52 Pickup

Latest Episodes:

Week 44 - Deaths in the Family Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

More like Adolf Shitler! All-Star Alex Jaffe0 and World’s Finest Gita Jackson go to war against issue #44, and figure out how Isis created Isis, DC invented trade paperbacks specifically to screw Alan Moore, and ebola barf.

Show Notes:

1: Let’s Talk Talent (06:45)

2: Let’s Talk About 52 #44 (10:51)

3: What’s your favorite part of the issue? (46:41)

4: The Blackboard (47:52)

5: Asking The Questions at 52mailbag@gmail.com (52:11)

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.

Week 43 - Family Matters Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

Oh, Sobek! All-Star Gita Jackson and World’s Finest Alex Jaffe bite into #43 of 53, and discuss why space feels so small in the DC universe, the definition of “hype and aura,” and Teen Titans as terrorists.

Show Notes:

1: Let’s Talk Talent and the Cover (04:47)

2: Let’s Talk About 52 #43 (10:28)

3: The Backup (28:36)

4: What’s your favorite part of the issue? (31:02)

Doctor Sivana

5: The Blackboard (32:51)

6: Asking The Questions at 52mailbag@gmail.com (39:31)

Week 42 - Trigger Effect Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

Too good to be Warner Brothers IP! All-Star Alex Jaffe and World’s Finest Gita Jackson pull the trigger on issue #42, exposing the mysteries (and alternate ending) of the Ralph Dibny arc, Lobo as a butch space lesbian, favorites from the Absolute DC line, and why the X-Men are more like DC characters than Marvel ones. Show Notes: 52 Geoff Johns Grant Morrison Greg Rucka Mark Waid Keith Giffen Talmud Autism Shavuot Counting of the Omer Aftermath Hasan Piker Young Heroes in Love Muppet Babies Alan Grant Lobo Bob the Galactic Bum Crush Teen Titans Damian Wayne Absolute Wonder Woman Circe The Odyssey Wishbone Absolute Batman Absolute Superman Absolute Flash Sweet Tooth Mountainhead (2025) Succession Absolute Green Lantern Stephen King Absolute Martian Manhunter Fantagraphics Emil Ferris Martian Manhunter Javier Rodríguez Shade, the Changing Man “Absolute Martian Manhunter” Embraces the Challenge 1: Let’s Talk Talent (16:55) Steel Ralph Dibny Renee Montoya Wonder Woman Darick Robertson Transmetropolitan The Boys Garth Ennis Doctor Fate Zatanna Seven Soldiers of Victory Zatanna (2010 series) Doctor Fate (1988 series) Doctor Fate (2015 series) Batman Batman: Hush 2: Let’s Talk About 52 #42 (25:00) Allegory of the cave Sue Dibny Felix Faust Saw series Monk Columbo Final Destination series Dan DiDio Dev-Em Tim Trench Croatoan Society Detective Chimp Gingold Hellblazer: Rise and Fall Rorschach Neron Underworld Unleashed Identity Crisis Fire 3: The Backup (39:34) Green Arrow Green Arrow: Quiver Onomatopoeia Joss Whedon Democratic Socialists of America Green Arrow (2023 series) New Gods (2024 series) Hal Jordan 4: What’s your favorite part of the issue? (46:04) Jadzia Axelrod 5: The Blackboard (47:59) Neil Gaiman The Books of Magic John Constantine Alan Moore Angel Investigations The Moon and Serpent Bumper Book of Magic Justice League Dark 6: Let’s design a new Absolute run (56:59) Catwoman One Hand And The Six Fingers Dan Watters Ed Brubaker Sean Phillips Andor Zohran Mamdani Superman Promethea 6: Asking The Questions at 52mailbag@gmail.com (01:02:58) Doctor Doom Hellblazer Blue Beetle (2006 series) Tracy 13 Peacemaker Ultimate Fantastic Four X-Men Chris Claremont Civil War JLA/Avengers The Sentry Spider-Man DC and Marvel Collaborate on the Most Highly Anticipated Crossover Comics of the Year Deadpool Harley Quinn 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.

Full show notes at the publisher

Week 41 - Miracles & Wonders Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

My God, have you any decency at all?! World’s Finest Gita Jackson and All-Star Alex Jaffe come to terms with issue 41, and process the Silver Wheel of Nyorlath, Starfire’s whole deal, and the exact ways you can and can’t rip off Alan Moore.

Show Notes:

1: Let’s Talk Talent (04:34)

2: Let’s Talk About 52 #41 (08:32)

3: The Backup (29:44)

4: What’s your favorite part of the issue? (34:18)

Leverage

5: The Blackboard (35:40)

6: Asking The Questions at 52mailbag@gmail.com (42:08)

7: Crackship Crisis (45:07)

Week 40 - Man Ain't Nothing But a Man, with Brad Gullickson Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

Me want comic now! All-Star Gita Jackson and World’s Finest Alex Jaffe team up with Comic Counselor Brad Gullickson to punch through the many floors of issue 40, and discuss the Green Arrow/Black Canary Wedding special as stealth 52 sequel, the many many many Luthor/Musk parallels, and Offspring’s whole deal.

Show Notes:

1: Let’s Talk Talent (11:48)

2: Let’s Talk About 52 #40 (22:44)

3: What’s your favorite part of the issue? (42:30)

4: The Blackboard (45:55)

5: Asking The Questions at 52mailbag@gmail.com (54:13)

Week 39 - Powers & Abilities, with Will Weldon May 21, 2025

Show notes

Forgot about Bates! Old Man Will Weldon of I Hate Bill Maher joins All-Star Gita Jackson and World’s Finest Alex Jaffe for issue 39, and in the process confront DC’s Aquaman problem, fancast Oolong Island, and introduce the world to Saddam Hitler. Show Notes: 52 Geoff Johns Grant Morrison Greg Rucka Mark Waid Keith Giffen I Hate Bill Maher Will Weldon Real Time with Bill Maher Dan DiDio Chuck Dixon Dennis Miller Rob Liefeld Politically Incorrect LeBron James Marvel Comics The Avengers Black Knight Sersi Eternals Superboy Batman Infinite Crisis Civil War Joss Whedon Blackest Night Avengers vs. X-Men The Avengers (2012) Thanos Death James Gunn Booster Fucking Gold Aubrey Plaza Adam Warlock Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3 (2023) Deadpool X-Men Spider-Man Superman Karen Berger Vertigo Swamp Thing Alan Moore The Sopranos Promethea Justice League Steve Orlando Neil Gaiman The Sandman Robert Kanigher Flashpoint Miss Martian Watchmen Kieron Gillen Peter Cannon, Thunderbolt Doomsday Clock Barry Allen The New 52 Our Brian Clevinger Episode Batman: the Killing Joke (animated) Brian Azzarello Batman: the Killing Joke 1: Let’s Talk Talent and the Cover (25:41) Andy Smith Ray Snyder Wonder Woman Attach Your Resume Lex Luthor Elon Musk Superman (1978) Mister Terrific Ethan Van Sciver Renee Montoya Richard Dragon Vic Sage J. G. Jones 2: Let’s Talk About 52 #39 (27:47) Shonen Jump Natasha Irons Black Adam Skyman Scooby-Doo Tesla John Henry Irons Superman & Lois Lois Lane Friday Night Lights Buffy the Vampire Slayer Dragon Ball Z Akira Toriyama Buu Goku Freiza Katherine Heigl James Marsden Zachary Levi Aquaman Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis Ralph Dibny Helmet of Fate Spectre Inhumans Countdown Dragon Age series Powerless Harley Quinn the Animated Series The Office Mike Myers Doctor Sivana Michael Emerson Ludwig Will Magnus Metal Men T. O. Morrow Red Tornado Mercury The Pitt ER Star Trek Isis Osiris Boom Tube Apokolips Mother Box Big Barda Hannibal Bates Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Iron Man 2 (2010) Ultimate Spider-Man Chris Batista Animorphs Vixen: NYC Mark Russell Octavia Butler Jerry Siegel 3: The Backup (01:07:20) John Ostrander Hawkman Metamorpho Mars Argo Titanic Sinclair George Carlin Prince 4: What’s your favorite part of the issue? (01:13:35) Dr. Tyme Doom Patrol Harley Quinn Fartacular: Silent Butt Deadly Poison Ivy 5: The Blackboard (01:20:01) Aquaman (2018) Jason Momoa Julie Andrews Joker: Last Laugh Doctor Doom Mad Hatter The Riddler 6: Asking The Questions at 52mailbag@gmail.com (01:26:24) Sailor Moon Naruto Iron Man (2008) Goodbye Pork Pie Hat Bat-Mite DC Action News The Losers 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.

Full show notes at the publisher

Week 38 - Breathless May 07, 2025

Show notes

When the time comes, let go. World’s Finest Gita Jackson and All-Star Alex Jaffe come to terms with issue 38 of 52, and the long-coming death of Vic Sage. But along the way they’ll note the Watchmen parallels with Oolong Island, check in with Steelworks, and answer a listener question about Wonder Woman’s magic period.

Show Notes:

1: Let’s Talk Talent (02:49)

2: Let’s Talk About 52 #38 (05:54)

3: The Backup (32:38)

4: What’s your favorite part of the issue? (39:49)

5: The Blackboard (41:20)

6: Asking The Questions at 52mailbag@gmail.com (48:25)

Week 37 - Secret Identities, with Brian Clevinger Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

You gotta take advantage of these shiny characters! All-Star Gita Jackson and World’s Finest Alex Jaffe team up with Atomic Brian Clevinger to reflect on the surfaces of 52 #37, featuring a salute to our himbo listeners, emergency renaming of otherwise fine characters, and Jaffe’s house show with Stretchy Computer. Show Notes: 52 Geoff Johns Grant Morrison Greg Rucka Mark Waid Keith Giffen Animal Man Effervescent 8-Bit Theater Atomic Robo Brian Clevinger Webtoon Wizard Magazine Justice League Batman: No Man’s Land Catwoman (2002 series) Batman: Batgirl Spider-Man Ultimate Spider-Man Midtown Comics 1: Let’s Talk Talent (08:36) Pat Oliffe Drew Geraci Accomplished Perfect Physician Paul Chin Rip Hunter Booster Gold Kandor Supernova Skeets Deadshot Steve Englehart Batman 2: Let’s Talk About 52 #37 (11:38) Vince Carter Otto Binder Captain Marvel Superman Connor Kent Jason Todd Power Rangers Gold Ranger Batman: Hush Tommy Elliot H2sh Mamoru Pulsar, Master of Sound Gingold Justice League International Blue Beetle Final Fantasy Undertale The Pitt 9-1-1 24 Legion of Super-Heroes Legends of Tomorrow Doctor Who Tom Baker Christopher Eccleston The Weakest Link Matt Smith David Tennant Tumblr Sexyman Ed Helms The Lorax (2012) Danny DeVito Patrick Schwarzenegger The White Lotus Kumail Nanjiani Heroes in Crisis Killzone: Liberation Magic: the Gathering Phantom Zone Dave Gibbons Alan Moore Dustin Nguyen “Good for him”— Marvel fans stunned as Dustin Nguyen calls out industry exploitation and cuts ties Freelance Video Game Journalists Are Propping Up The Industry, And Many Are Being Paid Dogshit In Return Jeff Smith Shazam: The Monster Society of Evil Bone Tawky Tawny Star City Oliver Queen Dan DiDio Ralph Dibny Black Canary Birds of Prey Cindy Reynolds The Flash CW Kitty Pryde Destroy All Humans 2 Lobo Swamp Thing The Invisibles Watchmen Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? Supreme Kurt Busiek Astro City Watchmen (2009) Superman and Batman versus Aliens and Predator Jujutsu Kaisen Potential Man Isis Vic Sage Renee Montoya 3: The Backup (51:50) Firestorm Blackest Night Wonder Woman Maxwell Lord New 52 Jim Lee Sorcerer Supreme Spider-Verse Gail Simone 4: What’s your favorite part of the issue? (01:00:08) The Strokes Crazy in Love Stephen Wacker 5: The Blackboard (01:04:02) Dan Jurgens Jor-El Stan Lee Crisis on Infinite Earths Infinite Crisis Nightwing Batman Incorporated Damian Wayne 6: Asking The Questions at 52mailbag@gmail.com (01:14:54) WildStorm Wildcats Planetary Warren Ellis Neil Gaiman The Authority Martian Manhunter Apollo Midnighter Prometheus Grifter Sterling Archer Outsiders Batwoman Batwing Doomsday Clock Gen13 DV8 The Munsters Today Smallville Marvel Rivals Fortnite DC Dark Legion Rorschach Cheetah Vixen Titans My Chemical Romance Frank Miller Catwoman (2004) Superman III (1983) Brian Clevinger on Bluesky 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.

Full show notes at the publisher

Week 36 - How To Win a War In Space Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

You can always trust me! All-Star Gita Jackson and World’s Finest Alex Jaffe cling desperately to issue 36, featuring an update on our beloved space heroes, neckless Trent Reznor, and the lovable and irascible Sobek the Talking Crocodile!

Show Notes:

1: Let’s Talk Talent (07:04)

2: Let’s Talk About 52 #36 (08:09)

3: The Backup (28:36)

4: What’s your favorite part of the issue? (38:50)

5: The Blackboard (40:42)

6: Asking The Questions at 52mailbag@gmail.com (43:57)

Week 35 - Rain of the Supermen Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

All-Star Gita Jackson and World’s Finest Alex Jaffe plummet into 52 #35, featuring bad puns for gruesome events, Kirkland Signature Superman, and shocking new developments for everyone’s favorite storyline, Lobo and the space heroes.

Show Notes: