Countdown #51
Review
Credits
- Words: Paul Dini
- Art: Jesus Saiz
- Inks: Jimmy Palmiotti
- Colors: Tom Chu
- Story Title: Look to the Skies
- Publisher: DC Comics
- Price: $2.99
- Release Date: May 9, 2007
Posted by Eric Lindberg on May 10, 2007
The Red Hood clashes with Duela Dent and anomalies threaten the Multiverse as DC begins its next weekly series. (What are they, masochists?!)
On distant Apokolips, Darkseid and his grand inquisitor Desaad watch as the most unlikely of pieces come into play on the cosmic chess board. On Earth, Duela Dent, the so-called Joker’s Daughter, attempts a kidnapping for fun and profit, only to run afoul of the Red Hood, former (and formerly deceased) Robin, Jason Todd. Both characters represent an incongruity in the fabric of reality…one the mysterious Monitors mean to fix at any cost. Meanwhile, Mary Marvel awakens from a months-long coma only to find that her powers and her family have seemingly abandoned her. And elsewhere, the reformed villain Pied Piper spies on a gathering of the Flash’s foes.
Thus begins DC’s follow-up to their just-wrapped weekly epic, 52. I was among those who felt that 52 started strong but some of its plotlines somewhat imploded before the end. As such, I’m curious whether they can sustain another weekly. In addition, Countdown has the added challenge of a more nebulous series concept. A countdown to what exactly? What is the driving force of the story?
A few indications of this are given in this first issue (true to its name, the book will count backwards down to zero over the course of the year). Countdown #51 is an intriguing read more for what it promises than what it delivers. On the surface, Paul Dini gives us a mildly entertaining tale of two anti-heroes locked in conflict, only to be intercepted by Big Cosmic Hoodoo that neither of them expected. However, between the lines, there are numerous questions being raised that will surely keep DC readers coming back—How many of these "incongruities" are there? Is this "our" Duela or an alter-Earth duplicate? How does she know of the other Earths and who else does? What is the meaning of the enigmatic message at issue’s end? While the story itself is fairly straightforward, the potential is there for fascinating exploration in future issues.
The Jason/Duela segment seems to have the most significance for DC’s new status quo. This issue’s subplots are not off to quite as strong a start however. I find it hard to believe that the other Marvels would leave Mary behind in the manner that they seem to here. And the Piper/Trickster segment is merely setup at this point, offering little more than a super-villain kegger.
On the plus side, Jesus Saiz’s art looks as slick as ever. Saiz has an economy of line and a flair for the dramatic that sets the proper tone for each scene. His Duela is equal parts cute and dangerous and the Monitors, despite their somewhat comical facial hair, have a suitable air of menace. Inker Jimmy Palmiotti and colorist Tom Chu enhance the ominous feel of the story as well.
Countdown is off to a decent enough start but it will take a few more issues to determine what sort of read this latest weekly event will be.
Related content
Related Headlines
- Dini Countdown Signing at Midtown - written by Frederik Hautain on May 8, 2007
- Third Time's the Vengeance - written by Frederik Hautain on Jun 1, 2005
- Day Of Vengeance #2 Sold Out - written by Frederik Hautain on Jun 1, 2005
- Prelude To Infinite Crisis - written by Frederik Hautain on May 5, 2005
- DC Partners with MySpace for Countdown Preview - written by Frederik Hautain on Apr 18, 2007
Related Lowdowns
- Out for the Count 35-34 - written by Andy Oliver on Sep 8, 2007
- Out for the Count: 29-28-27 - written by Andy Oliver on Oct 27, 2007
- Out for the Count: 18-17 - written by Andy Oliver on Jan 4, 2008
- Out for the Count: 6 - written by Andy Oliver on Mar 20, 2008
- Out for the Count: 26 - written by Andy Oliver on Nov 3, 2007
Related Reviews
- - written by on {$reviewDate.format="M j, Y"}
- Countdown #46 - written by Aaron Stueve on Jun 14, 2007
- Countdown #36 - written by Dave Baxter on Aug 25, 2007
- Countdown #49 - written by Aaron Stueve on May 25, 2007
- Countdown #48 - written by Kenneth Gallant on Jun 8, 2007
Related Columns
- After a Decade, Nexus Returns - written by William Gatevackes on Jul 9, 2007
- The Changing of the Guard - written by William Gatevackes on Sep 24, 2007
- Bring on the Bad Guys: the Secret Society of Super-Villains - written by Tony Ingram on Apr 18, 2008
- Talkin? ?bout My Generation - written by Tony Ingram on Nov 26, 2008
- Their Name Is Legion - written by Tony Ingram on May 8, 2009
Comments
In order to post a comment you have to be logged in. Don't have a profile yet? Register now!
Dylan Meconis Joins PvPOnlinecom Writers' Room for 15th Anniversary
Press release by Richard Boom
For its 15th Anniversary, PvP is again breaking new ground in the comic medium with the creation of the PvP ...
Preview: Harbinger #12
Sneak peek by Richard Boom
Valiant has provided BF with a preview to Harbinger #12, in stores everywhere May 8th.
Marvel's INFINITY Comes Alive on Free Comic Book Day With Marvel AR
Press release by Richard Boom
This Saturday, Free Comic Book Day hits stores worldwide and Marvel wants fans to take the experience to a whole ...
READ ALL HEADLINES