What's the Premise of "Countdown"?

[jtd]

I loved "52". Every week, a great issue of a great serial series. "52" was exciting as it was the first time DC Comics did a weekly series in a long time (ever?).

But DC also did a great job of promoting and billing "52". They promoted the book's premise well:

"A Year Without Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman" as well as, focusing on 6 lesser known characters in the DCU.

It also had a great premise, in that it takes place in a "missing" year. So that was an attractive appeal as well.

And there was always from the beginning, that "52" was leading-up to something BIG for the DC Universe. That was ultimately revealed as the re-emergence of the multi-verse. So "52" really had a lot of great reasons behind it for a fan to WANT to go out and buy it.

With all the convention hype and print ads, I guess I just didn't catch it...But what IS the premise behind "Countdown"?

Sure it deals with termed "second tier" characters. Sure it's also a weekly publication. And the title & issue numbering indicate there will be another BIG final issue.

But...what's the premise of Countdown?

[jv2k]

What is the premise behind batman?
What is the premise behind Teen Titans?
What is the premise behind anything?
The premise is to make money and to make stories.
Its also suppose to better explain the multiverse and it is counting down to a new event.

[tony2074]

what he said. focusing on some characters who could be seen as anomolies by the monitors.
plus it explores the multiverse more thoroughly.

someone who actually knows may be able to fill you in, but im buyin it for the simple reason they've given the ball to dini, bedard, mckeever, beechen et al, creators who will knock it out of the park. trust me, the first two issues were good reads

[shaxper]

By definition, Countdown probably won't accomplish much, plotwise. It's a year long setup for DC's next major event.

Storywise, it's a somewhat "anything goes in the current DCU continuity" title, free to focus on any character and tell almost any story. There are a few central plotlines involving Jason Todd, Jimmy Olson, Darkseid, the Pied Piper, Donna Troy, The Monitors, and a few others, but it's basically an ensemble title.

With such variety (in terms of protagonists, plotlines, and even creative teams), I don't see enough of an anchor to keep me reading consistantly, but I flip through each week and consider making a purchase. Any issue written by Dini or heavily featuring Jason Todd will probably earn my $2.99.

In terms of whatever plot points do end up occuring in Countdown, it will be easy to play catchup when the major event we're leading up to happens.

Oh, and if 52 taught us anything, it's that the trades that will be released a month after the title concludes will be cheaper, more space efficient, and easier to follow ;)

[PastePotPete]

I loved "52". Every week, a great issue of a great serial series. "52" was exciting as it was the first time DC Comics did a weekly series in a long time (ever?).

But DC also did a great job of promoting and billing "52". They promoted the book's premise well:

"A Year Without Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman" as well as, focusing on 6 lesser known characters in the DCU.

It also had a great premise, in that it takes place in a "missing" year. So that was an attractive appeal as well.

And there was always from the beginning, that "52" was leading-up to something BIG for the DC Universe. That was ultimately revealed as the re-emergence of the multi-verse. So "52" really had a lot of great reasons behind it for a fan to WANT to go out and buy it.

With all the convention hype and print ads, I guess I just didn't catch it...But what IS the premise behind "Countdown"?

Sure it deals with termed "second tier" characters. Sure it's also a weekly publication. And the title & issue numbering indicate there will be another BIG final issue.

But...what's the premise of Countdown?

No, you're right. The premise of Countdown is a little vague. Remember, 52 also had the Beatles of comic book writing teams on it as well. Lots of specific things that were different about 52.

I think Countdown is purposefully less defined. 52 had a lot of particular rules it had to follow because of the concept behind it. There couldn't be cliffhangers, really, because of the "real time" rule. Characters in the book couldn't appear in other books because it would spoil whether they made it out of 52 etc. etc.

So this time I think they wanted to open it up a little bit, have less restrictions on how the writers can tell the story.

But you're right, it's less "pitchable," now. It has less of a gimmick to it. Maybe it's because they trust the weekly format and they don't think they need to push the gimmicks quite as much.

Anyway, 52 had problems and Countdown looks like it's going to be far from perfect. But I had fun collecting 52 and I like some of the weird stuff they're going to try to do with Countdown. Flash rogues cuffed together and Jimmy Olsen being a main character. I love that kind of goofy crap.

[tk421atpost]

Simply put, the premise of Countdown is that it is a build up to the next big crossover event. They don't need a marketable tagline for the book because the title says it all.

[UniqueFrequency]

The premise is to make money and to make stories.


actually they may be doing this pretty well. as i posted on another thread:

Countdown #51 shows Mary Marvel in her current state, which leads readers like me curiously pondering about buying Trials

Countdown #50 shows Karate Kid vs Batman, which leads curious readers to check out the current JLA/JSA titles.

hmmmmm.

[captain_unimpressive]

The premise is:
We don't care if 52's over. You don't f^#@ing deserve that 10 bucks per month.

[blackphoenix]

It's Counting down to Crisis 3.

[brunofrankelli]

When it comes to comics, DC's always been home to me. But in recent years, I find I'd rather sleep on the streets than go back home. It's all this muddling up and mucking about. I'm one of those deeply wounded by the disrespect that the Superbuddies got. I haven't moved on. Pathetic? Maybe. Not much people care about that and they'll buy into whatever DC churns out as this year's big thing destined to change the comicbook landscape forever, until the next major crossover. Whatever.

I did hear a lot of good stuff about 52. That being said, I may pick that up in its tpb form. Sigh. I miss the BWAHAHAHAs.

[Conner_Kent]

Countdown is how many more issues before DC either buy back or cut a deal with the siegals to get Superboy back, and his re-debut in the comics after close to 2 years :D.......hey i can dream cant I?? LET ME DREAM!!!

[Punchy]

It was suggested in one of the DC Nation pages that Countdown will be the spine that stories in the DC Universe are built on for the next year. Personally I think a weekly all-inclusive type comic is a great idea, something to sort of hold every other title together. It looks like Countdown is not really going to be that per se seeing as how it has it's own specific storylines and characters, but it's still a good idea.

[captain_unimpressive]

I did hear a lot of good stuff about 52. That being said, I may pick that up in its tpb form. Sigh. I miss the BWAHAHAHAs.

There was one BWAHAHA in 52.
Week 52. But it happens years ago, so it doesn't really count.

[Captain Jim]

It actually appears to me that Countdown is a lot better thought through in advance than 52 was. In 52, they kind of made it up as they went along, and really ended up doing something different than what the series was supposed to be originally. And they ended up having to release all those WWIII books to tell the story that was *supposed* to be in 52.

As has already been said, it's counting down to the next major DC mega-event, which is being hyped as another Crisis. So far I've enjoyed it and, personally, think it's going to be a better and more focused story than 52. If you liked 52, I think you ought to pick it up, Joe.

[brunofrankelli]

It's Counting down to Crisis 3.

What in blazes is Crisis 3?!!! I mean, first they get rid of the multiverse, then they return the multiverse, what's Crisis 3? Get rid of it again? I don't get it. What is DC doing? Why is DC being such a money-hoarding corporate enti... nevermind. I think I just answered my question. bleh.

[Ian J.N.]

My pet theory is that one by one most, if not all, of DC's heroes will be removed from New Earth, either by death or by exile (or whatever). The larger ramifications will be explored in Countdown; the characters' stories play out in their titles. Everything leads up to the big event when the heroes come thundering back to save a universe in crisis.

52's premise was a world without Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Countdown expands that to include everyone else. "A world without heroes."

Anyway, my theories are usually wrong. The point I'm trying to make though is that Countdown isn't necessarily without concept. In the above scenario, DC would probably play it coy, letting readers discover the premise for themselves as the tension built.