Customer Reviews

52: The Novel

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're looking for high literature, this ain't it. If you're looking for a more literary rendition of events in a comic book universe, you've hit paydirt.
There are definite and concurrent story arcs that sustain a reader's interest. The big 3 characters from the DC Universe are backgrounded to the point of almost being voyeurs in their world. There are characters that are mostly background in the DC universe that really get to shine here, as well as fade away. The character development was well-measured, with tempering events that were, thankfully, not in keeping with a four-color universe, and that pleased me very much.

As a supers RPG role-player, I liked the plots and sub-plots presented here for me by which I may be inspired.
As a father I will happily set this book aside for my teen-age son to read when he gets a chance.
As a reader, I'll dig up the book that came before this one. I want more.

In a temporarily post-Superman, Post-Batman and Post-Wonder Woman (DC comics) world, some of the lesser-known DC heroes have the opportunity to step up. The Question proves interesting, and check out his anti-smoking riff! He even underscores it by becoming an object lesson himself. (See more of him in the Helltown novel by Denny O'Neil).Black Adam emerges as a kind of amoral superman, but still guided by his own ancient Egyptian pharaoh-style code of honor and justice. Those of us old enough to remember Saturday morning kids' TV will enjoy seeing the introduction of Isis to the regular DCU. Perhaps best of all is Cox's treatment of former Gotham City detective Renee Montoya. He addresses her status as a gay women flawlessly. Her sexual identity isn't over-emphasized, yet it is a defining characteristic in part, and her attraction to other women is
portrayed in a mature fashion; sexy, without ever becoming salacious. She's also the character who grows the most throughout the novel. Overall, an entertaining read for the mature comics reader, esp. for those of us who'd like to keep up with the events in the comics but, for whatever reason, haven't read all of the 52 comic series.

I read the comic series before this novel and I must say I enjoy the novel more. The novel went in depth more of the character it chose to write about.

As the follow up novel to Infinite Crisis, this novel has mostly high points, as "The Big Three" are absent from action, and new heroes must fill their very hard to fill shoes. There were times when I felt the action dragged a little, but overall it was a great read. As I do not read graphic novels or comics anymore, the novels are my way of keeping up with my youthful heroes. Somehow you know that in the end, things have to turn out right, but this can keep you guessing right up to the end. Quoth the Raven.

The Crisis is over but there are casualties that leave the world vulnerable. Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman have disappeared. The latter two have suffered burnout and have to figure out who they really are while superman has lost his power temporally he hopes it will return but for now he cannot watch over the world in the way he loves. However there are still superheroes who have taken up the banner of keeping the world safe.

From the twenty-fifth century comes Booster Gold, a superhero with futuristic technology and a robotic sidekick Skeets. He is in it for the money from the sponsors but he is caught in a dishonest act and is discredited. A new superhero Supernova emerges who doesn't fumble the ball like Booster did and is a hero in the Superman tradition. They play a role in dealing with the Intergang, a collective of criminals who have joined forces in the Mideast and want safe passage in Khandaq but the super family of Black Adam, Isis and Osiris refuses them. In retaliation plague and pesticide is released on the nation and the family has to fight the shapeshifting criminal monsters and battle until one person is left standing. Gotham has Catwoman to watch over it and the city will need her because Intergang plan to move its headquarters there.

52 is a novel based on the 52 issue DC mini series and it captures the spirit of those comic books even though plots and characters have been left out. This is a classic good versus evil series and the heroes are very heroic and the villains are the ultimate evil. Readers will thoroughly enjoy this change to the order as other heroes besides the original JLA members take the spotlight.

Harriet Klausner

The world is in peril. Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman, the beloved super heroes, are missing. With the heroes missing, the planet is in need of new heroes to protect and serve the planet. And a new generation rises up to take the banner left to them. There are some familiar heroes and some new heroes. One of the new heroes is Booster Gold. He will replace Superman. But Superman's boots are too big to fill and Booster Gold has some problems.

52 chronicles a year in which the super heroes are missing. Super villains are attacking the planet. Can it be saved? Will our super heroes return? The answers lie within the pages of 52.

Author Greg Cox is a consulting editor for TOR Books. He's written many of the Star Trek novels and movie novelizations of Daredevil and Underworld. He's also written for television series including Alias, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Xena, Roswell and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Cox has taken on the monumental task of reducing a fifty-two issue of a DC comic book series that appeared weekly from May 2006 to May 2007 and made it into a novel. This novel will grab your attention and take you on an exciting ride.

This type of novel is not something that I would normally read, but it is drew me in and kept me turning the pages.

Armchair Interviews says: 52 is a twist in the Sci Fi/Fantasy genre and one worth taking a look at.

I thought this was a great book. It kept me interested and was a nice change of pace to read about the B-list team. The Black Adam portion could have stood alone as it's own book. Really solid read!

While this novel's sequel, "Countdown to Infinite Crisis" was probably a bit better, this was great as well. Funnily enough, only one of the six characters on the cover was among my favorites in the story.

I don't follow the actual comic books, so I wasn't familiar with many of these characters. And though I do normally enjoy Booster Gold, he wasn't my favorite here. Booster was very interesting in the beginning, but toward the end of the Booster/Supernova arc, the finale didn't really live up to the buildup. It was still good though.

Now, the two plots which really showcase character-driven writing here were Black Adam & Renee Montoya's stories. Black Adam's journey was somewhat unexpected, especially when the Famine Hourseman appeared, the whole thing was just very well done, and not predictable as so many superhero tales are. Renee Montoya's quest with the Question was just great, this wasn't as unpredictable, but her denial being juxtaposed with Vic's (The Question) eagle-eyed focus was kind of the whole point of the story.

Batwoman's oddly in front on the cover, maybe she had a bigger role in the comic version, but in the novel she was not much of a protagonist. She's a Jewish Lesbian who is rich and can handle herself in a fight. That may sound like it would make for an interesting character, but she honestly doesn't accomplish much on her own in this book.

Overall, I highly recommend this book for someone looking for character-driven superhero stories. Though, like most people, Batman's my favorite hero, he's not really missed here. I'd also recommend the GraphicAudio adaptation of this book, they're this great little company with professional actors and pro sound effects, which really live up to the "movie in your mind" slogan. The only criticism I have is that they use the same actor for Commissioner Gordon and Superman, not a problem for this story, but odd in the ones that use both characters, especially since they use several dozen different actors...

After reading Greg Cox's novelization of Infinite Crisis, I eagerly picked up this sort-of sequel. Now, let me say right away that I had not read any of the comics before reading the novels. However, while I bought the Infinite Crisis trade, I don't think I'll be spending any money on the 52 trades, based on this novel.
Cox did some amazing things with a poor story to get this book to two stars. However, the overall quality of story that he had to base it off was poor. Beast creatures from Intergang? All the mad scientists working together to create the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? A new Batwoman, way too similar in identity to Batman? These are real stretches and were difficult to fathom as good comics.
This really seemed like a forced gimmick from DC to capitalize on what was a good story with Infinite Crisis. While the basic idea of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman being out of action was sound, the follow up was not.