Product Description: After the INFINITE CRISIS, the DC Universe spent a yearwithout Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.A year in which those heroeswere needed more than ever as the fate of the world hung in the balance.The story of 52 continues in this incredible second volume as BoosterGold's dubious heroism comes under fire, Lex Luthor's scheme for givingordinary citizens super-powers explodes, and The Question heads intohostile territory to confront Black AdamThe series combines the brightest and best talents from the comic bookwriting field: Geoff Johns (INFINITE CRISIS), Grant Morrison (ALL STARSUPERMAN), Greg Rucka (WONDER WOMAN) and Mark Waid (KINGDOM COME).
Second volume doldrums I'm only halfway through 52, having finished the first and now the second volumes of the series. But, the suspense and action of the first seems to take a back seat in the second. There are lengthy Black Adam sequences (which don't go anywhere, really, at least yet), goofy sequences with mad scientists, Lobo and cosmic dolphins, and even Egg-Fu as a character. It seems the authors were really trying to push the envelope a bit and include almost every DCU character, sometimes to the story's detriment.
Still, there are a lot of good things about the story (Question and Renee, Ralph Dibny, etc.) and the included authors' notes. I read it excitedly and am looking forward to volume three, which I hope resolves some of the seemingly unnecessary and odd elements of this one.
review for all four volumes DC's 52 was highly ambitious, which made me more than a little nervous, since projects as big as these usually fall flat. With the big three missing, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, DC picks up some acilliary characters and kind of turns them into the modern age superheroes. Really DC is trying to kick start some other books. But they do a good job, especially since there is a book a week. Bravo gentlemen.
"52" Continues Its Breakneck Pace It's always a thrill to see Lobo, especially when Keith Giffen is involved--and this collection gets bonus points for featuring the first appearance of the Ambush Bug in almost two decades. The Intergang and Checkmate intrigue steps up, Black Adam is married, and Ralph Dibny goes a little nuts (...or does he?).
I'll repeat what I wrote for Volume 1: These new editions are well worth the wait. They include additional material such as essays and sketches by all of the key talent in the series. "52" is a step above the previous "Infinite Crisis" event that preceded it, and about 52 times better than the "Countdown" disasterpiece.
The Bloom is Falling While the first volume of this series was full of suspense, tight plotting, and revelatory scenes, this volume meanders through a lot of humdrum situations and doesn't really go anywhere. All the story lines barely move along the continuum of storytelling, with Ralph Dibney's tale and that of the space-trio of Animal Man, Adam Strange, and Starfire getting even shorter thrift than the others. The artwork isn't as sharp, either, which puts a supreme damper on some of the activity.
The saving grace of this volume is the John Steele storyline detailing Lex Luthor's plan to enable anyone to become a superhero.
I already have Volume 3, and will read it since I bought it. I hope I like it as much as Volume 1!
Written by committee. The strain of holding together a story written by four people is beginning to show. The art by committee is nothing to brag about either.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
