After the INFINITE CRISIS and before One Year Later, the DCU spent a year without Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. A year in which those heroes were needed more than ever as the fate of the world hung in the balance. Who stood up in their absence? And who sat out?

The story of DC’s most eventful year ever can now be told as four of the hottest writers in comics — Grant Morrison, Geoff Johns, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid — deliver an unprecedented weekly tale of death, danger, romance, intergalactic terror and the never- ending, universal meaning of heroism. Joined by storyteller Keith Giffen and cover artist J.G. Jones, 52 features art for the first month by Joe Bennett, Ruy Jose, and Jack Jadson.

Also, starting in Week #2: “The History of the DC Universe,” a 10-part backup feature by Dan Jurgens and Art Thibert that takes you on a tour through the legendary past of the DCU.

52: A year without Superman; a year without Batman; a year without Wonder Woman...but not a year without heroes.