Superhero Media: 52

Probably one of the best series that DC Comics has ever produced, 52 is also referred to as "DC Comics' 52" or "52: The Series" around the place, and is not to be confused with all of the "New 52" titles. After the events of Infinite Crisis, a year of the DCU was lost, 52 tells the story of that year, in 52 weekly installments, from the perspective of those living in a world without Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. The strength of 52 comes from the characters that drive its narrative, including Booster Gold, The Question, Renee Montoya, Steel, Batwoman, Elongated Man, Animal Man, Starfire, Adam Strange, Black Adam and more, each of whom have their own arc within the broader whole. I loaned 52 to my girlfriend because she has become a fan of Batwoman and wanted to see where the current incarnation of the character got started, and now she wants to read more about Elongated Man and Booster Gold. Even when I first read 52, I only reconised some of the characters, and now I have entire collections of Animal Man and Booster Gold. 

The problem with 52 is that so much happens, to single out any particular plot line or moment seems disingenuous to the whole. It's not just Booster Gold's story that's great, but it touches on what is also happening to Skeets, Rip Hunter, Professor Morrow, Wonder Girl and others, so it can't be isolated from the web of narrative happening through the series. The one character I can talk about with relative impunity is Black Adam, who begins the series as the brutal dictator of his own nation, and ends it being hunted by every hero on the planet. Black Adam changes so much throughout 52, that it is difficult for me to see him as the simple, "bad guy" antagonist to Captain Marvel that he once was. After the success of the SHAZAM! film, I now look forward to the Black Marvel spin-off where Isis, Osiris and Sobek appear. But wait, now I want to talk about the Science Squad and Oolong Island, or how Doc Magnus is an interesting character apart from the Metal Men. 

One of the best things about 52 is how it ties into other great DC comics, like New 52 Booster Gold, Jaime Reyes Blue Beetle, and Greg Ruka's Batwoman run. Yes, the DC reboot roundabout means that many of these series never got a great run, but I do tend to re-read the four-volume Blue Beetle more often than the twenty five-volume Ultimate Spider-Man, so there's that. If you're getting a serious comic collection together, pick up the four 52 trades, they're a great read and an even better introduction to some interesting side-characters, as well as a rewarding story for existing fans, with plenty of Easter Eggs and trainspotting to be had. Also, get some Booster Gold, Animal Man and Batwoman while you're at it. Naturally, I have many of the characters that feature in 52 in miniature, though the current options on Supernova and Captain Comet are pretty poor and I don't think anyone makes a Lady Styx.