Comics / Back Issues

52 Week #27

By Hervé St-Louis
September 2, 2007 - 15:28

Ralph Dibny, the former hero known as the Elongated Man approaches the Spectre in hopes that he will help him get his wife back. But although the hand of God, the Spectre offers Dibny a devilish bargain in order to bring back Sue Dibny. He wants Ralph to punish the woman who killed his wife, Jean Loring for all of eternity. Will Ralph, imbued with a fraction of the Spectre’s power be a match for Loring, now the vessel of the demon known as Eclipso?

This is one of the few complete stories in the 52 series that could be read and put away, while offering an enjoyable ride. Dibny is so consumed by rage and obsessed by the lost of his wife that he’s willing to travel the universe to get her back. He clearly has changed from his comedic days in the Justice League.

There is a first hint that the old Question is dying and that revelation isn rather sudden as no subplot hinted at that before this issue. This sequence also raises several questions about who wrote the villains’ Bible and why it appears to be prophetic. It was never fully explained in the 52 series and I’m hoping one doesn’t have to go read yet another DC comic book to find out.

Although the same penciller draws the entire issue, the look of this book is all over the place with so many inkers lending a hand. The Waverider parts have good shadows.  The scenes in the ethereal are clean and engaging.

There is also artwork by Howard Chaykin depicting the origin of Black Canary. It’s not good at all. It’s too unpolished and like all Chaykin women, her mouth is constantly opened.

Last Updated: November 29, 2025 - 16:51