52 # 7 2006 VF+

52 #7 (titled "Going Down") is the seventh issue of DC Comics' historic, year-long weekly comic series 52, published on June 21, 2006. This series fills in the "lost year" following the events of Infinite Crisis, during which Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are entirely absent from the world.

This specific issue is highly notable in comic history for featuring the very first appearance of Kate Kane, who would go on to become the modern Batwoman.

Plot Summary

The narrative weaves through multiple character arcs unfolding over the course of "Week 7":

• Gotham City & The Introduction of Kate Kane: Detective Renée Montoya is desperately trying to figure out the mystery behind an illegal warehouse. Seeing a headline for a Kane family charity gala, she pays a visit to the wealthy heiress Kate Kane. Sparks fly, revealing that Renée and Kate were once a serious romantic couple. While Kate agrees to help Renée navigate the investigation, Renée has no idea that she has just enlisted the secret help of Batwoman.
• Metropolis (Booster Gold's Fraud Exposed): Ralph Dibny (Elongated Man) confronts Booster Gold over his superficial, corporate-sponsored superheroics. Ralph is furious, realizing Booster's time-travel tech means he could have known about and stopped the tragic death of Ralph's wife, Sue. Shortly after, Booster rushes to handle a blazing tanker fire to look good for the press. However, the villain Manthrax appears and publicly exposes Booster's heroic acts as staged frauds.
• Deep Space Stranded Team: Far away in deep space, Adam Strange is struggling to repair a Thanagarian warship to get his stranded team home. He gets into a conflict with Starfire, realizing that the local alien fruit she and Animal Man have been eating is mind-altering and making them lethargic. While flying off to clear her head, Starfire stumbles upon a terrifying power signature belonging to Devilance the Pursuer.

Creative Team & Specifications

• Release Date: June 21, 2006
• Story Writers: Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, and Mark Waid
• Breakdowns & Art: Keith Giffen (Breakdowns) and Ken Lashley (Penciler)
• Cover Art: J.G. Jones and Alex Sinclair
• Format: 32 pages, full color (includes The History of the DC Universe backup feature)