Legion World Forums LEGION COMPANION Dr. Gym'll's Cultural Rarities Countdown

Ok, I just read the latest issue. It got my interest back.

That demon Mary Marvel is battling? ewww.

Donna mentions recently seeing the Monitor (over in Ion btw). She's acting a bit...ignorant. Isn't this the girl that recently learned everything? They need to write her better.

Forerunner looks impressive. But again Donna has the same powers as Wonder Woman right?

Quick question about the last page where the Monitors are talking about Earth-2. There is Dick Grayson wearing that silly Batman-like outfit and then a Robin? Who is that other Robin?

Oh, I know Ceej. But generally, if I trust the writer, I cut him more slack when I start to lose interest. I've often told myself that's illogical, but I can't help it

Ultra George, that "other Robin" is Dick Grayson from Earth 1. That story was written during a period when DC was thinking about updating Robin's look (loooong before Tim Drake). That costume only lastest through the JLA 2-parter, I think.

Nice to see it reflected here.

There was a typo in issue #45 that I found kind of amusing. Jimmy Olsen is explaining the New Gods and mentions "The far-out Tomorrow People." Isn't that the Forever People? I though the Tomorrow People were English kids who jaunted around a disused London tube station.

Last week we had shadowy figure after shadowy figure transitions. It really brought the issue and the story as a whole down for me.

This week was a complete turnaround. Mary and Billy disagreeing, Monarch starts making his play, Jimmy gets into a scuffle, Holly finds religion, and the Rogues are on the run. Finally our stories are starting to pick up their pace.

Mary's story has the most energy to it, but it makes the least sense to me, character-wise.

I wonder if Piper and Trickster's inevitable confrontation with Wally will occur here or in THE FLASH?

*Was* that Athena that ushered Holly into that room of either Amazons or goddesses? Isn't Holly a lesbian? That must be like a dream-come true on a couple of levels for her...

Monarch bores me, frankly. Is it Captain Atom in that suit? I liked his previous ID *much* better, *infinitely* better, if so.

After reading the last six issues to catch up, I'm at about 50/50 for Countdown as a whole right now. The writing still seems out of whack, and there doesn't seem to be any opportunity to emotionally invest in most of these stories.

The Lightray death seemed pointless and out of nowhere. Obviously, they'll come back to this, but besides Jimmy reminiscing for a few panels, it seemed kind of pointless.

The Jason/Donna dynamic falls flat for me. They met, what, like five times before this? Its so obvious their going for a romantic relationship here but it just fails. All of Jason's appearances do--he's a known killer, so why aren't the heroes taking him down? And its odd how Perry knows who he is in addition to Jimmy. Distracting even.

Mary's story is better, and I liked the Black Adam scenes. But seriously, any more upskirt panty shots and I'll feel like a dirty old man.

Trickster and Piper have been interesting, and its very fascinating to see how they are reacting to the Rogues killing a Flash. I read that issue--Trickster actually helpd kill him, while Piper did not. That's a large step for Trickster.

I like Holly, and I'm waiting on that one. Karate Kid too, it will be interesting to see.

The Monitors and Forerunner have a very up front story, but seeing how this is really important contiues to elude me. I'm curious as to how Monarch fits in, though I do hope there is some clear communication to us the readers eventually (though I admit its still early).

Again, I feel that the pieces are all there, but the delivery seems very off. DC continues to risk the 'went to the well too many times’ critique unless they really tighten this all up.

I guess in comic book time Jason & Donna aren't that far apart. Jason I can't imagine over 21. Donna 26?

Anyways they make a horrible couple.

Ewww!

I have one of the issues right after that, in which Donna keeps turning to Jason for advice and Jason has to remind her he's not Dick, that he is just a kid and she's the leader. It's a sweet moment and one of the few "jason's not an irredeemable jerk" moments from when he was Robin.

However, it seems like DC is going to try and put romance where, if anything, there should be a sisterly feel to how Donna views Jason. If I remember correctly she was married when that issue came out, and to me the time they spent together, no matter how much Jason is aged, will always make her view him like a little brother. Donna may be sad to see Jason so creul, but she shouldn't be romantically interested in him.

One thing that bugs me about a lot of relationships is comics with 'unattached' characters is that people always try to make it romantic when it is more believable to assume other feelings are at work.

As for Countdown, I'm probably dropping it at issue 40 (figure that should cover the first trade easy). Really was interested in Mary's story but she is so OOC it's not even funny. In fact, none of the characters seem to have a good, consistant voice (except Jimmy). Also, DC probably should have waited a month or two before putting this out because it seems like most of these issues have been filler while DC waits for the rest of the Universe to catch up to where Countdown can proceed full steam ahead.

Whew, done now.

Excuse the ignorance but ....

who the heck is Holly and why is she important enough to be one of the feeatured characters in Countdown? That whole storyline leaves me in the dark.

Holly is the new Catwoman. When Selina took maternity leave, Holly (her longtime friend) replaced her.

Thanks FC!

Is Holly the young prostitute Batman Year One? The one Selina saves?

Yeah. Apparently she was also dead at one point, and then popped up alive in recent years.

I know this only from the internet, though.

10 issues into Countdown, and i'm still waiting for the story to actually start. Karate Kid's appearance served no purpose whatsoever, and the situation hasn't evolved for quite a few issues.

I guess that if it doesn't change next issue, Countdown 40 will be my last issue of the series

I am bored with it as well. Is Giffen doing breakdowns for this? 52 just felt much more dynamic.

I'm sorry, but the last issue was a complete waste of my money. Is there a point? Boring!

So, has the Riddler really changed sides? Shades of gray remaining, I'd guess. I sort of remember reading about him becoming a private eye, of sorts, I think. During Batman's absence from Gotham City?

I'll never buy all the bat-books, but I guess I need to keep more in touch with them.

Is that the 'real' Athena tending to Holly and Harley? Have the gods come back from wherever it is they went? Or is this an elaborate set-up by Circe or Granny Goodness or Lex Luthor?

Interesting parallel between Holly/Harley and Piper/Trickster, in a way. One gay member in each pair-- all four apparently in the process of redemption to one degree or another. Will all four survive and succeed?

I enjoyed the Piper/Trickster storyline, as usual. Though I think their attendance at the funeral last issue was ludicrous, I like the result of their fighting and escaping from an apparent new Suicide Squad. Or variation on the Secret Six, maybe. Waller is in government, so maybe she and Task Force X are 'outsourcing'.

I think I'd like Mary Marvel's new costume on another character. I'm really not buying this part of COUNTDOWN-- which is too bad, since that seems to be the most important part of it, thus far.

Donna, Kyle and Ryan Choi on a tour of alternate worlds-- searching for Ray Palmer. That I can buy and buy gladly. But Jason Todd? I'd be more satisfied if he was hitching along against the other's will.

I think the creators thought all the Monitors of different realities would have a resonance with the mad scientists from 52. Unfortunately, the Monitors don't have nearly the personality or fun factor that the mad scientists did.

I'm buying for Piper/Trickster and Donna/Ryan. And an interest in Mary, though I'm not loving the direction for the character, I do like seeing her face people like Riddler and Clayface that aren't the characters that one associates with her.

So I checked out the recent DC solicits. What the heck are they thinking????

How many tie-ins and mini-series are there going to be? Does anyone have a list? I counted a ton of them. Shouldn't that all be in Countdown?

Why do I feel so outraged about this? I'm not sure, but I am. There are a bunch of 'Countdown to...' things and other stuff with Donna, Kyle and Jason. I feel like DC is crumbling around me, and its depressing.

At least some of their main comic books look to be good (Batman, Green Lantern comics, etc.)

I had that feeling about... oh... early-mid 2003. Now, they're more about resting in pieces...

I know

Honestly, I'm feeling this more than ever before. Usually, I'm used to Marvel letting me down, and that's not really a slight against Marevl or Marvel-fans (I was raised a Marvel fan ). But I've supported a lot of what DC's done, though some bothered me. But Countdown, all these new specials that seem like they're just trying to rip fans off, countless deaths and a sense that no one is stearing the ship...I really feel like DC has some major problems lately.

I loved 52, I love John's GL, I love Morrison's Batman, etc. But the overwhelming sense I get when I read the solicits is a depressing feeling.

You're not alone there Cobie. That same feeling hit me last year with Marvel, just prior to Civil War. (Actually, right around House of M's failure.) Support your monthlies and skip all the cross over hype. It's tough, but the folks here at LW do a fine job of detailing things, so it's not like you'll miss any major events.

And trades make that book case look so much nicer.

I like your plan CJ. I'll read all the spoilers here anyway, so its not like I won't know what's happening.

#41 was an enjoyable issue, IMO.

I loved the opening sequence of Trickster and Piper falling into Gotham Harbor. I think they should've opened their storyline with this scene and filled in the rest with strategic flashbacks.

I liked the 'hint' of Trickster saying he knew someone who could help them, while showing a billboard advertising The Penguin's club above them.

Of course, Trickster and Penguin are having a conversation in that 'Last Supper' Countdown teaser DC released last week.

There was a lot of Holly and Harley, tying in with AMAZONS ATTACK. Didn't really go anywhere, though.

The Earthtrotters arrive in the nanoverse, ending with a 'circled by the strangers' cliffhanger. Jason names the Monitor 'Bob' (how imaginative of the boy).

Mary Marvel sits down and *thinks* about her actions (what a surprise!). Unfortunately, she attracts the attention of someone watching her through the lens of what looks like a black diamond, though it was a fairly inaccurate diamond.

The 'history' back-up is almost to the present-- I really wish this space was used for information that's new to 'old' readers, as well as DCU 101 stuff.

Perhaps I enjoyed it due to the absence of Forerunner, Monarch and the council of Monitors. Hmmm.