(Spoilers for DC Comics released 03/16/2021)
(Words in italics signal actions)
The GC52 Logo appears on televisions, computers, and all other types of viewing devices at its normally scheduled time. Lead Anchor Dan McMahon sits at the center of the newsroom behind his desk. This week he’s wearing a black and white polka-dotted sports coat with a plain black tie, he is outlined by the large window behind him looking out over Metropolis. The Daily Planet globe is visible behind him as the setting sun sparkles off the crown jewel of the City of Tomorrow. The GC52 theme music begins to dim as the actual program begins.
Dan: Good Morning, Good Afternoon, and Good Evening to all our wonderful viewers from the docks of Coast City to the furthest reaches of Oa, you are watching the multiverse’s best news show that brings you the news that you need to know! As always, I’m your host, Dan McMahon, doing my part to bring you up to the minute updates on the worlds you live in! Another exciting week for Earth-Prime! A lot of things going on in the big cities as usual!
Above Dan’s left shoulder, an image of Black Adam’s logo appears with a caption reading “SHAZA…DAM?”
Dan: After a few week’s worth of reports that Black Adam has been doing heroic deeds… we finally have proof that maybe something has changed over in Khandaq. A big bulky baddy showed up in his domain and came in swinging. Adam and the invader slugged it out for a bit before the Justice League showed up on the scene. Normally, these two parties would be opposite sides of the ring but they worked together before this mysterious foe teleported away.
The image above his shoulder changes to a photo of the Hall of Justice with a “Help Wanted” sign hanging on the door.
Dan: There are also rumors that the Justice League are looking to bring in some new members to give their ranks some fresh blood. I think that changing things up and bringing in new mindsets to any team can only make a group stronger. Speaking of different mindsets, let’s check in with Jake over in Bludhaven or Blüdhaven? I never know how to pronounce it… anyway… here’s Jake!
With a twirl and a tap of his cane, the radical reporter returns on-site in Blüdhaven! His all-black outfit with a bluebird pin showing his excitement for his hometown hero!
Jake: Howdy folks! It’s good to be back in my hometown putting the blood back in Blüdhaven. Here in the Blüd, a lot is going on. Crime is back on the rise. It seems that our dear mayor has gone missing and been replaced by city council president, Melinda Zucco.
Jake: For a while, we had a team of Nightwings saving the city after the original went missing, but now they’re gone and that void was being filled with worse elements. Luckily for us, the real deal Nightwing has returned and is making things right again.
Jake: In other news, in light of the fall of Bruce Wayne and his fortune, it seems his adopted son, Blüdhaven transplant, and my landlord, Dick Grayson, has recently come into his inheritance and is now giving out ice cream in our lobby, what a swell guy! He’s even got a cute puppy here. I guess that means we can finally have pets in the building! I’m gonna get a ferret. Now back to the studio for Ethan to take a look at some more goings-on.
The camera cuts over to Ethan’s corner of the studio. Wearing his tweed jacket as always, the crime/multiversal reporter is ready for whatever chaos has popped up this week. Behind him on the giant video screen is an image of the Catwoman of Alleytown.
Ethan: Hey folks, news has reached us of an assassin taking out various ne’er do wells in the Gotham district of Alleytown. First, multiple members of the Nahigian Crime Enterprise were killed at their main residence. This was then followed by an attack on the base of one Edward Nygma a.k.a. The Riddler.
Ethan: The reports aren’t clear yet as this has just happened but it seems Riddler was saved from death by this new assassin on the scene by Catwoman. While GCPD got to the scene following an explosion at the waterfront, there was no sign of Catwoman and The Riddler, nor this new mysterious assassin. Once we have more information on this continuing story we will of course update you.
The video screen behind Ethan changes to an image of magicians Zatanna and Constantine out in the desert somewhere. A big smile has come across Ethan’s face.
Ethan: Now, for some more magical news from two distinct parts of the world. First, from my old stomping grounds of Caerleon in Wales comes a report of the wizard Merlin returning. Yeah, I know, wild right? But I guess this is the sort of stuff we deal with in our world. Whether this is for good or ill remains to be seen…
Ethan: And in news from the deserts of New Mexico, John Constantine and Zatanna, members of the magical branch of the Justice League, have been involved in a riot of some wizardly origin that ended in the return of one Jason Blood, the host of the demon Etrigan. This is surely not the last we’ll hear about either of these incidents, but as always, I’ll be here to keep you updated on the strange going-on across the multiverse. Back to you, Dan!
The cameras come back to the main studio where Dan takes a long sip of his coffee in his official GC52 mug.
Dan: You can always depend on Ethan to bring a little…magic…to our broadcasts. That is all the time we have tonight so remember be it the Bat Symbol in Gotham, a red streak through Central City, or a golden lasso on Themyscira… GC52 has you covered with the news you need to know. Till next week, I’m your host Dan McMahon. Be strong in all your convictions.
Books covered this week:
- Justice League #59 by Brian Michael Bendis, David Marquez, Tamara Bonvillain, and Josh Reed.
- Justice League Dark: Return to Caledonia by Ram V, Xermanico, Romulo Fajardo Jr, and Rob Leigh.
- Nightwing #78 by Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, Adriano Lucas, Wes Abbott.
- Catwoman #29 by Ram V, Fernando Blanco, Jordie Bellaire, Tom Napolitano.