Written by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid Breakdowns by Keith Giffen Art by various Backup features by Waid and various Covers by J.G. Jones The end is near! As the year races towards its close, we follow our heroes through their final steps in space - and time! From the mean streets of Gotham to the far reaches of deep space, the last weeks tick down to their shattering conclusion. World War III is just the beginning! Plus, more origins of the DC Universe, including the JLA with Ethan Van Sciver and Batman with Andy Kubert! 52: A year without Superman; a year without Batman; a year without Wonder Woman... but not a year without heroes.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
When this first of four volumes was serialized, its selling point was that it was a weekly, soap-operatic series happening in real time, a sort of 24 with superheroes, written by four major comics names. As a single book, it's a compelling mess: a breakneck but occasionally jolting tour of a fictional world whose balance of power is rapidly shifting, and it's packed with Easter eggs for longtime comics readers. The cast of hundreds includes time travelers, space travelers, a down-on-her-luck ex-cop recruited by a faceless hero to replace him, a Chinese government-sponsored superhero team, and mad scientists mysteriously vanishing by the score; there's a grand, Lost-like conspiracy to which this volume offers plenty of clues but no solutions. Keith Giffen's layouts flow smoothly and give the book a measure of consistency; they're fleshed out by an assortment of cartoonists, mostly in solid examples of the generic superhero style of 2006. The writing team's knack for character comedy and crisp dialogue keeps the tone lively, but there are a few too many plot threads to juggle—the overall effect is of a handful of entertaining series with their pages shuffled together. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
"52 encompasses space opera, hard-boiled detective fiction, psychological suspense, light comedy, Grand Guignol violence, medical drama and straight-up good-guys-vs.-bad-guys action..."
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
52 was, if nothing else, a grand experiment. Initially, it purported to show what would happen in the DC Universe during a year without Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.
Well, the answer there is, as you might expect, pretty much exactly what happens in the DCU books that aren't constantly pandering to the Big Three.
That said, what we do get in these books is an array of talent rarely seen in one place and at one time -- especially as regards third string characters.
While the quality of the artwork varies at times (and with the huge panel count pages no one involved in 52 could be considered a slouch), the writers miraculously provide a consistent and unified tone.
And while 52 does not directly embody the intricacy of an extended Rucka plotline, the unbridled insanity of Morrison, or the straight-up sass of Waid cutting loose; it does show delightful touches of all of three of these authors while remaining generally faithful overall to the work of tried-and-true DC stalwart Geoff Johns.
52 feels more like Geoff Johns on JSA than anything else -- only maybe a bit deeper, a bit nuttier, and a bit funnier -- and for the most part that's a very good thing.
Like Geoff Johns' JSA, you also wouldn't consider 52 an "easy" read. There are lots of panels, lots of tiny text bubbles, lots of storylines running haywire all over the place.
Countdown, the follow-up to 52 headed by Paul Dini, by counterexample, is a much simpler and more straight forward execution. Because of this, in the moment, it feels more engaging -- but does it resonate so thoroughly? Only time will tell.
As befits a book of 52's stature, there are highs and lows, bits that work (Black Adam, Skeets) and bits that don't (Adam Strange, Animal Man, Batwoman). If you plan to read it all, you'll enjoy it. You certainly won't feel gypped. Is it a story that resonates for the ages? No. Is it quote unquote important? No. Does it rival the best work of any of these authors individually? No.
But 52 is a solid story overall and one that in places does manage to captivate the soul.
Casual buyers, bear in mind that none of these trades will contain anything resembling an arc. For a complete story, you must purchase ALL of the 52 trades.
This book: 5 stars. 52, the series: 4 stars.
Well, the answer there is, as you might expect, pretty much exactly what happens in the DCU books that aren't constantly pandering to the Big Three.
That said, what we do get in these books is an array of talent rarely seen in one place and at one time -- especially as regards third string characters.
While the quality of the artwork varies at times (and with the huge panel count pages no one involved in 52 could be considered a slouch), the writers miraculously provide a consistent and unified tone.
And while 52 does not directly embody the intricacy of an extended Rucka plotline, the unbridled insanity of Morrison, or the straight-up sass of Waid cutting loose; it does show delightful touches of all of three of these authors while remaining generally faithful overall to the work of tried-and-true DC stalwart Geoff Johns.
52 feels more like Geoff Johns on JSA than anything else -- only maybe a bit deeper, a bit nuttier, and a bit funnier -- and for the most part that's a very good thing.
Like Geoff Johns' JSA, you also wouldn't consider 52 an "easy" read. There are lots of panels, lots of tiny text bubbles, lots of storylines running haywire all over the place.
Countdown, the follow-up to 52 headed by Paul Dini, by counterexample, is a much simpler and more straight forward execution. Because of this, in the moment, it feels more engaging -- but does it resonate so thoroughly? Only time will tell.
As befits a book of 52's stature, there are highs and lows, bits that work (Black Adam, Skeets) and bits that don't (Adam Strange, Animal Man, Batwoman). If you plan to read it all, you'll enjoy it. You certainly won't feel gypped. Is it a story that resonates for the ages? No. Is it quote unquote important? No. Does it rival the best work of any of these authors individually? No.
But 52 is a solid story overall and one that in places does manage to captivate the soul.
Casual buyers, bear in mind that none of these trades will contain anything resembling an arc. For a complete story, you must purchase ALL of the 52 trades.
This book: 5 stars. 52, the series: 4 stars.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Daring, Inventive, Addictive, Amazing: Weekly Comics Experiement Collected!
June 2, 2007
Format:Paperback
I bought each issue of this weekly comics as it came out and now I've shelled out for the trade paper back. Why? Because 52 is an amazing soap opera read and is like NOTHING you've ever read before from DC. It's landmark, genre-fusing, crazy, and one of a kind.
It really reads well when strung together like this: all the foreshadowing, all that hard work by four of the most talented and creative writers in the business, it's all there from issue one, page one. To complain about the odd pacing issue on a book that came out week-in, week-out for fifty-two weeks is churlish, but as you may or may not now, hard core comics fans can be ridiculously cantankerous. Give em Citizen Kane, they'd moan that it is in back and white, give them The Godfather and they'll bitch that it's not as violent as Scarface.
All the blurbs on the book's back jacket, from almost EVERY major press outlet, is there for a reason. 52 is an amazing accomplishment, a bird's-eye view of the DC Universe that takes us through one year in the life of some of its fascinating second and third tier characters.
The commentary section after each issue is a very nice bonus and offers insights into how the story changed from it's original conception, how it took on a life and momentum all its own, and how the writers and editors came up with many off their brilliant ideas.
In terms of mainstream superhero comics, this is THE series of the last ten years, and it sets a standard of achievement and excellence that will be hard to match! So do believe the hype: this is a rolicking, fun, entertaining read.
It really reads well when strung together like this: all the foreshadowing, all that hard work by four of the most talented and creative writers in the business, it's all there from issue one, page one. To complain about the odd pacing issue on a book that came out week-in, week-out for fifty-two weeks is churlish, but as you may or may not now, hard core comics fans can be ridiculously cantankerous. Give em Citizen Kane, they'd moan that it is in back and white, give them The Godfather and they'll bitch that it's not as violent as Scarface.
All the blurbs on the book's back jacket, from almost EVERY major press outlet, is there for a reason. 52 is an amazing accomplishment, a bird's-eye view of the DC Universe that takes us through one year in the life of some of its fascinating second and third tier characters.
The commentary section after each issue is a very nice bonus and offers insights into how the story changed from it's original conception, how it took on a life and momentum all its own, and how the writers and editors came up with many off their brilliant ideas.
In terms of mainstream superhero comics, this is THE series of the last ten years, and it sets a standard of achievement and excellence that will be hard to match! So do believe the hype: this is a rolicking, fun, entertaining read.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Other reviewers will invariably take 52 to task for a perceived neglect in achieving what they have taken to be the purported goal of this series. And while there is a certain legitimacy to these gripes, they do a disservice to the series which, on its own terms--which is to say, outside of reader expectations--mostly succeeds in weaving together a diverse collection of narrative threads and character arcs, and eventually coming to some rather clever and exciting, if occasionally confusing, conclusions.
It is true that the extent to which it speaks to the One Year Later stories seems almost an afterthought...but oh well. What it does do is introduce new readers (or reintroduce them to comics veterans) to an assortment of lesser-known but otherwise strong characters from DC's B-list and put into motion events that, by the end, allow each of those characters to shine in a way that a universe dominated by the Big 3 seldom allows. DC never entertained the idea that characters of the ilk of Booster Gold and Elongated Man could someday be A-list headliners of flagship titles. That's just silly. Instead, 52 is an ensemble drama that rewards readers for their attention.
If it has a weakness, it is that the real-time gimmick doesn't always bear out very well, as some plot lines seem absurdly protracted in order to coordinate story and thematic climaxes. But thankfully, this only begins to plague the series about two-thirds of the way in. The first collected volume, which only contains the set-ups, still manages to pack a good deal of narrative punch as it puts all of our protagonists into situations within which they are the decided underdogs:
Booster Gold discovers that he may in some way be responsible for breaking time. Animal Man, Adam Strange, and Starfire are stranded in deep space with a bounty on their heads. John Henry Irons stands as the only moral counterbalance to the hollow promises and Machiavellian intent of Lex Luthor's Everyman program. Ralph Dibny (Elongated Man) is living on borrowed time after a near suicide attempt while he attempts to put his final affairs in order. And so on. You may not care for all of these mysteries or all of these characters, but the chances are good that at least one of these plotlines will suck you in.
At its best, 52 is rousing. At its worst, plodding. Though never particularly bad, in my opinion. And the early installments were all fairly well-paced.
It is true that the extent to which it speaks to the One Year Later stories seems almost an afterthought...but oh well. What it does do is introduce new readers (or reintroduce them to comics veterans) to an assortment of lesser-known but otherwise strong characters from DC's B-list and put into motion events that, by the end, allow each of those characters to shine in a way that a universe dominated by the Big 3 seldom allows. DC never entertained the idea that characters of the ilk of Booster Gold and Elongated Man could someday be A-list headliners of flagship titles. That's just silly. Instead, 52 is an ensemble drama that rewards readers for their attention.
If it has a weakness, it is that the real-time gimmick doesn't always bear out very well, as some plot lines seem absurdly protracted in order to coordinate story and thematic climaxes. But thankfully, this only begins to plague the series about two-thirds of the way in. The first collected volume, which only contains the set-ups, still manages to pack a good deal of narrative punch as it puts all of our protagonists into situations within which they are the decided underdogs:
Booster Gold discovers that he may in some way be responsible for breaking time. Animal Man, Adam Strange, and Starfire are stranded in deep space with a bounty on their heads. John Henry Irons stands as the only moral counterbalance to the hollow promises and Machiavellian intent of Lex Luthor's Everyman program. Ralph Dibny (Elongated Man) is living on borrowed time after a near suicide attempt while he attempts to put his final affairs in order. And so on. You may not care for all of these mysteries or all of these characters, but the chances are good that at least one of these plotlines will suck you in.
At its best, 52 is rousing. At its worst, plodding. Though never particularly bad, in my opinion. And the early installments were all fairly well-paced.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
MY GRADE: B plus.
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... Read more
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... Read more
Published 6 months ago by MISTER SJEM
5.0 out of 5 stars
one of the most ambitious projects
Addictive ground breaking weekly comic telling story of missing year in the DC universe in real time, with the world stringest super heroes absent, the DC world must prevail and... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Omran Mohd Alzahkawi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ambitious and Entertaining
If you are mainly familiar with the Batman and Superman side of DC Comics this is a great introduction to a ton of their lesser known characters. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Ross Beaudette
5.0 out of 5 stars
Addictive Series
Ive read the entire series and love it. The first book sinks its teeth into you and makes you crave more 52! Morrison, Johns,Rucka, Waid and Giffen. Read more
Published on January 6, 2011 by Daniel Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very entertaining
At first very skeptical with keeping the plot from week to week but upon reading found it very entertaining and hard to put down a great start to an epic story soon to unfold in... Read more
Published on October 1, 2010 by Nick of all trades
4.0 out of 5 stars
A lot to keep track of but its worth the effort!
I'm not a huge DC Comics fan. I know some of the history but not a ton. I went into this with an open mind and really enjoyed it. Read more
Published on July 7, 2010 by S. Penrose
4.0 out of 5 stars
VOLUME 1... Not bad at all
I'm a guy going through the road to Final Crisis and I gotta tell this book worth every cent of my money. Read more
Published on January 20, 2010 by Xavier Zavala Heras
5.0 out of 5 stars
"24" for the cape-wearing set
This volume collects issues from the "52" series--a year in the life of DC comics told in real time. Read more
Published on January 17, 2010 by Barbara L. Lemaster
5.0 out of 5 stars
Multiple storylines that are all good
I thoroughly enjoyed Vol 1. The world is out of the Crisis, so they think, and the big 3 are all missing...Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman. Read more
Published on August 6, 2008 by CJC
4.0 out of 5 stars
The B-grade superheroes get the A-grade treatment
For every comic book fan who's ever dreamed of a lengthy epic that deals with the B-grade superheroes, the superheroes who get forgotten in the press, well, welcome to 52. Read more
Published on July 31, 2008 by Brendan M. Howard
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