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{{future comic}}
{{short description|1-year DC comic book series}}
{{Infobox comic book title <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
{{cleanup-laundry}}
| title = 52
{{Supercbbox| <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| image = Cover 52 Week One (May 10, 2006).jpg
title = 52
| caption = Cover of ''52'' Week 1 (May 10, 2006). Art by [[J. G. Jones]].
| comic_color = background:#8080ff
| image = [[Image:52_1.jpg|225px]]
| caption = Cover art for ''52'': Week One, by [[J.G. Jones]]
| schedule = Weekly
| schedule = Weekly
| format =
| limited = y
| Superhero = y
| publisher = [[DC Comics]]
| publisher = [[DC Comics]]
| date = May [[2006]] - May [[2007]]
| date = May 2006 – May 2007
| issues = 52
| issues = 52
| main_char_team =[[Animal Man]]<br>[[Black Adam]]<br>[[Booster Gold]]<br>[[Elongated Man]]<br>[[Will Magnus]]<br>[[Renee Montoya]]<br>[[Question (comics)|The Question]]<br>[[Starfire (comics)|Starfire]]<br>[[John Henry Irons|Steel]]<br>[[Adam Strange]]
| main_char_team = [[Adam Strange]]<br>[[Animal Man]]<br>[[Batwoman]]<br>[[Black Adam]]<br>[[Booster Gold]]<br>[[Elongated Man|Ralph Dibny]]<br>[[Lex Luthor]]<br>[[Will Magnus]]<br>[[Bruno Mannheim]]<br>[[Renee Montoya]]<br>[[Question (character)|Question]]<br>[[Starfire (Teen Titans)|Starfire]]<br>[[Steel (John Henry Irons)|Steel]]<br>[[Science Squad]]<br>[[Infinity, Inc.]]
| writers =[[Geoff Johns]]<br>[[Grant Morrison]]<br>[[Greg Rucka]]<br>[[Mark Waid]]<br>[[Keith Giffen]]
| writers = [[Geoff Johns]]<br>[[Grant Morrison]]<br>[[Greg Rucka]]<br>[[Mark Waid]]<br>[[Keith Giffen]]
| artists =[[Joe Bennett (penciller)|Joe Bennett]]<br>[[Chris Batista]]<br>[[Keith Giffen]]<br>[[Ruy Jose]]<br>[[Jack Jadson]]
| artists = [[Joe Bennett (penciller)|Joe Bennett]]<br>[[Chris Batista]]<br>[[Eddy Barrows]]<br>[[Todd Nauck]]<br>[[Keith Giffen]]<br>Ruy Jose<br>Jack Jadson<br> [[Darick Robertson]]<br>Ken Lashley<br>[[Phil Jimenez]]<br>[[Dan Jurgens]]<br>[[Justiniano]]<br>[[Mike McKone]]<br>[[Jamal Igle]]<br>[[Dale Eaglesham]]
<BR>'''Covers:'''<BR>[[J.G. Jones]]
<br>'''Covers:'''<br>[[J. G. Jones]]<br>[[Alex Sinclair]] (colors)
| TPB = Volume 1
| ISBN = 1-4012-1353-7
| TPB1 = Volume 2
| ISBN1 = 1401213642
| TPB2 = Volume 3
| ISBN2 = 1401214436
| TPB3 = Volume 4
| ISBN3 = 140121486X
|subcat=DC Comics
|sort=52
}}
}}
'''''52''''' is a weekly American [[comic book]] [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]] published by [[DC Comics]] that debuted on May 10, 2006, one week after the conclusion of the ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' miniseries. The series was written by [[Geoff Johns]], [[Grant Morrison]], [[Greg Rucka]], and [[Mark Waid]], with layouts by [[Keith Giffen]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Cowsill|first1= Alan|last2=Dolan|first2=Hannah|chapter= 2000s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2010 |isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page= 325 |quote = The title was masterminded by writers Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, and Mark Waid, with Keith Giffen providing art breakdowns.}}</ref> ''52'' also led into a few limited series spin-offs.


''52'' consists of 52 issues, published weekly for one year, each issue detailing an actual week chronicling the events that took place during the missing year after the end of ''Infinite Crisis''. The series covers much of the [[DC Universe]], and several characters whose disparate stories interconnect. The story is directly followed by the weekly limited series ''[[Countdown to Final Crisis]]''. It was the first weekly series published by [[DC Comics]] since the short-lived anthology ''[[Action Comics#Action Comics|Action Comics Weekly]]'' from 1988 to 1989.
'''''52''''' is the title of a [[comic book]] [[limited series]] published by [[DC Comics]], which debuted on [[May 10]], 2006, one week after the conclusion of the seven-issue ''[[Infinite Crisis]]''. The series is written by [[Geoff Johns]], [[Grant Morrison]], [[Greg Rucka]] and [[Mark Waid]] with layouts by [[Keith Giffen]].

''52'' consists of 52 issues, published weekly for one year, chronicling events that took place during the [[Events of the DC Universe lost year|missing year]] after the end of ''[[Infinite Crisis]]''. The series covers much of the [[DC Universe]], and several characters, whose disparate stories interconnect.


==Format==
==Format==
The use of a weekly publication format is unusual in the North American comics industry, a model traditionally based upon monthly publication. ''52'' will be the longest weekly comic book series published by a major North American publisher. The record is currently held by ''[[Action Comics|Action Comics Weekly]]''.
The use of a weekly publication format is unusual in the North American comics industry, traditionally based upon a monthly publication. ''52'' and ''Batman Eternal'' (2014/2015) both hold the top position, of being the longest-published serialised weekly comic, published by a major North American publisher. The record was previously held by ''[[Action Comics#Action Comics Weekly|Action Comics Weekly]]''. The story was originally conceived as being a chronicle of what happened in the "missing year" between the end of ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' and the beginning of ''[[One Year Later]]''. It would especially focus on how the world dealt with the disappearance of the "big three" heroes in the DCU, [[Superman]], [[Batman]], and [[Wonder Woman]]. As the series went on, it became more of a platform for which to set the stage for upcoming storylines in the DC Universe.


==Back-up stories==
==Back-up stories==
===History of the DC Universe===
===History of the DC Universe===
A backup story entitled ''History of the DC Universe'' appears in Weeks 2 through 11, with the creative team of [[Dan Jurgens]] and [[Art Thibert]].<ref>http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=6658</ref> Reminiscent of DC's earlier [[History of the DC Universe]] limited series, in this story, [[Donna Troy]] explores the history of the [[DC Universe]] with the help of [[Harbinger (DC Comics)|Harbinger]]'s recording device. In the final chapter, both the device and a [[Monitor (comics)|Monitor]] inform Donna Troy that she was supposed to have died instead of [[Jade (comics)|Jade]].
A backup story titled ''History of the DC Universe'' appears in Weeks 2 through 11, with the creative team of [[Dan Jurgens]] and [[Art Thibert]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=6410 | title=DC Comics Solicitations for Product Shipping, May 2006 | work=[[Comic Book Resources]] | date=February 13, 2006 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026235244/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article | archive-date=October 26, 2008 }}</ref> Reminiscent of DC's earlier ''[[History of the DC Universe]]'' limited series, in this story, [[Donna Troy]] explores the history of the [[DC Universe]] with the help of [[Harbinger (DC Comics)|Harbinger]]'s recording device. In the final chapter, both the device and a [[Monitor (comics)|Monitor]] inform Donna Troy that she was supposed to have died instead of [[Jade (comics)|Jade]].


===Secret Origins===<!--delete list if needed-->
===Secret Origins===
Weeks 12 through 52 feature ''[[Secret Origins]]'' written by Mark Waid with art by a variety of artists.<ref>http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=92806</ref>
Weeks 12 through 51 feature ''[[Secret Origins]]'', written by Mark Waid with a rotating team of artists.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=92806 | title=5.2 (or so) About 52: Week 30 | work=[[Newsarama]] | date=December 1, 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210192827/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=92806 | archive-date=December 10, 2006 }}</ref>


==Plot==
==Story as of Week 42==
{{Long plot|date=August 2009}}
{{spoiler}}
<!-- Must be less than 700 words. -->
In the aftermath of the [[Infinite Crisis]], [[Superman]], [[Batman]] and [[Wonder Woman]] have temporarily retired their costumed identities, and the remaining heroes attend a memorial for [[Superboy (Kon-El)|Superboy]] in Metropolis. Time traveler [[Booster Gold]] attends the memorial, but when Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman do not arrive as he expects, he suspects his robot sidekick [[Skeets]] is malfunctioning. After Skeets reports other incorrect historical data, Booster searches fellow time traveler [[Rip Hunter]]'s desert bunker for answers, but finds it littered with enigmatic [[#Rip Hunter's lab|scrawled notes]] and photos of himself and Skeets surrounded by the words "his fault" with arrows pointing toward them.
In the aftermath of ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'', [[Superman|Clark Kent]], [[Batman|Bruce Wayne]], and [[Wonder Woman|Diana Prince]] temporarily retire their costumed identities and do not attend a memorial for [[Superboy (Kon-El)|Superboy]] in [[Metropolis (comics)|Metropolis]]. Time traveler [[Booster Gold]] is shocked to not see the three heroes there, as this contradicts Skeets' historical data. Other contradictions, prompt Booster to search for answers in time traveler [[Rip Hunter]]'s bunker, which is littered with [[#Rip Hunter's lab|notes]] and photos of Gold and Skeets surrounded by the words "his fault". Booster later discovers that his reputation and fame is diminishing. He tries to regain the spotlight by containing an exploding [[nuclear submarine]], but seemingly dies in the attempt. Skeets regains access to Hunter's lab and realizes the photos and arrows are pointing at himself. He goes after Hunter and eventually finds him with Booster Gold, who turns out to have faked his death to help uncover Skeets' true intentions. Hunter and Booster attempt to trap Skeets in the [[Phantom Zone]], but Skeets appears to consume the sub-dimension and pursues his two adversaries through time.


[[Elongated Man|Ralph Dibny]], the Elongated Man, is told that the gravestone of his dead wife [[Sue Dibny|Sue]] has been vandalized with an inverted [[Krypton (comics)|Kryptonian]] "S", a symbol for resurrection. This was done by a cult that believes that [[Superboy (Kon-El)|Superboy]] can be resurrected, but would like to try first with Sue. Dibny and his friends disrupt the ceremony, and the effigy of Sue crawls to Dibny, calling out to him as it burns; he suffers a nervous breakdown as a result. Ralph seeks out the helmet of [[Doctor Fate]], which promises to revive Sue if he makes certain sacrifices. While preparing a spell for Nabu, Dibny reveals the helmet is not the one talking to him, but sorcerer [[Felix Faust]]. Faust was posing as Nabu to give Dibny's soul to the demon [[Neron (DC Comics)|Neron]] in exchange for his freedom. Neron kills Dibny, but realizes too late that Dibny's spell has trapped him and Faust inside a circle of binding. With Ralph's death, Neron and Faust are seemingly trapped together for all eternity. Ralph and Sue Dibny are reunited in death and become ghost detectives.<ref name="dc-elon">{{Cite book | last=Beatty | first=Scott | author-link=Scott Beatty | contribution=Elongated Man | editor-last=Dougall | editor-first=Alastair | title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia | page=114 | publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] | location=[[New York City|New York]] | year=2008 | isbn=978-0-7566-4119-1 | oclc=213309017}}</ref>
Booster is angered when a mysterious new superhero named [[Booster Gold#52 and Supernova|Supernova]] appears in Metropolis. His reputation ruined by this and other events, Booster tries to regain the spotlight by containing an explosion, but he is killed in the attempt. Skeets uses Booster's ancestor Daniel Carter to regain access to Hunter's lab, where he sees the photos and arrows pointing at him. Skeets traps Carter in a time loop in the bunker and sets out to locate Hunter himself.


[[Lex Luthor]] announces the [[Everyman Project]], a program designed to give ordinary people superpowers. [[Natasha Irons]] (Steel) wants to join the Project, but her uncle [[Steel (John Henry Irons)|John Henry Irons]] forbids it. She enrolls anyway and becomes a member of Luthor's superhero team [[Infinity, Inc.]] During a battle with the third [[Blockbuster (DC Comics)|Blockbuster]], Luthor deactivates the powers of one of Natasha's teammates with fatal results. The death of her friend prompts Natasha to question Luthor's motives. Angered by reports that he is incompatible with the treatment, Luthor deactivates the powers of the majority of the Everyman subjects, resulting in many of them falling from the sky to their deaths. After learning the reports were falsified, he gives himself the powers of Superman. John and the [[Teen Titans]] attack LexCorp and bring him to justice with Natasha's help. [[Beast Boy]] offers Natasha membership in the Teen Titans, but she declines in favor of forming a new team with her uncle.
Supernova meets with Rip Hunter in the [[Kandor|Bottle City of Kandor]], and Hunter examines a number of high-tech items Supernova has brought him. When Skeets discovers the two, Supernova reveals himself as Booster Gold and attacks Skeets while explaining that he created a distracting rivalry with "Supernova" and that Rip Hunter used time travel to fake Booster's death. Hunter and Booster attempt to trap Skeets in the [[Phantom Zone]], but Skeets appears to consume the subdimension and pursues his two adversaries through time.


[[Animal Man]], [[Starfire (Teen Titans)|Starfire]], and [[Adam Strange]] are marooned on an alien planet after the events of ''[[Infinite Crisis]]''. They are pursued through space by agents of [[Lady Styx]], whose forces are conquering and overrunning planets on a path of destruction toward Earth. With some help from Lobo, the [[Emerald Empress|Emerald Eye of Ekron]] and the Emerald ''Head'' of Ekron, the heroes defeat Lady Styx. During the fight, Animal Man dies. The aliens who gave him his powers later revive him with new powers. He now has the ability to gain powers from any sentient being in the universe. He uses it to return to Earth.
[[Elongated Man|Ralph Dibny]], the Elongated Man, has a gun to his head when he is informed that his dead wife [[Sue Dibny|Sue]]'s gravestone has been vandalized with an inverted version of Superman's 'S' symbol &mdash; the Kryptonian symbol for resurrection. He confronts [[Wonder Girl (Cassie Sandsmark)|Cassandra Sandsmark]], and she tells Dibny that she is in a cult that believes that [[Superboy (Kon-El)|Superboy]] can be resurrected, but that they would like to try it first with Sue. Despite his initial agreement, Dibny and his friends disrupt the ceremony, but the effigy of Sue crawls to Dibny and calls out to him as it burns; Dibny suffers a nervous breakdown as a result.


[[Black Adam]], the superhuman leader of Kahndaq, forges a coalition with several other countries against the [[United States]] and their metahumans: the Freedom of Power Treaty. He stops when [[Isis (DC Comics)#Adrianna Tomaz|Adrianna Tomaz]], a former slave, shows him how he can use his abilities more peacefully to help his country. Adam convinces [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Captain Marvel]] to give Tomaz the power of Isis. Adam and Isis free enslaved children across [[Africa]]. Meanwhile, the [[Question (character)|Question]] and [[Renee Montoya]] start investigating [[Intergang]]. Following a lead, they fly to Kahndaq and prevent a [[suicide bombing]] at Black Adam and Isis' wedding. Adam awards them one of Kahndaq's highest honors. The four uncover Intergang, which is inducting children into a religion of crime based on its Crime Bible. Black Adam finds Isis' crippled brother Amon among the children and shares his power with him. Amon is reborn as [[Osiris (DC Comics)#Osiris, Amon Tomaz|Osiris]]. Osiris befriends a seemingly timid anthropomorphic [[crocodile]] named [[Sobek (comics)|Sobek]], who joins Black Adam's [[Marvel Family#Black Marvel Family members|Black Marvel Family]]. Adam and Isis inform the Freedom of Power Treaty member nations that Kahndaq is no longer interested in consolidating power or in executing superhumans.
A voice from within the helm of [[Doctor Fate]] speaks to Dibny and promises to fulfill his desires if he makes certain sacrifices. Dibny journeys with the helm through the [[afterlife|afterlives]] of several cultures, where he is cautioned about the use of magic. The [[Spectre (comics)|Spectre]] promises to resurrect Sue in exchange for Dibny's taking vengeance on her murderer, but Dibny is unable to do so. At [[Nanda Parbat]], Rama Kushna tells Dibny, "The end is already written." In [[Dr. Fate]]'s tower, Dibny begins the spell to resurrect Sue. Dibny puts the helmet on and shoots it to reveal [[Felix Faust]], who was posing as Nabu to give Neron Dibny's soul in exchange for his own freedom. Neron appears and kills Dibny but then realizes that Dibny's binding spell has trapped Faust and Neron in the tower.


[[Will Magnus]], creator of the [[Metal Men]], is abducted to Oolong Island, where Intergang and [[Chang Tzu]] force kidnapped scientists to form the [[Science Squad]] and develop new weapons for them. There, Magnus is ordered to build a Plutonium Man robot. The scientists activate three of their Four Horsemen, which target Black Adam. Suspicious of him, [[Amanda Waller]] maneuvers Osiris into killing the [[Persuader (comics)|Persuader]] and leaking footage of the incident to the media. With his reputation destroyed, Osiris retires from the public eye and acid rain ravages Kahndaq. Convinced that he is the cause of Kahndaq's new miseries, Osiris asks Captain Marvel to remove his powers. Isis and Black Adam stop him and the three return to Kahndaq. Sobek tricks Osiris into turning back into Amon and devours him, revealing himself to be the fourth Horseman, Famine. The other Horsemen join the battle. Isis is poisoned by Pestilence and dies while asking Adam to avenge her and Osiris' deaths.
[[Lex Luthor]] announces the Everyman Project, a metagene therapy program to give ordinary people superpowers. [[John Henry Irons]] deactivates his niece [[Natasha Irons|Natasha]]'s Steel armor after an argument about responsibility. Following an encounter with Luthor, Irons' skin transforms into [[stainless steel]], causing Natasha to accuse him of hypocrisy. She undergoes the metagene therapy and becomes a member of Luthor's superhero team [[Infinity, Inc.]]


Grief-stricken and enraged to the point of madness, Black Adam destroys the country of Bialya, base of the Four Horsemen, murdering the country's entire population. He then attacks Oolong Island. The [[Justice Society of America]] invade the island to arrest him and subdue the scientists, but Adam escapes and embarks on [[World War III (DC Comics)#52|a week-long rampage across the globe]], during which he kills several superhumans. Captain Marvel convinces the [[Egyptian pantheon]] to revert Adam to Teth-Adam and changes Adam's magic word from "Shazam" to a new phrase. Teth-Adam goes missing in the resulting explosion and wanders the Earth powerlessly, trying to guess the secret word.
Irons learns that Luthor can deactivate Everyman Project-given abilities, and when his metallic skin peels off, he realizes that the Everyman powers have a limited timespan. During a battle, Luthor negates a team member's powers, which results in her death. Irons uses the loss of her friend to convince Natasha to question Luthor's motives. Angered by lab reports that state that his body will reject the metagene therapy, Lex Luthor removes the powers of the majority of the Everyman subjects, and many of them fall from the sky to their deaths. Luthor later learns the reports were lies and undergoes the therapy. He discovers Natasha investigating him and savagely beats her using his newly acquired superpowers. Irons attacks Lexcorp in his Steel armor. Luthor gains the upper hand with his new superpowers until Natasha releases an electrical pulse from Steel's hammer that negates Luthor's powers and allows Irons to bring Luthor to justice.
[[Image:52twelve.jpg|Cover art for ''52'' Week Twelve, by [[J.G. Jones]].|thumb|left]]


The Question and Montoya train with [[Richard Dragon]] in [[Nanda Parbat]], where Montoya learns that the Question is dying from lung cancer and wants her to replace him. After they discover a prophecy in the Crime Bible about [[Batwoman#Kate Kane|Batwoman]]'s death, the two join her fight against Intergang in Gotham City. When the Question's condition worsens, Montoya journeys back to Nanda Parbat in a failed attempt to save his life. Shortly after they leave Gotham, Intergang discovers Batwoman's identity and attempts to sacrifice her to fulfill the prophecy. Montoya, as the new Question, tries to save Batwoman, who gets stabbed by Mannheim with a ceremonial dagger. Batwoman fatally wounds Mannheim and survives. After she recovers, Montoya shines the restored [[Bat-Signal]] to call her back to work.
[[Black Adam]], the metahuman leader of [[Kahndaq]], forges a coalition with several other countries against the [[United States of America|United States]]' metahuman supremacy under the [[Freedom of Power Treaty]] until [[Isis (DC Comics)#Adrianna Tomaz|Adrianna Tomaz]], a former slave, shows Adam how he can use his abilities more peacefully to help his country. Adam convinces [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Captain Marvel]] to give Tomaz the power of Isis, and Adam and Isis free enslaved children across [[Africa]].


Skeets is revealed to be [[Mister Mind and the Monster Society of Evil|Mister Mind]], who has been using Skeets' metallic body as a cocoon to metamorphose into a gigantic, monstrous form that feeds on [[time]] itself. Rip Hunter and Booster escape to the end of the ''Infinite Crisis'' and witness the secret creation of 52 identical parallel universes. Mister Mind intends to consume them. The Phantom Zone is restored, and Mister Mind alters events in the 52 universes, creating new histories and a new status quo for each. The heroes trap him in the remains of Skeets' shell and send him back in time to the beginning of the year, where he is captured by Dr. Sivana, trapped in a time loop for all eternity. Will Magnus later rebuilds Skeets, using a copy he had made of the robot's memories.
The [[Question (comics)|Question]] and [[Renee Montoya]] uncover a cache of futuristic weapons in [[Gotham City]] and discover that [[Intergang]] is preparing to invade Gotham. They fly to Kahndaq to investigate further and prevent a suicide bomber at Black Adam and Isis' wedding. In appreciation, Adam awards them Kahndaq's highest honor for foreigners. Isis, Black Adam, Montoya and the Question find Intergang, which is inducting children into a religion of crime based on its Crime Bible. Black Adam finds Isis' crippled brother Amon among the children and shares his power with him, and Amon is reborn as [[Osiris (DC Comics)#Osiris, Amon Tomaz|Osiris]]. Adam and his [[Marvel Family#Black Marvel Family members|Black Marvel Family]] inform the Freedom of Power Treaty member nations that Kahndaq is no longer interested in consolidating power or in executing metahumans. [[Captain Marvel, Jr.]] sponsors Osiris for [[Teen Titans]] membership, but [[Amanda Waller]] destroys his reputation by maneuvering Osiris into killing the [[Persuader (comics)|Persuader]] and leaking footage of the incident to the media. Osiris retires from the public eye, and a mysterious acid rain later ravages Kahndaq.


===World War III===
The Question takes Montoya to Nanda Parbat to train with [[Richard Dragon]], where Montoya learns that the Question is dying from lung cancer and wants her to replace him. After discovering a prophecy in Intergang's Crime Bible about [[Batwoman#Kate Kane|Batwoman]]'s death, the two return to Gotham and join her fight against Intergang, but when the Question's condition worsens, Montoya embarks on a perilous journey back to Nanda Parbat in a failed attempt to save his life. There, she considers her role as the Question's heir.
{{Main|World War III (DC Comics)#52}}
Week 50 of ''52'' and the four-issue ''[[World War III (DC Comics)|World War III]]'' [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]], which was released the same week, depict the superhumans' battle with Black Adam. ''World War III'' also depicts [[Aquaman]]'s transformation into the ''Dweller of the Depths'', [[Martian Manhunter]]'s change in outlook, [[Donna Troy]]'s assumption of the [[Wonder Woman]] mantle, [[Supergirl]]'s return to the 21st century, [[Jason Todd]] pretending to be [[Nightwing]], and [[Cassandra Cain]] being drugged to turn evil and join [[Deathstroke]].


==Collected editions==
[[Image:52thirtyseven.jpg|Cover art for ''52'' Week Thirty-Seven, by J.G. Jones.|thumb]]
The lead stories of the series are collected, with commentary from the creators and other extras, into four [[trade paperback (comics)|trade paperbacks]]:
[[Will Magnus]], creator of the [[Metal Men]] robots, is abducted to Oolong Island, where Intergang is forcing kidnapped scientists to develop new super-weapons for them. Intergang confiscates Magnus' anti-depressants and orders him to build a Plutonium Man robot, but Magnus also rebuilds Mercury. The scientists activate their cybernetic Four Horsemen of [[Apokolips]], which are described in the Crime Bible.


* ''Volume 1'' (collects #1–13, 304 pages, May 2007, {{ISBN|1-4012-1353-7}})<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=7125 | title=''52 Volume 1'' profile | work=DC Comics.com | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621160601/http://www.dccomics.com/comics?gn=7125 | archive-date=2013-06-21 }}</ref>
[[Animal Man]], [[Starfire (comics)|Starfire]], and [[Adam Strange]] are marooned on an alien planet and captured by the [[New Gods|New God]] [[Devilance|Devilance the Pursuer]], who was sent to capture them for having seen something they are thought unfit to see. The heroes escape and are rescued by [[Lobo (comics)|Lobo]], who destroys Devilance and claims he has found religion and turned his back on violence. [[Lady Styx]], whose forces are conquering and overrunning planets on a path of destruction toward Earth, hired Lobo to capture the heroes, but he delivers them to her so they can fight her. The heroes defeat Lady Styx, but Animal Man is injected with a toxin in the battle and dies. The heroes lay his body to rest on an asteroid. After they leave, Animal Man awakens, to find the aliens who gave him his powers standing over him, declaring, "And so it begins." As Starfire and Strange face certain death, they are saved by [[Mogo]] and a rookie [[Green Lantern]].
* ''Volume 2'' (collects #14–26, 304 pages, July 2007, {{ISBN|1-4012-1364-2}})<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=7446 | title=''52 Volume 2'' profile | work=DC Comics.com | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208174757/http://www.dccomics.com/comics?gn=7446 | archive-date=2016-02-08 }}</ref>
* ''Volume 3'' (collects #27–39, 304 pages, September 2007, {{ISBN|1-4012-1443-6}})<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=7806 | title=''52 Volume 3'' profile | work=DC Comics.com | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208174800/http://www.dccomics.com/comics?gn=7806 | archive-date=2016-02-08 }}</ref>
* ''Volume 4'' (collects #40–52, 304 pages, November 2007, {{ISBN|1-4012-1486-X}})<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=8178 | title=''52 Volume 4'' profile | work=DC Comics.com | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208174803/http://www.dccomics.com/comics?gn=8178 | archive-date=2016-02-08 }}</ref>


All 52 issues were also available in the ''52 Omnibus'' hardcover (1,216 pages, November 2012, {{ISBN|978-1401235567}}).
==Secret message==
{{spoiler-about|52}}
In the ''DC Nation'' column printed in the back of Week 37, Dan Didio reveals in a coded message that the "secret of ''52''" is that the [[Multiverse (DC Comics)|DC Multiverse]] still exists. The message is spelled out using the first letter of every third word: "''the secret of fifty-two is that the multiverse still exists''".
{{endspoiler}}


The collection has also been made available in a two-volume edition that includes bonus material after each chapter:
==References to the number "52"==
Reinforcing the title, the number 52 appears in the background of panels within the ''52'' series. As the series continues, however, the number 52 features more prominently, appearing in the foreground or in dialogue. Additionally, the ''52'' logo is shaped like the Greek symbol [[Omega]]. The two numbers are also mirror images of one another, a common analogy for parallel universes.


* ''Volume 1'' (collects #1–26, 584 pages, June 2015, {{ISBN|978-1401263256}})
'''Week One'''
* ''Volume 2'' (collects #27–52, 616 pages, January 2017, {{ISBN|978-1401265649}})
*The fireman talking to Steel has the number 52 on his jacket.
*Renee Montoya drinks at "[[52 Pickup|52 Pick Up]].", whose name is a reference to the number of cards in a deck; the bar has a playing card motif.


Other connected collections include:
'''Week Two'''
*The flight numbers of both the flight Booster saves (2824) and the flight he means to save (2428): 28 + 24 = 52.
*The address of the building The Question hires Renee Montoya to investigate is 520 Kane St.
*One of Dr. Morrow's news clippings states Dr. Tyme has stolen 52 seconds.
*The Red Tornado's last words are "It's coming! 52! 52!"


* ''52: The Companion'' (224 pages, October 2007, {{ISBN|1-4012-1557-2}})<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=7964 | title=''52: The Companion'' profile | work=DC Comics.com | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208174805/http://www.dccomics.com/comics?gn=7964 | archive-date=2016-02-08 }}</ref>
'''Week Three '''
* ''DC: World War III'' (collects ''52'' Week 50 and the entire four-issue ''[[World War III (DC Comics)|World War III]]'' [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]], 128 pages, December 2007, {{ISBN|1-4012-1504-1}})
*Steel mentions "The NX-520" during his phone conversation with a member of S.T.A.R. Labs.
* ''52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen'' (Collects #1–6, 144 pages, May 2008 {{ISBN|978-1401217815}})
* ''The Question: The Five Books of Blood'' (collects "Crime Bible – Five Lessons of Blood" #1–5, 128 pages, June 2009, {{ISBN|978-1401223359}})
* ''Wizard'' #184


==Spin-offs==
'''Week Six'''
Taking advantage of the popularity of the series, DC issued several series of comics based on the individual threads of ''52'' that began several months after ''52'' ended. ''Booster Gold'' (vol. 2) is an ongoing series that sees the eponymous hero and Rip Hunter travel through time to fix history as "the greatest superhero never known". The six-issue ''52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen'' miniseries covers the Four Horsemen's battle with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. ''Black Adam: The Dark Age'', another six-issue miniseries, follows Teth-Adam's quest to restore his powers and bring Isis back to life; it takes place between the end of ''52'' and [[Mary Marvel]]'s corruption in ''Countdown to Final Crisis''.
*In [[Rip Hunter]]'s bunker:
:*The atomic time lock is set to open on midnight, [[1 January]], 52 B.C.
:*A list of numbered papers 51.53.54.56, with the conspicuously missing 52.
:*A sheet with 520 Kane St., the address the Question meets Renee Montoya.
:*The chalkboard is headlined with "Time is Broken" and peppered randomly with "52."
:*Te versus (Au + Pb) — Te is the symbol for [[Tellurium]], element 52
:*All the clocks are set at 12:52 am, or 00:52(52)


Two strands of the ''52'' story were taken and put together with back-ups from the new ''Countdown to Final Crisis'' story. ''Countdown to Adventure'' looks at the fate of space-travelers Adam Strange, Animal Man, and Starfire in their new roles after their journey over the course of eight issues, with a back-up story following Forerunner. ''Countdown to Mystery'' is another eight-issue series looking at the new Doctor Fate and a back-up story focusing on [[Eclipso]].
'''Week Eight'''
*Steel watches WLII, a news channel. In Roman numerals, LII means 52.
*Day three of Week Eight is considered the 52nd day of this 365-day timetable, which marks the first known sighting of [[Supernova (comics)|Supernova]].


These include:
'''Week Nine'''
* ''[[Booster Gold (comic book)|Booster Gold]]'' vol. 2 #1–47 – The further adventures of Booster Gold, Supernova, and Rip Hunter as they try to preserve the fractured timeline.
*Devilance refers to the "two score and twelve walls of heaven" — two score and twelve being 52.
* ''[[Black Adam#Countdown/Black Adam: The Dark Age|Black Adam: The Dark Age]]'' #1–6 – In the aftermath of ''World War III'', Black Adam tries to recoup his losses, for both his powers and his personal life.
*When Renee is looking at the [[baseball]] game between the ''Gotham Knights'' and the ''Stars'' from [[Star City (comics)|Star City]], the ''Stars'' are winning 5-2.
* ''[[List of Infinity Inc. members#Second roster|Infinity Inc.]]'' #1–12 – Steel and the remaining members of Luthor's Everyman Project team together to form a new Infinity Inc.
* ''[[Crime Bible|52 Aftermath: Crime Bible – Five Lessons of Blood]]'' #1–5 – The Question and Batwoman investigate crimes, leading them deeper into the Crime Bible.
* ''52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen'' #1–6 – Follows [[Superman]], [[Batman]], and [[Wonder Woman]] against the Four Horsemen of Apokolips.
* ''[[Metal Men]]'' #1–8 – Follows [[Will Magnus|Dr. William "Will" Magnus]] and the new version of the Metal Men as they battle Will's brother, David, who wants to destroy them.
* ''[[Detective Comics]]'' – Follows Batwoman and the Question.
* ''[[Great Ten|The Great Ten]]'' #1–9 – Follows the Chinese superteam.


==In other media==
'''Week Eleven'''
===Action figures===
*In Day 6, the first panel shows Renee's pack of cigarettes, clearly showing 5 to the left, then the one she is holding, and then 2 to the right; a 52 made out of cigarettes.
In September 2006, [[DC Direct]] premiered a line of [[action figure]]s based on ''52''. The first wave, featuring figures based on Batwoman, Isis, Booster Gold, Animal Man, and Supernova, was released in May 2007.<ref>DC Comics.com DC Direct [http://www.dccomics.com/dcdirect/?cat=ACTION+FIGURES&lst=allp "Action Figures – ALL"]{{Dead link|date=January 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, accessed April 14, 2011.</ref>


===Novelization===
'''Week Twelve'''
[[Ace Books]], under the imprint of the Berkley Publishing Group and published by the Penguin Group, released a [[novelization]] written by [[Greg Cox (writer)|Greg Cox]], with cover art by J. G. Jones and Alex Sinclair, and its design by George Brewer.
*A Gotham City billboard with "52" is visible in the background as Renee walks home in the rain.


The novel primarily adapts the weekly limited series and the ''World War III'' tie-in miniseries. The novel deals with the plotlines of Montoya, the Question, Black Adam, Booster Gold, Skeets, and the 52 Earths, dropping the Luthor/Steel/Everyman Project, Ralph Dibny, and space plotlines completely and including only part of the "Science Squad" storyline, keeping in the evil geniuses and their work for Intergang but leaving out Will Magnus' ongoing plot; in his introduction, Cox explains that it was not possible to adapt all the plotlines of ''52'' within a novel of reasonable length. Outside of the loss of these various storylines from the book, events play out in an essentially identical manner, with most of the dialogue itself even lifted from the comics verbatim. There are some minor cosmetic changes along the way (for instance, on Week 3, Black Adam kills [[Intergang]] thug Rough House as opposed to [[Terra-Man]]), but in the final chapter, a ''lot'' of the specifics of Mister Mind's cross-time battle with Rip Hunter, Booster Gold, and Supernova are altered. The villain reveals himself in front of a gathered group of heroes in Metropolis, rather than to just Booster and Rip in the [[Fortress of Solitude]]; the rebirth of the multiverse is credited to Mister Mind's transformation, rather than the Crisis; and the weapon stolen from Steel by Booster during World War III is actually put to use against Mind, which it was not in the comic, and is the cause of his unexplained-in-the-comic shrinking.
'''Week Fifteen'''
*Sanjay's computer has a [[Post-it note|stickie]] that reads "Khandaq Embassy 555-2222".


===Audiobook===
'''Week Seventeen'''
In December 2007, GraphicAudio released the first half of a full cast audiobook adaptation based on the novel by Greg Cox. Like GraphicAudio's [[Infinite Crisis#Audiobook|audiobook of Infinite Crisis]], this spans two volumes (each 6 hours long) with 6 CDs and features a full cast, music, and sound effects. Volume 2 was released in February 2008.
*The damaged upper body of [[Red Tornado (android)|Red Tornado]] utters "52...52" to [[Indigenous Australians|Aborigines]] in the Australian outback.


Voice cast credits as follows:
'''Week Eighteen'''
* Ken Jackson : Black Adam, Skeets, Mr. Mind
*Week 18 Day 3 Ralph Dibnys' note with the words Alvin Burgson has exactly 52 lines on it.
* Barbara Pinolini : Renee Montoya
* Bruce Rauscher : The Question, Phantom Stranger, Dr. Cyclops, Leonard Akteon
* Colleen Delany : Isis, Wonder Woman, Superwoman
* David Coyne : Booster Gold, Boss Mannheim, Daniel Carter, Captain Boomerang, Beefeater
* James Konicek : Clark Kent, Count Vertigo, First Beast-man
* Nanette Savard : Lois Lane, Whisper A’Daire, Zalika
* M.B. Van Dorn : Katherine Kane, Batwoman
* Michael Glenn : Osiris, Richard Dragon, Hourman, Beastboy
* Terence Aselford : Captain Marvel, Jay Garrick, Captain Marvel Jr., Mind-Grabber Kid
* Susan Lynskey : Mary Marvel, Plastique, Madame Xanadu
* James Lewis : Nightwing, Kyle Abbot, Baron Bug, Agent Rogers, Jimmy Olsen
* Karen Carbone : Power Girl, Claudia Lanpher
* Ted Stoddard : Aristotle Rodor
* Eric Messner : Atom-Smasher, Dr. Death
* Erika Rose : Amanda Waller, Natasha Irons
* Michael John Casey : Persuader, Dr. Kim, Zorrm
* Elisabeth Demery : Zatanna, Stargirl, Mallory, Veronica Cale
* Jeff Baker : Alan Scott
* Elliot Dash : Mr.Terrific, Steel
* Dylan Lynch : Waverider, Col. Harjvati, Electrocutioner
* Thomas Penny : {{proper name|J’onn J’onnz}}, Rigoro Mortis, News Anchor, Black Lightning, Bike Boy
* Tim Carlin : Perry White, Jim Corrigan, Benny the Mover
* Cate Torre : Lady Sivana, Mildred Heiny, Yellow Peri, Carjack Lady
* Jim Lawson : Metamorpho, Louie the Mover, [[Fireman Farrell|Fred Farrell]], Panic Dad
* Arianne Parker : Firehawk, Firefighter, Kahndaqi woman
* Christopher Graybill : T.O.Morrow, Roggra, Noose, Mirage
* Michael Replogle : Dr.Tyme, Manthrax
* Christopher Walker : Strauss, Kahndaqi dissident, Aged servant
* Jacinda Bronaugh : Vicki Vale, Bobbi Bobbins
* Richard Rohan : Dr. Sivana, Rip Hunter, Sabbac, Azraeuz, The Blimp
* Mort Shelby : Sobek, Wildcat, Mammoth, Tawky Tawny, Rough House


===''The Flash''===
'''Week Nineteen'''
In [[the CW]] series ''[[The Flash (2014 TV series)|The Flash]]'', the term '52' is often used as an [[Easter egg (media)|Easter egg]]. For example, in the episode "Things You Can't Outrun", the Flash team opt to incarcerate criminal metahumans in "Area 52" at [[S.T.A.R. Labs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comicbook.com/2014/10/22/the-flash-easter-eggs-and-dc-comics-references-in-things-you-can/|title=The Flash: Easter Eggs and DC Comics References in "Things You Can't Outrun"|website=comicbook.com|date=12 November 2014 |access-date=9 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20160313113542/http://comicbook.com/2014/10/22/the-flash-easter-eggs-and-dc-comics-references-in-things-you-can/|archive-date=13 March 2016}}</ref> In the second season, inter-dimensional breaches are made between [[Earth-One]] and [[Earth-Two]], and 52 separate portals are located.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://moviepilot.com/posts/3590276 |title=Possible New 52 reference in the Flash: Flash of Two Worlds - moviepilot.com |access-date=2016-03-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312133044/http://moviepilot.com/posts/3590276 |archive-date=2016-03-12 }}</ref>
*The Cover of this issue sports the year 5252.<ref>''52'': Week 19</ref> It also sports the year 8'''5''','''2'''71. The second date is from the ''[[DC One Million]]'' crossover event.
*The past-due bills on Daniel Carter's coffee table, shown on page 1, reveal that his address is 1834 Hoyle Street. 18+34 = 52. Also, [[Edmond Hoyle]] is best known for providing detailed descriptions for games, such as poker, a game that uses 52 cards in a standard deck.
*The flashbacks to his football injury, as well as the picture on the wall of his home, reveal that Daniel Carter's jersey number was 52.


==See also==
'''Week Twenty'''
* ''[[Countdown to Final Crisis]]''
*The clock at Wayne Manor reads 12:52 when Supernova is in the Batcave.
* [[List of DC Comics publications]]
*When he begins his hunt for the space heroes in possession of his Eye, [[Emerald Empress|Ekron]] swears, in an "alien" font, "I will kill you in 52 ways."
* ''[[The New 52]]''

'''Week Twenty-Two'''
*On Page 15, When Jon kicks the guy out the bus window, they're near "Highway 52" when the road sign is seen near Metropolis (note that Highway 52 is actually located at northwest-southeast which is between Portal, North Dakota and Charleston, South Carolina).
*Jon Standing Bear stops at Metropolis when his bus arrives at "Gate 52" on Page 16.

'''Week Twenty-Four'''
*[[Ambush Bug]] says 52 several times, although these are likely due to Ambush Bug's comic awareness. A panel later, [[Firestorm (Jason Rusch)|Firestorm]] says he doesn't know anything about 52 during his phone call with [[Green Arrow]].

'''Week Twenty-Seven'''
*[[Skeets]] manages to find [[Waverider (comics)|Waverider]] at 05:25:20 a.m. on the second day of the week.
*The sum of the letters of [[Sobek]] based on their numerical position in the English alphabet (S=19, O=15, B=2, E=5, K=11) add up to 52. Sobek is the name of a classic player in Egyptian mythology.

'''Week Thirty-One'''
*On Day 2, Natasha Irons checked her cellphone and sees a message from her uncle John Henry which is received from the day before on 1:52pm.
*On Day 3, Wonder Girl looked at a letter for Donna Prince who lives in '''''52''' Bee St Apt. '''322''' Philadelphia, PA''. There are actually two mentions of 52 with one that involves 322 which if you made this calculation of 3 and the first 2 — it should read 52.

'''Week Thirty-Seven'''
*On Day 1, during their fight with Skeets in the Fortress of Solitude, Rip Hunter begins a countdown at "fifty-two...fifty-one" during which he and Booster Gold are whisked away through time to escape Skeets.

'''Week Thirty-Nine'''
*On Day 5, while preparing to give Luthor his powers, a scientist in Luthor's lab says "...at five point two microns, alternating..." which comes to "5.2525252..." continuing forever.

'''One Year Later And Beyond'''
*''Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes'' #17: After [[Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)|Supergirl's]] arrival 1,001 years in the future with the Legion, the Dominators say "fiffdetuuu" as they discuss their bio-weapon being delivered to Earth.
*''Robin'' #153: [[Robin (Tim Drake)|Robin]] and [[Owen Mercer|Captain Boomerang]] defuse a bomb, and the number left on the timer is 52.
*''Green Lantern'' #13: During a meeting of the [[Guardians of the Universe]] regarding [[Superboy-Prime]], [[Ganthet]] says, "So we have all come to the same conclusion. The need for the [[Green Lantern Corps]] has become quite clear," and all of them reply, "52."
*''Green Lantern'' #15: One of the Guardians of the Universe retrieves the head of [[Hank Henshaw]] stating, "You will tell us everything you have learned within Space Sector 3601. And what you know about the 52."
*''Justice Society of America'' #1: During a fight between [[Damage (comics)|Damage]] and Rebel, a billboard in the background advertises a sale at 52% off. When members of the JSA gather for orientation, [[Starman (comics)#Thom Kallor/Danny Blaine|Starman]] says, "There's a star on Thanagar. I dreamt about it. Ha! 52!"
*''Justice Society of America'' #2: A theory by [[Mister Terrific (Michael Holt)|Mister Terrific]] on a chalkboard, one of the symbols is "V2" V is a [[Roman numeral]] for 5.
*''Justice Society of America'' #3: Starman randomly exclaims "52!" at the end of a conversation.
*''[[Checkmate (comics)|Checkmate]]'' #8 starts a three issue arc about a pawn numbered 502.

'''Other 52 references:'''
*Week 1 was released on [[May 10]], 2006. In the United States, new issues of comic books are released every Wednesday. The Wednesday 52 weeks after the initial release date falls on [[May 2]], 2007. Hence, the series will end on '''5'''/'''2'''/07 (in American date formatting).

On a Episode of Smallville which aired on 2/15/07 the Address to a person blinded by the meteor showers, is on highway 52

==Rip Hunter's lab==
[[Image:52-6-rip-hunter-lab.png|thumb|350px|Booster Gold enters [[Rip Hunter]]'s bunker.
''52'' Week Six. Breakdowns by [[Keith Giffen]]. Pencils by [[Joe Bennett]]. Inks by [[Ruy Jose]].]]
When Booster enters [[Rip Hunter]]'s bunker in Week 6, he finds it in disarray. Among the details of Hunter's lab, a giant globe is marked with red X's and the words "World War III Why? How?" A time machine sits broken. Notes scrawled everywhere indicate that there is a problem with the time stream, and as noted above, the number 52 figures prominently in these writings. Many of the writings foreshadow and refer to DC Universe events and characters, some of which are not yet introduced by the time of Booster's discovery.<ref>http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/WAcker/Week9/52Wacker09.html</ref> A multitude of clocks are all stopped at 12:52 (00:52). Monitors show images of [[Rosa Parks]], [[Abraham Lincoln]], a sailing ship with the flag of the [[Knights Templar]], [[Elvis Presley]], the [[Boston Tea Party]] and a dinosaur.

Papers on the floor bear the titles of canceled DC series, including superhero comic ''[[Infinity, Inc.]]'', 1940s humor title ''[[Casey the Cop]]'', and ''[[Silverblade]]'', a 1980s [[limited series|maxi-series]] about an actor-turned-vigilante. Also on the floor is a book titled ''Who's Who'', using the logo for the DC series of the same name, and two notes: "FIND THE SUN DEVILS" and "What is spanner's galaxy?". ''[[Sun Devils]]'' and ''Spanner's Galaxy'' are the titles of two 1980s maxi-series.

A set of blackboards is covered with more clues. Below is a list of the clues, with items followed by DC Comics details that relate to the phrase:
*"TIME IS BROKEN"
*The number 52 in a circle litters the boards, the circles sometimes overlapping. The symbol of overlapping circles has been used in the past by DC Comics to represent alternate Earths, or alternate Earths fusing (such as in [[Infinite Crisis]]).
*"Dead by lead?" — In the DC Universe, the [[Daxam|Daxamite]] race is especially vulnerable to lead poisoning. The pre-Crisis Daxamite [[Lar Gand|Mon-El]] is a 20th century hero whom Superman preserves for 1,000 years in the Phantom Zone when the former contracts lead poisoning. Mon-El re-appears post-Infinite Crisis in ''Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes'' #23 (December 2006). Lead is also the name of one of the [[Metal Men]].
*"Further time is different" — A new version of the DC Comics character [[Father Time (DC Comics)|Father Time]] appears in the limited series ''Crisis Aftermath: The Battle for [[Blüdhaven]]'' and ''[[Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters]]''. Additionally, a number of events in the present day unfold differently from Booster Gold's knowledge of the past.
*"The four horsemen will end her rain?" — [[Egg Fu#Chang Tzu|Egg Fu]] mentions "four horsemen", and Isis creates rainstorms to express sadness.<ref>''52'': Week 25</ref> The cover of Week 29 declares, "39 days to the Rain," and on December 31, Lex Luthor depowers the majority of Everyman metahumans, many of whom fall from the sky. Intergang later activates its cybernetic Four Horsemen.<ref>''52'': Week 38</ref>
*"He won't smell it." — Main character [[Ralph Dibny]]'s nose is reputed to be able to "smell a mystery". According to ''52'' editor Michael Siglain, this is the next clue which will be revealed.[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=93608]
*"Find the last 'El'" — "El" is the family name of both Superman (Kal-El) and Supergirl (Kara Zor-El). After the fight in space, Supergirl was sent to the 31st century, when she joins the Legion of Super-Heroes. It is also the name pre-Crisis Superboy gives to Mon-El, another hero who joins the Legion one thousand years into his own future. In addition, for a period of time, Conner Kent (Superboy) uses the name "Kon-El" and also serves with the Legion. One Year Later, an alien being comments that, in addition to Superman and Supergirl, there is a third Kryptonian on Earth.{{cn}}
*"MAN OF STEEL" — This was the title given to John Henry Irons in promotional material for the ''Reign of the Superman'' storyline that DC published following the ''[[The Death of Superman|Death of Superman]]'' storyline. In ''52'', Irons' skin becomes stainless steel. It is also a nickname given to Superman.
*"<s>Sonic disruptors</s> --> Time Masters --> Time Servants" — In DC Comics, Rip Hunter was given the title "Time Master". The ''Sonic Disruptors'' series, was cancelled by DC Comics before being completed, apparently because the creators working on the project could not complete it on time.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Additionally, Rip Hunter offered various time-travelling [[supervillain]]s the chance to redeem themselves as Time Masters and fight with him to stop Skeets' plans.<ref>''52'' Week 27</ref>
*"The reach. The reach. The reach." — In the 2006 ''Blue Beetle'' title, the insane villain Bottom Feeder raves of an 'army' he sees in his dreams, raving that "The Reach are coming! And they bring doomsday!". The New God Metron has also referred to the newest Blue Beetle as a 'Reach Soldier'.
*"Tornado is in pieces" — [[Red Tornado (android)|Red Tornado]] was shattered in the fight in space.
*"I'm not [[kryptonite]]"
*"It hurts to breathe" — The Question has lung cancer.
*Circled: "The Scarab is eternal?" — The new [[Blue Beetle]], [[Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes)|Jaime Reyes]], is the new host of the blue scarab owned by [[Blue Beetle#Dan Garrett|Dan Garrett]], the original Blue Beetle.
*"2,000 years from now"
*"Where is the [[Aquaman|Curry]] Heir?" In the "One Year Later" stories, a character named Arthur Curry, who looks exactly like Aquaman, appears. The original Aquaman has been transfigured into the Dweller in the Depths, who guides the new character.
*"Who is [[Booster Gold#52 and Supernova|Supernova]]?" — ''52'' Week 37 reveals that Supernova is Booster Gold in a new identity.
*"Σ What happened to the son of Superman?" — The question of Superman's offspring is the subject of a large number of "imaginary stories" and [[Elseworlds]] comics, including ''Son of Superman'', a 2000 Elseworlds [[graphic novel]], and ''[[The Kingdom (comic book)|The Kingdom]]'' limited series, which features the debut of the time/reality concept "[[Hypertime]]". Also, [[Richard Donner]]'s and [[Geoff Johns]]' ''Action Comics'' run features a boy from Krypton.
*"Σ Where is the Batman?" — A month after the Infinite Crisis, Batman, Robin and Nightwing travel the world and are absent during the year in which ''52'' takes place.
*"Σ Who is the [[Batwoman#Kate Kane|Batwoman]]?" — Kate Kane is the new Batwoman, as seen in ''52'' Week Eleven.
*"Σ Te versus (Au+Pb)" — As noted above, the atomic number of [[Tellurium]] (Te) is 52. The other elements mentioned are [[Gold]] (Au) and [[Lead]] (Pb). Gold and Lead are names of [[Metal Men]], and [[alchemy|alchemists]] attempted to [[Transmutation|transmute]] lead into gold. Additionally, "Tellurium"'s root word is "tellus" (which is Latin for "earth"). [[Tellus (comics)|Tellus]] is a member of the pre-[[Zero Hour (comics)|Zero Hour]] Legion of Super-Heroes.
*Circled: "Σ Who is Diana Prince?" — In the "One Year Later" ''Wonder Woman'' series, Wonder Woman appears as Diana Prince, a secret agent.
*"SECRET FIVE!" — The [[Secret Six (comics)|Secret Six]], following the events of ''Infinite Crisis Special: Villains United'', are down one member. In the ''Secret Six'' limited series, they recruit the [[Mad Hatter (comics)|Mad Hatter]] but subsequently kick him out.
*"Σ Who is [[Booster Gold#52 and Supernova|Supernova]]?" — See above.
*"Σ Don't ask the Question. It lies." — The Question is one of the main characters of ''52''.
*"Σ World War III? Why? HOW?" — According to an interview with Geoff Johns, World War III will be an important event in ''52''.[http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/JSA/JohnsJSA3.html].
*"<s>IM</s>MORTAL SAVAGE" — [[Vandal Savage]] spends the year depicted in ''52'' in space, and when he returns, he has lost his immortality.
*"Σ Someone is monitoring. They see us. They see me." — The [[Monitor (comics)|Monitor]] returns in ''[[One Year Later|DCU: Brave New World]]''. Additionally, series writer Grant Morrison previously has [[Fourth wall|broken the fourth wall]] in his stories, having comic book characters realize their true, fictional nature. In the ''Animal Man'' series, the main character also steals a time machine from Rip Hunter. When Animal Man dies in Week 36, he sees the reader, and after his resurrection in Week 37, he encounters the aliens that gave him his powers.
*"The [[Lazarus Pit]] RISES"
*"KHIMAERA LIVES AGAIN" — In the initial "One Year Later" storyline in ''[[Hawkgirl]]'', Khimaera appears as a new antagonist.
*"Σ The old Gods are DEAD, the new Gods want what's left." — The "[[New Gods]]" refers to the protagonists of Jack Kirby's "[[Jack Kirby's Fourth World|Fourth World]]" comic book stories whose worlds were created from the remains of two of the Old Gods.
*"I'm supposed to be DEAD?" — Donna Troy, Dick Grayson and Kyle Rayner each receive visits from Monitors who tell them they were not supposed to survive Infinite Crisis.
*"WHEN AM I?".
*Circled: "OTHERS?".

==Action figures==
In September 2006, [[DC Direct]] premiered a line of [[action figure]]s based on ''52''. The first wave, featuring figures based on Batwoman, Isis, Booster Gold, Animal Man and Supernova, is scheduled for retail in May 2007.[http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/toyfare/001649824.cfm]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
<div class="references-small">
<references />
</div>
==See also==
*[[Significant events of the DC Universe lost year]]
*[[Timeline of the DC Universe]]


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Comicbookdb|type=storyarc|id=2216|title=''52''}}
*[http://52thecomic.com/ DC's official website devoted to '''52'''].
* [http://52thecomic.com/ DC's official website devoted to ''52'']
*[http://www.silverbulletcomics.com/news/story.php?a=1394 Andrew Dowdell's Complete 52 Coverage and Annotations: 52 Pickup] (SilverBulletComics.com)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061026023627/http://www.silverbulletcomics.com/news/story.php?a=1394 Andrew Dowdell's Complete ''52'' Coverage and Annotations: 52 Pickup], [[Silver Bullet Comics]], December 29, 2006
*[http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38968 Dan Didio spills on DC's "52"] (newsarama.com)
*[http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=c87b48e235c20e3d1e422200b8d54d17&threadid=53353 Crisis Counselling Supplemental Interview with Dan Didio on '''52''']
* [http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38968 Dan Didio spills on DC's ''52''], [[Newsarama]], December 23, 2005
* [http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=53353 Crisis Counseling Supplemental Interview with Dan Didio on ''52''], Newsarama, December 23, 2005
*[http://www.ugo.com/channels/comics/features/52pickup/default.asp Issues #1-5 online]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060811164527/http://www.ugo.com/channels/comics/features/52pickup/default.asp ''52'' Weeks #1–5 online]
* [http://comicspoilers.blogspot.com/search/label/52%20Week Issue summaries – Full plot summaries]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071025071652/http://www.graphicaudio.net/c-6-dc-comics.aspx An audio preview of the audiobook by GraphicAudio]


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Latest revision as of 22:55, 4 January 2025

52
Cover of 52 Week 1 (May 10, 2006). Art by J. G. Jones.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
ScheduleWeekly
FormatLimited series
Genre
Publication dateMay 2006 – May 2007
No. of issues52
Main character(s)Adam Strange
Animal Man
Batwoman
Black Adam
Booster Gold
Ralph Dibny
Lex Luthor
Will Magnus
Bruno Mannheim
Renee Montoya
Question
Starfire
Steel
Science Squad
Infinity, Inc.
Creative team
Written byGeoff Johns
Grant Morrison
Greg Rucka
Mark Waid
Keith Giffen
Artist(s)Joe Bennett
Chris Batista
Eddy Barrows
Todd Nauck
Keith Giffen
Ruy Jose
Jack Jadson
Darick Robertson
Ken Lashley
Phil Jimenez
Dan Jurgens
Justiniano
Mike McKone
Jamal Igle
Dale Eaglesham
Covers:
J. G. Jones
Alex Sinclair (colors)
Collected editions
Volume 1ISBN 1-4012-1353-7
Volume 2ISBN 1401213642
Volume 3ISBN 1401214436
Volume 4ISBN 140121486X

52 is a weekly American comic book limited series published by DC Comics that debuted on May 10, 2006, one week after the conclusion of the Infinite Crisis miniseries. The series was written by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, and Mark Waid, with layouts by Keith Giffen.[1] 52 also led into a few limited series spin-offs.

52 consists of 52 issues, published weekly for one year, each issue detailing an actual week chronicling the events that took place during the missing year after the end of Infinite Crisis. The series covers much of the DC Universe, and several characters whose disparate stories interconnect. The story is directly followed by the weekly limited series Countdown to Final Crisis. It was the first weekly series published by DC Comics since the short-lived anthology Action Comics Weekly from 1988 to 1989.

Format

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The use of a weekly publication format is unusual in the North American comics industry, traditionally based upon a monthly publication. 52 and Batman Eternal (2014/2015) both hold the top position, of being the longest-published serialised weekly comic, published by a major North American publisher. The record was previously held by Action Comics Weekly. The story was originally conceived as being a chronicle of what happened in the "missing year" between the end of Infinite Crisis and the beginning of One Year Later. It would especially focus on how the world dealt with the disappearance of the "big three" heroes in the DCU, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. As the series went on, it became more of a platform for which to set the stage for upcoming storylines in the DC Universe.

Back-up stories

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History of the DC Universe

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A backup story titled History of the DC Universe appears in Weeks 2 through 11, with the creative team of Dan Jurgens and Art Thibert.[2] Reminiscent of DC's earlier History of the DC Universe limited series, in this story, Donna Troy explores the history of the DC Universe with the help of Harbinger's recording device. In the final chapter, both the device and a Monitor inform Donna Troy that she was supposed to have died instead of Jade.

Secret Origins

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Weeks 12 through 51 feature Secret Origins, written by Mark Waid with a rotating team of artists.[3]

Plot

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In the aftermath of Infinite Crisis, Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne, and Diana Prince temporarily retire their costumed identities and do not attend a memorial for Superboy in Metropolis. Time traveler Booster Gold is shocked to not see the three heroes there, as this contradicts Skeets' historical data. Other contradictions, prompt Booster to search for answers in time traveler Rip Hunter's bunker, which is littered with notes and photos of Gold and Skeets surrounded by the words "his fault". Booster later discovers that his reputation and fame is diminishing. He tries to regain the spotlight by containing an exploding nuclear submarine, but seemingly dies in the attempt. Skeets regains access to Hunter's lab and realizes the photos and arrows are pointing at himself. He goes after Hunter and eventually finds him with Booster Gold, who turns out to have faked his death to help uncover Skeets' true intentions. Hunter and Booster attempt to trap Skeets in the Phantom Zone, but Skeets appears to consume the sub-dimension and pursues his two adversaries through time.

Ralph Dibny, the Elongated Man, is told that the gravestone of his dead wife Sue has been vandalized with an inverted Kryptonian "S", a symbol for resurrection. This was done by a cult that believes that Superboy can be resurrected, but would like to try first with Sue. Dibny and his friends disrupt the ceremony, and the effigy of Sue crawls to Dibny, calling out to him as it burns; he suffers a nervous breakdown as a result. Ralph seeks out the helmet of Doctor Fate, which promises to revive Sue if he makes certain sacrifices. While preparing a spell for Nabu, Dibny reveals the helmet is not the one talking to him, but sorcerer Felix Faust. Faust was posing as Nabu to give Dibny's soul to the demon Neron in exchange for his freedom. Neron kills Dibny, but realizes too late that Dibny's spell has trapped him and Faust inside a circle of binding. With Ralph's death, Neron and Faust are seemingly trapped together for all eternity. Ralph and Sue Dibny are reunited in death and become ghost detectives.[4]

Lex Luthor announces the Everyman Project, a program designed to give ordinary people superpowers. Natasha Irons (Steel) wants to join the Project, but her uncle John Henry Irons forbids it. She enrolls anyway and becomes a member of Luthor's superhero team Infinity, Inc. During a battle with the third Blockbuster, Luthor deactivates the powers of one of Natasha's teammates with fatal results. The death of her friend prompts Natasha to question Luthor's motives. Angered by reports that he is incompatible with the treatment, Luthor deactivates the powers of the majority of the Everyman subjects, resulting in many of them falling from the sky to their deaths. After learning the reports were falsified, he gives himself the powers of Superman. John and the Teen Titans attack LexCorp and bring him to justice with Natasha's help. Beast Boy offers Natasha membership in the Teen Titans, but she declines in favor of forming a new team with her uncle.

Animal Man, Starfire, and Adam Strange are marooned on an alien planet after the events of Infinite Crisis. They are pursued through space by agents of Lady Styx, whose forces are conquering and overrunning planets on a path of destruction toward Earth. With some help from Lobo, the Emerald Eye of Ekron and the Emerald Head of Ekron, the heroes defeat Lady Styx. During the fight, Animal Man dies. The aliens who gave him his powers later revive him with new powers. He now has the ability to gain powers from any sentient being in the universe. He uses it to return to Earth.

Black Adam, the superhuman leader of Kahndaq, forges a coalition with several other countries against the United States and their metahumans: the Freedom of Power Treaty. He stops when Adrianna Tomaz, a former slave, shows him how he can use his abilities more peacefully to help his country. Adam convinces Captain Marvel to give Tomaz the power of Isis. Adam and Isis free enslaved children across Africa. Meanwhile, the Question and Renee Montoya start investigating Intergang. Following a lead, they fly to Kahndaq and prevent a suicide bombing at Black Adam and Isis' wedding. Adam awards them one of Kahndaq's highest honors. The four uncover Intergang, which is inducting children into a religion of crime based on its Crime Bible. Black Adam finds Isis' crippled brother Amon among the children and shares his power with him. Amon is reborn as Osiris. Osiris befriends a seemingly timid anthropomorphic crocodile named Sobek, who joins Black Adam's Black Marvel Family. Adam and Isis inform the Freedom of Power Treaty member nations that Kahndaq is no longer interested in consolidating power or in executing superhumans.

Will Magnus, creator of the Metal Men, is abducted to Oolong Island, where Intergang and Chang Tzu force kidnapped scientists to form the Science Squad and develop new weapons for them. There, Magnus is ordered to build a Plutonium Man robot. The scientists activate three of their Four Horsemen, which target Black Adam. Suspicious of him, Amanda Waller maneuvers Osiris into killing the Persuader and leaking footage of the incident to the media. With his reputation destroyed, Osiris retires from the public eye and acid rain ravages Kahndaq. Convinced that he is the cause of Kahndaq's new miseries, Osiris asks Captain Marvel to remove his powers. Isis and Black Adam stop him and the three return to Kahndaq. Sobek tricks Osiris into turning back into Amon and devours him, revealing himself to be the fourth Horseman, Famine. The other Horsemen join the battle. Isis is poisoned by Pestilence and dies while asking Adam to avenge her and Osiris' deaths.

Grief-stricken and enraged to the point of madness, Black Adam destroys the country of Bialya, base of the Four Horsemen, murdering the country's entire population. He then attacks Oolong Island. The Justice Society of America invade the island to arrest him and subdue the scientists, but Adam escapes and embarks on a week-long rampage across the globe, during which he kills several superhumans. Captain Marvel convinces the Egyptian pantheon to revert Adam to Teth-Adam and changes Adam's magic word from "Shazam" to a new phrase. Teth-Adam goes missing in the resulting explosion and wanders the Earth powerlessly, trying to guess the secret word.

The Question and Montoya train with Richard Dragon in Nanda Parbat, where Montoya learns that the Question is dying from lung cancer and wants her to replace him. After they discover a prophecy in the Crime Bible about Batwoman's death, the two join her fight against Intergang in Gotham City. When the Question's condition worsens, Montoya journeys back to Nanda Parbat in a failed attempt to save his life. Shortly after they leave Gotham, Intergang discovers Batwoman's identity and attempts to sacrifice her to fulfill the prophecy. Montoya, as the new Question, tries to save Batwoman, who gets stabbed by Mannheim with a ceremonial dagger. Batwoman fatally wounds Mannheim and survives. After she recovers, Montoya shines the restored Bat-Signal to call her back to work.

Skeets is revealed to be Mister Mind, who has been using Skeets' metallic body as a cocoon to metamorphose into a gigantic, monstrous form that feeds on time itself. Rip Hunter and Booster escape to the end of the Infinite Crisis and witness the secret creation of 52 identical parallel universes. Mister Mind intends to consume them. The Phantom Zone is restored, and Mister Mind alters events in the 52 universes, creating new histories and a new status quo for each. The heroes trap him in the remains of Skeets' shell and send him back in time to the beginning of the year, where he is captured by Dr. Sivana, trapped in a time loop for all eternity. Will Magnus later rebuilds Skeets, using a copy he had made of the robot's memories.

World War III

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Main article: World War III (DC Comics) § 52

Week 50 of 52 and the four-issue World War III limited series, which was released the same week, depict the superhumans' battle with Black Adam. World War III also depicts Aquaman's transformation into the Dweller of the Depths, Martian Manhunter's change in outlook, Donna Troy's assumption of the Wonder Woman mantle, Supergirl's return to the 21st century, Jason Todd pretending to be Nightwing, and Cassandra Cain being drugged to turn evil and join Deathstroke.

Collected editions

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The lead stories of the series are collected, with commentary from the creators and other extras, into four trade paperbacks:

All 52 issues were also available in the 52 Omnibus hardcover (1,216 pages, November 2012, ISBN 978-1401235567).

The collection has also been made available in a two-volume edition that includes bonus material after each chapter:

Other connected collections include:

Spin-offs

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Taking advantage of the popularity of the series, DC issued several series of comics based on the individual threads of 52 that began several months after 52 ended. Booster Gold (vol. 2) is an ongoing series that sees the eponymous hero and Rip Hunter travel through time to fix history as "the greatest superhero never known". The six-issue 52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen miniseries covers the Four Horsemen's battle with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Black Adam: The Dark Age, another six-issue miniseries, follows Teth-Adam's quest to restore his powers and bring Isis back to life; it takes place between the end of 52 and Mary Marvel's corruption in Countdown to Final Crisis.

Two strands of the 52 story were taken and put together with back-ups from the new Countdown to Final Crisis story. Countdown to Adventure looks at the fate of space-travelers Adam Strange, Animal Man, and Starfire in their new roles after their journey over the course of eight issues, with a back-up story following Forerunner. Countdown to Mystery is another eight-issue series looking at the new Doctor Fate and a back-up story focusing on Eclipso.

These include:

  • Booster Gold vol. 2 #1–47 – The further adventures of Booster Gold, Supernova, and Rip Hunter as they try to preserve the fractured timeline.
  • Black Adam: The Dark Age #1–6 – In the aftermath of World War III, Black Adam tries to recoup his losses, for both his powers and his personal life.
  • Infinity Inc. #1–12 – Steel and the remaining members of Luthor's Everyman Project team together to form a new Infinity Inc.
  • 52 Aftermath: Crime Bible – Five Lessons of Blood #1–5 – The Question and Batwoman investigate crimes, leading them deeper into the Crime Bible.
  • 52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen #1–6 – Follows Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman against the Four Horsemen of Apokolips.
  • Metal Men #1–8 – Follows Dr. William "Will" Magnus and the new version of the Metal Men as they battle Will's brother, David, who wants to destroy them.
  • Detective Comics – Follows Batwoman and the Question.
  • The Great Ten #1–9 – Follows the Chinese superteam.

In other media

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Action figures

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In September 2006, DC Direct premiered a line of action figures based on 52. The first wave, featuring figures based on Batwoman, Isis, Booster Gold, Animal Man, and Supernova, was released in May 2007.[10]

Novelization

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Ace Books, under the imprint of the Berkley Publishing Group and published by the Penguin Group, released a novelization written by Greg Cox, with cover art by J. G. Jones and Alex Sinclair, and its design by George Brewer.

The novel primarily adapts the weekly limited series and the World War III tie-in miniseries. The novel deals with the plotlines of Montoya, the Question, Black Adam, Booster Gold, Skeets, and the 52 Earths, dropping the Luthor/Steel/Everyman Project, Ralph Dibny, and space plotlines completely and including only part of the "Science Squad" storyline, keeping in the evil geniuses and their work for Intergang but leaving out Will Magnus' ongoing plot; in his introduction, Cox explains that it was not possible to adapt all the plotlines of 52 within a novel of reasonable length. Outside of the loss of these various storylines from the book, events play out in an essentially identical manner, with most of the dialogue itself even lifted from the comics verbatim. There are some minor cosmetic changes along the way (for instance, on Week 3, Black Adam kills Intergang thug Rough House as opposed to Terra-Man), but in the final chapter, a lot of the specifics of Mister Mind's cross-time battle with Rip Hunter, Booster Gold, and Supernova are altered. The villain reveals himself in front of a gathered group of heroes in Metropolis, rather than to just Booster and Rip in the Fortress of Solitude; the rebirth of the multiverse is credited to Mister Mind's transformation, rather than the Crisis; and the weapon stolen from Steel by Booster during World War III is actually put to use against Mind, which it was not in the comic, and is the cause of his unexplained-in-the-comic shrinking.

Audiobook

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In December 2007, GraphicAudio released the first half of a full cast audiobook adaptation based on the novel by Greg Cox. Like GraphicAudio's audiobook of Infinite Crisis, this spans two volumes (each 6 hours long) with 6 CDs and features a full cast, music, and sound effects. Volume 2 was released in February 2008.

Voice cast credits as follows:

  • Ken Jackson : Black Adam, Skeets, Mr. Mind
  • Barbara Pinolini : Renee Montoya
  • Bruce Rauscher : The Question, Phantom Stranger, Dr. Cyclops, Leonard Akteon
  • Colleen Delany : Isis, Wonder Woman, Superwoman
  • David Coyne : Booster Gold, Boss Mannheim, Daniel Carter, Captain Boomerang, Beefeater
  • James Konicek : Clark Kent, Count Vertigo, First Beast-man
  • Nanette Savard : Lois Lane, Whisper A’Daire, Zalika
  • M.B. Van Dorn : Katherine Kane, Batwoman
  • Michael Glenn : Osiris, Richard Dragon, Hourman, Beastboy
  • Terence Aselford : Captain Marvel, Jay Garrick, Captain Marvel Jr., Mind-Grabber Kid
  • Susan Lynskey : Mary Marvel, Plastique, Madame Xanadu
  • James Lewis : Nightwing, Kyle Abbot, Baron Bug, Agent Rogers, Jimmy Olsen
  • Karen Carbone : Power Girl, Claudia Lanpher
  • Ted Stoddard : Aristotle Rodor
  • Eric Messner : Atom-Smasher, Dr. Death
  • Erika Rose : Amanda Waller, Natasha Irons
  • Michael John Casey : Persuader, Dr. Kim, Zorrm
  • Elisabeth Demery : Zatanna, Stargirl, Mallory, Veronica Cale
  • Jeff Baker : Alan Scott
  • Elliot Dash : Mr.Terrific, Steel
  • Dylan Lynch : Waverider, Col. Harjvati, Electrocutioner
  • Thomas Penny : J’onn J’onnz, Rigoro Mortis, News Anchor, Black Lightning, Bike Boy
  • Tim Carlin : Perry White, Jim Corrigan, Benny the Mover
  • Cate Torre : Lady Sivana, Mildred Heiny, Yellow Peri, Carjack Lady
  • Jim Lawson : Metamorpho, Louie the Mover, Fred Farrell, Panic Dad
  • Arianne Parker : Firehawk, Firefighter, Kahndaqi woman
  • Christopher Graybill : T.O.Morrow, Roggra, Noose, Mirage
  • Michael Replogle : Dr.Tyme, Manthrax
  • Christopher Walker : Strauss, Kahndaqi dissident, Aged servant
  • Jacinda Bronaugh : Vicki Vale, Bobbi Bobbins
  • Richard Rohan : Dr. Sivana, Rip Hunter, Sabbac, Azraeuz, The Blimp
  • Mort Shelby : Sobek, Wildcat, Mammoth, Tawky Tawny, Rough House

The Flash

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In the CW series The Flash, the term '52' is often used as an Easter egg. For example, in the episode "Things You Can't Outrun", the Flash team opt to incarcerate criminal metahumans in "Area 52" at S.T.A.R. Labs.[11] In the second season, inter-dimensional breaches are made between Earth-One and Earth-Two, and 52 separate portals are located.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Dolan, Hannah (2010). "2000s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. p. 325. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. The title was masterminded by writers Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, and Mark Waid, with Keith Giffen providing art breakdowns.
  2. ^ "DC Comics Solicitations for Product Shipping, May 2006". Comic Book Resources. February 13, 2006. Archived from the original on October 26, 2008.
  3. ^ "5.2 (or so) About 52: Week 30". Newsarama. December 1, 2006. Archived from the original on December 10, 2006.
  4. ^ Beatty, Scott (2008). "Elongated Man". In Dougall, Alastair (ed.). The DC Comics Encyclopedia. New York: Dorling Kindersley. p. 114. ISBN 978-0-7566-4119-1. OCLC 213309017.
  5. ^ "52 Volume 1 profile". DC Comics.com. Archived from the original on 2013-06-21.
  6. ^ "52 Volume 2 profile". DC Comics.com. Archived from the original on 2016-02-08.
  7. ^ "52 Volume 3 profile". DC Comics.com. Archived from the original on 2016-02-08.
  8. ^ "52 Volume 4 profile". DC Comics.com. Archived from the original on 2016-02-08.
  9. ^ "52: The Companion profile". DC Comics.com. Archived from the original on 2016-02-08.
  10. ^ DC Comics.com DC Direct "Action Figures – ALL"[permanent dead link‍], accessed April 14, 2011.
  11. ^ "The Flash: Easter Eggs and DC Comics References in "Things You Can't Outrun"". comicbook.com. 12 November 2014. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  12. ^ "Possible New 52 reference in the Flash: Flash of Two Worlds - moviepilot.com". Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2016-03-12.
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