The limited series was a tie into DC's weekly comic book series, 52, occurring on "Week 50" of the series, which takes place during the missing year following Infinite Crisis. Indeed, 52 was conceived to explain many of the drastic changes that occurred in the DC Universe during that missing year; however, the series ultimately evolved in a different direction, focusing on its own cast of characters, and consequently, World War III was conceived to revisit the original intent of the series and explain the changes that occurred.
The limited series bridged the gap between DC's weekly comic book series, 52, which occurred during "Week 50" of the series, set in the year following Infinite Crisis. Initially, 52 aimed to provide clarity on the drastic transformations in the DC Universe; however, it eventually took a different path, focusing on its own characters, prompting World War III to re-examine its original purpose and address the changes.