. I feel sad for Renee and just as sad for Charlie. The Lex move is predictable but still exciting to see it come together. 50/50 on the teen titans stuff. The Lobo, animal man, strange stuff is sooooo boring. Easily my least favorite part behind anything to do with the minute men.
August 2, 2017
I have found that every book in this series has been a sheer delight to read.
Read
April 5, 2021The storylines all reach major turning points as deaths abound. Yes, this is darker (and gorier) than the previous book, but the transitions are natural and storytelling remains strong across the board. Some protagonists die here. I wasn’t expecting one of them, though I’m fairly certain the character will come back (then again, given the writer of this sequence maybe not). Also in this volume, Supernova’s identity is revealed, Luthor’s Everyman program grows more disturbing, and we see just what the mad scientists are really up to. But the best part of this collection is the Question stuff. It’s heartbreaking, handled with grace by Rucka and others, but mainly Rucka. Now I need to read Denny O’Neil’s Question series.
I’m wondering if every single storyline will converge at the end. Some of them surely will, and already have, but others have pretty much been independent of each other.
I’m wondering if every single storyline will converge at the end. Some of them surely will, and already have, but others have pretty much been independent of each other.
August 31, 2017
This volume gives 52 its most poignant and best material. By that, I'm referring to the death of Charlie. Not since The Death of Captain Marvel has cancer been used so effectively in superhero comics. Jane Foster's Thor has the same rotten luck. Hopefully Jason Aaron can pull off a similarly impactful conclusion.
And aside from that, obviously the whole story is reaching its climax. Big things happen.
And aside from that, obviously the whole story is reaching its climax. Big things happen.
August 16, 2024
I feel like this volume picked up where the last volume lacked, things getting exciting again and while there's still a lot going on, everything's feeling more cohesive. Charlie's stuff still continues to WRECK me and also Mercury is THAT bitch
August 28, 2019
I simply didn't care about any of this (not even Nightwing).
December 31, 2019
Waiting for the finale!
April 30, 2020
Things begin to escalate and storylines hurtle towards their conclusions. Enjoyable enough but for some reason I didn't enjoy this as much on the whole as earlier volumes. Will definitely be intrigued to see how things end though...
November 24, 2025
3.5 Stars
October 5, 2025
Ha ha ha. The Rain of the Supermen? Priceless. 52 keeps counting up as many of its disparate storylines draw to a close. Not quite as good as the previous two, but I'm sure it's just because it's queuing up a killer fourth (and final!) volume.
October 12, 2013
I assume readers of this review are reading 52, and are familiar with the overall structure of the tale and the preceding volumes. Mild spoilers follow for the hypersensitive that consider them such, for those earlier entries in the series I suppose...
The end-game is clearly starting up, seen most clearly in the plot-lines of Renee Montoya and The Question, Steel and Luthor, the happenings on Oolong Island and the reveal of the identity of Metropolis' mysterious new savior, and the Intergang arc. What I fail to see however is how all these things converge, though I'm very curious indeed about these Four Horsemen of Apokolips. Clearly they will feature in the climactic payoff.
The two arcs that most impressed me have to be - first, the one with Lady Styx in space which is clearly setting up something huge. This "New Gods" mythos intrigues me. The panel at the end of that arc, with Animal Man literally "meeting his makers" was interesting as well (although I had to look up who they were). Second, I'm fascinated with the Black Marvel family arc, as they plummet headlong into what must be a grand tragedy.
While I like most of what I'm seeing, both in terms of art and inventive writing... (Luthor standing with a Superman logo-shaped hole in his shirt? The completely sick panel showing the end of Captain Comet? Just brilliant!) two things bugs me overall about 52.
The first is the lack of an overall story - yes, various plot-lines proceed nicely, and crossover time and again (such as the very effective meeting between Ralph Dibney and 'Supernova') but I just don't see how they come together in a coherent super-structure plot/ story. Maybe they don't, in which case this is just a year in the life of the DC U, which is sort of anti-climactic.
The second - it is increasingly clear that the fundamental comic book problem - one of convoluted continuity and too many super-powered characters that just go on and on (or don't stay dead) seems to persist. They (DC in this instance, but this applies to 616 and Ultimate Marvel too, if not as much as DC) do not seem to have learnt how to tackle it at all - or perhaps they don't see it as a problem. Crisis after crisis, event after event comes and goes and these guys just leave too many threads floating, and too many loopholes and loose ends. Yes that is a matter of opinion, but it is where I am.
Anyway, if you've come as far as 52 vol 2, and are a DC fan who doesn't need Superman/ Wonder Woman/ Batman turning up at the end of every tale like dei ex machina, this one is a must read...
The end-game is clearly starting up, seen most clearly in the plot-lines of Renee Montoya and The Question, Steel and Luthor, the happenings on Oolong Island and the reveal of the identity of Metropolis' mysterious new savior, and the Intergang arc. What I fail to see however is how all these things converge, though I'm very curious indeed about these Four Horsemen of Apokolips. Clearly they will feature in the climactic payoff.
The two arcs that most impressed me have to be - first, the one with Lady Styx in space which is clearly setting up something huge. This "New Gods" mythos intrigues me. The panel at the end of that arc, with Animal Man literally "meeting his makers" was interesting as well (although I had to look up who they were). Second, I'm fascinated with the Black Marvel family arc, as they plummet headlong into what must be a grand tragedy.
While I like most of what I'm seeing, both in terms of art and inventive writing... (Luthor standing with a Superman logo-shaped hole in his shirt? The completely sick panel showing the end of Captain Comet? Just brilliant!) two things bugs me overall about 52.
The first is the lack of an overall story - yes, various plot-lines proceed nicely, and crossover time and again (such as the very effective meeting between Ralph Dibney and 'Supernova') but I just don't see how they come together in a coherent super-structure plot/ story. Maybe they don't, in which case this is just a year in the life of the DC U, which is sort of anti-climactic.
The second - it is increasingly clear that the fundamental comic book problem - one of convoluted continuity and too many super-powered characters that just go on and on (or don't stay dead) seems to persist. They (DC in this instance, but this applies to 616 and Ultimate Marvel too, if not as much as DC) do not seem to have learnt how to tackle it at all - or perhaps they don't see it as a problem. Crisis after crisis, event after event comes and goes and these guys just leave too many threads floating, and too many loopholes and loose ends. Yes that is a matter of opinion, but it is where I am.
Anyway, if you've come as far as 52 vol 2, and are a DC fan who doesn't need Superman/ Wonder Woman/ Batman turning up at the end of every tale like dei ex machina, this one is a must read...
August 27, 2014
This volume once again knocks it out of the ball park. Giving us one hell of a great read. I'm finding myself caught between emotions here. On one side I can't wait to get my hands on the last volume of this series because it's absolutely amazing. On the other side I'm really not looking forward to finishing it. I really, really, REALLY don't want this adventure to end. One thing is certain though, shit is definitely going to hit the fan in the next instalment!
We get to see some big stuff happen in this book, some real "holy balls of sweet Babylon" moments. The biggest for me would have to be the unmasking of Supernova, that really blew my mind. After I cleaned up the remnants of brain matter off the floor I was once again pulled right back into the sheer brilliance of the book. Renee and Charlie's story was really bloody touching, and not in an over friendly priest kind of way. Those two have been written so well throughout the whole series, and here we get some freakishly realistic moments between the two. Some plots where looking like they were being wrapped up, then they took a big u-turn and royally threw me off guard. The Animal Man story in particular left me pretty bedazzled, what's going to happen to poor old Buddy? One of the biggest highlight's for me was seeing one of my favourite teams in the DCU turn up, the mighty Suicide Squad! Even though they didn't play a big role, it was still enough to give me a stiffy seeing them in all their corrupt glory. Amanda Waller as always is one hell of a hard bitch. Ralph and Fates story is starting to pick up pace, although I still have no bloody idea where it's going to go. One of the most brutal moments would have to be when Lex Luther makes the sky rain people. You forget how sadistic that f*#ker is, then he goes and does something like that. Looking forward to seeing where that goes, I'm hoping for a confrontation with Clark at some point. Amongst all of this chaos we see the terribly named "Science Squad" on Oolong Island create some bad nasties for Intergang, which I'm guessing will play a bigger part on the last volume.
For me, this book is perfection. I can't wait to get my hands on volume 4, although it's proving very elusive to find. But oh yes, it will be mine!
We get to see some big stuff happen in this book, some real "holy balls of sweet Babylon" moments. The biggest for me would have to be the unmasking of Supernova, that really blew my mind. After I cleaned up the remnants of brain matter off the floor I was once again pulled right back into the sheer brilliance of the book. Renee and Charlie's story was really bloody touching, and not in an over friendly priest kind of way. Those two have been written so well throughout the whole series, and here we get some freakishly realistic moments between the two. Some plots where looking like they were being wrapped up, then they took a big u-turn and royally threw me off guard. The Animal Man story in particular left me pretty bedazzled, what's going to happen to poor old Buddy? One of the biggest highlight's for me was seeing one of my favourite teams in the DCU turn up, the mighty Suicide Squad! Even though they didn't play a big role, it was still enough to give me a stiffy seeing them in all their corrupt glory. Amanda Waller as always is one hell of a hard bitch. Ralph and Fates story is starting to pick up pace, although I still have no bloody idea where it's going to go. One of the most brutal moments would have to be when Lex Luther makes the sky rain people. You forget how sadistic that f*#ker is, then he goes and does something like that. Looking forward to seeing where that goes, I'm hoping for a confrontation with Clark at some point. Amongst all of this chaos we see the terribly named "Science Squad" on Oolong Island create some bad nasties for Intergang, which I'm guessing will play a bigger part on the last volume.
For me, this book is perfection. I can't wait to get my hands on volume 4, although it's proving very elusive to find. But oh yes, it will be mine!
February 28, 2017
I really can't tell if this volume of 52 is impressively skating along on two wheels or completely off the rails. There are certain times it's quite good (Renee Montoya dealing with the death of Charlie) and others where I don't even know what's going on (basically the Starfire/Animal Man/Adam Strange storyline that's basically Lobo as a full time guest star). It's frustrating that it's not really congealing, or at least it doesn't seem like all of these elements are coming together in any real and meaningful way, and we're at the point in the epic narrative where everyone is scattered to the four winds and most of the time is spent checking in with them and making small steps forward instead of leaps that are a bit more meaningful.
When this book buckles down and focuses it sings. When it spends an extended period of time on Supernova and revealing that identity I find myself super engaged. But then it goes to Eelong Island and all the mad scientists and I feel like it's just a fun thing that isn't accomplishing anything. But the last few issues/weeks of this book were really heavy on the "one-page check-in." And that's not quite good enough at the moment. We need like... more. This book has so much possibility for what it might be there's no real sense that anyone took the time to figure out what the best way to spend the whole year. The ONLY story that has justified its extended run time is Renee Montoya's, and even then I feel like Charlie's been on death's doorstep for about six weeks. Which is a lot.
There are other problems, but those are the big ones. There's an overwhelming sense that this is just telling vignettes and not really about anything specific. Everything feels so thematically divorced from everything else it's really hard to hold on to or stay invested.
Hopefully the last volume brings that all back around.
When this book buckles down and focuses it sings. When it spends an extended period of time on Supernova and revealing that identity I find myself super engaged. But then it goes to Eelong Island and all the mad scientists and I feel like it's just a fun thing that isn't accomplishing anything. But the last few issues/weeks of this book were really heavy on the "one-page check-in." And that's not quite good enough at the moment. We need like... more. This book has so much possibility for what it might be there's no real sense that anyone took the time to figure out what the best way to spend the whole year. The ONLY story that has justified its extended run time is Renee Montoya's, and even then I feel like Charlie's been on death's doorstep for about six weeks. Which is a lot.
There are other problems, but those are the big ones. There's an overwhelming sense that this is just telling vignettes and not really about anything specific. Everything feels so thematically divorced from everything else it's really hard to hold on to or stay invested.
Hopefully the last volume brings that all back around.
September 15, 2011
The pay-offs begin in Volume 3 of 52, starting with the culmination of the Renee Montoya/Question storyline. Charlie's death, handled with thought and care from the dark, mysterious streets of Gotham City, to the isolated, snowy mountains of Nanda Parbat, are my favorite moments of the entire series. The reader actually feels like he or she is witnessing the birth of a superhero, coinciding with the end of another. Ralph Dibny's journey with Dr. Fate also lends to some surprising moments, including a run-in with the Spectre that (painfully) allows Ralph to witness the murder of his wife. Ralph's spiritual journey, in many ways, draws parallels with Renee's. Both are searching for meaning and closure, which leads them to different ends that are poignant, touching, sorrowful. Supernova's big reveal is the other main plot point resolved in this edition. I remember being slightly disappointed when reading this in issue form (frankly, it just didn't seem to make sense to me) but reading the series collected has warmed me up to this conclusion. Praise is also in order for the frequent pencilers on 52. Keith Giffen's breakdowns play a large part in this but I've been impressed by the consistent tone each artist has followed throughout the tale. Only a handful of sequences have felt jarring and out of place which is amazing considering the size of this project. Kudos to Joe Bennett, Phil Jimenez, Chris Batista and the other frequent pencilers.
December 26, 2007
Better and better. Only a bit of the leftist agenda seeping through what has become an increasingly complex and satisfying super hero story. The reveal of who Supernova actually is works well and fits, without being obvious. The disparate threads that seemed like they were not connected are raveling (if you can unravel, you can ravel, righ?). This story feels like the TV show HEROES, but even better because the characters express their powers all the time, not just their feelings, the special effects are better, and, well, it is a comic book, not a TV show, and comic books are the best medium ever. Except for the political slop, this is shaping up to be one of my favorite super hero stories, ever. At this point, only WATCHMEN is clearly better. This story feels like WATCHMEN merged with SECRET WARS merged with CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS. Good stuff. Without the rampant simple-minded leftism here and there, this is great stuff.
March 3, 2016
I am reading the individual 32-page comic book issues, but because GoodReads does not list those and for ease of review, I am reviewing the trade-paperback issues of this series.
(Minor spoilers to follow.)
I love Sobek and no one can say otherwise. He is awkward, shy, timid and a crocodile, what's not to love?
The story line is getting quite intense, there is so much to the story. I must say, I am impressed with it.
Booster Gold is back and we see how his "faithful robot" has turbed to the dark side, and eaten the Phantom Zone. (Not a good thing, and excuse the puns.)
We also get to see the creation of the four, disturbing looking Horsemen.
And Lex Luthor is Lex Luthor. *Insert various insults for his crazed mind here.*
And Lobo. I always LOVE me a good Lobo story/cameo.
so yeah, good story, timey-wimey, crocodiles, and Lobo. All good things.
(Minor spoilers to follow.)
I love Sobek and no one can say otherwise. He is awkward, shy, timid and a crocodile, what's not to love?
The story line is getting quite intense, there is so much to the story. I must say, I am impressed with it.
Booster Gold is back and we see how his "faithful robot" has turbed to the dark side, and eaten the Phantom Zone. (Not a good thing, and excuse the puns.)
We also get to see the creation of the four, disturbing looking Horsemen.
And Lex Luthor is Lex Luthor. *Insert various insults for his crazed mind here.*
And Lobo. I always LOVE me a good Lobo story/cameo.
so yeah, good story, timey-wimey, crocodiles, and Lobo. All good things.
June 21, 2011
Enjoyable and necessary - when the great tragedies and triumphs of the fourth volume finally hit, you can be sure that the crescendo of this book will have led directly and inevitably to it.
It's amazing to see such a well-oiled writing team work so well together that their talents are interchangeably pulling off whichever character they tackle each week. I'm finding myself enjoying the progression of each storyline more as this goes on, and less self-aware of how "staged" this felt in the early weeks.
It's amazing to see such a well-oiled writing team work so well together that their talents are interchangeably pulling off whichever character they tackle each week. I'm finding myself enjoying the progression of each storyline more as this goes on, and less self-aware of how "staged" this felt in the early weeks.
July 9, 2011
If I could give this 3.5 stars, I would, because I really loved all the Renee & Charlie and Renee/Kate stuff, and though I could have gone for more of Batwoman's story, I was happy to finally read the Kate-Dick meet cute in context (no, Dick, you're really not her type *snerk* even if you do give hilarious Christmas gifts). Also, I'm pleased that my guess about the identity of Supernova was proved correct, but the rest of it I didn't really care all that much about. Still, a better read than the second volume.
December 2, 2014
I've become as lost as Batman, Superman, or Wonder Woman in the 52 universe.
November 21, 2020
Aguardo ansiosamente la conclusión.
April 20, 2022
There were issues in this collection where Too Much Story existed to be properly conveyed in an entertaining manner. While still keeping the Question/Renee Montoya story, the Ralph Dibney/Spectre story, the Skeets gone mad/Rip Hunter story, the Renee Montoya/Batwoman story, the Black Adam family story, the Animal Man/Adam Strange/Starfire/Lobo story, the mystery of Supernova, Mad Scientist Island, and the Lex Luthor/Infinity Inc/Steel story, the writers toss in Batman/Nightwing/Robin, the Green Lanterns & their Guardians, the JSA, The Teen Titans, Oracle (for one panel), they introduce a new Suicide Squad, and they toss Captain Comet into the mix. It's just too many ideas for a single narrative.
As a result, the interesting stories, such as the reveal of Supernova's identity, end up having to be hastily told. Characters are killed off and brought back to life within pages, but not in a cool way.
They also threw in an entire issue of Batman stuff that added zero intrigue and very little relevance to the rest of this series about what the DCU is like when we don't focus on Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern Of Earth, and Aquaman.
The storytelling jewels of this collection are the Steel/Infinity Inc/Lex Luthor story (I understand why continuity buffs would be excited about the addition of the JSA to the storyline, but I found it to be Too Much). I particularly loved the turn of Rain Of Supermen.
The Renee Montoya/Question/Batwoman story is also a highlight, particularly when it dovetailed with the buildup to Rain Of Supermen.
The Elongated Man/Spectre story just keeps getting more convoluted and less interesting to me as it goes on.
I'm hoping we're done with Lobo, as he took a storyline I was already not too interested in (Animal Man/Starfire/Adam Strange) and dragged into annoying territory. Their interactions with Lady Styx and the Green Lanterns was okay but I'm not excited to see how it weaves into the other story threads.
As I mentioned before, the reveal of Supernova was paced and written poorly, as it was just Supernova monologuing about who he was and how he came to be. It's a cool concept, and I would have loved to have seen it happen organically within the story. Unfortunately, the Tell Don't Show reveal just drained any interest I had in where the story is going next.
I am starting to like the focus on Osiris and his crocodile friend in the Black Adam family storyline, but wish there was more of it.
If you're a DC continuity fan, this is some serious sodium-rich crackers. You will just keep devouring this, waiting to see what happens next. But, as someone who reads a good chunk of DC but isn't totally invested in its wider universe, this is the volume where I started to wish it would just wrap up so I could go read somehting else.
As a result, the interesting stories, such as the reveal of Supernova's identity, end up having to be hastily told. Characters are killed off and brought back to life within pages, but not in a cool way.
They also threw in an entire issue of Batman stuff that added zero intrigue and very little relevance to the rest of this series about what the DCU is like when we don't focus on Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern Of Earth, and Aquaman.
The storytelling jewels of this collection are the Steel/Infinity Inc/Lex Luthor story (I understand why continuity buffs would be excited about the addition of the JSA to the storyline, but I found it to be Too Much). I particularly loved the turn of Rain Of Supermen.
The Renee Montoya/Question/Batwoman story is also a highlight, particularly when it dovetailed with the buildup to Rain Of Supermen.
The Elongated Man/Spectre story just keeps getting more convoluted and less interesting to me as it goes on.
I'm hoping we're done with Lobo, as he took a storyline I was already not too interested in (Animal Man/Starfire/Adam Strange) and dragged into annoying territory. Their interactions with Lady Styx and the Green Lanterns was okay but I'm not excited to see how it weaves into the other story threads.
As I mentioned before, the reveal of Supernova was paced and written poorly, as it was just Supernova monologuing about who he was and how he came to be. It's a cool concept, and I would have loved to have seen it happen organically within the story. Unfortunately, the Tell Don't Show reveal just drained any interest I had in where the story is going next.
I am starting to like the focus on Osiris and his crocodile friend in the Black Adam family storyline, but wish there was more of it.
If you're a DC continuity fan, this is some serious sodium-rich crackers. You will just keep devouring this, waiting to see what happens next. But, as someone who reads a good chunk of DC but isn't totally invested in its wider universe, this is the volume where I started to wish it would just wrap up so I could go read somehting else.
February 4, 2018
(This review applies to each of the four volumes of the series)
This, for me, was the best crossover DC series I've ever read, and just about perfect. I devoured it in four huge chunks – it's a lot of comic – and was delighted with it all.
We follow the DC world over the course of a year after a massive battle. The Big Three (Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman) are in various forms of awol, and the story has several interleaving arcs, involving characters who are either stepping into the vacuum left by them, taking advantage of their absence, or trying to deal with the fallout. While some of them are immensely powerful, the heart of the story lies with the human or limited-power characters and their own personal dramas, some of which are tragic, some uplifting. New heroes are created, and some are destroyed.
I was completely gripped with each of the stories – they're all important, and they're all done properly. So often the DC crossovers feel like they have random arcs for no reason other than to make sure everyone gets their moment in the spotlight. Here, everything worked together to form one, coherent story – and what a story it is. I was dragged in from the start, and at the end I felt that everything, even some of the terrible things, were *right*.
The four writers have worked fantastically well here. Individual writers took on particular segments, with contribution from the group, but I felt it was seamless. I love Grant Morrison, but sometimes feel he can't stick to just one idea, or even twenty. Here, he was providing some genius concepts and flashes, but the others were making sure it had time to play out, and the fusion was excellent.
The artwork is of a high standard throughout, the script is excellent (there are so many sneaky jokes, I loved it) and the thought that this was achieved at a rate of an episode per week is breathtaking.
(Incidentally, the version I read had comments from one of the writers or illustrators at the end of each episode, and they were fascinating insights into the process.)
This, for me, was the best crossover DC series I've ever read, and just about perfect. I devoured it in four huge chunks – it's a lot of comic – and was delighted with it all.
We follow the DC world over the course of a year after a massive battle. The Big Three (Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman) are in various forms of awol, and the story has several interleaving arcs, involving characters who are either stepping into the vacuum left by them, taking advantage of their absence, or trying to deal with the fallout. While some of them are immensely powerful, the heart of the story lies with the human or limited-power characters and their own personal dramas, some of which are tragic, some uplifting. New heroes are created, and some are destroyed.
I was completely gripped with each of the stories – they're all important, and they're all done properly. So often the DC crossovers feel like they have random arcs for no reason other than to make sure everyone gets their moment in the spotlight. Here, everything worked together to form one, coherent story – and what a story it is. I was dragged in from the start, and at the end I felt that everything, even some of the terrible things, were *right*.
The four writers have worked fantastically well here. Individual writers took on particular segments, with contribution from the group, but I felt it was seamless. I love Grant Morrison, but sometimes feel he can't stick to just one idea, or even twenty. Here, he was providing some genius concepts and flashes, but the others were making sure it had time to play out, and the fusion was excellent.
The artwork is of a high standard throughout, the script is excellent (there are so many sneaky jokes, I loved it) and the thought that this was achieved at a rate of an episode per week is breathtaking.
(Incidentally, the version I read had comments from one of the writers or illustrators at the end of each episode, and they were fascinating insights into the process.)
February 8, 2021
Esse série é considerada um dos melhores quadrinhos da DC Comics, e antes de ler isso, eu estava com uma expectativa muito alta. E infelizmente fiquei um pouco decepcionado.
Resumidamente, 52 conta a história do que aconteceu aconteceu com o universo DC durante um ano após os eventos da Crise Infinita. São um total de 52 capítulos e cada capítulo se passa em uma semana e este volume compila o capítulo 24 ao 39.
Neste volume 3 fiquei com uma impressão melhor, mas ainda abaixo da expectativa que construí antes de iniciar a ler esta série. Como mencionei nos reviews dos primeiros volumes, a história dá muito foco em personagens que não me importo e isso não prende 100% minha atenção na história como deveria, mas neste volume alguns personagens que tenho uma maior aproximação começam a ganhar um protagonismo, como mais aparecimentos de personagens de Gotham e mais coisas além da esfera de Gotham. Além disso, eu tenho que destacar o arco no espaço do Adam Strange, Starfire, Animal Man e Lobo, eu gostei muito da ideia de juntar estes personagens e eles tentando retornar pra casa, que de alguma forma estranha me lembrou os Guardiões da Galáxia dos filmes. De qualquer forma no geral, ainda acho que alguns outros personagens poderiam ter mais protagonismo e outros bem menos.
Resumidamente, 52 conta a história do que aconteceu aconteceu com o universo DC durante um ano após os eventos da Crise Infinita. São um total de 52 capítulos e cada capítulo se passa em uma semana e este volume compila o capítulo 24 ao 39.
Neste volume 3 fiquei com uma impressão melhor, mas ainda abaixo da expectativa que construí antes de iniciar a ler esta série. Como mencionei nos reviews dos primeiros volumes, a história dá muito foco em personagens que não me importo e isso não prende 100% minha atenção na história como deveria, mas neste volume alguns personagens que tenho uma maior aproximação começam a ganhar um protagonismo, como mais aparecimentos de personagens de Gotham e mais coisas além da esfera de Gotham. Além disso, eu tenho que destacar o arco no espaço do Adam Strange, Starfire, Animal Man e Lobo, eu gostei muito da ideia de juntar estes personagens e eles tentando retornar pra casa, que de alguma forma estranha me lembrou os Guardiões da Galáxia dos filmes. De qualquer forma no geral, ainda acho que alguns outros personagens poderiam ter mais protagonismo e outros bem menos.
March 16, 2025
Parece que al fin vamos atando cabos.
Este tercer volumen comienza a cerrar las tramas que se han ido plantando a lo largo de 26 números, y preparando el cierre en los próximos 13.
En cualquier caso, cuanto mas leo esta serie, menos me gustan sus números individuales. Creo que sólo se puede recuperar si la visión de conjunto, una vez acabados los 52 números, merece la pena.
En cualquier caso, sigue pareciéndome una lectura muy recomendable para quienes, ya metidos en el universo DC, quieran conocer a esa tercera fila de superhéroes (Booster Gold, Black Adam, Elastic Man, Steel, Renee Montoya, etc...) que merecen mucho la pena y qu normalmente no salen tanto a la palestra.
Este tercer volumen comienza a cerrar las tramas que se han ido plantando a lo largo de 26 números, y preparando el cierre en los próximos 13.
En cualquier caso, cuanto mas leo esta serie, menos me gustan sus números individuales. Creo que sólo se puede recuperar si la visión de conjunto, una vez acabados los 52 números, merece la pena.
En cualquier caso, sigue pareciéndome una lectura muy recomendable para quienes, ya metidos en el universo DC, quieran conocer a esa tercera fila de superhéroes (Booster Gold, Black Adam, Elastic Man, Steel, Renee Montoya, etc...) que merecen mucho la pena y qu normalmente no salen tanto a la palestra.
September 28, 2025
Ah, je suis déçu, non pas par la qualité de ce qui est proposé, la plupart des intrigues sont toujours autant bien ficelées, les dessins de qualité, et le rythme proposé reste constant, mais parce que nous arrivons à des révélations et à des fins de certaines intrigues, et ces révélations sont décevantes à mes yeux. Ce sont des plotwist, mais très brutaux. Finalement aucune information préalable n'aurait pu nous faire imaginer que ce renversement de situation pouvait arriver, ce qui est très frustrant, nous avons l'impression de nous avoir fait mener en bateau et c'est assez désagréable.
Dommage, parce qu'il reste de très bon moments.
Dommage, parce qu'il reste de très bon moments.
February 1, 2024
52 Vol. 3
Luthor's sadistic control of Infinity Inc. plumbs new depths as Osiris makes overtures of friendship towards the Teen Titans and Supernova's identity is finally revealed.
The plot begins to build towards its climax in this third collection and the artwork and changing numbers of panels begin to provide a sense of acceleration as the stakes are raised by Johns and the team.
Luthor's sadistic control of Infinity Inc. plumbs new depths as Osiris makes overtures of friendship towards the Teen Titans and Supernova's identity is finally revealed.
The plot begins to build towards its climax in this third collection and the artwork and changing numbers of panels begin to provide a sense of acceleration as the stakes are raised by Johns and the team.
April 21, 2023
In this volume things start to ramp up. Luthor's true colors start to show. The Question storyline turns very serious. Animal Man goes through some changes. Booster Gold's story heads to a climax. And the Black Adam family is having issues of its own.
I like this series, and the final volume should be intense.
I like this series, and the final volume should be intense.
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