5.2 or SO WITH MICHAEL SIGLAIN ON 52 #45

[MattBrady]

<img src="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/WAcker/week45/52-Cv45-ds.jpg" border="0" align="right">So <i>last</i> week, Adam’s family was killed.

<i>This</I> week?

Adam returns the favor.

Completing his arc from bad guy to okay guy to likeable guy to nice guy to hurt guy back down to mother%#*@ing bad guy, Adam spent the better part of this week (after burying his dead wife and brother) getting his killin’ on in Bialya, where the surviving Horsemen…er, Horsem<i>a</i>n fled after Adam kicked all of their apocalyptic asses last week.

On the hunt for Death and out to punish the country for aiding the Horsemen, Adam killed Bialya. No – you read that right – he pretty much killed the country.

Oh – and he found out who sent the Horsemen. Folks on Oolong are changing their drawers right about now.

Let’s hit Editor Michael Siglain up with the questions…

<b>Newsarama</b>: To start at the beginning of Week 45, we open with the funeral. Why have no other heroes other than the Marvels come?

<b>Michael Siglain</b>: The funeral is for Isis and Osiris and the people of Kahndaq. The only outsiders present--Montoya and the Marvel Family--were not really outsiders at all, but friends of Isis. After everything they’ve gone through together, Montoya and the Marvels not only deserve to be there, but they want to be there, so that they can pay their respects and offer condolences to Black Adam.

Do you agree, extra special guest star Greg Rucka?

<b>Greg Rucka</b>: Yeah. How many people do you think he's letting in for a helping hand or moral support at this juncture? His good friends in the JSA, maybe? Or maybe he's wondering where the hell everyone else was while his country was being turned into salted deadlands and his brother-in-law and bride were being murdered.

<b>NRAMA</b>: Good point. So in terms of Bialya and Intergang, where is Mannheim when he see him talking to the Bialyan President? He's not on Oolong Island?

<b>MS</b>: Nope, Mannheim hasn’t left Gotham. Right, Greg?

<b>GR</b>: He’s in Gotham.

<b>MS</b>: See, and you thought I wasn’t being truthful...

<b>NRAMA</b>: As you’ve taught readers, nothing is to be taken for granted – that map beside Mannheim – the one with the big red circle on it. Any clues?

<b>MS</b>: It’s the map of--

<b>GR</b>: That would be a map of Gotham City, and saying more would be telling.

<b>MS</b>: Right. What he said.

<b>NRAMA</b>: So in short, Intergang betrayed Bialya, and left them for Black Adam to destroy?

<b>MS</b>: Actually, there has been a series of betrayals. Despite their promises, the President of Bialya was foolish enough to trust Mannheim and Intergang, and it cost him his life. As for the country itself, Bialya was always a means to an end for Intergang, though Intergang never expected that they were also being double-crossed.

<b>NRAMA</b>: In regards to the politics of the situation, would you say that what Black Adam does, that is, gives hot pursuit to a...for lack of a better word, terrorist, and attacks the forces of a country that was giving it aid and comfort - allegory for events in our world, or just telling a story in a world that's similar to ours, with likewise similar concerns and problems?

<b>MS</b>: I am going to have to pass the shoe on this one. Greg?

<b>GR</b>: I think I'm speaking for all of us when I say that we're interested in telling a good story. The reader can take from it whatever he or she likes. If they can successfully draw an inference to current events, sure, it's there. If they can successfully draw an inference to Roosevelt's New Deal establishing of the TVA, sure, it's there.

<b>NRAMA</b>: With this happening in the Middle East, why is China nervous?

<b>GR</b>: Oil. Escalation. Destabilization. Lack of oil. Next?

<b>MS</b>: Ditto what Greg said. And see Week 47 for some more answers to that question.

<b>NRAMA</b>: Going back to what Greg mentioned about the JSA’s lack of involvement - Alan's comments about knowing what Adam can do better than anyone. Is there, or will there be guilt on Alan or the JSA's part for this, and what is to come? Could the JSA - his onetime friends have talked him down, or was he too far gone, at that point?

<b>MS</b>: I think Alan already feels guilty over what has happened, and it’s this incident, combined with what happened back at Thanksgiving time with Infinity, Inc. (see Week 29), that’s making Alan rethink both his and the JSA’s place in the world. More on this next week, gang.

<b>NRAMA</b>: Okay – moving over to Belle Reeve - c'mon - even 100 members of a Suicide Squad to stop Adam? Does Waller really think that even <i>that</i> would have a chance of stopping Adam, or is she just throwing bodies at him to slow him down, knowing that, if she <i>could</i> find 100 villains to stand against Adam, she'd have a field with 100 corpses rather quickly.

<b>MS</b>: Waller knows that she’d need at least 100 members on her team to even consider going up against a rage-filled and fully-powered Black Adam. But yeah - I don’t think she particularly cares if all 100 come back alive, or in body bags.

<b>NRAMA</b>: By Day 5 - Adam is still killing innocent people. In his mind, is this just and equal payment for the millions of dead in Kahndaq?

<b>MS</b>: By Day 5 Black Adam has officially snapped, and has gone on the warpath, killing everyone and laying waste to the countryside until he finds Death.

<b>NRAMA</b>: Touching upon the guilt angle again - he's had what, the better part of two days to decimate Bialya. Why has no one stepped in? Were <b>all</b> the heroes' hands tied by politics? After all, there <i>was</i> no more "Bialya" after say, 12 hours, to oppose heroes of other nations coming in... the idea of the JSA and other heroes by doing nothing, "letting" Adam do this kind of leaves a bitter taste in the mouth...

<b>MS</b>: Politics and red tape prevented any outside help from interfering, but as we’ll see, the JSA didn’t just “let” Black Adam go on a rampage.

<b>NRAMA</b>: Even though you said he snapped - Adam crying at the bottom of that page. Is that his first real tears in all of this?

<b>MS</b>: No, not at all. Black Adam has already shed tears for the loss of his wife.

<b>NRAMA</b>: Back over to China - the Chinese government intended for Black Adam to die? Why?

<b>GR</b>: Let me take this one, Mike. Three words: Wait. And. See.

<b>NRAMA</b>: Even with that – they’re making preparations. Are they expecting Black Adam, and the resultant battle to come to them?

<b>MS</b>: Perhaps...possibly for reasons that have yet to be revealed. Or perhaps not.

<b>NRAMA</b>: Capturing Death - there will be those that claim the injury to Death was easily inflicted, but just to remind everyone - those aren't just regular bolts of lighting that hit the Marvel family, are they?

<b>MS</b>: Black Adam has the power of the Gods on his side, and when he calls down the lightning, Death doesn’t stand a chance.

<b>NRAMA</b>: Got it. So – timelining it - the "night" Adam was speaking of using to kill Death was Day 6's night, and now, Day 7 am, he's at Oolong?

<b>MS</b>: That’s exactly right! You’re like a Swiss watch...

<b>NRAMA</b>: Touching again on a common theme - the world has, clearly, gone to hell. Superman and Wonder Woman - who stand the best shot at stopping this, are nowhere to be found. Could one assume that if they were still there, the world wouldn't have gone to hell like this?

<b>MS</b>: Let’s bring Mr. Rucka back for one last question, shall we? Want to take this one, Greg?

<b>GR</b>: One can certainly conclude that Bialya wouldn't be a smoldering glass-encrusted crater, yes.

<b>NRAMA</b>: And one last - so we don't lose sight of it in all of this - Intergang was so angry at Black Adam because of what - he wouldn't let them come into his country, way back in the early issues?

<b>MS</b>: When you strip everything else away, Black Adam wouldn’t play ball with Intergang, and now Intergang is taking their revenge. Black Adam refused to be connected with Intergang, and that good decision has, ultimately, cost him everything—his love, his family, his country and quite possibly, his very life.

<b>NRAMA</b>: Safe to say there’s some Intergang-directed payback coming?

<b>MS</b>: To borrow Greg’s answer: wait and see.

<b>NRAMA</b>: Fair enough. And over to you for the teases for next week...

<b>MS</b>: All right, gang. It was a slam bang week in <b>52</b> land, what with Black Adam going ballistic, but this is just the beginning. Now that Black Adam knows where the Four Horsemen came from, he’s off to see the wizard! Or, in this case, the mad scientists on Oolong Island. Want proof? Then check out this ridiculously cool cover from J.G. and Alex, as well as a couple of preview pages:

<center><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/WAcker/week45/52-Cv46.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/WAcker/week45/52-Cv46_t.jpg" border="0"></a>
<p><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/WAcker/week45/52-46.p1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/WAcker/week45/52-46.p1_t.jpg" border="0"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/WAcker/week45/52-46.p10.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/WAcker/week45/52-46.p10_t.jpg" border="0"></a></center>

<b>MS</b>: It’s Black Adam vs the Mad Scientists of Oolong Island, and it’s gonna be good! Plus, we get a visit from Clark Kent and the JSA, and the Origin of Batman from Andy Kubert! You don’t want to miss next week, gang.

But in case you want a little more, let me leave you with these parting words: “We thought you died, you murdering waste of carbon!” Huh. Guess someone’s back from the dead next week. Until next week, “try to enjoy the daylight.”

[Barnum01]

It keeps getting better and better. First Post? Wow! That never happens.

[PreCrisisDC]

That was one kick ass issue. Period.

[PreCrisisDC]

That was one kick ass issue...Period. I was glad to see that (some) people knew the reason why he went berserk....I am hoping this is played up...but man....that was done really well, the dismantling of the Horsemen.

[matchesmalone]

Once again, there's no mention of the art team for 20 pages of this book (I'm fairly certain those are Patrick Oliffe pencils), just a mention of the high-profile artist of the final 2 pages.

I'll be happy when this book ends as I'll never have to read a Shawn Moll or Eddy Barrows pencilled comic again. Their pencilling is sub-par, and the pencilling on this book has rarely raised above par (Joe Bennett is the only above-average artist to have done more than one issue - the Drew Johnson and Darrick Robertson issues were above-average too).

Just look at the first few pages of Barrows' drawings of Black Adam last week. His head is so oddly connected to his body, like the top of a thumb or something, and his leg is all jelly and curves. And that's just from memory!

It's pretty damning that DC doesn't mention the artists who do more than 90 percent of the book on the cover or in the solicits. It's clear they know Barrows, Moll, etc., are not names that will sell books, because the work is barely competent.

I can easily think of 50 active pencillers who would be better than 90 percent of those that have drawn issues of 52.

Looks like Countdown will follow a similar pattern and extend it to the writers. (Come to think of it, World War III co-writer Keith Champagne has written what, 3 issues of JSA and 3 issues of Green Lantern Corps? That's hardly a professional track record for a high-profile book like that.)

I'll pass, and good riddance to 52.

[Speedball93]

Who is back from the dead? Any guesses?

[Hokeyboy]

That one issue? It kicked ass...Period.

[holtom2000]

i'm a fan of writing over art 99 times out of 100.
but I think the next cover of 52 is the coolest damn cover I've ever seen. And that's not a life.
It's so cool, I would buy that piece of art and have it framed and stuck on my wall. To hell with the wedding pictures.
That's how cool I think that cover is.
oh, and I can't wait to actually read this stuff. Off to Saskatoon next Monday where I'll get my hands on the last four weeks... I don't know how I'll wait for the last four issues... argh!

[Lex]

Anyone else feel like this book has turned into the Black Adam show? Not that that's a bad thing, I guess.

I really hope Adam doesn't kill all those fun mad scientists. It seems like we haven't seen any good mad scientists for years at DC. So it would be a shame to waste them just to add to Adam's growing death-count.

Though we do know Sivana and Magnus will survive.

Oh and I love how Morrow is bidding in an online auction for Red Tornado. Hilarious!

[Speedball93]

Anyone else feel like this book has turned into the Black Adam show? Not that that's a bad thing, I guess.

I really hope Adam doesn't kill all those fun mad scientists. It seems like we haven't seen any good mad scientists for years at DC. So it would be a shame to waste them just to add to Adam's growing death-count.

Though we do know Sivana and Magnus will survive.
How many weeks has it been since we have seen anything from Booster and Rip? Hopefully the last few weeks will not be all about BA. I like him and all, but there are still stories that have yet to be resolved and we are running out of issues quick.

[iyamwhatiyam]

The last few issues have been just amazing, with this one taking the cake (so far). I admit that had gotten bored with 52 a while back, but the plot threads of the various stories are starting to resolve so beautifully, from Elongated Man to Montoya to Oolong Isand to the absolutely incredible Black Adam story.

I'm shocked to say this considering how much of an Adam Strange/Animal Man/Lobo/Grant Morrison fan I am, but it's the outer space crew that has been by far the least interesting part of this whole journey so far.

[Palm Trees]

“try to enjoy the daylight.”

Hehe, someone's been watching reruns of Tales from the Darkside.

MS: Politics and red tape prevented any outside help from interfering, but as we’ll see, the JSA didn’t just “let” Black Adam go on a rampage.

I find it hard to believe no heros tried to stop Adam. Heroes are essentially vigilantes, working outside the law, so how could red tape stop them?

Things are really picking up, I'm eager to see how everything works out. Hopefully Magnus won't get killed with all the other mad scientists.

[Happyhatter]

This is going to be good, Really Good

[Street Carp]

With dialogue like that, I'ma guess that Sobek is back. But I don't have a preference as to who it is... I'm lovin' the ride! :D

(ian)

[ziza9]

Once again, there's no mention of the art team for 20 pages of this book (I'm fairly certain those are Patrick Oliffe pencils), just a mention of the high-profile artist of the final 2 pages.

I'll be happy when this book ends as I'll never have to read a Shawn Moll or Eddy Barrows pencilled comic again. Their pencilling is sub-par, and the pencilling on this book has rarely raised above par (Joe Bennett is the only above-average artist to have done more than one issue - the Drew Johnson and Darrick Robertson issues were above-average too).

Just look at the first few pages of Barrows' drawings of Black Adam last week. His head is so oddly connected to his body, like the top of a thumb or something, and his leg is all jelly and curves. And that's just from memory!

It's pretty damning that DC doesn't mention the artists who do more than 90 percent of the book on the cover or in the solicits. It's clear they know Barrows, Moll, etc., are not names that will sell books, because the work is barely competent.

I can easily think of 50 active pencillers who would be better than 90 percent of those that have drawn issues of 52.

Looks like Countdown will follow a similar pattern and extend it to the writers. (Come to think of it, World War III co-writer Keith Champagne has written what, 3 issues of JSA and 3 issues of Green Lantern Corps? That's hardly a professional track record for a high-profile book like that.)

I'll pass, and good riddance to 52.

1) You don't HAVE to read one now. If you want I can ask Dan Didio to stop holding the gun to your head and forcing you to pick up the book. 2) These 50 active pencilers you speak of...are they timely enough to work on a weekly (never late) comic series? If so, 3) please list their names. 4) Why consistently read a fifty-two issue series if you are having such an awful time with it? Merely to poop all over the party? I mean 5, 10 issues I could understand. But 40 +? 5) and finally, what right do you have to judge, so snidely and harshly, someone's professional record. Wait one more...6) the mention of the Origin artists are called smart marketing. The names of those artists put butts in seats as it were. That doesn't take away from the fine job that the artists on the main story do, but it is a way to tanatalize more readers (in theory) to perhaps pick up a book or two. I'm done. Same story, different week with you.

[Lex]

How many weeks has it been since we have seen anything from Booster and Rip? Hopefully the last few weeks will not be all about BA. I like him and all, but there are still stories that have yet to be resolved and we are running out of issues quick.
Yeah, I'm hoping they give Adam's story a little break before World War III. I'd like to find out what's going on with the other plots before it's back to the Black Adam Show.

[Nukeboy]

Who is back from the dead? Any guesses?


Everyman. That is my guess.

[ziza9]

Yeah, I'm hoping they give Adam's story a little break before World War III. I'd like to find out what's going on with the other plots before it's back to the Black Adam Show.

Yeah, I'm curious what's been going on with them as well. Maybe a couple of weeks in a row coming up will focus on them exclusively.

[aceatkins]

Once again, there's no mention of the art team for 20 pages of this book (I'm fairly certain those are Patrick Oliffe pencils), just a mention of the high-profile artist of the final 2 pages.

I'll be happy when this book ends as I'll never have to read a Shawn Moll or Eddy Barrows pencilled comic again. Their pencilling is sub-par, and the pencilling on this book has rarely raised above par (Joe Bennett is the only above-average artist to have done more than one issue - the Drew Johnson and Darrick Robertson issues were above-average too).

Just look at the first few pages of Barrows' drawings of Black Adam last week. His head is so oddly connected to his body, like the top of a thumb or something, and his leg is all jelly and curves. And that's just from memory!

It's pretty damning that DC doesn't mention the artists who do more than 90 percent of the book on the cover or in the solicits. It's clear they know Barrows, Moll, etc., are not names that will sell books, because the work is barely competent.

I can easily think of 50 active pencillers who would be better than 90 percent of those that have drawn issues of 52.

Looks like Countdown will follow a similar pattern and extend it to the writers. (Come to think of it, World War III co-writer Keith Champagne has written what, 3 issues of JSA and 3 issues of Green Lantern Corps? That's hardly a professional track record for a high-profile book like that.)

I'll pass, and good riddance to 52.

In defense of the 52 artists, these guys are all capable. Every one of them. Burrows and Oliffe might not be the most dynamic pencillers, but they can tell a story, and most importantly they met their deadlines. And for this book, meeting deadlines was of critical importance. I won't disagree that there are a bunch of artists out there whose work I prefer, but I also seriously doubt that many, if any, could get out pages like these guys. They deserve a round of applause, not scorn.

Regarding the alleged sub-par writing slated for Countdown, you have yet to even read a single page of the book. Don't you think it's a tad early for judging it? While Keith Champagne might not have a huge track record as writer, I've read pretty much everything he's written so far and have enjoyed it tremendously. He's a star on the rise and a good fit for the book, I think. Same with McKeever. Why is it a bad thing that DC is cultivating young talent instead of going back to the same wells over and over again? I think it's a smart decision all-around.

[Knowbrainer]

(Come to think of it, World War III co-writer Keith Champagne has written what, 3 issues of JSA and 3 issues of Green Lantern Corps? That's hardly a professional track record for a high-profile book like that.)

Those four issues are all co-written with him, aren't they? And I'm pretty sure the co-writers are all big names (bad memory, but I can recall John Ostrander as one of them).

[TurdFerguson]

it would suck balls if black adam dies

i like him

[vbartilucci]

Anyone else feel like this book has turned into the Black Adam show? Not that that's a bad thing, I guess.

I really hope Adam doesn't kill all those fun mad scientists. It seems like we haven't seen any good mad scientists for years at DC. So it would be a shame to waste them just to add to Adam's growing death-count.

Though we do know Sivana and Magnus will survive.

Oh and I love how Morrow is bidding in an online auction for Red Tornado. Hilarious!
The last few issue have certainly centered on him, but was it the Ralph Show when it was all about Mr Dibny?

It's just Black Adam's turn. Oh BOY it is Black Adam's turn.

Judging from Sivana's excitement in this issue, might it be possible that the Horsemen were indeed the cannon fodder, and the REAL threat is on the island? Maybe in the hands of Sivana?

The Oolong Island scientists are the funniest people in the book, bar none. If Hiro is the character we are to identify with in Heroes, so too are the Oolong Boys the ones we're supposed to identify with here. That speech in the next issue could be given in any High School chess club in the country.

T.O. Morrow has become a fully rounded, interesting character with some of the BEST lines in the whole damn BOOK.
(Nomination for Conversation of the Series:
"I knew a woman once..."
"And?"
"No, I just knew a woman once.")
Morrow is now a character I am quite keen on seeing again.

He.
is.
friggin'.
DOOMED.

Oh, and the girl scientist is TOTALLY Mannheim's spy.

[ziza9]

The last few issue have certainly centered on him, but was it the Ralph Show when it was all about Mr Dibny?

It's just Black Adam's turn. Oh BOY it is Black Adam's turn.

Judging from Sivana's excitement in this issue, might it be possible that the Horsemen were indeed the cannon fodder, and the REAL threat is on the island? Maybe in the hands of Sivana?

The Oolong Island scientists are the funniest people in the book, bar none. If Hiro is the character we are to identify with in Heroes, so too are the Oolong Boys the ones we're supposed to identify with here. That speech in the next issue could be given in any High School chess club in the country.

T.O. Morrow has become a fully rounded, interesting character with some of the BEST lines in the whole damn BOOK.
(Nomination for Conversation of the Series:
"I knew a woman once..."
"And?"
"No, I just knew a woman once.")
Morrow is now a character I am quite keen on seeing again.

He.
is.
friggin'.
DOOMED.

Oh, and the girl scientist is TOTALLY Mannheim's spy.

It would be shame to see them slaughtered. That group needs to live on. A very entertaining bunch (as written here) indeed.

[ReccaSquirrl]

Who is back from the dead? Any guesses?
It has to be Everyman.

[ReccaSquirrl]

Hmmm. Black Adam is defeated but not killed and the scientists use him to start World War III perhaps?

[Ye Olde Iowa]

Once again, there's no mention of the art team for 20 pages of this book (I'm fairly certain those are Patrick Oliffe pencils), just a mention of the high-profile artist of the final 2 pages.

I'll be happy when this book ends as I'll never have to read a Shawn Moll or Eddy Barrows pencilled comic again. Their pencilling is sub-par, and the pencilling on this book has rarely raised above par (Joe Bennett is the only above-average artist to have done more than one issue - the Drew Johnson and Darrick Robertson issues were above-average too).

Just look at the first few pages of Barrows' drawings of Black Adam last week. His head is so oddly connected to his body, like the top of a thumb or something, and his leg is all jelly and curves. And that's just from memory!

It's pretty damning that DC doesn't mention the artists who do more than 90 percent of the book on the cover or in the solicits. It's clear they know Barrows, Moll, etc., are not names that will sell books, because the work is barely competent.

I can easily think of 50 active pencillers who would be better than 90 percent of those that have drawn issues of 52.

Looks like Countdown will follow a similar pattern and extend it to the writers. (Come to think of it, World War III co-writer Keith Champagne has written what, 3 issues of JSA and 3 issues of Green Lantern Corps? That's hardly a professional track record for a high-profile book like that.)

I'll pass, and good riddance to 52.

First of all, just because you haven't read a ton of Keith Champagne books doesn't mean that he isn't a talented writer. Obviously he has been doing something right to nail a major gig like this. Let's try to be a little more open minded.

Secondly, the artists on the book were obviously chosen because they have very similar art styles and pick up well from Giffen's breakdowns. It's not about having names on the cover, its about consistency. If you haven't noticed, nobody's names are ever on the cover unless they are guest artist on the origin. The selling point of 52 isn't the people that are working on it, its the actual book itself.

[matchesmalone]

In defense of the 52 artists, these guys are all capable. Every one of them. Burrows and Oliffe might not be the most dynamic pencillers, but they can tell a story, and most importantly they met their deadlines. And for this book, meeting deadlines was of critical importance. I won't disagree that there are a bunch of artists out there whose work I prefer, but I also seriously doubt that many, if any, could get out pages like these guys. They deserve a round of applause, not scorn.

Regarding the alleged sub-par writing slated for Countdown, you have yet to even read a single page of the book. Don't you think it's a tad early for judging it? While Keith Champagne might not have a huge track record as writer, I've read pretty much everything he's written so far and have enjoyed it tremendously. He's a star on the rise and a good fit for the book, I think. Same with McKeever. Why is it a bad thing that DC is cultivating young talent instead of going back to the same wells over and over again? I think it's a smart decision all-around.

I think Keith Giffen has done the storytelling, through the layouts. I think "capable" pencillers should work on lower-tier books for a bit, or backup stories, and then move onto something higher profile, while they refine their work. That's how it has worked for many years, and that worked well. It boggles my mind that DC uses "developing" talent for fill-ins on top-tier books - for instance the Batman War Crimes books, and some of the recent Superman title fill-ins. Chinsun, anybody?

What I was referring to about Countdown was using not-particularly-well-known creators for their big event book, and not mentioning them by name. (The Previews ad said something like, the world's finest artists, as opposed to saying, with pencils by Artist X, Artist Y, and Artist Z.) If you're going to ask someone to spend approximately $150 on a series, I would think you would use known professionals that fans have high opinions of already, and that have a suitable track record of good work done in a timely manner.

[ziza9]

Hmmm. Black Adam is defeated but not killed and the scientists use him to start World War III perhaps?

Redirect his hate/rage as their ultimate embodiment of War and Death. Could be interesting.

[NeoSamurai]

I'm miffed that Veronica Cale is going to die :(

[Ye Olde Iowa]

I think Keith Giffen has done the storytelling, through the layouts. I think "capable" pencillers should work on lower-tier books for a bit, or backup stories, and then move onto something higher profile, while they refine their work. That's how it has worked for many years, and that worked well. It boggles my mind that DC uses "developing" talent for fill-ins on top-tier books - for instance the Batman War Crimes books, and some of the recent Superman title fill-ins. Chinsun, anybody?

What I was referring to about Countdown was using not-particularly-well-known creators for their big event book, and not mentioning them by name. (The Previews ad said something like, the world's finest artists, as opposed to saying, with pencils by Artist X, Artist Y, and Artist Z.) If you're going to ask someone to spend approximately $150 on a series, I would think you would use known professionals that fans have high opinions of already, and that have a suitable track record of good work done in a timely manner.

Well, given that 52 is selling like gangbusters without having marquee names on the cover, I think that DC is safe going the route they are. These "capable" pencilers have done a great job and have shown a ton of progress in the last year. In my opinion, these are top-tier level workers now.

So, do you buy your books based upon the creators alone, or what? Way to reenforce the glass ceiling.

[NeoSamurai]

Well, given that 52 is selling like gangbusters without having marquee names on the cover, I think that DC is safe going the route they are. These "capable" pencilers have done a great job and have shown a ton of progress in the last year. In my opinion, these are top-tier level workers now.


I think the artists for 52 are awesome with their subtlety. they're being consistant and not overshadowing the story. DC really needs to do a kudos to the art team because without them, this book really wouldn't be as good as it is now. 52 really is a team effort and that needs to be emphasized.

[matchesmalone]

Well, given that 52 is selling like gangbusters without having marquee names on the cover, I think that DC is safe going the route they are. These "capable" pencilers have done a great job and have shown a ton of progress in the last year. In my opinion, these are top-tier level workers now.

So, do you buy your books based upon the creators alone, or what? Way to reenforce the glass ceiling.

It's selling about 90k. Add above-average artists and it would sell ~110-120k. I don't care how safe DC is, I would rather read something with consistently good artwork than anything with Moll, Barrows, etc. doing a big part of it. Please take a look at Barrows' last issue - do you really think that is "top-tier" pencilling? Bearing in mind that Giffen did the layouts?

I don't just buy on the basis of creators. I loved Peter Milligan's work on Shade, X-Force, X-Statix, etc., for instance, but wouldn't buy X-Men or Wolverine because those are different types of books. And I'm certainly not averse to new creators - Renato Guedes for instance is new but fit in very well and draws very well.

[Blackhawkaaaa!]

Who is back from the dead? Any guesses?


EVERYMAN...he just appeared in MANHUNTER #29 posing as the Blue Beetle.

Eveyone buy Manhunter. It is Good. Very Good.

[newfoundma]

Who is back from the dead? Any guesses?


Everyman? Just a guess

[Bullrunner]

Hmmm. Black Adam is defeated but not killed and the scientists use him to start World War III perhaps?



I thought about that. Maybe the whole Four Horsemen thing was just a ploy to turn Adam into the ultimate Horseman. During the last issue, he keeps saying that he is Death. I doubt the scientists could defeat him, but maybe they don't intend to-------they've fueled his rage, now all they have to do is nudge this loose cannon in the proper direction and bingo! World War 3.

[nafannataz]

Everyman? Just a guess

Probably a good guess, since the issue will deal with Lex Luthor's trial

[muherd]

Bialya is/was a JLI country, right? So now Didio has gone from killing off those characters to killing off entire countries that were in that book?!?!?! Good lord, where does it end?!?!

(BWAHAHAHA)

[mike oxbig]

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/3236/crackboboa7.th.jpg (http://img410.imageshack.us/my.php?image=crackboboa7.jpg)

Dotally Dawsome

[Theatre_Sniper]

Oh and I love how Morrow is bidding in an online auction for Red Tornado. Hilarious!

that was a best part of the preview, he is going to die, but bidding is more important, so funny,

[DarkJared]

Anyone else feel like this book has turned into the Black Adam show? Not that that's a bad thing, I guess.

I think you are going to see all the storylines begin to converge on each other now as we head into the WW3 books and last few weeks and everything will come to a head and just explode. I can't wait to see how they tie the space heroes into all of this as well...!

Last issue just rocked - particularly Sivanna at the end of it all - just dieigin to get his hands on a Marvel... keep it up guys - this has been the best ride in comics for a long time!

[Barry Strange]

Anyone else feel like this book has turned into the Black Adam show?

Uh, wasn't Renee in the book this week also? Not just Adam...

[EMeadow]

Bialya is/was a JLI country, right? So now Didio has gone from killing off those characters to killing off entire countries that were in that book?!?!?! Good lord, where does it end?!?!

(BWAHAHAHA)

First of all I had the exact same thought and was about to type that myself and wanted to make sure no one else said it first. So cheers to great minds. ;)

But sticking with that, are we supposed to have sympathy for anyone actually dying in Bialya? The country was a haven for criminals right? No self respecting people allowed there at all? (If I remember my JLI correctly)

I'd say Black Adam done allright then. Plenty of people have been wanting this kind of thing to happen to Bialya for years. Is the Queen Bee still running it?

[Barry Strange]

I'm miffed that Veronica Cale is going to die :(

Magnus will use his mini-Metal Men to save her.

[Barry Strange]

Bialya is/was a JLI country, right? So now Didio has gone from killing off those characters to killing off entire countries that were in that book?!?!?! Good lord, where does it end?!?!

(BWAHAHAHA)

He's also eaten all the Oreos--now Martian Manhunter is stuck eating Chocos...

BTW, not to change the subject, did you notice MM #8's cover? I thought J'onn looked upset because his head has turned into a giant papaya...

[JoeZhang]

Probably a good guess, since the issue will deal with Lex Luthor's trial

Well we already know he's alive as he turned up in a post 52 comic (which one escapes me for the moment - something with Batman in it).

[God-Man]

Hahaha, I love that Morrow was bidding for red Tornado just as Black Adam was about to show up.

[edcoyote]

I've reread all 45 issues of 52. What a heckuva ride! And it's still going....

Here are some things I noticed in the re-reading.

1. Early on we saw Mr. Mind trapped in a tube in Sivana's lab, prior to Sivana being
abducted (week 1). Later we see an image of a cocoon in the same tube (week 3). Later again Will Magnus shows Morrow the broken open cocoon (or maybe a picture of it).
(week 10)

Skeets has technical difficulties at the end of week 1. During week 2, Magnus shuts him
down to examine him.

It doesn't seem to fit the timeline, but is it possible that Mr. Mind snuck a ride on Magnus'
person and managed to take control of Skeets at that point? Sivana makes a comment about having subjected Mr. Mind to Suspendium, an "artificial time", and the series keeps
referring to "time being broken", so maybe it's a non-linear thing.

2. Week 5 prompts the question - where were the heroes that went into space between
the end of Infinite Crisis and 4-5 weeks later? We know that Animal Man, Starfire, and
Adam Strange ended up on that "paradise planet" that Devilance set up. But what about
the others? When did Adam lose his eyes, Alan Scott lose his and gain one of Adam's,
etc.?

It seems like the big secret of 52 has to be centered around what happened in space.
Other than Rip Hunter's chalkboard, Red Tornado and Mal are the only characters that
keep repeating "52". Devilance mentions that the space trio have the bounty on their heads because the saw beyond the 2 score and 12 veils of heaven (that would be 52 veils
in all).

And it's a really creepy thought, but for some reason I think there's some sort of connection between Jade and Lady Styx. At least, Lady Styx seems to have some sort
of thing about "Green Lanterns".

Don't know if this is just a continuity glitch, but Starfire apparently loses her halter top to Lobo when they first met. I might guess that Lobo wanted it as payment. From that point on, she was usually shown wearing Animal Man's shirt. At least that's the case in most issues. Except for the odd occasion when she has her own top back.

3. How's this for foreshadowing? "I swear before this is over I'm gonna hold his dead body in my hands" ---Montoya about Charlie (week 14) Oh, Anakin, you'll be the death of me.


4. Stray comments that are probably just red herrings, but stuck out while I was re-reading. Week 2 - Morrow mentions to Magnus that he had created an android called the
Red Inferno. Week 4 - Why does Halo keep repeating "Lightning that can't strike"?
Week 22 - Magnus has conversation with his brother David, who mentions SHADE.
Magnus is told it's an acronym. Week 32 - at Titans tryouts, a character resembling Robin, talking about Osiris says he'd get his ass kicked on "his earth". That last comment, plus Plastic Man's son "Offspring", plus the image of the old Fortress of Solitude key and Phantom Zone projector in the Rip-Booster-Skeets confrontation issue
make me wonder is the multiverse is already back, but it's just been happening at real subtle levels.

5. Isn't it curious? Nanda Parbat has a mystical/magical effect on people. Once on the
grounds, those who had been evil became good, and stayed that way unless they left again. None of this had any effect on the Helmet of Fate/Felix Faust.

6. Two things occurred to me during my read of this week's issue. First - what's the possibility that Egg Fu, I mean Chuang Tzu (or however it's spelled) is connected to the
group of Chinese super-heroes? Second - Mannheim talks about having a double-agent
on Oolong Island. Why? The scientists there create what they're creating for Intergang,
they created the Horsemen for Intergang. What's a double-agent going to do? Screw up their plans? I mean, a double-agent is one that works for both sides at the same time.
Intergang and Oolong Island are on the same side. Who's the "other" side?

--Ed

[edcoyote]

Here's my real headache.

I don't know how much of this is continuity glitch and
how much is planned, but here goes. Let's try tracking the story of Ralph's wedding ring.
I'm talking Ralph's. One ring to bind him. At least, I'm presuming that Sue was buried with hers. Week 4 - A beardless Ralph loses his wedding ring to the "Cult of Conner".
Week 7 - Ralph with a beard visits Booster Gold with his wedding ring on his finger.
Week 8 - no beard, no apparent ring. Week 11 - the beard is back, still no ring.
Week 12 - Ralph's beard is now stubble. Week 13 - this is the issue with the resurrection ceremony. The cult has the ring and puts it on the straw dummy. Everything ends badly
with the ring lying amidst the rubble of the building where the ceremony took place and
Ralph having a breakdown some distance away holding the straw dummy. Later events tell us that Ralph did not recover the ring at that point. Week 18 - Ralph reappears, no ring. Week 25 - Ralph has the ring again. Week 31 - No ring. Week 39 - Here's where it
gets messy. Ralph has the ring again, and has to have it because it's a plot point. To obtain a warded link from the Shackles of Arion, he replaces the link with his ring. The ring is now under the ocean some distance from Atlantis. At least until....
Week 42 - Ralph puts the Helmet of Fate on his head, aims the wishing gun at his head,
pulls the trigger and the Helmet turns into Felix Faust and ....... his wedding ring. We learn that Faust recovered the ring after the ceremony and used it to create the helmet.
WHAT THE F***!?!?!? It's almost anticlimactic to mention that Neron ends up with the ring, and kills Ralph with it. Then the ring magically appears at Sue's grave.

We've been told that every page is a clue. For a while I was wondering if there were two
Ralphs walking around. One with beard and one without. One from a different timeline
and one not. All I'm left with now is a vague notion that Superboy Prime is still punching.
That and that Gingold makes your beard grow real fast, and makes the grower real indecisive about whether they want a beard or not. And we still have the mystery of how
Ralph recovered from his breakdown and made it to Marseilles. And who the mystery figure was at the end of that Week 13.

[John Cage]

EVERYMAN...he just appeared in MANHUNTER #29 posing as the Blue Beetle.

Eveyone buy Manhunter. It is Good. Very Good.

Manhunter is incredible. And I kinda wish they'd held off on the Everyman reveal if he reappears in 52. It made for a nice tie-in though. Now that we know someone comes back from the dead next week, it's probably going to be him. Sobek would be a nice surprise though.

And everyone should be reading Manhunter. If you don't want to come in late, pick up the trades. They're great stuff.

Have a good day.
John Cage

[rpi]

I guess my question is even if Superman and Wonder Woman were gone during the few days Adam was on the rampage, where the hell were the rest of the Marvel family?

[hadez]

Who is back from the dead? Any guesses?

My Guess?

The Metal-Men!!

Think about it...

[Barry Strange]

Here's my real headache.

I don't know how much of this is continuity glitch and
how much is planned, but here goes. Let's try tracking the story of Ralph's wedding ring.
I'm talking Ralph's. One ring to bind him. At least, I'm presuming that Sue was buried with hers. Week 4 - A beardless Ralph loses his wedding ring to the "Cult of Conner".
Week 7 - Ralph with a beard visits Booster Gold with his wedding ring on his finger.
Week 8 - no beard, no apparent ring. Week 11 - the beard is back, still no ring.
Week 12 - Ralph's beard is now stubble. Week 13 - this is the issue with the resurrection ceremony. The cult has the ring and puts it on the straw dummy. Everything ends badly
with the ring lying amidst the rubble of the building where the ceremony took place and
Ralph having a breakdown some distance away holding the straw dummy. Later events tell us that Ralph did not recover the ring at that point. Week 18 - Ralph reappears, no ring. Week 25 - Ralph has the ring again. Week 31 - No ring. Week 39 - Here's where it
gets messy. Ralph has the ring again, and has to have it because it's a plot point. To obtain a warded link from the Shackles of Arion, he replaces the link with his ring. The ring is now under the ocean some distance from Atlantis. At least until....
Week 42 - Ralph puts the Helmet of Fate on his head, aims the wishing gun at his head,
pulls the trigger and the Helmet turns into Felix Faust and ....... his wedding ring. We learn that Faust recovered the ring after the ceremony and used it to create the helmet.
WHAT THE F***!?!?!? It's almost anticlimactic to mention that Neron ends up with the ring, and kills Ralph with it. Then the ring magically appears at Sue's grave.

We've been told that every page is a clue. For a while I was wondering if there were two
Ralphs walking around. One with beard and one without. One from a different timeline
and one not. All I'm left with now is a vague notion that Superboy Prime is still punching.
That and that Gingold makes your beard grow real fast, and makes the grower real indecisive about whether they want a beard or not. And we still have the mystery of how
Ralph recovered from his breakdown and made it to Marseilles. And who the mystery figure was at the end of that Week 13.

Ralph never has to shave (or get a haircut)--Gingold makes it possible to extrude or pull back his hair follicles.

Post 52!

[beta-ray]

My only complaint about the preview... Origin of Batman? Do we really need this? I am buying 52 because of the lack of the main 3.

[Hoarmouth]

Mr. Mind is totally taking over Black Adam.

[ROBRAM89]

"Mad Monster Party on Oolong Island?"

That's preposterous. Monster parties do not exist. The idea that a collection of different monsters would get together for some sort of...bash, or mash, is just absurd. Now, a group of Draculas, or a group of wolfmen having a party, yes, it would probably be quite a party, but a Dracula, a wolfman, a Frankenstein...that's ridiculous.

Mr Show FTW

[ROBRAM89]

My Guess?

The Metal-Men!!

Think about it...

They're made of individual elements. I don't remember there being a Metal Man named "Carbon."

[ERoy]

It's selling about 90k. Add above-average artists and it would sell ~110-120k.

No it wouldn't. The average person buying 52 is doing so for the story, and a capable, steady artist is good enough.

You put a high profile artist on it, you're not gonna get a weekly title, and then you'd be bitching about how late is was.


I don't care how safe DC is, I would rather read something with consistently good artwork than anything with Moll, Barrows, etc. doing a big part of it.

As others have said -- then don't buy the book. The selling point of 52 is NOT the art. Despite what you may think, a good majority of comics nowadays is writer-driven, not artist.


Please take a look at Barrows' last issue - do you really think that is "top-tier" pencilling? Bearing in mind that Giffen did the layouts?

It's good enough. I understand what's happening in the story. For most readers of this series, that's what we want. There are PLENTY of series that are artist-driven ... 52 just isn't one of them.

[IvCNuB4]

My Guess?

The Metal-Men!!

Think about it...

Carbon-based life-forms are organic. The Metal Men are ... metal .....

[matchesmalone]

No it wouldn't. The average person buying 52 is doing so for the story, and a capable, steady artist is good enough.

You put a high profile artist on it, you're not gonna get a weekly title, and then you'd be bitching about how late is was.

**The average person buying 52 is buying it for the story because of the comparatively low quality of the artwork. There are plenty of good artists who draw reasonably fast.

As others have said -- then don't buy the book. The selling point of 52 is NOT the art. Despite what you may think, a good majority of comics nowadays is writer-driven, not artist.

**Please don't tell me what to do. I am entitled to buy something and want it to be better than I perceive it to be, and to express my opinion about it. When I started buying 52, I didn't think the art would be of lower quality than the story. Had I known the breakdown of who would draw how many issues, I certainly wouldn't have bought it.

You are correct in observing that the art is not a selling point of 52. DC knows that too. But it's pretty much without precedent to not even mention the pencillers of the main story in the solicits as they did for the first oh, 20 or 30 issues of this.

It's good enough. I understand what's happening in the story. For most readers of this series, that's what we want. There are PLENTY of series that are artist-driven ... 52 just isn't one of them.

"Read 52! It's good enough!" -- While the honesty would be refreshing I don't think DC would ever use such a tagline. For something that I'm spending ~$125 on, I'd like better than good enough.

[sintaxx]

I've reread all 45 issues of 52. What a heckuva ride! And it's still going....

<snip>

Second - Mannheim talks about having a double-agent
on Oolong Island. Why? The scientists there create what they're creating for Intergang,
they created the Horsemen for Intergang. What's a double-agent going to do? Screw up their plans? I mean, a double-agent is one that works for both sides at the same time.
Intergang and Oolong Island are on the same side. Who's the "other" side?

--Ed


"Intergang and Oolong Island are on the same side."

Surrrrre they are...

"a double-agent is one that works for both sides at the same time."

It sure is.

Sarcasm aside, why have a double agent? Maybe something to do with the fact that you've subcontracted the creation of your destructicons out to some pretty nefarious folks. Maybe you want to make sure everything is on the up and up. Or maybe you've got your double agent working on some scheme that will ultimately eliminate the mad scientists after they have served their purpose.

[shizumadrive]

IF Dr. Sivana gets killed I think I'm going to be really annoyed. He has so much potential but like Capt.Marvel never gets used fully(Mr.Mind as well). It seems alot of my old time comic heroes and villains after being killed off or changed nearly beyond recognition. Capt.Marvel, Blue Beetle, Elongated Man (Sue too), Spider-Man(this has been for years now), and now Capt. America too. I don't know if Sivana fits in to the idea of an all new Capt. Marvel. Maybe all these mostly second rate villains are going to be taken out. It seems nearly all the second rate heroes(or average joe heroes if you wish) have been taken out too.

[greenman]

IF Dr. Sivana gets killed I think I'm going to be really annoyed.
Sivana isn't going to die. Not only is he one of the greatest supervillians of all time in all of comics history, but he's also been featured in Outsiders OYL. Mr. Mind on the other hand (another one of the under-used greats of all time) is going to play a huge part by the end of 52 I'm guessing. Don't know how, but I feel it coming. And unfortunately, I think he might get killed off before all is said and done.

[Brainlock]

EVERYMAN...he just appeared in MANHUNTER #29 posing as the Blue Beetle.

Eveyone buy Manhunter. It is Good. Very Good.
well, thanks for spoiling it for me! I haven't read it yet! :p
I knew something was up, with the way he answered-but-didn't-answer Diana's lasso questioning. (I guess her truth power got thrown back into the lasso instead of being a focussing device again?) I just didn't think it was E'man, just a Checkmate Pawn who looked similar enough to Ted to pass basic tests (fingerprints/etc altered/faked, of course.)


Who survives Adam's Oolong Onslaught? (say that 5x fast! LOL)
We've seen Morrow, Ivo, Magnus, and Sivana post-52. I'm guessing IQ, maybe Cale make it out, rest are pretty much background fodder, emphasis on FODDER.

[shining knight]

Morrow was definatly mentioned as still alive in jla (I refuse to use the long name) he was working with ivo to rebuild his precious red tornado. So maybe the preview of him bidding for him is a hint of his involvement in that story.

I really hope dr tyme makes it out though hes quirky enough to be likeable.

[IvCNuB4]

I've reread all 45 issues of 52. What a heckuva ride! And it's still going....

Here are some things I noticed in the re-reading.

2. Week 5 prompts the question - where were the heroes that went into space between
the end of Infinite Crisis and 4-5 weeks later? We know that Animal Man, Starfire, and
Adam Strange ended up on that "paradise planet" that Devilance set up. But what about
the others? When did Adam lose his eyes, Alan Scott lose his and gain one of Adam's,
etc.?

Ed

These were answered in Week 5 ...

[Mithel]

What is the name of the clock-faced scientist on Oolong island?

[ERoy]

The average person buying 52 is buying it for the story because of the comparatively low quality of the artwork. There are plenty of good artists who draw reasonably fast.

No, the average person is buying 52 for the story, and do not care if there's a top-tier artist. The average reader is perfectly fine with the artists they have on board. Look at the comments on this board. You seem to be the only one complaining about the art.

Personally, I like the art on it.


Please don't tell me what to do. I am entitled to buy something and want it to be better than I perceive it to be, and to express my opinion about it. When I started buying 52, I didn't think the art would be of lower quality than the story. Had I known the breakdown of who would draw how many issues, I certainly wouldn't have bought it.

You're absolutely right. You are entitled to buy a book and bitch about it. I have the right to call you to task for it.

So .. my point is that you know NOW that breakdown of who would draw the books, and since they don't have the names that you believe, in your great wisdom, SHOULD be used on the book, why are you still buying the title? So you can complain about the art? Or is it because the story is compelling (which is why most of us are buying it).

And who are the "top artists" you would put on the title if you were DC?


"Read 52! It's good enough!" -- While the honesty would be refreshing I don't think DC would ever use such a tagline. For something that I'm spending ~$125 on, I'd like better than good enough.

It is better than good enough. Sigh. Lemme put this in capitals since you're obviously not getting it.

WE.DO.NOT.CARE.THAT.THEY.DON'T.HAVE."TOP.ARTISTS".ON.52.
WE.LOVE.THE.STORY. THE.ART.IS.SECONDARY.TO.THE.STORY.

Seriously, you come on and complain about spending 125 bucks on a comic, then say the comic is sub-par because of the art, but you're still buying the book. That doesn't make sense.

[matchesmalone]

WE.DO.NOT.CARE.THAT.THEY.DON'T.HAVE."TOP.ARTISTS".ON.52.
WE.LOVE.THE.STORY. THE.ART.IS.SECONDARY.TO.THE.STORY.


By using all caps, you are either being rude, acknowledging that you have lost the argument, or both. (Yelling does not make your argument more persuasive.)

By adding periods between each word you are being rude.

[hhbx]

EVERYMAN...he just appeared in MANHUNTER #29 posing as the Blue Beetle.

Eveyone buy Manhunter. It is Good. Very Good.

Oh...okay...

I guess I don't have to rush to my LCS to pick up that issue they were holding for me now to figure out that mystery.

[ERoy]

By using all caps, you are either being rude, acknowledging that you have lost the argument, or both. (Yelling does not make your argument more persuasive.)

By adding periods between each word you are being rude.

No, you're just not understanding the point of my statement, which is why I have to "yell" it at you.

This was the argument up till now:

You: The art's bad ... blah blah blah.

Everyone Else: But there's more to the comic than the art. Why are you still buying the comic if you don't like it?

You: But the art is bad.

Everyone Else: But we're not as concerned about the art.

You: But the art is bad.

Rinse and repeat.

I've looked at some of your past posts and you are very nearly always complaining and generally anti-DC. Maybe that's your point.

[DaVeO]

By using all caps, you are either being rude, acknowledging that you have lost the argument, or both. (Yelling does not make your argument more persuasive.)

By adding periods between each word you are being rude.

It looked to be a discussion to me, not an argument. A heated one, but still a discussion. So nothing to win here boyo.

We're still waiting for your list of 50 artists. :D

BTW, if your not reading it for the art? What are you reading it for?

[shizumadrive]

Sivana isn't going to die. Not only is he one of the greatest supervillians of all time in all of comics history, but he's also been featured in Outsiders OYL. Mr. Mind on the other hand (another one of the under-used greats of all time) is going to play a huge part by the end of 52 I'm guessing. Don't know how, but I feel it coming. And unfortunately, I think he might get killed off before all is said and done.


Oh thank goodness I forgot about Sivana in Outsiders. Mr.Mind has been have some play up since issue 2 I think it should be about time for him to "hatch" his scheme. I personally wouldn't mind it if he remained unknown to the heroes through all what ever he fails or succeeds at. Play up the awe of him and then give the heroes much later the shock that is just a worm that did it all. (and not squish him)

[swol]

Hehe, someone's been watching reruns of Tales from the Darkside.

.

More like Tales From The Darkseid

[IvCNuB4]

What is the name of the clock-faced scientist on Oolong island?

Doctor Tyme.....

[PreCrisisDC]

I love 52..but I have a question I hope Mike can answer.....with all the death and destruction done in Bialya...where, oh where was the Spectre??? Shouldn't he have shown up???? He didn't have a host yet probable which means he should have been even more present, no??? A lot of innocent was spilled, hell Ghost Rider should have shown up! :D