Spoilers for DC Comics released 02/15 and 02/22 of 2022.
Words in italics signify actions.
If you missed last week’s report, check it out here.
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 his news desk, steam rising off of his mug of tea. The setting sun sparkles off the crown jewel of the City of Tomorrow in the background. The GC52 intro music begins to dim as the actual program begins as Dan turns to the camera with a smile on his face.
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 reign of the Glass Wonder Women has come to an end as Diana vanquished their leader, Image-Maker. Reports say that he is from the mirror dimension which begs the question, does he know Mirror Master? Are they friends? I assume not as his costume is a bit tyrannical in the “we could rule everything way” and Mirror Master’s is “I got this at a clowns estate sale” look. The Shining Knight issue was solved as well as he was unmasked to be that absolute hunky smokeshow Siggy! From what we can tell noted menenist garbage person Dr. Psycho was controlling his mind. I hope he takes a very long drip out of our multiverse. Let’s check in with…. the ferret…
The camera cuts to a ferret in a super tin can, Mr.Tubes, and his young, spectral friend Zeb on a rooftop in Metropolis.
Mr. Tubes: There have been many deaths of heroes recently. Murders.
Zeb: Like Teen Titan-level heroes but like not the big ones! And we got a big lead right Tubes!?
In the cockpit of his suit, he taps one button and gives a pre-saved answer.
Tubes: Yes. Big time.
The camera pans over to see Nightwing on the ledge of a building overlooking Lexcorp, and Zeb points up.
Zeb: Look it’s a bird! Wait no, it’s a plane!
Tubes: It’s Superman!
The heroes talk to each other probably about the same investigation the two journalists are on and look out towards Lexcorp before the camera returns to the studio.
Dan: Still don’t get how a ferret is smart enough to report the news but it’s just one of those things. Anyway, let’s find out what’s been going on with the Green Lanterns. Thomas?
Thomas has his head in his hands and shudders softly in place.
Dan: Uh Thomas, is this a bad time for you to report? Did you get some bad news or…?
Thomas: It’s okay, Dan. Everything’s gonna be okay.
Dan: Good! Because we’re live. Please start your report.
Thomas: Well, last we left off, a whole gaggle of superheroes were taking on a big, angry tentacle head. And that fight appears to be over. It took a few Green Lanterns, a bunch of Guardians, some Thanagarians, whatever Flash was doing at supersonic speed, a light show from Naomi…
Dan: Were you able to see who struck the killing blow?
Thomas: That part is hard to confirm. These big, floaty, world-ending threats can be undone in any number of ways. One minute John is back and glowing and the size of a massive kaiju, but is that power effective? Does his New God mojo mean anything here? Or did someone find an ancient gem in a well somewhere, spit on it, and foil the villain from a million miles away? A lot of witnesses on the ground can’t tell me anything more than they kept shooting at some jerks with magic powers who refused to get hurt. Seems like a magic artifact scheme, Dan!
Dan: Sounds like a job for Justice League Dark.
Thomas: Don’t you say that name! I didn’t sign up to report on those spooky adventures. Give me apocalyptic alien narcissists over that cabal of hail-mary improvisers. The Lanterns always have a backup plan, that’s what makes them elite. Just look at Lantern Mullein: has a ring unlike anyone else’s so it doesn’t get deleted in the big matrix assault, keeps teammates handy so she’s never caught completely off guard, AND she woke up Lantern Quintela’s gauntlet just when Oa could use the firepower! I’d follow that lady into a coalmine with nothing but a lit stick of dynamite to guide my way.
Dan: Changing the subject from following women…
Thomas: It was a compliment!
Dan: …you seem to have cheered up. Why the tears earlier? Is it a dead hero, or the prospect of another superhero funeral?
Thomas: Oh. Well um… this is a little personal, but… when the big, angry head extended its assault to planets other than Oa, it took on Zamaron, the planet of the Star Sapphires, as well as Odym. The planet of the Blue Lanterns. Last I was aware, they were completely wiped out and prevented from repopulating. If there’s even a chance that they are still kicking, I have to find them. There are a lot of crises, evil armies, and a dark multiverse out there. A resurrected ray of hope would carry a lot of weight right now. I can’t stick around on Oa if that’s true. I can’t be a journalist like this if the blues are calling.
Dan: Thomas, I should warn you…
Thomas: Dan, don’t try to stop me, you of all people told me the cosmic beat tends to end this way for reporters. You called it “Close Encounters syndrome.”
Dan: No, I should warn you, we will keep your final check if you don’t file your final assignment on this story.
Thomas: News like that… also gives me hope.
Thomas turns, picks up a scrap of debris, and tosses it into a recycling bin.
Thomas: Let’s go! One more wild ride into the great beyond! Screw you, Relic and Dr. Manhattan, the Blue Lanterns live again!
Dan: Well, if there’s one thing we love here at GC52, it’s hope. Now I hear Harley Quinn has been up to some more chaos lately. Let’s go over to Violet to see what she has to say on the matter.
Violet stands in front of a smoking building in Gotham City, she steps over debris as she reports to the studio.
Violet: Things are really picking up here in Gotham for Harley Quinn! Kevin was successfully saved, Keepsake left under the rubble – quite literally. Allow me to share the details; Harley managed to take the explosive train heading towards the city off its tracks and crashed on the rubble below Gotham Bridge. I should look into registering Harley for HEROZ4U – the app that gives you direct access to local heroes. I mean, surely she’s earned a spot for saving the city from a train bomb?
Creepsake doesn’t stop there, however; I followed Harley’s therapy group – all former Joker gang members, who also were experimented on by Hugo Strange and Keepsake. Maybe I could join the therapy group, I could go undercover and get a closer look.
Violet laughs then abruptly stops as she realizes she’s live. She coughs before continuing.
Violet: Moving on. The gang put a stop to Keepsake from unleashing his robots onto Gotham City. Harley convinced them to not kill him but to not exactly save him either. While they left, I stuck around and caught a look at a woman who pulled Keepsake from the rubble; I overheard her calling herself The Verdict. I fear we haven’t seen the worst of what is yet to come. As always, I will be sure to keep you updated. Byeeee!
The camera cuts back to the studio.
Dan: Um, probably not a great idea to go undercover in a therapy group… Now, looks like we have news on Robin, well one of them, over on Lazarus Island.
The camera cuts to drone footage of Lazarus Island buzzing with activity as Ra’s al Ghul and Talia have come to combat the already defeated Mother Soul. Jake is on the scene along with his mentor Lady Shiva.
Jake: Live from Lazarus Island; The Shadows now search for Master Dusk under the orders of Talia. But Robin, Hawke, Flatline, Ravager, and Respawn have taken control of this search effort after Robin stood up to his family. They are off to Corto Maltese to find the escaped master assassin. And Lady Shiva and I are on the docks keeping our dista… wait where did Shiva go?
Jake shrugs and begins following the combatants. Curiously he notices Ravager and Respawn break from the group, but chooses not to follow as Hawke also breaks off to search on his own. The GC52 Drone follows him briefly to notice Lady Shiva speaking with the tournament’s winner on a rooftop. Jake is looking for a scoop and decides to follow Robin the boy wonder as he talks to Flatline. Robin is maskless but the camera can’t quite make out his face. And it becomes impossible as the hero kisses Flatline.
Jake: Well folks that is certainly a development for the young hero!
Shiva appears behind Jake as the camera zooms out.
Shiva: We are off to Gotham next. Let’s go.
Jake: Oh thank Highfather!
The camera returns to Dan in the studio.
Dan: For our last story tonight we head back to Gotham for an update on the ongoing Arkham Tower situation. Ethan?
The camera cuts to the GC52 mobile studio in Gotham City (actually Ethan’s apartment). Outside the window stands Arkham Tower, lit up by the spotlights of GCPD choppers circling the tower, and the flashing lights of police cars can be seen bathing the plaza outside in a red-blue hue. Ethan steps into the frame.
Ethan: Evening folks. We finally know exactly what happened in Arkham Tower to cause the hostage crisis currently unfolding. Following an attack from the Party Crashers on the BatFamily’s base of operations, in which they were promptly knocked unconscious (thank to my source for this info), the BatFamily sprang into action. Batwoman headed to Mayor Nakano’s office to try and convince him to put a stop to Dr. Wear and the Tower, while one of the Batgirls went to the Tower; where plans for its expansion were being unveiled at a press conference.
And that’s where it all went to hell. Dr. Wear was on stage giving his speech, all the while the Party Crashers were lying in wait to take him out. And right at that moment, whatever hold had been on the patients of Arkham Tower to leave them in a docile state was broken. The building sealed down and that’s where my source runs out of information for now. Hopefully, we’ll know more of what’s happening at my next update. But for now, back to you Dan.
Ethan takes a look out the window at the Tower standing tall against the Gotham skyline, even despite the carnage unfolding within as the camera feed cuts back to Dan in the studio as he flips through tattered pages of a journal.
Dan: I’ve kept reading the journal we’ve received from Warworld. Jerry didn’t find peace but he’s learned so much. On a planet where cruelty is treated as kindness, I have to thank my lucky stars that Superman is there to inspire. Jerry is just a kid, not even 21, and I’m responsible for him getting stuck there. He had to watch as Mongul knocked Superman away as if he was a paper doll. Another page says that he did get out of his cell on a search to find something to help them. That page cuts off abruptly… I can’t bring myself to read more just yet.
That brings us to the end of our show tonight. 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.
Books Covered this Week
- Wonder Woman #784 by Michael W. Conrad, Becky Cloonan, Marcio Takara, Tamra Bonvillain, and Pat Brosseau.
- Nightwing #89 by Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, Adriano Lucas, and Wes Abbott.
- Green Lantern #11 by Geoffrey Thorne, Tom Raney, Marco Santucci, Maria Laura Sanapo, Mike Atiyeh, and Rob Leigh.
- Harley Quinn #12 by Stephanie Phillips, Riley Rossmo, Ivan Plascencia, and AndWorld Design.
- Robin #11 by Joshua Williamson, Gleb Melkinov, Luis Guerrero, and Troy Peteri.
- Detective Comics #1053/1054 by Mariko Tamaki, Max Raynor, Luis Guerrero, and Ariana Maher.
- Action Comics #1040 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Riccardo Federici, Lee Loughridge, and Dave Sharpe.
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