52 Volume Two (New Edition)

by Mark Waid, Greg Rucka, Grant Morrison

616 pages, Paperback

Published December 31, 2024

About the author

Mark Waid is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.

Reviews

[grabbaloot]

(Spoilers.)
Wonderful. Spectacular. Addictive.
And this goes for both the first and second volumes of 52. I remember almost a year ago (August 24th) I bought the first volume and couldn’t put it down.

The closest thing to a TV series put to page that I have ever read. So many plots that I could’ve never imagined crossing over or even having well thought out endings that were accomplished in this run. While some of the plots had less than adequate endings, I still appreciate that they actually went somewhere. The one plot I was really hoping for more of a satisfying ending was Ralph Dibny’s whole arc. It built up so well and it sort of devolved into just some Ozymandias-esque “i gotcha!” resolution which just threw out all that they built.

Booster and Skeets’ arcs had some good ups and downs, and the ending of their convergence was interesting but made me nervous that everything was just going to be thrown out in favor of a time travel solution but I’m glad it ended the way it did.

The Black Adam arc wasn’t my favorite at first, but I think it got much better, especially with its resolution.

It’s also very refreshing that it didn’t end with the trinity coming back and just fixing everything. They were around and had small contributions to ending certain arcs. (Mainly Clark slightly helping with the Luthor/Infinity Inc ending)

Wonderful book! I do still love the first volume more though.

[Eric Burton]

This series is extremely rewarding for a long-time DC Comics fan such as myself, but it also works so well from a fundamental storytelling aspect.
There were many twists and reveals throughout that were set up so well and extremely satisfying. The character work is also fantastic, and quite deep for many of the characters involved. The ending was excellent and tied everything together so well. Bravo to all involved.

[Drew L]

This ruled, getting four of the best comic writers to work together at the heights of their careers really paid off. They treat all the legacy characters with the respect they deserve, the skill at which they have the most random d-list character make important contributions is amazing, and they pulled it off without the story feeling too bloated.

[John Wright]

Some decent ideas but mostly cheesy nonsense.

[Jonathan Waugh]

I’m so mad I waited this long to read this.