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In the concluding issue of the year-long weekly series 52, Booster Gold, Rip Hunter, Supernova, and a couple surprise guest stars battle Mr. Mind, the sole survivor of a race of mind-controlling Venusian worms, who has evolved into a threat beyond anyone’s imagining.
While a number of different artists contributed to this final issue, the overall aesthetic of the book does not suffer because the “chapter breaks” are set down smartly, playing up to each artist’s strengths. Now, don’t get me wrong: As with all but a handful of issues, the art in 52 #52 is serviceable at best so don’t get your hopes up.
Exposition-heavy, but not impenetrable, this issue is almost completely stand-alone. That, of course, is the benefit of having most of the major storylines wrap up in the weeks previous. The final issue answers many of the remaining questions while opening up new ideas to be explored, and features a number of cool moments, including a special meeting between Booster Gold and Blue Beetle, and strong characterization for the main players in this tale, especially Booster and Rip Hunter.
Booster Gold’s insecurities and potential are clearly presented and dramatized in this issue, and the way Rip leads the team and solves the conflicts resonated with me in a way that time-traveling characters generally don’t. In comics, they’re typically milksops or caricatures played for laughs. Not this time (no pun intended). This time, Rip is almost Batman-like in his drive, determination, focus, and ability to cut to the heart of the matter. I had no idea who the time-traveling Rip Hunter was before this series; now, I want to see him in his own monthly book.
And you certainly can’t beat the value: a whopping 40 pages at the same cover price of $2.50.
If you picked up 52 casually, or have even a passing interest in the DC Universe, this issue is worth picking up because it lays some interesting groundwork for what is to come next.
52 Week #52
“A Year In The Life”
Writer: Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid
Art Breakdowns: Keith Giffen
Pencils: Mike McKone, Justiniano, Eddy Barrows, Christ Batista, Pat Olliffe, and Darick Robertson
Inks: Andy Lanning, Walden Wong, Rodney Ramos, Drew Geraci, Darick Robertson
Colors: Alex Sinclair, David Baron and Hi-Fi
Letters: Ken Lopez
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