GC52 News Report (DC 04/20/2021 Releases)

(Spoilers for DC Comics released 04/20/2021)

(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 mint dress shirt and a light tie that isoutlined 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!

This week has been… strange to say the least but we are here to bring you what you need to know! First off, the Justice League appears to be testing out 2 new members! One of which seems to be Naomi, you may know her from her recent stint on the Young Justice team that, uh, went away. She is an extremely powerful young hero who may bring needed perspectives to the League themselves! The other though is Black Adam, who you may know as a supervillain. This may be a shock to the viewers at home but Black Adam has been seen around the globe doing good deeds. I don’t think it’s too late to turn over a new leaf and fight for the side of good, do you? Everyone loves a good comeback story so I wish him well! Let’s check in with Katie!

The camera cuts over to Katie’s corner of the studio. There are books strewn all over. On an old CRT monitor behind her is an image of the anti-hero Catwoman.

Katie: Hello everyone! Word on the street in Alleytown is that Catwoman and Riddler have allied together and are searching for the recently missing Poison Ivy. This comes as a surprise, as Catwoman seems to have been tackling crime solo these days. Riddler must have the juicy gossip Catwoman needs if she’s agreed to listen to his brain-teasers all day without clawing his eyes out. 

Undercover sources have also informed me Riddler is in critical condition as a result of a targeted attack. The shooter has not been identified and remains at large. I guess that’s a riddle we haven’t been able to answer yet. 

A few feisty felines have discovered some details regarding Poison Ivy’s whereabouts. We have credible reason to believe that a certain art collector has connections to her disappearance. I’ll release more information as I receive it . . . if my sources are light on their paws — I mean feet. 

An eyewitness last saw Catwoman with a minor (whose name we will not disclose for privacy) at a local scrap yard facility in Alleytown. It seems that Riddler’s intel about Poison Ivy’s possible location didn’t let Catwoman completely scratch the surface of this kidnapping case. Her search was not entirely in vain. Supposedly, an unidentified man handed Catwoman a note before fleeing the scene. This mystery is truly a cat’s cradle! 

In related news, multiple gunfire shots rang out on the other side of Alleytown last night. I have a contact who told me they watched the whispered-about, Bible-quoting villain, Father Valley, murder every single one of Penguin’s goons. Penguin seemed to avoid slipping on the ice of death himself though. The two must not be on amicable terms anymore. Maybe this new Alleytown threat has come to rip the pointed nose off of Penguin and overthrow his chilly reign of terror. May God help us all. 

And with that, the camera cuts from Katie’s corner, back to Dan.

Dan: Thanks, Katie! I am now going to throw it over to our newest reporter in the field, Aidan!

The camera then cuts to Aidan, who appears to be standing in the heart of Central City. Thick clouds coat the sky and rain is pouring overhead. He forgot to bring an umbrella.

Aidan: Hey everyone! Forgive my somber tone, but I have some rather disheartening news to share today. This may come as a shock to you all, but… the speedsters have lost their connection to the speed force. I know, I can hear your collective gasps. In other words, this is just your average Tuesday for members of the illustrious Flash family. Okay, can… can we please turn that off now?

The skyline tumbles behind him, revealing that it was just a green screen the entire time. He’s actually inside the studio! The furious drizzle suddenly dissipates entirely. After a brief pause, the camera pans up to show that it was an overhead sprinkler the entire time. Aidan blankly stares at the camera, trying his hardest to pretend that didn’t just happen.

Aidan: Anyways… What has been the reaction amongst the superhero community? Well, the blonde-haired Flash, Mr. Terrific, and Green Arrow were recently spotted heading into Central City’s iconic Flash Museum. To make matters more interesting, the Justice League has repeatedly denied my requests for comment. League spokespeople the Wonder Twins have insisted that everything is, as they put it, “under control.” Come on. The earth we inhabit spawns a couple Crisis events a year. Is it ever really that simple? 

Fear not loyal viewers, thanks to some of my own QUICK thinking, I was able to get some answers of my own. Potentially crossing a few legal barriers along the way. Maybe. Probably. 

A shaky video taken through a phone camera appears on screen. It shows Flash, Mr. Terrific, and Green Arrow inside the Flash’s secret Speed Lab tinkering with a device. They discuss energy patterns, time capsules, and… the red-haired Flash?

Aidan: That’s right, the original Kid Flash! What’s going on with him? Where did he go? Last I heard, he had an accident at Sanc–

The feed cuts out for a mere two seconds. When it returns, it appears that minutes have passed. We catch Aidan mid-rant.

Aidan: TWENTY DOLLARS? For a FLASH MUG?! WHO FALLS FOR THIS STUFF? IS IT EVEN MADE OF REAL CERAM–

Aidan pauses.

Aidan: Does anyone… Anyone else hear… Lightning?

Suddenly– KRAKOOM! A deafening strike of lightning smashes through the ceiling onto the studio floor. The camera is miraculously unscathed. When the picture clears, Aidan is… GONE?

The camera cuts back to Dan, who clears his throat after an awkward silence.

Dan: Will our insurance cover that? Because that does not look good. I hope this isn’t connected to the disappearances in Gotham recently! It seems as if the Nexus of Reality is broken. Now that is something that happens on any day that ends in “-day” but this one is different. It’s as if the rifts all over Gotham are giving us glimpses into another world.

There wasn’t too much footage of it before Harley Quinn and Batman entered but there was one audio clip of someone saying “just wiped out tomato town” from the other side of the rift. I do hope Batman can save the day with a victory royale. But let’s check in with Jake over in Bludhaven to see what’s new over there!

The Camera cuts to a microphone in midair as it is caught by a dashing man in a black suit oddly covered by a blue t-shirt with “I LOVE THE BLÜD” in black letters. THE JOVIAL JOURNALIST JAKE IS BACK! With a slice of pizza dangling from his mouth. He points at the camera, only for a small ferret to peak out his sleeve! Welcome MR. TUBES! He takes the pizza from his mouth and begins to speak.

Jake: Howdy folks! I’m coming to you from in front of Marv & George’s Pizzeria, where Dick Grayson, my own landlord, has decided to hold an impromptu pizza giveaway to the Blüd’s less fortunate residents! He even offered it to our film crew and I figured this was a way to bring attention to the needs of the people not being met in our dear city. But it’s clear Mr. Grayson is going to change it into the Haven we deserve!

Taking a bite of pizza for the camera, he tears a small bit of dough from inside the crust and presents it to Mr. Tubes as an offering which the ferret gladly accepts. Our journalist takes another bite before returning to speaking with his mouth full.

Jake: Thsh ish sho gowod. In ofr newsh Nighwig wash sheen taking… 

He swallows his food… 

Jake: …down some of the goons belonging to the Maroni Crime family, the second most powerful syndicate in the city. What retaliation our city’s hero will face has yet to be seen. But that’s all I got.

He then puts the rest of the pizza in his mouth looking content. The camera cuts back to Dan in the studio looking annoyed.

Dan: Thanks for that… “professional” report there Jake. Let’s cut over to Ethan for something hopefully more appropriate. Over to you bud!

As the camera cuts over to Ethan we see he’s without his usual tweed jacket but is still wearing the shirt and suspenders as usual. His black glasses in place, as usual, he looks rather calm for once. Behind him is an image of The Demon, Etrigan.

Ethan: Thanks Dan, we should grab a drink tonight, it’s been a while. Anyway… Good evening folks! Only a short update from me tonight. We’ve heard from our sources within the Hall of Justice that a meeting between the Justice League, and their mystical counterparts, the Justice League Dark, was taken recently.

The meeting happened to discuss a few points. One, to decide on what was to happen with the sudden return of The Demon, Etrigan. It was eventually decided he’d be placed on the JL Dark team. Two, to plan a course of action on what Etrigan has revealed regarding Merlin’s plans. No word on what happened there, sources declined to reveal the decisions made for the safety of the team. Third, and finally, to promote Zatanna to team leader due to Wonder Woman’s continued absence.

Now, I’ll be sure to keep you upd-

Ethan pauses mid-sentence and lifts a finger to his ear as if listening to something coming through his earpiece. A look of serious contemplation comes across his face, then one of steely resolve.

Ethan: Understood sir, I’ll be there right away. Sorry Dan, guess we won’t be getting that drink.

With one last look across the studio, Ethan taps his watch, and in a burst of blue light, he vanishes, teleported away to somewhere unknown. The camera hangs on the empty desk for a few moments before cutting to a shocked Dan.

Dan: Right… I guess I am going to need to have HR find more staff then. I actually do need to cut out a few minutes early! I received a mysterious set of tickets for some tournament called Mortal Kombat. Sounds like it’s going to be a blast! They have this one fella who shoots ice from his hands and another who throws this blade and yells for people to “Come over here!”. The Mrs. and I are going to try to get there early to get good seats. Love a good FATALITY.

That’s all we have for you, so as always… 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.

As Dan signs off, the GC52 credits begin playing before a burst of static takes over the screen and we see what looks like security camera footage of an office. It’s largely dark in the room except for one lamp on a desk. Behind the desk, silhouetted by the lamp, is a figure, their face is covered in shadow, but cigarette smoke can be seen. The door to the office opens and in works Ethan. He’s now wearing a black suit and tie.

Ethan: Agent 18 reporting for duty, sir.

The figure behind the desk leans forward. What would be a face is illuminated by the lamplight. All that’s there is a skull.

Mr. Bones: Welcome back to the fold agent. Let’s get to work.

Another burst of static, and the screen turns dark.

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Books covered this week:

• Justice League #60 by Brian Michael Bendis, David Marquez, Tamara Bonvillain, and Josh Reed.
• Catwoman #30 by Ram V, Fernando Blanco, Jordie Bellaire, and Tom Napolitano.
• The Flash #769 by Jeremy Adams, David Lafuente, Brandon Peterson, Mike Atiyeh, Luis Guerrero, and Steve Wands.
• Batman/Fortnite: Zero Point #1 by Christos Gage, Donald Mustard, Reilly Brown, Nelson Faro DeCastro, John Kalisz, and AndWorld Design.
• Nightwing #79 by Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, Adriano Lucas, and Wes Abbott.
• Justice League Dark: Dangerous Things by Ram V, Xermanico, Romulo Fajardo Jr, and Rob Leigh.

Thanks to this week’s contributors; Dan, Katie, Aidan, Jake, and Ethan.