Seeing the puzzle come together is always a fun moment in a comic. It makes past mistakes seem to make sense. Or at least I hope they do. Thats why my review is more glowing that I ordinarily give this title. Still, with four issues to go, I hope they dont run out of steam.

This review reads almost as grim as the comic. I don't mean it to be. After plowing through all that, you'll probably find it hard to believe that I liked this issue. But I wonder if that has more to do with the sense of it ending, or the quality of the issue itself.

Reading Whedon's dialog is a rush to a Buffy fan (and I own all seven Buffy seasons and all five Angel seasons on DVD). I can actually picture the actors reciting the crisp, funny quips. It's the fast-paced action sequences he has problems with. Perhaps with more judicious editing the problem can be cleared up as Season Eight goes along. With that, I give Buffy #4 two and bullets.

At the end of the story, these words fill the captions: There is a chain, between each and every one of us. And like the man said, you either feel its tug or you ignore it. The same words apply to the Buffyverse. Critical accolades showered down on the series since its inception, but few paid any attention. Dont ignore this issues pull.

Overall, Wolves at the Gate had an epic scope which I enjoyed. It felt like a two-part TV episode. Laughs were had, lives were lost, and Buffy experienced something that will forever change her. Thats a lot for a comic adaptation of a show. Normally stories like that are taboo, left for the official canon of the TV show to explore. In this case, its obvious that Joss Whedon is a guiding hand behind the comics. Hes leading his characters down ever-changing new paths, and I hope he continues to make bold moves.

So the question is this: will I continue to buy Countdown to Final Crisis? I dont think so. I think Ill keep this copy and file it just before Final Crisis in my long boxes so that I can refer to it when needed. Following it from this point on would still commit me to $75 dollars, and thats a hell of a lot for one story. Not to mention the trillions of spin-offs that seem to keep popping up.

That high rating doesn't mean that disappointment isn't looming in the future. I'm not saying that will happen either, but the possibility exists. I love the canvas this story is laid out on. I just hope no one defaces it by splashing a bucket of harsh paint over it. What the final conclusion will be is what has me excited about this series because I'm uncertain and feeling the tension.

Overall, an okay issue, but mostly average.

The art of Francis Manapul & Livesay (whoever or whatever that it) is pretty good, but its a bit scratchy and dirty for my tastes. People have strange lines showing up on their faces, and the guys look especially beat up. That said, its not a turnoff by any means. One thing that will get annoying over time actually looked pretty cool at first, until I realized Id be seeing it all the time since many Legion adventures take place in space. Thats the glowing eco-protection their flight rings supply. Their invisible transuits provided this back in the day, and allowed the characters to look like theyre supposed to look like.

Art is well done with several character expressions that are priceless and unique. In some ways, it reminds me of Jeff Moys tongues sticking out from the Archie Legion, and I mean that in a good way. In every group shot someone is doing something interesting and teen-like, be it drinking a soda, glaring at an annoyance, or just hanging their heads in shame.

The story shines pretty well too. Was it necessary? Perhaps not. So far, were finding out little nuggets of what happened to Spike after Los Angeles went to hell. Literally. Basically, it has to do with Spike watching over a conclave of humans who look to him for protection from the horrors all around them that they do not, and cannot, understand. Some of this has already been covered in the mother title, so why bother to do it again? Maybe because its an interesting story. Maybe because it reveals more about Spikes character. Its all hard to say, since were only two issues in. The main thrust is that Im planning on buying issue #3, and so forth, until this is done.

Does he succeed? I say yes. The few pages at the end with the teams are nice, filled with good character bits. Bedard picks up a few plot points left behind by Waid and runs with them, most notably Brainiac 5s relationship with Dream Girl. No one acts too out of character, but a few members seem to be leaning in new directions, which is okay in a title thats run as long as Legion. Things have to switch up a little to keep them interesting. The heart of the matter though is, can he keep it interesting? Thats the true Quest.

A story called The Quest for Cosmic Boy sounds epic to me. Two Legionnaires and some familiar guests walking around for twenty-odd pages leading up to a rather lame cliffhanger sounds like one big yawn. Or a prologue, perhaps. Sadly, last issue was the prologue, as this is the launch. My review of last issue called the true quest being whether Tony Bedard can keep things on the Legion interesting. After a promising start, Id say this one is a letdown.

Art this time was passable, but dark, dark, dark. I know theyre in an underground shelter, but the mood was foul. Perhaps thats why this reviewer cant muster much excitement. The book was just a downer. When the best moment is Tenzil Kem biting off someones fingersomethings wrong.

In one of the plethora of comics related message boards across the Internet, I ran into a discussion about appropriate comics for children. While there was nothing blatantly offensive in this issue, its dark tone was a turn-off. The art once again seemed drenched in darkness. At least Calero is his own inker. Id feel sorry for someone else if they had to add so many dark lines and blotches. For a Legion thats fun for children, Id point people towards Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century #6. I agree with Ray Tates review. That issue kicked ass. It told a tale of a Legion of Super-Heroes that was enjoyable and distinct, unlike this muddled mess were treading through now.

The next issue blurb teases the end of The Quest for Cosmic Boy. Ill wait and see then what kind of review I give the whole saga.

The worst part of all this is when Dream Girl says, I told you two days ago everything would be fine with Cosmic Boy! Dont worry about him. Dont waste time looking for him. Hell be back when the time is right. And what do you do? You cook up a manhunt! Thats how the quest turns out? Its all been fake? No danger whatsoever? I feel cheated.

Tony Bedards script held my interest. It moved quickly and gathered the players together nicely. It even had a couple panels of flashbacks, something I miss from the old days. The hobo on the train filled his purpose to allow for exposition without the use of text boxes. The opening splash page of Martha Kent getting incinerated made me wonder what kind of mess Countdown was spewing out until I realized it was a dream. But will I remain on Supergirl after the 2-part story ends? Doubtful.

Her chat with Karate Kid and Una about what happened during her Legion tenure and paradoxes and time travel was rather amusing. At the end, Supergirl goes off to join the Teen Titans. Im assuming that means her time with the Legion is now over. I guess Im okay with that. I always thought she was kind of shoehorned in there anyway. An S with the Legion is always welcome. Too bad theres no boy to take up the mantle.