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52 #1-2
52 Vol. 1: New Edition
Four of the most critically acclaimed writers in comics—Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid—are joined by breakdown artist Keith Giffen and a host of the industry’s finest pencillers and inkers to create this unprecedented event in comics history.
DC’s groundbreaking publication of the weekly comic 52 tells the story of a “missing” year in the DC Universe—in real time. The cataclysmic events of INFINITE CRISIS have left the world without its three biggest icons—Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman¾and the question is asked: who will stand up in their absence?
Now, in the first of two volumes, 52 is collected with bonus material after each chapter, including concept designs, page breakdowns, scripts, alternate story elements, and more! Collects 52 #1-26.
DC’s groundbreaking publication of the weekly comic 52 tells the story of a “missing” year in the DC Universe—in real time. The cataclysmic events of INFINITE CRISIS have left the world without its three biggest icons—Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman¾and the question is asked: who will stand up in their absence?
Now, in the first of two volumes, 52 is collected with bonus material after each chapter, including concept designs, page breakdowns, scripts, alternate story elements, and more! Collects 52 #1-26.
572 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2016
284 people are currently reading
185 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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
December 16, 2021
Way back in 1985, DC released its Crisis on Infinite Earths, a crossover event limited series that was a multiverse THROWDOWN! to help aging 50 year storylines bring back some continuity. 50 years of continuity glitches is a problem comic book publishers dream of having but an 85 year old Batman just won’t sell copies. In 2005-2006 Geoff Johns and Phil Jimenez and a HOST of artists came together to provide a sequel of sorts with Infinite Crisis. The limited series ended with Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman mysteriously missing for a year.
So we come to 52, a weekly series for 52 weeks that chronicles the travails and adventures of the rest of the tight fitting spandex crowd to fighting crime and solving mysteries without the BIG THREE.
The writing and art in this first volume, collecting the first 26 issues, was outstanding. I’ve been an only lukewarm fan of Johns and Grant Morrison over the years but must give kudos as they’ve rounded up the rest of the DC superhero universe and had a big time with a crowd of B-listers and also rans. Which is really cool because many of those lesser-known heroes have some WAY COOL stories to tell.
Fun. And I’m on to volume two now …
So we come to 52, a weekly series for 52 weeks that chronicles the travails and adventures of the rest of the tight fitting spandex crowd to fighting crime and solving mysteries without the BIG THREE.
The writing and art in this first volume, collecting the first 26 issues, was outstanding. I’ve been an only lukewarm fan of Johns and Grant Morrison over the years but must give kudos as they’ve rounded up the rest of the DC superhero universe and had a big time with a crowd of B-listers and also rans. Which is really cool because many of those lesser-known heroes have some WAY COOL stories to tell.
Fun. And I’m on to volume two now …
January 2, 2019
5 stars
This comic book was very interesting. Happy to see all the comic book characters in the book. Wonder if Ralph will become Dr. Fate. Black Adam seems interesting. Hope he will have fun with his new family. Hope Renee and Charlie will be able to stop Intergang. Wondering when Renee and Kate will talk. Hope Batman and Wonder Woman come back. Also hope Superman does too.
Can't wait to read Book 2!!!!
This comic book was very interesting. Happy to see all the comic book characters in the book. Wonder if Ralph will become Dr. Fate. Black Adam seems interesting. Hope he will have fun with his new family. Hope Renee and Charlie will be able to stop Intergang. Wondering when Renee and Kate will talk. Hope Batman and Wonder Woman come back. Also hope Superman does too.
Can't wait to read Book 2!!!!
September 20, 2017
The Good: The artwork here is amazing! The amount of detail put into the characters and locations blew me away. I was impressed by how convoluted the story was; it has plenty of twists and turns, and definitely kept me involved!
The Bad: As usual for more modern comics, there was quite a bit of unnecessary content. A serious overuse of profanity was present, ranging from d-words and h-words to various b-words, including the British crudity "b---er," to even symbols ("#^($@") used to imply even worse words. The violence was also bloody at times, and some of the monsters--particularly a hideous egg creature--were rather scary. Also, there was a bit of sultriness; the bit where two women were seen in bed together in their underwear was completely unnecessary.
Conclusion: This one has some really high points and some really low points; like many modern DC comic installments, it was quite the mixed bag. Despite the great production values, discerning readers should opt for older comics, which don't include nearly as much smut.
The Bad: As usual for more modern comics, there was quite a bit of unnecessary content. A serious overuse of profanity was present, ranging from d-words and h-words to various b-words, including the British crudity "b---er," to even symbols ("#^($@") used to imply even worse words. The violence was also bloody at times, and some of the monsters--particularly a hideous egg creature--were rather scary. Also, there was a bit of sultriness; the bit where two women were seen in bed together in their underwear was completely unnecessary.
Conclusion: This one has some really high points and some really low points; like many modern DC comic installments, it was quite the mixed bag. Despite the great production values, discerning readers should opt for older comics, which don't include nearly as much smut.
March 15, 2020
Really enjoyable read. This may be one of the best entire universe comic stories I have ever read. Batman, Wonderman, Superman are effectively out of play. As a result, I enjoyed getting to know lesser known parts of the DC Universe as they tried to fill the shoes of the major players. I think the true gift of this volume is the way the side stories and the main plot both work together. In some other bigger universe works I have read, this is usually not the case. Both the side stories and main plot move along brilliantly and keep you invested. I also greatly enjoyed the day by day and week by week layout of the graphic novel it definitely brought me back to watching the show 24.
I can't wait to read the next volume. I strongly recommend this to anyone interested in going a step deeper with comics/graphic novels. This is long but worth it!
I can't wait to read the next volume. I strongly recommend this to anyone interested in going a step deeper with comics/graphic novels. This is long but worth it!
March 29, 2020
I’ve wanted to read 52 since picking up the first isis issue way back when it was first being released. The work on this is wonderful. And the writing team seems to take advantage of this massive yarn to explore all sorts of random character dynamics. Structurally, it’s amazing they make it hold up cross an entire year while keeping individual issuers tense and entertaining.
July 29, 2020
With the Justice League gone and a few familiar faces being disheveled, new heroes have emerged with their own views and ideas on how they think will keep their world safe, for better or worse. It’s one serious super ride with plenty of drama with it’s characters, but they mainly just feel cocky and not nearly as engaging as I thought. Where’s the JL when you need them? B+ (83%/Very Good)
November 11, 2019
I'm normally of the belief that a story needs a singular vision to reach excellency. Morrison, Johns, Waid, Rucka and Griffen has completely shaken this conviction.
This book takes so many b and c list superheroes and make them infinitely more interesting than you'd think from their names and looks they'd be.
I got this cause I knew the Question was a major player, but all of the sudden all these other characters are making me just as interested in reading this massive book.
I can't wait to read the second part.
This book takes so many b and c list superheroes and make them infinitely more interesting than you'd think from their names and looks they'd be.
I got this cause I knew the Question was a major player, but all of the sudden all these other characters are making me just as interested in reading this massive book.
I can't wait to read the second part.
March 12, 2022
I like some of the story (Marvels, mostly), hate other parts (oh, right, they turned Starfire into a brainless whore; wow, OK, Ralph Dibney really needs a lot of therapy), am ambivalent on the rest. I'll read the second part to see if the tragedy I think is coming happens.
April 20, 2023
[3.25/5]
April 22, 2018
I need volume 2
January 17, 2021
Where to start with this massive collection? On the one hand, 52 is emblematic of all the worst excesses of comics in the 21st century. It is, as the title would imply, a 52-issue, weekly comic spinning out of Infinite Crisis, filling in the gaps between that and the One Year Later issues. This would in turn have its own spin-offs and be followed by another 52-issue series counting down to an crisis-level event.
Still, there’s a lot to like here, especially if you were (or are) right into the DCU. A genre spanning series, it’s at once a detective story (following the Question and Montoya in one thread, Booster Gold in another), a space adventure (following Adam Strange, Starfire and Animal Man), a grand heroic epic (Black Adam and the Marvel/Shazam family), a modern conspiracy (Lex Luthor’s ‘everyman’ project).
There’s almost too much to talk about in one short review, spanning 26 issues or six months worth of weekly comics. It transcends the delayed gratification of the monthly serialised storytelling that comic book fans have learned over the years, throwing constant cliffhangers at us. Some have compared it closer to television formatting.
While it’s not always successful, this assembly of writers - Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, and Mark Waid - ensure that it is never anything less than interesting. I loved seeing the mystery unfold in the Question’s thread, and the camaraderie between the unlikely trio of Animal Man, Kory and Strange. The cult of Conner becomes an interesting spin on modern totems, and Steel is just fascinating as a character study. A pacifist Lobo and a cosmic space dolphin is exactly as rad as it sounds.
This worked better in context, reading it week to week with all the events of the DCU playing out in the foreground. Yet reading it all together as a single piece gives it a unique rhythm that would be hard to replicate anywhere. 3.5/5 stars.
NB: Read as part of my DC Crisis and Beyond Journey: #21
Still, there’s a lot to like here, especially if you were (or are) right into the DCU. A genre spanning series, it’s at once a detective story (following the Question and Montoya in one thread, Booster Gold in another), a space adventure (following Adam Strange, Starfire and Animal Man), a grand heroic epic (Black Adam and the Marvel/Shazam family), a modern conspiracy (Lex Luthor’s ‘everyman’ project).
There’s almost too much to talk about in one short review, spanning 26 issues or six months worth of weekly comics. It transcends the delayed gratification of the monthly serialised storytelling that comic book fans have learned over the years, throwing constant cliffhangers at us. Some have compared it closer to television formatting.
While it’s not always successful, this assembly of writers - Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, and Mark Waid - ensure that it is never anything less than interesting. I loved seeing the mystery unfold in the Question’s thread, and the camaraderie between the unlikely trio of Animal Man, Kory and Strange. The cult of Conner becomes an interesting spin on modern totems, and Steel is just fascinating as a character study. A pacifist Lobo and a cosmic space dolphin is exactly as rad as it sounds.
This worked better in context, reading it week to week with all the events of the DCU playing out in the foreground. Yet reading it all together as a single piece gives it a unique rhythm that would be hard to replicate anywhere. 3.5/5 stars.
NB: Read as part of my DC Crisis and Beyond Journey: #21
July 22, 2019
The massive year-long 52 is not something I read back when the individual issues were being published. I tend to be more of a Marvel reader, plus budget and storage space are always limited. However, now that I can read comics digitally, I'm catching up, where I can, on big events that I missed.
I must say that venturing into this volume I was dubious. I am much more familiar with the Marvel universe than I am with DC's, so I thought that much of the material would be over my head. Also, I suspected that, in a daunting multi-part undertaking like this, time constraints for the creators would cause the art and writing to be weak.
I am pleased to say that I was wrong on all accounts.
Each of the hundreds of pages in this first volume is filled with gorgeous artwork. The various artists, and main layout artist, did an amazing job. And I enjoyed each of the various interlocking stories as well, none of which were uninteresting or incomprehensible. There are different moods, tones, and textures for each of the tales and they are all engaging.
So I must say that 52 is an impressive feat, not just a stunt, but a solidly executed series of comics with an entertaining array of characters and stories. I'm excited to delve into the second half of the series to see how it all wraps up.
I must say that venturing into this volume I was dubious. I am much more familiar with the Marvel universe than I am with DC's, so I thought that much of the material would be over my head. Also, I suspected that, in a daunting multi-part undertaking like this, time constraints for the creators would cause the art and writing to be weak.
I am pleased to say that I was wrong on all accounts.
Each of the hundreds of pages in this first volume is filled with gorgeous artwork. The various artists, and main layout artist, did an amazing job. And I enjoyed each of the various interlocking stories as well, none of which were uninteresting or incomprehensible. There are different moods, tones, and textures for each of the tales and they are all engaging.
So I must say that 52 is an impressive feat, not just a stunt, but a solidly executed series of comics with an entertaining array of characters and stories. I'm excited to delve into the second half of the series to see how it all wraps up.
January 6, 2020
What happens when Earth's greatest heroes are absent?
More take their place, but their morality is a bit grayer. It's a good combination of sparingly used characters that I remember from Who's Who back in the late '80s and new characters for this series. Fast paced and jumps around a lot, but just like the series 24 that it's based on, they do a good job of catching you up when characters reappear weeks later.
More take their place, but their morality is a bit grayer. It's a good combination of sparingly used characters that I remember from Who's Who back in the late '80s and new characters for this series. Fast paced and jumps around a lot, but just like the series 24 that it's based on, they do a good job of catching you up when characters reappear weeks later.
September 5, 2017
To pool a great team of writers like this together and have them creating a coherent but multi-faceted storyline that allows some of the other DC regulars to step into the shoes of the Trinity...really good stuff here, not surprising as DC's crossover events generally have a high benchmark for depth and quality.
August 29, 2023
I miss when comics were written this intentionally! From infinite crisis right up until flashpoint is truly a special time in DC comics for me. 52 is no exception, as this stacked writers team did what neither DC or Marvel would ever dare try.. write a massive story without their flagship characters.. reading this book feels like I’m watching reality tv or a really good soap opera. 26 issues in and we have seen the plot thicken immensely. Right now I just want to know what is going to happen with the Booster Gold plot and what is skeets up to? Will Starfire and Adam strange and Animal
Man make it home? How far will Ralph go in search for answers about sue? Who is this new superhero in metropolis?
I do just wish that Steel’s Niece wasn’t so villianized In this run. I just get second hand embarrassment watching this girl so drastically change her life all because Steel Wanted her to do her homework.
I also couldn’t care less about the Black Adam plot and the Metal men plot.. I am worried that these plots will be more important to the story than I’d like them to be.
Overall, man what a great time capsule into a time of great comics! Let’s see if they can stick the landing in volume 2!
Man make it home? How far will Ralph go in search for answers about sue? Who is this new superhero in metropolis?
I do just wish that Steel’s Niece wasn’t so villianized In this run. I just get second hand embarrassment watching this girl so drastically change her life all because Steel Wanted her to do her homework.
I also couldn’t care less about the Black Adam plot and the Metal men plot.. I am worried that these plots will be more important to the story than I’d like them to be.
Overall, man what a great time capsule into a time of great comics! Let’s see if they can stick the landing in volume 2!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2023
I read this before when it was in print as four volumes. It’s been repackaged digitally as two volumes. This contains issues 1-26.
This was like reading anew. I didn’t not remember a single thing about it other than Booster Gold was an arrogant idiot and Black Adam was arrogantly reformed.
There is SO MUCH happening that it’s pretty hard to keep track of it all. I would think this sweeping epic is a DC fanboy’s dream that goes incredibly deep into the universe lore.
I do remember that this was a herculean task in the comic industry. As for the first half a lot has happened but then again, not really much has.
This was like reading anew. I didn’t not remember a single thing about it other than Booster Gold was an arrogant idiot and Black Adam was arrogantly reformed.
There is SO MUCH happening that it’s pretty hard to keep track of it all. I would think this sweeping epic is a DC fanboy’s dream that goes incredibly deep into the universe lore.
I do remember that this was a herculean task in the comic industry. As for the first half a lot has happened but then again, not really much has.
September 18, 2023
Very interesting and great story little hard to follow
Soooo much going on and it's got great storyline,characters new and old. The question of where Batman, Superman and WonderWoman are? The art is great and again the storylines are great with all the great writers they have on this, very excited to start volume 2 but at times there is sooooooo much happening and is hard to follow or remember where the last time you saw a character, what was going on but I definitely recommend it and like the interesting way to attack.
Soooo much going on and it's got great storyline,characters new and old. The question of where Batman, Superman and WonderWoman are? The art is great and again the storylines are great with all the great writers they have on this, very excited to start volume 2 but at times there is sooooooo much happening and is hard to follow or remember where the last time you saw a character, what was going on but I definitely recommend it and like the interesting way to attack.
May 13, 2020
A fun ride
This is a fun ride through the DC Universe without the big guns. It's like a sprawling multi stage novel; it's funny and usually well drawn. Some minor characters get starring roles. I read this during the 2020 pandemic when no new comics were coming out and it satisfied my need to read a few books a night.
This is a fun ride through the DC Universe without the big guns. It's like a sprawling multi stage novel; it's funny and usually well drawn. Some minor characters get starring roles. I read this during the 2020 pandemic when no new comics were coming out and it satisfied my need to read a few books a night.
December 12, 2022
So many bloated stories that barely intersect and characters I don't care about. It's so strange how much is happening that just doesn't interest me at all. If it all tied together, it would be better but it seems to just be five or more different stories smashed together.
Booster gold is insufferable and his sacrifice was so meaningless. I can't stand that character in any story I see him in
Booster gold is insufferable and his sacrifice was so meaningless. I can't stand that character in any story I see him in
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2025
A phenomenal collaboration that sets up perhaps the best Question and Black Adam stories that is ever read. I do think that knowledge of DC characters beyond the Big Three and their supporting cast is necessary to best engage with this, but the fact both volumes work as great as they do given the timeframe they were written in is remarkable.
March 12, 2020
Being an Avid Batman fan, the explanation of the "missing" year in the New 52 was definitely Not Miss, & after reading this you'll understand why!
This gets a 5 star review from me simply from the start telling and artwork alone! A DONT MISS for any avid DC Fan!
This gets a 5 star review from me simply from the start telling and artwork alone! A DONT MISS for any avid DC Fan!
May 19, 2020
I made dumb decisions and started reading the events out of order, so I was a little disoriented at the start of this but came around soon enough. Slow start, but I was really tearing through it by the end. Luckily I have book 2 already, so I’ll start that sooner than later.
January 30, 2021
Puntaje: 4 estrellas.
Al principio me costo mucho pero con el paso logre engancharme con las historias!
Muchos personajes nuevos para mi, definitivamente no es un libro recomendado para quienes no han leido nada de DC Comics.
Al principio me costo mucho pero con el paso logre engancharme con las historias!
Muchos personajes nuevos para mi, definitivamente no es un libro recomendado para quienes no han leido nada de DC Comics.
February 21, 2021
I couldn't finish this. So I guess I'm lying by saying that I finished it.
This was just STUPID!
Why did they have to change everything?! For the next generation?! I think that they have forgotten the base that made these characters famous!
This was just STUPID!
Why did they have to change everything?! For the next generation?! I think that they have forgotten the base that made these characters famous!
March 18, 2023
Awful. Just awful. A good moment or too, but i became disinterested on this quickly. Just all over the place. Inconsistent art work. Some pages are brilliant. Others aren’t up to refrigerator standards.
April 30, 2024
I'm interested but not satisfied.
I'm reading this based on the reputations of the writers, and--while I think they set up some interesting things in this issue--I don't think it's that interesting of a read on its own.
Maybe I should read Infinite Crisis first.
I'm reading this based on the reputations of the writers, and--while I think they set up some interesting things in this issue--I don't think it's that interesting of a read on its own.
Maybe I should read Infinite Crisis first.
November 25, 2024
I really wish they’d give The Question and Reneé Montoya more screen time, especially since I don’t care at all about Black Adam’s melodrama and the scientist island. I like the pace the story is going, the only story that felt dragged out was the animal man, Adam strange, starfire one
October 20, 2017
I never thought I'd miss Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman (in that order) so much.
August 25, 2018
This was an interesting read since I don't know much of the DC world, and the best known ones were absent or minimally involved here. I think I just enjoy binge-reading comic books.
December 12, 2019
Awesome
Awesome I I I love love love the plot and the action that DC had provided it really is great
Awesome I I I love love love the plot and the action that DC had provided it really is great
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews