52 Pickup

All-Star Gita Jackson and World’s Finest Alex Jaffe finish our show after two years of exploring the greatest comic book series you’ve ever heard of. Along the way they clean up The Blackboard, play one more round of Brat or Swiftie, and assemble a new team of 52 heroes. Thank you for listening!

Show Notes:

52

Geoff Johns

Grant Morrison

Greg Rucka

Mark Waid

Keith Giffen

aftermath.site/signup

1: Favorite and Least Favorite Storyline? (02:50)

Super-Chief

Grant Morrison AMA

Batman/Deadpool

E.S.Pete

Pulsar, the Master of Sound

Vic Sage

Renee Montoya

Batwoman

Batgirl

Batman: Wayne Family Adventures

Absolute Universe

Ultimate Universe

Jonathan Hickman

Krakoan Age

DC Next Level

Deathstroke (2016 series)

Firestorm

Zatanna

Lobo

Etrigan

Fire & Ice: When Hell Freezes Over

New Gods

Green Lantern Corps

Jo Mullein

Green Lantern: Far Sector

Dan Abnett

Justice League Odyssey

Jessica Cruz

Cyborg

Azrael

Starfire

Darkseid

Orion

Blackfire

Dex-Starr

Space Ranger

Lady Styx

Star Trek

Warhammer 40,000

Jack Reacher

Hawkman (2018 series)

Hawkman

Blackest Night

Animal Man

2: Let’s give quick takes on each of the other 52 storylines (15:45)

Ralph Dibny

Isis

Identity Crisis

Infinite Crisis

Black Adam

Booster Gold

Superboy Prime

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Watchmen

Superman

Ted Kord

James Gunn

Steel

The Death of Superman

Lex Luthor

Natasha Irons

Ducktales

Crash

Christopher Priest

The Metal Men

Dan DiDio

Megalopolis (2024)

Francis Ford Coppola

John Byrne

Alpha Centurion

Cyborg Superman

Batman

3: Who was your favorite character in 52? (34:13)

Justice League Unlimited

Dan Jurgens

Mystery Men (1999)

Kel Mitchell

4: What was your favorite scene in 52? (36:33)

Rama Kushna

John Constantine

Hellblazer

5: The Blackboard (39:29)

Douglas Wolk

All of the Marvels

Al Ewing

6: Where Are They Now? (43:01)

The New History of the DC Universe

Action Comics

Ghost Machine

Taylor Swift

Charlie XCX

DC K.O.

Lana Lang

Justice League Red

Gail Simone

Jaime Reyes

The Question: All Along the Watchtower

Teen Titans

Cassie Sandsmark

Adam Strange

Jadzia Axelrod

John Stewart

Doctor Sivana

T. O. Morrow

Mori Calliope

Suicide Squad Isekai

Brad Meltzer

7: Brat or Swiftie? (47:55)

Hades 2

Travis Kelce

Rip Hunter

SZA

Charles Mingus

Jay Z

Cowboy Carter

Infinity Inc.

Gigi Hadid

Blair Witch

Will Magnus

Wendy Carlos

Yes

Rush

Genesis

Jimmy Buffet

Kanye West

Egg Fu

Doctor Tyme

Veronica Cale

Osiris

Sobek

Nightwing

Red (album)

8: Crackship Crisis (01:03:20)

Joker

Inferior Five

The Spectre

Dove

Hawk

Kite Man

The Flash

T-Man

Gilgamesh II

Aquagirl

Aquaman

The Top

Sgt. Rock

9: Let’s Draft a 52-Person Superhero Team (01:09:40)

Ragman

Deadman

Batman: Gotham Nocturne

Shift

Metamorpho

Outsiders

Honest Abe

Lightray

Connor Hawke

Mera

G.I. Robot

Monkey Prince

Bronze Tiger

Captain Atom

Cassandra Cain

Wild Dog

Sarah Lance

Legends of Tomorrow

Clayface

Enchantress

The Hulk

Helena Bertinelli

Killer Frost

Pandora

The New 52

The Revolutionaries

Suicide Squad

Hardware

Milestone

Cynthia Reynolds

Xanthe Zhou

Absolute Wonder Woman

Vic Sage

Anima

Gunfire

Shade the Changing Man

Shade the Changing Girl

Young Animal

Phantom Stranger

Zatanna

Dial H for Hero

Freakazoid

The Creeper

Static

Warren Ellis

Global Frequency

Traci 13

Danny the Street

Resurrection Man

Jonah Hex

Freedom Beast

Tawky Tawny

Detective Chimp

Angel and the Ape

Stitch

Doctor Fate

Dreamer

Galaxy

Power Boy

Tanya Spears

Power Girl

Secret

Shining Knight

Klarion the Witch Boy

Bulleteer

Black Orchid

Vertigo

Ms. Martian

Brian Michael Bendis

Batman: Universe

10: Asking The Questions at 52mailbag@gmail.com (01:22:51)

Dave Gibbons

Superman, an Unauthorized Biography

The Caped Crusade

The Secret History of Wonder Woman

DC Action News

Aftermath After Hours

J. G. Jones

DC Universe

Viz

Ways of Seeing

Understanding Comics

Alan Moore

Chainsaw Man

M

Mycroft Holmes

Young Justice

alexjaffe.bsky.social

DC Comics Official Discord

@xoxogossipgita

52 Pickup is an Aftermath production, created by Gita Jackson and Alex Jaffe, and edited by Esper Quinn, with original music by Jon Ehrens. Hosting for 52 Pickup is provided by Insert Credit. If you’d like to follow along, you can check out 52 at your local comic book store or library, or the DC Universe Infinite subscription service. The views and opinions expressed on this show are solely those of the show’s personalities, and do not reflect those of DC Entertainment or Warner Bros. Please rate and review our show wherever you can, and send your questions and comments to 52mailbag@gmail.com. Never stop reading comics.

Are you ready? All-Star Gita Jackson and World’s Finest Alex Jaffe finish issue 52 of 52, and share the thesis statement of this entire podcast, the still-unknown secret of “52,” and Booster getting Ted Tedgnant.

Show Notes:

52

Geoff Johns

Grant Morrison

Greg Rucka

Mark Waid

Keith Giffen

Danny Boy

World War III

Alex Sinclair

Vic Sage

Renee Montoya

Booster Gold (2007 series)

Booster Gold

Black Adam: The Dark Age

Black Adam

52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen

Batman

Superman

Wonder Woman

Crime Bible: The Five Lessons of Blood

Vandal Savage

Dan DiDio

Krakoan Age

DC K.O.

Grant Morrison AMA

1: Let’s Talk Talent (09:59)

Chris Batista

Eddy Barrows

Pat Olliffe

Derick Robertson

Justiniano

Mike McComb

Teen Titans

Andy Lanning

Drew Geraci

Rodney Ramos

Walden Wong

Ken Lopez

Harvey Richards

Janine Shafer

Michael Siglain

J. G. Jones

Ralph Dibny

Isis

Animal Man

Steel

2: Let’s Talk About 52 #52 (14:27)

Rip Hunter

Infinite Crisis

Alexander Luthor Jr.

Mister Mind

Skeets

Supernova

Legends of Tomorrow

James Gunn

Ted Kord

T. O. Morrow

Strange Adventures

Peacemaker

Wildstorm

Captain Marvel

Alex Ross

Kingdom Come

Watchmen

Crisis on Infinite Earths

Doctor Who

Doctor Sivana

Natasha Irons

Glen Powell

Friday Night Lights

Scott Porter

Egg Fu

Jean Loring

Lobo

Lex Luthor

Seven Soldiers of Victory

Supergirl

Brainiac

Aqualad

Kevin Conroy

Black Panther

Damian Wayne

Batman: Dark Patterns

Batman: Gotham Nocturne

Talia al Ghul

Catwoman

These Savage Shores

Checkmate

Sue Dibny

Batwoman

Secret Six

Will Magnus

Stephen Wacker

3: What’s your favorite part of the issue? (54:02)

4: Let’s Rank the 52 Storylines (55:03)

Jujutsu Kaisen

Sobek

5: The Blackboard (58:49)

Colin Kaepernick

Justice League Unlimited

Tzadikim Nistarim

Detective Chimp

Shade, the Changing Man

Brother Power the Geek

GamemasterAnthony’s Birthday

Absolute Comics

6: Asking The Questions at 52mailbag@gmail.com (01:04:07)

DC Action News

52 Pickup is an Aftermath production, created by Gita Jackson and Alex Jaffe, and edited by Esper Quinn, with original music by Jon Ehrens. Hosting for 52 Pickup is provided by Insert Credit. If you’d like to follow along, you can check out 52 at your local comic book store or library, or the DC Universe Infinite subscription service. The views and opinions expressed on this show are solely those of the show’s personalities, and do not reflect those of DC Entertainment or Warner Bros. Please rate and review our show wherever you can, and send your questions and comments to 52mailbag@gmail.com. Have a brain and a heart about comics, and never stop reading comics.

Forget it baby, it’s Rann! All-Star Gita Jackson and World’s Finest Alex Jaffe cast an emerald eye on issue 51, as well as an improved Court of Owls poem, the relative strength of DC live action movies right now, and SuperBat shipping.

Show Notes:

52

Geoff Johns

Grant Morrison

Greg Rucka

Mark Waid

Keith Giffen

World War III

John Ostrander

Keith Champagne

Superman

Yellow Lantern Corps

Stranger Things

Freaky Tales (2024)

Pedro Pascal

Normani

Castle Rad

Scare Tactics

1: Let’s Talk Talent (05:28)

Joe Bennett

Jack Jadson

Belardino Brabo

Stephen Wacker

Black Adam

Animal Man

J. G. Jones

Red Tornado

Countdown to Final Crisis

T. O. Morrow

Adam Strange

Foundation

DC Action News

Lois Lane

2: Let’s Talk About 52 #51 (08:51)

Damian Wayne

Dick Grayson

Batman

David Baron

Superboy

Cassie Sandsmark

Ralph Dibny

Young Justice

John Byrne

Wonder Woman

Supergirl

Donna Troy

Jodi Picoult

Manhattan Guardian

Liberty Belle

Martian Manhunter

Plastic Man

Doctor Mid-Nite

Power Girl

Green Arrow

Green Arrow (2025 series)

Eric Adams

Stargirl

Starman

Teen Titans

James Robinson

Blackest Night

World’s Finest

Catwoman

Denny O’Neil

Kid Devil

Ravager

Terra

Young Frankenstein

Deathstroke (2016 series)

DCeased

The Unkillables

Cassandra Cain

Jason Todd

Tim Drake

Green Lantern Corps

Lobo

Starfire

Ways of Seeing

El Gaucho

Dolphin

Aquaman

Skeets

Rip Hunter

Booster Gold

Mister Mind

3: The Backup (36:01)

Justice League

Infinite Crisis

New History of the DC Universe

Justice League Unlimited

The Avengers

Wilco

The Monkees

Justice League International

James Gunn

Superman (2025)

Guy Gardner

Blue Beetle (2023)

Xolo Maridueña

4: What’s your favorite part of the issue? (41:18)

5: The Blackboard (XX:XX)

Deadpool

Marvel Zombies

Ultimate Universe

Absolute Universe

Peacemaker

Teen Titans GO!

Beast Boy

Raven

Smallville

Lex Luthor

Michael Rosenbaum

Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum

Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum: Kevin Conroy

Tom Welling

Brandon Routh

Henry Cavill

David Corenswet

Constantine (2005)

John Constantine

6: Asking The Questions at 52mailbag@gmail.com (51:09)

Swamp Thing

DC One Million

Sobek

Doctor Fate

Winter Soldier

Uncle Ben

Thomas Wayne

Batman: Court of Owls

Absolute Batman

52 Pickup is an Aftermath production, created by Gita Jackson and Alex Jaffe, and edited by Esper Quinn, with original music by Jon Ehrens. Hosting for 52 Pickup is provided by Insert Credit. If you’d like to follow along, you can check out 52 at your local comic book store or library, or the DC Universe Infinite subscription service. The views and opinions expressed on this show are solely those of the show’s personalities, and do not reflect those of DC Entertainment or Warner Bros. Please rate and review our show wherever you can, and send your questions and comments to 52mailbag@gmail.com. Never stop reading comics.

World’s FInest Gita Jackson and All-Star Alex Jaffe dare to read World War III, the widely despised 52 sub-event that actually has some great John Ostrander work. Also featuring a brief diversion to talk about Peacemaker season 2, and the connection between comic books and hip-hop.

Show Notes:

52

Geoff Johns

Grant Morrison

Greg Rucka

Mark Waid

Keith Giffen

World War III

Dan DiDio

52 Pickup #0 - Forgot About Lane

Infinite Crisis

Lost

Green Arrow

Black Adam

Martian Manhunter

John Ostrander

Suicide Squad

Spectre

Green Lantern

The Flash

Absolute Martian Manhunter

Keith Champagne

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters

Rick & Morty

Back to the Future (1985)

Superman

James Gunn

Wizards of Waverly Place

Harry Potter

Naruto

One Piece

Fullmetal Alchemist

Nier series

Studio Bones

Daemons of the Shadow Realm

1: Let’s Talk Talent (14:36)

J. G. Jones

Ethan Van Sciver

Atrocitus

Final Crisis

Michael Siglain

Peter Tomasi

Elizabeth Gehrlein

Pat Olliffe

Drew Geraci

2: Let’s Talk About World War III #1 (16:44)

Jeremy Adams

Foundation

Aquaman

Thor

Jack Kirby

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys

Arrow

Robot Chicken

Father Time

Frankenstein

Black Adam (2022)

Face/Off (1997)

Nightwing

Jason Todd

Lorraine Reilly

Firestorm

Cyborg

Hideo Kojima

Doom Patrol

Donna Troy

Aquagirl

Cassandra Cain

JSA

Captain Marvel

ChrisCross

The Real Jason Todd: A Red Hood Reading Guide

3: Let’s Talk About World War III #2 (37:20)

Wonder Woman

Supergirl

Killer Croc

Harvey Dent

Deathstroke

Azrael

Booster Gold

Ralph Dibny

Andy Smith

Lex Luthor

Ray Snyder

Viola Davis

Amanda Waller

Hawk

Dove

Power Girl

4: Let’s Talk About World War III #3 (53:12)

Martian Manhunter (1998 series)

Tom Derrinick

Batwoman

Norm Rapmund

The Masquerader

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

Fantastic Four

Young Frankenstein

Raven

Beast Boy

Jonathan Hickman

Batman (2025 series)

Batman of Zur-En-Arrh

Ram V

The Batman (2022)

Catwoman

Sasha Bordeaux

Peacemaker

David Corenswet

G. I. Robot

Bronze Tiger

Vixen

Katana

The Janus Directive

Tom King

James Bond

John le Carre

A Most Wanted Man

Brian Michael Bendis

Event Leviathan

Terra

Team Titans

Mister Bones

Kate Spencer

Maritan Manhunter #0

5: Let’s Talk About World War III #4 (01:19:35)

Jack Jadson

Vampirella

Rodney Ramos

Sandman

Crispus Allen

Zatanna

Countdown to Final Crisis

Damian Wayne

Renee Montoya

The Crimson Chin

Cyborg Superman

Bart Allen

Young Justice

Hawkman

Birds of Prey

Lady Shiva

Legion of Super-Heroes

Blue Beetle

Dark Souls

6: Asking The Questions at 52mailbag@gmail.com (01:35:39)

Hip-hop

52 Pickup is an Aftermath production, created by Gita Jackson and Alex Jaffe, and edited by Esper Quinn, with original music by Jon Ehrens. Hosting for 52 Pickup is provided by Insert Credit. If you’d like to follow along, you can check out 52 at your local comic book store or library, or the DC Universe Infinite subscription service. The views and opinions expressed on this show are solely those of the show’s personalities, and do not reflect those of DC Entertainment or Warner Bros. Please rate and review our show wherever you can, and send your questions and comments to 52mailbag@gmail.com. Never stop reading comics.

Tcatnoc! All-Star Alex Jaffe and World’s Finest Gita Jackson declare war on issue 50 of 52, featuring Black Adam against the world, the acronym F. I. B., and all the answers you’ve been waiting for regarding One Year Later.

Show Notes:

52

Geoff Johns

Grant Morrison

Greg Rucka

Mark Waid

Keith Giffen

Irredeemable

Incorruptable

Superman

Superman: Red Son

Injustice

George Newbern

Weird Al Yankovic

Black Adam

World War III

Catwoman

1: Let’s Talk Talent (05:07)

Walden Wong

Infinite Crisis

Salvation Run

George R. R. Martin

Justiniano

Norm Macdonald

J. G. Jones

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Star Wars

2: Let’s Talk About 52 #50 (10:36)

JSA

Marvel Family

Donna Troy

Steel

Natasha Irons

Green Lantern

Super Smash Bros Ultimate

Frasier

Niles

Doomsday

Alex Sinclair

King Kong (1933)

Thomas the Tank Engine

The Great Ten

Atom Smasher

Paul Lovitz

Doctor Fate

G. Willow Wilson

Ms. Marvel

24

Wu-Tang Clan

Kiriko

Shaolin Soccer (2001)

G. I. Robot

Civil War

Secret Invasion

Captain America

Isis

Doomsday Clock

The Chicks

Zatanna

Identity Crisis

Doctor Light

Batman

Booster Gold

The Flash

Donna Troy

Wonder Woman

Infinity Inc

Lex Luthor

Osiris

Dwayne Johnson

Benny Safdie

The Smashing Machine

The Wrestler (2008)

Pain and Gain (2013)

Uncut Gems (2019)

T. O. Morrow

Red Tornado

Rip Hunter

3: What’s your favorite part of the issue? (38:07)

Peter Tomasi

Black Adam: The Dark Age

Judd Winick

Trials of Shazam

Freddy Freeman

Bill Willingham

Justice League Dark

Detective Chimp

Shadowpact

Lilah Sturges

Fables

4: The Blackboard (40:54)

DC One Million

All-Star Superman

Final Fantasy X-2

World War V

Hideo Kojima

Amanda Waller

Jack Bauer

Suicide Squad #34

Granny Goodness

Suicide Squad

The Dark Phoenix Saga

John Economos

Steve Agee

James Gunn

Man of Tomorrow

Thunderbolts (2025)

Deadman

ForgetMeNot

5: What are you reading? (47:43)

Deniz Camp

Absolute Martian Manhunter

Ultimates

Ultimate Universe

Thor

Jane Foster

Earth One

The Batman (2022)

Superman (2025)

Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?

Mort Weisinger

6: Asking The Questions at 52mailbag@gmail.com (52:36)

Marvel Unlimited

The Person Saving The Media You Love Is You

Shonen Jump

GlobalComix

Insert Credit Show

Aaron Langstrom

Man-Bat

Robin

Cassie Sandsmark

The Penny Plunderer

Two-Face

52 Pickup is an Aftermath production, created by Gita Jackson and Alex Jaffe, and edited by Esper Quinn, with original music by Jon Ehrens. Hosting for 52 Pickup is provided by Insert Credit. If you’d like to follow along, you can check out 52 at your local comic book store or library, or the DC Universe Infinite subscription service. The views and opinions expressed on this show are solely those of the show’s personalities, and do not reflect those of DC Entertainment or Warner Bros. Please rate and review our show wherever you can, and send your questions and comments to 52mailbag@gmail.com. Never stop reading comics.