GC52 News: DC Comics Released 01/04/2022

(Spoilers for DC Comics released 01/04/2022)

(Words in italics signify actions)

If you missed the final report of 2021, check it out here.

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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. He’s wearing a suit for the first time in a while. The Daily Planet globe is visible behind him as the setting sun sparkles off the crown jewel of the City of Tomorrow. The GC52 intro 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 have some follow-up information on the recent whereabouts of Batman. The last time we got word on this situation, Batman Inc had supposedly murdered someone known as “Abyss” but it seems as if that was false! We got word that the body itself was not Abyss’s at all when Batman went to the police station to perform the autopsy. It had been replaced by another that was much more decomposed. That’s good news and all but turns out Abyss is alive and well enough to slice Batman open… I will report back when I have more information. Let’s check in with Rook and see how the new Superman is holding up!

The camera cuts to the streets of Metropolis, where Rokk can be seen standing on a street corner getting ready to give their report.

Rook: Following his amped-up rescue spree and a several-hour power nap, Jon Kent has regrouped and began looking into the destruction of the Kent farm. With their home decimated by the introduction of one of Henry Bendix’s designer superhumans, the attack on the Kents has Lois Lane and Batman looking into how Bendix and company were able to pull off such a strike under the watchful eye of the Justice League. 

The Gamorran operatives apparently used a crop duster that was scheduled for a routine flight over Smallville and went undetected on weapons scans because their only weapon was the new metahuman Faultline. But while Lois and Batman were uncovering that, the young man of steel and his new paramour Jay regrouped and had a nice – well, is date quite the right word? Unofficial-date-slash-tactical-meeting, at least, eating pizza on top of the Daily Planet’s globe. Once they determined that they should start by looking for who re-abducted Faultline from S.T.A.R. Labs, Jay’s intangibility did the trick, letting him slip by the laboratory defenses – just in time for him to meet the other people breaking in, looking for the same information.

Robin was already a step ahead of their break-in at S.T.A.R. Labs and was ready with footage of Faultline’s kidnappers. Lois Lane arrived moments later, fresh from her meeting with Batman, looking for the exact same thing. Robin and Batman would normally coordinate to avoid this sort of doubling up of work, but they’re not exactly talking while Robin sneaks off to fight in an ancient tournament of death and rebirth, and Robin kinda needs to get back to that.

The three infiltrators regrouped outside with Jon, where they scrubbed through the footage and found a smoking gun in the video. While president Bendix still has deniability, this footage at least implicated U.S. Senator James Henderson, as well as the Gamorran ambassador, in the crime. 

Rushing to stop the ambassador in the middle of a mass-kidnapping, Superman clashed with a powerful new foe that threatened to subdue him with some kind of sleep ability. However, Jon was able to get the kidnapped civilians and ambassador away, and things began to look up for the young hero. 

Unfortunately, our Gamorran correspondent is telling me that president Bendix has begun something called “The Rising” in response. So, uh, let’s hope that he’s just making a sourdough loaf or something… Yeah, probably not. 

The camera cuts back to Dan in the studio. He’s talking to someone off-screen.

Dan: And still no word from Jerry on the Warworld situation? Damn. Oh, sorry viewers, let’s see what’s going on in Belle Reve today with Jordan.

The camera cuts to Jordan sitting in a small dark room crouched in a corner, hiding behind a barricade with a gun pointed at the door. 

Jordan: Oh, hello there viewers. Your resident Task Force X correspondent here. You’ve caught me at a bad time and you’re probably wondering what’s happening, so let me catch you up to speed. The Squad were recently sent to Earth 8 to retrieve something for Waller. They ran into an alternate universe superhero team, The Retaliators. Some truly bizarre characters. One was this massive hulking beast and another a mechanized metal man. So naturally, they got into a tussle with our Squad. 

While this was happening we also lost contact with Bloodsport. DuBois was heard to be fighting Peacemaker, who evidently has turned to Rick Flag’s rogue Squad. Before we lost radio contact it seemed like DuBois had radio contact, so Waller is expecting his return. Hopefully soon, we need all the help we can get right now.  The Squad eventually beat The Retaliators before yet another supergroup showed up, this one is known as The Lightning Strikes. That’s the last we heard from the Squad…

Jordan pauses as he hears an explosion close by. He peers through his door and sees Bloodsport walking down the hallway with Cheetah. 

Jordan: Crap! Okay well, now you’re basically up to speed. Flag’s Squad is taking the fight to Waller and have arrived on the Island. I had no idea Bloodsport had sided with them though. I have no idea if this is gonna be a good thing or a bad thing, but one thing is for sure. Waller’s gonna be pissed and it’ll be hell to pay. 

The camera quickly cuts back to Dan in the studio, pondering what he just heard.

Dan: Hmm, I should really see about getting in contact with Rick Flag. I think he and I would have a lot to discuss… Now let’s check in with Ethan who’s busy on a long-term investigation into the new Arkham Tower that’s just been opened in Gotham City.

The camera cuts to an apartment in Gotham overlooking the city. Through the window, Arkham Tower, less than a mile away, is lit up by spotlights and the blinking red-blue lights of police cars can be seen from the plaza outside. Ethan steps into view of the camera.

Ethan: Good evening folks, as you can see behind me, not even a month after its opening, Arkham Tower has been thrown into anarchy. Not much is known at this moment though it is believed some inmates have taken hostages and just a few minutes ago a body was thrown from the tower. Unsubstantiated reports from eyewitnesses to this tragedy claim the body is that of lead Arkham physician Dr. Wear, who just a couple weeks ago was seen at a press conference discussing the benefits of the new practices being employed at Arkham Tower.

Batwoman has been spotted on sight outside the Tower liaising with the officers of the GCPD, though again, details on what exactly the heroes of Gotham are doing to bring this emergency to a quick and safe end are short to come by. While we wait on more information I want to bring to your attention some details shared by Gotham Gazette reporter Deb Donovan, who has been investigating Dr. Wear and Arkham Tower much the same as I have. According to her, Wear’s medical license is nowhere to be found. This is troubling news as after Simon Saint, I’m sure Mayor Nakano would want to be more careful with who is being employed to help Gotham.

But that investigation will need to be left for another day as there are far more pressing circumstances right now involving Arkham Tower. Once I have more info on this hostage crisis I’ll be back on your screens. Until then, back to you in the studio Dan.

Night has now fully set in over Gotham as Arkham Tower stands out like a beacon in the sky thanks to the spotlights lighting up its exterior. Ethan takes one last look out the window at the chaos unfolding yet again in the city before stepping off-screen as the camera cuts back to Dan in the studio who is putting his things in a messenger bag before flinging it over his shoulder.

Dan: Well, I actually have to be going. Our sister channel GC616 has gone quiet for some time now. I am heading over to their Earth to see what’s going on and get things on track. 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.

Motherbox, open Boom tube to Earth-616. Let’s hope I survive the experience.

A loud boom cracks through the studio as a large bright portal opens as Dan steps through before it closes as the credits roll.

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Books Covered this Week

• Batman #119 by Joshua Williamson, Jorge Molina, Mikel Janín, Adriano Di Benedetto, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles.
• Superman: Son of Kal-El #6 by Tom Taylor, John Timms, Hi-Fi, and Dave Sharpe.
• Suicide Squad #11 by Robbie Thompson, Dennis Hopeless, Eduardo Pansica, Dexter Soy, Julio Ferreira, Marcelo Maiolo, and Dave Sharpe.
• Detective Comics #1047 by Mariko Tamaki, Ivan Reis, Danny Miki, Brad Anderson, and Ariana Maher.