52 Week 21 (***SPOILERS***) Teen Titans/Infinity Inc issue

[Lonewolf36]

From mazingman728 on the DC Forums

Week 21, Day 1
Metropolis: Natasha talks Luthor into letting Eliza back in the group as she, Eliza is off Sharp and is sorry for what she did.

Week 21, Day 2
The Netherplains: Ralph and the Helmet of Fate are looking to go into the Underworld Beyond. They get past the demon guard after Ralph reveals that he, the demon, was put to sleep by Fate and he, Ralph tied the demon up into a ball after giving him gingold. The demon lets them through and Ralph kicks him down a flight of stairs.

Week 21, Day 3
Metropolis: Luthor sets his team of heroes out to catch Blockbuster. Luthor bought the name and rights for Infinity Inc. from the Pemberton Estate; team members are Fury, Nuklon, Skyman, Everyman, Starlight and Trajectory. Infinity Inc defeats Blockbuster and the Titans show up; Titans are Beast Boy, Raven, Power Boy, Little Barda, Hot Spot and Zatara. While having words back and forth Blockbuster escapes and Trajectory (Eliza) goes after him. During here fight with Blockbuster Luthor turns off her powers causing her to die at the hands of Blockbuster.

Week 21, Day 6
Manchester, AL: The Titans and Infinity Inc are at the funeral for Eliza. John Henry shows up to talk to Natasha but she gets mad at him and leaves.

Week 21, Day 7
Australia: A small town repair shop is shown where a metal sculpture artist is working on a project in a garage. The sculpture is shown to be a really bad make shift statue with the Red Tornados head.

There is no Origin this issue. And the cover lies as Supernova is not in the book nor is the Everlasting Triple Fish God. Also Power Boy and Little Barda do come across as being from Apocalypse.

[protege]

Looks like Eliza went "to infinity- and beyond!"

[Count Vertigo]

Blockbuster? I thought he died in Nightwing. Or wait, is this the Blockbuster that got killed fighting Brimstone on the first Suicide Squad mission during the Legends story? No wait. It's ANOTHER brother...:rolleyes:

[skally19]

they said it's a new one. but this was a cool issue. we saw the titans break up again. eliza got her head ripped off right? ha. OUCH.

[Syphre Zero]

Very good issue all around. Luthor's command center is a nice touch, and very characteristic of Lex; it has a Truman Show/Wag The Dog quality that really speaks to his shrewdness and affinity for presentation.

I laughed when I noticed Johnny Warrawa's welder's mask. Matt Groening must be fairly pleased with himself for earning such a subtle homage.

[sly_kat]

y did the cover lie to wat was in it? i just read it... damn good read this just gets better and better... but... wat the hell...

[Dr.Geekibus]

This title consistently keeps my attention focused. I'm not thrilled with the grim/gritty Ralph Dibny, but I'm sure curious to see if he'll become the new Dr. Fate. He does have the beard, after all. He looks just like a ginger-haired Hector Hall.

I thought they telegraphed the death of Eliza from about fifty miles away. They ahve the scene where she talks about how she's going to be the greatest hero evar, etc etc. I think it would have been funnier if they'd made her costume a red shirt. (a little Star Trek humor for my fellow geeks).

I didn't completely buy Gar's automatically joining up with John Henry. I also thought John Henry was uncharacteristically rude in how he dealt with Natasha. How could he have expected any other result after that?

The panel for next week looks pretty cool tho. A Superman logo superimposed over Supernova? This sounds like the work of ...Lex Luthor...thinking his darling baby boy has come back to life. I guess we'll know in a week.

[Deadpooligan]

Can someone explain to me what the hell is going on with Ralph? One moment he's sane, the next crazy for his wife, sane again, then hallucinating Dr. Fate in space? I think I'm missing something.

Totally hating how the killed off a Flash fangirl. That's just cruel and ironic.

Also, the new Infinity Inc. are all dicks (minus Flash fangirl). How can they supoort the idea of giving everyone superpowers is a good idea? The bad far outweighs the good.

This issue, IMO, is the worst of 'em all. All the other ones kept me relatively intrigued following the mysteries of Supernova and Skeets, the awesomeness of the question, and reintroduction of Lobo.

Next week looks good though. More Supernova is nice.

[Paul McEnery]

Also, the new Infinity Inc. are all dicks (minus Flash fangirl). How can they supoort the idea of giving everyone superpowers is a good idea? The bad far outweighs the good.
I reckon this is Grant imagining himself as Lex Luthor again. After all, look at the end of his JLA run, where everyone gets to be a superhero.

[Bloody Thumb]

Blockbuster? I thought he died in Nightwing. Or wait, is this the Blockbuster that got killed fighting Brimstone on the first Suicide Squad mission during the Legends story? No wait. It's ANOTHER brother...:rolleyes:


I could be mistaken, or read something into the book that wasn't their, but i got the impression that this New Blockbuster was some one Luthor had "Created" to give his team a test run. It was never said, but i thought it was implied in the scene he "broke" free in. I may have to read it again though to be sure.

[Dr.Geekibus]

I agree with Bloody Thumb. Lex temporarily de-powers blockbuster so he can be captured, then engineers his escape by repowering him, then depowers trajectory so she can be killed. It's Lex at his prime.

[StrikeForce Albert]

Lex is Lex, and that's awesome. Whay make super heroes with out an off switch? Easily, you don't.

[Jack Zodiac]

I could be mistaken, or read something into the book that wasn't their, but i got the impression that this New Blockbuster was some one Luthor had "Created" to give his team a test run. It was never said, but i thought it was implied in the scene he "broke" free in. I may have to read it again though to be sure.

Yeah, it seemed to me like this Blockbuster was another project from Everyman, as Luthor seemed to be controlling its power output. And apparently he can only take away the powers he has given, not any super powers (which would be a whole lot crazier and dangerous).

As for Ralph, I'm thinking less and less that he's hallucinating. On top of the indicators in Week Fifteen, I can't help but think that it would be completely unnecessary to continue his storyline without further instances that exemplify his craziness. I think it's simply that the helmet can only talk to him.

Though it'd be absolutely hilarious if, in the end, he was really just a penniless, homeless weirdo with a rusty helmet. That's how you handle fan-favorite characters. Find a cut and rub salt in it!

[Shellhead]

I didn't completely buy Gar's automatically joining up with John Henry. I also thought John Henry was uncharacteristically rude in how he dealt with Natasha. How could he have expected any other result after that?


John Henry may have reminded Gar of his old friends Vic and Cliffe. Plus, Steel was in the JLA, so that's good for a certain amount of credibility in the DCU. As for John being rude to Natasha... what? Considering that she is an ungrateful little so and so who works for a notorious villain and that she beat the hell out of him the last time they met, I think John displayed considerable maturity and restraint. Maybe confronting her at a funeral wasn't very tactful, but it certainly could have been a wake-up call to her, which she chose to ignore with her childish outburst. Maybe when the bodycount in that Lex-Men team gets higher, she might start adding two plus two.

[Dr.Geekibus]

Yeah, it seemed to me like this Blockbuster was another project from Everyman, as Luthor seemed to be controlling its power output. And apparently he can only take away the powers he has given, not any super powers (which would be a whole lot crazier and dangerous).

As for Ralph, I'm thinking less and less that he's hallucinating. On top of the indicators in Week Fifteen, I can't help but think that it would be completely unnecessary to continue his storyline without further instances that exemplify his craziness. I think it's simply that the helmet can only talk to him.

Though it'd be absolutely hilarious if, in the end, he was really just a penniless, homeless weirdo with a rusty helmet. That's how you handle fan-favorite characters. Find a cut and rub salt in it!


That would be a pretty wild ending for Ralph. And you could trace the psychotic break from the issue where they try to resurrect Sue. That could actually work. Wonder if DC has the cojones to try it? :D

[Dr.Geekibus]

John Henry may have reminded Gar of his old friends Vic and Cliffe. Plus, Steel was in the JLA, so that's good for a certain amount of credibility in the DCU. As for John being rude to Natasha... what? Considering that she is an ungrateful little so and so who works for a notorious villain and that she beat the hell out of him the last time they met, I think John displayed considerable maturity and restraint. Maybe confronting her at a funeral wasn't very tactful, but it certainly could have been a wake-up call to her, which she chose to ignore with her childish outburst. Maybe when the bodycount in that Lex-Men team gets higher, she might start adding two plus two.


You'd think she might have been able to put two and two together when Lex started hitting on her. Seriously, you raise good points. Steel should have a lot of cred. And the relationship he has with Nat is definitely on the rocks.

I loved the name Lex-Men, by the way! Hysterical! Again I wonder if DC would have the cojones to throw that in there at a little dig at the competition.

[TheTen-EyedMan]

I think we just worked out why Steve Wacker left.

[aukevin]

Lex was awesome in this issue. Totally ruthless, I loved it, even though I liked the character he killed.

[Joe Acro]

As for John being rude to Natasha... what? Considering that she is an ungrateful little sh*t who works for a notorious villain and that she beat the hell out of him the last time they met, I think John displayed considerable maturity and restraint.
John Henry isn't at fault here. Natasha isn't at fault here. The writer(s) are at fault for writing Nat out of character in the first place.

[aukevin]

I think we just worked out why Steve Wacker left.
why do you say that? I thought this was a great issue, one of the best 52s.

[TheTen-EyedMan]

why do you say that? I thought this was a great issue, one of the best 52s.


I thought it was crap. You liked it. Agree to differ?

[aukevin]

I thought it was crap. You liked it. Agree to differ?
It's fine to differ, I was just wondering why.

[TheTen-EyedMan]

It's fine to differ, I was just wondering why.

Bad characterisation, Characters acting out of character, characters I just don't care about and telegraphed death scenes. Like someone said, that chick Eliza should have been wearing a red ensign shirt.

I know we're supposed to hate 52, I got told that by a D.C. Exec. It's showing how important Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman are to the D.C. Universe. Without them, D.C. is just Marvel but slightly less stultifyingly stupid.

[Dr.Geekibus]

Bad characterisation, Characters acting out of character, characters I just don't care about and telegraphed death scenes. Like someone said, that chick Eliza should have been wearing a red ensign shirt.

I know we're supposed to hate 52, I got told that by a D.C. Exec. It's showing how important Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman are to the D.C. Universe. Without them, D.C. is just Marvel but slightly less stultifyingly stupid.

I see alot of what you're saying, but I don't necessarily agree that it was a crap issue.

As for hating 52, I think DC editorial is finding that many people are responding to a DC-verse without the Big 3. In another thread I read that DC was considering keeping 52 around after its year long run. Moving it to a bi-weekly or monthly format instead. It could become the new version of DC Presents where we get to follow the storylines of characters that DC might not be able to sell in their own series.

I agree that characterization is going out the window in some cases. However, I think compared to what's happening over in Marvel's civil war, DC's characterizations look pretty good.

[SlightlyMad]

I thnk it was somewhat ironic that I picked up one of the X-Statix trades today as well as this issue. I think there are certain parallels that could be drawn. Luthor's removal of Trajectory's powers at the crucial moment was one of those utterly ruthless moments that few others could be capable of (especially getting ready to draft a new recruit before her head has even hit the floor). Let's hope the next speedster gets a better name.

So, was that a de-aged Barda or just someone using new gods tech? and who the heck is Power Boy?

Finally, anyone think that Johnny Warrawa going to become a major player in the story once Red Tornado is up & about, or just a means to an end? I think anyone who can make a car into a robot body shouldn't be left in some backwater Australian town (although the comment about an Oil Company readying to bulldoze the place sounds like fun times are ahead).

[Cassius6303]

Yeah, it seemed to me like this Blockbuster was another project from Everyman, as Luthor seemed to be controlling its power output. And apparently he can only take away the powers he has given, not any super powers (which would be a whole lot crazier and dangerous).

As for Ralph, I'm thinking less and less that he's hallucinating. On top of the indicators in Week Fifteen, I can't help but think that it would be completely unnecessary to continue his storyline without further instances that exemplify his craziness. I think it's simply that the helmet can only talk to him.

Though it'd be absolutely hilarious if, in the end, he was really just a penniless, homeless weirdo with a rusty helmet. That's how you handle fan-favorite characters. Find a cut and rub salt in it!

I'm beginning to think that he's still hallucinating but it's not a complete hallucination. He's treating the helmet as if it is sentient, which it is not, nor has it ever has been. I think it's Devem messing with his view of reality in order to gain access to the underworld. I haven't figured out the why yet.

I'm still trying to figure out the significance of his blacking out when submerged in the pool way back when. I think there's more to that sequence than just them taking his wedding band but I could be wrong.

Jamie

[Shellhead]

Bad characterisation, Characters acting out of character, characters I just don't care about and telegraphed death scenes. Like someone said, that chick Eliza should have been wearing a red ensign shirt.

I know we're supposed to hate 52, I got told that by a D.C. Exec. It's showing how important Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman are to the D.C. Universe. Without them, D.C. is just Marvel but slightly less stultifyingly stupid.

I don't think that every death scene needs to come as a surprise. Eliza marked herself for death when she crossed Lex the first time. He probably decided to make an example of her when he let her back on the team. And given the vast cast of 52, it's unrealistic to expect that we are supposed to care about all the characters. Some of them are merely supporting characters used to fill out the scenery or serve to advance the plot without stealing the scene. Besides, it's getting difficult to surprise the fans these days with all the leaked information on the internet.

We're supposed to hate 52? I'm skeptical. Did you miss the wink that the D.C. exec gave when he delivered to you the unlikely news that they put several of their top writers on a year-long project that we're supposed to hate? You know, the series that they expect us to spend $130 on? Sorry, that just doesn't hold up under any serious analysis. Sure, 52 shows us a DCU without Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, but thanks to OYL, we didn't need to wait a year to get the Big Three back. Besides, DC needs fans to like more than just the Big Three, or else they would need to shrink their product line massively, and miss out on a lot of revenue in the process. Instead, they are probably hoping to spin a successful comic or three off from 52, or at least generate additional interest in the post-IC DCU.

[sly_kat]

I'm beginning to think that he's still hallucinating but it's not a complete hallucination. He's treating the helmet as if it is sentient, which it is not, nor has it ever has been. I think it's Devem messing with his view of reality in order to gain access to the underworld. I haven't figured out the why yet.

I'm still trying to figure out the significance of his blacking out when submerged in the pool way back when. I think there's more to that sequence than just them taking his wedding band but I could be wrong.

Jamie
I agree wit ya!
Could this have any connection to Mr. Mind?

[Cassius6303]

I have no idea, Sly. The whole Mr. Mind subplot has me totally thrown for a loop. There just hasn't been enough elements for me to form an theory yet.

Jamie

[jadegiant77]

I thought they telegraphed the death of Eliza from about fifty miles away. They ahve the scene where she talks about how she's going to be the greatest hero evar, etc etc. I think it would have been funnier if they'd made her costume a red shirt. (a little Star Trek humor for my fellow geeks).



*sigh*

I saw that one coming, too,but i was hoping I was wrong. Damn you, Luthor! I really liked Kid Flash(I refuse to call her "Trajectory"...what a stupid name!). She should be ressurected by the Speed Force or something.

[Dr.Geekibus]

*sigh*

I saw that one coming, too,but i was hoping I was wrong. Damn you, Luthor! I really liked Kid Flash(I refuse to call her "Trajectory"...what a stupid name!). She should be ressurected by the Speed Force or something.

Resurrected by the Speed Force? Does that mean Bart would have to give birth to her? Eeeewwww:evilsmile

[Bloody Thumb]

I would have liked Eliza to stick around and become either a new Impulse or a new Kid flash, but the character had that "Created to get killed" feel from the first panel.






And i really like the idea of a Crazy Ralph in a ditch some where talking to a dented helmet.

[Jack Zodiac]

I'm beginning to think that he's still hallucinating but it's not a complete hallucination. He's treating the helmet as if it is sentient, which it is not, nor has it ever has been. I think it's Devem messing with his view of reality in order to gain access to the underworld. I haven't figured out the why yet.

Actually, the helmet has acted independently before and communicated with, at least, Hector Hall, when it was inhabited by Nabu. Now that Nabu is dead, he can't give his power to the helmet, so if it is truly talking to Ralph, it may be inhabited by another Lord of Order.

[Ian J.N.]

Does anyone think it significant how Natasha's handle, "Starlight", is closely related to "Supernova"?

(I thought for a second that maybe John is Supernova, but the timing is off. Shame.)

[Cassius6303]

Actually, the helmet has acted independently before and communicated with, at least, Hector Hall, when it was inhabited by Nabu. Now that Nabu is dead, he can't give his power to the helmet, so if it is truly talking to Ralph, it may be inhabited by another Lord of Order.

Right, that was my thinking too. Except for the fact that I thought there were no more Lords of Order or Chaos, as it was inferred that the Spectre destroyed them all.

Which makes me wonder who's behind the helmet. Also, look at the helmet's positioning throughout Ralph's sequences.....it's roughly at the same height that someone's head would be while standing next to Ralph. It never 'floats' above or below this line....almost as if someone was really standing there.

Jamie

[Shellhead]

Does anyone think it significant how Natasha's handle, "Starlight", is closely related to "Supernova"?


I'm thinking that it's Luthor's little joke on her, given his grand deception and his dialogue with her on page 1 of this issue. Starlight is dim, compared to most forms of lighting.

[Jack Zodiac]

Right, that was my thinking too. Except for the fact that I thought there were no more Lords of Order or Chaos, as it was inferred that the Spectre destroyed them all.

The Tenth Age of Magic's just started, so it could be that new Lord have been assigned their ranks, like the ranks of the Marvel family have been shuffled around due to the end of the last age.

[Jack]

Ralph might be on his way to meet a Lord of Order in this storyline. Sure, the assumption is that he's going to see Sue, but the helmet talked earlier about the rituals that needed to be done before it could be worn. A big step in that might be finding a Lord of Order to inhabit it once more.

[skally19]

ralph is gonna be gay by the end of this. i think. according to didio clues. and that was said at the start of 52 too. LAME. anyway. i wouldn't be surprised if all of infinity inc died at some point. EXCEPT the dude who kept the green and purple clothes and who changes. maybe that's a clue he's an insider with luthor? like how luthor tells them to protect that guy. and see everything that dude says. like how great luthor is. HMMM

[kalorama]

It never even occurred to me that Ralph was hallucinating. I really don't see why it would. We know, for a fact, that there's been a consciousness inhabiting the Dr. Fate helmut before. No reason to be surprised there's ne now. Could be Nabu, could be some one else. If it is Nabu, we know that he has a history of using people for his own purposes, lying to them, and using their own emotional anguish as a lever to get them to do what he wants. I simply figured that he'd latched onto Ralph and is using his desire to get Sue back as a carrot to make him a pawn in whatever plan he's got cooking.

[BoosterBronze]

ralph is gonna be gay by the end of this. i think. according to didio clues. and that was said at the start of 52 too. LAME.


I'm sorry but WHAT?

[PanzerMega]

I thought this was the best issue in a while. I like seeing the revolving door of Titans, and Trajectory was likable enough before they killed her, and really made Luthor look like a dick.

Not really interested in Aussie Car Robot Builder Guy. How many "Red Tornado is rebuilt" stories do I get to read this year?

[Jack Zodiac]

I think the only reason Red Tornado is being rebuilt here is so he can finish his exclamation. Fifty-two what? Fifty-two weeks and fifty-two veils are all we know about the importance of the number, so far.

[Jack Zodiac]

EDIT: Double post because this server's a piece. :p

[x1243]

I thnk it was somewhat ironic that I picked up one of the X-Statix trades today as well as this issue. I think there are certain parallels that could be drawn. Luthor's removal of Trajectory's powers at the crucial moment was one of those utterly ruthless moments that few others could be capable of (especially getting ready to draft a new recruit before her head has even hit the floor). Let's hope the next speedster gets a better name.

So, was that a de-aged Barda or just someone using new gods tech? and who the heck is Power Boy?

Finally, anyone think that Johnny Warrawa going to become a major player in the story once Red Tornado is up & about, or just a means to an end? I think anyone who can make a car into a robot body shouldn't be left in some backwater Australian town (although the comment about an Oil Company readying to bulldoze the place sounds like fun times are ahead).

They are both from Apokalips. Think Barda is just a female who's using the name Barda as a tribute seeing how Barda was the strongest female fury in her time. Power Boy is probably another person from Apokalips too or maybe a New God (by his exclaimation .. By Darkseid's testi..)

[Frostbite883]

will become the next Doctor Fate during(or after) 52? :confused:

[milly3cat]

I hope not, because his popularity has gone down since he has gone crazy.

52 has been a bad turn for Ralph..

[Gingold]

No. DC's learned its lesson from turning Hal Jordan into the Spectre. I think we'll end up with a new Dr. Fate and a newly invigorated, non-crazy Ralph when all this is done.

[DonC]

This is all over the 52 threads, but, no, like Gongold said, DC's learned its lesson (I hope).

My perfect ending is Ralph gets Sue back and we forget Infinite Crisis ever happened.

Now, Sue becoming the new Fate, that I could see happening.

[TheTen-EyedMan]

This is all over the 52 threads, but, no, like Gongold said, DC's learned its lesson (I hope).

My perfect ending is Ralph gets Sue back and we forget Infinite Crisis ever happened.

Now, Sue becoming the new Fate, that I could see happening.

So she's going to go from being Eclipso to Dr Fate?

Not even D.C. is that stupid.

Oh...right...Kevin Dooley.

Dang.

[Gingold]

So she's going to go from being Eclipso to Dr Fate?

Not even D.C. is that stupid.

Oh...right...Kevin Dooley.

Dang.

Sue's not Eclipso, Jean Lorring is. While making Sue into Fate would be pretty lame- there'd be something pretty cool about seeing her kick Jeanclipso's butt.

Ralph is Dante, Fate is Virgil, Sue is Beatrice.

[skally19]

I hope not, because his popularity has gone down since he has gone crazy.

52 has been a bad turn for Ralph..

ralph had popularity?

[shaxper]

Sue would have made a better Spectre than Crispus. I'll say that much.

[Jack Zodiac]

Sue's not Eclipso, Jean Lorring is. While making Sue into Fate would be pretty lame- there'd be something pretty cool about seeing her kick Jeanclipso's butt.

This would be so hilarious, I'd actually compliment Meltzer on what he did in Idenity Crisis. :p

I really hope Ralph doesn't become the new Dr. Fate, because that's not his character. He's a down-to-Earth (despite having super powers) detective who can solve the most impossible crimes. That's his gig. Not magic. If Ralph's quest to find a new Dr. Fate ends in him being cured from his craziness, and hopefully resurrecting Sue, I'll be happy, though.

Sue would have made a better Spectre than Crispus. I'll say that much.

Nah. So far, I've been liking Cris as The Spectre. Especially in the mini, where his loss of religion from Gotham Central played a conflicting part in him accepting the role.

[Bloody Thumb]

I could see ralph being Offered the role of Doctor Fate towards the end of 52, only to turn it down. I don't see them reviving Sue, but i can see his whole experience being used to help bring him "peace" and to come to turn with his loss.

[SlightlyMad]

I could see ralph being Offered the role of Doctor Fate towards the end of 52, only to turn it down. I don't see them reviving Sue, but i can see his whole experience being used to help bring him "peace" and to come to turn with his loss.

But if he were to accept, maybe he & Sue could be together in the realm within Fate's amulet, the place were Stargirl met Kent Nelson in the first adventure in the most recent JSA series.
http://pc59te.dte.uma.es/cdb/series/dc/bitmaps/fate1.jpg
Later on in the series Hector met he Nelsons & the other Fates plus Kid Eternity there. It was fashioned probably as Kent Nelson's piece of paradise (think: the place Kirk was when Picard found him in Star Trek: Generations), so, for Ralph it could be his house that we saw destroyed in the beginning of this series, with Sue there to help him to adapt their abilities to this new role.
After all. if Eric & Linda Strauss could merge to be one Dr. Fate, why couldn't one man & his wife's spirit do it?

[Jack Zodiac]

Y'know, with DC's penchant for resurrecting Golden Agers, and their recent direction towards Silver Age dynamics, I wouldn't doubt if, somehow, Fate's helmet was leading Ralph to the afterlife to help it revive someone else (not just Sue) to become Dr. Fate. Maybe Kent? They've already brought back Rex Tyler, so why not?

[TheTen-EyedMan]

Sue's not Eclipso, Jean Lorring is. While making Sue into Fate would be pretty lame- there'd be something pretty cool about seeing her kick Jeanclipso's butt.

Ralph is Dante, Fate is Virgil, Sue is Beatrice.


Thanks for correcting me on my mistake...not having read anything before Face the Face Issue one since 1998 makes for mistakes.

[Cassius6303]

Y'know, with DC's penchant for resurrecting Golden Agers, and their recent direction towards Silver Age dynamics, I wouldn't doubt if, somehow, Fate's helmet was leading Ralph to the afterlife to help it revive someone else (not just Sue) to become Dr. Fate. Maybe Kent? They've already brought back Rex Tyler, so why not?

I'm with Jack on this one. I have a feeling that we will have a new Fate out of this and that Ralph gets either closure or stays in Paradise with Sue.

I still think he's being manipulated on the way there, tho.

Jamie

[Jack Zodiac]

Maybe to appease some of the Giffen/DeMatteis League fans who continually get the shaft out of this whole crossover, they'll bring back the Strausses. :p Or revive the mantle of Fate in a way that it can be possessed by any of its previous avatars, which would be even cooler. Stop killing folks off and start resurrecting a slew of 'em.

Then ya' have cannon fodder for the next one. :rolleyes:

[Paul McEnery]

Ralph is Dante, Fate is Virgil, Sue is Beatrice.
Well yes, but also:

Ralph is Orpheus, Sue is Eurydice.

Neat idea to merge Dante and Orpheus. Which keeps us guessing as to which way this is going to work out.

[titanfan]

Ralph is Orpheus, Sue is Eurydice.

Geez, I hope not, especially since Ralph already lived through an Orpheus-like story in the last Giffen storyline in JLA-Classified.

[Jack]

It would be extremely interesting to have Ralph be Doctor Fate, I think, as long as it's handled properly.

By which I mean having Ralph... be Ralph. A detective who happens to focus on magical mysteries. Have it be Ralph Dibney: Doctor Fate, not Doctor Fate: Ralph Dibney. Heh, or call him Detective Fate.

[Joe Acro]

A detective who happens to focus on magical mysteries.
I created a character who is a detective of the paranormal/supernatural. They can't steal my idea. They can't!

[Jack Zodiac]

They already did, around fifty years ago. His name was Mark Merlin. And seventy years ago, with Dr. Occult. :p

[Paragon]

As mentioned before there are several magical detectives.

Detective Chimp is designed for that purpose, and Constantine does the magical mystery thing to a certain degree as well.

We don't need to add Ralph to that list.

Perhaps DC feels that Ralph overlaps too much with Plastic man and they are trying to find a new role for him.

I don't want him to be Fate either. Make it someone new. I hope Ralph has a different future.

[Shellhead]

52 isn't even half over yet, and with all the twists and turns we've seen so far, it's surprising that some readers are still jumping to extreme conclusions about the outcome. It's probably too soon to assume that Ralph is the new Doctor Fate, or that Booster Gold is dead and gone forever, or that Black Adam is completely reformed, etc.

[Jack Zodiac]

Detective Chimp is designed for that purpose, and Constantine does the magical mystery thing to a certain degree as well.

We don't need to add Ralph to that list.

Well, Detective Chimp didn't become a detective of magical mysteries until Day of Vengeance. Up until then, all he did was solve criminal cases. And John... I don't know if I'd call him a detective. Very few of his stories involve him investigating anything. He's usually either thrown or stumbles into horrible occult goings-on.

I agree, though. I don't want to see Ralph be designated soley to mysteries of magical nature. I'd love to see him as a pure detective again, though, and not so much a superhero. What he did with the Gingold in this issue was a great example of his versatility.

[Shellhead]

There are some major questions that everybody has avoided asking so far about the Everyman program, both in the comic and here at CBR:

1. Has Lex given himself super-powers?

2. If so, how powerful is he?

3. If not, why not? Are these powers somehow dangerous to the wielder?

4. Can Lex control Steel's powers as well as he controls the others? Or did Steel receive an early version of the treatment that is less easily controlled?