52 Preview [Archive] - Comic Book Resources Forums

stillanerd

03-01-2006, 05:17 PM

From the Wizard preview of 52:

On the Edge--A respected former member of the Justice League hits bottom and contemplates suicide. Will this beleaguered Leaguer pull the trigger?

I guess most of us got this one right.

The Utimate Insult--A beloved DCU character no longer living will have their grve defaced in a shocking act.

Now we now it's Sue Dibny's grave *SLAPS FOREHEAD* I should've seen this one coming.

Ralph Gets Some!-Mr. Dibny finds himself getting busy with somebody other than his beloved Sue. Who's the lucky lady (or fella)?

JLA=S.E.X.-Two former Justice Leaguers you would NOT expect will bump uglies by year's end. Awk-ward!

It occurred to me--the woman who left the message on Ralph's phone is Fire. I'll just go out on a limb here and say that the "Ralph Gets Some" and the "JLA=S.E.X." stuff is one and the same, and that it's Elongated Man and Fire that will end up doing the deed.

stealthwise

03-01-2006, 05:38 PM

Hmmm, the preview isn't bad, but it doesn't really do much for me. Of course, I'll give the series a few issues to try it out, but I can imagine DC having a ton of trouble trying to sell a year's worth of weekly issues when they don't have the sales pull of Superman, Batman or Wonder Woman (ok, snicker at the last one) to help them out.

enediol

03-01-2006, 05:56 PM

who is the dude on the cover wearing the armor with the Superman symbol on the chest?

stillanerd

03-01-2006, 06:08 PM

who is the dude on the cover wearing the armor with the Superman symbol on the chest?

John Henry Irons, A.K.A. Steel.

Paul Newell

03-01-2006, 06:24 PM

who is the dude on the cover wearing the armor with the Superman symbol on the chest?
John Henry Irons, Steel.

Charles RB

03-01-2006, 06:38 PM

What the hell is Ralph doing about to commit suicide? This doesn't match up with where he was at the end of IDC at all!

Maleficentogre

03-01-2006, 06:50 PM

ralph is delusional at the end of IC. I can see him contemplating suicide. He loves his wife and her not being there is putting him in a state of depression

LordEd1976

03-01-2006, 09:15 PM

Anyone gonna be a nice guy (or gal) and post a link to this preview you guys are gushing about?

Nick Kal

03-01-2006, 09:27 PM

http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/52/preview.htm

Young Avenger

03-01-2006, 09:30 PM

The page with the Question alone makes me want to buy it. I'm unwilling to fork over $2.50 a week for it so I'm waiting a full year for the trade.

Evan Waters

03-01-2006, 09:30 PM

ralph is delusional at the end of IC.

He's not. Ollie is right- this is a universe where there is most definitively some kind of afterlife, and the dead can hear you when you talk to them.

I know they're just setting up his return to hero-ing, but I really, REALLY don't want to read about Ralph Dibny the sad widower. It's not fun. The DCU is supposed to get fun again after IC, right?

Effect

03-01-2006, 09:35 PM

So is this actually 52 issues or just titled 52?

Is an issue being released once a month or each week to actually make it 52 weeks? Or will this be released some other way?

stealthwise

03-01-2006, 09:52 PM

He's not. Ollie is right- this is a universe where there is most definitively some kind of afterlife, and the dead can hear you when you talk to them.

I know they're just setting up his return to hero-ing, but I really, REALLY don't want to read about Ralph Dibny the sad widower. It's not fun. The DCU is supposed to get fun again after IC, right?

I think that 52 is about the actual return from darkness in the DCU, done WITHOUT Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. Makes for compelling stories, but from the sounds of it (ie, cryptic comments in the OYL Detective Comics), there's gonna be a lot of darkness to work though before it's all said and done.

ryan_catcher

03-01-2006, 10:29 PM

Oh man. Bruce Wayne as a cop. My heart just sunk.

stealthwise

03-01-2006, 10:41 PM

Oh man. Bruce Wayne as a cop. My heart just sunk.

Umm, what??

Babylon23

03-01-2006, 10:42 PM

So is this actually 52 issues or just titled 52?

Is an issue being released once a month or each week to actually make it 52 weeks? Or will this be released some other way?

This is 52 issues, released weekly for the next year. Each issue represents roughly one week of DC time, and fills in the gap between Infinite Crisis and One Year Later.

Evan Waters

03-01-2006, 11:35 PM

I think that 52 is about the actual return from darkness in the DCU, done WITHOUT Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. Makes for compelling stories, but from the sounds of it (ie, cryptic comments in the OYL Detective Comics), there's gonna be a lot of darkness to work though before it's all said and done.

Great. Because I was thinking this event wasn't moving slowly enough.

Effect

03-01-2006, 11:37 PM

This is 52 issues, released weekly for the next year. Each issue represents roughly one week of DC time, and fills in the gap between Infinite Crisis and One Year Later.

I see. Thanks.

LordEd1976

03-01-2006, 11:40 PM

Oh man. Bruce Wayne as a cop. My heart just sunk.

And just where pray tell are you getting this apparently depressing piece of news?

Will.S

03-02-2006, 03:08 AM

For some reason I'm not able to see the preview up at Newsarama.

Did they pull it down or something?

stillanerd

03-02-2006, 03:20 AM

For some reason I'm not able to see the preview up at Newsarama.

Did they pull it down or something?

:confused: Hmmm, it's working just fine for me. Perhaps you need a link?

http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/52/preview.htm

mohammedali

03-02-2006, 03:44 AM

Is it me, or is Renee dressed a lot like Lara Croft from Tomb Raider in one of the covers.

Mohammed Ali

Will.S

03-02-2006, 04:23 AM

:confused: Hmmm, it's working just fine for me. Perhaps you need a link?

http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/52/preview.htm
Nah, my Firefox browser just seemed to be working a little wonky so I used IE.

Thanks for the link though.

Charles RB

03-02-2006, 04:23 AM

ralph is delusional at the end of IC.

No he wasn't.

Charles RB

03-02-2006, 04:26 AM

I know they're just setting up his return to hero-ing, but I really, REALLY don't want to read about Ralph Dibny the sad widower.

And after the way IDC #7 ended, you shouldn't need to read about it because Meltzer covered all that and has Ralph coping Ralphily.

Will.S

03-02-2006, 04:41 AM

Finally able to see the preview, looks great already.

*52 pretty much seems to be like a bigger version of Reign of the Supermen but with the lower tier superheroes picking up the slack for the big 3. It's a great idea and it's an awesome way of utilizing some really good DC characters and stepping them up to the plate. It's an especially nice touch that John Henry is again taking up the task of being Steel again in Superman's absence.

Loved the Booster Gold and Question parts as well.

jaguarshark

03-02-2006, 05:29 AM

Had the hovering monorails on the first page already been introduced pre-'All Star', or is that an 'All-Star Superman' addition to Metropolis?

Trusty Mutsi

03-02-2006, 07:50 AM

And just where pray tell are you getting this apparently depressing piece of news?

I think that he's mistaking the Question for Batman.

thehod

03-02-2006, 08:24 AM

I loved it.

I must admit I'm really enjoying my comics these days, and this looks like it could be a really enjoyable series.

The thing with Ralph though is understandable. Sure he seemed to be coping ok at the end of Indentity Crisis, but a year's past since then, and the impending anniversary date has clearly knocked him for six.

I still want to see, at the end of all of this, Sue somehow returned to life. Heroes and Villians manage to do it all the time, and just once, it'd be nice to see a supporting character manage it as well. Call it a re-aligning of the dark DC with the light DC if need be. I'd just like to see it. Don't think it's going to happen though.

I like the fact that Boosters clearly boned up on his history to the extent that he knows where some people are and what they'd be doing at a certain point. I can see that he's going to try to alter future events with his knowledge of the future, and that may have some interesting consequences.

I'm really really going to enjoy walking through the DCU for a year without the focus being on the big three for a change.

Joe Rice

03-02-2006, 08:30 AM

Superheroes = crying.

If this book is such a big deal, why didn't they get better artists? That's some ugly stuff. Aside from the art, it doesn't look too appealing to me anyway. Crying suicidal superheroes are not my bag.

The Question moment was nice, I'll admit. The rest was ick.

thehod

03-02-2006, 08:39 AM

If this book is such a big deal, why didn't they get better artists? That's some ugly stuff.

Art looks fine to me.

With a book like this, all it really needs to be is fairly clear, workman-like and the artist has to have the ability to deliver on time.

No use having some wonderfully intricate artist who can only manage a page a day.

Joe Rice

03-02-2006, 08:40 AM

Art looks fine to me.

With a book like this, all it really needs to be is fairly clear, workman-like and the artist has to have the ability to deliver on time.

No use having some wonderfully intricate artist who can only manage a page a day.

Never a reason to put up with workman-like art or writing.

thehod

03-02-2006, 08:44 AM

Never a reason to put up with workman-like art or writing.

Just my description for it rather than a critque.

I'm sure some people will think it gorgeous, whilst some will make them want to hurl.

For me, its never going to win any awards, but its not going to put me off buying the book either.

Its just standard, solid, comic art.

Not everything is going to be done by a Ross or Perez.

hondobrode

03-02-2006, 09:58 AM

I think this looks awesome !

The Question spray painting over the bat signal was too cool !

I'm really looking forward to finding out more about Black Adam, Booster, and John Henry Irons too.

My concern is if DC can keep the ball rolling with a consistent art team.

Joe Rice

03-02-2006, 10:04 AM

Just my description for it rather than a critque.

I'm sure some people will think it gorgeous, whilst some will make them want to hurl.

For me, its never going to win any awards, but its not going to put me off buying the book either.

Its just standard, solid, comic art.

Not everything is going to be done by a Ross or Perez.

Standard isn't good enough if you ask me. If something is described as "standard," I know I'll pass. I'm not interested in anything but exceptional work.

(In which category I'd definitely not count either Ross or Perez.)

Maleficentogre

03-02-2006, 10:08 AM

Art doesn't determin whether or not I buy a book unless I really don't like it. Took me forever to read Kingdom Come because I'm not huge fan of the painting and I struggle very hard to get through an issue of Metal Gear Solid. makes my cry all the bluryness. If the story is good to me I'll read regardless of art.

thehod

03-02-2006, 10:10 AM

Standard isn't good enough if you ask me. If something is described as "standard," I know I'll pass. I'm not interested in anything but exceptional work.

(In which category I'd definitely not count either Ross or Perez.)

Does that hold in every medium?

Would you pass up a book or a film or a TV programme that was light enjoyable entertainment, but is never going to set the world alight?

If so, I'd suggest that you'd be missing out on some pieces of work that you may find very enjoyable if you'd only lower your acceptable bar a little.

Joe Rice

03-02-2006, 10:19 AM

Does that hold in every medium?

Would you pass up a book or a film or a TV programme that was light enjoyable entertainment, but is never going to set the world alight?

If so, I'd suggest that you'd be missing out on some pieces of work that you may find very enjoyable if you'd only lower your acceptable bar a little.

I'd pass up anything I need to pay for that was of less-than-stellar quality. Free stupidity on TV? I usually avoid it, but I might watch it if someone else is.

I find I enjoy things more when I keep my bar high. I'm less frustrated and annoyed than a lot of comic fans these days because I'm not reading a bunch of bad superhero books.

thehod

03-02-2006, 10:34 AM

I'd pass up anything I need to pay for that was of less-than-stellar quality. Free stupidity on TV? I usually avoid it, but I might watch it if someone else is.

I find I enjoy things more when I keep my bar high. I'm less frustrated and annoyed than a lot of comic fans these days because I'm not reading a bunch of bad superhero books.

That's fine, and it clearly works for you, but I find that I get frustrated when I tried that style because I spend most of my time bemoaning the fact that there was nothing good out there rather than enjoying what little I had. Once I lowered by bar and tried out stuff that I wouldn't usually go for I ended up with a certain amount of crud that I never went near again, but I also found some little gems.

Swings and roundabouts I suppose.

Forsaken_One

03-02-2006, 11:39 AM

Joe Rice

03-02-2006, 11:54 AM

That's fine, and it clearly works for you, but I find that I get frustrated when I tried that style because I spend most of my time bemoaning the fact that there was nothing good out there rather than enjoying what little I had. Once I lowered by bar and tried out stuff that I wouldn't usually go for I ended up with a certain amount of crud that I never went near again, but I also found some little gems.

Swings and roundabouts I suppose.

Strange. I find it really easy to find awesome comics. Mouse Guard came out last week . . .I'd never heard of it but it was amazing stuff. Beautiful art, cool story. There's no shortage of great comics, from Or Else to Thrizzle to Seven Soldiers . . .I'm spending plenty of money. And I may go to the theaters less often, but the times I go I enjoy more than if I were watching something I'd have to lower my expectations to enjoy. I really find the idea of lowering my expecations for art, media, or anything else to be horrifying.

tricksterpup

03-02-2006, 01:33 PM

I'd pass up anything I need to pay for that was of less-than-stellar quality. Free stupidity on TV? I usually avoid it, but I might watch it if someone else is.

I find I enjoy things more when I keep my bar high. I'm less frustrated and annoyed than a lot of comic fans these days because I'm not reading a bunch of bad superhero books.
Joe, this is one of the reason I love you.. you speak your mind and it agrees with mine. :D
There is a lot of crap in comics today, and when spending $3 a comic it becomes a spendy month, trying to buy all my So called Favorites. Marvel and DC keep on cranking out the books, which in turn forces Comic Book Stores to pick up less and less independants or books that are truely fantastic for the Big 2.

tricksterpup

03-02-2006, 01:34 PM

But i will admit, I am intrigued by the Adam Teth page. I wonder who was talking to him at the end? Are they going to turn Black Adam into a "Terrorist"? I hope not, this would be sooo sterotypical.

ryan_catcher

03-02-2006, 02:06 PM

I think that he's mistaking the Question for Batman.
So that guy on the rooftop peeling the bat signal off the floodlight wasn't a restrored Earth-2 Batman?

Who's the question?

LtMarvel

03-02-2006, 02:38 PM

So that guy on the rooftop peeling the bat signal off the floodlight wasn't a restrored Earth-2 Batman?

Who's the question?
The Question is reporter Vic Sage. He wears a mask that hides his face. A special aeresol glues the mask on (and changes the colors of his clothes and hair). No special powers, just top level martial artist and ability to stick his nose into trouble while looking for justice.

The Denny O'Neil scripted Question series from the late 80s was the best run a Charleton charcter EVER had.

Will.S

03-02-2006, 03:09 PM

The art isn't amazing or anything (although the colors really bring it out), but it does the job well.

With a book like *52 and seeing how they have to meet a very strict deadline I could understand if the art was a bit more rushed than usual. While Joe Bennet and some of the artists attatched to the project wouldn't be my first choice for something so high profile, I can't blame DC for going with some consistent workhorses if it means getting the book on time.

Justin D.

03-02-2006, 05:32 PM

I didn't think the art was bad. It didn't make me stand up and applaud, but I thought it was decent. Also, those are just five sample pages out of 32 page book. The artist team will rotate too in order to keep the book on a regular schedule. Art isn't the main reason I'll pick this book up, but it's the written story I'm interested in here. Although, the covers will most likely look awesome thanks to J.G. Jones.

Ralph Dibny's page is the only one I didn't like. I never, EVER imagined I'd see a page with him putting a gun in his mouth. In fact, I think the page would have had more impact if we saw an Elongated Man who is moving on with his life when he receives the message on his answering machine. As it is, it's almost like, "Hey, he's sad. Now, he's sad and shocked." Plus, unless DC does plan on bringing back Sue somehow, then it's almost to a comical point that they're defacing the character by defacing her gravestone. "Hey, you thought you were pissed how we treated Sue Dibny before? Wait until you get a load of this . . . " Maybe this is all part of some horrible surprise birthday party for Ralph by Sue.

"Ha, fooled you! You thought I was dead!"

God, no wonder DC killed her. What a bitch.

Seriously though, out of five pages, there's only one page with Ralph. The rest are set-up and quick explanation pages. I like seeing Steel just hanging out with a fireman too. It's the vibe I've always gotten from him.

hondobrode

03-02-2006, 11:55 PM

Link?

Stupid10CharacterLimit

Sorry I didn't list it as it is on the very front page of CBR, otherwise I would have.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=6803

botch

03-03-2006, 01:22 AM

He's not. Ollie is right- this is a universe where there is most definitively some kind of afterlife, and the dead can hear you when you talk to them.

I know they're just setting up his return to hero-ing, but I really, REALLY don't want to read about Ralph Dibny the sad widower. It's not fun. The DCU is supposed to get fun again after IC, right?

yeah cos in reality we all don't get sad when our beloved wife is raped and killed. see this is the thing I have always hated about the DCU and so many of their fans. just seems like they end up living in a some extreme fairy tale land.

botch

03-03-2006, 01:39 AM

Never a reason to put up with workman-like art or writing.

but majority of dc's artists are workman like.

Justin D.

03-03-2006, 03:17 AM

but majority of dc's artists are workman like.

*puts on Joe Rice voice*

"This is why I don't read the majority of DC's books."

I think most aren't living in a fantasy world when they say they don't want to see Ralph crying and contemplating suicide. Most of them are also the same people who never thought it was right to have Sue raped and then killed, if only because the rape served no purpose in the story and the way she was killed made no sense. Me? I don't like Ralph like this, but I have a feeling he'll be able to move on.

Anyway, I think DC is suppose to be more fun after IC, but 52 doesn't take place after IC. It takes place during the missing year and helps explain how we get to this new, cohesive DCU.

By the way, I don't necessarily agree with the workman-like comment about the majority of DC's books.

SlightlyMad

03-03-2006, 04:16 AM

I may well have to pick this up as I am a huge Question fan. I believe Greg Rucka is writing those parts & I know ha was a fan of the Denis O'Neil run (this is evident in the way he handles the Question in the Huntress: Cry for Blood mini-series. I just hope he's read this issue:

http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Towers/5636/HubCity/quest26.jpg

After all, the big question mark on the batsignal is probably going to make most Gothamites think that the Riddler is up to his old tricks again.

Anyone after more info on the Question should check out this site. (http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Towers/5636/HubCity/)

Also, did everyone notice the endorsements on Booster's costume? Just like Captain Amazing in Mystery Men.

http://www.ealasaid.com/fan/mysterymen/images/amazing.jpg

Joe Rice

03-03-2006, 05:51 AM

*puts on Joe Rice voice*

"This is why I don't read the majority of DC's books."

Bingo. Or the majority of Marvel books, for that matter.

Evan Waters

03-03-2006, 10:37 AM

yeah cos in reality we all don't get sad when our beloved wife is raped and killed. see this is the thing I have always hated about the DCU and so many of their fans. just seems like they end up living in a some extreme fairy tale land.

Insulting much?

Not every person who loses their spouse ends up suicidal. Ralph was coping at the end of IDENTITY CRISIS. It's obvious he's been brought to this point because it has more shock value than "well, I'm sad, but I'm trying to move on."

Hellstone

03-06-2006, 08:19 AM

What the hell is Ralph doing about to commit suicide? This doesn't match up with where he was at the end of IDC at all!
Speaking as a man who has lost people close to me, I can tell you that your emotional life can go up and down for years after that. Believing you have gotten over it one day may be proven wrong the day after. It's especially unreliable so close after the loss as Ralph's scene in IDC #7.

Judging from my own life, Ralph's behaviour seems very believable to me. Even if I never contemplated suicide.

/ola

lonesomefool

03-06-2006, 09:57 AM

I agree, Ralps behavior was just a logical step to me, sure he was "coping" at the end of IDC, but it was obvious he was trying to put on a happy face, even if he hurt inside. Besides, I dont know why people are so upset, to make the DCU "brighter" you just cant have the heroes wake up one day and go "I'm happy again", you have to show a progression of it IMO. Ralph may be down and out now, but I bet my the end of the series he will be as close to his old self as any man who loses his wife can be.

As for the darkness issue, well obviously it's never going to be super bright again, let's be realistic here for a second, DC this past year, had their best year since Death of Superman sales wise. People have responded to a darker DCU with their wallets, and I think it only makes sense that the DCU is going to remain pretty dark until people stop buying it. People as a whole prefer darker comics it seems, and until funny, light comics start selling more than the darker ones, that's what we are gonna get. THe DCU will probably be brighter than it was during Crisis, but I still expect a lot of books to have a darker tone to them. That's what the current generation of writers like to write and the fans are buying those books as well. If your looking for more "fun" books I would reccommend seeking them out, a lot of indy books have a light tone to them and I'm sure Marvel and DC will stilll publish a few of them. But by in large, the tone will probably remain pretty dark.

Lex

03-06-2006, 03:52 PM

The key to remember is that DC now wants a balance between the light and the dark. While Ralph's story might be fairly dark, that doesn't mean the other storylines in 52 will be dark as well. The page with The Question on it looked his like story might be pretty fun, actually. And Steel's story might be closer to the light side. So, I don't think we have to be worried about everything still being dark.

Azrael52

03-07-2006, 10:13 PM

Hot Damn, but that looked awesome!!! The NR link didn't work to well, but I was able to see it all at the CBR one. Man, those are some smokin' pages. Very interested. Where was my gratuitous Montoya page, huh? Red Herring, or is she gonna be the one getting the axe?

Nightfly

03-08-2006, 03:34 PM

Not every person who loses their spouse ends up suicidal. Ralph was coping at the end of IDENTITY CRISIS. It's obvious he's been brought to this point because it has more shock value than "well, I'm sad, but I'm trying to move on."

Hey, if someone killed my wife, I'd be plenty upset.

And if I ever found that someone, they'd be finding pieces of him for years.

Nightfly

03-08-2006, 03:38 PM

http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/52/preview.htm

Geez... That's what I call a shake-up.

I presume I'm not the only one wondering just how big Booster's grab-bag of historical info was. Or what affect that's going to have on the DCU, particularly if he starts changing things left and right in his bid to be a top superhero again.

Evan Waters

03-10-2006, 04:52 PM

Hey, if someone killed my wife, I'd be plenty upset.

I'm not saying he shouldn't be sad, upset, etc.

I just don't wanna see him with a gun in his mouth. It basically gives the feeling that he's been doing absolutely nothing but moping for the past however-much-time-has-passed-since-IDENTITY-CRISIS. I'm sick of waiting through the grim moments in anticipation of somewhat less-grim ones.

Lex

03-10-2006, 10:39 PM

I'm not saying he shouldn't be sad, upset, etc.

I just don't wanna see him with a gun in his mouth. It basically gives the feeling that he's been doing absolutely nothing but moping for the past however-much-time-has-passed-since-IDENTITY-CRISIS. I'm sick of waiting through the grim moments in anticipation of somewhat less-grim ones.It's a common writing technique. They are starting Ralph out at a very low point in his life so they can build him back up over the course of 52.

PatrickG

03-11-2006, 12:19 AM

Yeah.

I take the ending of IDC as a sign Ralph is gonna be okay.

But they wanted to drive home in 52 #1 that he's not okay right now.

Nightfly

03-11-2006, 04:02 PM

I'm not saying he shouldn't be sad, upset, etc.

I just don't wanna see him with a gun in his mouth. It basically gives the feeling that he's been doing absolutely nothing but moping for the past however-much-time-has-passed-since-IDENTITY-CRISIS. I'm sick of waiting through the grim moments in anticipation of somewhat less-grim ones.

Well, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I mean, look at Lethal Weapon.

Hellstone

03-12-2006, 04:59 AM

I'm not saying he shouldn't be sad, upset, etc.

I just don't wanna see him with a gun in his mouth. It basically gives the feeling that he's been doing absolutely nothing but moping for the past however-much-time-has-passed-since-IDENTITY-CRISIS. I'm sick of waiting through the grim moments in anticipation of somewhat less-grim ones.

I don't think you'll have to wait much longer. This is obviously the prologue to a longer Ralph story.

/ola