52: Week Fourteen- Steel: The Last Great American Hero (SPOILERS)

[Jack Zodiac]

Following the same trend of the last few weeks, this issue focuses on just two days, and three stories.

First and foremost is Renee and Vic. They arrive in Kahndaq to look into Intergang's connection to the area. What's great is that Renee keeps thinking to herself about how horrible Black Adam is supposed to be, yet when they arrive she notices how happy everyone is and how beautiful their city looks.

Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Kala Avasti goes to the Steelworks to look for John and continue testing. He's been in a horrible, unbeatable depression for the past month because of Natasha, who's becoming a famous hero as part of Luthor's own version of the JLA. When he invites her is, she sees that he's been working on an armor for her the entire month, and calls it a masterpiece. It's all he can do, because he doesn't have any idea how to get Natasha back. It's depressing, and I've never thought about it before, but she's really all he's got.

In the basement of Dr. William Magnus, the Doc's trying to bring Mercury back online, but it isn't working. He's beening watched over by two government employees who want to use Will's AI expertise to create smart weapons for the military. He refuses to give them the Machine Men to research his tech, and they leave making some threats. He leaves for the Haven to visit Morrow this month. As he's entering, one of the scientists escapes with a freeze ray but gets tackled by a bizarre security team.

Will goes to Morrow's cell and notices that it's completely empty, save for a single envelope and a blank piece of paper on the ground. He calls security and searches the room with them. The envelope's addressed to him, and upon opening it he has a flashback to Morrow telling him, "I created the world's first artificial souls, Will. You're the only one of my students who ever truly understood the significance of that breakthrough." In a line of machine code, Morrow has given Will the machine AI equivalent of a soul.

Back in Kahndaq, Renee and Vic go off searching for a lead in the Temple District. Here we find out that Aristotle is still helping Vic out (Aristotle is the scientist who created the gas and psuedoderm The Question uses) both with his gear and with information. While they're trying to find the home, they notice they're being followed. Renee freaks out for not catching it earlier while Vic says he's noticed since they left the hotel. He thinks it's Abbot, the werewolf man. They enter the house they have as their lead and meet a room full of dead men torn, literally, apart. As they leave, they're apprehended by the authorities. Earlier in the issue, Vic mentions to Renee that Adam regularly executes convicted criminals every Wednesday, which makes the joke they go out on even funnier. Renee says, "Tell me today's not Wednesday."

The next day, Will's working on Mercury again. With Morrow's artificial soul, Mercury comes back to life. The Metal Men are back! But, next week it looks like we're going to see the finalé of Booster's story... :(

The Origin this week was Metamorpho. It's all still pretty standard. Rex Mason, soldier of fortune, is hired by his fiancé's father to steal the Ord of Ra, and in doing so he's exposed to an ancient meteor under a pyramid that turns him into the Elemental Man. Nothing's seemed to change.

[protege]

I really hope Natasha takes possession of the suit again once 52 is over...

[mrc1214]

I like the Renee/Question storyline. Its going to be interesting to see what happens with Black Adam. I dont know whats going on next week but I have a feeling the cover is not going to be what happens in the book.

[caats19]

i really liked the magus story line

[Lorendiac]

Will goes to Morrow's cell and notices that it's completely empty, save for a single envelope and a blank piece of paper on the ground. He calls security and searches the room with them. The envelope's addressed to him, and upon opening it he has a flashback to Morrow telling him, "I created the world's first artificial souls, Will. You're the only one of my students who ever truly understood the significance of that breakthrough." In a line of machine code, Morrow has given Will the machine AI equivalent of a soul.

Wait, I'm confused. A synthetic soul in just one line? If you told me that the new issue of 52 states or implies that the AI equivalent of a soul is contained on one CD-ROM, in a file with about 100,000 lines of code, I would find it a lot easier to swallow somehow.

[jadegiant77]

YAWN

Wake me whem something happens.

Wht did Steel design the new Steel armor with breasts? I know it's for Tasha, but why? I bet Kala winds up being the new female Steel and John's woman.

Thank god the metal Men are back to being regular synthetics instead of humans trapped in robot form. I hope they get a series again(keep Dan Jurgens FAR AWAY!!!)

[mr_evilweed]

I never really pitied Steel before now but this is actually making me feel sorry for him. I hopw he turns out allright in the end, Natasha on the other hand can go to hell. Backstabbing bitch.

[caats19]

anybody notice that it looked like they didn't open up the envelope?? it looks like they just read that paper on the ground. unless we're suppose to infer they opened the envelope.

Wait, I'm confused. A synthetic soul in just one line? If you told me that the new issue of 52 states or implies that the AI equivalent of a soul is contained on one CD-ROM, in a file with about 100,000 lines of code, I would find it a lot easier to swallow somehow.

comics are pretty hard to swallow when you start thinking literally

[TheTen-EyedMan]

The Origin this week was Metamorpho. It's all still pretty standard. Rex Mason, soldier of fortune, is hired by his fiancé's father to steal the Ord of Ra, and in doing so he's exposed to an ancient meteor under a pyramid that turns him into the Elemental Man. Nothing's seemed to change.

A lot of times...that's a good thing Jack.

Why futz with something that works?

[Lorendiac]

comics are pretty hard to swallow when you start thinking literally

Swallow? You mean some people are so obsessed that they actually try to eat the silly things, instead of just reading them? ;)

[Aelo]

Well, I don't really have any complaints about this issue, except that I bought it thinking Steel would be on more than two pages, seeing as he was on the cover and all...

[algertman]

the Question is a dead man

[Jack Zodiac]

I really hope Natasha takes possession of the suit again once 52 is over...

Well, Kala's working on a cure for Luthor's metagene program. So, there's hope for the status quo to be restored.

I like the Renee/Question storyline. Its going to be interesting to see what happens with Black Adam. I dont know whats going on next week but I have a feeling the cover is not going to be what happens in the book.

I hope not. Though, I'd rather see Booster dead than see him written the way he is.

[Jack Zodiac]

Wait, I'm confused. A synthetic soul in just one line? If you told me that the new issue of 52 states or implies that the AI equivalent of a soul is contained on one CD-ROM, in a file with about 100,000 lines of code, I would find it a lot easier to swallow somehow.

Comic book technology. :p Remember, this is a universe with completely different, totally unrealistic physics and sciences. And a nifty suspension of disbelief.

Well, I don't really have any complaints about this issue, except that I bought it thinking Steel would be on more than two pages, seeing as he was on the cover and all...

Yeah, after all of the build up, it's one of the slower stories. They do have a whole lot to deal with, though. I mean... look at the space-stranded heroes. We haven't seen them in months.

[Aelo]

I hope not. Though, I'd rather see Booster dead than see him written the way he is.

So true. So True.

[Gingold]

the Question is a dead man

Yeah, I got that sense too. Maybe we'll see Renee become a new Question when all this is done?

[mr_evilweed]

the Question is a dead man
And you're a crazy one. Question's not gonna die! Please GOD dont let Question die! Not now just as I'm beginning to like him!

[Jack Zodiac]

Vic ain't goin' anywhere. Part of the reason they're doing this anthology style is to see what piques interests in readers, and if even half the people reading this book would pick up another series with The Question in it, I'd say it's a great idea. Nah, they'll be fine, and one step closer to solving the Gotham-side of the Intergang case.

[TJ Shoun]

Best character moment of the book:

"...but I think we're being followed."

"Oh that. Yeah, he's been following us since we left the hotel. C'mon, it's this way..."

The Question rocks.

Pretty obvious that Montoya and The Question have been set up. Black Adam probably doesn't even know about Intergang's doodlings in his country -- this isn't his m.o. at all, especially considering his characterization of late.

Eaglesham's art is awesome.

That doublepage shot of their arrival in Kahndaq is gorgeous -- Sinclair's colors are beautiful.

[caats19]

i hope question doesn't die. i can already see next week's issue where supposedly booster dies. he's flying or something or in a fight, and then he gets shot in the chest and falls to the ground, looks at the blood and looks up at skeets and says ".s-skeets?" with blood on his hand. i can see it anyway. could be sad.

[Ian J.N.]

And you're a crazy one. Question's not gonna die! Please GOD dont let Question die! Not now just as I'm beginning to like him!
"I swear before this is over I'm gonna hold his dead body in my hands."

W'uh oh.

If one of the lead characters has to die, I hope it's Question. See, they can just bring him back afterwards, leaving the whole "who?" or "how?" unanswered. Completely fits his character concept.

[Ian J.N.]

Maybe we'll see Renee become a new Question when all this is done?
I think Question's whole reason for singling Montoya out has been to groom her as his successor.

M: "You keep saying that, I have no idea what it means."
Q: "It means, you know, 'fig.' An oblong pear-shaped fruit of the genus ficus--"
M: "That bit about me not knowing who I am, smart-ass."
Q: "Well, that's The Question, isn't it?"

(It's fun to play with the capitalization.)

[SlightlyMad]

the Question is a dead man

He'd better not be, Bad enough Major Disaster bought it in Infinite Crisis, if the Question goes out in the aftermath I will be very disappointed.

Hopefully I think Greg Rucka likes him too much to let anything too bad happen to him.
Also, it was good to hear Tot referenced in this issue.

[phantom1592]

As long as a woman doesnt' take over for him, they could easily kill him. Anyone that takes over "could" be the real Question, or he might "not" be. Of all the characters that could die, he would be the easiest to retcon later. ;)

[titanfan]

But, next week it looks like we're going to see the finalé of Booster's story...

Booster's in solicitations in upcoming months. It's not over for him yet...

[Jack Zodiac]

The only other solicitations I see for him is an origin story months from now, and a hint that his DNA could be used to bioengineer someone superpowers. Other than that, it all points to next week being the climax of his story. I'd love to see him live past it and make ammends the weeks following for his asshole behavior, though. I really would. I love Booster, and I hate seeing him written this way. Oh, plus, there was some cover art of him in the new JLA or something, but that could've been a tribute to members past. We'll see.

Anyone else notice something odd? This week was supposed to be Steel's origin, and next week was supposed to be Metamorpho's.

[phantom1592]

I REALLY liked Booster in IC. If they kept him like that I would have enjoyed it. Instead he has regressed to a jerk again.

[Sean Walsh]

He'd better not be, Bad enough Major Disaster bought it in Infinite Crisis.....

Actually, lots of sources online are saying that was, in fact, Boss Moxie of Intergang.

[SlightlyMad]

Really? (please let this be true) Where are these "sources"? Does anyone have a picture for comparison? (I had no luck on Google or Wikipedia).

But to get back to this week's issue, anyone else here think those two guys visiting Doc Magnus weren't really from the government? I'm thinking they were Intergang or in Luthor's employ, maybe both(?!).
Also, how did the Metal Men get scrapped (sorry, couldn't resist :o ) in the first place?

[Thnikkaman]

Actually, lots of sources online are saying that was, in fact, Boss Moxie of Intergang.

Boss Moxie had a moustache. The guy getting his neck broken didn't.

[Steve Brady]

If I were a Charlton character or a JLI regular, I'd certainly be watching my back, given recent events.

In 52, this means Question, Booster, and Ralph. Of course, we've already had the fake "oh no they killed Ralph" scene so maybe he's safe.

[Nick Kal]

I REALLY liked Booster in IC. If they kept him like that I would have enjoyed it. Instead he has regressed to a jerk again.

I don't understand this criticism of Booster Gold from so many people... isn't it obvious that DC is writing him in a less than amiable light because they;re going to so make him an awesome character by the end of 52...?

[Jack Zodiac]

I think the reason most people dislike the way Booster's acting in 52 is because of all the wasted development of his from Countdown to Infinite Crisis and The OMAC Project. They were making him out to be a really compassionate hero who was trying to make things right in his present by using the information he had from the future, instead of using that same information to turn a buck.

[Nick Kal]

I think the reason most people dislike the way Booster's acting in 52 is because of all the wasted development of his from Countdown to Infinite Crisis and The OMAC Project. They were making him out to be a really compassionate hero who was trying to make things right in his present by using the information he had from the future, instead of using that same information to turn a buck.

Sometimes, though, people don't always deal with grief in the best way. Booster is who he is and when the time comes for him to really prove himself... he will.

[Jack Zodiac]

Well, they sort of answered any question someone would have of his reaction being out of grief in a previous week when he told Bea that he did his part to save the world and now it was his turn to cash in on the past. That was pretty much the definitive "what a jackass" moment.

And yeah, for all they're pushing him down, they're definitely building him up to a moment where he proves his worth as a hero. Or dies. He's on the cover of Justice League of America #1, though, so hopefully it's the former!

[Nick Kal]

Well, they sort of answered any question someone would have of his reaction being out of grief in a previous week when he told Bea that he did his part to save the world and now it was his turn to cash in on the past. That was pretty much the definitive "what a jackass" moment.

And yeah, for all they're pushing him down, they're definitely building him up to a moment where he proves his worth as a hero. Or dies. He's on the cover of Justice League of America #1, though, so hopefully it's the former!

But that's his way of dealing... he can't so he's going to push people away and be selfish... but it's all going to eventually be a lesson learned. It's part of his ladder.

[Squashua]

Wait, I'm confused. A synthetic soul in just one line?

1) It's not one line of code. It's "a string of numbers", quantity unspecified.

2) Even though Magnus calls it "machine code", you don't know for which DC Universe machine or program code.

3) They never reveal the FONT SIZE, so for all we know, it could be a lot of numbers.

All we know is that it takes at least 6 hours for Magnus to input them properly; got the evening of Day 6, had them partially input and useful by an unspecified time on Day 7.

[phantom1592]

I don't understand this criticism of Booster Gold from so many people... isn't it obvious that DC is writing him in a less than amiable light because they;re going to so make him an awesome character by the end of 52...?


Hey Here's hoping! But Jack Z hit it on the head. He seemed to go through so much development prior to OYL. After Countdown and then Omac and IC, he seemed to have dealt with the grief. It seems for Heroes they have two choices. Give up and Cash in, or Try harder to be a better hero. In IC he seemed to go for the latter and seemed so very COOL. Then comes 52 (which takes place AFTER he started trying Harder) and he's regressed to the self pity of the Former.

I hope he does get very cool, very soon. Unfortunately I hope the whole "bribing Bad Guys" thing doesn't drop so low I won't respect him when he gets high again.

[IamtheRock3]

pretty good


Not as good as last week though


I DEMAND a metal man mini series or series

[longshot7]

the Question is a dead man

Red herring.

[Steve Brady]

It's just a cover, and we weren't supposed to be seeing any of the six 52 regulars one year later so as not to ruin the surprise...

...but Question, Booster and Ralph are on the cover of JLofA 1, and Steel is not.

Montoya and Black Adam would have no reason to be.

[brundlefly]

Despite being on the cover, Steel didn't get a whole lot of playing time.

Question: Since Lex was cleared early on in 52 of all his PUBLIC ENEMIES throught IC wrongdoing, are the legal charges that he faces in court OYL in Superman from things that he'll do during 52? I can't see why he'd still be dealing with the fallout from the Alex Luthor thing at that time. Given that he is being positioned in this series as the bane of Steel's existence & that Steel is one of the favorites of the 6 to not make it out of 52 alive, do any of you think Luthor ultimately will be the one responsible for Steel's death and that's the murder charge (among the other charges) that he has to face in court OYL? I can certainly see Steel sacrificing himself trying to save his daughter from Lex's influence.

Added note: I'm glad I at least get 38 more issues of Machiavellian LexCorp CEO Luthor here before OYL forcibly reverts him to a fugitive mad scientist.

[Jack Zodiac]

I doubt Lex will kill John, or that he'll have some hand in his death. Something like that would've been mentioned during "Up, Up, and Away" when Clark recalled Luthor's latest downfall. Even while trying to keep things that happen in 52 secretive, that's one thing that couldn't have gone unmentioned unless it was completely random and unattached to Lex.

He's a clean man now, in 52, but we know he gets pinned within the next year, and I'm sure that will be part of John's story, whether John himself has anything to do with it or not.