From Mewsarama and Didio (exerpt):
NRAMA: Okay, the series’ main cast has now been revealed. In “Lightning Round” fashion, we’re going to throw out a name and give us a quick response about their role in 52 and/or their future……

The Question?

DD: Sets up shop in Gotham filling a major void.

NRAMA: Elongated Man?

DD: Rethinking his place in the DC universe

NRAMA: Booster Gold?

DD: Learns the true meaning of commercialism.

NRAMA: Black Adam?

DD: Finds a place he can call home.

NRAMA: Renee Montoya?

DD: Deals with more questions than answers,

NRAMA: Steel (John Henry Irons)?

DD: Sets out to prove the true mettle of a man.

THE QUESTION!?!? -- *YES!!!!* Love the Question! I literally sat up in my seat when I read that. If ever I had any doubts about buying this, they just went right out the window. I'm totally psyched about this now!

Newsarama also has some minor spoilers about the future and intriguing hints.

Aren't most of the characters involved in 52 supposed to die by the end? Thus the reason we don't see them one year later.

I think they've only copped to *one* of the 52 characters dying-- not positive they used the word 'dying', either.

I recall that the characters featured were supposed to encompass all the corners of the DCU. This list seems pretty Batman/Superman-centric, to me.

Who ties into the Titans, magical characters (Black Adam?), international characters, Amazons, undersea realms, Legion (Booster Gold? Gag, I hope not), outer space, etc.?

Comprising half the list, there's way too much focus on Gotham City and Metropolis.

I took that interview to be more tongue-in-cheek than an accurate accounting of characters.

Wizard #172 on sale now this month has a LOOONG list - 52 spoilers actually....for 52 week focusing on those 6 characters. So if you want to find out then go buy it today. if not then wait til three months later to find out what's up.

Say it aint so! I dunno -- there could be a bunch of reasons why we won't see them in other titles during 52*. Mostly that they're B-listers who most people wouldn't miss anyway if they dropped out of sight for a year. I'm holding out hope that Vic makes the cut and won't be on the chopping block.

DC Announces $2.50 Pricepoint for "52"

Newsarama also has the cover for 52 #1-- possible spoiler:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Is that Montoya from Gotham Central???</span></span>

"Special low price" of $2.50 ($130)?

Gag.

It'll only be a maximum of $1.50/issue for me with my discount (possibly even cheaper for the first issue or two) so I'm in. I've paid more for worse.

I can agree that a $2.50 price shouldn't be touted as "special"-- let's reserve that for $1.99-or-less books, please-- but it *IS* nice they resisted the ludicrous $2.99 price tag that's all the rage nowadays.


OTOH, I may have to rethink buying this anyway. I have absolutely no prior experience with this Montoya character, nor am I gripped by any strong urge to.

This just dropped from "MUST BUY" to "6 issue trial".

Anyone else think Black Adam aka Teth-Adam well replace Shazam in the Rock of Eternity?

Atleast by Dan Didio's clue I am guessing that.

Not thrilled with the price, but I suppose if it were $1 a copy, the quality would really suffer. It will really depend on the interest level of the stories - so I'm in for a 6-issue trial as well. It's pretty hard to turn my back on anything with The Question.

What are the odds are of DC maintaining that weekly schedule? They should publish the marketing post-mortem - I'd buy that for sure!

Hey, I was able to keep up with the Infinite Crisis preludes at about one issue a week. I can keep up with this. I spend my money on good comics, and if I get 52 issues in a year instead of 52 issues over the course of maybe 5 years, I'm in. Nevermind that it's like, going to be a key part of the DCU (in one manner of speaking, the only part of the DCU). And you know, I imagine when it's over, there'll be a monthly continuation of it.

Unless they have the first three months already in the bag, I give it maybe three months.

Of course, with the "special low price" of $2.50 an issue, that pretty much guarantees I won't be getting it. I was planning on at least checking it out, but I don't care about any of those characters, and I'd rather save the cash.

I'll most likely pick up a couple of issues, just to see what it is. However, depending on who is involved, I probably will end up flipping through issues at the comic shop and only buying ones that interest me. I'm not willing to spend $130 based only on the characters I've heard mentioned so far.

Montoya kicks ass!

Question even more so!

Can't wait for this

With preordering, I'd be committing to 8 to 12 issues before I even see this, but Scott's right that we'll probably see a further 1st ish discount to our regular 40% ($1.50 ea. ) with DCBS. And $80 for the run of 52 is basically an extra month's order for me.

I wish I was collecting Cable & Deadpool so I could drop it for this...

Seriously, I get 20 to 26 books a month not counting digests & trades. This is like getting 2 months extra in books for less than the price of 1.

I'm gettin it!!!!!

I should probably just hold off and wait for the 2007 trade.

But I probably won't.

The Pulse is reporting that Chris Batista has been added to the artists working on 52; he starts with issue #5.

I liked Montoya before the Gotham Central series. I don't care for the direction they took her. This new direction for her would actually catch my interest.

As for 52, I'll be picking it up each week. It's not a bad deal really; each issue only costs 25 Ramen noodle soups.

And is more nutritious.

52: 4 out of 5 doctors agree it's richer in fiber than Civil War.

Metal Men AND Ambush Bug in 52.

Well, Will Magnus at any rate.

But yes, THE BUG!

And don't forget Cheeks!

"Cheeks"? As in first name "Butt"?

I loved Cheeks the Toy Wonder!

Hopefully we will get to see Prez, Danny and his Monster, and 'Mazing Man!

Cuz... well... 'Mazing Man rocks.....!

No one answered this, so I will. We won't see any of the six main characters in 52 anywhere in the DCU until 52 ends. That's mostly to keep any surprises in 52 from being spoiled. After 52 ends, whomever survives is free to appear arounds the DCU again. So, while we won't get any Question goodness in a book like JLA until 52 is over, we'll get to see him week after week for a whole year.

I love this big exposure for The Question - after being one of the breakout characters in JLU, he's prime to blow up. Does anyone know which writer will be the main architect of his storyarc? Rucka did a good job with Vic in the Huntress mini.

I wonder if they'll steer him towards the conspiracy minded JLU version, the urban shaman version from his mini or go back to the zen version of his series or even his Ayn Rand roots - either is fine with me as long as they keep him someone who thinks outside the box rather than someone who's out and out nuts.

I totally echo your comments Drake, couldn't have said it better.

Gary, I think Haggard Lad is right...we don't really know if any of them will die by the end. Some, like Steel, are rumored to really 'break out' of 52 and be restored a potent force in the DCU, so I don't think he'll be dying.

Preview Pages! (scroll down)

Man, how cool is that page of the Question taking down the Bat signal?!?!

I saw that yesterday and it completely blew me away. The imagery is so powerful...it *has* to be Grant Morrison who is doing the Question scenes...

Looks great, the panel layouts are pure Giffen. Looks to be informationally dense too. Do I spot two pages of 9-panel grid already? I looks like Booster is being brought back to his late 80s roots as well. A lot of stuff to be explored there and probably more relevant than ever in today's commercial world.

I'm guessing that they're going to ask what a hero is. Each of the leads has different motivations. Ralph's personal tragedy, Booster's pursuit of fame and fortune and so on.

I dunno. Booster went through a large period of growth in his own series, after fighting Doomsday, losing an arm and now Ted's death. His life is almost as bad as Kyle's has been.

Yet, because of the BWAHAHA years, today's writer's (and DeMattis and Giffen as well) tend to overlook all this and concentrate on the gimmick. Which while relelvant, is still a gimmick.

I'd like to see a Booster character who's relfects what we've seen the last 20 years. Smart, resourceful, and capable of learning from his mistakes. He can still have his commercial tendencies as long as they keep Skeets around to be his conscience. But he has potential to be a great character and I really hope 52 will be good to him.

Unfortunately, considering the treatment of the JLI leaguer's, I doubt it.

Jamie

I'm pretty sure the Booster we see here may not be the Booster that went away dejected at the end of the OMAC project. When he first appearred in IC my impression he had been rebooted. That remains to be seen though, he's perhaps another revision caused by SB Prime as revealed in the Batman Annual.

He seems to know about his earlier (or alternate timeline Booster) involvement with Ted though. Rebooting him also solves the Legion weirdness in his previous origin(s).

Essentially all new readers need to know is he's a guy from the future looking to make his fame and fortune.

Oh my god -- has Booster Gold really been around for *twenty* years?!?! That seems so weird to me...

And regards to his characterization, it just seems to me the inevitable "return to their core concept" cycle that every character seems to go through when a certain amount of continuity gets attached.

Drake - Yep. It pretty wild when you think about it. He's languished from time to time but he's been pretty active over those 20 years.

As for the characterization goes, yeah, I can understand that. I just wish they'd take it beyond that. Hopefully, Tamper's right and we'll see a rebooted Booster. He certainly seemed more confident than when he left. I'm not sure the old one would have just strolled into the Batcave like that. <G>

Jamie

DCBS finally has their March solicits listed, and They've discounted the first four issues of 52! 75% off #1, and 2-4 at 50%. Secret Six and Shadowpact are both 75% off their first issues, also. That takes the edge off what was going to be a bigger-than-normal order...

OK, we might as well make this the official 52 thread once the series starts. Hey, one of you moderators could change the thread title if you're *really* bored -- thanks Scooter!

We already know some things about what happened during the missing year, so it should be interesting to see how it matches up.

6 Months into the missing year
(1) Hal Jordan Green Lantern goes missing for a time (per recent GL). He appears to be captured as a POW in a foreign country for a few weeks (crap, can't remember--3 or 6?). This will be interesting to see, especially in how it relates to the other heroes who are left and the international flavor of things (they won't know this of course, but there is story potential there).

(2) Harvey Bullock makes his 'discoveries' about the Gotham police force. I'm certain this will have to do with the Montoya story, as perhaps she becomes the rumored Batwoman and goes back to her old partner Bullock to have her help him be the legal face of the sting that opens up the corruption of the GPD. I wonder if we'll see Crisp/Spectre show up here as well. Perhaps the Question (who we know will be in Gotham) is a part of this too.


9 Months into the missing year
(1) Commissioner Gordon becomes Police Commissioner of Gotham again. Again, this could be a part of the Montoya story, or even the Question story, not to mention what Batman is up to during this time.

Other things
(1) Green Lantern (Hal) enters foreign airspace at least 3 previous times. Most likely near the end, after weeks of build-up that make this a hot button issue.

I haven't read the Titans yet, so feel free to add 'em in!

Might as well keep track of this too:

Heroes we know are missing during the missing year
Superman
Batman
Wonder Woman
Flash (?)
Aquaman
The Atom (Ray Palmer)
Green Lantern (Guy Gardner)
Green Lantern (John Stewart) - eventually
Black Canary - eventually
Cyborg
The Metal Men
Kid Flash
Blue Beetle
Captain Marvel
The Spectre (?)
Dr. Fate
Captain Atom
Connor Hawke (assuming based on other people's spoilers)
Speedy (likewise as Connor Hawke)
The Outsiders (Thunder, Grace, Metamorpho, Captain Boomerang, Kitana)
various mystical heroes

possible
Hawkman
Donna Troy

Slightly missing/not really around
Green Arrow (becomes mayor, not seen much)
Nightwing (off the radar but appears to be around somewhat)
Robin (is he blatantly around OYL in Titans?)

I think when you look at it like this, it makes it a little easier to see just how much thinner the DCU would be without these heroes around. I know there are various C-listers (*bleh* Bloodlines), but thats a good amount of big guns. I know I'm missing some.

Fate unknown (re: possibly dead)
Arsenal
Starfire
Hourman
Sand
Jesse Quick
Ray
Lady Quark
Tempest
Dolphin
Mal (?) - I haven't read latest Titans
Red Tornado

Starring in 52 (as a lead)
The Question
Steel
Booster Gold
Enlonganated Man
Black Adam
Animal Man
Renee Montoya (possibly becomes Batwoman)
Adam Strange
Captain Comet
Will Magnus
various others - I believe one might be Hawkman

Man, that FATE UNKNOWN list is chock full of characters that I really, really like (7 of 11). Their presence would cause me to buy a title I normally wouldn't (paying attention, DC?).

Todd, as I was writing it, I was thinking the same thing. The Ray, my two favorite new blood JSAers, Red Tornado, Lady Quark (love, love, love that character)...lots of good ones.

Arsenal, Hourman, Sand, Ray, Tempest, Red Tornado and Dolphin (now that some time has passed since her 'fall' in the last Aquaman series) are the ones for me. Though I, too, like Lady Quark and would be interested in seeing her again.

Well, we know that Red Tornado never fares well in a Crisis....

Don't forget to add Cassandra Cain to the unknown list. And Shift...cause that sounds like the real deal over in Outsiders.

Jamie

Jamie, read Robin OYL. <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text"> Cassie is alive. Poor Lynx is dead.</span></span>

True, Cassie is alive but we don't know anything about here besides that fact, correct? Hence, my suggestion as unknown.

Jamie

I'm beginning to think that Cass herself framed Robin. The way she's stalking him is eerie; she seems to want to know his every move. I heard a theory that she frames him to force him in her new League of Assassins, but that's just a theory. I suppose it could be true...

More bump than anything...

When does the first issue hit the stands?

Next week, May 10.

Check out the offical Daily Planet \'52\' website.

There are some fanboy stuff there that will make you smile. And someone over at DC is a fan of 'Office Space.'

You'd think a newspaper as big and important as the Daily Planet would hire a copy editor or two to check the stories on its Web site before posting. At the very least, they should be read for grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Seeing as how I do that in my regular job already, I'd like to offer my services, but, alas, there is no "Contact Us" link on its Web site.

My tongue is slightly in cheek here, but it does really irk me when I go to even the most professional Web sites and find so many basic errors.

But it's an extremely fun idea.

Cool site. DC has really done a good job promoting this story. FYI, Washington Post today features "52" in its "Media Mix" showcase and gives it an A-.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/artsandliving/daily/graphics/media_mix/050706.html

I do the same thing Seymour. Old habit from back when I was a journalist. Even more annoying than websites, thought, are comics that make it to print with the same kind of errors. I finally 'found' a copy of Civil War #1 and there are at least two instances of either a grammatical error or they just plain forgot a word or two and what was said made no sense.

OK, I figure with two days to go, it’d be fun to update this. The concept of the missing year has me excited, especially with DC giving us nuggets of knowledge before hand about who is missing and who is left available. To put it all in perspective, I thought I’d catalogue the information (because lately for some reason, I really like doing this ).

I’m using the final list of IC deaths to begin, although I realize off the bat that many on the list aren’t quite that prominent in the DCU.

Died in Infinite Crisis and events leading up to Infinite Crisis
Sue Dibny
Firestorm
Harbinger (Lyla)
Doc (of the Omega Men)
Darkstars (Ferrin Colos, Munchukk, and Chaser Bron)
Vigilante I
Whip II
Gimmix
Boy Blue
Dyno-Mite Dan
I, Spyder
Timothy Ravenwind
Ibis the Invincible
Taia
Doctor 13 (Terry Thirteen)
Indigo
Manhunter (Dan Richards)
Manhunter (Chase Lawler)
Manhunter (Kirk DePaul)
Hector Hall
Fury
Blue Beetle
Pariah
Rocket Red
Supermen of America
Sparta
Hawkwoman (Shayera Thal)
SHAZAM (aka the Wizard)
Black Condor
Phantom Lady II
Human Bomb
Jade
Dr. Fate (Nabu)
Airwave
Neptune Perkins
Tempest - debatable
Dolphin - debatable
Lois Lane of Earth-2
Pantha
WIldebeast
Bushido
Lois Lane of Earth-2
Superboy (Conner Kent)
Peacemaker II
Ballistic
Geist
Nightblade
Mongrel
RazrSharp
Cardinal Sin
Major Disaster
Zauriel
Looker
Technocrat
Breach (at least exiting DCU forever)
32 Green Lanterns
Superman of Earth-2 (Kal-L)
Shift

Permanently disabled
Judomaster
Risk

Heroes we know are missing during the missing year
Superman
Batman
Nightwing
Robin
Batgirl (if not dead)
Wonder Woman
Flash (Wally West)
Kid Flash
Aquaman
The Atom (Ray Palmer)
Green Lantern (Guy Gardner)
Ion
Green Arrow II (Connor Hawke)
Speedy II
Cyborg
The Metal Men
Blue Beetle III
Captain Marvel
The Spectre (?)
Dr. Fate
Captain Atom
The Outsiders (Thunder, Grace, Metamorpho, Captain Boomerang, Kitana)
Starfire
Captain Marvel
Jesse Quick?
Uncle Sam
The Creeper (speculative, but with the upcoming mini-series, I bet this one is a sure bet)
The Justice League of America – as a team, it does not exist.
The New Gods (Orion, Lightray, Mr. Miracle, Barda, Forever People, Takion)
Suicide Squad (including Bronze Tiger)

Heroes eventually missing during the missing year
Green Lantern (John Stewart)
Green Arrow
Black Canary
Supergirl
Hawkman
The Ray
Mary Marvel
Captain Marvel Jr.
Raven
Justice Society of America – as a team, stop having meetings sometime during 52

Heroes not known to the General Public during 52
Donna Troy/Harbinger – (very much up in the air what her status will be)
Checkmate
Fire – (now part of Checkmate)
King Faraday (part of Checkmate)
Atom-Smasher (in jail)
Wildog
Vigilante
Phantom Stranger
Dr. Occult
Amethyst
Shadowpact – (Blue Devil, Enchantress, Detective Chimp, Nightmaster, Nightshade, Ragman, Black Alice)
Various other mystical heroes (i.e. Faust, Nightforce, Bloodwynd)

If you think about it, that leaves a very thin DC universe. On top of that, rumors persist of various other heroes leaving Earth and disappearing during 52 (I suspect Adam Strange, for instance), further thinning it out. One can see now why a new Freedom Fighters and Global Guardians might arise during the missing year.

We know the Titans continue on during the missing year, but aren’t exactly a banner team for stability and reliability. That basically means we have the JSA (who stop having meetings) and the new Doom Patrol in regards to teams, and then a few heroes here and there. If we did a list of active DCU heroes (counting only ones to exist at the end of IC) I bet it’d be surprising as to how many ‘traditional, public’ heroes there are (Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Firestorm, etc.).

Should we start compiling such a list? It could be fun…

Characters Confirmed as Starring in 52 (as a lead)
The Question
Steel
Booster Gold
Enlonganated Man
Black Adam
Animal Man
Renee Montoya (possibly becomes Batwoman)
Adam Strange
Captain Comet
Will Magnus

Active “non-missing” DCU heroes on Earth*
Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
Martian Manhunter
Hawkgirl
Red Tornado
Zatanna
Firestorm
Arsenal
Vixen
Birds of Prey (Huntress, Gypsy, Oracle, Lady Shiva)
Manhunter
Obsidian
Geo-Force
Halo
Lady Quark
Dr. Light
Nemesis
Black Orchid
Plastic Man
Shining Knight
Guardian
Frankenstein
Bulleteer
Klarion
Agent Liberty
Gang-Buster
Oddman
Shade the Changing Man
El Diablo
Blue Jay
Tasmanian Devil
Mia
Faith
Manitou Dawn
Gunfire
Anima
Loose Cannon
Sparxx
Argus
Aura
Ambush Bug
Jack O’Lantern
Tempest (female one)
Willpower

Justice Society & allies
Green Lantern (Alan Scott)
Flash (Jay Garrick)
Wildcat
Mr. Terrific
Dr. Midnight
Hourman
Sand
Power Girl
Stargirl
JJ Thunder
Crimson Avenger
Brainwave

Titans & Titans East & Allies
Wonder Girl
Hawk & Dove
Flamebird
Aqua Girl
Red Star
Terra
Argent
Joto
Damage
Harlequin
Mirage (retired)
Thunder
Lightning

Doom Patrol
The Chief
Robotman
Elasti-Girl
Negative Man
Bumblebee
Herald
Changeling (I’ll count him as a DPer and I refuse to call him Beast Boy)

*At the exact moment between Infinite Crisis #7 and 52 #1. This, however, does not count heroes that are confirmed to be ‘missing’ at some point in 52.

Heroes eventually missing during the missing year
Green Lantern (John Stewart)
Green Arrow
Black Canary
Supergirl
Hawkman
The Ray
Mary Marvel
Captain Marvel Jr.
Raven
Justice Society of America – as a team, stop having meetings sometime during 52

Introduced or re-introduced during the missing year to the DCU
Supernova
Isis
Batwoman (Montoya?)
Mon-El?
The Global Guardians
Characters for the Force of July/The Freedom Fighters
Various Titans: (Kid Devil, Ravager, Offspring)

I know such a list is a massive undertaking, and there are all kinds of additions/corrections to make, but I was bored at lunch today and decided “why not?”. So feel free to add in, I’m curious to what the DCU would like during the missing year. Sure, we’re about to see it anyway, but its fun to speculate!

And also give your opinions on characters like the Challengers of the Unknown (are they active now?), etc.

Hmmm-- I hadn't heard about a new berth for the Global Guardians. Where was that mentioned?

I hope Owlwoman and the Olympian make the cut (and survive 52, etc.)

ML, the new Global Guradians showed up in the first OYL issue of Green Lantern. It was a "news story" of them condeming GL Hal about some treaty where only native "metas" can operate in a country- ie Rocket Reds only in Russia and GL Hal being an American was breaking international law.

I think Owlwoman was the main spokesperson and I think Tasmian Devil and Cascade -the Indonesian water based powers- was in the group too. Anybody want to scan it so we can identify the others?

Thanks, rtvu2! I'll have to see if my cbs still has a copy.

So, anyone pick up week 1 yet? Spoilers?

I think it started off well, giving us a hint of where the main characters are all at in their heads. Booster gets the lion's share of the spotlight, ending the issue with a minor shock.

The issue counts out the first week, using newsfeeds to cover the clean up and establish where the DCU is at this time. Talk about the Crisis is minimal, with only Bludhaven getting mentioned and Superboy-Conner's death being discussed in the media. A big memorial is going to be held at week's end, attended by the heroes.

Ralph Dibny:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Ralph takes a phone call from someone, asking how he's doing, hinting at an attack in Opal City of the Monster Society. We learn the caller is Bea (Fire,) and Ralph's home is destroyed. Later, he's listening to voice mail as he contemplates eating a bullet. The first call is Bea reminidng him of the memorial service for Superboy-Conner. The second is Sue's mortician, telling Ralph someone left a message on her tombstone.</span></span>

Booster:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">We see Booster the hero stopping Mammoth and learn he and Skeets are using their knowledge of the future to become crimestoppers. He's a sponsor hound now. By the end of the issue, we learn that the Crisis has put a kink in their plans.</span></span>

Steel:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Steel has a talk with his niece about their use of the armour. She seems more interested in catching up with the Titans than helping with the Crisis clean up. Steel disables her armour, telling her it's about what you do with it that counts.</span></span>

Question:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">The Question claims the Bat-symbol for himself, replacing the bat with a "?" He tells Gotham he's watching, and shines the light at the city.</span></span>

Montoya:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Montoya's a drunk, spending the issue in a bar. The death of her partner and his killer getting off have left her in a sad state. Even her girlfriend has left her, unable to cope with Renee's drinking. Sulking in her apt, she gets blinded when the Questioin shines his revised Bat-symbol at her window.</span></span>

Black Adam:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Adam is ruling over his people in Khandaq. He mentions how the outside world betrayed him. The Themyscira Embassy is replaced with a Khandaq Embassy. He tells his people they will teach the world justice, just as a suicide bomber decries him and his people. In true Black Adam form, he dismantles the bomb (and the bomber,) asking who the bomber works for.</span></span>

General:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">In the crowded funeral shots, we get to see some heroes whose fates were unclear. Connor Hawke is there, Zuariel is alive again. Bart Allen is there, looking rather late teenish, and still unpowered. He mentions seeing Wally and Linda and how big the twins have grown.

The heroes are waiting for Supes, Bats, or WW to start the memorial service. Skeets tells Booster when the three of them should appear. They don't, and Skeets seems to have some malfunction as Booster freaks out over the missing Trinity. He keeps shouting they should be here, only to be told by Clark Kent that they won't be showing.</span></span>

I see CJ was typing at the same time as me.


<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">
Ralph's house in Opal City has been destroyed by one of the fights in IC. Fire tells him to go to the memorial for Superboy and the other fallen heroes. He contemplates suicide.

Booster takes down a villain in Metropolis and apparently has a detailed history of the future in Skeets. Tells a young girl Wonder Woman will be at the memorial service.

Steel takes the armor from his niece saying she hasn't earned it and she doesn't deserve to join the Titans yet.

Black Adam takes posession of Wonder Woman's former embassy to spread his vision to the world. Someone sends a suicide bomber at him. Elsewhere someone abducts Dr. Sivana and Mr. Mind.

At the memorial Booster counts down the seconds until Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman proclaim a new Justice League and usher in a era of peace and harmony. They don't come, the timeline has diverged from the history that Booster and Skeets know.

Montoya depressed over Cris Allen and on the bottle, returns to find her girlfriend has left her. The Question shines the rebadged bat signal into her apartment asking "Are you Ready" </span></span>

TL is much more succint than I. I will be studying at his knee until further notice.

So, no History of the DCU in this issue?

HofDCU starts next week and runs for 10 weeks. Week 1 had 24 pages of content rather than the standard 22 though.

Um, yeah. What he said...

Of course the most brilliant move was not to have any credits on the cover. Or else it wouldn't be much of a cover, a little like this perhaps.

I thought it was awesome. The sense that Infinite Crisis, in all its monumental 'end of the world'-ness just happened is right there and its very powerfully done.

Others have done a great job spoiling the details, but I really liked some of the little things:

- Black Canary puts her arms around Ray in seeing he lived (Canary and the Ray had a 'fling' in the old Ray series--minor bit of continuity that only myself and Geoff Johns seem to remember).

- Black Lightning saying that no man should see his daughter die as Alan did (he too has his own daughter as a super-hero now).

- Geo-Force, Zauriel (alive and well!), Vixen, Gypsy, etc. All in the background really, but I'm glad they're shown. I hope this continues!

- Most of the heroes in space have still not returned...I wonder how that is going to play out?

Poor Ralph. His scenes are still so heart-breaking, and I suddenly feel like we haven't really seen him since Identity Crisis, which is unfair to us for some reason. Odd how you can relate to a fictional character that way.

I feel Steel is going to have a tough year. The latest covers make me think that his niece might not live through it, or do something stupid.

I really like Montoya and can't wait to see what's going to happen with her and the Question, a fave of mine. The twist that he's shining the bat-signal at her window was just really cool. I feel like Grant Morrison *must* have had a hand in that, even though I'm sure Rucka is writing Montoya.

Can't wait to see more heroes, who lived and who died, etc., etc.! I like that we'll be seeing Clark all year too. I know Bruce, Tim and Dick will be around later in the year, as will a host of others and that will be part of the fun.

I'm really more excited about 52 than I was about Infinite Crisis, and well, just about anything published by any comic book company in years. Great start!

Nightwing at the service = Jason Todd? Isn't Dick supposed to be gone by now? I'm wondering if the Nightwing in Outsiders has been Jason Todd during the whole year now...

Real Aquaman in at the service with Mera. I wonder if an actual reference will be made to when he last appears?

Characters unsure of: (1) guy in purple and white talking to the Ray and Guardian. (2) Person chatting with new Aqua Girl (in front of Gypsy and Vixen), (3) shiny woman with blue hair floating down with Mr. Miracle. Any ideas?

BTW, I expect weekly Wednesday spoilers from Tamper and CJ

1. It looks like an early Arsenal costume. Dunno.
2. I believe its supposed to be Black Lightning.
3. OMAC girl/Batman's girlfriend bodyguard Sasha Bordeaux.

Good call on 2 & 3 Gary! I knew they were obvious but couldn't figure it out for some reason...

There's an interesting weekly blog by Douglas Wolk called 52 Pickup . He intends it to be weekly, in any event. Points out and speculates on a lot of details and references.

I haven't gotten #1 yet, but am looking forward to this series. I'll probably read it in 4-week batches. Looks like great summertime reading.

P.S. credit where due: I picked up this blog from Tom Spurgeon's site The Comics Reporter .

I have to say that I thought this was quite good. Much better than IC was.

And Cobie? I've seen some references that thought it was Connor but I kept thinking it was Arsenal as well.

Jamie

FC, great link!

Jamie, I can't help but really want to know who that is. The costume just feels so familiar! I thought Arsenal's earlier costume looked a little different? (His first 'Arsenal' costume was by far the best IMO).

I've reread issue #1 twice already and I really am enjoying it. Better than IC and great summertmie reading are two great ways of explaining it!

So, has anybody read #2?

I really enjoyed the Ralph and Booster storylines, but the Question/Renee stuff isn't doing much for me yet. I'm incredibly intrigued by the "mad scientist" stuff, though.

The first installment of The History of the DCU is incredibly disappointing, however.

I haven't picked mine up yet, but let me guess...

"There was an incredible knock at reality's door, when Superboy-Prime created the Big Bang."

Read #2 last night and we now have a better inkling as to what the whole statue thing was about.

This part of Ralph's story hooked me. I've always liked him as a flavor character but it's nice to see him resume his more detective side.

Booster? Well, it's Booster. I gotta love it but I think they're gonna kill him off. The new solicits seem to bear this out.

Renee? Meh. It just looks to me like they are going to make her the new Batwoman. It's going to take something more for me to become invested here.

T.O. Morrow and Doc Magnus? Nice. I've alwasy loved Reddy and the implications of what happened with the future can be interested, especially with Morrow involved. I liked the interaction here.

Red Inferno? Interested.

Jamie

Can't wait until Monday when I should have the first two issues.

Yeah, what he said.

Does anyone else think Ralph is looking like Conan O'Brian?

The Question needs his hat back.

I wanna see Magnus and Morrow in a series. Sort of the Odd Couple, but packed full of technobabble and psychotic ranting.

Ralph is back to detectiving, but he seems less lighthearted and more Raymond Chandler. Understandable, especially considering the case he's working.

Booster and Skids are having problems telling Time. I would have thought this was an issue when they first came to our time. But I am curious to see it played out.

The Question did this for the Huntress, and now he has Montya in his sights. Oddly enough, Rucka wrote that mini as well. I didn't like his taming of the Huntress, and I didn't like his dirtying of Montoya. Keep him away from my women folk.

Loving the Ralph scenes and can't wait for more.

Booster is fun, but I actually like Skeets much more than him (I suspect most do since its done on purpose).

The Will Magnus/T.O. Morrow stuff is the most interesting bit of all so far.

I love the Question, so I'm enjoying seeing him. I think the Question's pre-paid 3 weeks of work means that by week 5-6 we'll see Montoya having made some character progress, which will be welcome. I love both characters.

I can't wait to see more. 52 still has me more excited than anything else right now.

BTW, any insight on what Ralph was implying to Wonder Girl in those scenes at the end?

In regards to History of the DCU, I'm a little dissapointed myself. Not what I expected, and I hope that we'll all feel better about it once we see more.

The kidnapping of scientists (among other things) almost makes me think this is the mainstream DCU version of "Watchmen".

Here's a question that started bugging me.

In IC, we see that Booster knows who Bats really is (or at least where the Batcave is). But why doesn't he recognize Clark Kent at the memorial?

Jamie

That's one interpretation. Mine was that Clark came from behind Booster and he started talking back to the voice before he turned and saw Clark. And of course Clark kept up the pretense because not everyone at the memorial knew.

Note that Booster whacked him in the face giving him a bloody nose while he's flailing around.

Did Booster know where to find the Batcave or did Skeets? If the latter, then it wouldn't be surprising that Booster didn't identify Clark as Superman without being told so by Skeets.

I got the impression that it was Skeets who showed Booster the way to the Batcave. And he seems to have to remind Booster of when certain events will happen so maybe Skeets keeps some info to himself.

Hmmm....both good point. If anything, I think Booster learned it from Ted before Skeets. However, I was pretty sure that both Ted and Booster knew most leaguer's identities from the times they served.

Tamper's theory is a good one. I'll go with that or Superboy's punches....

Jamie
Praying that they do NOT kill Booster off in this.

I take it you haven't seen the August previews for 52 then.

I have....hoping it's a Red Herring.

Then again, I have little faith in their treatment of the BWAHAHAHA league any more, so it really wouldn't suprise me.

Jamie

I'm with you. All the hype of 52 being about supporting characters with a focus on Booster then they release something like that before they are a third of the way thru?

Two things about Booster and Skeets.

I think they are trying to show that Booster is relying too heavily on Skeets and “history” It’s a bit of a jibe at the internet generation who will google the answer, and get a very very fast answer, rather than go the old fashioned route and memorise stuff. For example someone who constantly uses wikipedia and only wikipedia to get their “facts” can on occasion get it wrong. Either because of incorrect entry’s, malicious changing of the entry or simply typo’s. If I mean 1776 but type 1767 it can change everything. These sort of data entries and mistakes should take some of Boosters cockyness (hey I’m living amongst the primitives) away.

I also think we will see a change in Booster, as he discovers that Skeets is not infallible. That he will have to interpret the information he is given and not just use it like a series of game cheats to get an advantage. After all Skeets is only as good as the info programmed into him and it may be that he has no information available on an event from 400 years in its past. I mean can we know exactly what happened at 17.00 on the 24th May 1606 in Great Zimbabwe? I am guessing that he will start to learn and grow and use his brain not just his computer.

They must be doing something right with this series, because I actually read the new issue of this before the new Legion issue!

Anyway, I thought this issue was pretty good, though I was somewhat dissapointed by the death of a villain that I've always kind of liked, in a quirky way.

Seriously, haven't they killed enough characters off. It seems like I can't read a comic today without some character being killed.

Well, the only good thing about this death is that the version I really liked was the pre-Crisis version, so maybe this'll clear the way for a new one more like the original.

-- I never even heard of this villain so I guess I won't miss him.
-- I've never heard of Shockwave either - has he been around before?
-- I thought Power Girl's costume was looking a bit ridiculous, even for her.
-- "senor gyro"? bwa-ha-ha - that's just silly!
-- Is "Booster Gold" Booster's actual name? I guess he could've made it his legal name, but it occurs to me I don't know his real name.
-- What the heck is "Sundoller Coffee" and shouldn't it be "Sundollar?"
-- what *is* that thing in the tube at the end?

Shockwave was a Blue Devil villain. He's appeared here and there since. Even has a Who's Who entry (full page).

Booster's real name is Michael Carter. * I plan to add Booster to our Who's Who pages here someday.

I don't have the issue yet to answer anything else.

Booster's real name is Michael Carter. [edit: Gary too quick]


"Sundoller" appears to be a recurring joke in 52. It's all over the 52thecomic.com web site too. It's the DCU equivalent of "Starbucks". I think it's supposed to be "Sundollar" but they probably did a trademark search before designing the fake logos and such.

I believe the "thing in the tank" is Mr. Mind. In a cocoon.

Oh yeah -- for those not picking this up, there's a nice little drawing of two classic Legion lineups! (in the History of the DCU backup)

Just great! Now I have to go to the store and pick up a copy. And I'll probably grab a Legion too. I just have no will power. I should just wait until the end of the month for my next shipment.

Booster's middle name is John. They actually used it quite a bit in the original series. I remember the Legionnaires calling him by his full name when they went to hunt him down.

Skeets just called him Michael, which gives it a bit of a Knight Rider vibe, when I think about it.

Jamie
Glanced through but still hasn't had a chance to read it yet.

Okay, I'm reading through Week 2 right now and have a silly question about the Question. Whose panties is he holding up? Both Montoya and her girlfriend (?) are shown wearing theirs. Is Montoya so sloppy she leaves her laundry just laying around?

Skeet skeet skeet skeet skeet...... (yes, I'm referencing a certain song where the term "skeet" means something *very* different and it's basically ruined the character for me....)

Yes. And no. Some readers have suggested that the original scene was for both women to be in bed naked, with the undies on the floor - and editorial caution decreed that some underwear be added to them.

I believe it. One panel you see the side of Renee's partner's breast in shadow (lying down) and when she's up, she's wearing underwear.

Besides, how many women wear a bra to bed?

Jamie

I read 52 # 1 & 2 while treadmilling just now and liked them quite a bit, more than I expected. Looking forward to this now!

Just finished week 2. Its slowly sucking me into the story....I think the reason it is taking time is that I only have a passing familiarity with many of these characters.

I read 3 and reskimmed the first two issues last night. It is playing out sort of like a weekly TV show rather that a comic. I'm kinda liking it over all.

Go over to Newsarama [Spoilers] if you want to see who the new Batwoman is.

Hmmmmm now that's intriguing!!! Batwoman ...I am gonna buy that book! I am very concerned about Renee's fate at the end of 52...*finger crossing* that she does not die. please.

nah, Rucka wouldn't let his favourite character die.

The history back-ups just aren't living up to what they could be. I thought they were going to feature *new* info about how things have changed. It's all been very familiar, so far.

Making Donna an essentially sad character is a mistake, I feel. I hope she doesn't remain isolated on New Chronus, much as I love the visual of this new HQ.

I'd agree that the history backup hasn't been that interesting so far; it seems a bit drawn out. More like a cast of characters, without fully identifying the characters - the previous History of the DCU (TPB) was similar.

I'm glad that Renée won't be made into the new Batwoman. It's good to have some non-powered key characters around.

My concern for this series is that it will be overfilled with characters and shortchange the plot - everyone gets 15 panels of fame. From what DiDio said at newsarama, it appears that 52 is something of a testing ground for future series - who's popular, who's not.

Unless they come back as the Spectre. :rolleyes:

Criiiispiiiiiin!

"Walk and chew gum"? That's child's play for Lashie!

Question about issue #3:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">The body of Lex Luthor that was found in the alley was Alexander Luthor from Crisis, right? If so, shouldn't half of his face have been disfigured from the acid Joker splashed on his face in IC#7?</span></span>

Also, unless they are rebooting the DCU somewhat, I am a little disappointed that they've reverted Booster Gold to his money grubbing corporate sponsorship mentality of his initial appearance in the DCU. The character had grown alot over the years, but now in a single issue seems to have reverted back to his old ways.

I'm also a little disappointed in the History backup. I thought it was going to flesh out some details of the New Earth's timeline, but in two issues all it seems to be doing is rehashing Pre-Crisis continuity, which seems a little strange to me and probably confusing to newer readers. I'm assuming they're going somewhere with it, but since all of this was covered in the prestige HOTDCU, this seems a bit redundant.

Oh, I don't think so. I think Booster's always been like that. He likes being a rich and famous big shot. He's been knocked down from that perch (repeatedly) but always tries to get back up on it. Doesn't mean he's not a hero; he's also always been a guy who does the right thing, and that's still true too.

Got issue #3 and loving it still.

Terra Man is a character I've only discovered in recent months and kinda liked, but I'm more like Eryk--the new Terra Man (whose only appeared once post-Crisis) didn't have quite the same charm as the original.

Liked seeing Power Girl.

Black Adam is one of DC's coolest characters since his JSA appearances, and that continues here.

I figure that Lex has spent weeks 1-2 fixing up Alex's body to make it look like his own, so that's why we don't see the scarred Alexander.

Given that the direction this series is supposed to go in is still relatively a mystery, I'm curious to see if Steel's story (and the others) will directly involve Lex (and the Joker) the entire time.

I've always loved Montoya but I really can't wait to see her get past this drunk/sleeping around stage. I'm also glad the new Batwoman won't be her, as like FC I want to see a non-super hero main character.

The Mr. Mind panel was probably the coolest one of the issue too. I really can't wait to see more of that.

Looking forward to Rip Hunter and the new Chinese super-team created by Morrison!

Re: History of the DCU. Meh. Unlike a lot of LW, I wasn't really as excited for this as I was the main story, so I'm not as letdown. But I hear where you're all coming from.

I think the whole point of the "History" and big objective of IC is to have our heroes remember the multiverse. It existed, it went away during COIE, but it is okay to remember it. This seems laudable, if a bit confusing to me. However, it seems pretty important to the storytellers. Power Girl's existence now depends on it, for instance. As for lack of revelations -- sheesh, it's only been 3 issues of a 52-issue series. They can't shoot the whole wad at the start.

One of Cobie's biggest faults, I've heard... Poor kid.

Everybody loves a good quickie once in awhile!

You're gonna scare me right out of this thread....

Jamie

Newsarama has a new first look at Batwoman from 52 #11.

Waittaminute! That's Jessica Drew!

Jamie
That or a ancestor of Terry McGuinness.

I noticed the Question is definitely being influenced by his depiction in "JLU". I think I prefer this to the more zen-like approach, partly because nobody else would be able to do it as convinvingly as O'Neil and the Randian version was a bit too abrasive. This version seems more open for writers to be able to have fun with (he still needs his hat though...)

I thought #4 was the weakest issue so far. Not bad or anything... it's just nothing really excited me about it.

I thought #4 was the weakest issue so far. Not bad or anything... it's just nothing really excited me about it.

Wow, CJ and EDE really are the same person!

Jeepers! I hate it when I double-post in different IDs!

It's an initials thing. The only way to tell us apart is the vowels...

52 #4 is out.

Halo is in space with some astronuats, looking for the space-faring heroes from IC. She's been mumbling about a lightning bolt not being able to hit. When asked about it, she mentions "communing" with a Zeta beam that can't find it's mark. She eventually coaxes it to land in Australia, bringing with it some of the wayward heroes.

Not so much on the Ralph dibny story this week. He talks with WG and her cult. She explains that one of them, Dev, mentions an old Kryptonian legend about bathing in a river and getting visions. Ralph gives it a try.

Booster has a chat with Fire about the missing heroes. She invites him to help, he declines. She calls him selfish, and he explains that after getting kicked around for trying to be a hero all this time, he's finally doing something for him.

Renee and the Question get most of the time here. She's been watching the shack on Kane St for the last three weeks. Nothing of note while she complains. She badmouths the Question, who makes some witty remarks. When she finally does see someone enter the shack, she follows. The Question joins her and they scuffle with a big monster (nothing like shown on the cover.) After getting knocked around, she finds some alien weaponry stored in the shack and uses some pistol to bring down the beast.

The art has been great. I'm glad to see Bennett getting this high profile attention. He'll bring a lot of readers when he comes back to the Hawk-book. (crosses fingers)

This issue was more talk than anything. It advanced a few plots, but the excitement level was low. Understandable, since there needs to be exposition. Still, next week's will be much more exciting, just based on the last page of this week.

Nice analysis CJ! It was cool to see Halo, Geo-Force and the Challengers here (that was them with Halo I believe).

Cobie,

I thought it was the Chall's too. So it HAD to be them, right?

You guys forgot about the Steel spread. Something else else is happening here, was it contact from a certain Luthor? Or could SunDoller's coffee be at the heart of these.

I also expect to find that Progene Tech is the one behind the resurrection cult and they are the ones kidnapping the scientists.

Jamie

52 WEEK #4

The Superboy cult is seriously creepy. Frankly, the fact that Wonder Girl gets caught up in it at all brings my estimation of her down a notch or two. Now, if she's *infiltrating*, I'll think again. Devem certainly arouses my curiosity. He *did* originally debut as a bit of a bad guy, remember.

I don't get why DC is sticking Donna in this role. She's *not* a solitary character. She's at her best when surrounded by people she can nurture. Is that too 'feminine' a quality to foster in a hero? I don't think so, but possibly DC does. Too bad. Her little space team had *such* potential, which has been all but squandered. I guess some flashback tales could remedy things, somewhat.

I *so* misread what the HISTORY back-ups were intended to be. They're 'catch-up' for whatever readers jumped on board with IC and have remained for 52. They're not meant to showcase what's new and different about the revised DC Earth we'll be reading about. Will the origins that succeed this back-up be more of that? I hope not.

Week #5

Well that kicks everything into gear now huh?

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text"> Alan lost his one eye and the other one he has is not even his? Well we learned where it came from.

Where are Buddy, Starfire and Adam Strange?

Beware 52! What does that mean? </span></span>

I've got to say that there were a lot of interesting turns in the story. But suddenly shifting gears to these folks were a bit jarring and I felt disrupted the stories I am invested in.

Still five issues in and it's a HELL of a lot better than IC ever was.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Luthor has isolated the Metagene? Wow.....big reveal/hint here, I think.</span></span>

And I love how Buddy completely ignores that Kori is stark naked taking a bath right in front of him. You go Buddy!

Also:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Supergirl disappears....in to the future?</span></span>

Jamie

What I found interesting is that there is no mention of Donna Troy or Hawkman. Where did they go?

52 WEEK #5

spoiler space

spoiler space

spoiler space

spoiler space

spoiler space

spoiler space


Finally, the wasted potential of Donna's space team begins to be addressed. This storyline is one I've been anticipating since she started gathering heroes almost a year ago (our time). Too bad whatever story there is will be told in flashback, and will be more of a 'what happened after' sort of deal. Whatever, I hope the stranded trio all make it back to newEarth alive. I doubt my hopes will be met, however.

I'm curious about Steel's changes and I appreciate Montoya's storyline. Booster Gold bores me. Shouldn't his LSH flight ring have all the snazzy, new upgrades featured in the current title? Or is he too dumb to access them? I miss Ralph's story- I'm *very* curious to see where it's going. We see now that the six 'main' characters aren't necessarily going to dominate every issue. That's a good thing, as the unexplored characters and corners of the DC universe are the ones I most want to read about.

Donna's little back-up plugs along in a familiar fashion, though there's now a mystery about how she transitions from Harbinger on New Chronus to her appearance in another title this month.

Just an example of comics making it mainstream...

MSN is reporting that ranking Al Quida member Al-Zarqawi lived 52 minutes after the airstrike that killed him.

So, enough with the Civil War spoilers. I want some info about a series I'm actually reading. What happened in 52, Week 6?

They are setting up Booster for a big fall, I think. It's mostly him and Skeets with a small spotlight on Magnus/Morrow.

John and Hal take on the new Chinese heroes.....interesting but not sure how it ties into the rest.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Booster discovers Rip Hunter's base of operations only to find a destroyed time sphere and all kinds of notes/scribbles. But basically, Rip think Booster is to blame for time being "Broken".</span></span>

And for some weird reason, I started wondering if the guy kidnapping the scientist is Egg Fu....

Jamie

That chalkboard has to contain clues about the story to come.

Legion fans take note, there's a quote on there <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Dead by Lead?</span></span> that probably refers to a character we've heard discussed.

So it's clear that 52 isn't just the title, there's a specific event or group in the story going by that name.

I can imagine Rip Hunter's scribbles being speculated upon as much as that diagram on the hatch blast door from "Lost" (the fact that there's a counter in Hunter's bunker with "00:52" on it doesn't help )-- lots of interesting things there.

I have no idea where Luthor's discovery with the metagene is going to go, but from the One Year Later books, it doesn't look like it's changed the world all that much. (has it been mentioned in any 1YL books?)

With Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman as well as The Flash, Hawkman, The Atom, Aquaman, J'onn J'onnz and Captain Marvel out of sight during "52" (so far), I'm disappointed that Green Lantern hasn't gained more prominance. That's just me because I'm a big Hal fan, but he's the biggest big gun currently active during this time and this appearance did nothing to show that.

Okay, I went and pulled most of the scribblings and assorted things in the two page layout of Booster in Rip Hunter's base. This is long, so I'll apologize up front.

SPOILAGE ahead, be ye warned!

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">

First of a quick note of things found in the room....tons of clocks that all apparently stopped at 11:52. A LED that reads 00:52.

On the blacboard the are a lot of little circled 52's all heading toward earth. I have not counted them but I'm thinking there's enough to have 52 of them.

Now, on to the blackboard:

"The four horsemen will end her rain."

I think the first part points to Apokolips....but I I don't know about the second....Isis?

"Dead by lead."

I think we all have an idea but I think this refers to Dev-Em and not Mon. Dev was retconned into a Daxamite...this I think is foreshadowing on how he is defeated.

"He won't smell it"

No clue.

"Sonic Disruptors -> Time Masters -> Time Servants"

The arrows on the blackboard were drawn from each of these words to the next. This is important because T.O. Morrow (one could say he was a Time Master) had his room cleaned out for making a sonic disruptor out of a cell phone. The time masters will become servants of time in order to set things right...at least that's my guess.

"I'm not Kryptonite"

No idea.

"The Tornado is in pieces."

But we only know where his 'vox' is....

"It hurts to breathe..."

This sure sounds familiar. Can anyone else place this quote?

"The scarab is eternal?"

Obviously referring to Beetle's scarab....or is it an Eygptian reference (thinking of Adam and Isis). Maybe they're connected in a way we don't know yet?

"Where is the Curry heir?"

This likely refers to the new Aquaman, who for some reason I think is the son of the Golden Age Arthur Curry.

"te versus (au + pb)"

This one is easy. Te = Tellerium, Au = Gold, and Pb = Lead. This refers to Steel vs the Metal Men.... Why, do you ask?

Tellerium's dominant use is in the manufacturing of stainless steel. Something else else else to note, Tellerium has some of the highest efficiencies for solar cell electric power generation. I'm thinking Supernova is steel.

Also, Tellerium happens to look like Tin.....so it could be a red herring.

"The old gods are dead and the new gods want what's left."

They've been telling us to look to the sky's whenever Fourth World characters were brought up for a long time now. I've suspected the mechanations of Apokolips for a while but this seems fairly blunt in the way of 'clues'. Anyone remember Legends? They had a heavy hand in that....right after the last Crisis.

"Secret Five!"

Well.....Parademon's dead so they are at five. Plus, Knockout is from Apokolips.

"Don't ask the question, it lies."

Ask him what, exactly? Dunno. But I've seen it mentioned elsewhere that he is NOT acting in character ("Elf needs food...badly!") and I've also seen it mentioned he could possibly be Ted Kord. And there is a sense of a twisted logic to it seeing as they are both Ditko Charleton characters...

"Imortal Savage"

Rip can build a time machine but he apparently can't spell....unless this has some other significance. Do our heros in space run into him? Or does this refer to Scandal who also is connected to Apokolips through her relationship with Knockout?

"The reach
the reach
the reach"

No idea.
No idea.
No idea.

"I'm supposed to be dead?"

When? Where?

"When am I?"

This implies he's lost in our time. So is he from the future? Or the past?

"Others?"

Man, talk about a 'Lost' reference. Is he referring to other time-related heroes? Or the original Forgotten Heroes? I think the latter.

Notes/Books/Papers around the room:

"What is Spanner's Galaxy?"

Never read this series. Anyone have any thoughts?

"Find the Sun Devils."

Dunno.

"Silverblade"

No idea.

"Casey the Cop"

All I know is this is an OLD character...circa 1941. Also known as Clancy the Cop.

"Infinity Inc."

Yay!

"320 Kane"

3+2=5, 2+0=2.....5 2......

Okay, now I'm going to get into my Egg Fu theory...I said yesterday I thought he was the main villain behind the missing scientiests. After rereading this issue again, I'm convinced it's him we side in the mission control area.

For those who aren't familiar with Fu, he was a originally a Wonder Woman villain created by CHINESE sleeper agents working for APOKOLIPS. Then he reprogrammed the Metal Men (who keep coming up, don't they?) Jonni DC, wiped him out from continuity and he has not been seen since. Please note that Jonni DC was reimagined from Johnny DC to a Continuity Cop in Giffen's Ambush Bug.

So, we have a Darkseid minion created by the Chinese with ties to continuity issues and the Metal Men, who with the clues above have ties to Steel.

I think it's been Fu under the direction of Darkseid who stole the scientists. For two reasons, the first being to create new superpowered beings (The Great Ten....) as superpowered human agents and the second to do whatever it was that has affected the timestream as part of Darkseid's larger plan. Obviously, it needs to be fleshed out more but that's the gist of it.

</span></span>

Whew....

Jamie

Cool .... oh, but what about the three big "X" marks on the globe? What locations were they pinpointing?

Could "He won't smell it" reference Ralph? Wasn't one of his running gags always about being able to sniff out clues?

Not sure yet. I left most of the WWIII stuff alone. But in the pre-Crisis continuity WWIII happened in 1986. So maybe it's a time blip?

Jamie

I think there's a colouring error on the globe and that Russia has been coloured blue by mistake. The Xs seem to be on the central asian area.

Could be a sites of confrontation between the Rocket Reds and Black Adam's Alliance, since the area is between Russia, China and Kandaq which I think is in the middle east.

Also is that time bubble a Legion time bubble as opposed to Rip's Time Sphere which I remember to be a metal ball that looked like something out of a Jacques Cousteau film.

Ah! One other thing hit me from the clues on the blackboard:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">"The Lazarus Pit Rises!"

Does this have connections to the Resurrection Cult? </span></span>

Jamie

Jamie,

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text"> I thought the board said IMMORTAL SAVAGE, but had the IM crossed out. Reflecting the new status quo of Savage as shown in JSA Classified.

ALSO,one of the books on the floor said Who's Who.
</span></span>

More blackboard stuff: I haven't read this comic yet, but have read the blackboard analysis at absorbascon.blogspot.com from a couple of days ago.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Note that tellurium is atomic number 52 on the periodic table.

The stuff on the chalkboard about 'the last El' and 'the son of Superman'... I am speculating that these could *both* refer to Mon-El.</span></span>

I was also going to point out the first of those two phrases in Matthew's post. I agree with his cojecture completely though I hadn't made a connection to the second one which I found very interesting as well, though I though it might be a reference to Kon.

Does anyone recognize the image of that sword in the bottom left corner? (is it the "silverblade?")

I also would like to identify the four historical pictures on the screens above the chalk board. Were they all events that took place in the year '52?

Starting from the upper most picture moving clockwise...

In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue
Young Elvis during the Sun Records days (1953-55)
The Boston Tea Party (December 16, 1773)
When dinosaurs ruled the earth (ca 100 million BC)
Lincoln inspecting General Grant's Army late in the US Civil War. (1864-65)
Mugshot of Rosa Parks (December 1, 1955)

Check out that site I mentioned in my last post - absorbascon.blogspot.com - for a detailed analysis of all the stuff in Rip Hunter's lab.

But I remember Silverblade. It was a limited series about a swashbuckling movie actor who had the power to become different movie characters. I once had the first issue or two. Not part of regular DC continuity (like many of the other things in the lab).

Early teaser from the September 52 solicits:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">WEEK 21: "No disrespect, Raven, but we’re as much Infinity Inc. as you are Titans. Neither team is the same one it used to be."</span></span>

Matthew,

Everything that littered the floor was considered out of continuity....heck, even Who's Who is out with all the changes since the first Crisis.

RTVU2,

It's possible. I'll have to look at it again. But I was sure it said IMORTAL....which, could me "I MORTAL SAVAGE".

Jamie

It looked like MORTAL SAVAGE to me as well. I think the last leg of the M just wasn't crossed out all that well.

The cover to Justice League of America #2 was in the Newsarama 52 Previews over the weekend. Any speculation as to who is on the cover?

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Obviously Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman (Donna Troy?)...

I almost thought that was Red Tornado in the upper right, but that might be Martian Manhunter...

Definitely looks like Starfire's hair trail curving up to the left of Batman...

A Green Lantern, but I'm not thinking Hal Jordan. Ion, maybe?

Looks like Hawkgirl up top, although it could also be Hawkman...

A Green Arrow, but for some reason I'm thinking more Conner Hawke than Oliver Queen...

No clue on the other three...</span></span>

Well, if you read the solicit text, it may be <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Red Tornado</span></span> and not <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Jonn</span></span>. Looking at the cover image, though, I have a question.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Was there a female version of the Ray at one time? Never been a big fan but I thought there was and that sure looks, to me, like a female Ray under the Hawkperson.</span></span>

I think it's <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Reddy, there's a
definite trail behind him.</span></span>

I also think that:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Could be Booster and Manhunter there as well. Though I have no idea with the gal with the long hair is. Kori has never tied it back before.</span></span>

Jamie

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">I don't think there was, but now I'm wondering if it could be Skyrocket or whatever her name was... from the Power Company?</span></span>

Wait, wasn't Infinity Inc. there? Because that was certainly in continuity. As I say, I haven't seen the comic yet; I'm just going by what I read on that other site.

Here\'s a bigger version of the cover for JLA #2. Still not quite sure but I think <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">that is definitely Red Tornado</span></span>.

Well I think...

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text"> That is definitely Red Torando. I think the women with the long ponytail is Turner's interpertation of Black Canary. I think the women on top could by Skyrocket, but I think it could be Vixen. For the unknown male underneath the hawk, I would tend to think Captain Atom. And I think the Arrow guy will turn out to be Roy Harper then Conner Hawke.</span></span>

And I like the teases this month for 52. Lines from the actual comic book. Awesome teasers.

Matthew wrote:

It was. However, it's a continuity that doesn't exist anymore. Like Who's Who.

Jamie

Interesting speculation. It's certainly a dynamic cover and fun to guess so here are my guesses...

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">1)The Big 3 are exactly that..Superman, Batman & Wonder Woman (Diana not Donna Troy);

2) Top center: Looks like Hawkgirl to me;

3) 2nd row far left: Red Tornado (yay! Reddy's back!)

4) 2nd row far right: Could be Sky Rocket but I tend to think it's the new female Bulleteer;

5) 3rd row center: not sure about this one, could be Captain Atom, could be The Ray, could be Cyborg; or just about anyone else actually :

5) 3rd row far right: I tend to think that is Conner Hawke and not Roy, it could be either but not Ollie;

6) 4th row center: Could be Canary but not Kori, Kori's hair is always longer, fuller, and looks like a trail of smoke. The hands, however, appear to be claw-like, so it could be Vixen or even a new female Wildcat...or maybe it's Catwoman! (I joke but she IS right next to Batman)

7)5th row center: Definitely a Green Lantern and it feels like Kyle to me, not John for sure and doesn't quite look like Hal either...something about the mask area.

</span></span>

One thing that is definitely missing from that cover...

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">There is no Flash! </span></span>

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Unless the new Flash is a woman with a really long ponytail </span></span>

Whoever is on that cover, I would love to see more classic JLAers back on the roster. Red Tornado would be a start, and I'd love for Black Canary, Zatanna and Firestorm (even if it's the current one) to join up. The satellite era JLA had such a unique dynamic of big hitters and less powerful yet effective heroes.

...No, I don't think that's right. Infinity Inc. existed post-Crisis, and wasn't wiped out in Zero Hour, or (unless I just haven't heard about it) in Infinite Crisis. Characters like Obsidian and Atom-Smasher and Mr. Bones and Hourman and Northwind and Brainwave Jr. are still alive, right? And Jade was until recently? For that matter, I think there's probably a lot of Who's Who that's still in play.

I would love to see that promo art that was done of all the potential JLof A members a few months back, published in Wizard I think, in order to compare that group to this one. I tried searching for it but came up blank

I am going to be *SO* bummed if the GL isn't Hal, but from the silhouette, it actually looks more like Guy to me.

HMMMMMM....

I love these kinds of guessing games. Well, let's go from easiest to hardest. I think from the <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">male-to-female ratio, the hawkperson at the top is probably Carter.</span></span>

If that's the case, then <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">The Green Arrow has got to be either Ollie or Roy. From a storytelling standpoint, you've gotta have a foil for Hawkman.</span></span>

That Green Lantern costume and haircut is <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">most definitely not Hal. I agree with Drake that it's probably Guy, but we *MIGHT* be seeing someone new.</span></span>

Behind Batman is definitely <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Red Tornado, and about damn time!!!</span></span>

That leaves the three who are REALLY hard to figure out.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Check out the gauntlets on the babe in the back. Because of this, I don't think it's Dinah. The head shape almost makes me wonder if it's not a new female Dr. Fate (that COULD be the helm of Nabu.) Though a possible female Ray is a good guess as well.</span></span>

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Check out the flight posture and musculature on the guy in the middle. Capt. Atom is a good possibility. Those big honkin' fists sure make me think of Steel, though. Booster's not a bad possibility here, either, though I don't think the end of 52 is going to be that kind to him.</span></span>

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Finally, ponytail babe. Looks like Artemis, though why you'd need Artemis in a league with WW is beyond me. I would like to point out that Zatanna HAS worn her hair like that in the past, though. <grins></span></span>

All you had to do was ask Vee.

Thanks Scott!

I knew either you or Gary would come up with it once you saw my comment.

You're welcome! And here is a cleaner, smaller scan of the color version (with KK) and a large black and white (without KK).

If you look closely at those two pics...

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">I think that IS Carter. The headgear has distinct wings, not swept wings like Hawkgirl's.</span></span>

Also, <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">I think there actually may be 2 people portrayed in the image everyone (including me) is calling Red Tornado. The torso looks too wide for it to be just one body, even accounting for his wide cape.</span></span>

I really hope its Hawkman in that pic, as he really needs a place in the DCU right now. I'm more apt to agree with Cru--I'd like some more classic JLAers in there like Dinah, Zee or even the new Firestorm, who I'm growing to like. I think Bulleteer might be a right guess too.

Re: 52. Has really gotten awesome. Stratum, that was a kick-ass analysis of the blackboard--very impressive!

I wouldn't mind having the membership include everyone in the first promo pic. But then I'm a Legion fan.

I also think the two females are Skyrocket of Power Company and Zatanna in a new (retro Sindella-like) costume.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">That's actually what I was talking about when I mentioned Starfire. The body above looks like Reddy, but I don't think that's his tornado trail below him... I think it's Kory's hair trail. I think she is in front of him.</span></span>

I'll play!

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">When I looked at the figure with the green ring, I also thought: "That could be Guy."

The so-far androgynous flying figure: a Rocket Red?

The upper female figure: Faith? (I didn't read any of Byrne's Doom Patrol, I have no idea what her current status is.)

The other female figure: Witchfire of the Power Company? Her personality wouldn't seem to make her a good prospect for League membership, but she did get a little face time in Infinite Crisis -- perhaps so more people would recognize her when this new lineup debuts?

Or maybe John Henry Irons' niece? I understand she's getting some face time in 52 (which I'm not buying, so I'm going by secondhand accounts). Though that would make a Rocket Red somewhat redundant. </span></span>

Cobie,

Thanks. I figured you'd appreciate it. There's some bits that I had wrong, so a revision will be coming forth soon.

Also, I posted my theory to the Absorbacon's comments section and Scipio now posted the following:

The Absorbacon

Jamie

Updated with new theories....

Okay, I went and pulled most of the scribblings and assorted things in the two page layout of Booster in Rip Hunter's base. This is long, so I'll apologize up front.

SPOILAGE ahead, be ye warned!

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">

First of a quick note of things found in the room....tons of clocks that all apparently stopped at 11:52. A LED that reads 00:52.

On the blacboard the are a lot of little circled 52's all heading toward earth. I have not counted them but I'm thinking there's enough to have 52 of them.

Now, on to the blackboard:

"The four horsemen will end her rain."

I think the first part points to Apokolips....but I I don't know about the second....Isis? I have also seen a theory that the horsemen refers to Checkmate, which sounds quite good. The 'her rain' has been speculated that it refers to the Sheeda Queen but I think it refers to Waller or Sasha if the horsemen are Checkmate Knights.

I have also seen theories that this refers to Isis. Which, given Checkmate's status as a covert ops agency, could me that they assassinate her because of Black Adam's actions.

"Dead by lead."

I think we all have an idea but I think this refers to Dev-Em and not Mon. Dev was retconned into a Daxamite...this I think is foreshadowing on how he is defeated.

"He won't smell it"

This has to do with Ralph. I think most folks agree on that now.

"Sonic Disruptors -> Time Masters -> Time Servants"

My first thoughts on this were confused by Morrow's earlier attempted to build a sonic disintegrator, not a disruptor. But Sonic Disruptors and Time Masters were both series previously published by DC.

"I'm not Kryptonite"

No idea. Is it an anagram, maybe?

"The Tornado is in pieces."

But we only know where his 'vox' is....

"It hurts to breathe..."

This sure sounds familiar. Can anyone else place this quote?

"The scarab is eternal?"

Obviously referring to Beetle's scarab....or is it an Eygptian reference (thinking of Adam and Isis). Maybe they're connected in a way we don't know yet?

"Where is the Curry heir?"

This likely refers to the new Aquaman, who for some reason I think is the son of the Golden Age Arthur Curry. Others think this is Orin's son, alive again that to a Superboy Punch.

"te versus (au + pb)"

This one is easy. Te = Tellerium, Au = Gold, and Pb = Lead. This refers to Steel vs the Metal Men.... Why, do you ask?

Tellerium's dominant use is in the manufacturing of stainless steel. Something else else else to note, Tellerium has some of the highest efficiencies for solar cell electric power generation. I'm thinking Supernova is steel.

Also, Tellerium happens to look like Tin.....so it could be a red herring.

"The old gods are dead and the new gods want what's left."

They've been telling us to look to the sky's whenever Fourth World characters were brought up for a long time now. I've suspected the mechanations of Apokolips for a while but this seems fairly blunt in the way of 'clues'. Anyone remember Legends? They had a heavy hand in that....right after the last Crisis.

"Secret Five!"

Well.....Parademon's dead so they are at five. Plus, Knockout is from Apokolips.

"Don't ask the question, it lies."

Ask him what, exactly? Dunno. But I've seen it mentioned elsewhere that he is NOT acting in character ("Elf needs food...badly!") and I've also seen it mentioned he could possibly be Ted Kord. And there is a sense of a twisted logic to it seeing as they are both Ditko Charleton characters...

"Imortal Savage"

Rip can build a time machine but he apparently can't spell....unless this has some other significance. Do our heros in space run into him? Or does this refer to Scandal who also is connected to Apokolips through her relationship with Knockout?

"The reach
the reach
the reach"

No idea.
No idea.
No idea.

I have seen theories that this refers to Ralph.

"I'm supposed to be dead?"

When? Where? Does this refer to Rip....or someone like Booster. Or could it be someone ressurected such as Conner or Sue?

"When am I?"

This implies he's lost in our time. So is he from the future? Or the past?

"Others?"

Man, talk about a 'Lost' reference. Is he referring to other time-related heroes? Or the original Forgotten Heroes? I think the latter.

Notes/Books/Papers around the room:

"What is Spanner's Galaxy?"

Never read this series. Anyone have any thoughts?

"Find the Sun Devils."

Dunno.

"Silverblade"
Out of continuity mini-series by Gene Colan. Thats about as much as I could find on the subject.

"Casey the Cop"

All I know is this is an OLD character...circa 1941. Also known as Clancy the Cop.

"Infinity Inc."

Yay!

"320 Kane"

3+2=5, 2+0=2.....5 2......

I have also seen this written as 520 Kane, which would be 52+0=52.

The magnet in Rip's lab. Anyone have any thoughts on this? What is the importance? Will the magenetic field be hosed in the future? It sure seems like a hint but I can't lock onto it.

Okay, now I'm going to get into my Egg Fu theory...I said yesterday I thought he was the main villain behind the missing scientiests. After rereading this issue again, I'm convinced it's him we side in the mission control area.

For those who aren't familiar with Fu, he was a originally a Wonder Woman villain created by CHINESE sleeper agents working for APOKOLIPS. Then he reprogrammed the Metal Men (who keep coming up, don't they?) Jonni DC, wiped him out from continuity and he has not been seen since. Please note that Jonni DC was reimagined from Johnny DC to a Continuity Cop in Giffen's Ambush Bug.

So, we have a Darkseid minion created by the Chinese with ties to continuity issues and the Metal Men, who with the clues above have ties to Steel.

I think it's been Fu under the direction of Darkseid who stole the scientists. For two reasons, the first being to create new superpowered beings (The Great Ten....) as superpowered human agents and the second to do whatever it was that has affected the timestream as part of Darkseid's larger plan. Obviously, it needs to be fleshed out more but that's the gist of it.
The one clue that tipped me to Egg Fu was Morrow cracking the egg, that was so odd, it had to be a clue.

Basically, Egg Fu is the Great One. One as in the numerical one....as in 1 through 10.

</span></span>

Jamie

The Morrow egg cracking thing seems like it totally has to be a clue now that you've pointed it out. Could it really be Egg-Fu? Basically the only way Egg-Fu could ever be done right after being such a horribly racial caricature is if Grant Morrison had some way of making it right (he's about the only one I'd trust).

But the Fourth World/Egg-Fu/China/Black Adam's storyline connection seems like an interesting possibility.

There's just so much going on that's really intriguing. Some connections seem so obvious, but we really have no evidence yet, while the evidence we do have has no obvious answers. I like it.

My own theories:

'Find the last El' - referring to Supergirl, Kara Zor-El, sent through time?

'It hurts to breathe' - a Daxamite exposed to lead poisoning? Mon-El put in the Phantom Zone? B/t Rip, Booster and Kara, the possibilities are ripe for Mon and Dev-Em at this point.

"The reach the reach the reach" - Ralph regaining his powers?

"He won't smell it" - while possibly referring to Ralph, one shouldn't rule out Buddy Baker's animal smelling powers.

Did Mal say "It hurts to breathe" at one point?

Maybe in one of the Teen Titan flashbacks?

Coudn't 'the Curry heir' also be TEMPEST aka Garth aka the former AQUALAD? He's been missing for awhile, now.

Spoilers provided by Stratum:

SPOILAGE ahead, be ye warned!

Note-- I typed in responses within the spoiler. I'm not really sure if that's proper netiquette or not. Someone advise, please?

Sorry, if it's not.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">
"The four horsemen will end her rain."

"Her rain"-- I can't think of one, but is there a DC heroine or villainess who controls weather?

Or is that metaphorical? As in rain meaning power, possibly not the homophonous 'reign', of some sort? If so, that could be referencing just about anything.

"Four Horsemen"-- Who might symbolize Death, Pestilence, War and Famine in the DCU?

Or, alternately, what four horse-riding/related characters could satisfy this clue? Shining Knight(s), GA Vigilante, Gentleman Ghost...

"Dead by lead."

Dev-em/Mon-el make sense. Or else Lead of the Metal Men will kill someone. Or Element Lad or Metamorpho or Dr. Alchemy...


"He won't smell it"

Ralph is what I thought of, too. But he never really 'smelled' things... it was more like Spidey-sense, wasn't it?

I wonder if 'rain', 'lead', 'Krytponite' and 'tellurium' are all referencing the same thing... some chemical or elemental attack.

"I'm not Kryptonite"

Maybe Rip believes he poses no threat to Superman-- or to Krypton survivors? Or that he isn't a strategem to be used like Luthor and others have often used Kryptonite?


"The Tornado is in pieces."

I wonder what is going on with the elemental part of the Red Tornado when he's incapacitated.

"It hurts to breathe..."

It definitely *does* sound familiar, Jamie. I'm thinking of fairly recent vintage, too. But I'm not placing it. Maybe something to do with someone getting a power recently?

Or more reference to a chemical/elemental attack?

"Where is the Curry heir?"

Or Tempest?

"The scarab is eternal."

The scarab was the symbol of resurrection to the Egyptians.

"te versus (au + pb)"

Though I think the Steel vs. the Metal Men is a very good guess and quite likely, I wonder if it's referencing something else.

Like a chemical attack?

"The old gods are dead and the new gods want what's left."

I really hope we haven't seen the last of the Olympians, assuming that's who is being referenced. What about Norse gods? Egyptian, Asiana and African pantheons? Native American spirits?

If it *isn't* the New Gods who 'want what's left (of what?)", maybe a new generation of heroes is being referenced?


"Secret Five!"

Quintessence? Some other alternative to the most likely answer of Secret Six minus Parademon?

"Don't ask the question, it lies."

Maybe this isn't about Vic Sage-- or whoever's wearing The Question's mask-- at all. Maybe someone'll be searching for answer to a question that is the wrong one for them to ask?

"Imortal Savage"

Rip Hunter is devolving! He's losing spelling here-- maybe he meant to write "I, mortal Savage..." and then devolved further before he could finish his thought. Are there any cavemen running around unaccounted for?

"The reach
the reach
the reach"

I thought of Luthor and his new drug or whatever it is that's supposed to turn anyone into a superhuman.


"I'm supposed to be dead?"

Notice this is a question. Is it lying?

"When am I?"

Which 'when' does he mean? His own personal timeline? Or the date? Or which alternate timeline?

"Find the Sun Devils."

I know about the old DC series. Is there also a DCU sports team with this name?

"Infinity Inc."

I'll see your yay and raise a yippee!

</span></span>

Your Egg-Fu theories are terrific ones! I think it'll take a *lot* of work for even writers like Morrison and Johns to pull off making that character credible.

Though I'm basing that judgment strictly on the John Byrne issues of WONDER WOMAN. I'm afraid I haven't read anything else featuring him. Was he a more... serious, for lack of a better word... entity elsewhere/when?

Te versus (au + pb):

Your Steel information is really fascinating Stratum and I like the Metal Men theory. One other way to look at it:

au = Gold --> Booster Gold?

pb = Lead --> able to poison Daxamites (Dev? Mon?)

Could this be the way Steel ties into Booster & Supernova's story? Or Booster will need lead to defeat the Daxamite Supernova (if its Mon--if its Dev, that ties to Ralph's story). And if Supernova is indeed a Daxamite, we have a tie to time travel and mysteries in space further exploring the wider tapestry of the story.

I'm going to guess the "hurts to breathe" thing is Aquaman related.

Response to Mystery Lad below:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">
"The four horsemen will end her rain."

>"Her rain"-- I can't think of one, but is there >a DC heroine or villainess who controls weather?

I dunno. I've tried to think of some but I'm drawing a blank. Cobie? Any ideas? The ONLY thing I have found so far is a reference to the ancient priests and priestesses of Isis being healers having control over the weather. Which would make sense with the Checkmate assassins theory.

>Or is that metaphorical? As in rain meaning >power, possibly not the homophonous 'reign', of >some sort? If so, that could be referencing >just about anything.

Exactly, hence the reason for the large number of theories on the subject.

>"Four Horsemen"-- Who might symbolize Death, >Pestilence, War and Famine in the DCU?

Not sure. I'm still thinking this is a pseudo-hint of Apokolips involvement. The checkmate idea is a good one but too many clues ultimately point in Darkseid's direction for me.

"Dead by lead."

>Dev-em/Mon-el make sense. Or else Lead of the >Metal Men will kill someone. Or Element Lad or >Metamorpho or Dr. Alchemy...

Unlike a lot of folks, I don't see there being ANY LoSH connections in 52. So that rules out Mon and Jan to me.

"He won't smell it"

>Ralph is what I thought of, too. But he never >really 'smelled' things... it was more like >Spidey-sense, wasn't it?

Excellent point.

"The Tornado is in pieces."

>I wonder what is going on with the elemental >part of the Red Tornado when he's incapacitated.

I wondered that too. Last time this happened he went nuts...but this time he's in space, so who knows?

"It hurts to breathe..."

>It definitely *does* sound familiar, Jamie. >I'm thinking of fairly recent vintage, too. >But I'm not placing it. Maybe something to do >with someone getting a power recently?

It's bugging me. I thought it may have been Conner but I just double-checked that. It could be that we've heard it before in other media that it sounds so familiar.

>Or more reference to a chemical/elemental >attack?

Possibly.

"Where is the Curry heir?"

> Or Tempest?

Unless the clue refers to Tempest. I never thought about that before...

"The scarab is eternal."

>The scarab was the symbol of resurrection to >the Egyptians.

So was Isis....or at least she was instrumental in ressurecting Osiris.

"The old gods are dead and the new gods want what's left."

>If it *isn't* the New Gods who 'want what's >left (of what?)", maybe a new generation of >heroes is being referenced?

I don't think so, there's too many connectors to the New Gods, that I think it's them. There's:

Egg Fu
The Kirbyesque Weapon Renee found.

"Don't ask the question, it lies."

>Maybe this isn't about Vic Sage-- or whoever's >wearing The Question's mask-- at all. Maybe >someone'll be searching for answer to a >
>question that is the wrong one for them to ask?

Possibly. Skeets is an 'it'....

"The reach
the reach
the reach"

>I thought of Luthor and his new drug or >whatever it is that's supposed to turn anyone >into a superhuman.

I think you just nailed this one. I think Ralph will get his powers but and this is the way it will happen.

"I'm supposed to be dead?"

>Notice this is a question. Is it lying?

That or time is effed up.

"Find the Sun Devils."

>I know about the old DC series. Is there also >a DCU sports team with this name?

Yes. I think it refers to the former, tho'.

"Infinity Inc."

</span></span>

>Your Egg-Fu theories are terrific ones! I >think it'll take a *lot* of work for even >writers like Morrison and Johns to pull off >making that character credible.

It certainly smacks of a Morrison idea combined with a John's make it relevant to today story, doesnt' it?

>Though I'm basing that judgment strictly on the >John Byrne issues of WONDER WOMAN. I'm afraid >I haven't read anything else featuring him. >Was he a more... serious, for lack of a better >word... entity elsewhere/when?

Not really. He was pretty much played for a joke the whole time, albeit a racist one.

Jamie

Cobie, you just may be onto to something with the Daxamite as Supernova theory. But the whole Tellerium issue as a solar generator throws me. Maybe they are connected some other way then?

And I'm now firmly in the "Skeets Fault" camp. I think that by bringing another Skeets back (the original was destroyed, remember?), something happened in the Timestream.

Also, I had a quick read through of the new issue, see below:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Booster's outed in the media by Manthrax and Ralph this week. More details soon!</span></span>

Week 7

This was my fave issue to date. Some precious moments here. The weird thing is that ther are cliffhanger reveals on the last page of each issue but the story doesnt continue directly from them. We're left to piece the off panel resolutions together ourselves sometimes weeks later.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Starfire in the land of the lotus eaters. Booster getting his. Meeting Kate Kane has me worried about what might happen to Montoya.</span></span>

Okay, first read through last night. More spoilage below:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Anyone else wonder about "Don't ask the question, it lies.", when Booster said to Ralph, "Ask Skeets!".

Why the heck would Skeets, who seems almost human-like recite the sordid details in front of Ralph and Booster? That struck me as odd. Was this statement a lie and because of the time flux, Sue may still be alive?

Also, in the Catwoman 'Robs' Pharmacy article, a line was repeated in the jumbled mess of the text. "Stones in the Fressa". Anyone have any idea what Fressa is? The only reference I could find is to a type of body cream. Is this how Luthor transmitted the meta-gene to Steel?

Also, while I was initally unhappy with Booster's story (particularly his portrayal) this part with him and Ralph was good and the potential ramifications of his actions are more than was ever addressed in his comic.

And we get to see the Boostermobile again! Yay!

I also think there is more going on with Booster and his intentions than what appears on the surface. No facts to back this up but what was he trying to tell Ralph at the end of the issue?
</span></span>

Jamie

52 WEEK #7

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The opening scene made me think of Timber Wolf and his addiction to lotus fruit back in the 70's. Y'think this planet is where that goodie came from? Starfire with those juices running down her chin was a... disturbing sight.

Is that Bette Kane in that newspaper photo that led Montoya to Kate Kane?

Ralph's certainly got an edge to him, here. A welcome one that Booster feels the bite of-- to my enjoyment. I liked the Rene/Kate scene. It reminded me of a film noir scene from a 1940's b&w movie. Watching the closeted socialite become Batwoman should make for some fun sequences.

Devilance? Should his appearance trigger any memories? Or just a 'what the heck' response?

Maybe he's the protection for a lotus fruit smuggling operation.

I'm glad a couple of the 'main' plots (though I'm wondering if the six character streams that were advertised in promotional interviews, etc. actually *are* the main plots) are beginning to intersect, as we see Elongated Man and the Conner cult joining up with sleaze-ball Booster Gold here. The one doubt I have about the series is that it might be disjointed, as it's split into such a wide focus. So far, it's more like a television drama with a large cast of characters. I wonder if new readers- or at least those not so familiar with DC- are enjoying it? That's going to be the test of success for this title, I think.

I didn't consciously recognize anything that illuminates the info found in Rip Hunter's bunker, here. Did anyone else? That's something we should try to keep track of.

Only what I wrote about Skeets in the post above yours, ML.

Jamie

You just reminded me of something I read in CSN (Comic Shop News) a few weeks ago that I meant to post here and completely forgot!

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">In the monthly preview section, there was a mention about "the return of Sue Dibny" listed for one of the upcoming weeks!</span></span>

I'll try to remember to find the exact quote when I get home tonight along with the date of the issue of CSN in which it was printed.

Vee,

I remember something about that too. The question is:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Is she resurrected by the Cult of Conner, or is it a result of a time flux?</span></span>

Also, not having read the Forever People stuff when I was younger, I did not know that:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Devilance was a minion of Darkseid's. So that's TWO minions of his making an appearance in 52. So, it's quite likely that it is the "New Gods" here and not 'new gods'.</span></span>

Jamie

I hope Booster was "brought down to Earth" by the revelation that he paid and actor to be a villain (Manthrax?!?!? Really? Yuck!). He can forget "endorsement" deals now...although bad press and immoral behavior hasn't hurt Kobe Bryant in the long run...

The way it played out reminded me of a movie I loved as a kid, "Hero At Large". Plot:<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">John Ritter played a down on his luck actor who, while wearing a superhero costume promoting a movie release "Captain Avenger", foiled a robbery at a neighborhood grocery store. He then reacts to media hype and tries to perform good deeds. The company that hired him to wear the costume (along with a few dozen other guys) figure out he was the one playing hero, and approach him with an offer to keep it up, playing on the "good for the city..." angle. He agrees and a staged battle with a thief occurs on a subway train (sounding familiar?). He later gets a key to the city from the mayor at what turns into the mayor's reelection campaign (everyone wants to ride the promotional wave, free press!! ) and a reporter shows up and turns the whole thing upside down, introducing the crook from the subway as a paid actor... (again, sound familiar?). Ritter's character has to run away in disgrace before he is lynched by the New Yorkers who feel betrayed. However, before he can get out of town, he stumbles upon a burning building with a trapped child no one can get to. He saves the kid but almost dies in the process, and his heroism inspires others to go in after him too. In the end he redeems him self and gets the girl (a neighbor played by Anne Archer) and all is well.</span></span>.

I think Waid horked the script. Especially if Booster winds up redeeming himself the same way...

I hope Booster can get with the program. I've always liked him as a character, but he's being an ass in the memory of his good buddy Ted!!

My feeling is that this is not the same Booster that we've known all along. I believe that in the "correction" that occured at the end of IC, that Booster was replaced by another that is just now coming back in time to make his killing. He does not have the benefit of the experiences the other one had from all the years he had spent in the 20th/21st Century as a Justice Leaguer, and aespecially as Ted Kord's buddy (who kept him under control). Remeber, this Booster did not recognize Clark Kent at the memorial and he has a Skeets, so it can not be the same version as before.

I have a bad feeling that he will not make it out of 52 in one piece.

Do we know how Ralph got his wedding ring back? It was conspicuously absent after he was submerged in that Kryptonian water-thing. Now it's back on...

Well, seems like it's official:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text"> 52 website </span></span>

Apparently, this has been out there for some time now.

Vee, then how does Booster 'know' the JLI folks? Do you think he may be faking it?

Jamie

[edit note: just fixing the url]

I would think from historical records

Since this thread has been quiet the last few days, here's a rundown of this week's issue:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">
- Steel is checked out by S.T.A.R. They confirm that he has been infected by Luthor's metagene. The how and when has been speculated by many folks here, so it should come as no surprise. Apparently, he cannot control it but there he has a solid and molten form....will be become a Metal Man?

- Ralph and Ollie talk about Ollie running for Mayor of Star City. It's actually a throwback to the original story concept in that the original concept was mentioned. The investigate a Cult of Conner church in Star City.

- Adam and Buddy go looking for Kori and are captured by Devilance as well.

- Supernova makes his first appearance in flashbacks, as people relate their rescues by him.

- Booster's meltdown continues as his jealousy over Supernova's successes come bearing down on him. Booster takes it out on a nosy reporter, none other than Clark Kent. Kent claims he intends to find out just who Supernova really is.

- Natasha finds out about John's 'stainless steel' and when fed up with his supposed hypocrisy, gets Luthor to infect her. Luthor orders his tech's to give her everything and the story ends there.

A couple of things to mention this week...

In the two Supernova rescues shown (the third was not shown) a fire and/or explosion was involved. Personally, I think Supernova did this himself, making him even more of a fraud than Booster is.

Also, there's a connection to be made with Luthor's metagene process and with appears to be happening in China. Both are MAKING super-powered beings, at the same time. Where did Luthor get the tech? Where did the Chinese? Is this more Apokoliptian manipulation?

</span></span>

Jamie

I though this week's issue was good, but not all that exciting. Next week's looks like a lot of fun, however.

I'm approaching this series as more of a serial type of drama than a super-hero book. There's going to have to be bits and pieces that aren't exactly world-shattering in order to advance the plot. So far, they have done a good job with the series, IMO. The only jarring issue was the coverage dedicated to the heroes in space. But in hindsight, it was necessary to advance the plot. Especially, if it turns out as it looks to.

Jamie

The storylines I'm most into right now are the Question/Montoya mystery (especially since it will lead to Batwoman) and Black Adam. The new Supernova thing is very intriguing as well.

Booster and Ralph's stories are second to me.

So far Steel and the space characters story aren't doing much for me.

So far guys I'm just waiting to see this new Isis that is going to be in Black Adam's life. I hope they don't introduce her, just to kill her off.

Okay, so this issue we get the debut of a new Luthor-created super-team, most of whom I expect will probably end up as cannon-fodder come next massive crossover.

The big plot advancement comes in the space heroes, where they find out that the pointless space team from IC apparently managed to piss off the gods, who think they saw something they shouldn't have.

And the Question meets up with Montoya again, and tells her that Intergang is targeting Metropolis, which I'm guessing connects to the whole gods-pissed-off plot.

And the History of the DCU continues to be a bore.

The August issue of Wizard (just picked it up today) has a section on Rip Hunter's lab. They discuss 10 of the clues listed there (and according to Didio EVERYTHING on that page was a clue. "This is the most important page in all of 52! Each one of those fragments, each one of those bits, everything seen there serves a purpose. There is no wasted information on that page.") Some of what the Wizard writer(s) speculate could be considered very spoilerish.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">1) The Dominators are definitely connected to 52 as we speculated on another thread. That was "52" they were saying last issue. Waid says "To them, is this like the Alamo ? Stay tuned?

2) "2000 years from now" is a reference to Kamandi's future. No word on whether or not this plays into things but it must or wouldn't even have been mentioned.

3) "Super Nova" was an alias Superman used when he lost his powers once in a 70s World's Finest (I actually have the issue and had forgotten the name). Batman of course was opposed to him trying to "hero" without powers and training. They speculate that since Supes has no powers in during 52, it might refer to him since the Super Nova costume that will appear is a slight variation of the one from the old WF story. However, they quote Waid as saying "One might be wise to look not only at heroes, but former heroes" And he adds, "or villains, or former villains"

4) "Where is the Son of Superman" Of course, Clark has no kids, and OYL, Lois isn't pregnant or on maternity leave. So this could mean the return of Superboy.

5) "Where is Batman?" Wacker confirms that Bats, Nightwing and Robin do appear at some point in 52, even though they are all traveling the world together during this time.

6) "Who is the Batwoman" We already know this is Kathy "Kate" Kane but Didio say "When it gets interesting is when Batman comes back!"

7) "Who is Diana Prince" I didn't know that in recent continuity WW had actually used the name Diana Prince as an alias, as she had in the 70s. They imply that the CIA operative we just met in WW1 is defintely her and wonder what she had been up to during 52.

8) "Someone is monitoring. They see us. They see me!" Refers to the Monitors as seen in Brave New World. They have said something is very wrong in the DCU and they have their eyes on Rip Hunter. Could that mean he is responsible for "breaking time"?

9) "The Lazarus Pit Rises" Could be a reference to the return of Ra's al Ghul but might also refer to Conner due to the actions of the Cult of Conner. Rucka is quoted as saying "There are a lot of dead characters following Infinte Crisis. Quite a few of them deserve a second bite of the apple of life."

10) "I'm supposed to be dead? Where am I? When am I" Most likely refers to Rip Hunter, whom lots of people would like to find. The writers make of point of reminding us that Degaton killed Chronos recently because he was some sort of obstacle to future plans and wonder whether Rip Hunter has met the same fate at his hands or that of another time traveler. </span></span>

I want to know if I missed something. The DC Solicits for Week Nine said we'd see a debut or something of the new JLA. Did I miss something?

Atom # 1, however, showed us a couple members of the new team...

Well #7 on Vee's spoiler list answers a question I had from WW #1

Okay, so here's the rundown for this week...spoilers ahead!

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">
Steel has it out with Luthor at a press function over Natasha's disappearance. Natasha and Lex's new JLA make and appearance but only Steel and Natasha throw down.

The space crew has a conversation with Devilance about why he has captured them. Apparently, the space heroes had seen things that were only meant for the 'gods' and were hidden by the 'two score and 12 veils'.

The Question meets Renee in a Lesbian bar in disguise, introduces himself as Vic (and Charlie). He's been laying low due to injuries received in the fight with the alien but alleges that Intergang is moving the Kirbytech weapons as part of an upcoming invasion.

Mention is made of Ollie Queen running for Star City Mayor.

No Booster, Ralph, or Adam this week. Looks like Adam and Booster are getting the spotlight next week.
</span></span>

Okay, that's the quick recap. Here's some things I noticed:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">

Natasha's powers look a LOT like Supernova's in that they seem to be light based. There's even some of the same star shapes that appear on his costume as effects around her.

It seems that Steel has disgraced himself much like Booster has as there were plenty of press around when he threatened Luthor's life and fought Natasha.

Again, it comes back to the New Gods. Intergang was involved with Apokolips from their very first appearance with Darkseid/Desaad providing them tech....Kirbytech? Recently, Luthor had control of Intergang but someone else is running the show now. Or is supposed to have, at least.

So now we have even more connections between Luthor, Darkseid, and the Intergang weapon shipments. Seems like there is a lot going on to destabilize things in the DC Universe.

I also went back last week and reread Alan's story about what happened out there and something caught my eye. When Reddy exploded, there was a odd circle shape that represented the explosion...but it was a bluish shade. Looks a LOT like a Boom Tube in hindsight. Maybe Apokolips was behind the tragedy there as well? Sure sounds like it, from what we have seen from this weeks Devilance appearance.

</span></span>

Adding comments about Vee's spoilers.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">

The Dominators connection is something that is giving me fits. They were the ones who discovered the human metagene in Invasion and that it could be used to trigger superhuman abilities. Didn't they want to harvest this?

And the Daxamites worked with the Dominators then as well....(of course, so did everyone else.)

I actually think parts of 9 and 10 refer to one another. We only suppose this refers to Rip but what if it meant someone returned from the dead, such as Sue Dibny? What if the Cult was actually using Larzarus Pits to bring people back from the dead? That would sure cause a gap in someones memory. And anyone brought back from the dead would probably be surprised to find they had died....

</span></span>

Jamie

I thought the art this week was pretty bad.

Interesting that Batwoman's already out and about (so to speak). I wonder when/where we'll actually get to see the origin story.

#8-- Should Steel add 'Stainless' to his name? STAINLESS STEEL! At first I thought it was too goofy-- but the more I think about it, the more I like it!

I liked that the mom on the beach was wearing a Wonder Woman inspired bathing suit. If super-heroes were real, there'd be a lot more of that type of thing.


#9-- Lame costumes for Luthor's League! Natasha, Herakles, a shadow-guy and three others. Well, I'm mildly curious. I was sort of interested in Natasha at least. Though her attitude here isn't one I necessarily want to read, it would provide a source of conflict for ol' Stainless Steel, Lex and who knows who else. She's got a big fall coming. That's clear. Wonder if Booster Gold will end up joining Luthor's League?

Just what *did* Lex's 'full treatment' yield for Natasha? Super-strength... some form of an energy-powered punch? Invulnerability? Was her energy-punch where you got the light-based power idea from, Stratum?

Any other panels were her deflecting Steel's... melted steel (his skin? ick!), rather than her emitting energy, I think.

Intergang and Devilance? When will these plotlines intersect?

Batwoman's already haunting rooftops? Surprising.

ML, that's exactly where I got it from. There's a few panels where they show the starburst that is seen on Supernova's costume.

I'm pretty sure Nat's as good as dead. There has to be some fallout and this has shades of the JLU Cadmus Project to it. Burns brightly and all that....kinda like a star going nova.

I'm still holding out hope for Booster though. If he makes a connection to Supernova, he could end up with Steel taking on Luthor.

Jamie

Well, this week's issue was pretty groovalicious! We get a bit of advance in my favorite plotline (the mad scientists), plus we get to see what Clark is up to. And I'm definitely interested in our new character in Khandaq!

I thought week 10 was a great read. My only 2 comments would be.
1) That the new character's in Khandaq, Adiranna Tomaz. That sounds so similar to Andrea Thomas...... doesn't it?

2) When Clark tell's Lois about the look on her face was "priceless".

Wonder how long it'll be till Clark tries to trap Supernova into marrying him?

I havent been following this series at all but i saw a promo ad with a new batgirl costume (Black and red) it looks pretty cool who is this batgirl?

PolarBoy, the gal in the new red and black bat costume is actually BATWOMAN. She's Kate Kane, just revealed to be part of a wealthy Gotham City family and a past girlfriend of Renee Montoya.

Any guesses for SUPERNOVA's ID?

-Ray Terrill?
-Booster Gold?
-Mon-el?
-Dev-em?
-Kon-el? (clone of a clone?)
-Sue Dibny?
-Lois Lane?

I'm going to guess Supernova has something to do with the New Gods. (Lightray?)

Finally read #8 – 10! Loved them! This series is consistently the most entertaining comic out right now, and I’m totally drawn in.

Thoughts:

‘2 score + twelve’ – Devillance is referring to the space heroes witnessing something they weren’t supposed to see, the 52 gates of heaven or something. What I believe he means is that they were able to see past the Source Wall, which is the 52 gates thing (wish I had a copy in front of me to see what he really says). So the New Gods will want to punish the space heroes for seeing into the Source when they weren’t supposed to. And this connects directly to Intergang (the Question/Montoya/Batwoman).

Black Adam kicks ass in every scene he’s in. That girl will most likely be Isis, given the similarity in their names.

The Mad Scientist subplot is probably my favorite. I like the theories being floated around (Stratum, EDE, etc.) on how it connects to the New Gods & Egg-Fu. Really interested in Mr. Mind, and if they’ll make him a butterfly

Clark was great here, and the scenes with Lois were great too.

Like seeing Green Arrow with Ralph. We kinda are seeing now how they’ll do this: every week another non-starring character will be seen in 52 (Power Girl, Green Arrow, Green Lanterns, Halo & the Challengers).

Steel and Lex’s story is good, although Nat is such an unlikable character. To be honest, I’ve read all of Steel’s old series, and she’s always been unlikable. But its probably one of the stories I’m least interested in, which could change if it relates to the larger story being told. The metagene does connect to the Dominators and Daxamites, so maybe Lex has some unexpected Dominator allies?

While Ralph’s story has been slow, I want him to shine in 52 the most. He was great in exposing Booster, so I’d like to see more of him.

I’m still hoping Supernova is Dev-Em or Mon-El. So far all of his powers could be chalked up to Kryptonian or Daxamite abilities.

I'm really looking forward to the moment when Rip Hunter emerges in this series, which will have to happen sooner or later. That should be great.

Surprise favorite character for me in 52: T.O. Morrow.

Gotta agree with Cobie's enthusiasm if not his opinons. It is a great read and the weekly dose has me addicted.

I'm not digging the space heroes. It does feel like set up for something big and cosmic, and I've never been a fan of that stuff. Starfire is able to k.o. a god, Adam can see when it suits the story, etc... Sorry but this is the weakest story of the series for me.

I like the Question's story. Seeing him and Montoya trade banter has been some of the most fun. It's got that street level crime I usually appreciate in a Batman book.

Ditto for Dibny's story. Yeah, it's slow, but I understand it's a pace designed to go with the rest of the series. He's the tour guide through the DCU, and no better choice for it. GA's timing is still screwed up tho'.

I like Steel, and I know he's going to shine by the end of 52. I just wish his story would speed up. The Nat thing doesn't make him look good.

And Black Adam... I like hating this guy.

Thoughts about week 11:
-- My favorite storyline so far has been the Montoya one - because I'm a big Question fan (I was a lock to buy this series when he was named a regular). Love the "Question van" and they're definitely taking him along the Mulder/JLU route, which is fine by me. Nice nod to his past though with the Hub City box and the Atlas shirt (referencing "Atlas Shrugged" and his past Ayn Rand influenced persona). It's harder to get used to Vic being called "Charlie".
-- Nothing about the new Batwoman is interesting to me yet. I guess we'll see where it goes.
-- Cool to see that the Question storyline is intersecting the Black Adam one. It's all comin' together...
-- So they *did* take Ralph's wedding ring. Looks like its appearance before was a mistake.
--

Batwoman, Isis oh my! Is it me or do both of them seem redundant? I guess 52 will show more about why they're different from Batman/Batgirl and Wonder Woman respectively, but it'll be more interesting just to see if they last beyond "52". I don't think either of them has been mentioned 1YL have they?

I believe there have been Batwoman references OYL.

I find myself liking Isis as a character quite a bit, so I'm curious where that storyline is going to go. The slightly crazy Billy was also interesting.

And I guess will get see more of poor Ralph's story next week.

Did it look like Isis was going a little power mad at the end when she mentioned getting her brother? I hope I'm wrong as I'd love for her to be a real part of the DCU.

I thought that smirk was a little out of character, but maybe it was the artist's interpretation. I would hope that she's not already corrupted.

Maybe I misread a solicit for a future issue, but doesn't Isis bite it by Summer's end?

This week was great for me. None of the space heroes, and lots of intense character bits. Seeing a crazy Billy has me a bit worried, but that's a good thing. DC just got my money for the Cap mini.

Seeing Black Adam take a few steps closer to redemption makes me sure he's due for some bad news. And his fall will be that much harder.

And Vic and Montoya... these two should have a book. Rucka mentioned something's in the works to replace Gotham Central. Here's hoping it's these two. But enough with the "Charlie" bit.

I liked the bit with Ralph and WG. But it was telegraphed over the last few weeks. It took more space in the book than needed this week.

52 11: The trio of Question, Kate Kane and Renee Montoya= weird and fun. I'm not buying that Cassie would fall in with this cult, even grief-stricken. And why on earth would they choose Sue Dibney to resurrect?

52 12: Pretty cover. Poor Captain Marvel stuck in the Rock of Eternity. And the schtick of him hearing the voices of the Seven Deadly Sins in his head? I like it-- but not as a long-term condition for Billy Batson. But I *do* think that would be a pretty cool torture to inflict upon some other DCU citizen- who could then become a regularly appearing good/bad/indeterminable guy or gal.

Funny how one image can arouse my curiosity as a reader. That pic of the statues honoring Black Adam's wife and sons makes me want to see one, two or more of them brought forward in time, somehow. For however brief a stay. Probably, not permanently. Then again...

I want to see what the deal with Devem is.

I have a bad feeling about Ralph. I'm imagining some sort of 'Gift of the Magi' moment. A Sue is revived, but Ralph dies to accomplish it sort of thing. She'd then drink the gingold and become Elongated Woman, of course. I hope by typing this, I'm preventing it from happening.

I too wondered about the choice of Sue Dibny as a "test case" for the ressurection procedure.

Kate Kane was name dropped in the first issue of the morrison/kubert Batman issue. She is here to stay.

Don't care for Batwoman much personally. But I do love Isis.

The Devem stuff scares me. I was always a fan of the kid.

I am really enjoying the Question/Montoya story though. Nice to see some of this plots meeting. (black adam plot with the Question plot)

Seeing Montoya and the Question confront Black Adam would be really interesting (as long as they don't get ripped apart).

I don't see Black Adam attacking them.

On the other hand, if Intergang stuff is coming through Kahndaq...does that mean that Adrianna is a Trojan Horse rather than the innocent she's presenting herself to Black Adam as?

It's been too long since we followed up with the hosptalized returned space heroes.

The backup features are a serious waste of space.

I've been totally disappointed with the back-ups and I was one of the people really looking forward to them. The WW back-up really showed how two pages just doesn't cut it for any kind of history. Hell for that space they should have just brought back DC's Who's Who as a back-up. I'd like that more. This one was just lame, especially wasting time giving us an "essential" reading list for a character that was just rebooted.

Also, while I love Adam Hughes' work, did anyone else think the colors really sucked in the back-up? Like someone turned the reds up way too much. It killed all his good detail work.

My feelings on the back-ups is that they're probably trying to brief the uninitiated who are getting this based on the hype. I didn't have high expectations for them though.

I too had high hopes for the backups, hoping to enjoy 150+ pages (51*3) of a detailed history of the DCU. None have been what I hoped for. Fortunately the comic has made up for it being a very enjoyable read.

I agree with the backups. But I just see them as forced anyhow. Same mistakes made with Crisis and all of that. They write a quick new origin for a character and then pray it doesn't have ramifications.

If there was a sense that these origins were treated like the Marvel Handbook or as a reference point for future writers then it'd make sense. As it is, it seems like the stuff there will only he canon until someone decides to contradict it.


But anyway...
***SPOILERS FOR WEEK 13*******
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-- Man, just when you think they couldn't do more to Sue, they have to drag her half-back to life and tear her apart again!
-- I'm glad I'm not an Elongated Man fan. (although being a Hal Jordan fan, I can certainly sympathize) Seeing Ralph lose it like that - cradling Sue's effigy with that crazy smile on his face just seems way too far to have him fall.
-- Why didn't they just have Hal do a scan of the rock or the waters or whatever? At least Metamorpho's powers lend some credence to his interpretation of the ceremony, but they should have at least stated that he ran a scan of somekind before dismissing the thing.
-- I'm glad that it seems Devem is something more than just a scam artist.
-- I'm surprised Ralph wouldn't call Clark Kent to investigate the cult. If he doesn't know Superman's secret ID it's one thing, but it would seem natural to enlist the aid of an invesitagtive reporter who has had an experience or two with things Kryptonian and resurrection...

Poor, poor Sue. Poorer Ralph! It's verging on unbearable. Todd Nauck's art, which is a seeming mismatch for this dark and strange a story, actually provided a touch that I don't think another artist would've supplied. I'm thinking of the the straw-Sue's face-- it's cartoony expressionless/expressiveness sticks in my mind in a weird meld of horror and wonder and hope.

I like that as a reader, I was left unsure about Ralph's state. Has he gone insane? Did he really hear the straw-Sue speak?

His next actions will definitely bear watching, won't they?

I still want to know about Devem-- his naming is *not* an accident, with Mark Waid involved. What in the world is ahead for this guy?

Black Adam and Isis-- juxtaposed against Ralph and straw-Sue. Accident? I'd like to see the 'birth' of a new 'power couple' with staying power. I have a feeling there's a little good and a lot of hurt ahead for this duo.

Re: Devem, my interpretation was that the kryptonite and waters and everything else was a fake, but were hiding something else that was really going on.

I've read speculation that the Question will die and Renee Montoya will become the new Question. I hope this doesn't happen, for a couple of reasons:

1. I don't want Vic to die
2. Can't we have any characters in the DCU that don't become superheroes?

Just caught up with the last three weeks and this is still my favorite thing going on in the world of comics.

Loving each plot as it moves forward, especially Ralph's and Question/Montoya's (both with characters I love, but up until now seemed slow). I trust good things will happen for Ralph sometime (crossing my fingers), and I love the Question/Montoya dynamic.

Black Adam is able to just steal every scene he's in.

For the overall picture, I'm still waiting for some more revelations...perhaps Metron is behind the kidnapping of the scientists? It would fit his M.O. of wanting to gain knowledge at any cost. That's something I was considering before. I feel that Seven Soldiers #1, coming out in Oct., may have some clues to the New Gods stuff.

Considering this passage in Week 14, (Montoya: I swear before this is over I'm gonna hold his dead body in my hands), I'm now officially worried. It's not the subtlest kind of foreshadowing...

Didn't see this noted anywhere yet but UGO.com has begun posting 52 electronically, beginning with issue #1 this week.

The headlines section at 52 weekly has some interesting things this week. My favorite quote:
"The publisher has restored material from the out-of print Armageddon 2001, a text focusing on super-heroes and their role in shaping contemporary culture, while eliminating nearly all traces of Zero Hour, a more-comprehensive volume which has been largely invalidated by recent events."

No new comments #14? I'm surprised that I'm actually getting more and more interested in Steel's story. My favorite moment for him so far might actually be the cover here: "America's Last Great Hero!"

Montoya and the Question are fun to read, as others have said. Each week the dynamic between them becomes more and more enjoyble to read. Here's hoping they both survive. I'm really excited to see them interact with DC's best bad-ass right now, Black Adam.

Will Magnus's story is probably my favorite. I love the character, from his retro look (suspenders, 50's haircut, good looking in the way I want to look when I'm 45, and a pipe), to the really cool prison they had T.O. Morrow in (another great character to read) to Morrow giving him the code to breathe fresh life into the Metal Men. I really hope Morrison goes against comic book tradition and Morrow isn't using the Metal Men to do something bad (perhaps he's created that program so Will and the Metal Men can come free him if he's been kidnapped by the mystery foe kidnapping mad scientists?). The prozaic thing worries me (what if Dr. Magnus doesn't have access to it for a time--what happens then?).

Something else else that never occurred to me until a few weeks ago--someone who is very likely to be kidnapping the mad scientists: Metron. His relentless pursuit of knowledge above all else gives him motivation to do just about anything, and he could very well be gathering the scientists for his own reason (whether he's on his own side, against or with any aspect of the New Gods).

Looking forward to Booster getting his ass kicked by Supernova! Er, I mean, that should be fun. I'm more interested in seeing powerless-reporter Clark Kent and especially hoping for the appearance of Rip Hunter (which *has* to hapen eventually).

The mad scientist plot is my absolute favorite in the series, and I'd kind of like to see a "mad scientist" book grow out of it, kind of similar to the magic/space/villain series that grew out of IC.

I think that would be KICK-ASS. There could really be some fun possibilities there. I'd love to see Professor Morrow and Dr. Magnus star in a book like that too (Will Magnus surely is slightly mad ).

Then they could have cool guest stars like the Doom Patrol and the ultimate evil mad scientist, the Ultra-Humanite.

Who was the escaped mad scientist with the freeze ray in #14?

Considering the main event of this ish and the jail scene, I feel a tad better about the Question's chances of making it through the year. Lord knows they can throw anything at us, but it seems like they might spare him for Montoya's sake if nothing else.

I've been wondering the same. Seems no one has mentioned it, that I've seen, on Newsarama or CBR who run the weekly 52 recaps. The only person I can think of is Mirror-Man, a one-time Bat villain who used mirror gadgets. This guy was using what looked like an old fashioned shaving mirror so I thought maybe he did something to the mirror to harness a freeze ray.

<span style="font-size: 50px;">WARNING!</span>

Serious spoilers for #15 .

I kinda wonder if:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Booster will turn out to be Supernova. Perhaps some kinda weird time/doppleganger thingy went on. That would certainly explain some of the inconsistencies with Booster and Skeets.</span></span>

That's been the theory I've heard lately. Would make sense to some degree.

Supernova reminds me of Sensor - he seems to be "faking it" to a degree. It seems he's just working with a teleportation device mainly but masks it as something else with the bright lights. They've said it's someone we've seen before (I think). My Lightray theory only works if he's using a mother box that uses silent Boom Tubes, but I dunno...

I agree. That converstation they had played out kinda funny to me.

Not to doubt Montoya, but Lon Cheney played the Wolf Man as far as I know. Did Karloff play one as well?

I am not convinced that Supernova is really the future version of Booster Gold. I am reserving my judgement until I see something happening throughout the 52 series.

Karloff was Dracula I think. Heck, it was a long time... or maybe on New Earth he did play the Wolf Man?

I'm kinda thinking that Supernova is familiar with Booster, considering there conversation. I don't think it IS Booster, but someone who knew him well from the JLI days.

My money's on Kimiyo Hoshi... Dr. LightII... Did anyone check for an adam's apple??

Karloff was the Mummy and Frankenstein's monster. Bela Lugosi was the classic Dracula.

Supernova as alt-Booster is way too cliched, I hope they don't go that way.

Assuming the writers are better than that, I'm guessing that Supernova is a powered-up Rip Hunter.

What was up with Clark's comments to Skeets as Supernova flew into the air to rescue Booster?

"We'll catch him Skeets. We won't let him fall."

What's with the "we", non-superpowered Superdude who supposedly doesn't know the identity of or work with Supernova?

And what happens to Skeets now?

The way Clark Kent has been acting in issue # 15, I think it's pretty clear he knows who Supernova is and considers himself close to him.

I'm baaaaaack!

Missed out the last few weeks due to new job flux (new position within the company) and this is really the first chance I've had to respond here on 52 in a while.

I noticed the column about Luthor right off the bat in my first read through. I thought it was odd but I knew that it had to be there on purpose.

Then it hit me, the whole article is about a character from an alternate reality and how that discovery cleared Luthor's 'good' name. So put me down on board for the Supernova as the original Booster theory...

I really didn't want to buy into it but there are a lot of things that bugged me about this Booster since his reappearance during IC. The first being the reappearance of Skeets. Yes, I realize that Skeets is a robot but he's an AI with a real personality and I don't think that he could just be recreated during a trip to the future.

The second is the costume. Booster's had a lot of costume tweaks over the years but if you look closely at 52 #1 you see Booster in the shards. Obviously, it's an important clue (to the whole series) but the thing that always struck me as odd was that they chose to portray him in his original costume (high collar and all).

And if you look closely at 'nova's costume, there are a LOT of elements from the orignal Booster costume.

Another thing commented on ad nauseum was the whole personality shift back to what how he was portrayed when he first appeared. While I enjoyed his stories in 52, something just didn't jive with me. Too much character regression without any real justification.

And then when you read DiDio's comments on Newsarama about Booster's story ending, it makes you wonder. Even though I hate his (DDD's) arrogant attitude, his comments led me to believe that we have not seen the last of Michael Jon Carter.

And one comment about the art in this issue. For the most part, I have been happy with the art here but upon closer inspection, there were a lot of inconsistencies in Moll's art this issue, such as Booster's disappearing/reappearing blaster's on his gloves. In a series that relies on so many visual clues, consistency is extremely important.

Jamie

On the 52 questions about 52 with editor Steve Wacker over on Newsarama, I had asked if it was a coincidence that Supernova's icon matched the logo of the Galactic Broadcasting System (GBS).

Of course, I had no idea if there was any such match. I more or less made it up to see if I could trick Wacker into revealing something. Well, Steve said noticing the supposed match was a "good catch."

As we know, Morgan Edge led both GBS and, in original continuity, Intergang.

So, while I too and thinking Supernova is some alternate timeline Booster, we do seem to have confirmation that he also may have some connection to Intergang.

The other answer that I think is worth noting is Wacker's responce to my question of whether Dr. Tyme stole 52 consecutive seconds, or 52 seperate moments. There was not, I don't think, a real clear answer of which way it went, but those 52 seconds do promise to be vitally important later on in the series.

When was it mentioned that Dr. Tyme stole 52 seconds?

It was one of the "clues" seen when Booster Gold found Rip Hunter's lab.

Just read the latest 3 issues, some general comments...

REALLY like Isis. Am worried that bad things may be in store for Isis and Black Adam.

The Question and Renee are in a bit of a pickle, aren't they? I've had little to no previous experience with them; I like them both now.

The Ralph/Sue Dibny semi-resurrection scene was both horrifying and heartbreaking.

I hadn't considered Supernova might be and alternatedimension Booster. I hope he is... Boosters death was hard on me.

52 remains a great read.

more genral comments after reading recent posts...

I wonder who will end upin that suit Steel made?

I'm ready to see Doc Magnus and the Metal men kick some ass.

Totally agree with Todd's assessment re: Nuack's art for the Sue/effigy scene. He's more of a 'lighthearted' artist, but who else could have given that effigy scene THAT particular sense of creepiness?

I see others are speculating hard times/badness ahead for Adam and especially Isis. I hope we're all wrong.

52 is turning out far better than I had ever thought it would.

Stratum—good to see your comments! I’ve come to expect comments from at least 8 of you posters each week

I’m not 100% buying the Supernova is Booster (or a Booster) thing either, b/c I think it would be too easy/obvious. But Dan Didio saying that we’ve absolutely seen the end of his story actually makes me believe the opposite, considering I think he and Joe Q resort to outright lying when they talk to the fans. But I think Supernova has more overt connections to the New Gods more than anything…

Pofo—I didn’t realize you asked that question. That was probably the best question asked so far.

Ready for the space-heroes again. This series has made me a genuine fan of Steel too. The Question/Montoya/BlackAdam/Isis thread is currently the most exciting IMO, so I’m glad we’ll see more of it. Still dying for more mad scientist bits too!

The solicitations for the next month’s worth for 52 are out too: Jean Loring! Red Tornado! Batman, Nightwing and Robin in the missing year! Looks like lots of cool stuff.

And supposedly around #17-19 things really pick up, so we’ll see if that’s the case.

There was definitely something odd about the Booster/Supernova scene, but I'm not sure what's going on. And we're supposed to be getting Booster's origin later in the series, which seems kind of odd if he really is "gone for good".

I've finally really latched on to the Question/Montoya storyline now that it's tied into the Black Adam storyline, but the mad scientist plot is still my absolute favorite!

Still not really digging the Steel plot, though. And I agree that it's time to get back to the space heroes.

i agree with getting back to the space heroes, but if they did launch the ship, maybe its just taken them a month or two to find some civilization. Them flying in a shuttle pod is not that exiciting.

I too am tired of the Steel plot. He was DC's Iron Man, now he's Colossus... and don't get me started on the whole "Luthor-now-everyone-can-be-a-hero" thing. Blah!!!!

I liked the Elongated Man plot, but it got really creepy when they tried to resurrect Sue and Ralph went off the deep end...

The Montoya/Question story seemed like it was just "there" to tie in the mysterious and controversial new Batwoman, who would then swoop in and take over. I do agree with Eryk, it got more interesting since it crossed over into the Black Adam plot.

The Booster story was by far my favorite... trying to figure out what was wrong with time, the clues on Rip Hunter's blackboard, the tarnishing of a hero's reputation, only to find redemption... Looks like that scenario just took a wicked, bad, evil turn.

Maybe Booster's death itself was "what went wrong" with time, since Rip's blackboard blamed him for the anomalies????

Looks like next week for the space heroes....hence the Lobo cover.

This week covers Adam and Isis and Renee and Vic.

The more of a hold Isis has over Adam, the less noble her motives seem to me. The initial connection to Intergang seemed innocuous at first but as more and more evidence of their involvement in 52 comes to light, the more I wonder about that. I mean, why would they ask for Adam's permission if they were already smuggling weapons through Khandaq?

And I wouldn't be suprprised if 'nova was working for Intergang as well.

Jamie

Yeah i'm beginning to wonder if Adrianna's brother exists at all. She seems to be in no hurry to find him. It's been weeks after all. How hard could it be for two people with the power of SHAZAM to find one guy.

Feels like a wild goose chase she's leading Adam on.

I did find the appearance of the Marvel family to be nice though. Good to see Billy feeling a little bit better.

For me, this was one of the weakest issues in the series. The logic jumps Renee makes were just too unbelievable for me.

BUT what was this about Billy believing Adam can change? Did they decide to skip the last two years of JSA? Billy has never believed good things of Adam. Maybe his time in the rock has addled him?

And I noted many spoilers in JLA#1 but they seem to be somewhat ambiguous....except the one about Buddy. That doesn't bode well. I did catch the mention of Skeets, tho. I wonder if that was a reference to OYL. It would almost have to be, since this Skeets did not know Doc Magnus before 52.

Jamie

Now that the space heroes are finally off-planet, I hope things get interesting. I expect we'll find more about the "the 52" along their travels.

The thing about Steel's transformation that bothers me is that it makes absolutely no sense how it was a ploy by Luthor to get back at John. It comes off as a contrived device - I don't buy it.

Hmmm....just found out some interesting facts about Boom Tubes from the CBR forums and thought I'd pass them on. Especially since they bolster my theories on the Boom Tube being what hit the Zeta Beam that messed up the space group. Don't believe me? Go back to the space hero recap and you can just see one on the right page.

Wikipedia entry on Boom Tubes

Devilance was huge because he did NOT travel through a Boom Tube to the Planet, right? It also explains Kendra's giant-Size proportions.

Just a thought.

*BUMP*

Newsarama just posted the next 5.2 Questions. Not much there this week but they teased the following about an alternate ending to #15. I'm still not buying it. This whole death and the continued coverage of it reeks of misdirection.

Booster\'s Alternate Ending Death

Click to the next page to start it.

Jamie

Ooh...is that the Emerald Eye I see?

That was totally my thought too Chaim!

Brings that whole Alan Scott/Emerald Eye theory to new light, doesn't it? Even more so, if my Boom tube theory pans out.

Jamie

Um, where? I only see Skeets.

It's in the Newsarama article itself, LL. Not the link I provided. It's a cover of an upcoming issue of 52.

Jamie

Thanks Jamie. I was going blind reading those B&W pages trying to see the Eye.

My pleasure sir.

Anyone else notice that the hole punches in the alternate ending are exactly the same each time? It may well be me reading into it but it sure looks odd.

Jamie

This week's issue was pretty groovy.

I really dug Animal Man in this issue!

I'm puzzled as to why Luthor's Justice League don't have names yet, myself.

And it looks like next issue will feature the magic side of the DCU!

I have to say, I thought the 52 #15 alternate ending was only half as good as the actual ending...

Jamie, lots of stuff you've mentioned could be coming into play!

Alan's eye, if gone through a boom tube, would be extremely large! (Good call, I'd forgotten that either Byrne or Simonson established that Boom Tube's shrink the New Gods, and they're actually quite large. Morrison is also very aware of this and expanded on it in his JLA run).

So when Alan's eye was blucked out during the Zeta Beam-Boom Tube thing...that would be pretty damn cool.

Really psyched to see more of the Emerald Eye of Ekron!

And dammit, I'm two weeks behind right now...

I like Buddy and Kori's conversation this issue...mostly because it proves that Morrison's run on Animal Man is in continuity.

Overall though, this issue didn't do much for me. The series shift in focus is starting to wear a bit thin.

And IIRC, didn't Luthor's League have codenames when Nat and Steel fought? I could swear that Nat called the big guy Herakles or something.

And the church? I'm think that this may turn out the be the same 'church' that will appear in the upcoming Mystery in Space.

Jamie

Alan's Eye can't be the Emerals Eye of Ekron, unless there's a major retcon or time travel involved. Remember, it possesses the Beks in L.E.G.I.O.N. 15 years ago.

PUNCH! (We really need a Graemlin for the Superboy punches...)

Seriously though. I forgot all about the L.E.G.I.O.N appearances. Good point.

Jamie

Wouldn't that be out of continuity now? That, to me, was the whole purpose of IC. Tossing out the stuff they think no one remembers or that they don't want to have to explain.

Been meaning to ask this one for a bit but has anyone else been following things on the 52 web site? There's a lot of interesting things out there.

First, in the stock ticker, there's the following entries:

Ajan Industries
Brande Industries
Allied Solar Enterprises
URANUS/GAEA Corporation
The Halo Corporation
Durden Demolition (Fight Club reference?)
Booster Gold, Inc
Hamilton Rifle Company
Dayton Industries
Quickstart Enterprises
Kordco
Acme
Galaxy Broadcasting
Sundollers
Wayne Enterprises
Van Horn Industries
Sivanna Industries
S.T.A.R. Labs
Akteon-Holt
Requiem Inc
Bug Bee Gone (Reference to Ted Kord?)
Pineapple Computer
LexCorp
Biosphere Tech
DC Comics
Vertigo Comics
CMX Manga
MAD Magazine
Wildstorm Comics

Besides the obvious ones, any ideas on some of these companys?

And speaking of Sundollers, they offer the following sizes:

Picayune
Milieu
Malocchio
Ego

I tried finding sun face history (as their logo just seems sinister) and the only reference I could find that seemed connected was to the Eygptian pharoh Akhenaten (Amonhotep). Oddly enough, there is a passage about Freud in his entry. I haven't read it all yet, tho.

Now on to Cadmus. "Nobody's Pefect.....Yet." That's pretty ominus considering the business they are in. Is there where Skeets brings Boosters DNA?

What about Prgogene Tech you say? We'll their ad says:

72% of the human body is water.
Humans require between 1 and 7 liters of water, per day.
The earth contains over 300 million, trillion gallons of water.

But the most important is that their ad tell us to "Think Globally".

There's a few more that I'll get to when I get time.

Jamie

Ajan Enterprises (reference to Kobra) was also on there at one point

Thanks Chaim, I've updated the list.

Jamie

The Sun doller symbol looks like various medieval sun icons. I remember carving almost that exact patter for art class years ago when i did some stuff related to alchemy.

Also versions of the face in the sun are associated King Louis XIV of France.

Tamper,

Considering you can trace images of the sun throughout most of history, it's not really a surprise. I was wondering if this was a specific usage of this particular image and if there was a name for it.

Jamie

Did you catch the Sundollar Coffee reference in the latest issue of LSH?

It's there!

The face in the sun has masonic implications, among other things.

I tend to doubt there's much more to the Sundollers symbol than the obvious parody of the Starbucks symbol, however.

Oh, and the industries in question (with a little help from google)

Ajan Industries (Kobra reference, per cmk)
Brande Industries (Legion reference)
Allied Solar Enterprises (Space Ranger reference)
URANUS/GAEA Corporation (cover for Lord Chaos)
The Halo Corporation (WildC.A.T.S. reference)
Durden Demolition (Transmetropolitan reference)
Booster Gold, Inc (Booster Gold reference, of course!)
Hamilton Rifle Company (Batwoman reference)
Dayton Industries (Steve Dayton's company)
Quickstart Enterprises (Jesse Quick's company)
Kordco (Blue Beetle II's company)
Acme
Galaxy Broadcasting (Superman reference)
Sundollers
Wayne Enterprises (Batman's company)
Van Horn Industries (Gunfire's company)
Sivanna Industries (Sivanna's company
S.T.A.R. Labs
Akteon-Holt (Mr. Terrific's company)
Requiem Inc (Resurrection Man reference)
Bug Bee Gone (Exterminators reference)
Pineapple Computer (this a real company, famous for being sued by Apple for knocking off their products; not sure if there's comic reference)
LexCorp (Luthor's company)
Biosphere Tech (?)
Vertigo Comics
CMX Manga
MAD Magazine
Wildstorm Comics

EDE,

Thanks! I was too busy yesterday to look up most of these I didn't know.

Galaxy Broadcasting was originally from the Roy Raymond strip that ran as a backup in Detective. I think he was retconned into Ronnie Raymond's dad but the details are a little fuzzy.

I figured Akteon-Holt had something to do with Terrific but I had never heard it mentioned until 52.

I thought it odd that BGI went up two points after his death.

Jamie

Actually, it's apparently only speculation that Akteon-Holt connects to Mr. T.

Yo! I pity da fool who don't link me to Akteon-Holt!

Well, it seems that Aktaeon was the grandon of Cadmus (founder of Thebes) in Greek Mythology. He was also turned into a stag for seeing Artemis in the buff.

Interesting.

Jamie

Won't get my issue till tomorrow because of the holiday but I have seen some spoilers for this week (not from the previews) and then this just posted to Newsarama:

Week 19 cover

I want to yell "BOOYAH!" but after seeing said spoilers, I'm not sure how this will play out.

Jamie

"...your friend here is only 'mostly-dead'..."

Wahooo!!!! (I'll take what I can get)

Even if it is entirely someone else?

I still think the original will be back but they are playing with a few possibilities in 52.

Jamie

Hmmm after reading 18 its pretty clear who that new Booster might be. Now I'm all suspicious about what Skeets is up to.

Spill Tamper!

The new guy in the suit might be a guy off the street at the funeral that Skeets identified as Booster's ancestor.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">His name is Daniel Jon Carter.....make of that what you will.</span></span>

Haven't had the chance to get it but will go pick up my copy later today.

Jamie

Wow. This week was filled with unexpected developments. I never anticipated it, but I'm actually groovin' to the <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">possibility that Ralph could be the new Dr. Fate.</span></span>.
Whatever happens, that story has just ratched up a notch.

And the new development in the Booster Gold story has me interested as well, especially since it looks like Daniel will be investigating the Rip Hunter mystery.

I wasn't really digging how the scene in Khandaq was going, until the very end.

Can someone explain and enlightened me to who the other detectives are in this Society?

Tim Trench is an obscure character from Wonder Woman and Detective Comics.

Terri Thirteen is presumably somehow connected to classic DC parapsychologist Dr. Thirteen.

I have no idea about Edogawa Sangaku.

Maybe it will actually be Daniel "Booster Gold" Carter that Rip Hunter blames for the breaks in time?

Oooh good point, Craig!

Terri Thirteen could be a retcon of Traci Thirteen, who was supposed to be the daughter of the original Dr. Thirteen.

A couple of things to note as well:

Orin? Becoming the creature he seems to be in Sword of Atlantis?

In regards to the Tarot cards, the choices are interesting. Especially, when you consider Ralph's situation.

The Hanged Man

Death

Both interesting choices. Death is the threshold the Hanged Man must pass through to journey to the Underworld and be reborn....

Both have connections to Osiris and the Hanged Man in particular refers to a destruction of self to bring life to humanity. He is also a "solar hero".

And I think the revelation with Skeets will be incredibly interesting. It will be nice to see the blackboard make an appearance next week.

And I think the Tenth Age is going to resemble some of the elements from Lovecraft, where there is always a price. But that could just be the plot device used here for Ralph.

And did anyone make the connection that the helmet of Fate ended up in the House of Mystery? Cain and Abel were connected to the Endless and are servants of the son of the previous Fate, Hector Hall. I thought that was an interesting coencidence.

Now, on to the question of the Shadowpact....they are supposed to be out of time during 52, correct? What if Ralph really didn't interact with them and someone is messing with his head...again playing with his view of reality. His sudden resolve and calm demeanor does not ring true to his actions of late.

Jamie

I still want to know more about Devem. And I'd like an ISIS/WONDER WOMAN team-up... though I've read lots of guesses that Isis isgoing to die during 52's run.

I'm thinking of this as four separate comics, in a way, that bleed into each other from week to week.

I wonder if Montoya/Question will continue to be in the same 'story' as Black Adam/Isis?

The back-from-space heroes have been off the canvas for too long, now (giant Hawkgirl, de-eyed Alan Scott, etc.-- not Starfire, A. Strange and A. Man). What's up with them? And what happened to Air-wave? Is he permanently discorporated, or what?

Ralph as Dr. Fate? I *really* hope that's a temporary casting. I guess Kent and Inza Nelson could welcome Sue as a new neighbor in that helmet, though. The two couples could fit together well. But still, Ralphs got his own thing-- overlaying that with a mystic identity would be... odd.

Ralph as Dr Fate sounds as misguided as Hal Jordan as the Spectre -- I think they're teasing us with the prospect, but I'm guessing The Helmet is only using Ralph to bring him to the new Fate and give Ralph some closure with Sue on some metaphysical plane (I also really hope she doesn't become the new Fate either).

The interesting question is exactly what happened betweened Ralph's last appearance and this one. Exactly whose "help" did he have pulling back together.

It'd be interesting if that shadowed figure - maybe the one who helped Ralph, was actually Ray Palmer, but I kinda doubt it.

Okay, I've updated some of my thoughts on the blackboard...hopefully, some of these will bear fruit this week.

"Dead by lead?" - Refers most likely to Daxamites, Devem in particular. However, this could also be a reference to Lead of the Metal Men and could tie in to the later question.

"Further time is different." - As you mentioned, time is on a divergent path. We've possibly already seen this in effect through Skeets and the fact we have a different Legion in the future.

"The four horsemen will end her rain?" - Two possibilities here, I think. First, it's a reference to Apokolips for obvious reasons. Personally, I think this is a hint that Checkmate will take out Isis because of US Government fears of Adam's Coalition. This of course, is the trigger for WWIII...

"He won't smell it." - Refers to Ralph. In light of recent issues, this could be because he's delusional and does not realize that he's in the midst of a mystery as someone (Devem?) is messing with his head.

"Find the last 'El'." - This I have no idea about yet, unless it's a reference to either Superman or the supposed 'Son of Superman' in Action.

"MAN OF STEEL." - This seems to be more of a reference to John Henry Irons and his becoming a Man of Steel.

"Sonic disruption > Time Masters > Time Servants" - I think Jack covered this pretty well already.

"The reach. The reach. The reach." - Possibly refers to Ralph. The fact that it is repeated twice is significant, I think.

"The Tornado is in pieces." - We know where two of the pieces are. One in Vox and the other in Australia. Where's the rest? They all show up OYL.

"I'm not kryptonite." - I'm not Kryptonite, but Lead? Deadly to Daxamites...

"It hurts to breathe." - Possibly Lead? One of the highest causes of Lead Poisoning is through inhalation.

"2000 years from now." - 4006. Most recently seen on the cover of Week 19. Which means that this time is significant. Following some of the current thinking; Kamandi, the Atomic Knights and Hercules Unbound all took place in the same universe somewhat further on in the DC universe. It was established that it was a parallel universe but that was before CoIE and IC. A Great Disaster tied the three together, possibly from Radiation and much of the future setting stories referred to IIRC, WWIII. Think Captain Atom, Bludhaven and Monarch and we may just have had a glimpse of that future.

However, each of these have made their way in the the DCU proper of late. First, in Superman/Batman, they ended up in a future with Kamandi. This was before IC happened. Next, we saw the Atomic Knights in the Battle for Bludhaven where it was found they were based out of Command D. And recently, a Hercules showed up in Wonder Woman #2. We have also seen Ani-men numerous times in 52.....possibly the ancestors of Kamandi's intelligent animals.

The Knights we have seen so far have tech that detects metas. Why? Is it possible that they were sent into the past to stop the Great Disaster? Is something in 52 when time breaks and this caused the Great Disaster? This could also be the divergent future mentioned above.

"The Scarab is Eternal?" - This seems to tie the Scarab to the Marvel Family.

"Where is the Curry Heir?" - Arthur Curry? This is NOT the same as our Aquaman (Orin).

"Who is Super Nova?" - I think it's a villain but it's also someone who knows what they were doing, according to Clark Kent. So it's possibly someone who was a prior hero but now a villain. That would explain the need for secrecy. My guess, right now? Triumph. We don't know his whereabouts after the destruction of the JLA's base but his powers match nearly everything 'nova was shown to do but the Teleportation angle. And we could have further clues on this later.

"&#931; What happened to the son of Superman?" - Read the Kamandi entry on Wikipedia. Who said that Kamandi actually found Superman's costume? Or this could be more time divergence.

"&#931; Where is the Batman?" - We know that we will find this out in a later issue.

"&#931; Who is the Batwoman?" - We know that this is Kathy Kane. And she's a lesbian.

"&#931; Who is Diana Prince?" - We know that this is an identity that Bruce gave Diana sometime after IC and OYL. (Wonder Woman #2)

"&#931; Te versus (Au+Pb)" - Te = Tellerium, Au = Gold, and Pb = Lead. This refers to Steel vs the Metal Men.... Why do I make this connection, do you ask?

Tellerium's dominant use is in the manufacturing of stainless steel. Something else else else to note, Tellerium has some of the highest efficiencies for solar cell electric power generation.

"&#931; World War III? Why? How?" - See my answer to the statement about the Four Horsemen.

"&#931; Don't ask the Question. It lies." - "It" could refer to Skeet's, as he's the only inanimate object capable of lying that we've seen so far (in any great amount), or it could be a direct reference to the Question himself. It also could mean a specific question not to ask. I think we'll know this one when we see it.

"Secret FIVE!" - The Secret Six mini takes place OYL....till that point they are the Secret Five with the death of Parademon.

"MORTAL SAVAGE" - Savage is no longer Mortal, we covered this earlier. But why is he being reference in 52?

"&#931; Someone is monitoring. They see us. They see me." - This could be referencing the Monitors that showed up in Brave New World but considering Animal Man's inclusion in 52 and Grant Morrisson's involvement, this could refer to us, the readers. I can think of twice they play with the fourth wall. The first being the Question shining the spotlight in Week 1 and then again when Buddy talks about his experinences with Kori in Week 16.

"KHIMAERA LIVES AGAIN" - This could be referring to an actual character but considering the Pandora's Box they are dabbling with in genetics (Luthor and Egg Fu), a monster could be coming from this. Chimera is typically used to describe something with combined attributes from different sources.

"The LAZARUS PIT RISES" - Well, with many subplots about resurrection around in 52, don't be surprised when this shows up.

"WHEN AM I?" - Could Rip be lost in the divergent future? Or does this refer to our space heroes who were actually shunted into the future.

"I'm supposed to be DEAD?" - I originally thought this was a quote of Rip's but now I'm wondering if this is actually the REAL Booster asking this question. Following the divergent time plot, this is possible. In fact, 52 divergent timelines would not surprise me.

"&#931; The old Gods are DEAD, the new Gods want what's left." - They've been telling us to look to the sky's whenever Fourth World characters were brought up for a long time now. I've suspected the mechanations of Apokolips for a while but this seems fairly blunt in the way of 'clues'. Anyone remember Legends? They had a heavy hand in that....right after the last Crisis.

"OTHERS?" - This seems to imply other people in the same situation. But for who?

Jamie

I wonder now if/when Dev-Em is revealed to be a Daxamite, or if Supernova is Mon-El, that Lead of the Metal Men (and thus Doc Magnus) will be of pitoval use to battle him/them? I never thought of that before.

We've covered a lot of ground on Rip Hunter's board before, but you've given some new fresh insight Jamie!

Don't expect Ralph to be Dr. Fate either, but curious where this goes. I'm beginning to wonder if Ralph will survive 52.

Still loving this series. Especially Buddy speaking to us (the readers) and everyone's stories moving forward.

Oh yeah--Lobo strong enough to kill a New God? Wow, I knew he was Superman-level strong strength wise, but I didn't know he was that powerful.

Thanks Cobie. Love the new username!

I'm sort of taking Lobo at face value here. I think he didn't kill Devilance. In fact, I'm not totally sure this is the same Lobo that we are familiar with.

I've come up with a pretty basic theory as to what I think may be happening. I'm curious as to see if it meshes with anyone else's theories.

My overall theory is that it is Apokolips behind both Luthor's and Egg Fu's efforts in the US and China to create a superpowered arms race. They are using the kidnapped scientists to create the new heroes post-IC. We already know that Egg Fu was the one watching Morrow in Week Six.

With East and West tensions rising, Darkseid plans to to trigger WWIII. The catalyst is to be the death of Isis and the war is intended to be a distraction from an actual invasion or takeover by agents of Darkseid. Hence, the Intergang connection. They are moving weapons into both the US and Khandaq (maybe the Question has it wrong, or is lying to Renee about the smuggling). Anyway, the purpose is to put high powered weapons on both sides that can kill metas and reduce the number of them that can oppose Apokolips.

Isis is either knowingly involved with Intergang's activities or was put in Adam's hand with the express purpose of being the trigger because of her death. I personally think she's in on some of it and is there to further distract Adam. I don't think she is aware of any plans to kill her by Intergang and they probably didn't count on her becoming Isis.

In the timeline that went forward, Booster wasn't supposed to have died. His death mucks up time as the heroes cannot stop WWIII from destroying everything. It's somewhere along this point that time diverges from what Skeets and the author of the blackboard knew. This is what brought back the Atomic Knights from the future and why they are shown with the tech we saw later in the Battle for Bludhaven. I bet they make an appearance in 52 where we find out they are from the year 4006. As I mentioned earlier, many of the elements were being teased with could culminate from this point.

Last night, I was rereading the Black Vengence arc from JSA. Don't know why I picked it up besides wanting to read some JSA. But I found the following exchange between Courtney and Rip Hunter:

Courtney: "And why hasn't Degaton done the same thing to you? (Rip) Gone back to where you were in a crib--?

Rip: "My real name isn't Rip Hunter. No one knows where I was born or when. No one can ever know. It's how I survive what needs to be done."

In light of the Booster theory, this is an odd little exchange here. Is it possible that Michael becomes Rip Hunter to stop the mess he created? What's interesting to note here is that Rip has a brother named Dan and that the computer lock on Rip's lab is somehow related to the technology that makes up Skeets.

And they look a LOT alike....

The space heroes supposedly saw something they shouldn't have. What was behind the 52 veils of heaven? Some Apokoliptian action or device that was a part of this scheme? Or a divergent timeline(s) because what happens? Whatever it was, they don't recall seeing it. At least not as near as we can tell until Red Tornado comes through whatever tribulations he's going through.

I'm certain that it was a collision with a Boom Tube that messed up the Zeta Beam and the heroes on their way home. If you go back and look at the two page spread you'll notice a white circular light around Reddy, which is eerily reminiscent of the Boom Tubes.

I'm also beginning to think that they are lost in time...possibly in the year 4006. This would explain the pacifist Lobo and both he and the New Gods are long-lived. And remember, Buddy, Booster and Rip all have connections from the classic Animal Man run.

How Ralph and the Cult tie into this, I'm not exactly sure yet. But Steel is essentially a subplot among the larger story while the space heroes and the other main characters seem to be heading to confront the WWIII issues and time issues.

Jamie

Lobo didn't kill Devilance -- he fell into a trap that was meant for Lobo.

Week 19 Spoilers....

I knew it, Booster wasn't who Rip ID'ed as at fault. Apparently the fault in time is Skeets' doing. Definitely something up there.

Yup. It was a little to obvious and once you pointed it, I was sold on it. I still need time to process it though to see what I missed.

But on the surface, it does lend credence to my Booster/Rip theory.

Jamie

So I wonder if Skeets ties into the kidnapped scientists plot as well. There has been a lot of emphasis on Morrow and Magnus as the creators of artificial intelligence, so it seems like there shoul be some connection between his actions and those two.

Oooh, additional 52 stuff in this weeks GL as well!

I would think so, EDE.

Do we know of any New Gods who have control over machines? The only thing close I can think of is Doctor Bedlam .

Also, does all of this lead to Darkseid gaining the Anti-Life equation as shown in SS: Mister Miracle?

Jamie

So Lobo has the Emerald Eye and he's been using it to help the refugees of a religious war? Is Lobo's previous knowledge of the Eye with Vril et al. still in continuity? With the reference to Vega's proximity this must be the religion mentioned in the Omega Men series, and Captain Comet as well. But who could this woman be to have a New God working for her.

Could Skeets be setting in motion the wars between humans and artificial intelligences that MWaid has said happened between the DCU and the Legion's time?

On the nature of time in the DCU itself; The post-crisis and the post-zero hour DCU enforced the idea that there is a single continuous timeline that is unchangeable. In fact we had a bunch of Linear Men to keep it so. Is this still true of the DCU or do we have multiple futures like exist in other fictional settings?

Over in Green Lantern this week the Guardians hint that Superboy Prime might piece it together if they question him. So what is/are the 52 and how do all the various threads fit into this?

I just have to say WTF man!

That was one great issue of 52! And a connection in the latest issue of GL!

Why isn't anyone talking about the Supernova/Wonder Girl scene! <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Supernova is Kon-el?</span></span>

How about Skeets, 'He Knows'. That word ballon was in a regular voice ballon, not the skeets one.

And the beautiful, beautiful orgin of Animal Man. Give Brian Bolland a book, a cover gig, anything. Is artowrk is gorgeous. PLEASE lets have a new Animal Man book spin out of 52, have Morrison write and Bolland back on covers.

Loved it!

Wanna know who's voice it could be?

Tomorrow - The Future Man

Jamie

Who's that Jamie?

Wikipedia Entry on T.O. Morrow

He's to T.O. Morrow what Immortus is to Kang, if that helps. He's a timelost duplicate Pre-Crisis but I wouldn't be surprised if he shows up now.

Jamie

Jamie, I'm loving your thoughts. I really think you currently have the best theories and may have just about nailed a ton of the 52 plots.

Looking forward to this latest issue. If Booster was Rip Hunter, that would be incredible.

Thanks Cobie, I know full well that some of them are going to be proven as completely wrong but I think the ones about the year 4006 are going to be close to being on the mark. With DC going back to some of their classics like Sgt Rock and Hex, others like Kamandi can't be far behind.

I'm just enjoying the hell out of this series and feel a certain enthusiasm regarding the mysteries.

Jamie

I agree. 52 has me not only enthusiastic about '52', but about DC as a company and comic books in general. I look forward to getting each week's comics now more than I have in a long time!

I'm getting on board with Jamie's theory about the Skeets/ T.O. Morrow connection. When Booster takes Skeets to Magnus for repairs, Magnus tells him he doesn't know much about "Tomorrowtech".

Between Devilance's statement and the Guardians this month in GL, I'm also liking the theory someone had (I have no idea where I read it) that the "52" refers to the number of beings who have been imprisoned to the Source Wall (the Promethean Giants?).

Jamie,

I'm totally on board with the Booster is Rip Hunter theory. I like the irony that Booster stole Hunter's time machine 500 years from now to come back to the present and eventually needed help from Rip to fix it to get back home (back in the Booster Gold series). Rip didn't seem to like Booster much then (disappointment in his younger self's vanity and greed?). He has to go from the glory seeker to working in the shadows, and in complete anonymity to survive.

Booster must have known Skeets was up to something... first all the "historical errors" Skeets was having, followed by him finding the board with all the "his fault" notes all over it. Booster at first thought it was himself, but he must have realized the arrows were pointing at Skeets (why else wouldn't he have have told the little guy what he found in Rip's lab?). Maybe Rip's name is actually a title: "R.I.P., Hunter". The JSA arc you mentioned made it seem that he was constantly bouncing around in time, seeking out heroes (hunting) from being killed (R.I.P.) as babies, etc. (This one's a stretch, but it was fun to think of). Anyway, I'm digressing...

Maybe Booster decided to take matters into his own hands, and stage his death so he could ditch Skeets and try to solve this puzzle on his own. Or Rip could have swapped out Booster for a dead body easily, seeing as how he drives a time machine and all. Did anybody even do a DNA test on that skeleton?

One more thing: The movie "Back to the Future" tells us Dan Carter will be okay, because if he doesn't return to the present day and have a child, Booster would never eventually be born and come back in time again with Skeets in tow... (duh!)

I'm really enjoying this series!!

Drake,

Great catch on the Tomorrowtech line! I plan on rereading the series this week from Week One to look for more clues like this.

And Craig? The R.I.P. connotation occurred to me as well. I think that if Rip isn't Booster, he swapped him out for a corpse. But I think THIS is the impetus for Rip to become who he is. He has to fix time because of the events in 52.

Oddly enough, to me it sounds like Hypertime is still around. Just not called it as such. Researching Hypertime, I found this little nugget from DDD on Wikipedia.

And for added reading, check out the time travel entry on Wikipedia. If it was a Boom Tube that hit the space heroes, this is a definite possibility for Kori and Co.

Time Travel

Jamie

Absolutely Jamie! This is exactly why/when Booster will (would?) become Rip (blasted time travel always screws up the proper tenses!). It is the precise motivation he needs to grow up and take things more seriously!

And comments from Didio in past interviews insist too strongly that Booster is dead (his time as a character is done), but that doesn't mean Michael Jon Carter isn't another hero now... Hey, this has happened before, and not as well! (Hal as Spectre anyone?)

Exactly! I mentioned that a few weeks back. I'm also beginning to think that a few of his other comments about being dated were hints about this as well. I need to reread it.

And 52 seconds is just about enough time to save Booster from certain death...

Jamie

The only thing certain in comics is taxes!

Last night, it hit me, Supernova is.....

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">AMBUSH BUG!!!</span></span>

Think about it a bit...

Jamie

Now that's an interesting theory!

I know. It's crazy but I really think I'm on to something here. Anyone know the week his identity is revealed?

Here's some of my reasoning:

1) We have only ever seen Supernova use two powers, flight and teleporation. Ambush Bug was a teleporter, I don't know if he ever displayed the powers of flight. Every use of his powers in a fight was some type of teleporation, even his 'disintegration' ray, in which Clark described the chunk of ground as "Vanishing, or some sort of disintegration" (not the exact quote). Look back at the Week 15 breakdowns on the 52 site. In the original version, originally Booster dies because he was teleported in half.

2) He was an ex-villain that became a hero. Waid has hinted at this being the case in past interviews.

3) He's Metropolis based.

4) Who's Who described him as being 5'10", 125 lbs. Sort of matches Supernovas frame, somewhat.

5) He knows Superman's Secret Identity and has been influenced by Clark for much of his existence. It would not be out of character for him to attempt to step into his shoes during Clark's absence.

6) In Week 9, he appears right outside the Daily Planet....almost as if on purpose. In the past, he's shown he has outside knowledge of continuity/events.

7) Speaking of continuity, Supernova himself is pre-Crisis continuity. It's not that hard of a stretch to believe he lifted this on purpose.

8) Continuity itself is messed up. He's acted in the past on behalf of Jonni DC, Continuity Cop to fix things up. In fact, Jonni is the one who originally wiped Egg Fu from continuity in the first place.

Jamie

Isn't AB supposed to appear in an upcoming issue? When is that?

I think I read it in the San Diego panel transcripts but i don't remember if they gave the issue.

And I having just looked up Ambush Bug on the 'net. I see his first appearance was DC Comics Presents issue number 52.

Coincidence, or just the appearance of coincidence? Conspiracy theorists discusss.

D'oh! I TOTALLY overlooked that in my research, Tamper.

To me, that just clinches it.

Jamie

They had a teaser image of the Phil Jimenz issue of 52. It was a full splash page that had AB and Firehawk. It was alluded that they were the new Infinty Inc.

That would be wild if it was all true.

Where? What issue will that be in?

Jamie

I think the Jimenz issue will be the Christmas issue.

Spoilers for Week 20

Well we know where the Emerald Eye of Ekron comes from now don't we?

Yup...whodathunkit?

More after I read it fully tonight.

Jamie

I'm glad they didn't retcon it into being Alan Scott's eye, that's for sure.

More interesting though is the "next issue" blurb -- isn't that "Power Boy"???

Yep I think that's some of the 1 year gap Teen Titans.

Y'know, what really made this revelation about the Emerald Eye's origin cool to me? It actually confirms something from a now out of continuity story from years back: in the first Fatal Five story arc in Legionnaires, thirteen years ago, they revealed that there were two Eyes.

So if Lobo works Ekron over and rips its other Eye out, that story could end up being "right" about that after all...

Coupla things this week that I noticed.

First off, please note that Lobo referred to Adam's and Co.'s ship as "Stone Age spaceship", seemingly supporting my theory that they are in a divergent timeline. This explains Lobo's (possible) pacifisim and the space dolphin with the ability to communicate.

What the head says is a cryptogram (as pointed out on 52 Pickup). I believe it says:

I will
kill you in
a weyq!

Now change weyq to week and we have a bit of foreshadowing...

As for Supernova, I still think it's Ambush Bug. However, I think that two of the items (Jason's Robin costume and the glove) both reflect changes to Pre-IC continuity.

Could be wrong tho'.

And I think Tamper's right, that looks like the OYL Titans. Which makes me wonder, is Luthor's team the new Infinity, Inc?

Jamie

Didn't Wacker confirm that already?

Possibly. If he did, I don't remember it.

Jamie

I would hate that, if Infinity Inc was Luthor's puppets. It taints the team in yet another way!

I want to see more of the Space Dolphin- without Lobo. Maybe the SD can team up with Detective Chimp and Rex the Wonder Dog...

Starfire impresses me, here. I'll have to think about why.

52 is creating several corners of the DCU that I'd like to see revisited once the series ends. That's a good thing.

Well, I finally caught up with the last two weeks, and I think these are two of the better issues yet. I love that things are moving along. Not any real surprises for me, considering I'm on comic book websites every day, but I thought the execution was great and the Skeets/Dan Carter scene was chilling. I really can't wait to see what's in store for him next, and I'm dying for Rip Hunter's appearance.

Jamie, your theories are never far from my mind when I read an issue.

Morrison's Lobo is kinda fun. I wouldn't mind more of him.

Ekron was awsome looking. LMB fans know that there's another precurser to this: Eryk Davis Ester himself once used Ekron as a villain before and expanded on this idea.

I see people on the net referring to that alien two issues ago as "Lady Styx" (the one who put the bounty on them). Did anywhere hear about this or have any insight?

Whacker did indeed confirm that the 52 Infinity Inc. is Luthor's team. They aren't expected to make it through the end, so I wouldn't get too disgruntled guys. I just wonder if Nat will lose her powers or actually be outright killed? I can't say I'm a fan of her, though I'm a fan of John Henry.

Looking forward to more Will Magnus, Ralph and the rest!

The only thing we know is that she's the head of some galactic religion that's causing havoc in the OYL DCU. <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">From the solicit to a future issue of Mystery in Space we know she killed Captain Comet. And we know that her Darkstars are hunting down the Omega Men in their upcoming miniseries. </span></span> I have a feeling that she may be a major antagonist in the next great DCU space crossover.

Thanks Tamper! Maybe I should start paying attention to the solicits more, instead of looking for Barry Kitzon's Supergirl

Thanks Cobie! I appreciate the sentiment.

Lady Styx is being poised as being the next big DCU baddie. Tamper's already mentioned her Mystery in Space connection but she also looks an awful LOT like a Sheeda from Seven Soldiers.

And the Head of Ekron? Looks a LOT like Darkseid's father Yuga Khan. And I think the eyes are Alan's, especially since I'm thinking we're seeing the far, far, future in this subplot.

Jamie

Did you get the crack that one of Luthors Infintors made to Zatara about being a Leagacy while the others had to earn the power. Shades of what is to come in JSA?

Yeah, I did. "Blood Brats" is what he called them.

I'm REALLY looking forward to next week and the advancement of the Metal Men/Doc Magnus plot.

Also, there were a few spoilers from JLA #2 that I thought intereseting:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">It was stated that Magnus had told the heroes that Morrow was last known to be on an isolated island working on metas....

Booster's name was tossed into the membership ring as a nod to Ted's sacrifice....proof that he is still alive?</span></span>

Jamie

Re: JLA #2, they mention passing along Booster's suit. Make of that what you will...

But it *is* odd that they would mention it as honoring Ted, rather than as honoring Booster himself.

Maybe Ted and Booster are one in the same? Maybe Booster went back in time and replaced Ted before the bullet hit him and it was Booster that really died. And it happened because it was Ambush Bug, not SB Prime knocking on the walls of reality,follwing the orders of the head only Julie Schwartz.

Or maybe not. I am in one of those kind of moods today.

You sir, are absolutely correct.

Vu, I've been thinking of AB a LOT in regards to this story. I think he may be more important than what we think.

Jamie

maybe we will finally see who AB really is under that mask? maybe cheeks the toy wonder will be a disgusied villian from yesteryear.

maybe I am still punchy from being asleep and tired. I count on that one.

Anyways, I agree with you Jamie about AB. Didn't you say his first apperance was in DC Showcase #52? Anybody there have the issue and see if there is anything relevant?

Any idea who the person is in the middle left shard is? All the shards show Titans but this person is not in the issue.

Why?

Jamie

Hey Vu, I've got that issue, but it is buried in many stacks of books. I remember AB was supposed to be a "serious" villain, but crazy... he was the bad guy that Supes and the "new" Doom Patrol fought. If memory serves, he swiped the Bug costume from someone during the issue, and began running amok. He killed a few people (at least 1 person anyway) so I'm sure we were supposed to see him as a valid threat. I'll try to find the issue and peruse it.


And mentioning Cheeks and an old villain of yesteryear it made me think of the Batman villain the Ventriloquist with the Dummy (the Dummy was alive or possessed or something...). Seems like they could be natural enemies!! Just a thought that popped into my head when I read your post.

Craig pretty much nailed it, I think. And remember Waid hinted that 'nova could be a villain...or an ex-one.

Also, Newsarama has 5.2 Questions up for this issue. Sounds like many of the stories are modelled after classic literature. Most folks have guessed or heard that the Space Heroes were modelled on the Odyessy but it looks like Ralph could be following in the footsteps of Dante's Divine Comedy.

Jamie

Er... is it just me, or did Didio just put the Power Boy = Mon-El theory back on the table?

How? Could you link his comment please?

This is what I was thinking. Could the team he has ties to be the LSH?

I don't see the Mon-El connection at all... Power Boy has an Orangish strip of hair, and he's got to be related to the New Gods. He's hanging with Barda, uses a Mother Box, and his very exclamations prove his familiarity with Kirby's Fourth World characters. I don't see how "inserting" Mon-El/Lar Gand into the New Gods and Titans works for the character. No, I think PB is still a mystery, but he is not Lar.

His ties to another team must be the New Gods, and the heroine he is soon to be tied to is obviously Supergirl, based on her upcoming issue synopsis.

While Power Boy obviously has ties to the New Gods, I don't think anyone would refer to them as a "team" (maybe the Hunger Dogs?). I hope there's more to him than that -- he definitely came off as obnoxious during his brief appearance in "52" so it remains to be seen what Supergirl might see in him.

Could his ties be to the JSA?

I have a feeling he and Little Barda are from the future and that he may end up being the son of Power Girl.

Which makes the Supergirl/Power Boy combo all sorts of EEEWWW!!!

Considering his attitude he's more likely the son of Orion... (could it explain the orange streak?)

This week's issue was only so-so, considering my expectations were massively built up with my favorite storyline getting cover time.

I miss Renee and Charlie.

I miss Booster.

This week didn't do much for me but I have a feeling that the following weeks will build on the mad scientist subplot and that the reference to S.H.A.D.E. will be important.....especially when Checkmate 'kills' Isis.

Jamie

Cover for week 24 is up at Newsarama.

Meet the new Justice League!

teaser...'This shirt's a clue' Bwahhhhhh!

Awesome, kick-ass cover! One of the best so far! I like all of those on there a great deal, actually. Yay Ambush Bug! Is that Apache Chief though, him I don't know.

Two weeks behind again right now...(eternally it feels like...)

That's Super-Chief.

And please note the background colors of that cover....remind you of any mysterious characters colors from 52?

I was beginning to doubt my theory but man, if I'm right....

Jamie

Interesting detail -- the bus with the "Silver Blade Returns" movie ad (did anyone here ever read that book?). In the new "Atom", there's a movie marquee that has "Silver Blade II" on it.

How could this tie into Rip Hunter's lab and the scrap of paper that says "Silverblade?"

I thought it looked like Black Bison.

Of course, what do I know... I haven't read an issue of 52. or possibly . But definitely .

After a down week, this week's issue was great. The first few pages are a direct continuation of last week's cliffhanger. Unfortunately for us it creates even more questions about the mad scientists.

Most of the issue we're back to Black Adam/with Montoya and the Question. Vic has a bunch of hilarious lines. Definitely my favorite story right now. I hope there are more cross overs between different threads soon.

Yeah, Vic *was* rocking with the lines this week. And I really enjoyed Mad Scientist Island, and hope to see more of it.

This is why the Renee/Question story is my favourite. Lots of fun and excitement.

Did you notice the bus from last issue was a 'Fastbak' Turtle of Cpatain Carrot fame.

And the movie that was advertised on the bus 'Silverblade' shows up in the background of ATOM #4 in Silverblade II.

I liked this issue alot. I like Isis powers too with the roses just appearing and the raining. Now we have a Black Marvel Family to battle with the Marvel Family.

Also. the preview of next's week issue with the statues of all the dead JLers. Powerful and that has got to be Phil Jimenz art there. Can't wait to see the new 52 JLA!

That definitely looks like Jimenez. And HOPEFULLY, the reason J'onn has turned out the way he has OYL is because of the fates that have befallen his JLI friends...

While the Adam arc is fun, I REALLY wanted to see more of Club Mad Scientist.

And Oohlong island belonged to the robot Egg Fu, Dr. Yes, Pre-Crisis....

Jamie

Nightcrawler wrote: Could his ties be to the JSA?

I'm not reading this (I'm too busy with/ broke from school to read anything the last few years except the occasionalmarathon of what's in the rack at Borders) but could the heroine he's about to be connected to be the most obvious- Power Girl? I only really know what's going o from reading what you guys post, so I expect to be wrong. This would give him ties to the JSA, she should have been Daxamite twenty years ago when they started screwing around with her post- crisis origin, OR the new version of Mon/Lar/Valor could be some kind of Kryptonian. I'm not sure where Karen's history is right now, but is it a possibility?

With so many teams and so many heroes, why would anyone ever commit a crime? DCU is starting to get as overpopulated as Marvel's mutant-verse.

I think the overpopulation will end by 52/OYL when the public realizes being a hero is not as easy as it looks.

Luthor's Infinity Inc aren't heroes in my book. You just can't put on a costume give yourself a name and say your hero. That's one of the main threads for the Steel/Natasha storyline and the main conflict for the two of them. That's Steel story, what makes a hero.

Haven't completely read this week's yet but some thoughts:

- Seems Jamie's long-held Egg-Fu theory is coming to fruition.

- The Cover to #25 is now available. Two things: (1) a poster speculated on 'could this be three dead heroes by the end of 52?'. (2) Is the Question female there? Does that mean anything? He has Vic's hair but Montoya's body? Interesting clue to the fate of the Question or a...*red hairing* (I stole that line)

- It appears that a connection is becoming more evident linking Will Magnus to Question/Montoya/Black Adam/Isis...

Can't wait to actually sit down and give this comic a proper read!

Solicit to the January issues:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">
52: WEEKS 35-39
Written by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid
Breakdowns by Keith Giffen
Art by various
Backup features by Waid and various
Covers by J.G. Jones
Variant cover on WEEK 35 by J.G. Jones
The New Year begins with the deadliest day Metropolis has ever seen — and by the end of the month a villain will stand revealed, a hero will fall in the outer reaches of the galaxy…and the reveal of Supernova will deepen his mysteries even further.
WEEK 35: Art by Phil Jimenez & Andy Lanning, plus The Origin of Black Canary by Waid and Howard Chaykin.
WEEK 36: Art by Chris Batista & Jack Jadson, plus The Origin of Green Arrow by Waid and Tim Sale.
WEEK 37: Art by Patrick Olliffe & Drew Geraci; plus The Origin of Firestorm by Waid and Jamal Igle.
WEEK 38: Art by Shawn Moll & Jadson; plus The Origin of Red Tornado by Waid and Phil Jimenez.
WEEK 39: Art by Joe Bennett & Ruy Jose; plus, The Origin of Mr. Terrific by Waid and Dave Johnson.
Retailers: 52 WEEK 35 will feature two covers that may be ordered separately. Both covers are by J.G. Jones. Please see the Previews Order Form for further details.
52: A year without Superman; a year without Batman; a year without Wonder Woman…but not a year without heroes.
Week 35 on sale January 3 • Week 36 on sale January 10 • Week 37 on sale January 17
Week 38 on sale January 24 • Week 39 on sale January 31 • 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US</span></span>

Spoilers posted by mazingman728 on the DC forums....interesting to say the least. Still no Booster Gold though.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Week 24, Day 1
Star City: Just before the start of an interview with reports in regards to Ollie, running for mayor of Star City in a special election, receives a call on his JLA communicator. It is Firestorm who is looking to get him to join the new Justice League along with Firehawk, Bulleteer, Super Chief and Ambush Bug. Ambush Bug grabs hold of Firestorms arm, which is holding the communicator saying “Hello room service? Send up a plot and three pages of dialogue right away. The weekly grind is tearin’ me apart! Fifty-Two!!”
Firestorm says that he does not know what Fifty-Two is and asks if Ollie knows where J’onn J’onzz is.

Week 24, Day 2
Rhode Island, Original Justice League Headquarters: J’onn is using his vision and strength against something you can’t see at the time and is while talking to himself which fills you in on what he has been doing since he was last seen. J’onn has been deep undercover working with the president to put a stop to Checkmate; the president is unaware that the person he is working with is J’onn. When J’onn is done with his punching and vision you see that he was apparently making statues of fallen Justice League members; this is the scene from last issues “next in 52”.

Week 24, Day 3
Great Wall of China: Black Adam, Isis and Osiris are meeting with the Great Ten. Adam wants to dissolve the New World Power that he set up with the China, Russia and Syria but wants then to still keep in place foreign meta-human activity within their boarders illegal.

Week 24, Day 6
Metropolis: The new Justice League arrives because they are needed due to a time wormhole which is bringing in pirates from the past and cyborgs from the future. A number of bystanders reveal themselves as new heroes ***it’s lie a classically bad issue of “Dial H for Hero” when the readers got to submit their own creations for use***and enter the fight. It is revealed that Skeets is responsible for the time wormhole in order “to draw someone out. An enemy who thinks he can remain hidden from me. I presumed this would constitute enough menace to earn his attention. Apparently I need to up the ante” and Skeets fires upon Firestorm. Skeets then starts firing on all of the heroes killing a number of the new heroes. Super Chief then goes after Skeets in which Skeets countermeasures with a localized chronal acceleration to affect the stone which only gives Super Chief the extra power for up to one hour. Super Chief then falls in a plain where he is seen by an ancient Indian and some wolves. SC calls out for the Manitou Spirit but is told by the Indian “The Spirit cannot hear you John Standing Bear. The Manitou honors only the prayers of the living”. The Indian then grabs the stone, poof Super Chief is gone, and the Indian hands the stone over to Ralph and the Helmet of Fate.

Week 24, Day 7
Oval Office: It is revealed that the president has signed out Checkmate but is then told that Checkmate is now a UN agency. A newspaper article also tells us that the new Justice League has disbanded.

Belle Reve Federal Prison: Amanda Waller is with Atom Smasher. Amanda has AS picking a team of villains to go against Black Adam to help pay off his debt to society.

Next Week in 52 shows Ambush Bug as the Question, as Isis and as Batwoman. These leads one to wonder if Montoya is really running around with the real Question or if she will become the Question as Isis and Batwoman are both new characters introduced in 52.
On this weeks cover I did notice that the Ambush Bug is only wearing half a pair of pants as his right leg has on pants but his left leg does not. I don’t know what kind of clue…if any…the shirt is but half a pair of pants is weird. The ticker on the cover reads “Martian Manhunted!..THE GREAT TEN RETURN!...Ollie for Mayor!...

I also can’t help but think that we are making it harder on ourselves with looking for clues on the cover of each issue by looking at the picture. Maybe the clue is how the logo for 52 is laid out. The pattern is one that is normally used to indicate dawn as in Dawn of the Dead. Is the pattern to resemble that of a helmet? Is it the symbol omega? Is it Darkseid as we are to “Look to the skies”? Am I also making too much of this and looking for clues where there are not any? Oh well.


Origin is Booster Gold by Mark Wade and Dan Jurgens.

</span></span>

Cobie, I've been thinking about that cover since I first saw it. First, I want the Booster costume for my youngest Kael! Second, I think you may be right about the three characters but I'm not entirely convinced....also note that only one of the three characters are unmasked. I can't but help thinking that this is significant.

Jamie

Hahaha Ollie's campaign manager is Elliott S! Maggin. Ambush bug tells stories about conversations with Julius Schwartz.

I'm now thinking there's some sort of massive fourth wall breach coming. The 52 are the 52 greatest comics creators in the history of the DCU and they're actually all having a beer on the other side of the Source.

Obviously no mortal could handle this so that's why the space team has to die.

I thought that was pretty funny as well. I was surprised this wasn't mentioned in the spoiler I posted yesterday.

I also want to know what is up with the poster of Starfire in the 'New JLA' HQ/apartment. Was that foreshadowing that she was going to die in space?

I have to say, every time I think it's slow, Skeets shows up and BAM! I'm happy again.

Jamie

To be honest, I'm slowly losing interest in this series. I think alot of it has to do with the fact that it focuses on alot of characters that I'm just not that interested in. I think at the moment the main thing keeping me reading is the Doc Magnus/Metal Men storyline.

I can see that. You're not the first to mention it and you can see the interaction on this thread dropping off to just a handful of us since this series started.

It's almost too broadly focused. I trust Giffen though when he says the second half is going to be a fast moving train.

Jamie

Speaking of Giffen, it should be noted that at one point in issue # 24, Ambush Bug gets punched, and the sound effect for his grunt is "GFN"

Alas poor Super Chief - we barely knew ye...

It was pretty funny though seeing the "All-Loser Squad". I wonder if any of them made it out (I'm rooting for that mole boy). "Dark Skeets" is getting kinda scary. It appears he was trying to lure out Superman -- could this be Brainiac??

I was thinking he's trying to lure Super Nova. There's just something not right about that guy.

I like J'onn's hall of dead JLAers. Here's my listing of them...

Aztek (when did he die?)
(someone partially visible behind/above Aztek - anyone able to identify?)
Rocket Red
Vibe
Ice
Maxima (when did she die?)
(hooded, caped guy I don't recognize - anyone?)
Yazz
Booster Gold, just added
Blue Beetle
Red Tornado (presumed dead bu J'onn at time of story, we know better)
General Glory (when did he die?)
Sue Dibny
Tomorrow Woman
Crimson Fox, both twins
Flash Barry Allen
(unidentified helmet)
(something next to unidentified helmet, possible knee...Steel Hank Heywood?)
Amazing Man
Wonder Woman Hippolyta
unidentified wing - Hawkman, presumed dead?

I'm at work, so I can't help with the unknowns, but...

Aztek died in Grant's last JLA arc.

Maxima died during Our Worlds At War.

General Glory died of old age in a Justice League Quarterly issue which featured his successor.

You know when Luthor went into a tirade recently about Supernova, and freaked out at the scientist who said Supernova was Kon-El? Luthor's rejection of this theory was partially based on the fact that Kon-El didn't have telescopic vision. I was rereading the Teen Titans Annual #1 today, with Conner and Cassie, and the night before he dies in the Infinite Crisis he told her he'd recently discovered his telescopic vision... I had forgotten that tidbit.

I realize that it can easily be dismissed, since Luthor just wasn't aware Conner did have this ability, but I liked the fact that he didn't know!!

Isn't the "unidentified helmet" that of Dr. Fate?

I don't have it with me, but I think it might be Triumph

unidentified wing... didn't Zauriel get blasted at the end of Infinite Crisis? Was he a confirmed kill, or just speculation?

He was in 52 alive and well.

The unidentified helmet is from a prestige book they had where this guy (Mark, I think) gained super powers and joined the JLA. He became a bit unstable and ended up dying. Can anyone else confirm this?

Yes.


(OK, ok, his name was Mark Antaeus if memory serves.)

This week's issue was really good, as we get more connecting of the stories, plus the official return of a villain that we've all known was coming!

The Black Marvel family stuff dragged on a little long, and the Ralph scenes actually seemed a bit extraneous, as we kind of get the point by now that magic use has a price. And we get to see more of Cannon Fodder, Inc. in action.

Agreed. This issue seemed more about exposition: Ralph's journey to learn the price of magic, the Black Marvel family is out there doing good, Intergang is bad. It was still a good read, but very little developement.

Issue 26. And thus we reach the half pole on the 52.

Oh my! Could it be the Black Adam Family version of Talky Tawny? This begs the question: Where is Pouncy, the Black Adam Mongoose?

Well, I'm still totally digging the series! I'm loving the mad scientists and the Black Marvel plots especially, so this issue was definitely a treat!

When we first saw the glowing red eye in Sivana's laboratory, I assumed we were going to get the answer to what happened to Mr. Mind, so I was actually a bit disappointed by the Gator Guy, but I do like the idea of him as a Black Marvel version of Talky Tawny!

Sorry for the disappearnce folks, it's been a busy few weeks.

EDE,

Who's to say that Sobek (that's apparently his name) doesn't tie into the Mr. Mind theory? I really liked seeing the return of the Sivana family. I could read them for a full issue, IMO.

As for the helmet questions a few weeks ago, one of them was Antaeus as mentioned and the other helmet belongs to the utterly forgettable Mystek from the JLTF series.

Here's a rundown of everyone.

Wizard\'s 52 Roundup

And I found this brilliant:

Evil Skeets is from a Parallel Dimension?

And I want to go on the record by stating I would LOVE to see a series by Giffen drawn in this cartoon style.

Jamie

Re: Week 27
BOOO!!!

I am very very very upset about this. You know, the certain someone having a fatal illness thing. VERY upset....

Drake,

I think they are purposely leading us to think this and there's gonna be a bait and switch later on.

And Skeets? Pure, unadulterated evil, that one is.

But haters of Zero Hour just may love him.

Jamie

Ohhh, ok -- so it's actually the Question who's going to be Dr Fate and not The Elongated Man? That'd be whack! (not in a good way... ) I hope DC has something up their sleeves, especially since they've been telegraphing something like this all along. Would they go the obvious route? (that'd actually be a surprise nowadays)

Wow...a lot of good stuff here.

I'm guessing, then, that Skeets is made from Alexander Luthor's outfit?

He was talking about Waverider's outfit wasn't he?

So young Skeets was always evil and wanted to manipulate events in the 20th century and robbed his grave to obtain the very material that would allow him to go back in time and eventually kill Waverider.

I'm not sure if we can assume Skeets was always evil. He was just saying that his body was fashioned from Waverider's body. Even if he kills Waverider and places him where he knew his body would be discovered in the future, it doesn't necessarily mean Skeets planned it all along.

You know, Tamper Lad, you could be right. At first I read Skeets's comment to mean that he was made from armor that was worn by someone, but on re-read, it could definitely be what you're saying...I never thought of Waverider's skin as being solid or metallic, I thought he was some sort of solidified energy, but I guess that hasn't been firmly established one way or another.

Skeets being evil seems to have happened since Magnus repaired him. Prior to that, he was merely having trouble reconciling historical events. I'd have to re-read the issues, but I think Magnus was struggling with his medication issues around the same time. Whether he was always or is just now, Skeets certainly has taekn to it.

As for The Question and Renee, sad news but not unexpected. Vic better quip until the end tho', he's been the most fun to read since 52 started.

The Spectre seems to be suffering from some post-IC wall punching. At the end of IC, didn't we see Crispus Allen become the host? In this week's issue, Ralph is told the Spectre is without a host.

Quick, GLC check on SB-Prime!