After looking through Countdown last night and finally reading it today, my first reaction is "wow". My expectations were medium to low and what I read made me really re-think my opinion. This weekly series set out to outdo 52, and from the first issue, it has given me every impression that it will.
I greatly enjoyed the dialogue between the Red Hood and the Joker's Daughter. I also loved that the Apokolips characters are back and that the monitors are taking center stage. Storywise, it really hit it out of the park for me. Paul Dini's work here is excellent.
The art was another winner for me. I had really liked Jesus Saiz's work on Checkmate, and in my opinion his work has really taken it to another level. Inker Jimmy Palmiotti does his usual astonishing work here as well.
Maybe I am a bit easier to please then the average reader, but I really enjoyed Countdown #51. Knowing this is a weekly series thrills me to no end and I can hardly wait for next week!
What are your first impressions?
Thursday, May 10, 2007
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8 comments:
I thought it was pretty good. Dini impressed me with his dialogue, particularly the stuff with Desaad and Darkseid. I've never been much of a New Gods fan (so you can imagine my "excitement" when I found out their central role in Countdown), but Dini managed to elevate Desaad quite a bit higher than the 2-dimensional caricaure he's normally portrayed as. His thoughts on the sanctity of life over the backdrop of his torture chamber was truly chilling.
Now...if they can only manage to keep characters like Vermin Vundabar and Glorious Godfrey out of the picture.....
"Little Red Robin Hood."
That was all I needed -- all I can now remember -- and it was enough.
Can't quote it verbatim from memory, but it's worth quoting: I really loved Darkseid's line, where he of all people chastises DeSaad for having a pessimistic, nihilistic viewpoint!
The only parts that kinda lost me were the Red Hood/Joker's Daughter bits. My DC Universe blind spot is small, but they're smack dab in the middle of it, as it's largely defined by indifference to the Titans in all their incarnations, and an allergy to Judd Winnick.
I really enjoyed it. Will post my own review of it soon.
Mark, I really enjoyed the first issue. I read it again and realized how much the DCU had been missing Darkseid and his minions. I can hardly wait to see what they do with him.
As for Vermin... well, I can wait a lot longer for that!
Ragtime, exactly! It touched a chord and made all right with the world for at least a moment.
David- I can sympathise a bit with an allergy to Winick. I have had my love/hate moments with him, particularly in the last year.
As for the Titans though, sadly I can tell you all about each incarnation. I am a total Titans geek from way back. Yikes!
That is part of what makes Countdown fun though I guess, we can all learn a little new history!
Shelly, I am looking forward to seeing it!
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