Broken Frontier

This issue sees some fateful decisions, some interesting news, a germ of an idea planted, and some little fish swept up in a big net. Oh, and could that be...Supernova?

52 passes the two-month mark as the four-man writing team continues to churn out plenty of plot. How this group manages to juggle the myriad stories without dropping a one is definitely a feat.

This issue returns to John Henry Irons’ story as he goes to S.T.A.R. Labs with his little problem and finds out that his fears are confirmed...he is transforming. Meanwhile, Natasha Irons continues to struggle to rebuild her old armor. She grows increasingly frustrated as her uncle refuses to help, and refuses to let her consider participating in Lex Luthor’s new metahuman project.

Meanwhile, Ralph Dibny continues to hunt down the Kryptonian cult. His search takes him to Star City where he plants the seed of an idea in Green Arrow and uncovers an abandoned cult site. What he finds there proposes a chilling interpretation to "resurrection."

Finally, readers are taken to the mysterious planet where Adam Strange, Animal Man and Starfire continue their castaway existence. When the two men go on a search for Starfire they end up finding more than they planned for.

There is actually a lot more plots in this single issue than can really be done justice in any review. Geoff Johns, Mark Waid, Grant Morrison, and Greg Rucka have taken all of these characters and wrapped them in stories that remind readers what made these characters great in the first place. I have to admit, though, for me, personally, it is Ralph Dibny’s plot that is really resonating. Dibny proves that one does not have to have superpowers in order to be a hero. In his dogged pursuit of answers he is reclaiming his own humanity and helping others to see the facts around them as well.

In much the same way, we see John Henry Irons, trying to teach Natasha the very same lesson about humanity and heroism. His own calm and measured reaction to what is happening to him, speaks volumes about the character.

Out of all of the plot threads, though, it is the planetary castaways that is the weakest. Adam Strange’s dialogue here seems almost rude and a bit out of character. It was also awkwardly expository.

Eddy Barrows is a new name to 52 as he handles the art chores on this issue. While some of his sequences are very good he does seem to struggle a bit with facial expressions. A few panels featuring Natasha Irons are particularly odd looking.

Taken as a whole, 52 Week Eight advances several of the stories and continues to evolve the characters. What makes a hero? What makes a villain? This is where readers can find out.