GC52 News (DC Comics Releases for 05/17/2021)

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

(Spoilers for DC Comics released 05/17/2021)

(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 blue suit, with a yellow floral tie 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!

I’m hoping tonight’s news will be a quick one, I’ve got a wedding to go to. Reports of the Justice League being off-planet seem to be true. One of our Tamarian news teams sent in a report of a sound wave at barrier-breaking levels. Upon closer inspection via satellite, it was from Black Canary herself. I mean we all know she’s powerful but this seems like some next-level stuff! 

It does seem though that the recent invader Brutus has bested not only the Man of Steel but the newest powerhouse, Black Adam, as well. With Noami and the other members ready to fight, are they technically the invaders now? Anyway, let’s see what Violet has for us this week! Violet? VIOLET!

Violet leans over her desk explaining last week’s events to the boom-mic operator.

Violet: No I shit you not, a massive snake, even bigger than yours and that’s saying something! Last night was- 

Dan gives her an annoyed cough to snap her back to attention. 

Violet: WHAT?! He has a king cobra at home! 

She quickly fixes herself over just in time for the camera and gives Dan a sheepish smile that wouldn’t melt butter.

Violet: Gotham me little chickens how are we?! I’ve got some NEW news! 

She exaggerates a wink.

Violet: Yara Flor, our new favorite demigod has been spotted at Gotham airport traveling to Brazil in search of some answers about herself. 

It wasn’t long upon arrival that Brazilian news channels showed us incredible footage of Yara saving a man’s life from a car accident, mere seconds before it blew up. If that’s not enough excitement for you, it gets better! 

A young man’s YouTube channel ‘Kickin’ It With Kevin’ was shared around the internet earlier today showing us Yara getting pulled into the ocean by what looks like a pair of golden boleadoras?! I’ll be sure to keep you all updated. That’s all I have today folks, back to you Dan! 

The camera cuts back to Dan, who’s in the middle of combing his hair.

Dan: Just cut to Jake, I’m in a rush. Jerry? Cut, now!

The feed cuts to a man in a full navy blue suit sitting on the floor unaware he is being filmed as he continues to play with his pet ferret, out of nowhere a camera drone with the sticker saying “GC52,” and “property of Jerry,” flies in his face.

Jake: Who is a good lil ferr… Oh hello! Welcome back folks! In the news today from Blüdhaven I am sad to report another victim of the recent string of murders by a figure locals are calling the Man Without a Heart, which is apt as they have been ripping the hearts out of people’s chests. Wait hold on..

A creaking is heard from down the hall, our journalist goes to check it out. As he peaks out he sees Dick Grayson, a red haired woman, and two detectives leaving Mr. Graysons apartment. 

Jake: Hmm, that’s interesting. I wonder what that was about… I have an idea. Follow me, viewers! 

The reporter grabs the drone and rushes down the stairs of his building so fast he begins to skip steps. Once down he goes to his car, swings open the door and throws the drone onto the dash. He begins heading to his lead while explaining where he’s taking the audience so abruptly.

Jake: So dear viewers, as many know Blüdhaven is riddled with crime and corruption, recently the buzz on the street of this heartless man has come from a colony of orphans in the city who I am going to be interviewing now! Wait… no…

As he approaches his destination the reporter’s face is lit with the bright orange light of fire. He turns the camera around to show Nightwing facing off against the serial killer, Heartless, but as the reporter tries to get out of the car he’s pushed back on by Brutale and The Electrocutioner, henchmen of the crime boss, Blockbuster. 

Jake: Jerry, feed Mr. Tubes!

Suddenly Brutale hits him and Electrocutioner shocks the camera causing the feed to go out. When the camera finally returns to the studio, Dan is sat at his desk with his head in his hands.

Dan: Why does it always seem like one of the team mysteriously disappears, or gets kidnapped every single week? Jerry, you best talk to the lawyers, see if that’ll be covered. Let’s hope Katie doesn’t have anything bad happen to her, she is in the studio after all…

Katie holds a black cat in her arms while it appears to nuzzle her ear. Her hand slips under the cats’ collar for a moment, seeming to retrieve something. Katie suddenly realizes she is on camera. The cat bolts out of her arms and Katie scrambles for her microphone. The black cat has shed hairs all over her red blazer.

Katie: Why hello there! What’s shaking around Alleytown tonight, you may want to know? It’s more of who’s shaking down — or who’s getting shaken down. Okay, enough with the shaking. 

Socialites and elite benefactors alike attended Gotham’s most prominent dinner party (of the week) tonight at the home of collector and scientist Dr. Siddhart Roy. He boasted a great unveiling of the ‘crown jewel’ or his collection, the noteworthy Degas painting. When he pulled the string, Roy and his guests let out a collective gasp. You know the kind; the gasp that occurs when something absolutely shocking occurs at a party full of rich people. To everyone’s surprise, the Degas painting was nowhere to be seen. Only one person must have gasped in only mock horror. That person? The cat-tacular culprit, of course! 

This should not come as a shock to anyone when I report that my favorite feline–I mean Catwoman is believed to have pulled off this Ocean’s Eleven heist of Gotham. Catwoman undoubtedly interfered in Siddhart Roy’s fate tonight. She was truly his monkey’s paw — or, more appropriately, his “cat’s paw,” this evening. 

Katie sneaks a glance at the mysterious object she retrieved earlier from the black cat’s collar. Her eyes widen for a moment and she begins laughing awkwardly.

Katie: Well, I feel like the cat’s got my tongue now. I have to apologize for my slight mocking because my special source revealed to me that… Dr. Siddhard Roy committed suicide mere minutes before I went on air. I have credible reason to believe that Roy was harboring the missing perfecter of plants, Poison Ivy. Along with the Degas painting, this source says that a woman resembling Poison Ivy was caught on camera briefly at Roy’s soiree.

Are Roy’s suicide and Poison Ivy’s possible escape connected? We urge any person — or animal — to come forward with any information about these tragic events. I will report any new details about this case that help unravel this messy ball of yarn. That’s all I have for tonight. Back to you, Dan.

The camera swivels round to Dan, who’s standing up from his desk, ready to run out of the studio as soon as he’s given his sign-off.

Dan: Thanks for that Katie. Sounds like we’re about to have a busy few months in Gotham, let’s hope we’re up to the task. Well, I’ve got a wedding to get to folks. 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.

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Books covered this week:

• Justice League #61 by Brian Michael Bendis, David Marquez, Tamra Bonvillain, and Josh Reed.
• Wonder Girl #1 by Joëlle Jones, Jordie Bellaire, and Clayton Cowles.
• Nightwing #80 by Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, Adriano Lucas, and Wes Abbott.
• Catwoman #31 by Ram V, Fernando Blanco, Jordie Bellaire, and Tom Napolitano.