Written by Geoff Johns; Grant Morrison; Greg Rucka; & Mark Waid.
Art by Keith Giffen; Chris Batista; Joe bennett; Tom Derenick; Jamal Igle; Phil Jimenez; Drew Johnson; Dan Jurgens; Shawn Moll; Patrick Olliffe; Joe Prado; Andy Smith; Mariah Benes; Joe Bennett; Keith Champagne; Drew Geraci; Dan Green; Jack Jadson; Ruy Jose; Andy Lanning; Jay Leisten; Dave Meikis; ‘Nelson;’ Rodney Ramos; Norm Rapmund; Prentis Rollins; Ray Snyder; David Baron; Hi-Fi; Pete Pantazis; Alex Sinclair; Phil Balsman; Pat Brosseau; Jared K. Fletcher; Rob Leigh; & Travis Lanham.
Collection Cover Art by J.G. Jones & Alex Sinclair, with Robbie Biederman.
SUMMARY:
Released by DC Comics in 2007, this 304-page paperback compiles 52 # 27-39 (from 2006-2007) in the saga’s second-to-last volume. Including glimpses of Bruce Wayne’s enigmatic desert quest and a powerless Clark Kent’s abduction, 52, Volume 3 continues these storylines:
- With the explosive demise of Booster Gold, the masked Supernova is the new sensation of Metropolis.
- Superman remains mysteriously absent. Dubbed his ‘Everyman’ project, Lex Luthor takes advantage by pushing his own ominous, pay-to-play new incarnation of Infinity, Inc. The source of super-powers for these rookie renegades seeking instant fame and glory has John Henry Irons/Steel’s research team and a depleted JSA (including an outraged Obsidian) challenging Luthor’s ulterior motives and means. Worse yet, John Henry’s own niece, Natasha, has joined this Infinity, Inc. to escape Steel’s heroic shadow.
- Accompanied by the Helmet of Nabu (Dr. Fate’s helmet), Ralph Dibny continues his obsessive quest to resurrect his beloved wife, Sue, by supernatural means. Ralph’s efforts include facing off vs. Jean Loring’s Eclipso and even challenging the Spectre for answers.
- In deep space, sinister forces are at ruthless work. To aid the Green Lantern Corps, Starfire, Adam Strange, Animal Man join Lobo on a perilous mission that will hopefully lead the lost trio back home to Earth.
- On secluded Oolong Island, the Metal Men’s Dr. Will Magnus is uneasily surrounded by evil super-geniuses (including Veronica Cale & Dr. Sivana) in gleeful subservience to Chang Tzu.
- With the original Question terminally ill, Renee Montoya commutes to and from Nanda Parbat, as she may become his eventual successor. They help Kate Kane’s rookie Batwoman in battling Intergang’s near-biblical crime wave infesting Gotham City. Having departed Bruce Wayne’s year-long sabbatical, Dick Grayson & Tim Drake return to a besieged Gotham.
- Viewed as an imminent threat to American security, the Black Adam Family (Black Adam, Isis, & Osiris) is targeted for termination by the Suicide Squad.
- Rip Hunter, Waverider, & a secret ally discover the shocking threat plundering the space-time continuum.
REVIEW:
Volume 3’s production values are consistently impressive. Continuing its controversial approach after the ultra-violent Infinite Crisis, DC Comics eschews its pre-teen audience altogether for darker and more mature storytelling in the DC Universe.
Yet, what hits home is that 52, Volume 3, as engrossing and cohesive of an initial read as it is, doesn’t necessarily maintain that same appeal the second time or more around. An excess of macabre plotting and some unrepentant gore deplete any sense of innocent fun that DC Comics once proudly stood for. Hence, 52’s fans won’t be disappointed, but kids should look elsewhere for appropriate DC entertainment.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
For starters, there’s a page-long summary of 52’s multitude of ongoing storylines. After each chapter, members of the creative team offer plot commentaries, page breakdowns, and script analyses. There’s a gallery of artists J.G. Jones & Alex Sinclair’s covers (with four to a page), with only Issue # 27 getting a full-page spread.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
