REVIEW: Countdown to Final Crisis - 1 (Week 51)

***SPOILER ALERT***

Right - having read this issue, I'm feeling pretty happy with my decision to not buy this year long maxi-series.

Not only am I feeling that - but I'm feeling a level of disappointment that I really shouldn't be - especially given my previous opinions on the book.

In the last issue, Darkseid sadly exited the DC universe. I say sadly mainly because it's was so sad that he had to exit in such a lackluster issue. A monumental event, left feeling limp-wristed. Which, is a little like this issue.

You haven't got something as massive as another key DCU character death, but you have got the forming of a group of heroes (Donna Troy, Ray Palmer, Kyle Rayner and Forager) to watch over the Monitors, a 'new' OMAC (looking incredibly retro), Mary Marvel attacking Black Adam in the desert and the frankly miraculous reappearance of Piper.

So - let's quickly pickup on all of the above:

1. Forming of a new group of heroes to monitor the Monitors.

*sigh* Yeah - ok, in theory good, but in practice, it couldn't have been more boring if it had tried to be. A bunch of depressed and angry superheroes deciding after much coffee drinking and moping that they're going to oversee the remaining Monitors. There was absolutely no energy whatsover in this group - and I got the distinct impression that Forager had been put in place purely to die in a later issue of Final Crisis. Boredom factor: 8

2. A 'new' OMAC

Seriously? Seriously? I mean, come on. Seriously? What the hell were they thinking of when they gave him that costume? Yes, yes, I know all about the original OMAC - but even still, this is just stupid. Stupid, and no doubt about to spill into a mini-series tying into Final Crisis, along with a quickly cancelled ongoing book thereafter.

3. Mary Marvel attacking Black Adam

Mary's turnaround in the last few issues from hero to villain was irritating before, and even more so now. I just don't buy any of this - it goes completely against everything that came before Countdown, and I seriously hope it's discredited /put right in the near future. If not - well - rearrange these words to form a sentence: "mistake" "colossal" "a" "what".

4. Piper

Now this one - this one - @£$&'s me off the most. Piper died. How the hell did he escape death - and more importantly - why?!? His death was one of the more memorable moments in the series, and now it's just been reversed. Ridiculous choice. Insane.

Now - having said all of that - don't just take my words for how @$£* this series has been - why not have a quick read of the first two columns in DC Nation at the back of the book.

Yes - that's right - Dan Didio himself says Countdown's goals were "...a bit difficult to achieve", and that the overall plans met with "...various levels of success". "The problem, we realised, was that ... nothing is moving with it's own natural rhythm."

Way to tell a whole bunch of people who just bought a year's worth of this book that they wasted their time Dan.

Originally, I'd intended to give this book a medium score. But having Dan Didio come out and essentially say in the back of the book that 'it could have turned out better' - means I'm changing my mind to line up with his opinion.

Pete's Score: 2 out of 5

(don't bother - fan or not)

REVIEW: Countdown to Final Crisis - 2 (Week 50)

***MAJOR SPOILER ALERT***

This has been an interesting day for reading Countdown. I started off with issue 4, carried on with issue 3, took a sideline with Countdown to Adventure 8 of 8, and now we're finishing up with issue 2.

This issue - is a big one for DC fans. A major player goes down in this book. I'm not going to tell you which one - as that would ruin it for you, but I will tell you that the wonderful Jack Kirby style artwork is incredibly fitting.

As big as this issue is however - I still can't rate it highly. My brother and I both read it this evening, and our thoughts were pretty much the same. It didn't go the way we were expecting (which is a good thing), but where on Earth (or otherwise) is this going to go now? What does this mean for Final Crisis?

The odd thing is - after such a large event in comic books (and this is big) - I can't believe I'm saying it - but I'm not gripped. I should be on the edge of my seat - dying to know what happens next. But instead, I'm a little... "Meh" about the whole thing.

I don't feel inspired to carry on reading, or to pickup Final Crisis, but irritatingly - I'd be amazed if this book doesn't become instantly collectable.

I don't know what's going to happen next with Countdown, or how it will lead into Final Crisis - but I will (irritatingly) be reading issue 1 to find out.

Pete's Score: 3 out of 5

(big players exiting won't make me give this book a higher score - the overall story just needed more work)

REVIEW: Countdown to Adventure - 8 of 8

***SPOILER ALERT***

The one good thing that came from 52, was a reminder that the DCU has some great characters, most of which are sadly underused. Three of which are: Animal Man, Adam Strange and Starfire.

In total contrast to my thoughts on the main 'Countdown' (to Final Crisis) series - Countdown to Adventure - has been great.

The interplay between Animal Man and Starfire (is he in love with her, or isn't he) has been thoroughly enjoyable and fantastic to read through the entire series - as has the supposed decline of Adam Strange's popularity on Rann. 

I'm happy to say that the final issue in the series is just the same - thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, with a nice epilogue hinting at further storylines to come.

I'd go so far to say that these three need their own team book. If Shadowpact can get one - then why not these heroes?

Now - having said all this - let's not forget that there has been a backup story running with Forerunner, an 'agent' (sorta) of the monitors. Her storyline somewhat oddly twisted and turned around, but ended on a high note. I fully expect to see her - and the new race of her people - in the near future.

Recommended reading - I'll certainly be picking up the follow up Rann / Thanagar: Holy War mini-series.

Pete's Score: 4 out of 5

(well worthwhile - if you missed the last seven issues - pick the whole thing up in trade when it comes out)

REVIEW: Countdown to Final Crisis - 3 (Week 49)

***SPOILER ALERT***

Well, if you've read the review of issue 4 (week 48) - you'll know how I feel about this particular series. So I'll skip that for now, and just talk about this book.

This book is a major improvement over the last issue. The artwork is good (very good in some places) - the script is nice and 'punchy' (there's a great Darkseid / Superman battle), but I'm still not buying some things.

Mary Marvel's switch from good to bad last issue was just implausible. I didn't buy it then, and I don't buy it now. Either something is going on, or we're being asked to swallow one of the most unlikely good to evil conversions ever. Are we seriously meant to think she's his right hand woman now?!?

Ok - so that aside - Superman taking on Darkseid is still pretty cool. And, he has a point - having the rest of the league there would have slowed him down, right when he needs to go all out. Buuuuttttt... From another point of view - isn't it a bit mad to take on the ruler of Apokolips on your jack? Backup a good idea maybe...?

I did like the cliffhanger to this issue (a giant Jimmy Olsen taking on Darkseid) - but I still couldn't in good conscience pay for the book week on week. Maybe Trinity will be better overall - but I won't hold my breath.

Pete's Score: 3 out of 5

(again - buy it if you're a DC fan - improvement from the last issue - but not great if you've not picked up the other 48 issues)

REVIEW: Countdown to Final Crisis - 4 (Week 48)

***SPOILER ALERT***

DC and me of late have had a checkered history. I bought every single issue of 52 (the series before this) - thinking I was in for the ride of my life.

In reality, at the end of the series - I felt pretty cheated. For a book that had 52 issues to tell the story of a missing year (one issue a week), I expected a lot more than I got - which was quite frankly, a mess that meandered from sub-story to sub-story, requiring a separate series (World War III) to link it in to the One Year Later storyline.

Needless to say, based on this sterling show by DC - I opted out of buying 52 issues of Countdown. Which at first (I was reading my brother's copies), seemed to be the right decision. It was awful.

A little while later, when Mary Marvel started to go off the deep end, Trickster and Pied Piper became shackled to each other, and little Atom symbols started appearing, it didn't seem like such a good decision after all.

The past few issues however, have totally reaffirmed my original decision.

This book is far too much of a money making exercise. I honestly don't feel that the book is about telling a great story - which deeply saddens me. It comes across as though the book is around, just for the sake of being a hype machine for 'Final Crisis', and probably 'Trinity' (which may or may not be another 52 issue snore-fest).

The concept of both 52 and Countdown was, and still is - great. The execution of the concept however, is hugely flawed.

Issue 4 (week 48) is a good example of all of the above. The artwork is passable, but far from brilliant, the story is just the same (Mary Marvel turning to evil again? Seriously?) - and the 'cliffhanger' ending, leaves me bored enough to not bother with the next issue (although I will - on the off-chance it improves, or something within it is vital to the upcoming 'Final Crisis').

I wouldn't usually roast a book so much - but I have to say - I am so very glad I'm only reading someone else's copy.

Pete's Score: 2 out of 5

(only buy it if you're a die-hard DC fan)