52 Week 9 is all about questions. Most of the burning questions that have been swimming in my head are answered in this issue. The biggest question I had with 52 is "where are we going with this?" I had clues and educated guesses, but for some stories in 52, you can't really know for sure.
If you look at the big brainstorming board in issue 7 of 52, you have a lot of clues about what will happen in the weeks to come. It is the best cheat sheet you have now for the mystery of 52. Some horrific event will be happening, and the number 52 has everything to do with it. I had no idea where the writers were going with the story of Adam Strange, Animal Man, and Starfire, but now I'm really excited.
In fact, I would say their troubles in space, soon to get more complicated, are the second most interesting story in 52 now. The first in my eyes is Renee Montoya's story. Last time she appeared in 52, she met the Batwoman, but only in her civilian identity, Kate Kane. As the big board in issue 7 says, "Who is the Batwoman?" I'll tell you that you will be seeing who she is very soon and how she plays into 52. She is one of the newest heroes to emerge from 52. The Questions that The Question has been asking are answered here, and now all that's left to do is use those answers to thwart a dangerous threat.
Another question immediately answered is "What has Lex Luthor done to Steel's niece?" John Irons finds out when he reunites with Natasha, but they have both undergone major changes. Steel is now the living embodiment of his codename and Natasha Irons has sold her soul to DC's biggest devil, now dressed in classic Lex Luthor purple and green and packing metahuman heat.
I think it looks silly, but you can't undermine Lex's favorite pattern. In issue 8, John and Natasha weren't seeing eye-to-eye. In Week 9, they are completely at opposite ends of the debate. This "superpowers for everyone" scheme Lex Luthor has brewing raises new questions: "Are these easily concocted powers permanent?" "Does Lex have an on/off switch for all these new metahumans?" "Will Steel and Natasha be able to keep their powers or are they just toys for Lex to play with?"
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