Becoming a superhero. Many people — comic book readers or not — would give anything to have super powers. In fact, by the end of July, there will be a reality series called Who Wants to be a Superhero? This Sci-fi channel series is hosted by Stan Lee, but his offer is not as sweet as the one Lex Luthor offers to mere humans in 52, Week 8.

Lex Luthor, the most powerful human in all of DC supervillainy, always has tricks up his sleeve, and this one is poised to trump his presidential run. It was puzzling to me why the whole "dead Lex Luthor clone" even came up in the early weeks of 52 but now it's all crystal clear. Steel had a feeling that Lex Luthor was scheming, but he doesn't put all of the pieces together until now. It's a case of too little too late as John Irons tries to find out how this new change has happened to his body while trying to keep his niece in check.

His niece, Natasha, has been in conflict with John in every one of their issues since he told her to become a hero under her own power. This week, it is the worst spat they have had. Lex Luthor would smile if he got to see what his tricks have done to a superheroic family.

Drama comes in all forms in week 8, and I think that John Henry Iron's scenes are one of the better bits of conflict. I don't even need to say that Booster Gold losing his mind this week makes me giggle. A new hero comes from out of nowhere to start saving the day, and if you have seen advance covers for future issues of 52, then you get the inkling that this new hero is the temporary replacement for a missing Superman. Whoever he/she/it is, this hero is getting noticed in the DC universe. I'm all for a new hero, as long as the character brings something new to us, not simply the same old gimmicks.

Ralph Dibny continues his investigation of the mysterious Superboy resurrection cult that left him hanging the last time he met them. This week he looks to Star City's Green Arrow for clues as to their whereabouts, while chatting about the superhero life. It's a relatively small moment for this whole issue, but it's a nice break where two heroes get to have a moment.

In space, Adam Strange and Animal Man find the being who has been hiding in the shadows. I have to be honest and say that I don't care that much about this subplot yet. I just want to know where it's headed. Is it important to the overall story or is it just a tacked-on adventure?

I liked, but did not totally love, week 8. There are a lot of issues to be resolved and I have no idea when all the pieces fit. I just hope that in week 9 we learn what Lex Luthor is up to, what is Booster Gold responsible for, what the Superboy cult is capable of and what The Question is trying to unearth.