7 DC Characters Who Were At Their Best in 52

DC Comics thrived in the 2000s, having successfully navigated the challenges of the 1990s better than its main competitor. They had a talented team of writers and artists. In 2005, marking the 20th anniversary of Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC released Infinite Crisis, which revisited some of the changes made to the DC Universe after the original Crisis. Following this major event, the entire comic line jumped forward a year in its timeline. However, the weekly series 52 filled in the story of that missing year, focusing on lesser-known heroes as they adjusted to the postInfinite Crisis* world. The series was written by a team including Geoff Johns, Mark Waid, Greg Rucka, Grant Morrison, and Keith Giffen, with Giffen also overseeing the art direction for a large team of artists.

The comic book series 52 is widely considered a success story, consistently generating online buzz during its release, especially as it ran alongside Marvel’s Civil War. It’s also remembered as the peak for several of DC’s most popular characters, who haven’t quite reached that same level of storytelling since.

7) Steel

Following the popular ‘Death of Superman’ storyline in the 1990s, Steel gained his own comic series and joined the Justice League, becoming part of the larger Superman family. However, his popularity waned by the time of the ’52’ event, where he often appeared as a supporting character in major battles. During that story, he briefly aided Lex Luthor, who was developing technology to grant superpowers. Steel soon realized this was a deception and fought against Superman’s arch-enemy. This was his greatest achievement – single-handedly thwarting a Luthor plan – and he hasn’t topped it since, though the 2023 series ‘Steelworks’ is a strong contender.

6) Rip Hunter

Rip Hunter is a science fiction hero with the ability to travel through time, first appearing during the Silver Age of comics alongside characters like Cave Carson. In the comic book series 52, Booster Gold sought out Rip when he noticed problems with the timeline, but Rip had vanished, leaving behind a puzzling set of clues. This launched Booster on a quest to find him. They eventually joined forces to solve the mystery of the number 52, which led to the series’ climactic battle. While Rip Hunter hadn’t been featured prominently in stories for a long time, his role in 52 is considered his most compelling appearance, even considering his earlier adventures.

5) Mr. Mind

Captain Marvel, now known as Shazam, faces some truly remarkable villains, and Mr. Mind, a seemingly harmless worm from Venus, is among the most dangerous. He secretly caused trouble in the 52 storyline, exploiting the chaos following Infinite Crisis to try and rebuild the multiverse to suit his own dark goals. While Mr. Mind might seem a bit ridiculous today, 52 revealed his terrifying true form and demonstrated how a once-comedic villain could become a major threat. That storyline represented the peak of his villainous career, and he hasn’t been as impactful since.

4) The Question

Vic Sage, the Question, was a quiet hero dedicated to uncovering the truth in Hub City. While he’s been involved in many great stories – particularly those illustrated by Denys Cowan or written by Denny O’Neil – his appearance in the 52 series truly resonated with a new generation of readers. He sought out Renee Montoya, asking for her help to investigate a dangerous, crime-based religion, all while secretly facing his own mortality. This portrayal showed Vic at his most vulnerable and human, desperately wanting a genuine connection before he died and hoping to leave a lasting legacy with the Question. It’s considered his best modern story and a key reason why 52 remains a beloved masterpiece for Question fans.

3) Renee Montoya

Renee Montoya was a standout character in the 2000s, particularly in the comic series Gotham Central, considered one of the best crime comics from major publishers. She began the 52 series at a difficult point in her life, having lost her job with the Gotham City Police Department after the death of her partner. As we previously discussed, she started working with the Question, who secretly prepared her to take over his mantle. We’re also introduced to Kate Kane, the new Batwoman, and learn about her past relationship with Renee. Throughout 52, Renee skillfully uses her abilities to succeed as the new Question, building on the strong foundation she established in Gotham Central – and arguably even exceeding it.

2) Booster Gold

Booster Gold doesn’t get the recognition he deserves, and the story arc in 52 really showcases his potential. He initially believed he’d be the one to bring a new Justice League together, but things didn’t go as planned. This led him on a hunt for Rip Hunter, where he discovered a hidden danger only he could face. Back in 2004, fans would have been shocked to learn that Booster Gold would be central to a year-long story that reintroduced the multiverse – and that it would be so good! This story significantly changed how people viewed the character, even leading to his own ongoing series. However, the 52 storyline remains the definitive Booster Gold story, though his later series is also excellent and worth reading.

1) Black Adam

Black Adam rose to prominence in the 2000s, largely thanks to writer Geoff Johns and the JSA comic series. He became a central figure in 52, alongside Booster Gold and Renee Montoya, and his storyline was particularly heartbreaking. The events of Infinite Crisis pushed him towards a ruthless, yet heroic path. He gained a dedicated following as he helped those in need and, after falling in love with Adrianna Tomaz, formed the Black Marvel Family with her and her brother Amon, who became Isis and Osiris. However, an attack by a new enemy drove Black Adam to the brink of madness, threatening global safety. His arc in 52 perfectly captured his complexity, showcasing both his heroic potential and villainous tendencies. While he’s been featured in many excellent stories – including a standout maxiseries in 2021, as well as “Black Reign” and “Black Vengeance” – his story in 52 remains his most compelling.

2026-05-16 20:12