So, a lot of my friends have been saying they can't get in to 52, because there are so many flavors of storylines, and as a result they can't get into all of them, and they hate their pet plot being left behind for months while other stories are getting the spotlight. And these people are right, and I couldn't figure out why I still LOVED 52 despite all this. It gets good but unenthusiastic reviews all over the place, but it's one of my top tier books. The Halloween ish made me figure out why 52 is brilliant.
It's easy to get caught up in the storylines, but that's really not what the book is about. That's the action that drives the book, but it really takes a backstage seat to the real purpose. 52 is an exercise in world-building. Those dudes at DC are setting up a blueprint for how the universe will look OYL. They're setting up a solid universe with distinct laws and characters for their post-Crisis continuity, which I really think was what the original Crisis was lacking. And they make it enjoyable. Issues like the Halloween one, that don't focus on any particular plot and instead just give us a look around the DCU are the best, because they give colorful, fresh new looks at old DC characters, showcase new characters, and don't let it get bogged down in continuity that non-DC fans will get confused with. Every other panel in the book feels like a fresh and original pitch for a miniseries or an ongoing book, and the amusing and fresh dialogue keeps it from boring the hell out of us. I enjoy the stories, sure, but the best way to read the book is to look at the big picture of world-building rather than the individual plot threads, which really just serve as windows into the various facets of the DCU.
This issue in particular, was the bomb. We learned a lot about the status of the DCU. The whole premise for the new Intergang (and the Crime Bible) is pure genius. Sabbac is now a giant, insane demon. Neron's a pimp. The design for Hell was damned cool, and the background on Faust gave him a very cool spin, while also setting up the inaugural plot for JLA. I'm interested on where they're going with the red-headed hottie. Obviously, the death of the older member was intended to set her up for a big role, but we don't know what yet. The Checkmate thing was very cool. We got to see the origins of the team, but we also got a fresh spin on them that will tie back in to 52 continuity. And then there's Egg Fu.
I don't know. I just can't stop raving about this book, and I really don't get how people can't get into it. I think it's wonderful. It's the War and Peace of comic books.
Also, killer lines this ish. Whoever wrote the lines "Happy Halloween, Judeo-Christians" and "Nature's toothbrush. -CHLOMP!-", deserves a medal.
