Creative, Captivating, Compelling
The Story:
Events that happen the first 13 weeks after Infinite Crisis.
My Thoughts:
This has to be one of the boldest, most creative comic events ever conceived. The four men responsible for it (Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid) pull out all the stops and deliver a well thought out story with multiple plot lines. They touch on so many different themes such as heroism, morality, detective investigation and politics to name a few. Their ability to deliver suspense each issue is second to none.
I wasn't familiar with the characters of Renee Montoya or The Question but I found their storyline to be very entertaining. The added detective element was nice as the pair investigate a group known as Intergang. What makes their storyline even more compelling, is Renee dealing with her own personal issues as a former love interest of hers (Kate Kane) re-enters her life. Then of course, the appearance of Batwoman who saves them both was another shocker.
The Steel/Natasha Irons/Lex Luthor storyline wasn't one of my favorites mostly due to the fact that it centers around the relationship of Steel and his niece Natasha who is a young, whiny and selfish teenager. While the writing was an accurate depiction of someone that age it was still slightly annoying to read. However it did become better when Lex Luthor was added to the equation. I mean what situation doesn't become more interesting when Lex is involved?
The storyline involving Animal Man, Starfire and Adam Strange was one that didn't quite progress anything further. I was unsure which direction that plot was going to take and I still am. For a minute I thought one of the two men were going to sleep with Starfire. For some reason I thought it was going to be Animal Man who kept wondering about his wife and kids. For now the writers have left things up in the air involving those three as they're still trapped on some planet.
Booster Gold's storyline was one that caught my interest from the start. A character who I've been wanting to read more about. His true character is revealed in these issues as he so eagerly wants to take Superman's spot as Metropolis's savior and protector. The lengths he goes to were the real shocker. He hired someone to put on a costume and terrorize just so he could stop him in front of all the citizens of the city. Adding reporter Clark Kent during this was another great choice by the writers. What really had me thinking was the chalkboard which supposedly tells the future in which Booster Gold comes across while looking for Rip Hunter.
The Black Adam storyline the another well written plot. The writers take bold moves as Black Adam tears a man in half…literally. Later he presents the Amulet Of Isis to Adrianna and we se their relationship develop. Seeing her persuade Black Adam to take a different route, one that doesn't involve murder and coercion was nicely written.
The Ralph Dinby storyline may have been the one with the most emotion in it. Ralph is informed his wife Sue's grave has been vandalized. Ralph finds out the symbol tagged on her grave stands for resurrection. He investigates and finds out about a group called the Cult Of Connor. What was more shocking was that Wonder Girl is a part of the cult. The writers again manage to deliver shock and suspense all the way to the very end as we see an image of Ralph holding his wife.
The art is by a handful of different artist, inkers and colorists which I wont even begin to name. What I will say is that each issue, just as the writers did, they managed to continuously impress and deliver quality work. I enjoyed the art a lot. Seeing the brilliant script come to life was an awesome experience. The only problem I had was the inks on two pages. Whichever inker did them did a horrible job. I didn't let it bother me though. This event was too epic for me to be worried about the inks on a few pages. The covers were really awesome. I especially liked the cover for issues one (Superman's Cape, Wonder Woman's Lasso and Batman's cowl and cape all attached to a sword) and issues twelve (Black Adam & Isis).
52 is an event every DC Comic fan should read if they haven't. These first 13 issues are so well-constructed and elaborately laid out I have become so intrigued and find myself extremely excited to continue reading this event. At the end of each issue there are notes from one of the writers or artists who give their thoughts and memories on the corresponding issue. I enjoyed reading their perspective and insight on the event. The story arc consists of four volumes each having 13 issues. The retail price is $19.99 for each paperback which is a great deal for the amount of issues each volume holds. Definitely check it out if you haven't yet.
Rating: 5/5