Countdown #50 courtesy of mazingman *SPOILERS*

[Karl O'Neill]

Countdown 50 ***SPOILERS***
Posted: May 15, 2007 7:21 AM Reply


Please keep in mind that these Spoilers are nothing more then Cliff Notes for the book. They are just words and there is a lot more to a comic book than just words and the Spoilers can not replace the hard work that the art staff has provided nor replace the writing of the book itself. So please do not judge the book based on the Spoilers alone, and base it on the actual work itself.

And please keep the conversations generated to the Spoilers here on this thread only until the book’s Street Date as some people do not want to have their comics spoiled.

COUNTDOWN #50
Last Laugh
Paul Dini (Head Writer) with Jimmy Palmiotto & Justine Gray
Pencils by J. Calafiore
Cover is by Adam Kubert. It is the Joker holding Jimmy Olsen’s Press ID, and wearing Jimmy Olsen’s box tie and Superman signal watch.


-Jimmy Olsen enters a locked building thanks to the help of Superman’s heat vision. Inside the building is the Red Hood, who is taking out a bunch of High-Tech Ninjas. Once the fight is over, Jimmy comes out of hiding to talk to the Red Hood. He tells him that he is working on a story about the death of the Joker’s Daughter. Red tells Jimmy that she was killed by an alien and that if he wants “answers for questions beyond reason, there’s a guy in Arkham Asylum who wrote the book on crazy.
-Mary Marvel pays a visit to Madame Xanadu to find out about her future and the loss of her powers. Xanadu tells Mary that Freddy is nowhere to be found. Mary is then informed that even if she does regain her powers or any variation of them to say out of Gotham as Gotham isn’t safe for magic.
-Batman fights Karate Kid and upon defeating him takes him to the Hall.
***this is the same fight from Justice League of America #8***
-The Rogues are having a meeting and talking about their lack of trust in Trickster and Pied Pier. After a scuffle, Mirror Master begins to leave but tells the Rogues of a meeting tomorrow night and that “we’re gonna need a display of loyalty from both Piper and Trickster before you get info on the plan. Oh, an’ if yeh don’t show up, we’ll hunt yeh down and kill yeh”.
-Jimmy Olsen arrives at Arkham Asylum to see the Joker. When he gets to the Joker he tells him that his daughter has been murdered and wonders if the Joker knows who might have done it. The Joker gets all distraught and then tells Jimmy that he doesn’t have a daughter. In the meanwhile Killer Croc is bound and being lead out of a cell by some guards. As Jimmy turns to leave he takes out his cell phone to check in with Lois and when his back is turned Killer Croc busts out of his bindings and leaps towards Jimmy.


Yes the Spoilers may be a bit sparse in content as I don’t want the book judged on the details in the Spoilers as some have done. And besides, most of those reading the Spoilers have already read half of the book Online from the MySpace preview so you really only have the Rogues and Jimmy Olsen story to read.

[KevinTBrown]

While I'm sure the book itself will read much better, those spoilers are pretty much "meh".

[bfrank]

Yes the Spoilers may be a bit sparse in content as I don’t want the book judged on the details in the Spoilers as some have done.


While I'm sure the book itself will read much better, those spoilers are pretty much "meh".

heh...........

[Magneto Rocks]

Hmm, sems a bit of a letdown. We've already seen the majority of the book online then- at least with Countdown 51 there was some great stuff not put up.

Ah well, not every week will be a smash hit.

Have we just immediately broken that thing one of the DC editors said about seeing Darkseid every week?

[bfrank]

Have we just immediately broken that thing one of the DC editors said about seeing Darkseid every week?

let's read the book and find out, shall we?

[Nintendite]

While it's true we HAVEN't read the book yet, for all we know Darkseid could make a cameo. Maybe even in flashback only.

[Beatnikman]

There's a big spoiler warning in the thread title, right?

Just checkin'.




Nope. No Darkseid.


What I'm confused about is who's narrating the part at the beginning. I mean, it seems like it's Jimmy, right?

So Jimmy knows that Dick Grayson was the first Robin, and now is Nightwing? And he knows Jason Todd was Robin, then dead, then the Red Hood, then Nightwing, and now the Red Hood again? But he doesn't put those facts together to figure out who Batman is? Lame.


I know it's only been two issues, but this thing has definitely not grabbed my attention like 52 did. And I expected to love it.

[Raker616]

I don't like the cliff note spoilers, the full 52 spoilers always helped me to decide when to buy the book and when not to. These spoiler don't help me out either way I hope MM doesn't keep this format because I probably will pass on Countdown I take one trip a week to the comic shop and if I don't pick up a comic then I won't later.

[Karl O'Neill]

I don't like the cliff note spoilers, the full 52 spoilers always helped me to decide when to buy the book and when not to. These spoiler don't help me out either way I hope MM doesn't keep this format because I probably will pass on Countdown I take one trip a week to the comic shop and if I don't pick up a comic then I won't later.

it's best to give the first four weeks a go anyways and then decide if you don't want to collect the book, i reckon spoilers won't last long soon as mazinman is getting sick of doing them.

[Lanowar]

I just read this and there's somthing rather offputting about seeing or at least alluding to The Rouges doing coke.

[Snake2k9]

Mirror Master did a line of yeyo and I think the other rogue in the green and yellow either did a line or was just drunk since green stuff was on the side of his face.I think it's hilarous of villians doing drug since these villians are kinda washed-up a bit and it shows them just...looking for the next big hit and getting something.Anyway Inertia is doing drugs and I say let other villians ruin their bodies also.

[Magneto Rocks]

That irritates me since I loved in the johns run when Captain Cold smacked around Mirror Master for breaking one of the only Rogue Rules: No drugs.

[Hawkman]

Okay, I just read the issue in its entirety. Meh. Last week's was great, but this issue was kind of a letdown. Not too much going on other than exposition and set-up. Which isn't necessarily bad, considering they've fifty more issues to work with, but coming fresh off of 52, where I remember being undwerwhelmed only a handful of times, I'm somewhat disappointed to feel as such only the second issue in of Countdown.

I'm still getting the next four issues no matter what, but if they let me down like this one, I'm not going to hesitate to walk away. The weekly comic thing is awesome, but I won't be running another marathon if I'm not thoroughly enjoying myself.

[drwho]

This issue is where I'm dropping this book at. One problem I had was I felt like between last issue and this one the Red Hood's characterization was changed. Last issue he seemed to show some type of sympathy for Duela where here is is coming off as an unmoving hard @$$. Probably the most interesting thing going on in this book is the Mary Marvel part but it doesnt enthrall me enough just for the few pages of that story. Thank you dc for letting me save some money.

[Adset]

The best part was when a single guard was attending to Killer Croc and Croc brushed him aside like it ain't no thang. Gotta love Arkham security

Nothing great. Nothing awful. Lots of setup. Still interested

[EZMOHR]

This issue is where I'm dropping this book at. One problem I had was I felt like between last issue and this one the Red Hood's characterization was changed. Last issue he seemed to show some type of sympathy for Duela where here is is coming off as an unmoving hard @$$. Probably the most interesting thing going on in this book is the Mary Marvel part but it doesnt enthrall me enough just for the few pages of that story. Thank you dc for letting me save some money.

Great, we'll see your review of Countdown #49 same time next week where you say you hated it and that you'll never buy it again. Same with your reviews of 52 #1-52.:)

[drwho]

Evidently you didnt read all my reviews. I didn't say I hated every issue. :D

[Sean Whitmore]

What a weird series. Red Hood is sane all of a sudden. Superman apparently has no problem with letting him operate. The Batman/Karate Kid fight from JLA is presented with absolutely no frame of reference. All of the Flash rogues are doing coke now, when Captain Cold beat holy hell out of Mirror Master for doing it before. And Heatwave seems to have forgotten that he, too, was reformed for a long time.

And besides being weird, it's not very compelling so far, either.


SEAN

[ultramandingo]

......so when does jimmy olsen turn into a giant turtle? or at least a pocupine

[EZMOHR]

Evidently you didnt read all my reviews. I didn't say I hated every issue. :D

I think the point is we all know you're gonna read the rest of Countdown so you can crack on it like you did 52. That's cool, some of the arguments you gave on 52 had some funny lines in them (even if I didn't agree with them.) I like to read dissenting views of what I like, and I actually liked yours.

[KevinTBrown]

......so when does jimmy olsen turn into a giant turtle? or at least a pocupine

I'm still pinning my hopes on seeing Elastic Lad again. :D



And as for the issue..... Eh, ok. More of a step backward than forward. Definitely not great nor bad, just "eh". Niiiiiiice art by Calafiore though. :)

[Violently Apathetic]

All of the Flash rogues are doing coke now, when Captain Cold beat holy hell out of Mirror Master for doing it before. And Heatwave seems to have forgotten that he, too, was reformed for a long time.

SEAN

I haven't picked up my copy yet, but was Captain Cold there while they were snorting away? Without him playing Den mother I could see it, but if he was present at the time I think I'm going to have to bang my head repeatedly off my desk.

[Adset]

The Batman/Karate Kid fight from JLA is presented with absolutely no frame of reference.

Word. Had I not read that in JLA, that would have been uber confusing. As it is now, it's placement is still confusing

[Sean Whitmore]

I haven't picked up my copy yet, but was Captain Cold there while they were snorting away? Without him playing Den mother I could see it, but if he was present at the time I think I'm going to have to bang my head repeatedly off my desk.

Nah, Cold wasn't there. They were leaving to see him at the end of the scene.


SEAN

[noh-varr]

This issue is where I'm dropping this book at. One problem I had was I felt like between last issue and this one the Red Hood's characterization was changed. Last issue he seemed to show some type of sympathy for Duela where here is is coming off as an unmoving hard @$$. Probably the most interesting thing going on in this book is the Mary Marvel part but it doesnt enthrall me enough just for the few pages of that story. Thank you dc for letting me save some money.

Well to be fair on the differance Jason Todd acted, in the first issue he was alone and reacting right away. And this time he was just being all tough in front of Jimmy Olsen. Or that's my opinion in the differance. Plus it may have been some time in between so he can be distant again.

[Violently Apathetic]

Nah, Cold wasn't there. They were leaving to see him at the end of the scene.


SEAN

Thanks, that sets my mind at ease...somewhat. How Cold is handled may be the deal breaker for me. I WANT to like this series, since it's involves a lot of characters I enjoy, but there have been a few moments already that have made me a little wary. Still WAY too early to call it though, I suppose.

[MAK15]

boxing glove in the belt buckle was fantastic!

[NMoline]

I really enjoyed this issue. I prefer this to 52 because it reflects the current events happening in the DCU. They even got me to pick up the current flash series to see more of the rogues.

[lollercoaster]

Red Hood's characterization was changed. Last issue he seemed to show some type of sympathy for Duela where here is is coming off as an unmoving hard @$$.
Or maybe he just doesn't feel like babysitting Jimmy Olsen.

Anyway, for my part, Countdown is already about 8e9 times more interesting than the creative abortion that was 52.

One can only hope that Vic Sage finds his way over from Earth 4 and brutally murders Montoya. And what the hell, Batwoman too.

[PastePotPete]

First off, no slight against any of you in particular, but can I just say how much I dislike the word/review "Meh"? Such disdain!
It's like when Hannibal Tabu puts one of my favorite books under the heading "No. Just...no." in his review column.
Yes...just yes, Hannibal.

At first I was surprised at reader reaction to this book. Lots of "meh"s all around from other readers at my shop and the critical reaction online. People thought the first issue wasn't powerful enough. It packed no wallop, was their complaint. I'm thinking "This is a book that's counting down to something. Doesn't it make sense for them to start slow and let the story build?"

I think this book was published too closely on the heels of 52. They should have waited a couple weeks and wetted fans' appetite for more weekly goodness. There's no novelty to the series right now. People have 52 fresh in their minds and they're going to be constantly comparing the two books, even though the weekly format is really the only thing the two series share in common. Well, that and Kieth Giffen!

I thought this issue was fine. Was it my favorite comic this week? No. And I'm not going to sit here and rave about it, but I am going to say that I'm intrigued and entertained enough to keep tuning in at least until I get a sense of what they're building toward and what the rhythms of the series will be.

I see no problem with the rogues doing coke. I like it. Gives them a Goodfellas edge.

I will concur that Jimmy Olsen's in-depth knowledge of Red Hood was confusing, as was the implanted Justice League scene. I hope this book can smooth off rough edges like this as it moves forward.

[Violently Apathetic]

I see no problem with the rogues doing coke. I like it. Gives them a Goodfellas edge.


Any other group of rogues and I'd agree (well, except maybe the Batman baddies, they REALLY don't need to be high on top of everything else) but it was pretty firmly established in Johns' run on the Flash that The Rogues work under a 'No drugs' policy. Granted, that was one of those weird little arbitrary things that Captain Cold decided that the others may not have been thrilled about, but it existed and most of them seemed to respect it enough, or at least they didn't want to deal with Cold getting in their face about it.

It's not a huge deal, and I'm not nitpicky enough I'd drop the book over something so insignificant, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't irk me at all. The fact that Cold himself wasn't there at the time certainly makes it more palatable.

[EZMOHR]

I don't get why everybody is up in arms about the "no drugs" policy of the Rogues. Yes, Captain Cold said no drugs, but I seem to remember one Rouge who wasn't there whose rule that was....Captain Cold.

The rogues there are the unstable ones that were against Cold (Piper, Heatwave, Trickster I) and one who was already a drug fiend during Johns run. So, until Cold shows up, who cares if they do drugs, it just is what it is. Criminals doing drugs. That kind of happens in the real world.

[blackphoenix]

I had no prob with the drug scene. The rest of the issue was kinda blah to me as well, just like last issue.

[Adset]

I didn't read John's Flash so I had no idea drugs were off limits to the Rogues. Seems like a perfectly natural thing for a supervillian to do, personally, if a little melodramatic

[Violently Apathetic]

I don't get why everybody is up in arms about the "no drugs" policy of the Rogues. Yes, Captain Cold said no drugs, but I seem to remember one Rouge who wasn't there whose rule that was....Captain Cold.


I don't see anyone up in arms, it was a point of mild irritation (which I admitted was alleviated by Cold’s absence), nothing more.

I'm still pumped for this series, I have no intention of missing the forest for the trees.

[UniqueFrequency]

hmm personally, this issue didn't move enough and i'm finding the cast too limited (for now). hopefully that changes sometime soon. liked the Joker scenes though

[Sandy Hausler]

Countdown 50 ***SPOILERS***
Posted: May 15, 2007 7:21 AM Reply


Please keep in mind that these Spoilers are nothing more then Cliff Notes for the book. They are just words and there is a lot more to a comic book than just words and the Spoilers can not replace the hard work that the art staff has provided nor replace the writing of the book itself. So please do not judge the book based on the Spoilers alone, and base it on the actual work itself.

And please keep the conversations generated to the Spoilers here on this thread only until the book’s Street Date as some people do not want to have their comics spoiled.

COUNTDOWN #50
Last Laugh
Paul Dini (Head Writer) with Jimmy Palmiotto & Justine Gray
Pencils by J. Calafiore
Cover is by Adam Kubert. It is the Joker holding Jimmy Olsen’s Press ID, and wearing Jimmy Olsen’s box tie and Superman signal watch.


[spoil]-Jimmy Olsen enters a locked building thanks to the help of Superman’s heat vision. Inside the building is the Red Hood, who is taking out a bunch of High-Tech Ninjas. Once the fight is over, Jimmy comes out of hiding to talk to the Red Hood. He tells him that he is working on a story about the death of the Joker’s Daughter. Red tells Jimmy that she was killed by an alien and that if he wants “answers for questions beyond reason, there’s a guy in Arkham Asylum who wrote the book on crazy.

Would anyone like to tell me how Jimmy Olsen knows the secret identities of Dick Grayson and Jason Todd (and presumably Batman as well). It's a sure thing Superman didn't tell him.

Sandy Hausler

[Karl O'Neill]

Would anyone like to tell me how Jimmy Olsen knows the secret identities of Dick Grayson and Jason Todd (and presumably Batman as well). It's a sure thing Superman didn't tell him.

Sandy Hausler

Buy Jack kirby's omnibus that will be released next week. New Gods?

I think

[KevinTBrown]

I'm taking a "wait & see" attitude with this series. Obviously there's more going on here than what we can see so far. Continuity seems to have been thrown askew......

[van_line]

my fear is this issue is going to be a template for the whole Countdown series, ie. take a random scene from another comic book and plug in so that readers will try out those books they aren't reading. That is what it felt like with the Batman/KK fight.

[filthysize]

Uh, okay. So that fight scene is from JLA? I don't read Meltzer's book, so I had no idea. I thought that was weird. I wonder if it relates at all.

[Karl O'Neill]

I didn't read John's Flash so I had no idea drugs were off limits to the Rogues. Seems like a perfectly natural thing for a supervillian to do, personally, if a little melodramatic

Captain cold hates drugs, he beat the mirror master up the last time he caught him doing drugs.

makes sense, if *some* villains find drugs bad, then they must be bad.

love the Rogues and Captain Cold.

[Karl O'Neill]

Uh, okay. So that fight scene is from JLA? I don't read Meltzer's book, so I had no idea. I thought that was weird. I wonder if it relates at all.

Yes because Karate Kid(val armour) will be a main player in Countdown and the DCU for the next year.
So it was not done Arbitrarily.

pay attention. we had to pay attention to 52 aswell.

[Deus ex Chris]

pay attention. we had to pay attention to 52 aswell.
52 was engaging. It gave us reasons to pay attention. Thus far, Countdown has been a forgettable snooze-fest with bad dialogue. It's definitely not 52.

[Cayman]

So far I'm just in it for Mary Marvel, her story is the only one so far that's interesting. I'll give it a few more issues most likely.

[Deus ex Chris]

So far I'm just in it for Mary Marvel, her story is the only one so far that's interesting. I'll give it a few more issues most likely.
Mary's story is the only one I'm interested in, and I'll probably keep up with the book for that reason. I may even continue to read my roommate's copies (as long as he buys them, that is). However, I won't be buying the book myself. The first two issues were just so boring and...bad.

[Sandy Hausler]

So far I'm just in it for Mary Marvel, her story is the only one so far that's interesting. I'll give it a few more issues most likely.


I have not been receiving the latest Shazam Book (I'm not referring to the Jeff Jones book, which I'm loving). I have no idea why Mary's powers are gone. Can anyone catch me up on this?

Thanks.

Sandy Hausler

[Cayman]

I have not been receiving the latest Shazam Book (I'm not referring to the Jeff Jones book, which I'm loving). I have no idea why Mary's powers are gone. Can anyone catch me up on this?

Thanks.

Sandy Hausler

From what I recall, the "nature of magic" changed due to events in Infinite Crisis and both Freddie and Mary were stripped off their powers, whereas Billy's Captain Marvel took on an older appearance somewhat resembling the Wizard Shazam. Mary was flying when her magic cut out and fell a great distance, and while she has been comatose, Freddie has been engaged in a series of trials to reclaim his abilities.

[filthysize]

Yes because Karate Kid(val armour) will be a main player in Countdown and the DCU for the next year.
So it was not done Arbitrarily.

Ah, okay. Well, I had no idea. How is he going to be important, again?

pay attention. we had to pay attention to 52 aswell.

Sure, but what am I supposed to be paying attention to? If it's Countdown, I am, I'm enjoying the book. If it's JLA, well, no, I won't. I dropped it because it was terrible. I didn't know it's a pre-requisite for reading Countdown.

[PastePotPete]

52 was engaging. It gave us reasons to pay attention. Thus far, Countdown has been a forgettable snooze-fest with bad dialogue. It's definitely not 52.

What engaged you so much about 52 #s 1 & 2 that this book seems like a snoozefest in comparison? What were the things in the first two issues of 52 that were clearly more exciting and intriguing than what's going on here? Because I think you're judging too soon. We've seen two issues of Countdown.

By the way, the editor of Countdown, Mike Marts, is saying that the thing where Jimmy Olsen knew the identities of Red Hood and Nightwing is NOT a goof. That is IS intentional and that it was supposed to be 'subtle.'

In a way, this is good news to me, but I think they should find ways to drop clues so that the clues don't look like mistakes.

[Paul Newell]

In a way, this is good news to me, but I think they should find ways to drop clues so that the clues don't look like mistakes.
I don't think that's possible. Someone will always point it out as a mistake,clues or not, before knowing the "big picture".

Just go back through the 52 threads to see how much people were complaining loudly about how Booster Gold, Skeets and Elongated Man were being written out of character or how wrong certain things were, before the big reveals when it suddenly all made sense. :)

[handOFfate]

Reading this makes the odd behavior of Piper in the current Flash storyline make more sense. He's been reformed for close to fifteen years our time, and about five in comic time, so him turning rogue again all of a sudden would make no sense. what also makes no sense is why the rogues would think about trusting him.
As for Trickster, I thought his sudden transformation back to villain in the "Rogue War" storyline was a major letdown. Unlike heatwave, who is clearly insane and cant be fully reformed, James Jesse seemed very comfortable with his reformation. I honestly think that had Johns chose to continue his Flash run James would have been revealed to be a mole.

[Cayman]

Is the Mirror Master here a different character than the Scottish one I'm familiar with?

[jv2k]

Is the Mirror Master here a different character than the Scottish one I'm familiar with?

Nope.
It's the same Scotsman.