GC52 News: DC Comics Released 04/19, 04/26, & 05/03 of 2022

GC52 News Contains Spoilers for DC Comics Released 04/19, 04/26, and 05/03 of 2022

Words in italics signify actions.

If you missed our last GC52 report, check it out here.

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This week’s GC52 broadcast begins a bit differently this week as the camera opens up on the beautiful Amazon embassy in the Boston harbor. The camera does a few fly-by shots of the beautiful ceremony taking place after the coronation of Nubia, Queen of the Amazons. People are having a great time, the air is filled with laughter, and champagne fills every cup as if tonight’s splendor will last forever. No darkness could ever end this triumph…

The camera finally flies down as it starts to approach the lead anchor, Dan McMahon who is wearing a powder blue suit with bright gold cuff links which are visible as he clinks glasses with Yara Flor, the new Wonder Girl. He turns to the camera with a smile after a long time of strife.

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 coming to you live from the coronation of Queen Nubia! 

The Trial of the Amazons came to an end with a lot of discoveries and triumphs. But… we did find out who killed the former Queen Hippolyta. Artemis is the prime suspect but she escaped during the battle against Chaos itself as it fled through the gateway. With the combined efforts of all three groups of Amazonians, the day was saved. Which brought us here to this wonderful event to celebrate the new Queen. We wish her many beautiful tomorrows. Let’s check in on Bludhaven to see what’s new with… that squirrel or whatever it is.

The camera cuts to show Mr. Tubes, the mechanized ferret, and ghost assistant Zeb overlooking a fight between The Flash and Nightwing.

Mr. Tubes: Nightwing and Flash beat KGBeast and take cell phone.

Zeb: And then they went woosh and ran away! It was so cool Flash took everybody down in a… zoom? 

Tubes: A flash.

Zeb: That’s right, a flash! Wait a second…

At that exact moment of reporting the pair get a message that says they need to run to Costa Rica to do a follow-up before Flash and Nightwing are done there! Tubes turns his mech suit into a jet and flies off into the distance with Zeb in hot pursuit. The two arrive after Nightwing and The Flash depart and begin to report.

Tubes: We miss heroes but this location home to La Agente Fúnebre, agent with assassin friends.

Zeb: Oh I heard about them in Gotham once they know all the killers like my Uncle Joe killed a guy and then got a letter in the mail from Funbear asking to be friends but I think he was lying. Claimed he made Batman. 

Tubes: That sound untrue. But Fúnebre real and Nightwing beat her. We get reports that all the top assassins in the world are caught by superheroes! Good work Nightwing and Flash!

The transmission cuts out before quickly returning to Dan at the Amazon embassy.

Dan: We now take you to Gotham where Investigative reporter Desirae Porter has recently returned from Hooper County, Texas reporting on the Dinner Party From Hell turned Hooper County Massacre. Desirae? 

The camera cuts from Dan to Desirae standing in a Gotham alleyway. There is someone standing near her still in the shadows. They are slightly taller than Desirae but their posture is bent. Their hands can be seen, fidgeting in front of them, in fingerless gloves.

Desirae: Thank you, Dan. After being unable to locate former Commissioner Gordon at the scene of the massacre that left nearly two dozen members of the Sampson family dead, I returned to Gotham, but not before witnessing the arrest of Sampson family patriarch Sawyer Sampson and his niece Victoria.

The person standing next to Desirae shifts uncomfortably in the shadows.

Desirae: My contacts in Gotham informed me that Gordon had been seen around town. A spokesperson for the GCPD was able to confirm that Gordon was brought in for questioning by Chief Detective Hallows, whole again after being “disarmed” by Vengeance in Paris, to see if Gordon could shed some light on the Hooper County Massacre, including the whereabouts of The Joker.

At the mention of The Joker, the person in the shadows lets out what sounds like a small sob.

Desirae: Although that’s all the information the GCPD spokesperson would provide, a source close to the investigation stated Gordon remained tight-lipped and was released. 

The camera cuts back to Dan. He hesitates as though he isn’t sure he wants to know the answer to the question he’s about to ask. 

Dan: Desirae, have you been able to make contact with Jimmy Gaspero or… Dickkory Shippers to see if he, I mean…they, can shed any light on the situation?

The camera cuts back to Desirae.

Desirae: Absolutely not, Dan. The last I heard Jimmy aka Dickkory had escaped from the Leslie Thompkins Wellness Center a few weeks ago. I had approached former Commissioner Gordon but he refused to be interviewed. It was then that I was contacted by the man standing next to me who also happened to be looking for The Joker. This is Robert Hawkins, who once went by the name Bob the Goon and was believed to have been killed, by The Joker, in 1989. 

Bob steps forward into the light. He’s an old man now, about 75 years old. His face is worn and scarred. He has two black eyes and his bottom lip is busted.

Desirae: Mr. Hawkins informed me that Cressida Clarke, a member of the Court of Owls, had orchestrated this entire plot to take down the Court of Owls and the Network that supported them to avenge her father who had once been ousted as the leader of the Court and then tried unsuccessfully to partner with Bane and regain control. Mr. Hawkins believed that The Joker was merely a convenient chaos agent in Cressida Clarke’s plan. 

Bob the Goon: I been tryin’ to find Joker since those damn Sampsons took him and planned to kill and eat him. I been watchin’ Gordon and lookin’ out for any mention of Bane and his psycho daughter, but nothing. I hated to do it. I hope Joker ain’t mad, but I didn’t know what else to do. 

Desirae: Do you think The Joker will be after you now that you went to the press to try and locate him?

Bob: The press? No, he won’t care about the press. I went to him. The big guy. Why do you think my face looks like this? I went to The Batman. And after he got done usin’ my face like a pile of dough, he said he was going to pay his pal Jim Gordon a visit. 

Desirae: Will Batman be able to find out what happened to The Joker? What’s Jim Gordon’s next move now that he’s back in Gotham? Will Cressida Clarke and Bane be able to take down the Court of Owls and the Network? How did Robert Hawkins aka Bob the Goon survive being shot by The Joker at point-blank range in 1989? Tune in tomorrow. Same GC52 News time, same GC52 News channel. Dan.

The camera cuts back to Dan. He’s just finishing a drink after toasting Queen Nubia.

Dan: Speaking of cold cases in the past, we would like to apologize to viewers for the absence of our usual Oa report, as our correspondent Thomas was suddenly torn through the nexus of all energies and existences. His last scheduled day to report before his paychecks are suspended takes effect in three… two…

A portal of multiple neon colors opens up as Thomas steps out in a freshly tailored and cleaned outfit.

Thomas: Hey, Dan! And hello, viewers! This is your resident Oa correspondent, fresh from the latest multiversal crisis. Lantern Stewart, having absorbed the Godstorm, expelled its energies in order to restore power to his friends and allies. At least, that’s what I overheard from his conversation with the living personification of the universal “Source.” I was flying through time and space like a one-person rollercoaster for a while there. Is today today? Or tomorrow?

Thomas reads one of the monitors that have been temporarily set up at the Amazon embassy.

Thomas: That Bob the Goon story just broke in 1989? Oh gosh… that means I’ve traveled back just in time to relive the 90s! Thank you, John Stewart! I can load up on shares of Apple and Microsoft while playing original Chrono Trigger and watching those old Saturday Night Live bits that were wiped from YouTube! 

Dan: Thomas…

Thomas: And if it’s 1989, then Zero Hour hasn’t happened yet! Actually, a whole lot of planetary resets haven’t happened and been undone, yet. Unless this is one of the resets and John just wanted to turn back the clock for everyone. Hey Dan, you look like you haven’t de-aged a day!

Dan: Thomas, the year is 2022 and your top three time travel fantasies are atrocious… even if Chrono Trigger is the GOAT.

Thomas: I made it back in time to get paid though, right?

Dan taps his wristwatch.

Thomas: Okay! Where was I? John restored the power of the rings, though the central battery is now a bubble of Source energy. There was something about allies learning to get along, though I’m not sure which ones.

Two streaks, one pinkish-violet and the other blue, fly past in the background.

Thomas: Oh wow, that looked just like a Star Sapphire and Blue Lantern just flew by. That would mean–

Thomas immediately undoes his tie and races for the exit.

Thomas: The Blue Lanterns are back, baybeee! 

The rainbow portal continues waving in place, to the attention of no one.

Dan: You know what? We’ll give him that one. Today’s feeling a little more optimistic than usual. I’ve actually received a transmission from Warworld. I was going to save it till the end but I’m too overjoyed not to share!

The transmission begins as the camera is held in the hands of Jerry the Intern. Now known as Jerry the Ironclad with long chains of iron hanging from his wrists and a large battle-axe over his shoulder. 

Jerry: My message is for the GC52 News team if it can find them. O.M.A.C. has betrayed Superman and the Authority for a flimsy promise from Mongul that he can save their love. It doesn’t matter though as Superman dispatched them as the rest of us have started to push back. To fight to take Warworld from the monsters. To free ourselves from the chains they’ve created. 

Superman said something when he was taking on Mack that will stick with me forever so I wanted it to get off this hell planet in case I don’t. He said “Should we do what’s right only when we’re stronger than our enemies? When we’re at our best? When we’re hurt or outmatched or we’ve lost a step, should we sit back and do nothing?” There’s never a good time to do what’s right because it’s supposed to be all the time. I hope to see Earth again soon… until then I fight for good even when it’s hard.”

The feed cut back to Dan who has a big smile on his face.

Dan: Not all the news is good though…after Batman and Robin have been on the hunt for Ra’s Al Ghul’s killer, supposedly Deathstroke, they learned that wasn’t the full truth. It’s become clear that he wasn’t at fault this time despite Talia’s army of ninjas being after him. It seems like every side is being played by someone much more powerful than first assumed. 

Respawn, one of the combatants in the tournament that Robin just took part in turned out to be Slade’s son. Well, clone more so than a son. A genetic hybrid of Talia and Slade’s DNA that Ra’s was doing his own experiments on, the sick man he was. But all of these sides finally clashed… leaving Slade with the blood of one of his children stained upon his hands once again. No one should have to deal with that. Respawn was caught in the crossfire of a battle that wasn’t truly even meant for him… our hearts go out to that poor boy. Whatever happens, I hope no more blood will be spilled. Let’s check in with Violet.

Violet holds an ice pack up to her right eye as the camera switches to her desk. She lowers the ice before collecting her notes. 

Violet: Long time no see everybody! Hope you’re all prepared for what I have in store for you! Some unbelievable events happened at Blackgate Penitentiary earlier on in the week. Blackgate is where non-insane criminals are stowed away, but with Arkham Asylum out of business for now, Gotham’s criminals, sane and insane alike, are placed here for the time being. As you can imagine, that has provided much entertainment for those on the outside. 

Harley has been locked away under accusations of murdering a mob gang. There is video evidence of her committing the crime–however, upon my inspection of the footage, something seems off character for Harley here. She has a certain flair to her heists, as we all know and maybe she’s messy sure, but stupid enough to leave her cowl and be seen on camera? Seems like a rookie move even for someone as unpredictable as Harley.

To explain my injury. I went undercover at Blackgate to get some real answers. My goal was to approach Harley and get her side of the story but before I even had the chance, a massive riot started. Harley was provoked by other inmates and all hell broke loose. Everything happened so fast, the room flooded with darkness, as we all panicked, Batwoman came crashing down from the top skylight and helped Harley escape the riot. Unfortunately, I was mistaken for an inmate and got a gorgeous high kick in the face from Harley herself. It’s okay, I’m sure she wouldn’t have done it if it was much brighter and she saw I was only trying to help. 

Batwoman and Harley flew off into Gotham’s night sky, I’ll report back once I find more information. Does anyone else think Harley is innocent now since Batwoman came to the rescue? Or maybe the Bat-Family has something to hide? 

The camera zooms out and back to Dan at the party.

Dan: I think our health insurance probably could cover that. 

Something starts to chirp in Dan’s breast pocket of his coat as his eyes open, fear pushing the lids back.

Dan: I have to take this… go to Ethan.

The camera cuts to Ethan out on the streets of Gotham City. A drone camera is filming him as he walks along.

Ethan: Thanks, Dan, and good evening all. You may remember when I was last on air I was rudely interrupted by a broadcast from the Riddler. Well, it’s been a hectic time in the city since then. Riddler’s broadcasts continued, and if you were wondering, yes, he is still his annoying, question-asking self. But not only that, Judge Donovan’s court was attacked, with the judge barely escaping with her life.

This started a complicated web of intrigue for both Gotham and the Batman. Not only were bodies piling up, but the Riddler was-

Ethan stops walking and looks up at one of the large video screens in Gotham Square broadcasting Gotham Today, the camera quickly catches a glimpse of a headline involving the Justice League before Ethan switches the video feed off. We can still hear him talking.

Ethan: #@!$, I’m not… Cut back to Dan. 

When the program returns to Dan, he’s sitting alone on the dock of the floating embassy with a bottle of champagne by his side. One of his knees is pulled up to his chest as he looks out at the water.

Dan: Most people don’t forget what they were doing the day Superman died. I had run 20 blocks through rubble and debris to try to help locate Superman, the hero who never faltered. When I got there, I could hear Lois Lane crying as she cradled Kal-El in her arms. The Man of Steel was dead. Draped in his own iconic cape as a funeral sash of sorts. 

He takes a long swig from the champagne bottle.

Dan: I was a much younger man but I remember when the news delivered word of The Flash’s death. The sacrifice he made to save the multiverse. Even the multiverse’s fastest man couldn’t outrun the black rider of death. Or when Darkseid came to Earth. Corrupted everything that we know into something sinister. They said that was the final one. The last Crisis.

Another long swig until the bottle was empty.

Dan: I’ve seen almost all of them die. Batman, Aquaman, Blue Beetle…. I’ve seen them come back from the day as zombies hellbent on tormenting the living. I thought I’d seen it all. I thought this old reporter didn’t have any more first-time news stories to break. It was nice, ya know? Feeling like maybe I was going to get to live out the rest of my workdays until retirement with the typical revolving door of death we’ve all become accustomed to.

For a moment, he stares at the empty bottle. His face reflected in the green glass.

Dan: Finding some poetic way to put this is near impossible so I won’t bother. I’m going to tell you plain and simple. Please make sure you’re seated or braced for what I’m about to tell you. The Justice League is dead. The only survivor Black Adam has informed the auxiliary members of their deaths. Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, Zatanna, Black Canary, and Green Arrow are… gone. 

They died pushing back the darkness somewhere in the multiverse. I know there are hundreds of other heroes out there to take up the reigns and who will do their best to protect us as they have many times before. But something feels different. Without their lights in the universe… I fear for what darkness may be creeping in on the horizon. It feels like a DARK CRISIS has begun viewers. I’m going to be here with you through whatever comes next but hug the people you hold dear and tell them you love them tonight because I’m not sure what comes next.

I’m Dan McMahon with GC52 News… be strong in all your convictions. Good night, and good luck. 

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Books Covered This GC52 Broadcast

• Nubia: Coronation Special #1 by Stephanie Williams, Vita Ayala, Marguerite Sauvage, Colleen Doran, Darryl Banks, Jill Thompson, Alitha Martinez, Hi-Fi, Jill Thompson, Alex Guimares, and Becca Carey.
• Trial of the Amazons #2 by Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad, Vita Ayala, Stephanie Williams, Joelle Jones, Elena Casagrande, Laura Braga, Skylar Partridge, Adriana Melo, Romulo Fajardo Jr, Jordie Bellaire, and Pat Brosseau.
• Trial of the Amazons: Wonder Girl #2 by Joelle Jones, Adriana Melo, Jordie Bellaire, and Pat Brosseau.
• Nightwing #91 by Tom Taylor, Geraldo Borges, Adriano Lucas, and Wes Abbott.
• The Joker #14 by James Tynion IV, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cam Smith, Arif Prianto, and Tom Napolitano.
• Green Lantern #12 by Geoffrey Thorne, Tom Raney, Marco Santucci, Mike Atiyeh, and Rob Leigh.
• Deathstroke Inc #8 by Joshua Williamson, Paola Pantalena, Romulo Fajardo Jr, and Steve Wands.
• Robin #13 by Joshua Williamson, Roger Cruz, Norm Rapmund, Luis Guerrero, and Troy Peteri.
• Batman #123 by Joshua Williamson, Howard Porter, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles.
• Action Comics #1042 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Riccardo Federici, Lee Loughridge, and Dave Sharpe.
• Harley Quinn #14 by Stephanie Phillips, Riley Rossmo, Ivan Plascenia, and AndWorld Design.
• Detective Comics #1059 by Mariko Tamaki, Nadia Shammas, Ivan Reis, Danny Miki, Brad Anderson, and Ariana Maher.
• Justice League #75 by Joshua Williamson, Rafa Sandoval, Jordi Taragona, Matt Herms, and Josh Reed.