52, Vol. 2

52, Vol. 2 (52 #2; issues 14-26)

3.84 of 5 stars 3.84  ·  rating details  ·  1,823 ratings  ·  50 reviews
After the INFINITE CRISIS, the DC Universe spent a year without Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. A year in which those heroes were needed more than ever as the fate of the world hung in the balance.


The story of 52 continues in this incredible second volume as Booster Gold's dubious heroism comes under fire, Lex Luthor's scheme for giving ordinary citizens super-powers

...more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published July 4th 2007 by DC Comics (first published 2007)
more details... edit details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
Batman by Jeph LoebBatman by Alan MooreBatman by Frank MillerBatman by Frank MillerBatman by Grant Morrison
Best of Batman
91st out of 230 books — 287 voters
Batman by Jeph LoebBatman by Frank MillerWatchmen by Alan MooreBatman by Alan MooreBatman by Frank Miller
Best of DC Comics
25th out of 103 books — 31 voters


More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 2,268)
filter  |  sort: default (?)  |  rating details
StoryTellerShannon
THE SERIES

This tale follows a “missing year” in the DC Universe after the groundbreaking “Infinite Crisis” story (see my review for that one) which was one of the bestselling graphic novels for the 2006 year. Note that "Final Crisis" follows after this and was published in 2009.

52 asks the questions who takes the role of the most popular superheroes (Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman) when they step down from their roles? There are a list of vying superheroes trying to make a name for themselv...more
Jace
Feb 20, 2010 Jace rated it 3 of 5 stars
Shelves: comics
DC's latest string of Crises events (Infinite, Countdown, and Final) have been pretty disappointing. I'm not sure how I missed out on 52 the first time around (I suspect that I was turned off by the prospect of buying 52 weekly issues), but I'm glad I came back for a second look.

What immediately appealed to me is that 52 focuses on smaller characters in the wake of Supes/Bats/WW's disappearance from the DC Universe. Characters like Booster Gold, Animal Man, and Ralph Dibney are some of my favor...more
Doreen
I definitely preferred this to Vol 1, in large part because the set-up in Vol 1 allowed for this volume to feel more readily accessible, especially to someone who isn't a DC Universe fangirl. I'm still reserving judgment on the overall story, though the cryptic little creators' notes between each issue are starting to make more sense. I'd say that I enjoy the writing for Renee Montoya best. The interaction between her and The Question feels natural and unforced. I'm a little creeped out by the n...more
Mike
This is still a pretty compelling read. I think the interwoven, few-pages-at-a-time stories format is definitely helping to keep me wanting more, but I also think it's a testament to stories with purpose/suspense/interest.

It takes some pretty weird twists in this volume, including the whole Lobo nuttiness. Then additional character depth creeps in, and a weird sense of foreboding is haunting me - like tragedy is coming for a number of characters and I can't stop it. Ugh.

My usual measure for how...more
Travis
This series juggles a good half dozen story threads involving various heroes in the course of a year where Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman have disappeared.
It's a mixed collection, some interesting, some painfully bad. Which is which is a matter of personal taste.
I liked the stuff concerning the Question and Booster Gold, and hated the stuff involving the Elongagated man.
Taking one of Dc's most light hearted characters and making him grim and serious is right up there with the all time stupid...more
Sesana
In volume 2, the various storylines are really starting to kick into gear. By the end of the collection, I'm starting to get a sense that this isn't going to end very well for pretty much everybody. Of course, that just makes me want to read more, since I'm only halfway through. But it's a marathon, not a sprint.

I love that this book is making me care about characters that I really didn't know much about before. If you'd asked me a month ago what I thought of Black Adam, I would have asked you w...more
Sean
Feb 24, 2013 Sean rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: DC Comics fans!
I really was surprised how much I enjoyed volume one of 52. Here, I got what I thought I would in the first collection. There was a little too much of the wacky weird unrelatable and unrecognizable corners of the DC Comics universe. The overall story, I think, is still on track, but a lot of stories in this veered way off, for me to follow. It might be just me. The art was really good, especially with the addition of Phil Jimenez. I am still planning to read the next volume but I hope for it to...more
Karl Kindt
Dec 26, 2007 Karl Kindt rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: DC fans
Much better than Volume 1 since the writers are hitting their stride as a group more, are able to do less exposition and more action, and do less with their leftist political agenda. Anyone who loves the old DC, the modern DC, and/or the new DC will like this, as it interweaves so many primary, secondary, and tertiary characters into a story that hangs together very well. I really like Geoff Johns', Mark Waid's, and Keih GIffen's contribution. Grant Morrison in in love with his own weirdness and...more
Rebecca
I read this at Borders with my roommate Bikki while we were waiting for the rain to subside this evening (P.S. spending several guiltless hours at a bookstore is a rare treat!).

My comments on the extras in 52: Vol. 1 still stand. I love the behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of this huge undertaking.

Volume 2 (chronicling Weeks 14-26, approximately, in the lost year) really gets exciting, as storylines converge, various characters collide (and expire), and answers beget more questions. Mo...more
Steve
The stories continue but start to get stale in the second volume. Like most multiple story movies, some of the stories are not as interesting as the others.

I especially liked Black Adam's storyline, it had the most emotional and dramatic heft. I also enjoyed Renee Montoya's and the 3 stranded superheros stranded off world, and everyone loves LOBO.

While none of the stories will reach climax until the fourth volume, its an enjoyable read and a necessity for the series.
Jake
I think the best part was seeing Black Adam happy. I like him as a villain, but I also like him as a hero.

Booster Gold's part in this volume was nice. I wish I had read this when it was first released. Maybe then I would have freaked out like I was supposed to.

The Renee/Charlie story is solid. I think it's probably the strongest in the series.

I still think the Animal Man/Starfire/Adam Strange story is uninteresting. I was hoping that I would change my mind after reading it a second time, but it...more
Chris
Super Chief?!?!?!? Really DC??? I know they're trying to be more diverse and all, but how can you do so well with characters like Renee Montoya and Steel and muck it all up with Super Chief? There had to be a million better names to really reflect Native American culture. C'mon son!

I would've given this a 1 but the other characters do have good plotlines and some thoughtful development. Here's to hoping things get better in vol. 3.
Nick
52 chugs along at a steady pace in Volume 2. New faces are introduced into the mix, including Lobo, Osiris and Dr. Fate. Each storyline is given ample time to spread its wings, including Ralph Dibny's continuation as he searches the Elseworlds with the helmet of Nabu. Strong issues this time out include the JLA stand-in team, consisting of Firestorm, Bulleteer, Ambush Bug and Super Chief and an appearance from the magic team Shadowpact. Also, Will Magnus's increased role, and the introduction of...more
Megan
Jun 14, 2012 Megan added it
Still just as addictive as the first volume (possibly even more so!) The story is incredibly well-paced and keeps your attention easily, with each of the stories standing on its own beautifully.

The notes at the end of each week are still just as enjoyable as the first volume, and I was glad to see Geoff Johns featured this time around. Can't wait to pick up the third volume!
Maxwell Heath
The good stories generally continue to be good, while the less interesting ones don't improve much. The space characters gain a bigger share of the plot, but they still don't seem particularly interesting. Also, some of the stories suffer from the real-time nature of the story, which leads to large time gaps in between events that don't always make sense.
victoria.p
Well, they cut back on the Booster Gold, but still nowhere near enough Renee Montoya, and too much other stuff I don't care about. I did enjoy Lex calling Kon his son (aw, Kon, I'm so glad you're not still dead), and I felt bad for Cassie that she was clearly barking up the wrong tree, but overall, I found it kind of a slog.
Leslie (Working for the Mandroid)
I have no idea how anybody managed to keep track of these storylines on a week to week basis. I still need some sort of index telling me which characters are which, especially tying together real names with superhero names. Despite that it's still really good. I just wish I still knew more of the overarching background story.
Krishna
I'm not going to give this one a star rating, as it's impossible to separate my feelings about the comic from my self-directed frustration of having accidentally returned it to the library and then having to wait a week to get it back.
Caroline
A recent re-read. Continuing with the awesome. I realized I liked the Morrison stuff a lot better this time around, which means I either have a greater appreciation of his style or that too many comics have damaged my brain.
Arthur
52 continues on, and I'm still satisfied. It is fun to read a comic where heroes like Booster Gold and The Question are the main ones out of a large pool. Can't wait to read the rest, which are harder to find.
Belldandy
Beginning to set up where the series is going (hopefully). I like some story lines better than others (no surprise there), I'm curious to see how they intersect (if at all) further along in the series.
Kirk Kiefer
If you liked Volume 1, there's certainly no noticable drop in quality here. Story threads begin to cross and some crazy new ones pop up. Definitely impressive that they pulled this off on a weekly basis.
Jeff Raymond
Still really into this. The good thing about these trades is that it has little commentary sections on each issue, which gives a lot of background into who they chose and why they chose them. I would have never been introduced to Egg-Fu without it, for instance. Really excellent - for someone who's been hesitant to dive into the DC Universe, this has been an interesting diversion for me.
Angelica
I continue to like the Renee Montoya/Vic Sage as well as the Booster Gold story, the others, however ... not so much. I'm considering just skipping the other stories in the next volume.
Dave Rockwell
Like Vol 1 this book keeps a fast, engaging pace. I don't think week 26 was as engaging as the author's notes imply. Weeks 14-26 are fun and worth the read.
Spectre
The stories are starting to feel rushed. Black Adam is interesting, and I am still loving the Renee Montoya/Vic Sage friendship; however, the rest...not so much.
Thelaurakremer
Really dislike Irons' niece. 'I totally trust Lex Luthor, he has my best interests at heart and cares about the welfare of others!' -Said NO ONE EVER till now.
Justin
Things are picking up in this one after the first volume. It's a pretty engaging read -- plenty of mystery and tension here, and it continues to be surprising.
Ruth
Jul 12, 2011 Ruth rated it 5 of 5 stars
Shelves: comics
Another excellent issue. This series seems to be very well-constructed and planned out. Worried about the Black Marvel family.
Michael
Again, campy and quick at times, 52 is still enormously appealing and keeps me flipping pages.
« previous 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 75 76 next »
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
52: V. 2
52, Vol. 2 (Eventos DC 52, #2)
10305
Geoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990’s in search of work within the film industry. Through perseverance, Geoff ended up as the assistant to Richard Donner, working on Conspiracy Theory and Lethal Weapon 4. During that time, he also began his comics career...more
More about Geoff Johns...
Green Lantern: Rebirth Blackest Night Infinite Crisis Green Lantern, Vol. 4: The Sinestro Corps War, Vol. 1 52, Vol. 1

Share This Book

Your website