Countdown 14 spoilers!!!!!

[Samuraixsithlord]

The issue begins with Solomon telling Superman-Prime that the Earth that Monarch is attacking is his earth. SP flys off before he can kill Forerunner who plans on killing Solomon.

Kyle and Ray are looking for Donna who's dressed up as the wonder girl that she beat last issue and has infiltrated Queen Belthra's hive/palace. She attacks and beats Belthra in combat and is crowned the new queen by Beltha's bugs just as Kyle and Ray find her.

We then cut to the Bat-Bunker as Batman provides Jason with the Red Robin suit that he had made for his Jason before he died. They then go out and kill the shock troops who are attacking Gotham and chasing a Monitor. Batman kills Crime-Society Supergirl by forcing her to shallow a capsule of Liquid Kryptonite and Red Robin cuts out Superwoman's eyes. Theys save a monitor but are attacked by a larger group of Shock Troops that are killed by Donna's new insect army.

Monarch decides that he will kill the Monitor's himself when his sensors pick up something flying right at him. This Something is Superman-Prime who's pretty angry that Monarch is destroying his "world"

[Sean Walsh]

Would've been nice to have seen other plots move too, but this issue was well done. I'll miss the Woods/Denerick duo on this book, though.

[The Cool Thatguy]

So Jason's adopted a heroic ID, and cutting out people's eyes? Odd that.

However, I do think it's cool Superbrat's gonna defend this 'perfect' world. I always thought it would be awesome if he found a world where he was seen as a hero while the real heroes know the truth.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

Would've been nice to have seen other plots move too, but this issue was well done. I'll miss the Woods/Denerick duo on this book, though.

Agreed. Countdown has been pretty good lately.

I actually like Earth 51 Batman, and think he and Jason make a great team. The way they took out the Superwomen was great.

Can't wait for the Monarch/Prime fight! Plot device Armor vs Retcon Punch!

[Xero]

The Red Robin costume was originally posted by Salieri on the Newsarama forums here (http://forum.newsarama.com/showpost.php?p=5046597&postcount=26).

http://i26.tinypic.com/32zkkrq.jpg

[TheCrisisKid]

I loved the Red Robin part. I adore the costume and I hope he stays on that earth to fight crime with that batman.

Donna dressing up to fool the bug woman was cool.

I enjoyed the entire issue. This series is getting really good.

[Jack Zodiac]

So Jason's adopted a heroic ID, and cutting out people's eyes? Odd that.

However, I do think it's cool Superbrat's gonna defend this 'perfect' world. I always thought it would be awesome if he found a world where he was seen as a hero while the real heroes know the truth.

I don't know, giving him an Earth where all the heroes have been killed off seems cheap and contrary. He could've done that on any other Earth since he's got no qualms with killing people anyway. But I suppose a cheap ending to a cheap character's only fitting, and whatever gets him out of the DCU proper and keeps him out is fine by me.

And Jason's Red Robin now, eh? So, does this mean he's gonna stay on Earth-whateverthehell their on? Another easy way to write out a mistake for DC!

[Capt USA]

I seriously doubt that he would have considered this a perfect world when he got there, Batman had killed pretty much all the villains, the heroes were retired and content and he was upset at some of the worlds he visited that they didn't have any challenges.

[NotSuper]

But I suppose a cheap ending to a cheap character's only fitting, and whatever gets him out of the DCU proper and keeps him out is fine by me.
Prime isn't going anywhere as Geoff's getting him back sometime soon. He's going to be in the DCU for a long, long, long time.

Which is fine by me, as he's a great character.

[NotSuper]

I seriously doubt that he would have considered this a perfect world when he got there, Batman had killed pretty much all the villains, the heroes were retired and content and he was upset at some of the worlds he visited that they didn't have any challenges.
It's a little disappointing they had Prime's "perfect" world just be a copy of the mainstream DCU with the only change being no villains. I wanted to see Earth-Prime. But I guess they're saving that for Geoff. While Geoff didn't create Prime, the post-IC version is almost a completely different character than Maggin's version, and thus is Geoff's brainchild.

And really, Geoff should be the one to write it. Other writers (and, sadly, some fans) assume he's just an evil Superman and just have him do the standard "destroy everything" tactic used by villains. But Superman-Prime is most interesting when he's not just used to be a threat to the heroes or to make them look better. He works best when he has his own motives and his own twisted code.

[NotSuper]

However, I do think it's cool Superbrat's gonna defend this 'perfect' world. I always thought it would be awesome if he found a world where he was seen as a hero while the real heroes know the truth.
Kind of like the pre-Crisis Lexor (a planet where Luthor was a great hero and Superman was seen as a villain)? I've had that thought myself, and it could be interesting.

Although, if they had him accidently destroy his Earth (like Luthor accidently destroyed Lexor) it would be kind of clichéd.

[Choppa]

I have a feeling that this won't actually be the earth that Prime is looking for. It seemed like that Monitor was telling Prime whatever he could to get him away from them.

[matt_hatyber]

just like to say. TOLD YA SO! i knew that earth was superboy primes earth.

[gorosaurus]

I don't seen how one could cut out "invulnerable eyes". The muscles connecting the eyes to the skull should be invulnerable, as well.

[converge241]

I have a feeling that this won't actually be the earth that Prime is looking for. It seemed like that Monitor was telling Prime whatever he could to get him away from them.

exactly..he just wanted him the hell off his back

Prime's earth didnt have other heroes

[bfrank]

just like to say. TOLD YA SO! i knew that earth was superboy primes earth.

I don't think it was, hence forerunner's line to solomon......

[NotSuper]

Well, in Countdown, Prime isn't just looking for Earth-Prime. He's mentioned wanting to team up with other heroes, like Aquaman, who wouldn't exist on Earth-Prime. He clearly isn't just looking for his home. It seems to me that he's looking for both his original home and an Earth with perfect heroes.

Apparently, Earth-51 has all the heroes he wants, acting the way he thinks they should. Granted, he doesn't know about Batman killing all the villains yet.

So, to summarize, Earth-51 is Prime's perfect Earth, but not his home. He wants his home and a perfect Earth--which would mean two Earths.

[Raker616]

Please tell me that next issue SMP get his ass kicked by Monarch, because I might actually care for once what happens in Countdown.

[NotSuper]

Please tell me that next issue SMP get his ass kicked by Monarch, because I might actually care for once what happens in Countdown.
Other way around. Prime is going to own Monarch. No way he can beat a pre-Crisis Kryptonian with Guardian energy.

Good-bye, Monarch.

[Will.S]

Would've been nice to have seen other plots move too, but this issue was well done. I'll miss the Woods/Denerick duo on this book, though.
Yeah I'm going to REALLY miss that art team, they've worked wonders with the material so far. I hope the Countdown guys keep the coloring and art up to par because from 15 onwards it's been consistently better in the art and coloring dept.

The story is actually getting somewhere too which is amazing, I'm looking forward to the fight between Monarch and Superman Prime, I actually LIKE Solomon now, Red Robin is a cool and interesting costume with Earth 51 Batman and Donna Troy is even kicking some ass. I hope we get back to the Pied Piper and Jimmy Olsen story soon though, they've been neglected for a good bit now.

I loved the interplay between Earth 51 Batman and Jason as well, kind of goody and yet very disturbing at the same time. The fact that Batman called Jason "chum" got a chuckle out of me too.

Somehow Countdown has now become the book I most look forward to.

Other way around. Prime is going to own Monarch. No way he can beat a pre-Crisis Kryptonian with Guardian energy.

Good-bye, Monarch.
Monarch's been pretty much kicking everyone's ass in Arena, especially the Superman characters and throughout Countdown (although why the Forerunner was able to kick his ass I don't know).

[Jack Zodiac]

Prime isn't going anywhere as Geoff's getting him back sometime soon. He's going to be in the DCU for a long, long, long time.

Which is fine by me, as he's a great character.

Is this official, or baseless crap? Because I would love it if you were talking crap as I fervently hate the character and every appearance he's made since Crisis on Infinite Earths #12.

[matt_hatyber]

Is this official, or baseless crap? Because I would love it if you were talking crap as I fervently hate the character and every appearance he's made since Crisis on Infinite Earths #12.


geoff johns said hes writing a story with superboy prime in 2008, after final crisis is over.

[Archguru]

So according to every source out there, Kryptonians are only affected by kryptonite from their home universe. So, how was E51 Batman's "Vitamin K" able to effect E3 Supergirl?

And I second the question, how does RR cut out Superwoman's eyes?

There had to be two slightly less invulnerable villians for these two to take on.

[Sijo]

So according to every source out there, Kryptonians are only affected by kryptonite from their home universe. So, how was E51 Batman's "Vitamin K" able to effect E3 Supergirl?

And I second the question, how does RR cut out Superwoman's eyes?

There had to be two slightly less invulnerable villians for these two to take on.

Superwoman isn't Kryptonian, she's an Amazon.

On the other hand, Ultraman is made STRONGER by Kryptonite, so Ultragirl should too.

Not that anything matters these days; Dc just wants lots of blood and will get it even from the Superman-level characters. Call me up when they publish superhero comics again.

[brundlefly]

But I suppose a cheap ending to a cheap character's only fitting, and whatever gets him out of the DCU proper and keeps him out is fine by me.

And Jason's Red Robin now, eh? So, does this mean he's gonna stay on Earth-whateverthehell their on? Another easy way to write out a mistake for DC!

Totally agreed on both of those. If we can strand both of those jokers on this 'Earth-51' from now on, far away from the "main" DCU Earth and any interaction with it, then I'll be quite happy. Both those characters detract from any story they're involved in as opposed to adding anything to it, imo. Maybe Johns' 2008 story with S-Prime is set on this Earth-51? *crosses fingers* :D

In retrospect, now I'm glad that this new, redundant "Crime Society" was created post-IC if their purpose was to become henchmen for Monarch and then eventually get jobbed out as cannon fodder to Superbrat, Jason Todd, et al during Countdown. Would have been a waste to throw away the infinitely superior Crime Syndicate of Amerika from Morrison's Earth 2 in such a manner.

[Jack Zodiac]

geoff johns said hes writing a story with superboy prime in 2008, after final crisis is over.

I hope it's a two page story that ends with the entire Earth-51 universe exploding.

In retrospect, now I'm glad that this new, redundant "Crime Society" was created post-IC if their purpose was to become henchmen for Monarch and then eventually get jobbed out as cannon fodder to Superbrat, Jason Todd, et al during Countdown. Would have been a waste to throw away the infinitely superior Crime Syndicate of Amerika from Morrison's Earth 2 in such a manner.

Yeah, here's hopin' Morrison's Final Crisis hits the reboot button yet again and magics away all the stupid, unnecessary, uncreative !@#$ that's happened in Countdown.

[Interro]

Is this official, or baseless crap? Because I would love it if you were talking crap as I fervently hate the character and every appearance he's made since Crisis on Infinite Earths #12.
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=139577&highlight=geoff
NRAMA: OK, status of Superman Prime?

GJ: In the multiverse. When the Guardian was destroyed, Prime soaked up all the energy. And he's flying around in Countdown for a little bit. But I get him back pretty soon.

NRAMA: Pretty soon? Where?

GJ: Next year. In a... next year. In 2008.

NRAMA: In Green Lantern?

GJ: Nnnnnnnno. That's all I can say. [laughs] For now. I can't say anything else. But I always knew where I wanted to take Prime after Sinestro Corps. They wanted to use him in Countdown for a little bit, and then I get him back.

NRAMA: So the next Superman Prime story...

GJ: ... his next chapter is already planned.

NRAMA: And will be written by Geoff Johns.

GJ: Yeah. In a book I’m not currently writing.

That's okay, though. Your boundless rage over a fictional character specifically engineered to be unlikable is amusing.

[Jack Zodiac]

That's okay, though. Your boundless rage over a fictional character specifically engineered to be unlikable is amusing.

Really? You should look up barnyard porn sometime. Way more amusing.

[brundlefly]

Yeah, here's hopin' Morrison's Final Crisis hits the reboot button yet again and magics away all the stupid, unnecessary, uncreative !@#$ that's happened in Countdown.

Word. I was secretly hoping Morrison's sheparding of Final Crisis would mean the involvement (even if only peripherally) of his Earth-2 CSA. If he also returns the mishandled-for-the-past-few-years trio of Darkseid, Luthor, & Braniac to prime condition, then all my villain-fanboy hopes for FC will be fulfilled.

Back to Countdown: so does everyone assume the end result of Superbrat vs. Monarch next issue will be a stalemate or non-finish of some sort? S-Prime is "safe" for now if there's a 2008 Johns story planned for him, and I just don't see Monarch, who's been built up too much as a multiversal threat, taking a dirt nap with over ten issues still to go in Countdown.

[MaryEclipso]

So, to summarize, Earth-51 is Prime's perfect Earth, but not his home. He wants his home and a perfect Earth--which would mean two Earths.


I doubt his "perfect earth" exists anywhere except in his own imagination. Solomon simply used Prime's obsession to trick him into taking out Monarch.

Prime is exactly what Solomon described him as -- an abomination. He doesn't belong anywhere.

[Paperghost]

Anyone else have their eyes bleed when they saw that horrendously drawn "They're RUINING IT!!!" panel? Oh man. I don't know what the artist was thinking of, but wow - worst drawing ever. It's like the Super-Lovechild Liefields Cap America never had.

And anybody pick up on the colouring goof (where they coloured Red Robin to look like Batman), resulting in a page where it looks like Batman is talking to himself?

Whoops.

[Paul Dee]

Anyone else have their eyes bleed when they saw that horrendously drawn "They're RUINING IT!!!" panel? Oh man. I don't know what the artist was thinking of, but wow - worst drawing ever. It's like the Super-Lovechild Liefields Cap America never had.

That was horrendously bad, especially the elongated face.

And anybody pick up on the colouring goof (where they coloured Red Robin to look like Batman), resulting in a page where it looks like Batman is talking to himself?.


OH! That confused me so much, I genuinely couldn't figure it out. I thought it was all Batman because you see the grey of his costume beneath the front bit of his cape but the dialogue made me no sense from that point of view.

[Will.S]

OH! That confused me so much, I genuinely couldn't figure it out. I thought it was all Batman because you see the grey of his costume beneath the front bit of his cape but the dialogue made me no sense from that point of view.
Yeah that's weekly comics for you.

Countdown has had a number of mistakes so far, I even noticed a typo in one of the issues. As for the Tom Derenick art on Superman Prime, yeah he looked pretty bloated but maybe there was some point to that since Prime usually looks slimmer and more like a teenager.

[Paul Dee]

Countdown has had a number of mistakes so far, I even noticed a typo in one of the issues. As for the Tom Derenick art on Superman Prime, yeah he looked pretty bloated but maybe there was some point to that since Prime usually looks slimmer and more like a teenager.


Well, he's meant to look a little more filled-out now he's absorbed all this power and everything but the art was just godawful. Like his face is too animated for its own good

[Karl O'Neill]

Is this official, or baseless crap? Because I would love it if you were talking crap as I fervently hate the character and every appearance he's made since Crisis on Infinite Earths #12.

yes it is official mr zodiac,

johns said so in an interview at newsarama,

and by the way, i love every appearance of Superman prime since Crisis on infinite earths.

he is scary powerful and fans can't get enough of him:D

[jefseg77]

Couple Questions.

1. When did prime get that black costume?

2. Is he stronger than the regular Superman, because if not he wont last against the Monarch, the other Supermen got mopped up in Arena?

3. Is he supposed to look older now?

I missed about 20 issues of countdown and just started reading with the last three or so, did I miss all these things?

[Choppa]

Couple Questions.

1. When did prime get that black costume?

It hasn't been explained. He just showed up with it.



2. Is he stronger than the regular Superman, because if not he wont last against the Monarch, the other Supermen got mopped up in Arena?

I believe so, and he isn't vulnerable to the same stuff like magic or new earth's kryptonite


3. Is he supposed to look older now?

I missed about 20 issues of countdown and just started reading with the last three or so, did I miss all these things?

Yes, when he tried to kill that Guardian at the end of Sinestro Corps War, he was filled up with enery which has given him this "older" appearance.

Also he was aged in IC.

[jwd]

Couple Questions.

1. When did prime get that black costume?

2. Is he stronger than the regular Superman, because if not he wont last against the Monarch, the other Supermen got mopped up in Arena?

3. Is he supposed to look older now?

I missed about 20 issues of countdown and just started reading with the last three or so, did I miss all these things?

1. I think he first appeared with it in Countdown 30. He just showed up with it on. Before that he was in the Sinestro Corps War

2. Yes he seems to be a lot stronger. I think he's suppose to be Superman at Pre-Crisis power levels. The "capable of juggling planets" kind.

3. He's 19 according to a recent Countdown. Mxy mentioned he's gained so much energy its making him look older and he'll burn it up eventually. I'm not sure if that's what will happen or if Myx was messing with him or I just misunderstood.

[Angelo2113]

I have a feeling that this won't actually be the earth that Prime is looking for. It seemed like that Monitor was telling Prime whatever he could to get him away from them.

Yeah I agree because after Prime left Forerunner goes "well played". But I think it's awesome because we can finally see a Monarch and Prime battle.

[4thHorseman]

I thought this issue was crap. Woods didn't seem to draw any good action scenes, I thought they looked terrible. of course, like what was previously mentioned, some of the pencils of Prime looked bad and definately the red Robin/Batman inking goof. Dialogue was awful (getting tired of hearing Donna speak so crudely), cliche at times, and cheesy. Just a poor issue all around.

[NotSuper]

yes it is official mr zodiac,

johns said so in an interview at newsarama,

and by the way, i love every appearance of Superman prime since Crisis on infinite earths.

he is scary powerful and fans can't get enough of him:D
Damn right. Prime rules. :D

[botch]

Monarch's been pretty much kicking everyone's ass in Arena, especially the Superman characters and throughout Countdown (although why the Forerunner was able to kick his ass I don't know).

Those Superman characters did not have the powers of gods.

[botch]

Anyone else have their eyes bleed when they saw that horrendously drawn "They're RUINING IT!!!" panel? Oh man. I don't know what the artist was thinking of, but wow - worst drawing ever. It's like the Super-Lovechild Liefields Cap America never had.

And anybody pick up on the colouring goof (where they coloured Red Robin to look like Batman), resulting in a page where it looks like Batman is talking to himself?

Whoops.

a goof that confused me.

[botch]

Couple Questions.

1. When did prime get that black costume?

2. Is he stronger than the regular Superman, because if not he wont last against the Monarch, the other Supermen got mopped up in Arena?

3. Is he supposed to look older now?

I missed about 20 issues of countdown and just started reading with the last three or so, did I miss all these things?

1. no one knows.

2. Superboy prime is the most powerful dude in the DCM(multiverse) he is a remnant from the Silver Age and he has the powers of a God.

3. he is supposed to look older.

[botch]

best moment was Prime landing in Monarch's base. Monarch didn't plan for Prime. That was funny. thought it was just a missile, or something powerful that he could easily deal with. instead he gets the most powerful dude in the DC Multiverse pissed off at him.

[Choppa]

Why do people that Prime is "supposed to look older"? In IC the flashes kept him trapt in the speed force for a long time causing him to age. Isn't that why the flash who came back (bart I believe) is suddenly an adult?

[ZNOP]

Not for nothing but... There has got to be someone male or female that is as strong as Superman Prime.

[Paul Dee]

Why do people that Prime is "supposed to look older"? In IC the flashes kept him trapt in the speed force for a long time causing him to age. Isn't that why the flash who came back (bart I believe) is suddenly an adult?

Yeah, but he's aged in appearance a lot since the end of Infinite Crisis too (where, as you stated he aged a few years). It's just clear when you look at him, even if it's all just down to the fact he's a lot bulkier due to the absorbed energy thing

[Paul Newell]

Why do people that Prime is "supposed to look older"? In IC the flashes kept him trapt in the speed force for a long time causing him to age. Isn't that why the flash who came back (bart I believe) is suddenly an adult?
Because he changed at the end of the Sinestro War. He absorbed massive amounts of energy that bulked him up and made him look as he does now.

[matt_hatyber]

man that one part in the issue were they made red robins costume batmans, confused the heck out me. At that moment i thought they made batman talk to him self.

[gorosaurus]

Superwoman isn't Kryptonian, she's an Amazon.

On the other hand, Ultraman is made STRONGER by Kryptonite, so Ultragirl should too.

Not that anything matters these days; Dc just wants lots of blood and will get it even from the Superman-level characters. Call me up when they publish superhero comics again.

I thought the same thing , Sijo. I also thought " Since when do Amazons have heat vision?". DC is definitely getting sloppy. I still can't get over how under-powered the Crime Syndicate was when they fought the Jokester.
On a different subject, does anyone know who the character in the blue suit with the " DD" on it , on the full page that says "Metropolis" at the top? He looks a bit like Blue Falcon or Nighthawk in his first costume.

[David O Burcham]

I have to throw my hat in with the Superman Prime-lovers. He is THE perfect villain.

A whiney fanboy with super-powers.

Basically, Superman Prime is the kind of person who went into spastic fits when Dick Grayson became Nightwing and Peter Parker married Mary Jane.

If that's not a villain worthy of the "love to hate" title, I don't know what is.

[the4thpip]

I quite enjoyed this. Almost to my surprise. Probably the best issue so far.

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

I thought the Red Robin costume looked stupid. There's a chain restaurant in the mid-Atlantic called Red Robin, which is kind of like Dennys, and has a red robin mascot. He looks a lot like the restaurant mascot.

http://www.myfolsom.com/images/redrobin.gif

[Sean Walsh]

I thought the Red Robin costume looked stupid. There's a chain restaurant in the mid-Atlantic called Red Robin, which is kind of like Dennys, and has a red robin mascot. He looks a lot like the restaurant mascot.

http://www.myfolsom.com/images/redrobin.gif

Um.........yeah, DC's Red Robin looks nothing like this.

Though I do admit the Red Robin costume is a pretty big step down from the Red Hood costume he's been sporting since he made his presence known again.