DC’s Biggest Theory Is Built On A Lie & The Proof Is Impossible to Ignore
The vast expanse of the DC Universe is filled to the brim with superheroes, cosmic entities, god-level beings, and forces that blur the line between emotion and magic. But few forces or powers are as mysterious as the number 52, the name given to the comic book which changed DC forever, the codename for DC's New 52 reboot, and the confirmed 52 parallel worlds which make up DC's Multiverse. The answer has been revealed, but the true meaning behind "52" is the last thing any comic book fan will ever expect.
The Secret Meaning of The Number '52' in The DC Universe
The Real Origin of The Number is The Opposite of What Fans Expect
Batman cowl rests on Wonder Woman's sword in DC Comic 52 #1 Cover Art
Unlike so many secrets making up the fabric of a comic book universe and history, the origin of the number "52," and its significance to DC as whole, is quite recent. The story officially began back in 2006, when DC editorial hatched a plan which, in hindsight, seems absolutely ludicrous. Yet in the end, would turn out to be not only one of the best marketing ploys in the company's history, but one of the strongest blends of storytelling and characters from across the DC roster. As the world-shaking event Infinite Crisis was raging, it seemed impossible to imagine how the main stars of the DC Universe could come out of the battle unscathed. So instead, DC did something differently. The week following the end of Infinite Crisis, all major books would instead jump ahead to stories beginning "One Year Later." And beside those issues on comic book shelves everywhere was 52: Week One, the first issue of a new series, released every week, revealing just what happened in that missing year.
Booster Gold Finds Rip Hunter's Chalkboard in 52 #6 Comic Art
If the proposition wasn't already enticing enough, the assembled creative team did the job, uniting DC's best writers and artists to churn the book out every week. While giving an overdue spotlight to heroes and villains typically left out of it, the series made B-Tier characters into beloved stars, all while teasing the meaning behind the number "52" itself. As protagonist Booster Gold glimpsed on the chalkboards of time traveler Rip Hunter in just the sixth issue, "TIME WAS BROKEN," with few clues other than "52" circled over and over. We won't be spoiling any of the many mysteries teased, investigated, and revealed in the course of the comic, but suffice to say that the number "52" came to mean... the number of weeks in a year. One issue per week, one week of the DC Universe each issue, until the final issue. There was no secret symbolism at work, but a surprise success that everyone in comics was reading, every week. And that kind of success was noted once the series inevitably caught up with the present.
Why The 'New 52' Name Was Chosen To Change The DC Universe
The Unbelievable Reason '52' Became More Than Just A Number
The New 52 Justice League Heroes in DC Comic Art
The final issue of 52 would be followed the next week by a new book entitled Countdown, emblazoned with a "51" in the same styling, ominously teasing a coming event. That twist was ultimately more successful than the series itself, but regardless, DC knew they had struck gold with the "52" name. So as plans for a bold, risky, and universe-wide relaunch of the entire DC publishing line began to take shape, the idea that would become 'The New 52' began to form. We'll let DC's Alex Jaffe give the official account:
"It really started with the 2006 series 52, which was named such because it was a weekly series covering a real time year of the DC Universe for 52 weeks. The series was a big hit for DC, so when Dan DiDio was working to relaunch the DC line in 2011 and had 48 new books lined up for it, Jim Lee suggested upping the number to 52. After all, they’d had good luck with it before. And so, 52 became a motif."
Partly a known and beloved series title, partly hoping to repeat some good luck, 'The New 52' succeeded in communicating something bigger and more significant than a standard reboot. Over time, the mythology behind the DC Multiverse being comprised of exactly 52 realities was added. Again, walking the line between a playful gimmick fans were now aware of, and alluding to some greater mystery or meaning behind the number itself.
But even if the new status quo of the main DC Earth and that of the Absolute Universe has since replaced this old model, the real fans know: it is only a matter of time until 52 appears again. Leaving fans to wonder... what will it mean then?
Comments (0)