The Infinite Crisis has ended; the world mourns the passing of Superboy. But where are Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman?
Follow this link to the comic maxi-series list of covers and issues '52.'
This event is the filler-in of the missing year when the One Year Later event took place. It often brings up the number 52 within its stories in every imaginable circumstance, concluding with their being 52 Universes.
*INFORMATION ON UPCOMING EVENTS:
Week 50 of 52 is planned to cover the events of World War III.
The four tie-ins that DC plans to release the same week, hopes to clarify the mysteries of what transpired between the Infinite Crisis and the "One Year Later" series.
3.The DC Nation column in Week 37 reveals in a coded message that states: "the secret of fifty-two is that the multiverse still exists". The message is spelled out using the first letter of every third word
Associated Issues
Edit
Overview
From the ashes of devastated Bialya they rise again in the FOUR HORSEMEN — War, Pestilence, Famine, Death — living embodiments of the Dread Ages of Apokolips.
Freed from thrall to the mad geniuses who first summoned them, the Horsemen look to their own dark ambition, to remake the Earth in their image — and only the combined might of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman can stop them!
This TPB reprints the following issues:
52 #40 to 52 #52
Overview
Don’t miss the third in a 4-volume collection featuring the year-long story that changed the DCU! 52 VOLUME 3, with a new cover by J.G. Jones, contains the lead stories from 52 WEEKS 14-26, plus commentary on each issue by creators and editors, conceptual drawings, sketch material, thumbnails and more!
This TPB reprints the following issues:
52 #27 to 52 #39
After the INFINITE CRISIS and before One Year Later, the DCU spent a year without Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. A year in which those heroes were needed more than ever as the fate of the world hung in the balance. Who stood up in their absence? And who sat out? The story of DC's most eventful year ever can now be told as four of the hottest writers in comics - Grant Morrison, Geoff Johns, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid - deliver an unprecedented weekly tale of death, danger, romance, intergalactic terror and the never-ending, universal meaning of heroism. Joined by storyteller Keith Giffen and cover artist J.G. Jones, 52 features art for the first month by Joe Bennett, Ruy Jose, and Jack Jadson. Also, starting in Week #2: 'The History of the DC Universe,' a 10-part backup feature by Dan Jurgens and Art Thibert that takes you on a tour through the legendary past of the DCU. 52: A year without Superman; a year without Batman; a year without Wonder Woman...but not a year without heroes.
Week 2, Day 1:
Ralph Dibny goes to his wife's grave to find out what has been written on her tombstone. He meets with the groundskeeper, a young man who is a big fan of the Elongated Man. As Ralph tries to work through the mystery of why someone would mark Sue's grave, he reveals that he believes it's a message left especially for him, but does not know why.
Booster Gold has taken a malfunctioning Skeets to Will Magnus for repairs, but even the expert on tomorrowtech can't find any damage. When Skeets comes back online, it decides that its problems must be a glitch - or else someone is messing with the very fabric of time. When Booster Gold calls Magnus the world's foremost authority on android A.I., Magnus reveals that he isn't - but that this great scientist is in Haven for attempting to start a war between two parallel worlds.
Magnus travels to Haven to meet with the true authority, T.O. Morrow, who reveals that a number of scientists have disappeared. He believes that Doctor Sivana, I.Q., Doctors Death, Tyme and Cyclops have been rounded up and advises Magnus to watch his step before he too goes missing.
Week 2, Day 3:
The Question breaks into Renee Montoya's apartment and finds her in a rather compromising position with a girlfriend. Renee wakes up and tries to shoot the intruder, but he disappears, leaving only a cryptic note that reads: "520 Kane St." with his question mark signature.
Week 2, Day 4:
Booster Gold uses Skeets' historical record of disasters to further his superhero career. This time Skeets finds a falling jetliner, but it's coordinates are off. Booster manages to use the powers of his suit to stop the plane from crashing, and guides it to the ground, but a newspaper clipping shows another one of Skeets' glitches. While Booster managed to save Flight 2824, hundreds died on Flight 2428.
Renee goes to 520 Kane St. to see what the Question has in store for her. After a scuffle, Question offers Renee a job - $200 a day plus expenses to keep watch over the abandoned building at 520 Kane. Before Renee can ask any questions, Question disappears.
Week 23, Day 6:
Cassie Sandsmark (Wonder Girl) leads a live webcam ritual prayer in a shrine to Superboy. Cassie is confronted by an irate Ralph Dibny, who believes that she left the message on his wife's gravestone. Dibny discovered that the message, an upside down 'S' means "resurrection" in Kryptonian.
History of the DCU Part 1:
With Donna Troy as the narrator, the reader is lead through a short history of the pre-crisis DC Universe.
After the INFINITE CRISIS and before One Year Later, the DCU spent a year without Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. A year in which those heroes were needed more than ever as the fate of the world hung in the balance. Who stood up in their absence? And who sat out? The story of DC's most eventful year ever can now be told as four of the hottest writers in comics - Grant Morrison, Geoff Johns, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid - deliver an unprecedented weekly tale of death, danger, romance, intergalactic terror and the never-ending, universal meaning of heroism. Joined by storyteller Keith Giffen and cover artist J.G. Jones, 52 features art for the first month by Joe Bennett, Ruy Jose, and Jack Jadson. Also, starting in Week #2: 'The History of the DC Universe,' a 10-part backup feature by Dan Jurgens and Art Thibert that takes you on a tour through the legendary past of the DCU. 52: A year without Superman; a year without Batman; a year without Wonder Woman...but not a year without heroes.
Week 1, Day 1-4
Ralph Dibney sits in his completely destroyed house and takes stock of his losses as he talks about the upcoming funeral of his wife Sue. Renee Montoya sits in a bar and gets drunk. Steel searches the debris in Paris looking for survivors.
Week 1, Day 5
Booster Gold, in his sponsor-filled uniform, uses Skeets' knowledge of the present to capture and defeat an unsuspecting Mammoth. Afterwards he takes time for some photo ops with some kids who are worried that Wonder Woman is dead. He tells them that he has seen the future and knows there is nothing to worry about. Then he puts one foot on Mammoth and shills Soder Cola because “sometimes even superheroes get thirsty.” Skeets tells him to hold the smile back because the public is still saddened by the recent loss of Superboy. So, Booster plays it up and even sheds a tear but he is in too good of a mood to really dwell on it. He knows that tomorrow he is going to be asked to be part of the Justice League roster.
Meanwhile, Ralph sits on a bed at the Ambassador Hotel chewing mints. He listens to his cell phone messages and, contemplating suicide, he places a nickel-plated .45 caliber hand gun in his mouth. As a tear rolls down his face, a message from the cemetery reports that someone left a message on his wife's tombstone.
In Paris, Steel confronts his niece, Natasha Irons, because she is going to meet the Teen Titans instead of helping Steel with the relief work in Paris. Unbeknownst to her, Steel had set up her armor to explode by remote control. He quickly dismantles her armor, tersely informing her that she hasn't earned her armor or her role as a hero yet; if she wants her armor back, she can rebuild it herself.
In the land of Kahndaq, Black Adam tells his people that they have a new mission but is interrupted by a suicide bomber. Adam grabs him and rips off one of his arms, telling the failed suicidal assassin that he has three more chances to tell him who planned the attempt.
Week 1, Day 6
Doctor Sivana is watching TV when interrupted by some yet-unidentified creatures.
Back in Metropolis, the rest of the surviving superheroes are getting acquainted and figuring out the death toll. Booster Gold is excited because this is the moment he believes he will be asked to join the Justice League. Unfortunately, Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman don't show. Booster starts to panic, constantly checking with Skeets for historical information. Skeets soon shuts down and falls to the ground. Booster becomes crazed and starts yelling at Jimmy Olsen to take the photo of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. Other people and superheroes try to grab him and restrain him. Booster ends up elbowing Clark Kent in the nose, as he says “Booster, they're not coming.” Booster asks him how he knows, and Clark just says, “I just know, and I'm sorry.”
Week 1, Day 7
Gotham City. The Question removes the bat from the bat signal and spray paints a question mark on it. He turns on the searchlight, aiming it at a drunk Renee Montoya's apartment window. Montoya's is furious, not really comprehending that the backwards question mark is not the typical bat signal. Als she can howl out in a drunen rage is that the signal should be aimed at the sky.
Notes
"Tomorrow is the defining moment of the century and I'm gonna be part of it."
-- Booster Gold
NOTE:
The splash page on story pages 18-19 has two, as-of-yet unidentified characters.
-
She is standing to the left of Shift, wearing a purple and red outfit with yellow gloves/boots.
-
He is seen talking with Ray and Manhattan Guardian. He has a blue top/mask and white pants.
Can someone identify them?
Week 4, Day 1.
Gotham City. Renee Montoya is into her third week of surveillance on an abandoned building on Kane Street.
In space, astronauts sent to search for missing superheroes are told to go home. Halo, who has the power tto detect and manipulate subtle radiation, scans for teleportation waves. Halo says she senses a Zeta frequency trying to come in, and the astronauts immediately decide that it is Adam Strange traveling back to Earth.
In Metropolis, Booster Gold and Fire are having an argument. Bea (Fire) wants Booster Gold to join a rescue team to find the missing superheroes, but Booster is more interested in endorsement deals and himself. Bea burns a hole through his door in her anger.
Week 4, Day 3.
Back in Gotham, Question turns up to check on Renee's progress, only to find that she has seen nothing.
In Metropolis, Steel is hallucinating about the example he is setting for his niece, Natasha by setting aside his life as a superhero. Feeling ill, Steel stumbles and falls, grabbing onto a machine to steady himself. Rather than stopping him, however, the machine melts on to his skin, covering him in steel.
Week 4, Day 4.
Ralph Dibny has agreed to go through the ritual to bring his wife back to life. Cassie Sandsmark and the other members of the cult of Superboy submerse him in a pool of holy water until he almost passes out, but he sees nothing.
Week 4, Day 5.
Renee has dozed off in her car when something passes by and enters the building. Renee jolts awake and rushes into the building, where she is joined by Question. The two stumble upon a trap door and fall through into the basement, where they find a giant creature carrying crates. Renee and Question fight the monster. Renee stumbles upon a crate full of futuristic weaponry, which she uses to dispatch the creature.
Week 4, Day 7.
The missing superheroes beam back to Earth, but they're no longer what they used to be. Hawkgirl is gigantic, Alan Scott is bleeding from one eye, and Cyborg and Firestorm have fused together.
After the INFINITE CRISIS and before One Year Later, the DCU spent a year without Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. A year in which those heroes were needed more than ever as the fate of the world hung in the balance. Who stood up in their absence? And who sat out? The story of DC's most eventful year ever can now be told as four of the hottest writers in comics - Grant Morrison, Geoff Johns, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid - deliver an unprecedented weekly tale of death, danger, romance, intergalactic terror and the never-ending, universal meaning of heroism. Joined by storyteller Keith Giffen and cover artist J.G. Jones, 52 features art for the first month by Joe Bennett, Ruy Jose, and Jack Jadson. Also, starting in Week #2: 'The History of the DC Universe,' a 10-part backup feature by Dan Jurgens and Art Thibert that takes you on a tour through the legendary past of the DCU. 52: A year without Superman; a year without Batman; a year without Wonder Woman...but not a year without heroes.
Week 3, Day 1.
In Gotham City, police discover what looks to be the body of Lex Luthor, lying in a pool of his own blood.
Over Africa, Power Girl battles Terraman until she is interrupted by Black Adam. Black Adam tells Power Girl that she is over Kahndaq's airspace now and he will not tolerate trespassing.
Week 3, Day 2.
Metropolis - The Steelworks. Natasha Irons and her uncle, John Henry Irons (Steel) argue over her future. Natasha wants to go to the Future Tech Colloquium with her uncle, but is instead forced to go to summer school because of a D in English. Just as Natasha is getting irate, Steel receives a call asking him to identify a body.
Week 3, Day 3.
In Kahndaq, Black Adam's guests bestow upon him the gift of the "most beautiful virgin in all of Egypt" and two million in African gold. The guests are members of Intergang, and want Black Adam's cooperation and safe passage through Kahndaq. The beautiful virgin attempts to escape her captors, who react violently, threatening to break her neck if Black Adam doesn't cooperate. Black Adam will have none of this, and kills one of the guests as an answer.
Week 3, Day 4.
Metropolis. A giant villain in a mechsuit is wreaking havoc, and only Booster Gold can stop him. Aided my Skeets' vast knowledge, Booster Gold takes down Shockwave, and receives an endorsement deal from a pharmaceutical company for his work. Skeets, however, has been glitching - and what was supposed to be a multi-billion dollar endorsement becomes worthless as the CEO is arrested for fraud. Booster Gold decides to find Rip Hunter, thinking he'll be able to repair Skeets.
Week 3, Day 5.
Steel is examining the body of 'Lex Luthor,' and finds that he is a fake. The real Lex Luthor appears and explains that the dead Luthor is from another reality, and was an evil, power hungry man.
Week 3, Day 6.
Black Adam holds a press conference in front of the new Kahndaqian Embassy (formerly Themiscyra House). Black Adam announces that he is hoping to gather allies to "deliver messages to everyone out there looking to take advantage of the heroes' absence." He then delivers his first message by tearing Terraman in half in front of press and viewers from around the world. He then flies away, saying "it's time for heroes who don't just patrol the world... they change it."
Week 6, Day 1.
It is revealed that Booster Gold has been paying an actor to play a supervillain, Manthrax, so that Booster can defeat him on television. Booster pays Manthrax handsomely and gives him some stock advice before heading off to find Rip Hunter.
In China, Green Lanterns John Stewart and Hal Jordan are fighting a group of Chinese superheroes. The Great Ten are revealed to be a superhero team created to protect China, and are trying to expel the Green Lanterns because they are violating Chinese airspace. The Lanterns struggle to hold their own against Immortal-Man-In-Darkness, Socialist Red Guardsman, Thunder-Mind, Celestial Archer and August General in Iron, with Mother of Champions, Accomplished Perfect Physician and Ghost Fox Killer running things from afar.
The Lanterns reveal that they are in China for Evil Star, who is involved in extraterrestrial weapons trading. The Great Ten refuse the Lantern's help and authority.
Haven. Will Magnus and Dr. T.O. Morrow discuss the disappearance of more scientists. A shadowy, round figure has surveillance installed in Morrow's room.
China. The Lanterns manage to break through the Great Ten's defences and capture Evil Star. Hal tells John to take the prisoner away and that he'll hold the Great Ten back. At that moment, Black Adam appears and punches Hal, revealing that Kahndaq, North Korea, Myanmar and China have joined a coalition. Any attack on one of those countries constitutes as an attack on all of them, and Black Adam threatens to dispatch the Lanterns if they don't leave. The Lanterns fly into Russian airspace, where Black Adam and the Great Ten cannot touch them.
Week 6, Day 2.
Booster Gold enters a compound in Arizona where he believes Rip Hunter to be. Skeets must stay at the door to keep it open, so Booster goes in alone. Booster finds a room full of scribbles and photos, specifically one of him with arrows pointing at it proclaiming "IT'S ALL HIS FAULT."
Week 5, Day 1.
Ellen Baker, the wife of Buddy Baker the Animal Man, is taking down a 'Welcome Home' banner. Her husband has not come back with the other heroes, but she hasn't given up hope. Alan Scott arrives and tells her that Animal Man went missing in action in outerspace.
Metropolis. A radio announcement tells of Lex Luthor's newest discovery - a way to synthesize the metagene and give ordinary people superpowers.
Steel is paged to go to Saint Camillus hospital to help the newly returned superheroes. A truck brings in Hawkgirl, who has inexplicably become 25 feet tall. With Alan Scott and Dr. Mid-Nite, Steel makes the rounds and learns that an accident in space caused Hawkgirl's growth, as well as the fusion of Cyborg and Firestorm. Adam Strange, who used his powers to transfer the superheroes using his Zeta-Beam matter transfer system, but didn't make it back. The beam refracted, causing injury and Alan Scott to lose an eye.
Scott says that after the rift in space was healed, a reality-warping wave emanated from it. Adam Strange used his Zeta-Beam to transfer who he could, but they all went different ways and many didn't make it back at all. Adam Strange, Animal Man and Starfire did not materialize with the rest of them, nor did Scott's daughter, Jade.
Week 5, Day 7.
On another planet. Animal Man is sitting near a beautiful waterfall, talking to a bathing Starfire. Animal Man wonders what his family thinks, and if the crisis is at all over. Starfire reveals that they crash-landed on this planet along with Adam Strange. Strange, who has lost his vision, is attempting to fix up a spaceship in order to get back to Earth when they all sense something suspicious. A pair of glowing arms is watching them through the bushes.
Week 9, Day 1.
Steel crashes Luthor's party in search of Natasha Irons, his niece. When Steel attacks Luthor, Luthor's very own superhero team comes to his rescue. Natasha is among the six members of the team, and throws her uncle off Luthor. Natasha then punches Steel through a window and fights him on the ground below, revealing her newly created superpowers. Steel tries to talk some sense into Natasha and tell her that she is a fool to think that Luthor would grant her powers so easily. Natasha wants none of this, and uses her powers of light to defeat her Steel, who is in his new stainless steel form.
Another Planet.
Animal Man, Adam Strange and Starfire have been trapped and tied up or caged in a cave. They have been captured by Devilance the Pursuer, a giant hunter who is the 'god of the pursuit.' His only purpose is to hunt. Starfire realizes that the entire planet is just a trap created by Devilance. Animal Man comes up with a plan. When Adam Strange's jetpack distracts Devilance, Buddy temporarily blinds Devilance using powers absorbed from wasps, and Starfire takes away the giant hunter's lance. The three get away, but Devilance continues to pursue them. Adam Strange reasons that there has been a contract put on their lives, and that every bounty hunter in the universe is after them.
Week 9, Night 1.
Gotham City.
Question, in a disguise, finds Renee Montoya in a bar. He tells her that he has answers for her, and beckons her outside. There he tells her that Gotham City is being targeted by Intergang, with a red-headed Batwoman listening from the rooftop.
Week 10, Day 1.
Kahndaq.
Black Adam holds a meeting of his coalition, when he is interrupted by the lovely slave girl he was presented in Week 3. The girl runs up to Black Adam, revealing that her name is Adrianna Tomaz and that she thinks that he is nothing but a terrorist. Adrianna spits in Black Adam's face - "Not Wise."
Week 10, Day 2.
Metropolis.
Perry White is chastising Clark Kent for not being able to get an interview with Supernova and letting the Daily Planet get scooped by the Star. White fires Clark for missing out on the Supernova story and for letting things slide for four weeks. Clark decides to fight for his job, and jumps out of the window in order to get an interview with Supernova - who teleports in and catches him seconds later.
Kahndaq.
Black Adam has a talk with Adrianna, and asks her why she is always running away. Adrianna says she refuses to be a prisoner, but Black Adam reveals that she is, instead a refugee. According to Black Adam, Adrianna's family was brutally slaughtered when she was taken, and her brother was sold into slavery. Black Adam tells Adrianna that she is free to leave, but instead of going she lectures him on the insanity of his ways. She says his coalition is psychotic, and that he won't save the world - only destroy it.
Week 10, Day 3.
Lois Lane yells at Clark Kent for throwing himself out of a window for an interview. Clark replies that she wrote the playbook on similar journalistic maneuvers. Clark reveals that he, as Superman, will be back but needs time for his powers to recharge. A cut on his face, and his need to use potholders show that his powers definitely need a boost.
Booster Gold wonders who is behind Supernova's mask, as his furniture and belongings are repossessed.
Week 10, Day 6.
Haven.
T.O. Morrow reveals to Will Magnus that he's found a piece of Dr. Sivana's experiments. Morrow shows Magnus a bag with a little cocoon that had been treated with radiation, and both wonder what could have hatched from it.
Week 8, Day 1.
Metropolis. Steelworks.
Natasha is working late into the night on a new powersuit for herself. Her uncle, Steel comes in and tells her to get some rest. Natasha asks him if will make her a suit of armour or let her get the metagene therapy to give her superpowers - but Steel rejects both.
As Steel flicks on the TV, a hole burns through his shirt and he finds that the skin on his chest has turned to steel.
Star City.
Green Arrow uses a trick arrow to stop a shopowner, who was overcharging his customers, from catching a thief. Ralph Dibny is with Ollie, and reveals that he has "lost a taste for gingold" and so has no more superpowers. Star City is in disarray, and the Green Arrow is having a hard time keeping it safe on his own. Dibny is in Star City hunting for the Cult of Connor. Arrow and Dibny find a deserted shrine in a back alley, and Dibny explains that the Cult believes that they can bring the dead back to life.
Metropolis.
Steel has gone to S.T.A.R. Labs, showing Kala how his skin is slowly turning to stainless steel. Steel and Kala realize that Lex Luthor must have injected him with some form of his metagene therapy, which either triggered Steel's metagene or infected him with one.
Week 8, Day 3, 4, 5.
A new superhero arrives on the scene, teleporting people in danger to safety.
Booster Gold is not at all happy with this new development. His reputation seriously tarnished, Booster resents being shown up by this new hero.
Metropolis.
Natasha Irons finds out that her uncle has received Luthor's metagene, and decides that her uncle, who forbade her from doing so, is a hypocrite. When the armor Natasha has been working on breaks, she confronts her uncle angrily.
Another Planet.
Adam Strange and Animal Man search for Starfire and find her trapped in a net. Soon they both fall into traps, and into the hand of a mysterious gigantic entity.
Week 8, Day 7.
Metropolis.
Crowds are lining up to get superpowers through Luthor's metagene therapy. The candidates all swear to do anything that Luthor tells them if only he'll give them superpowers. "Slaves." says Luthor to his assistant, Ms. Graves. "And they're all mine..."
Lex Luthor discovers Natasha Irons among those waiting for superpowers, and immediately approves her, making her the first candidate of the day.
Week 8, Night 7.
Natasha Irons is connected to Luthor's metagene machine to gain her own superpowers.
Week 7, Day 1.
On another planet. Adam Strange asks Animal Man and Starfire for help in repairing a spaceship to take them back to Earth. Animal Man and Starfire, however, are pessimistic and refuse to help. Adam Strange decides that they have been drugged by the fruits they've been eating and Starfire becomes aggressive. When she calms down she decides she must go and clear her head.
Week 7, Day 2.
Gotham City. Renee Montoya tries to figure out the significance of 520 Kane St. and realizes it's leading her straight to an old flame, Kate Kane.
Week 7, Day 3.
Ralph Dibny visits Booster Gold in search for the Cult of Connor. Booster is too distracted by Skeets and his own personal troubles to be of any use. Ralph Dibny realizes that Skeets has historical data of everything from the 25th century back, and attacks Booster Gold, demanding "why hell didn't you warm me my wife was going to die?" Booster pleads ignorance, and Dibny leaves in disgust, accusing Booster of only being able to think of himself and telling him that Metropolis needs a superhero not a "celebrity pitchman."
Gotham. Renee Montoya reaches the Kane mansion and is admitted to see Kate. It turns out that Renee and Kate were once lovers who got into a serious fight and left on unamiable terms. After a spat, Renee asks Kate if she knows anything about 520 Kane St., and though Kate doesn't know anything she agrees to help Renee find out more.
Metropolis.
After extinguishing a massive fire, Booster Gold is confronted by Manthrax in front of the press. Manthrax reveals that he was being paid by Booster to pose as a villain. The cheque with which Booster paid Manthrax bounced, and the actor decided to take revenge, revealing Booster to be a fake. The press and Ralph Dibny quickly jumps on Booster, accusing him of being a fraud and staging publicity stunts, rather than being a real hero.
Another planet. Starfire, exploring the planet, comes across a giant metal lance - and it's gigantic humanoid owner.
Overview
In WEEK 13, featuring art by Todd Nauck & Marlo Alquiza, it's the resurrection of Sue Dibny! But are the Elongated Man's ex-teammates here to help, or hurt? Plus, the origin of Elongated Man by Mark Waid and Kevin Nowlan!
Spoilers
Week 13, Day 2.
Ralph Dibny and Cassie Sandsmark are at a Cult of Connor ritual. Under a sheet marked with the resurrectionist upside-down 'S' is a straw doll dressed like Sue Dibny. Hal Jordan, Green Arrow, Metamorpho and Zauriel are also at the meeting, connected telepathically by Hal's ring. The others think that Dibny has brought them there to stop the ritual, but Ralph reveals that it's to tell him if the cult can bring his wife back to life.
The ritual progresses and the cult begins to pass around a large piece of blood kryptonite, which will draw a small fraction of life essence from each member. Green Arrow, Metamorpho, Hal and Zauriel try to convince Dibny that this is an elaborate ruse. Just as the blood kryptonite reaches Dibny, he has a choice to make.
Southwest Asia.
Black Adam and Isis free children from slavery in search for Isis' brother Amon. Unfortunately, her brother is not among them, but Isis takes all of the orphans with her to Kahndaq and pledges to keep searching.
Back at the Cult of Connor, Dibny decides that it's all la hoax, and has Metamorpho destroy the blood kryptonite. Green Arrow and Green Lantern tear up the place as Dibny accosts the cult leader. Wonder Girl (Cassie) attacks Dibny, but is subdued by Hal. A fire breaks out and everyone flees. Suddenly, crawling out of the flames, Dibny sees the straw figure of his wife saying "Ralph...?"
Dibny tries to stop the destruction, but it's too late. Everyone leaves and Dibny is left in the fire, clutching the effigy of his wife. The building explodes.
Green Lantern scans the wreckage and finds no trace of Dibny, who is sitting under a bridge closeby, clutching the charred remains of the effigy and chanting "try again..."
Plus: The Origin of Elongated Man with Kevin Nowlan
Week 11, Night 5.
Washington, DC.
Ralph Dibny attacks a gang of children wearing Cult of Connor buttons. He rips them off their clothing, demanding answers until he realizes how young they are and how crazy he is acting. Dibny reveals that the Cult stole his wedding ring. After the kids run away, Dibny receives a phone call from his storage service in Opal City, telling him there's been a burglary.
Week 11, Day 6.
Gotham City.
Question and Renee Montoya set up a meeting in the park with Kate Kane. Kane reveals that her family does indeed own the property at 520 Kane St., but that it was rented out, until six weeks ago, to a Ridge-Ferrick Holding in Gotham. Question says the timing was right, and both leave to investigate, leaving Kane wanting answers.
Question finds a file on Ridge-Ferrick that shows it is connected to one of Intergang's spearhead companies, HSC International Banking. Question and Renee decide to investigate Ridge-Ferrick to confirm if they're still moving people and equipment. Unbenownest to them, they are being watched by Batwoman.
Later that night, Question and Renee break into the headquarters of Ridge-Ferrick, where they are attacked by a monstrous werewolf. The beast subdues them and turns back into a man, revealing that he is Abbot, the henchman of HSC's leader - A'Daire. A'Daire leaves a gang of were-animals to finish off the pair, but they are rescued by both Renee's futuristic gun - and the convenient appearance of Batwoman.
Week 11, Night 7.
Opal City.
Ralph Dibny goes to inspect what has been stolen from his storage. The symbol of the Cult of Connor has been painted on the door, just as it was painted on his wife's grave. Dibny can't figure out what's been stolen...
In a shrine of the Cult, a straw effigy of Sue Dibny has been created, wearing stolen clothes and her husband's wedding band. Cassie Sandsmark (Wonder Girl) and the other members of the Cult stand around it in deep meditation and prayer.
Week 12, Day 1.
Gotham City.
Renee and Question realize that the only way that they can stop Intergang is to cut them off at the source. As Renee ponders what the source of the weapons and people that Intergang is moving, one location keeps recurring in her mind. Renee and Question decide that the location is undoubtedly Kahndaq, and that they will travel there.
Kahndaq.
Adrianna tries to change Black Adam's mindset, and turn his sights from fighting superheroes and villains to helping his people. Adrianna tells him that his coalition can only lead to war, and that he should give it up to do good within his own country. Black Adam reveals that he's only done good because Adrianna has suggested it to him. Black Adam takes Adrianna to a shrine, where the statue of his long-dead wife and sons stands. Black Adam opens up a passageway that leads them down to the Rock of Eternity, where a crazed Captain Marvel stands guard.
Black Adam reveals to Captain Marvel that he wishes to bestow powers upon Adrianna and to invite her into the Marvel Family using one of Shazam's amulets.
Philadelphia.
Cassie Sandsmark (Wonder Girl) returns to her apartment only find Ralph Dibny sitting on her couch. Dibny asks Cassie why she and her cult stole his wife's clothing. Cassie reveals that they stole it because they need connective objects in order to bring Sue Dibny back to life. Dibny, overwhelmed by emotion, asks Cassie to let him help.
Rock of Eternity.
Black Adam reveals that the amulet belonged to Egypt's most powerful goddess, Isis, and that if Adrianna takes it she will be bestowed with all of her powers. Captain Marvel finds her worthy, and in the end Adrianna accepts the amulet and activates her powers by saying "I AM ISIS!" Isis and Black Adam decide to start a crusade in order to help the people of Kahndaq, after they find Isis' brother.
The Origin of Wonder Woman.
Overview
Celebrate the nuptials of Black Adam and Isis in WEEK 16, illustrated by Joe Bennett & Ruy Jose! Plus, the origin of Black Adam by Waid and J.G. Jones!
Spoilers
Week 16, Day 1.
Kahndaq.
The orphan children that Isis saved from slavery have planted a garden in her honour. She notices there is a bare spot and offers to plant it herself, but is told that it should remain empty until the day that Isis finds her brother, Amon. Kneeling in front of Isis and all of the children, Black Adam presents Isis a diamond that once belonged to Cleopatra and asks her to be Kahndaq's Queen and his wife. Isis smiles delightedly.
Week 16, Day 6.
Elsewhere, Renee and Question have escaped from prison and are hiding out in a shipping container. It is the day of Black Adam and Isis' wedding, and no one is looking for them. Suddenly Renee realizes that the wedding is the perfect target for Intergang, and she and Question rush off to stop it.
The Palace. Mary Marvel tries to get Isis to change her mind about marrying Black Adam. Mary reminds Isis that Black Adam has killed a lot of people and has been psychotic in the past, but Isis is in love and will have none of it. Isis asks that if Mary hates Black Adam so much, why would she agree to be her maid of honour? Mary says that it is because Captain Marvel asked her to be, because he thinks that Black Adam can change. Mary, however, is not so sure.
In Black Adam's room, he and Captain Marvel are talking. Black Adam is nervous about the wedding, and thankful that Captain Marvel has agreed to preside over the wedding ceremony so that Black Adam can start his own Marvel family.
Renee and Question move through the city, trying not to get caught. Renee sheds light on the presence of so many boxes of rat poison (Week 15). It turns out that rat poison is an anti-coagulant, and suicide bombers coat their shrapnel in it so that their victims will bleed to death. Renee realizes that Intergang is not trying to take down Black Adam and Isis, but the crowd hoping to catch a glimpse of them.
Captain Marvel Jr., Tawny and Uncle Dudley are attending the wedding, which is taking place in the sky above a crowd of well-wishers. Isis and Mary Marvel swoop down to join Captain Marvel and Black Adam and the ceremony begins.
In the crowd below, Question and Renee are trying to find the suicide bomber.
The Marvels yell out Shazam, and the union of Black Adam and Isis is blessed by the seven virtues of man.
Renee spots the suicide bomber, a very young woman in a green cloak with a backpack.
The wedding vows of Black Adam and Isis begin.
Renee pushes through the crowd, trying to reach the suicide bomber before she explodes.
The bomber takes out her trigger and begins her prayer - Renee has no choice. Removing the futuristic gun from her purse, she takes the shot just as the lightning harkening union of Isis and Black Adam bursts forth.
The crowds cheer as Black Adam and Isis kiss and are one, and in the crowds the suicide bomber lies dead.
That night, as Black Adam and Isis consummate their marriage, janitors wash the blood of the young woman from the tiles in the square.
Week 16, Day 7.
Adam Strange, Animal Man and Starfire have finally gotten their ship working, and launch from the planet of Devilance the Pursuer into outerspace.
Plus: The Origin of Black Adam with J.G. Jones
Overview
In WEEK 14, with art by Dale Eaglesham & Art Thibert, Steel faces a turning point, and Montoya and the Question go international! Plus, the origin of Steel by Waid and Jon Bogdanove!
Spoilers
Week 14, Day 6.
Kahndaq.
Renee Montoya and Question reach Kahndaq in their search for Intergang. They find Kahndaq a peaceful and jubilant place, worshipping Black Adam and Isis.
Metropolis. The Steelworks.
Doctor Avasti tries to get through to a very upset Steel. Feeling responsible for Natasha's desertion, Steel is creating a new armour for his niece, but it is too little, too late. Steel, lamenting that he drove his niece to Lex Luthor, wonders if he can ever get her back.
Home of Will Magnus.
Magnus is trying to get one of his Metal Men, Mercury, to work with no success. Two government agents want to buy the technology of the Metal Men as prototypes for new weapons, but Magnus refuses to sell his creations.
Haven.
Will Magnus goes to visit his friend, T.O. Morrow, but finds that he, like so many other scientists, has disappeared. A letter is left addressed to Magnus, which gives him the machine code for Morrow's artifical souls.
Week 14, Day 7.
Kahndaq.
Question and Renee find out that there is a Ridge-Ferrick holding in the temple district of Shiruta, the capital city of Kahndaq. They manage to find it, but it's full of dead bodies and blood. Question figures that someone didn't want these people to talk to him and Renee, and so killed them. Renee finds boxes and boxes of rat poison on the floor and wonders about their significance.
As they exit the building, Renee and Question find they're surrounded by Kahndaqi police and military and arrested.
Week 14, Day 7.
Will Magnus manages to get Mercury working.
Plus: The Origin of Metamorpho with Eric Powell
Natasha convinces Luthor to let Eliza back in to Infinity Inc. Afterwards, the team takes on Blockbuster. The Teen Titans show up just after Infinity, Inc. takes him down. The teams are in the middle of discussing how to clean up when Blockbuster escapes. Eliza follows him, but Luthor shuts off her powers and she gets killed.
At Eliza's funeral, a few members of the Titans leave the group. The remaining members (Beast Boy, Raven, and Zatara) let Henry Irons know they will help find out what Luthor is up to.
Ralph Dibny, still on his journey with Dr. Fate's helmet, coerces his way into the gate of hell.
Overview
It's the death you never expected in WEEK 15, featuring art by Shawn Moll & Tom Nguyen! Plus, the origin of Metamorpho by Waid & Eric Powell (The Goon)!
Spoilers
Week 15, Days 1, 3, 4, 5.
Metropolis.
Booster Gold's ratings have plummeted, while Supernova has usurped his position as Metropolis' resident superhero. Booster decides he has to do something big to win back the trust and admiration of the public. Skeets goes through historical records, and finds that there will be a nuclear submarine crash in Midtown and Booster decides to investigate.
Shiruta, Kahndaq.
Question and Renee Montoya are in a Kahndaqi prison. Renee is abused and beaten by the prison guards. As she is dragged past Question's prison cell, she finds it empty and begins to worry about her friend. Renee strikes out against the guards when they won't give her any information, and finds that Question's cell is filling with smoke. With the help of Question, she defeats the guards and the two stumble away from the prison.
Metropolis.
Clark Kent finds out that it is Ballostro, a crustacean monster which attaches itself to seacraft, which has caused the submarine to crash in Midtown.
Ballostro is attacking the city, and Booster Gold is simply no match for it. Booster tries to electrocute the creature using the powerline of the monorail, but only succeeds in causing a blackout and more panic.
Supernova arrives on the scene, and he and Booster tussle for superhero supremacy. In a last, desperate bid for greatness Booster uses a forcefield to carry the submarine, which is about to meltdown, into the sky. The submarine explodes and Booster saves the city, but dies in the process. Supernova flies up to catch him, but finds only a charred skeleton in Booster's powersuit.
Plus: The Origin of Steel with Jon Bogdanove
Animal Man, Starfire, and Adam Strange end up on a planet of alien refugees. Lobo has become a holy man and is leading the refugees away from something, although what that is does not get revealed.
Supernova briefly meets Wonder Girl. She believes him to be Kon-El and tries to touch his face before he abruptly flies away.
Skeets convinces an ancestor of Booster Gold to travel to Rip Hunter's abandoned lab. He uses the near exact match of his DNA to gain access to the lab, where Skeets sees the walls stating, "It's all his fault." pointing to a picture of Booster and Skeets. Skeets locks boosters ancestor in a time loop and leaves the lab while saying, "He knows."
Overview
WEEK 17 features art by Chris Batista, Jack Jadson & Ruy Jose, and can be described in one word: Lobo! Plus, the origin of Lobo by Waid and Giffen!
Spoilers
Week 17, Day 1.
We see Lex Luthor's own Justice League in action against members of Kobra, and are introduced to the members.
"From Gary, Indiana -- Erik Storn -- whose claws seem capable of slicing through anything they touch..."
"From Manchester, Alabama -- Eliza Harmon -- a dynamo of speed..."
"From Gotham City the very first subject of the Everyman Project -- Hannibal Bates -- able to morph into any form..."
"From Los Angeles -- Gerome McKenna -- a super strong centurion..."
"From Oklahoma City -- Jacob Colby -- who can ride the winds..."
"...And from our very own Metropolis -- the niece of John Henry Irons -- Natasha Irons -- a living beacon of light!"
Lex Luthor and his team review the footage. Luthor decides that they need a team name, and other team members suggest code names and new uniforms. Clothed in purple and green, McKenna says "We looked like Fruits." Luthor is promoting his team tirelessly, with photoshoots and morning shows and interviews lined up with all of them.
Luthor catches Eliza Harmon doing drugs and snaps at her. Eliza reveals that she needs them because ever since she got her powers of super speed she just can't slow down. Eliza gets into an altercation with her team members and Luthor, and is suspended from the team.
Week 17, Day 2.
Starfire is using her powers to clear the way through a debris field for the spaceship. Animal Man and Adam Strange manage to land the ship on an asteroid, and Starfire joins them after getting smashed in the face with a space rock. Though Adam Strange is blind, he reveals that he has managed to patch into the system of the ship and use it's navigation in order to "see." Suddenly they are attacked by Devilance, who has not given up his pursuit. Devilance is about to run them through with his weapon until he suddenly stopped.
It turrns out that Devilance has fallen into a trap set for Lobo - and who should show up but Lobo himself? Starfire approaches Lobo, who makes lewd gestures at her and rips off her already skimpy top. Starfire gets Lobo to help them by tricking him into believing she has a great deal of money.
Lobo hitches the spaceship to his spacecraft, and begins to tow them out.
Week 17, Day 7.
The head of Red Tornado, repeating 52 over and over again is found by some Aborigines in the Australian outback.
Plus: The Origin of Lobo with Keith Giffen
Week 18, Day 1.
The House of Mystery.
Tim Trench is found wearing the helmet of Nabu, but liquifies the moment he is touched.
Week 18, Day 2.
Shiruta, Kahndaq.
Black Adam and Isis present Question with the Order of the Crescent, the highest honour Kahndaq bestows to non-citizens. They wish to bestow one upon Renee Montoya as well, but she doesn't show up - feeling far too guilty for shooting the young suicide bomber.
Insulted, Black Adam tracks Renee down and bursts through her wall - only to find her naked with another woman. Renee and Black Adam get into an argument, and Black Adam almost chokes Renee for her impudence. Isis stops him, and he flings Renee away. Question manages to get everyone focused once again, and they all decide to go after Intergang.
Week 18, Day 3.
Marseilles, France.
Detective Chimp has tracked down Ralph Dibny and carries with him the helmet of Dr. Fate. Dibny tries to work out the mystery of why Tim liquified, who killed him and why he was wearing the helmet. Ralph decides that they must call a Shadowpact to truly decide what to do.
Week 18, Day 4.
Cincinnati, Ohio.
It is the funeral of Booster Gold and almost no one has shown up. Clark Kent converses with Skeets, who tells him that Booster was no longer popular in Metropolis and so had to have his funeral in Cincinnati. The only people attending are third-rate heroes hoping for media coverage. Skeets suddenly discovers a person walking down the street who he believes is related to Booster. A quick scan shows a 100% DNA match, and Skeets tells the man to contact it later that night.
Week 18, Day 7.
Giza, Egypt.
The Shadowpact comes together with Dibny, Chimp, Ragman, Nightmaster, Blue Devil,, Nightshade and Enchantress. Enchantress uses her powers of scrying to try to find clues within the helmet. As she does so, the helmet begins to communicate with Ralph, showing him images of a tenth age of magic. It tells him that Tim died because he did not do the rites and rituals that he had to before taking on the helmet. The helmet tells Dibny that it has the answers he seeks if he is ready to sacrifice everything and begin a magical journey.
Dibny accepts and grabs the helmet, getting into his car and driving off. It is revealed that the rest of the Shadowpact did not witness the helmet speaking to Dibny, and they wonder what came over him.
Plus: The Origin of The Question with Joe Bennett.
Luthor is shown to have been spying on Supernova. He is obsessing over the new hero as he believes him to be Superman in disguise. After an encounter with Supernova, Luthor decides to test himself for a metagene. The results come back negative.
Later, at the opening of Lex Luthor's new business school, a man approaches Luthor about his control over the powers he's been handing out. Security takes the man away, but Steel meets him to talk about what he knows.
John Standing Bear, an ex-con, meets with his grandfather in Metropolis. He is disappointed in John, but still passes on the title and powers of Super-Chief.
Will Magnus is attacked and abducted by a group of metal men.
This issue also contains "The Origin of Green Lantern" as a side-story.
Doctor Magnus is taken to the island of mad scientists developing weapons for Inter-Gang. Renee and The Question find Isis' brother Amon in Yemen. With the help of Black Adam and Isis they are able to rescue him. He's in a horrible state, so Black Adam gives him powers of the gods, and he takes the name Osiris.
The beginning of the issue briefly shows Supernova in what appears to be the Batcave. He looks around silently before focusing on an encased glove.
We next see Steel, with his newly acquired steel skin, rescuing people from a fire. He learns that Lex Luthor's metagene therapy gives Luthor the ability to take powers away as easily as give them out.
Back with Lobo, Starfire, Animal Man, and Adam Strange, we find out that the Emerald Eye of Ekron belongs to, coincidentally, the Emerald Head of Ekron who is now aware of their location.
This issue also contains "The Origin of Adam Strange" as a side-story.
Week 25, Day 1.
Gotham City.
Bruno Mannheim is trying to establish a new world order of crime, and wants to take Gotham as his capital city. Mannheim is meeting with a group of supervillains and giving them an ultimatum - either affiliate with Intergang and swear on the crime bible or die. The bible is made from the stone Cain used to kill his brother Abel, committing the first murder in all of history. Mirage hesitates and Mannheim crushes his head into the stone book over and over until he is dead. In his boardroom lay villains both murdered and still alive, Mannheim preaches the words of Intergang and the crime bible to them and those who accept it live. Mannheim proclaims that Gotham belongs to him now.
Week 25, Day 3.
Boston.
It's Halloween, and as little children are trick-or-treating, Sabbac, king of the devils, runs amok. Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Junior try to fight him off, but it is Isis, Osiris and Black Adam who defeat Sabbac. The trio fly off with a "Happy Halloween, Judeo-Christians!" causing a group of superhero suit-clad children to want a change of costume.
Week 25, Day 3.
Elsewhere.
The helmet of Dr. Fate has lead Ralph Dibny into the realm of damned magicians and magic-users. The helmet shows Dibny the twisted and tortured bodies of many who abused their magic, and rot in hell for it. Last of all, the helmet leads Dibny to Felix Faust, an evil sorceror who fought the JLA on many counts. Faust sold his soul many times for magical knowledge until it finally became useless, so he murdered a little girl for her soul. Neron, to whom he tried to sell the soul, immediately saw through the trick and put him at the mercy of the ghoulish owner of the soul. Faust's soul is trapped in a magical hell for eternity, withering away.
The helmet lead Dibny here to show him what can happen to those who abuse magic and do not respect its rules and boundaries. Dibny accepts the lesson, and prepares to make his first magical bargain for information.
Week 25, Day 3.
New York City.
Icicle and Tigress are foiled in a bank robbery attempt by Luthor's Infinity Inc. Skyman, Everyman, Starlight, Nuklon and Fury quickly subdue the pair, and call on their newest member - a teleporter named Matrix, to finish them off. Matrix is the replacement for Trajectory - a lovely redhead with a southern accent who arrives on the scene to great applause.
Closeby, Alan Scott meets with Mr. Terrific to discuss the JSA, Checkmate, and keeping an eye on Luthor's everymen and Infinity Inc.
Week 25, Day 4.
Oolong Island.
Will Magnus refuses to build a plutonium robot for Intergang, despite the pleading of Dr. T.O. Morrow. Magnus reveals that he is taking antidepressants to curb the rage with which he made the first Plutonium robot, and never wants to make another one.
Bruno Mannheim arrives on the island and is escorted inside a building, where he is met by Chang Tzu - a yellow egg-like creature that looks terribly like Egg Fu, only lacking the moustache. The two discuss weaponry, and what the scientists have been developing - something named "The Four Horsemen."
Plus: The Origin Of Nightwing with George Perez
Week 26, Day 1.
Black Adam carrying Question, Isis carrying Renee Montoya and Osiris fly towards Nanda Parbat. When they land, thanks and gratitude are exchanged. Isis gives Renee a beautiful rose, and tells her that the question she must ask is who she really is. On that cryptic note, the Black Marvel family fly away, and Charlie is greeted by two friends, Aristotle Rodor and Richard Dragon. Question reveals that Dragon was his martial arts teacher, and will now be giving Renee lessons.
Week 26, Day 2.
Metropolis.
Steel and Natasha Irons have at it on the television talkshow "You Are Wrong." The show, which is modelled on O'Reilly, features a combative anchor who sets the uncle and niece to arguing over the legitimacy of Luthor's Infinity Inc. Steel argues that the team does not have enough training, and are all too young and inexperienced to fight crime. Natasha counterattacks him by saying that they train everyday, and that they all possess a more important attribute - heroism and a desire to do good. Natasha is called away to Infinity Inc., leaving Steel in a contemplative mood.
Week 26, Day 4.
The Sivana Family Home.
As robotic butlers, overseen by Venus Sivana, prepare a sumptuous feast - the young Sivana children, Georgia and Junior, play at mad scientist in the basement. As their mother calls them up for dinner, they scamper up the stairs, watched by a caged monster with red, glowing eyes. Venus goes to greet her guests, who turn out to be none other than the Black Marvel Family.
Venus tells the Black Marvels that her husband, the classic Captain Marvel villain Dr. Sivana, disappeared weeks ago without a trace. Venus reveals that she invited Black Adam, Isis and Osiris so they would consider helping her family to find Dr. Sivana.
Oolong Island.
Guards fight off Baron Bug's errant Manitmachine, and the little mad scientist freaks out and accuses the others of sabotage... that is until word goes out that a woman has arrived on the island. The nerdy little scientists are greeted by Dr. Veronica Cale, a Wonder Woman villain, who will be helping the Oolong scientists with their mysterious Four Horsemen project.
Sivana Family Home.
At the table, the Sivana Family - Venus, eldest children Beautia and Magnificus, who take after their mother, and younger children Georgia and Junior, who take after their father - entertain the Black Marvels. Black Adam tells Venus that they will take looking for Dr. Sivana under consideration, but Osiris is having none of it. Osiris can't accept that Black Adam and Isis are willing to help find a crazy, mad scientist and leaves the table.
Suddenly the Sivana family dinner is crashed - literally - by a giant anthropomorphic crocodile, who leaps onto the table. The crocodile barrels through the family and the walls, escaping into the garden. In the garden, Osiris is moping until he hears a rustling in the bushes and is confronted by the crocodile, who is devouring a couple of stolen roast chickens.
The crocodile, with a personality quite opposite of what one might expect, pleads with Osiris not to hurt him and tells him that Dr. Sivana took him from the Nile and performed horrible experiments on him until he became this way, then abandoned him. The crocodile burst free of his cage and was going to escape, but smelled the dinner and just couldn't help himself. The crocodile wishes that he had friends to eat dinner with, and the lonely Osiris immediately takes him under his wing and decides to give him a name.
Plus: The Origin Of Hawkman and Hawkgirl with Joe Bennett
The issue starts out with a recap of the history of Batman and Robin, chronicling their start, the death of Jason and the shooting of Barbara. It shows the darkest moments of Batman's life, and how he has simply lost it.
Week 30, Day 1.
Nightwing and Robin are tracking Batman through a Middle Eastern country. The duo fight off some guards before discovering Batman's costume abandoned in some bushes.
Week 30, Day 1.
Gotham City.
Question has gotten worse. Kate Kane and Renee talk as a doctor examines and sedates the ailing detective. The doctor tells Renee that Question will soon be getting bouts of delirium and declining moments of lucidity, and that he should really be admitted into a hospital. Renee decides to take him to the hospital the next day, and Kate allows her and Question to stay in her apartment as long as they like.
Renee goes into Question's room and finds him awake and lucid. He doesn't have the strength to talk, so she sits by the foot of the bed of her dying friend and meditates.
Nightwing and Robin interrogate the guards and find out that Batman has gone into the empty quarter. Robin discovers crates of weapons, and that these people are associated with Intergang and the Crime Bible.
Robin and Nightwing part ways, Robin continuing on his search for Batman and Nightwing returning to his work in Gotham.
Week 30, Day 3.
Bruce Wayne is travelling through the desert, with a mysterious voice calling his name. Suddenly a man with eyes on his fingers appears, reminding Bruce that the ceremony he was about to perform almost killed him years ago. Bruce wants to go through with it, saying that his "soul feels back" and he feels sick, he's lost his resolve. The Ten-Eyed Man attacks, saying that he will cut out Bruce's demons. Bruce defeats one, and many others appear, wielding swords and telling him the will not surive.
Robin finds Bruce along in the desert and asks him if he wants a hand. Bruce reveals that the Ten-Eyed Men have cut out his demons and that Batman is no more.
Week 30, Day 7.
Batwoman is once again fighting Intergang's were-beasts looking for Bruno Mannheim. Nightwing appears just in time to help her out and flirt with her, not knowing that her interests lie in a different direction. Batwoman and Nightwing fight off the creatures and introduce themselves, splitting up Gotham to patrol.
Plus: The Origin of the Metal Men with Duncan Rouleau
Week 31, Day 1.
Captain Comet is attempting to protect a planet from the Stygian Passover. He sends out a distress signal using his tele-thoughts to a distance of five lightyears, but cannot stave off the zombie-like invaders. Infantryman Jodd tries to help Captain Comet, who tells him to go to his girlfriend and tell her how much he loves her - sensing the end of the world.
In a house-turned-shelter, two Green Lanterns introduce themselves and say that they were sent to investigate the disappearance of the Lantern of Vengar, also know as the Emerald Head. The Lanterns alert Oa to the situation on the planet. The Guardians of Oa decide that there is nothing they can do, and decide to recall the Lanterns. The Guardians reveal that the menace "arises from the eternal pit beyond the gates of spacetime itself. It uses void technology to power its weapons and contaminates all flesh it encounters."
Giant white cubes land in the outerspace city, causing devastation. Everywhere people are being dragged away and taken into large factories where they are cut up, tortured and contaminated, then made soliders of the leader - Lady Styx. Captain Comet is being strapped onto a table, devices of torture levelled at his face by the zombie warriors of Styx.
Week 31, Day 2.
Metropolis - Infinity Inc. Dormitory, LexCorp Tower.
Nicki Jones approaches Starlight. She tells Natasha that she's concerned about Everyman, and how he's been spying on her as she exercises. They are soon joined by Skyman, who jokes that Everyman might have been rooting through Sierra's garbage for toenail clippings he can use to transform into her. Skyman reveals that Everyman can transform into anything - as long as he eats a part of it first. Disgusted and creeped out, Sierra runs away. Skyman (Jake) and Natasha kiss, and Natasha leaves. As soon as she is out of the room, Skyman transforms - revealing that it was Everyman (with an evil expression on his face) in disguise.
Week 31, Day 3.
Metropolis.
Cassie Sandsmark stands in front of the statue of Superman and Superboy when she is surprised by the helmet of Dr. Fate and Dibny. Dibny reveals to Cassie tha the Cult of Connor was a hoax, lead by a psych-ward refugee with a history of fraud. Cassie says that she realized it was a scam after the leader split, and apologizes to Dibny. Dibny tells Cassie that though the leader was a fraud, the cult may have been on to something and that Sue Dibny did live again, for only a few moments. Cassie tells Dibny that Superboy is also back, in the guise of Supernova.
Week 31, Day 4.
Metropolis.
Ralph Dibny meets with Supernova and reveals that he isn't Superboy, as Cassie thinks he is. Dibny asks Supernova to tell Cassie, but Supernova refuses and flies away.
Week 31, Day 6.
Captain Comet's planet is now thoroughly devastated. The last remaining Green Lantern only has moments of power on his ring and asks the Guardians to help him. The Guardians refuse to send back-up, saying that they can't risk it, and shut down the ring, leaving Lantern Xax to die.
Xax tries to protect Jodd's girlfriend, but she is found and killed by Jodd himself.
"Believe in her!"
Captain Comet, with almost all of his skin removed, is tacked to the outside of one of Lady Styx's spacecraft and sends his final plea for help before he dies;
Week 31, Day 7.
The now zombified girlfriend of Jodd brings Lady Styx a Green Lantern power ring, which the Lady devours with a satisfying "KRUNCH."
Lobo, Animal Man, Adam Strange and Starfire get their first glimpse of Lady Styx's fleet.
Plus: The Origin of Robin with Freddie E. Williams II
Week 32, Day 1.
Ralph Dibny and the helmet of Dr. Fate reach the outskirts of Nanda Parbat. Dibny finds a mystical amulet in the snow, and they are attacked by a giant yeti. The yeti is about to go ape on Dibny when a musical whistle stops it in its tracks and causes an avalanche. Dibny is engulfed in snow, but can see a shadowy figure in the mist.
Dibny is levitated into the gates of Nanda Parbat by a member of China's Great Ten, the Accomplished Perfect Physician.
Week 32, Day 2.
San Francisco. Titans Tower.
The Teen Titans are holding an open membership call at the Titans Tower, and it is full to the brim with recipients of Luthor's metagene therapy. Suddenly, out of the sky, come Osiris and Sobek, his anthropomorphic crocodile friend. Osiris asks Beast Boy, Raven and Captain Marvel Jr. if he can join the Teen Titans, but is asked to leave. Captain Marvel Jr. tells him that the reputation of Black Adam is too evil to trust Osiris and his powers, even though he has been doing a great deal of good lately. This greatly hurts Osiris, who was hoping to make friends. Captain Marvel Jr. tells Osiris that if he can convince the world of the newfound goodness of the Black Marvel Family, he'll help Osiris join the Teen Titans.
Week 32, Day 3.
Animal Man and Adam Strange argue as Lobo scrounges through the remains of one of Lady Styx's ships for supplies. Animal Man wants to stop Lady Styx, but Adam Strange doesn't want to risk it.
Week 32, Day 4.
Nanda Parbat.
Ralph Dibny wakes up in a bed in Nanda Parbat, where he's been sleeping for three days after the yeti attack. Dibny reveals that he's gone to Nanda Parbat to see the patron goddess, Rama Kushna, to ask her about bringing his wife, Sue, back to life.
The Accomplished Perfect Physician enters the room and reveals that the yeti is one of his men, Hu Wei, who discarded the amulet which kept his power in check and ran wild. The A.P.P. used his magical whistling abilities - which can both heal and destroy - to stop the yeti, but he wants Dibny's help in tracking it down and putting its amulet back on.
Dibny and the A.P.P. go back into the mountains in search of the yeti, and soon find it. The A.P.P. distracts the monster, and Dibny is able to slip the amulet onto it, returning the yeti back to its human form. As soon as he is done his task, a monk comes to tell him that Rama Kushna will see him.
Dibny is led into a sacred chamber, where the giant female face of Rama Kushna addresses him and tells him there is no death, that it is an illusion, but disappears before giving Dibny all of the answers he needs.
Week 32, Day 7.
Dibny and the helmet of Dr. Fate prepare to leave Nanda Parbat. They say goodbye to the A.P.P. and go on to seek more answers.
Plus: The Origin of Blue Beetle with Cully Hamner
A New Justice League forms but is overall unsuccessful. We get a glimpse of what Martian Manhunter has been up to. Black Adam goes to China and claims he no longer has interest in "New World Power".
Week 33, Day 4.
The Flash Museum.
Central City.
Dibny and the helmet of Dr. Fate are in the Elongated Man room of the Flash museum. Dibny is looking for an item, but it's not on display, so he sneaks into the storage room. In Dibny's pocket is the pistol titled "Anselmo Case."
Week 33, Day 5.
Gotham City, Cathedral Square.
Alfred Pennyworth is leading a children's choir in Chrismas caroling. In from of a giant Christmas tree, the children spread joy and Christmas cheer. On a rooftop, Batwoman watches and is joined by Nightwing. Nightwing gives her a present wrapped in red and green. Batwoman opens it and finds a real batarang and she is rather impressed.
Week 33, Day 5.
Metropolis.
One of Luthor's scientists tells him that a one of his Everymen is on the brink of death. Luis Dominero became severly allergic to his metagene and fell into a coma the first time he powered up. Luthor tells him to contact the publicity department, and goes to visit Infinity Inc.
Luthor presents each of his Infinity Inc. members with a Tanahashi, a quarter-million dollar car. Infinity Inc. gets so excited that they rush out to see their new wheels without even thanking Luthor, who is a little put out.
Luthor receives a chart from his assistant which tells him that he cannot go through the Everyman process because his DNA simply will not accept the treatment. Luthor, however, has hope. A scientist rushes in to tell Luthor that the dying boy, Dominero, is going to pull through and Luthor has a coldhearted reaction - "something inside the boy opened the door to the possibility of genetic adaptation. Do a full organ harvest and a spinal drain on Luis, draft a glowing obituary, and have his parents compensated for their tragic loss." It truly is a merry Christmas for Luthor now, with the hope of being superpowered finally before him.
Gotham City.
Question and Renee are spending Hannukah in Batwoman's apartment. A delirious Question comes out of his room and mistakes Renee for an old flame, Myra. Question babbles on jibberish and Renee weeps over the state of her friend.
San Diego, California.
Animal Man's wife, Ellen Baker, stands in he doorway and blows a kiss to the stars. "Happy Christmas, Buddy. Come home."
Clark Kent and Lois Lane kiss under the mistletoe.
Firestorm gives Cyborg a wrench for Christmas.
Ollie gets a trick arrow for Christmas.
Fire is on the phone.
Guy Gardner uses his ring to make a green light menorah and Santa Claus sleigh with reindeer.
Ren Tornado's head spends Christmas in a scrap heap.
The Batcave is empty.
Hawkgirl appreciates a pair of crutches given to her by Dr. Mid-Nite.
Hal Jordan gets a green tie from some children.
Commissioner Gordon has a "Welcome Back" party.
In space, Animal Man, Adam Strange, Starfire, Lobo and the Emerald Head reach Vega.
Week 33, Day 6.
Christmas.
Osiris has convinced the Black Adams to show the world that they have changed, and now fight for good. Osiris, Sobek, Isis and Black Adam fly into Rockefeller Square and onto a stage. There, in front of a large crowd which includes Beast Boy, Raven, Alan Scott, Wildcat and Jay Garrick, Black Adam pleads his case. To show that they are serious, all three transform back into their true, human forms - Black Adam is an ancient Egyptian man, Isis is Adrianna, a normal woman, and Osiris is Amon, a crippled boy.
Belle Reve Federal Prison.
A new Suicide Squad, lead by Atom Smasher, is assembled in order to take the Black Marvel Family down.
Plus: The Origin of Martian Manhunter with Tom Mandrake
Week 35, Day 1.
New Year's Day, 12:00:01 A.M.
Downtown Metropolis.
Lex Luthor's Everymen are falling from the sky like rain.
Their powers have failed them.
The Everymen are causing extreme destruction - falling on civilians celebrating New Years Eve as well as crashing into buildings and the ground.
Lex Luthor stands on the roof of his building, watching dispassionately.
A panic has gripped the city as mobs of civilians flee from the destruction. Supernova teleports a crowd out of the city and to safety, but there are just too many to save.
Luthor's Infinity Inc. have retained their powers and fight to save both the Everymen and any civilians they can. Natasha Irons, alias Starlight, realizes that her uncle, Steel, may have been right when he said that Luthor has the power of shut off the metagene.
Week 35, Day 2.
Saint Camillus Hospital.
Real superheroes from all over have arrived to save the people of Metropolis. Doctor Light and Obsidian wheel an Everyman into an emergency medical station. Guy Gardner, John Stewart, Hawkgirl, Power Girl, Captain Marvel Jr. and others help with the rescue efforts. Plastic Man freaks out when he sees his son, Offspring, among the victims. He learns that his son exhausted himself saving over 20 people, but will be fine.
Steel arrives and tells Beast Boy and Raven that Luthor caused the mayhem, and tells them to get the Titans together to investigate the matter.
Week 35, Day 3.
Lex Luthor has gathered together his Infinity Inc., all but the conspicuously absent Everyman. Luthor tells the team that they've all been cleared and that their powers are safe. Natasha is skeptical, but the others are so relieved that they promise to do whatever Luthor tells them.
Natasha goes back to her room, where she is joined by Skyman. Natasha tells Jacob her suspicions surrounding the deaths of Trajectory and the Everymen. Jacob promises Natasha that he'll help her get to the bottom of it.
Week 35, Day 6.
Starfire, Animal Man, Adam Strange, the Emerald Head and Lobo have reached the remains of the planet Vartu. Starfire reveals that this is where the desperate telepathic message of Captain Comet came from, but he is long gone.
The team tries to come up with a plan to battle Lady Styx, and Adam Strange says that the most effective way will be to get inside of her ship. Lobo reveals that Lady Styx has put a bounty on their heads, and that he's willing to take them straight to Lady Styx - just as Adam Strange planned.
Week 36, Day 3.
Lobo brings his chained prisoners - Animal Man and Starfire - before the fearsome Lady Styx. Styx is feasting from a great vat of blood and offal, her face stained red and dripping.
Styx tells Lobo that she will pay no bounty, and that she will take the information she needs directly from the nervous systems of the prisoners, melting them down into the biomass she consumes. Styx's zombified servants attack Animal Man and Starfire, while Lobo refuses to rescind his vow of nonviolence.
Fishy, however, tells Lobo that Lady Styx is calling him a coward, which sets the psychotic serial killer off. Lobo attacks and kills the zombies, but is taken down by Lady Styx. Just in time, Adam Strange blasts through the window of the spaceship and the Emerald Head busts in.
Styx grabs onto the head and is dragged out into space where it explodes. Lobo is just fine, but Animal Man has been injured. Buddy, foaming at the mouth, asks Starfire not to let him come back as a zombie and dies.
San Diego, Earth.
Ellen Baker, the wife of Animal Man, finally cries for her husband.
Week 36, Day 5.
St. Luke's Hospital - Gotham City.
Renee Montoya sits by Question's bed. Question is raving and delirious.
Renee receives a passage from Nanda Parbat. It turns out to be yet another flower from Aristotle Tot, which turns to powder the second she opens the box. The flowers, which have amazing curative properties, simply cannot survive outside of Nanda Parbat.
Week 36, Day 6.
Gotham City.
Renee decides to take Question to Nanda Parbat, despite the protestations of Batwoman. Renee, stocked up on morphine, loads up a plane with supplies and Question and leaves on a final desperate quest to save her friend's life.
Kahndaq.
Osiris laments the fact that the entire world now sees him as a murderer. Sobek tries to console his friend.
Week 36, Day 7.
Rip Hunter and Supernova are in the bottle city of Kandor. Hunter is attempting to build a device to fix the flow of time using a variety of artifacts - including the staffs of the Starmen, Lithor's Kryptonite gauntlet, Shadow Thief's Dimensiometer and more. Supernova reveals that Skeets has been searching for them, but that he feels they will be safe in Kandor for now.
Plus: The Origin of Power Girl with Adam Hughes
Week 37, Day 1.
Kandor.
The bottle city of Kandor is under attack. Skeets has found Supernova and Rip Hunter, who are hiding in the Kryptonian city. Supernova goes out to confront Skeets, and unmasks himself as - Booster Gold! Booster Gold, who everyone though was dead was actually Supernova, the superhero he had pretended to detest.
Booster reveals that he had known what Skeets was up to for weeks, and that he had orchestrated the entire thing to get him off his trail. Rip Hunter revealed that he had the solution, but needed Booster to help him gather materials for his device. Booster realized that he couldn't get the things he needed together when he was under the constant surveillance of Skeets, so he faked his death with the help of Hunter's time travel capabilities.
It turns out that Booster and Hunter were trying to build something that could beat Skeets, and took advantage of the advanced technology of Kandor to do so. Rip Hunter appears and reveals that the device he came up with comes from Superman's Phantom Zone Projector, and attempts to suck Skeets into the dreaded Phantom Zone. Skeets, however, is too powerful for them and devours the zone and all of its inhabitants, who peers out from Skeet's visor. With no choice left, Hunter and Booster flee, with Skeets in hot pursuit.
Week 37, Day 4.
Star City.
Hal Jordan, Black Canary and Green Arrow are trying to repair the devastated Star City. Black Canary has taken some time off of the Birds of Prey to learn some new skills in the East, and asks Ollie to accompany her. Ollie says he would, but only if they can stop and search for Ralph Dibny on the way. Canary reveals that everyone has been searching for Ralph, but no one can find him and she leaves alone.
Week 37, Day 5.
Lobo presides over the funeral of Animal Man, who perished in the battle with Lady Styx. Once the service is over, Lobo, Starfire and Adam Strange leave Animal Man on a hunk of drifting space rock and continue on their quest to get back to Earth. As soon as they leave, however, Animal Man wakes up, screaming "Don't leave me!!!" into the empty space that surrounds him. Suddenly, two yellow aliens appear before him, saying "and so it begins."
Plus: The Origin of Firestorm with Jamal Igle
Week 27, Day 1.
The helmet of Dr. Fate brings Ralph Dibny to the Spectre, and this first magical task. Dibny tells Spectre that he is willing to pay any price in order to bring back his wife, and Spectre sets him on an impossible task. Dibny is taken into deep space, where the mad god Eclipso was placed into solar orbit by the Shadowpact it order to nullify her evil sorcery.
A twist of fate, however, has made it so that Eclipso inhabits the body of Jean Loring - the woman who murdered Dibny's wife, Sue. Spectre wishes to punish Jean, but cannot do it without a host body - and so asks Dibny to donate his own and avenge Sue. Dibny accepts, and takes Spectre's power. Dibny confronts Eclipso, and the two disappear.
Week 27, Day 2.
Waverider is confronted by Skeets. Waverider accuses Skeets of splintering the historical mainline, but Skeets reveals that it was the Luthor from the parallel Earth that started it. Skeets demands that Waverider tell him 'when' Rip Hunter is, and it turns out that Skeets has been taking out time travellers like Time Commander and Clock Queen if they refuse to help it. Waverider refuses to help, and Skeets neutralizes him.
Nanda Parbat.
Question has given the Crime Bible to Aristotle Rodor to study. Renee is worried about Question and his constant coughing. Renee reveals that none of the therapies Richard Dragon and Aristotle try on Richard - teas, acupuncture, massage, pills - are helping Question, and she fears that he is getting even sicker. Renee asks Question when he quit smoking, and receives the reply "not soon enough." It turns out that Question has lung cancer and has known for seven months. Question reveals that he hasn't got long to live, and leaves Renee absolutely shocked and upset.
Later, Aristotle brings up a certain passage of the Crime Bible which references the "devouring" of "the heart of the twice-named daughter of Cain." Renee makes a quick connection between that and Kate Kane, especially after seeing an illustration of a devil plucking out the heart of a woman who looks suspiciously like Renee's ex-flame and the new Batwoman.
Week -84, Day -2.
Dibny and Eclipso teleport back in time and into Dibny's house. Dibny struggles with the mad goddess, and manages to transform her back into her true form - Jean Loring. Dibny has brought Loring here to watch, over and over again for eternity, how she murdered Sue Dibny. Loring pleads to be let go, but Dibny wrestles her upstairs, where an oblivious Sue decorates a birthday cake. He holds Loring so that she must watch every gruesome moment of it. Dibny is so overwhelmed by the horror of it all himself that he teleports them both back, and fails his mission.
He asks the helmet of Dr. Fate to get him away from here, and Dibny decides that there must be better ways to bring his wife back than dealing with the Spectre. Dibny and the helmet leave for Nanda Parbat.
Plus: The Origin Of Black Canary with Howard Chaykin.
The horsemen have come... The end is near! Natasha becomes suspicious of her Uncle and contacts her uncle. Renee tries to get Question to Nanda Parbat before he dies. It looks like she may be too late.
Week 38, Day 1.
Renee Montoya and Question travel towards Nanda Parbat. Question is fading fast, and requires constant morphine, and Renee's confidence wavers as she realizes that she doesn't even know how to get there.
Week 38, Day 2.
Oolong Island.
After his medications are taken from him, Will Magnus is finally working on the project he was brough to the island for - the destructive Plutonium Man. T.O. Morrow praises his friend for his work, and tells Magnus that he must go to the unveiling of the Four Horsemen that is set to happen that evening.
Chang Tzu, Will Magnus, T.O. Morrow, Veronica Cale and Dr. Sivana are present for the unveiling. As the monsters are revealed, Cale whispers "What have we made?" Chang Tzu reads from the Crime Bible as he introduces three of the Four Horsemen: Azraeuz, Death - a terror with the skull of a giant bull for a head, glowing red eyes, a spiny back and great, feathery wings, as well as furry, horselike legs and a scythe. Roggra, War - a giant robot mounted with machine guns and glowing red eyes. Zorrm, Pestilence - a giant man-shaped creature dressed in black with canisters strapped to his back and connected to his cannonlike arms. Zorrm has a man-like face void of skin, with no lips over grinning teeth and one single glowing red eye.
The last Horseman, Famine, is conspicuously absent and Chang Tzu reveals that Yuurd the Unknown has already gone.
Week 38, Day 3.
Renee is running out of morphine for the ailing Question. She drags him through the snow in a sled, making for a high mountainous city. No one in the city seems to be able to help her reach Nanda Parbat, and Question is becoming increasingly combatative and in pain.
Week 38, Day 4.
Steelworks.
Steel, along with a few doctors and Beast Boy, are examining the body of one of Luthor's dead Everymen. Steel wants to prove that it was indeed Luthor who shut off the powers of his superheroes, and how he did it.
Natasha communicates with her Uncle through a robotic bug, and tells him that she finally accepts his suspicions and that she's going to try to gather information from the inside.
Week 38, Day 5.
Renee has run out of morphine, and Question is becoming increasingly worse. Renee is still dragging her friend through the snowy mountains on a sled. A storm ravages the mountains and Renee tries to keep Question warm by putting on his protoskin mask. Renee loses her grip on the sled and finds that Charlie has fallen out of it, the mask is soaked in blood. Renee tears it off and finds that Charlie is finally having a lucid moment. Charlie (Question) asks Renee what the hell she's doing, and tells her that she can't save him. Charlie poses his last question to Renee - "It's a trick question Renee... not who are you... but who are you going to become?" Question dies in Renee's arms.
Includes the Origin of the Red Tornado.
Week 28, Day 2.
Question and Renee use an improvised batsignal to call Batwoman. Renee and Question rushed from Nana Parbat to Gotham in order to warn Kane about the prophesy about her in the Crime Bible. Batwoman arrives.
Week 28, Day 2.
An aboriginal settlement in Australia. Government authorities try to move the Aboriginals out of their town so that it can become a Ridge Ferrick Uranium mining development. Suddenly, a young Aboriginal boy brings out a remote control giant robot with Red Tornado's head. The boy uses the robot, still repeating '52,' to beat up the authorities. The robot even develops Red Tornado's powers, whirling his arms around to create cyclones. At this point the Aboriginals decide they must stop it, and the village and the authorities destroy it and sell it for salvage. The Aboriginal boy, Johnny, is arrested and Ridge-Ferrick takes the land.
Week 28, Day 2.
Lobo, towing Animal Man, Adam Strange and Starfire in their ship, race to escape a giant green skull shooting laser beams.
Week 28, Day 4.
The travellers are hiding from the skull creature in a debris field.
Week 28, Day 5.
Gotham City.
Batwoman is crushing a giant anthropomorphic lizard creature, saying "so much for your prophecy." She's beating up another Intergang lackey in a cathedral when Bruno Mannheim appears and shoots her with a futuretech weapon. Bruno grabs the disabled Batwoman by the throat and tells her that the prophecy will come about, and he will own all of Gotham.
Suddenly Renee and Question pop up from the pews, Renee levelling her gun at Mannheim. Mannheim tosses Batwoman at them and escapes.
Week 28, Day 7.
The travellers are hiding from the Emerald Head in a giant skeleton. Lobo reveals that they are being pursued because the Emerald Head wants its Emerald Eye back - an item that is in Lobo's possession. Suddenly the Head is upon them, and it takes the combined powers of Lobo, Starfire and Adam Strange to ward it off. Suddenly the head begins to speak and plead for help. Starfire approaches it and finds that it has the Green Lantern insignia, and that the head is actually the vessel of the Lantern of Vengar. The Lantern was left powerless after the eye was stolen, and was defenceless against a catastrophe called the "Stygian Passover." The passover destroyed the planets under the Lantern's protection, and caused the Lantern to go a bit crazy.
Starfire, Adam Strange and Animal Man realize that their way home lies with Lobo, which means that they will be heading in the same direction as the Stygian Passover.
Plus: The Origin Of Catman with Dale Eaglesham.
Week 29, Day 2.
Morning in New York.
At the JSA headquarters, the remaining heroes are putting down their equipment. Alan Scott drops his lantern and Jay Garrick puts down his winged helmet.
"This is it?"
"This is it."
Alan Scott, Wildcat and Jay Garrick decide that the JSA has reached it's end. Wildcat wants to go down fighting, rather than fading away "like the old farts they're callin' us."
Outside, the Thanksgiving Parade is going in full force. Luthor's everymen are flying everywhere, and Infinity Inc. is flying in front of a balloon of Lex Luthor.
The JSA feels that Luthor's Infinity Inc. have no right to use the name, and the names of former Infinity Inc.'ers as their aliases. Luthor bought the rights to Infinity Inc. and the names of its superheroes, and though Mr. Terrific tried to stop it legally, there was nothing that could be done. Wildcat is afraid that that Luthor's superheroes fight with no heart and no moral compass, and so are a danger to themselves and others.
Outside, the newest member of Infinity Inc. is being introduced - "She was a graphic arts student from the San Francisco Art Institute. Before the wonderful miracle of the Everyman Project she was Nicki Jones... But today we'd like you to meet Jade!"
A ripple of disbelief goes through the JSA. The original Jade is the deceased daughter of Alan Scott. Suddenly, Obsidian, Jade's brother appears. He is extremely angry at the development, distraught that his sister's name would be sold to become a corporate symbol of Lex Luthor. Alan Scott tries to calm his son down, but Obsidian crashes through the window and attacks Jade. The members of Infinity Inc. try to protect their teammate, but are no match for Obsidian's shadowy powers.
Jade accuses Obsidian of being crazy, and only Alan Scott can stop the fight. Scott blasts his son and forces him to stop, asking him if this is what his sister would really want. Scott then launches into a lecture to Infinity Inc. about how they don't know where their names come from and don't respect the legacies they carry. Nuklon especially takes offence to this, and tells Scott how hard his family had to work to get him there and how he knows where his name comes from - but will do a better job with it than his predecessor.
Scott and Obsidian fly away, leaving a visibly shaken Jade.
Week 29, Day 2.
Afternoon on Oolong Island.
The mad scientists are having a Thanksgiving feast, with Dr. Sivana using a chainsaw to hack through a mutant quadruple turkey. Everyone is spattered in meat, but all are having a jolly good time - except Will Magnus.
Magnus slips away, and is follow by Veronica Cale. Magnus tells Cale how much he wants to leave Oolong Island, and how he doesn't feel that what they're doing is right. Cale, on the other hand, mercilessly hits on poor Magnus.
Back in the dining room, Sivana is still hacking up the turkey when Chang Tzu/Egg Fu arrives. Chang Tzu incinerates a guard for calling him Egg Fu, and then confronts Magnus on his progress with the Plutonium Man. Magnus says that it's going slowly, but Chang Tzu knows that he hasn't been working on it at all. Cale reveals to Chang Tzu that Magnus won't build it because he's taking antidepressants, much to the chagrin of Magnus. Chang Tzu takes away Magnus' medications.
New York.
Jay Garrick and Wildcat part ways. Jay leaves for Thanksgiving Dinner at Bart's and asks Wildcat if he'd like to go along. Wildcat lies and says that he's got plans, and when the scarlet speedster is gone brings out some alcohol and sits in the dark of the former JSA headquarters/
Week 29, Day 3.
Metropolis: The Steelworks.
Doctor Mid-Nite, Doctor Avasti and Beast Boy discuss Lex Luthor's Everyman Project. Avasti goes to check on Steel, and it is revealed that his stainless steel skin is peeling off. Steel realizes that there is no reverse therapy for Luthor's metagene, but that the powers have an expiration date.
The month begins with one of the main players in 52 having everything — and everyone — taken away from him, and ends with messages from beyond the grave that will have a lasting impact on several DC heroes. Also, Ralph Dibny's fate — or is that Fate? — is at last revealed as he solves the greatest mystery of all. Plus, more Origins of the DCU!
52: A year without Superman; a year without Batman; a year without Wonder Woman…but not a year without heroes.
Week 46, Day 1
On Oolong Island, the scientists prepare for the arrival of Black Adam. All of their defense measures fail to stop him. After fighting different robots, androids, and other mechanical defenses, Black Adam finally enters the base. A group of villains all fire upon him at once. Together, they manage to defeat him. Throughout all this, Morrow wins the online bid over a piece of art that uses parts of the Red Tornado.
Day 3
In Metropolis, Lex Luthor is being taken into custody after being considered a flight risk while waiting for his trial. Somehow, Clark, who is reporting the event, suspects something is wrong. He calls Steel and the Police Chief as they run inside Lexcorp. He leads them to a lead lined room and Steel busts down the door. Lex is inside eating a sandwich. He claims he wasn't aware today was the day he was to be taken. Apparently he hired Hannibal to shape-change into him as he was taken into custody.
Day 4
In Bialya, Alan Scott, Jay Garrick, and Wildcat are searching for survivors after Black Adam's tirade. Jay says he isn't able to find any. Alan's ring tells him there are over two million dead. They begin to blame themselves for letting Black Adam get out of hand since he was part of the Justice Society. Then Atom Smasher arrives. He says that Checkmate has brought him to them and he wants back in the Justice Society. He says he wants to help find Black Adam.
Back up story by Waid and Kubert.
Week 47, Day 1 & 2, Nanda Parbat
Batman seals himself in darkness for seven days as Robin waits for him. Tim talks with Diana and is unsure of how things are affecting Bruce. He says that after the cult "removed" his demons, he's gotten worse. He feels that perhaps the demons were all he had to protect him.
Day 2, Gotham City
Bruno Mannheim is unhappy that the sacrifice is not working. He is troubled that the "twice-named daughter," Batwoman is still alive. They figure that "Cain" must be her name. Batwoman is one name and Cain must be the other. If they can match someone of her description with the resources to be Batwoman, they'll have no problem getting her.
Day 3, Oolong Island
Black Adam is still being tortured. Will Magnus is having trouble concentrating over his screams. He sits and ponders over a new Metal Men creation. When he activates it, it says, "Crush. Raze. Trample." Mercury and Tin pop out of his shirt pocket and beg him to turn it off. Will does.
Day 4, Space
Animal Man is learning how to use the power of the sun-eaters. When he asks his saviors why they helped him, they tell him he is in Space B. From there he can access any point in space or time and give him a glimpse of one month in his future. He sees his wife, Ellen, but she appears to be with another man.
Day 5, Metropolis
Beast Boy continues to try to convince Natasha to join the Teen Titans as she tests out a new suit. She declines because she is working with John. They are starting a new organization, Steelworks. They want to be able to offer help to those that need it.
Day 6, Gotham
In Gotham City, Renee goes to Katherine Kane's penthouse. She finds the place torn apart. Shocked and saddened, Nightwing appears in the window and tells her that she's been taken and the two of them are going to bring her back.
Day 7, Nanda Parbat
Diana recieves wisdom. After seven days, Bruce emerges from the sealed cave. He has a smile on his face.
Batwoman is kidnapped by Bruno Mannhiem and Whisper A'Daire at her home. Renee Montoya and Nightwing investigate in an attempt to save her. They realize when the prophecy said Batwoman and Cain were to be sacrificed, that Cain could be spelled anyway. Katherine "Kate" Kane was the Batwoman and now she is to be sacrificed. Along the way Renee questions her about herself and tries to figure herself out. Renee would eventually become the new Question as she puts on his mask. Renee finds where they are doing the ritual and is attacked. She was a little late when Batwoman gets stabbed for the ritual by Bruno. Renee distracts him and Batwoman takes out the knife and kills Bruno with it. Batwoman would lay in Renee's arms dying.
Week 34, Day 3.
The Suicide Squad ambush the Black Marvel Family after Osiris' first day with the Teen Titans. Just as Osiris is musing on how much good they can do now that the world trusts them, Atom Smasher becomes gigantic and knocks the Marvels out of the air, grabbing Black Adam in one massive hand.
Atom Smasher tells Black Adam that he needs to turn himself in for all of the murders he has committed, but Black Adam retaliates. Black Adam takes out Atom Smasher, but is begged by Osiris not to kill Plastique and the Electrocutioner. Persuader and Count Vertigo attack Isis, who is rendered helpless and almost has her head cut off by Persuader's axe until... Osiris flies in to save her and flies directly through Persuader's body, sending blood and guts flying everywhere.
Osiris is shocked, and falls to the ground in tears, not believing that he, who has fought so hard to be seen as good, has committed murder.
Unfortunately, the footage of the fight and murder was on live television, as well as recorded.
Week 34, Day 4.
Metropolis.
Infinity Inc.'s Matrix, Starlight and Jade are on a shopping trip with Ms. Graves. They are also being watched. When Grave's credit card is rejected, she fears there has been a security breach, and splits the team up. Natasha (Starlight) is sent down the back way with a female police officer who turns out to be Black Canary. With the help of Oracle, her uncle Steel managed to orchestrate it so that they could talk.
Steel tells Natasha that Trajectory's death was not an accident, and that Luthor can turn off the powers of those who went through his Everyman Project.
Week 34, Day 5.
Metropolis.
Lex Luthor has captured Clark Kent. He injects Kent with a truth serum and asks him a single question, is Supernova masquerading as Superman? Quite easily, Kent responds that he's not Superman.
Week 34, Day 7.
Gotham City.
Question is admitted into the hospital, where he is put on a morphine drip to ease his terrible pain.
In Metropolis, Luthor's Everymen fill the skies to celebrate New Years Eve. Luthor, with an ominous remote control on his hand, counts down to zero and presses the red button.
Plus: The Origin of Zatanna with Brian Bolland
Not much happens this issue. Adam Strange and Starfire fight a bounty hunter, Question dies (we're told), Renee Montoya looks like she's taken his place, Ralph Dibny gets closer to his goal, and there's a guest appearance at the end.
Week 41, Day 1.
Molek the Hunter attacks Adam Strange and Starfire. Strange attacks the bounty hunter, but Starfire is injured. The two manage to take the hunter down, and tell him that Lady Styx is dead. The hunter tells his ship to self-destruct before he dies, and Adam Strange, carrying a wounded Starfire, manages to get away just in time.
Week 41, Day 2.
Nanda Parbat.
Renee has made it to Nanda Parbat, but Question has died. Renee is told that Richard Dragon is waiting for her in an ice cave, and Renee goes to meet him. The two fight, and Renee reveals that she is going to carry on for Question. Richard tells her that she has to stop running away from herself if she truly wants to honour her friend, and tells her to face with who she is and who she can become. Renee can't face teh question and runs away.
Week 41, Day 3.
Haven Correctional Facility.
Ralph Dibny is in Haven trying to figure out how T.O. Morrow disappeared. Dibny reveals that someone must have planted teleportation microcircuitry into the security cameras that beamed the mad scientist out. Dibny then goes to visit another inmate, Milo, who has hidden a magical object in the wheel of his wheelchair. Dibny steals the Silver Wheel of Nyorlath and teleports away with the helmet of Dr. Fate. The helmet says, "the final hour is at last upon us."
Week 41, Day 5.
Renee finds another woman sitting on a bench in Nanda Parbat contemplating life. The raven haired lady tells Renee that she is waiting for a friend, Renee tells the woman about Question, and about her feelings and doubts. The woman tells Renee that she can only find the answers to her questions from within, and asks her to explore the frustrating question of her identity. In the last frame, we see that the woman, who has put her arm on Renee's shoulder, has a silver bracelet peeking out from her sleeve that is identical to that of Wonder Woman. Take a second look at the lady and she is indeed Diana.
Renee takes the advice of Wonder Woman and returns to the ice cave.
Week 41, Day 7.
The spaceship of Adam Strange and Starfire is plummeting into a sun, and Strange is frustrated and hopeless. Starfire tries to use a pep talk on him, though she is slowly losing consciousness as her life force flows from her wounds. Strange goes to try to figure out how to stop the ship as Starfire drifts asleep.
Suddenly something huge appears between the ship and the sun. The ship crashlands onto the planet and into a beautiful lake, above which a Green Lantern is flying. It turns out that Mogo, the Green Lantern planet, has saved the duo.
Plus: The Origin of Starfire with Joe Benitez.
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! These final issues feature art by Darick Robertson, Eddy Barrows, Joe Bennett, Justiniano and more.
Animal man returns to his wife and then when the go inside and chat you see 2 aliens talking about they are going to kill animal since he killed lady stynx.
52 Day 2
The heroes mourn the losses brought on by World War III. Robin attempts to comfort Wonder Girl but she flew away before that happened.
52 Day 3
Adam Strange is shown with his eyesight back and on Rann. The scientists and green lanterns are talking to him about the emerald eye which he says Lobo has it. He also finds out that Starfire flew off with buddys jacket to give it to him.
52 Day 4
Lobo asks his new Dolphin god why he wanted they eye for and the Dolphin god says how it was the only thing that could kill him and in typical of Lobo he fires the eye at the Dolphin god.
52 Day 6
Then we go back to buddy's house him talking to friends when suddenly there is a knock at the door. Which his wife opens and it is shown to be 2 aliens going to kill buddy but they are quickly killed by Starfire who gave the jacket to his wife and goes unconscionable.
52 Day 7
We see Skeets looking for Booster and Rip Hunter when he see Red Tornadoes head and Marrow. Marrow saying how it would exactly happen like this and there are 52 worlds out there. Then Booster and Rip Hunter appears. Booster saying they have to change Skeets programming back to normal. When Skeets says how it not the programming it was him making a cradle in skeets head. Thats right Folks Skeets is MISTER MIND who has become something very, very, ugly. Then quickly Booster and Rip Hunter go back in time to attempt to stop it again.
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! These final issues feature art by Darick Robertson, Eddy Barrows, Joe Bennett, Justiniano and more.
Week 0, Day 0
==========================
As Booster and Rip escape from the newly transformed Mr. Mind, they find themselves in-between worlds, and also within the time-stream. Among them are scores of different Universes, which Rip explains signify the birth of the new Multiverse. They've traveled one year into the past, just after Alexander Luthor recreated the multiverse, then collapsed it again. Apparently, the remaining energy created by this massive manifestation outpoured into the time-stream, and created 51 new Universes, not including New Earth. Every one of these Universes and Earths are identical in every way. Soon, all the Earths will be perfectly aligned, all occupying the same space, on different vibrational planes. Rip explains that when Red Tornado witnessed the birth of this new Multiverse, he created a map which they need in order to navigate through the different worlds. They're going to have to travel between all these Universes if they plan on saving them from Mr. Mind, who plans on feeding off of them for all of Eternity. Suddenly, Mr. Mind appears, and regurgitates the Phantom Zone at them. However, out of nowhere, Supernova leaps in front of the blast and deflects it, sending the Phantom Zone elsewhere. He boards the Time-Sphere, joining Rip and Booster. Gold is rightfully confused by Supernova's presence, having believed himself to be the masked hero. Supernova removes his mask, revealing hismelf to be Daniel Carter, Booster's ancestor. Rip saved him from the endless 52-second loop that Mr. Mind trapped him in almost a year ago, and outfitted him with Supernova's specialized costume. Rip's part of the deal was that he would bring him back to his home in Pittsburgh. However, Hunter goes back on their deal, saying that they still need somebody in Supernova's costume due to it's special capabilities.
As the trio try and stay ahead of Mr. Mind, they find that he's beginning to alter his own vibrational frequency, effectively changing Universes. Rip has Red Tornado match the frequency, and they follow the monster to Earth-17. Mind begins to devour the Earth's history, changing entire events and altering centuries of time. Before he can finish, Booster, Daniel and Rip Jump to Earth-3, where they find the Justice League. Suddenly, Mr. Mind arrives, and starts absorbing history once more. He is stopped abruptly, changing the League into the [[Crime Syndicate of Amerika:char:41531]]. They Jump once more, drawing Mind through all manner of different Universes. Earth-10 becomes the home of the [[Freedom FIghters:char:40383]], Earth-50 houses the [[Wildstorm Universe:char:41583]], and Earth-5 becomes the world of the Marvel Family and other Fawcett creations. Earth-22 is eventually lead into the events of [[Kingdom Come:char:41641]], and Earth-2 holds a variation of the Justice Society, where Superman and Power-Girl are missing. We also witness Earth-4, which becomes the world of various Charleton heroes, including the original Blue Beetle and the Question.
Eventually, Booster and co. draw themselves and Mind back into the Multiverse, where they must make their last stand. Before they initiate Rip's plan, he plays the Carters a simulation of what the Multiverse will look like if Mind wins. A terrible vision is shown to them, scores of "Hyperflies" (Mind's spawn) feeding off of the energy of the collective Multiverse, leaving all of creation in a mindless darkness for all time. Booster suddenly feels the weight of his responsibility coming down on him, and begins to doubt Rip's choice in him. Rip tries to reassure him, but to no avail. Having let down Ted Kord, and allowing his only remaining friend, Skeets, to be destroyed, Booster feels that he's simply destined to fail. Suddenly, Skeets' remains fizzle and light up, and he utters what words of esteem he can to Booster. Gold, now endowed with new faith in himself, formulates a plan. Rip needs an energy source, and Booster knows right where to find it. He turns on his time travel circuitry, and goes back even further. After he disappears, Rip confides in Daniel that this moment is the beginning of something seen in the future as the beginning of Booster Gold's "Glory Days", and the dawn of the Megaverse. Rip then departs himself, leaving Daniel in charge of the Time-Sphere as he goes to retrieve the last thing they need to defeat Mr. Mind: Suspendium, artificial time.
Elsewhen, Booster arrives at the penultimate moment of the original Crisis finding Ted Kord, the Blue Beetle. Ted is looking for his Scarab, and asks Gold for help. Booster uses this as one last chance to talk to his old friend, and to finally say goodbye. The two joke around a little, and then Booster departs after finding the Scarab, and keeps it for the needed energy source. He arrives back at the Time-Sphere, along with Rip, and the two put their plan into motion. Booster plugs Ted's Scarab into Daniel's Supernova costume, so they can draw Mind to its power.
"Light up the whole damn sky, Daniel! This one's for the Blue and the Gold! Saving the Universe one more time! Over here, Ugly! THIS WAY!"
In the enormous flash of energy, Rip brings the team back to his bunker in the desert, pulling Mind with them. Red Tornado closes the Time-Locks isinde the bunker, locking them there temporarily. Rip outfits Skeets' hull with the Suspendium he retrieved, and instructs Booster to trap the now smaller Mr. Mind within. Booster is reluctant, but Skeets tells him that he'd rather go out saving the world than letting it die. Booster says one last goodbye, and traps Mr. Mind. Rip opens a portal, and tells them that they must hurl the shell at a high velocity in order for the Suspendium to hold him, so Booster does what he does best. Telling Daniel to "Go long", Booster throws Skeets with his best arm, and Daniel chases it through the time-stream.
Week 2, Day 1
=========================
Booster asks Will Magnus for help fixing Skeets, but Mr. Mind can be seen opening Skeets' hull, and taking root. Daniel flies past this moment, chasing Skeets.
Week 1, Day 6
=======================
Mr. Mind is shown trapped in his prison at Dr. Sivana's, watching Skeets with Booster on television. Daniel and Skeets fly by, with Daniel finally getting hold of him.
Week 1, Day 1
========================
Daniel spikes Skeets into the middle of a desert, causing it to explode, and reverting Mr. Mind back to his original state. Dr. Sivana finds him, and puts him in the tube where he waits to enter Skeets' body weeks later.
When Daniel arrives back at the Bunker, the trio celebrate the end of the epic battle, and the salvation of the new Multiverse, but not before they mourn their losses. Rip surprises Booster though, when he reveals that he copied Skeets' mem-self onto a responsometer which Dr. Will Magnus can fix. Booster is grateful, but still expresses worry about the new state of the Multiverse, so many histories broken. Hunter explains that this is how it shuould be, not broken, but opened. Creating an entire Multiverse of possibility, everything unique from one another.
Week 52, Day 6
============================
Checkmate H.Q., the Swiss Alps
Checkmate reorganizes in order to find Teth-Adam.
Steelworks, Metropolis
John Henry Irons and Natasha Irons conclude that the Infinity, Inc. that spawned from the Everyman Project are long gone.
Kahndaq
Teth-Adam retrieves the Amulet of Isis.
The Department of Metahuman Affairs, Washington D.C.
Agent Diana Prince strives with the DMA to find Black Adam.
Golden Rule Preschool -- Sheffield, Alabama
A fiery pit opened in the middle of a preschool classroom, resulting in the children drawing several horrific drawings, possessed by some outside force. The Ghosts of Ralph and Sue Dibny can be seen at the site, beginning an otherwordly investigation into the matter unbeknownst to the staff.
The Home of Dr. Will Magnus
Magnus manages to successfully copy Skeets' mind into a brand new body, but without memory of the last year. Booster and Skeets become reacquainted, and Booster begins to tell him what he missed.
Week 52, Day 7
===========================
Gotham City
Kate Kane recovers from her stab-wound at the hands of Bruno Mannheim, and reveals that she was brought to the hospital by the new Question, Renee Montoya. Across the city, Renee removes the question mark from Jim Gordon's spotlight, and replaces it with a Bat Signal. She turns it on, and shines it at Kate's building. She mutters to herself,
"I have a question."
"... Are you ready?"
Renee Montoya tries to find herself in Nanda Parbat.
Ralph Dibny has reached the end of his journey in Salem, Massachusetts. Now is the moment to stand in the door of the afterlife and find his dead wife, Susan. He is hesitant upon taking on this final task. As he prepares with the helmtt of Fate, he reveals that he is aware it was Felix Faust posing as Fate. As Ralph has Faust cornered, he reveals that he had made a deal with Neron to exchange Ralph's soul for power. Neron arrives to claim Faust. Ralph stands up to him saying it's not over. As Neron flicks Ralph's ring through his heart, he lays dying. His last words are, "I got you." The spell of binding seems to still be intact. With Ralph dead, there is no way to remove it. Neron and Faust are trapped for eternity.
Back-up story featuring the origin of Oliver Queen.
Week 43, Day 1
Osiris wishes his powers were gone. He feels the trouble in Kahndaq is due to his killing a man. He goes to the Rock of Eternity along with Sobek. He finds Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr., and Mary Marvel there. As he asks for Captain Marvel to take his powers, Black Adam and Isis arrive.
Osiris blames Black Adam for Kahndaq's suffering and punches him. The Marvels restrain them so that they do not cause more damage at the Rock. Marvel Jr. tries to hold back Osiris. As he hits him away, he also hits his sister. Shocked, Osiris agrees to accept the gift and to not turn his back on his family.
Day 4
It seems Animal Man has been saved. Unfortunately he does not have much time left to breathe in space. The space dolphin traveling with Lobo is getting to be too far for his powers to mimic. He searches out with all his might and is able to locate some sun-eaters.
Day 5
Osiris is making plans to leave. He still cannot live with what he has done. He merely said what Black Adam and Isis wanted to hear from him. Sobek suggests simply saying "Black Adam" to relinquish the powers. As he does, he falls to the floor, unable to walk in his human guise. As Sobek goes to him to seemingly assist him, he gets a look in his eye. He chomps down on Osiris as he tries to utter "Black Adam" once more. After another bite and a bloody mess, Sobek states that finally, he is not hungry anymore.
Patrick "Eel" O'Brian's story is told.
Black Adam and Isis continue to ponder over what is affecting Kahndaq. Black Adam finally decides to go to the Rock of Eternity the next day. Suddenly he is struck by lightning. Feeling stronger, he knows that Osiris' powers have returned to him. Rushing to find him, they discover the gruesome remains of his body. Not understanding why he would have reverted back to human, Sobek is on scene to inform them that Osiris blamed himself for Kahndaq's recent misery. He also admits that he feasted on him in order to satiate his hunger. Sobek reveals that he was not left behind at Dr. Sivana's lab but rather was sent there. Because Black Adam refused to allow Intergang to pass through his country, they decided to bring Sobek and his siblings to Kahnaq, War, Pestilence, and Death.
The fight carries on. As Sobek is about to show Black Adam how he fed on Osiris, Adam rips his jaw apart. Next he goes after War as Pestilence fights Isis. Black Adam is taking a beating and Isis begins to feel the affects of Pestilence. Death is waiting to claim her. Weak with disease, Isis is about to be taken by Death. Black Adam defeats War and uses War's gun on Pestilence. Barely clinging to life, Isis calls forth lava to send Death away from Black Adam. With her last breath, she says she realizes that his way to keep Kahndaq safe and asks him to avenge them. With another bolt of lightning striking him, Black Adam is not happy.
In Nanda Parbat, Renee notices that the flower given to them by Isis withers away. She knows that Isis must be dead. It is suggested to her that she go seek out what has happened. Her clothes has been treated with the same chemical compound that the Question used. She insists she is not going to be him. She doesn't want to wear a mask. She is told that sometimes some questions can only be answered by wearing a mask. She prepares to head to Kahndaq to see where it leads her.
Week 45, Day 3
In Kahndaq, the funeral for Isis and Osiris takes place. The Marvel family serve as pallbearers and try to some comfort to Black Adam. As they fly away, Renee Montoya looks on. She speaks with Black Adam. She wanted to see if there was anything she could do for him. Black Adam is surprised by this. She says she knows what it's like to lose someone, to feel guilt for surviving, and shame for not being able to prevent it. Outraged, Black Adam grabs her by the face and says she presumes too much as in a friendship that isn't there. Renee replies that Isis was her friend and he lets her go. He tells her to worry about her own problems with Intergang and to go home.
Day 4
In Bialya, the President speaks to Bruno Mannheim. He is concerned that the remaining Horseman, Death, has been given aid because Intergang has bought their support. He is also concerned that Black Adam will soon be there now that the funeral has ended. Manheim simply says, "Nice Knowin' ya." Just then, Black Adam crashes through the window. Black Adam begins tearing his way through the soldiers.
Word soon gets to the Pentagon and then to the President. He orders the embassies in the surrounding countries to be closed. Alan Scott and Mr. Terrific know that something needs to be done to stop Black Adam, before the Bialya is completely wiped out. Amanda Waller tries to convince Atom Smasher to try to talk to Black Adam. He refuses to play any part of her plans.
Day 5
Black Adam continues his search for Death in Bialya.
Day 6
In China, the Super-Functionaries prepare to deal with Black Adam now that he has declared war on the world, in their eyes. They have spent months studying him. Finally with casualties in the millions, Death has grown stronger with the death of every man, woman, and child. He now decides to confront Black Adam. Black Adam tells him that he is no longer Death. Black Adam is now. He grabs Death and utters "Shazam." A bolt of lightning strikes him. With Death weakened, he says it again. He tells what remains of Death that he will answer every single question he asks such as where he came from, then he is going to spend the rest of the night ending his life.
Day 7
On Oolong Island, the scientists are concerned that Black Adam will discover that they created the Horsemen. Dr. Sivana is overjoyed and says for Black Adam to "Bring it on!"
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! These final issues feature art by Darick Robertson, Eddy Barrows, Joe Bennett, Justiniano and more.
Week 49, Day 1, Oolong Island
The Justice Society of America are demanding that Black Adam be released from the scientists' torture chambers. The entire island is surrounded by a force field so the JSA cannot enter. The Great Ten of teh Chinese People's Republic arrive and inform them that the island belongs to them. If they step foot on the island, it will be considered an act of war.
Inside, Egg Fu asks Magnus if his Plutonium Man is ready. He also mentions that he is aware that "certain materials" have gone into his laboratory but not all have left. Will mentions that the different metals are aspects of personalities. The Metal Men tend to build themselves and can be any size.
Just then, tiny Metal Men, Gold, Mercury, Iron, and Tin, attack Egg Fu. T.O. Morrow comes in and blasts Mercury as Will is about to lower the force field. Will tells Morrow that it's too late. It all needs to stop. He tells Morrow that he'll teleport him to Sivana's omnibot that is in orbit overhead. Confused as to why Will is willing to help him, Will mentions that Morrow was the best teacher he ever knew and he's trying to overlook the whole "psychopathic super-villain thing."
In another part of the island, Dr. Sivana prepares to make his own exit, looking for the teleporting device that Will took. Black Adam is still bound to a torture device. He vows to Sivana that he will pull him apart and feed him to Billy's "talking tiger" (Talky Tawny).
The Justice Society are still discussing their position with the
Socialist Red Guardsman. Alan Scott says that Chang Tzu must be a member of the Great Ten. Tzu, under orders from Intergang, was behind the assassination of the Black Marvel Family. They didn't think Black Adam would survive and are trying to cover up their connection. Power Girl notices that the shields are down now. Alan tells the Socialist Red Guardsman that he can deal with Chang Tzu while they take custody of Black Adam.
Egg Fu and others find Magnus. Will fires Lead into Egg Fu which cracks his shell. The other (cowardly) scientists run to save themselves. Will fires several more times at Egg Fu saying he told them he does crazy things without his medication.
Once the JSA enter the facility, Atom Smasher ducks out on his own. He finds Sivana and demands he takes him to Black Adam. Atom Smasher frees Adam and asks him if he really was responsible for the deaths of all the innocent women and children. He begs Adam to tell him that it was one of the Horsemen. He says that if he really did kill them that he could never go back and could never watch over Kahndaq again. Black Adam simply says that they wanted a war and he's going to give it to them and leaves.
In Metropolis, Nuklon and Jade discuss how the world has turned against them and Luthor's Everyman experiments. Nuklon says they can still save the day as Infinity, Inc. It appears he has the notion to go after Black Adam to bring him in.
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! These final issues feature art by Darick Robertson, Eddy Barrows, Joe Bennett, Justiniano and more.
Week 50, Day 2, Egypt
Captain Marvel, Jr, Mary Marvel, and Captain Marvel are fighting Black Adam. Captain Marvel tells him to stop and let him help. He asks what he wants. Black Adam responds by smashing him in the face.
Week 50, Day 3, Australia
Austraila has suffered damage. The Justice Society of America are there to help. Atom Smasher continues to defend Black Adam. He keeps saying that Black Adam wouldn't hurt innocent children. When Alan Scott reminds him that he tore a man in half on live television, Atom Smasher says that he was a wanted criminal. When Jay Garrick asks if he's condoning his actions, Atom Smasher says he's not taking anyone's side. He just wants the violence to end.
Week 50, Day 4
Black Adam takes on Doom Patrol and others with ease.
Week 50, Day 5
The Justice Society tries to catch up to Black Adam. Power Girl notes that he's been "kicking the asses of everyone that's been able to catch up with him." Wildcat says the JSA can handle him. Mr. Terrific informs them that they'll get their chance to prove that because Checkmate just found him in China.
Week 50, Day 6
The Chinese Air Force try to stop Black Adam in the air. He destroys their fighters. The Great Ten say they will stop him. Socialist Red Guardsman gives the authorization to attack. Ghost Fox Killer seems to have wounded Black Adam with her spirit-shot. Seven Deadly Brothers take their shot next.
Week 50, Day 7
The fight continues in Beijing. The Justice Society and several other heroes stand at the Chinese border because they have been told they are not allowed to step foot in the country. Alan Scott tells them to hold the line. He wants them to be ready because the Chinese will need them soon.
Most of the Great Ten are down. He tells them to send soldiers, send armies, send them all. With the city burning and most of their soldiers either dead or seriously wounded, August Generial-In-Iron has no choice but to allow international help. The Justice Society and others descend upon Black Adam.
Alan Scott gives the order to get and keep Black Adam on the ground so that more of them can get on him. The fight rages on. Atom Smasher again says that Black Adam merely chased the Four Horsemen into Bialya and the Horseman was the one that killed everyone. He says Black Adam doesn't kill just to kill. Black Adam says he does what he needs to and sends Atom and others flying.
At the Rock of Eternity, Captain Marvel is sent flying back after talking to the Egyptian Gods. He tried getting them to force change Black Adam into a mortal again. They refused saying he has their blessings. He tries to think of another way to force the change.
Steel and Natasha Irons get the Thunder Missle ready to fire at Adam. Once it hits him, A.I. nanites inside will work their way to his brain and short out his motor functions. Just as they are about to launch it, Booster Gold appears. He takes the missle saying he needs it more than they do and that it wouldn't have worked anyways. Then he disappears. Steel and Natasha have no other choice but to jump into the fight with their hammers.
The remains of Luthor's Everyman project as Infinity, Inc. are told to join the fight as they look on. Seeing how things are going for the others, Nuklon says they're not going up against that and take off in the other direction with their tales between their legs.
The fight keeps going. Zatarra contacts Jay with a plan. Alan is to grab Adam and take him to the sky. Captain Marvel is heading full speed towards them. He yells, "Shazam!" just as he approaches Black Adam. The magicians try to hold the lightning until the final moment. There is a huge flash and Teth Adam is seen falling to the ground. He yells out "Shazam!" several times with no result. Withing the smoke, a giant hand is seen catching him.
Jay runs everywhere looking to see where Adam fell. No one can find him. Atom Smasher claims that with all the smoke and the flash of light, no one could see what happened. Captain Marvel reassures Jay that if he survived, they will find him and prosecute him. He says that now that he is the Guardian of the Magic, he has a new level of ability. He was able to change Adam's magic word. He says he will never tell a living soul what he changed it to and that Adam wil never guess it.
Later, Teth Adam is seen walking the streets in a foreign land trying to come up with the word. He tries, "Shazam, Captain Marvel, Kahndaq, Osiris, Isis, Batson, Eternity..." all with no success.
Week 50, Day 7, the Rocky Mountains
T.O. Morrow returns home with the head of the Red Tornado. As he works on it to find out what he saw "out there in the great beyond," it keeps repeating "52." Then Booster Gold and Rip Hunter arrive telling him to get his ass in gear because they've already run out of time.
- Superman and Batman- Outlaws Part 1- The Evil Superman and Batman (Superman and Batman) -- 2. Part II-The Incredible New Super-Team (Superman and Batman) -- 3. Friends Across the Seas -- 4. Casey the Cop -- 5. The Ninth Wonder (Congorilla) -- 6. Tricksy.
Overview
The war rages on, extending from the far reaches of space, where Supergirl encounters a missing hero, to the darkest depths of the ocean, where the fate of Aquaman is revealed.
A recap is given over how when a Zeta Beam was used to return the heroes to Earth during the Crisis, something went wrong. Adam Strange, Animal Man, and Starfire disappeared. Firestorm and Cyborg fused together. Red tornado blew up. And Supergirl was lost in time. She has returned, changed.
Week 50, Day 4
J'onn is still out in space trying to regroup after his confrontation with Black Adam. He observes several different incidents on Earth. Supergirl approaches him with, what he notes, a darkness choking her heart. She passes through him which causes J'onn pain and she passes out, falling to Earth. Landing in Metropolis, Supergirl is unconscious in a big crater.
J'onn tries dealing with the pain of the images of death in his mind. He tries to focus and looks back to Earth to try to find something to anchor onto.
In Gotham City, Harvey Dent is fighting Killer Croc after Croc was about to eat a girl. Dent comments on how Batman's gone and he's keeping Gotham clean now. Grabbing a broken bottle, he jams it into Croc's head. Moving around back of Croc, Dent grabs him around the neck to cause him to pass out.
Watching this fight on the rooftop is Batgirl and Deathstroke. Deathstroke asks her how does it feel to see that when Batman left, he didn't ask her to take care of Gotham. He comments how Batman trusts Harvey Dent over her. He says Batman is just keeping her close because he knows what she is and was born to be. He says they all need a place to belong. She knows where to find him once she makes her decision.
Martian Manhunter feels Harvey trying to convince himself that he didn't enjoy the pain he cause Killer Croc. He's disgusted over Deathstroke playing with Batgirl's feelings of abandonment to try to turn her. He is still confused with all the thoughts in his head. J'onn tries to find a reason why he should continue to care.
In Pisa, Italy, the Doom Patrol is getting demolished by Black Adam. Booster Gold appears saying it's not the right time, he's too early and disappears. Robotman gets his head knocked off by Adam.
In Sydney, Australia, Donna Troy, in Wonder Woman's garb, is distressed over the destruction. She notes that there isn't much she can do there. She plans on heading to Pisa to see what lies there. She contacts Beast Boy to tell him to be careful with his team. They are all young and too many innocents have been killed already.
In Sub Diego, Aquaman has summoned the water gods to find out why the human inhabitants suddenly can no longer breathe underwater. They laugh at him and his talk of war against them if they do not help. He mentions that his friends are not limited to just the ocean. They agree to give him the power to save the city but there will be a price. He will be transformed into "one akin to a great and terrible enemy" of his people. The city is raised, the people are saved, and Aquaman is transformed. J'onn notes that Aquaman's mind is now lost, perhaps forever.
J'onn sees other events occuring. He sees Donna Troy helping to save innocents trapped in rubble, people mourning the death of others, Black Adam still on his rampage, the young Teen Titans preparing to fight, Captain Marvel, Jr. trying to get up after getting beaten down, and an old man fighting his fear to try to help the unconscious Supergirl still in the crater. J'onn starts to remeber human emotions such as love, hate, good, evil, hope, despair, etc. These aspects of human nature is what he struggled with when he first arrived. He now realizes that if he is to continue to live among humans, he has to stop this destruction.
The horrors of war become grim reality for the Teen Titans, as they suffer the loss of one of their own.
Week 50, Day 5
Martian Manhunter returns to Earth in the form of a little girl again. He arrives in Pisa, Italy. He senses the thoughts of all around. Everyone dealing with the trauma of the attack. Survivors searching for friends and family in the wreckage. The Doom Patrol trying to pick up their own pieces. The panic and the fear brings out their despair until the Justice Society of America arrives.
The JSA does its best to help remove the wreckage and search out survivors. Some people fear them because Black Adam was part of their team before. Others still cling on to hope and defend their character. One man asks what will they do if Black Adam returns. This question causes Martian Manhunter to reach out and search for him again.
In Greece, Black Adam is fighting against the Teen Titans. Beast Boy has gathered a new team of young heroes. The battle doesn't appear to be going to well for them. Zatara is knocked out and Frankenstein gets his arms ripped off. Black Adam leaves. He says he does not enjoy the deaths of children. If they cross his path again, perhaps he will change his mind.
Beast Boy orders the remaining Titans to follow Black Adam. Raven is concerned about leaving Zatara and Frankenstein behind. Being an empath, she can feel the pain he is in. J'onn arrives in the guise of a medical worker. He sees Frankenstein lying on the ground. He is surprised that he is still conscious after losing so much blood. As his life slips away, J'onn enters his mind, trying to soothe his mind and take away all the fear and pain. He notes that it doesn't matter if you're human or martian, in the end, everyone dies alone.
In Detroit, Amanda Waller visits Ben Turner. She tells him that Rick Flag is still alive and that she wants to put "the band" back together (perhaps the Suicide Squad) and needs him to lead them. Ben laughs at the thought that she is trying to create a secret agency within a secret agency.
Week 50, Day 6, The Himalayas
The Titans have found Black Adam and continue the fight. Black Adam tells them that he tried to warn them and he will not be responsible for their deaths. Raven pulls him so that her soul self can release the anger and grief inside him. He tears his way out. Terra throws two huge boulders at Adam. Black Adam easily smashes through them. He says she is a "kitten playing at war with a lion." Black Adam then punches through Terra's chest. Raven convinces Beast Boy to let Adam leave so that they can take care of their own. Hawk and Dove can still be saved and they can still bury Terra.
Martian Manhunter comes in on the end of a conversation between Director Bones and Kate Spencer (whom he's figured out is Manhunter). He figures this deal will not be good and makes note to pursue it later.
After witnessing lies and theft on Kate's part, J'onn returns to the precinct in Denver where he began his lie. He finds his old partner, Peter Santorelli, and reveals his true identity. He induces laughter in him to lessen the shock of this discovery. Peter asks why he's telling him about his secret and J'onn says so that he will never do it again.
J'onn next goes to the Terrel Building where he worked as a private investigator after leaving the police force. It's been empty for decades and is set to be demolished. He worked there with another partner, Diane Meade. He says that he failed her and she died because of him. All he sees is lies and he lashes out. The building is destroyed. He says now it is the time for an ending.
It is a day of infamy. Chaos has broken out across the globe, and Firestorm and Firehawk are among the many mobilizing to stem the flow of blood and thunder.
Week 45, Day 5
In Bialya, Martian Manhunter confronts Black Adam for the atrocities he is commiting. He asks why have millions paid the price for the actions of a few. They begin to fight when J'onn claims control of Adam's motor functions. Black Adam's mind is too strong for Martian Manhunter. Black Adam says "Shazam!" and J'onn is hit by the lightning. As he flies back, Adam approaches and says it again. J'onn tries to gain control of his mind again and Adam allows J'onn to experience the memory of every single man, woman, and child he killed. His mind is too black for J'onn and looking into it seems to overwhelm J'onn and he heads out into space.
Week 50, Day 1
Across the world, the world reacts to the actions and killings caused by Black Adam. Criminals rejoice while heroes scramble to take action. Everyone is aware that a war may be breaking out. World War III has started as forces try to take out Black Adam. When Father Time and his men begining firing on Black Adam, he rips his face off. Adam tells him that he never violated his country's borders yet they still came for him. It was a matter of an eye for an eye. He picks up a battle ship and throws it in the air.
In New York City, a group of thugs rob a bank admist the confusion of the world's event. A red object falls at their feet (that looks suspiciously like the Red Hood's helmut). Nightwing appears over them and gives them a beating they'll never forget. Firestorm manages to deal with the falling battleship as he just barely manages to covert it into snow.
In Egypt, Black Adam is fighting the Marvel Family. Donna Troy is seen standing over Wonder Woman's armor. The Doom Patrol prepare to go out. Somone standing behind Batgirl tells her it's time to make a decision. All of the world's actions apparently are being watched by the Martian Manhunter, still out in space, reeling over his encounter with Black Adam.
Through the fog of war, a hero is reborn, and the DC Universe bands together against the wrath of an ancient evil!
Week 50, Day 7
The Justice Society of America and several other heroes from the Justice League and Titans wait outside the Chinese border. The Chinese heroes, the Great Ten are fighting Black Adam. The "Western" heroes have been told that stepping on Chinese soil will be regarded as an act of war. J'onn can sense their thoughts as they sit and wait to be allowed to enter. Some are eager to go and get the fight over with. Others question if this will be their time to die. One by one, the Great Ten begin to fall.
The heroes talk amongst themselves. Firestorm asks Mr. Terrific if he or Batman could help him find Professor Stein. Hawkgirl mentions that it was Doctor Mid-nite that changed her increased height back to normal. Beast Boy tells Geo-Force that he blames himself for his sister, Terra's, death. J'onn decides it's time for him to appear to his friends.
Alan Scott informs everyone that the Chinese government is allowing them to enter China. Black Adam sees them come and welcomes them to meet their end. J'onn sees that in his eyes, there isn't even a single sign of remorse for what he's done.
Heroes are injured and knocked out. Black Adam is not holding back. Every punch he throws is meant to kill. As the fight rages on, the Chinese government discusses simply dropping a nuclear bomb on top of them all. The American government has similar ideas. Checkmate meets to discuss what to do if Bialya's neighbors take action.
Despite the odds, the heroes continue to fight. Black Adam continues working his way through hero after hero. Witnessing their determination, Martian Manhunter knows it is time for him to act. He grabs Black Adam and blasts him in the face. Black Adam tells J'onn he's fighting on the wrong side. He's been inside of J'onn's mind as he was in his. He says that they are the same, they both lost their entire family. Adam says that humans fear what they can't control and that one day they will come after him. He tells J'onn to stay back. He will not kill him this time because they are alike. If they cross paths again, he will not hesitate.
As Alan Scott, Geo-Force, and Natasha Irons all grab Black Adam at once, J'onn enters his mind again. He tells him that this time he will not go any further. He has seen his evil and pain. He asks if he can withstand his own.
Black Adam is witness to the deaths of every single loved one and everything's he's known on his planet die. He says what Adam feels as a loss is insignificant compared to what he's felt. J'onn makes Adam feel the deaths of every single one of the million deaths he's caused. He sees what he has become. Adam vows that J'onn has made a mortal enemy and he will break him once more. Captain Marvel arrives just in time to unleash the lightning on Adam.
With a big flash of light and smoke, everyone loses sight of where Adam fell. J'onn has changed. He lost the connection to Adam's mind as soon as the lightning struck. He doesn't know if he's still alive or not. J'onn feels that he has both died and been reborn. He will no longer deny who he is, the Manhunter from Mars.
Above the Earth in the Monitor satellite, the Monitors note that the war on Earth has ended. They say that many have died and others have changed. They must evolve because the worst is yet to come.
