GC52 News (DC Comics Releases for 05/11/2021)

If you missed last week’s report, check it out here.

(Spoilers for DC Comics released 05/11/2021)

(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 maroon coat that’s 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!

The Supermen are still off-planet dealing with some sort of alien infection. From the reports, it’s like a being that takes control of your mind… as long as it doesn’t take over the older man of steel, we shouldn’t have to worry about a thing! Jon is quickly learning to control his powers and sometimes even surpassing his father. Saw some footage the other day of his heat beams stopping mid-way and exploding, pretty neat power. Like that one time Superman did a wave of sun energy or whatever it was… anyway…

Have a weird one for you today. This morning, Jerry put this on my desk, looks like it arrived at GC52 by accident but it does relate to one of the world’s deadliest assassins, Lady Shiva. Let me read it to you.

Dan clears his throat before opening a yellowed letter.

Esteemed Master,

It has been 187 days since I left home to challenge the deadliest woman alive, Lady Shiva. My search has taken me to a vast city called Gotham, where I spotted her entering a lonely apartment with a bag of take-out food in her lethal hands.

From the shadows, I watched her have dinner with a man in a strange costume that she called, intermittently, “Bruce” and “Batman.” They talked of the mounting grief of being left alone by their loved ones, be it by death or abandonment, and I confess I was sorely tempted to shout “BORING!” in a manner most unbecoming of one of your students.

Lady Shiva seemed to agree, as not ten seconds later she attacked the man with a knife. As expected, she drew first, second and third blood, taunting the man about a son he seems to have fallen out of touch with. Enraged, he managed to turn the knife around, and then, shockingly, Lady Shiva threw herself on it and seemed to die.

Fortunately for my quest, the man nursed Shiva back from the brink, and the very next day they set out for a most intriguing place: something called a “mini-golf”. I spotted them spying on a handful of children playing nearby, but I must admit I found myself momentarily distracted by the astounding sight of a miniature windmill, and when I turned around, Shiva and the man were gone.

I swear to never again allow myself to be distracted like this and shall continue this pursuit to the very ends of the Earth… once I manage to overcome Hole 15. This dragon-like creature is extremely vexing.

Your faithful student.

Dan: They didn’t leave a name, but I hope they get the hole in one. Sometimes, it gets you a free game. Anyway, let’s check in with Violet to see how things are going with Wonder Woman.

Violet swivels side to side in her chair and taps her fingers along the desk. She still gets nervous jitters right before her screen time.

Violet: Good morning Earth! I’ve good news about Wonder Woman. You’d be happy to hear she wasn’t swallowed whole by that giant snake! I mean – SHE WAS, but she survived and got what she needed. She’s got the key to the Valkyrie Fortress. 

Back on the Vigrid battlefield, Wonder Woman and Thor took down a massive crab and when things were looking up… Diana’s neck snapped so quickly the Justice Incarnate couldn’t even make full sense of it but they managed to spot Deadman who admitted to reviving Diana each time she died in order to “set things right”. Whatever that means…

“Dr. Cizko” projected this evil alter ego of Diana to try and deceive her from the truth and mystery that’s in Valhalla but of course that didn’t work. Despite not having all her memory, Diana is determined and still a good person at heart. 

Odin returned for a short period of time, then got squished by a giant rock, only to return again as the grim reaper, do TRY to keep up.  Wonder Woman and the All-Father himself set out to the Fortress of Valkyrie, which looks beautiful from the photos, one giant floating crystal. That’s all I have for you today, we’re still waiting on the next update from Justice Incarnate. Once I’ve got it I’ll be sure to update as soon as possible!

Violet smiles and waves the camera goodbye as it cuts back to Dan who looks back and forth as if waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Dan: Violet that was great, you didn’t even break into the office this morning. Now, no time for me to interview my good buddy Grifter, mainly because he’s not answering my calls, but still, I thought he was my friend…

A cough comes from off-screen as Dan starts to get lost in thought. He quickly refocuses on the teleprompter.

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 finishes the outro and the music starts to play as the credits roll a burst of static takes over the screen. When the picture returns to normal the GC52 studio has vanished, and instead security camera footage of an office is being played. At his desk, Mr. Bones, a cigarette in his mouth, listening to an audio tape. We’ve seen this once before.

It’s difficult to make out what is being played, but barely legible are the words “Jade” and “Obsidian”, the children of the original Green Lantern. A door to one corner of the office opens and in walks the GC52 reporter-revealed-spy Ethan, wearing the customary black suit befitting all covert operatives.

Mr. Bones: Ah, Agent 18, you have something for me?

Ethan: Yes sir, news just out of Gotham. Jim Gordon’s been seen boarding a private plane bound for Belize.

Mr. Bones: And why are the travel plans of an ex-police commissioner important to the DEO, Agent?

Ethan: Because he’s been hired by an as yet unknown third-party to hunt down and kill the Joker, who reports have confirmed is currently in Belize, sir.

Mr. Bones: Ah. Well at least someone’s finally gonna do it. Not like the Bat ever had the balls to see his fight through. Keep tabs on him Agent, but that’s as best we can do, Jim Gordon’s on his own.

And with that another burst of static takes over the screen and the broadcast ends.

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Books covered this week:

• Superman #31 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Scott Godlewski, Norm Rampund, Gabe Eltaeb, and Dave Sharpe.
• Lady Shiva: Death Wish by Che Grayson, Alberto Jimenez Alburquerque, David Baron, and Tom Napolitano.
• Wonder Woman #772 by Michael W. Conrad, Becky Cloonan, Travis Moore, Tamra Bonvillain, and Pat Brosseau.
• The Joker #3 by James Tynion IV, Guillem March, Arif Prianto, and Tom Napolitano.