We warn you now: there are MAJOR spoilers in this article.
Topic #1: Who causes World War III? Who participates in the massive battle? What happens?
Thanks largely to Dan DiDio's loose lips at DC Nation Panels, anyone with a convention pass and decent hearing could make a few correct guesses about World War III. We already know that the main confrontation is between Black Adam and the heroes of the world, a force that will more than likely be led by the previous incarnation of the Justice Society of America.
Two weeks ago, after watching Isis die in Black Adam's arms, I was fairly confident that Adam's resulting rampage would eventually ignite the global conflict. After thinking about it for a bit, however, I find it difficult to believe that the reasons behind this event are as cut and dry as "Black Adam gets pissed, goes berserk and has to be stopped by the heroes of the world." Don't be surprised to learn that a master manipulator has been pulling the strings of these various plotlines all along. Clearly, someone or something had to assemble the mad scientists on Ooblong Island, and I'd be willing to bet that same someone or something is the cause of Intergang's newfound devotion to the "Crime Bible." If you've been reading closely, then you probably noticed the words "Apokalips" and "anti-life" popping up every now and again throughout the series. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to learn that Darkseid and the New Gods of Apokalips are the true behind the scenes manipulators of many of this series' conflicts. Who but Darkseid would be insanely brilliant enough to instigate Black Adam just to watch him go hog wild on the DCU?
My guess is that no matter who wins the battle between Adam and the DCU heroes, the true victor will be the scourge of Apokolips. Look for one of the biggest ramifications of 52 to be Darkseid's return to prominence. And if you refuse to believe the writers of this series would resort to such out-of-leftfield plot devices, just take a look at how the whole Ralph Dibny/Nero storyline played out. Did anyone see that coming?
Topic #2: Does the Multiverse return? How?
If you actually took the time to decipher the secret code in Dan Didio's DC Nation column from a few months back (or if you were smart, and just looked the answer up on the internet), then you already know that the supposed "secret of 52" is that the Multiverse still exists. While it's difficult to guess just how 52's climax will reveal this poorly kept secret, I'm fairly certain that Animal Man - DC's original postmodern hero - will play a huge role in examining or discovering the reemergence of the Multiverse.
During Grant Morrison's brilliant, fourth-wall bending run on the Animal Man series, Buddy Baker was used as a vehicle to explore the metatextual ramifications of the first Crisis on Infinite Earths. Morrison's run even ended with Buddy coming face to face with the writer himself. Expect Animal Man to be used in a similar fashion at the end of 52. Brad Meltzer's Justice League of America #0 already showed us the eventual moment when the heroes of the DCU discover the new Earth 2; so don't be surprised if Buddy is the only character who realizes the Multiverse's return when 52 concludes. And as for the theory that some of the storylines in this series are actually taking place in different realities, I just don't see that being the case.
Topic #3: What's the deal with those missing 52 seconds? How do Rip Hunter, Booster Gold, and Skeets play into things?
This is where things get a bit tricky. Although I can't begin to predict exactly how Rip Hunter's missing 52 seconds will impact the series, I think it's safe to assume that Hunter, Booster Gold, and Skeets' over-manipulation of the timeframe will have some major consequences on the present, past, and future of the DCU. I wouldn't be surprised if their tampering with time is ultimately used as an explanation for a variety of different anomalies throughout the DCU, such as the simultaneous presence of Supergirl in the 21st and 31st centuries.
Booster and Skeet's time tinkering might even be used to justify certain relaunches, like the changes introduced in Mark Waid's Legion of Superheroes, and retcons, like the recent revelation that Clark Kent used his powers for good throughout his childhood. DC has shown they have no problem using elements of their stories to tinker with their fictional history, and I suspect this storyline will do exactly that. Expect Booster and Hunter to find themselves "lost in time" at the end of the series, with no choice but to go back and try and fix all the harm caused by Skeets. Sounds like a good premise for a Booster Gold series, huh? What's that? DC just announced a new Booster Gold ongoing written by Geoff Johns?
The fact that the events in 52 already occurred, there are really only a few monumental changes the series' climax can introduce. However these final stories play out, I expect some sort of a door or portal will be torn open in reality, and it is through this opening that we will first see the new Multiverse. It's also quite possible this same portal allows Darkseid to return from wherever the hell he's been recently. As far how 52 will lead into Countdown, well, I wouldn't want to spoil our eventual Crystal Ball: Countdown feature. What do you think will happen in 52, World War III and Countdown? Be sure to fire an e-mail to the team by clicking here.
