There's something else about this issue that stood out for me. This opening issue boasted a greater degree of design, of direction than we saw early on in 52. Sure, the quartet of writers behind Countdown's predecessor had a plan from the start, but there just seems to be a more focused quality at play here that sets it apart from 52. Perhaps certain lessons that were learned in the crafting of 52 are being applied here to arrive at a stronger product, or perhaps it's just wishful thinking on my part. In any case, I remain interested and look forward to the episodes to be released in the coming weeks. Read Full Review

This series is a decent start to what should be a great series. Dini needs to look at 52 and what did and did not work with that series and apply it to Countdown. Hopefully, DCs editorial team can maintain the Countdown storyline, which is now the main DC book, and reflect it throughout all of their related titles. Unlike 52, Countdown carries a $2.99 price tag, and I hope that the $155.48 I am going to spend on this series will be absolutely worth it in the end. After all, Ray Palmer, the solution to the great disaster, is also arguably the man who started it when his ex-wife killed Sue Dibny. Read Full Review

Still, this is just the opening chapter in a 52-chapter novel, so its too early to say anything of substance about this project other than Im intrigued by the reference to The Great Disaster and the possibility of visiting Earth Kamandi where we might get to see the one, true OMAC that Kirby created. Read Full Review

1. Now, dont get me wrong about Countdown #51. I think the good and the potential outweigh the bad and the detractions. The idea of the Monitors patrolling the Multiverse looking for line-jumpers and what-not is a good one, absolutely, and wanting to know what Ray Palmer, the long-lost Aton, could possibly have to do with an impending Great Disaster is enough to keep me around and curious. I can also assume that DC has learned many lessons from 52, not the least with storytelling, and I expect Countdown to be a culmination of all theyve learned. Im not concerned at all about them being able to keep it on a weekly schedule, but I am a bit trepidatious about all the other connecting DCU titles coming out on time. Maybe this series will be exactly what DC needs to streamline their efforts and get one of the greatest comic book companies back on a serious and timely schedule. Heres hoping. Countdown may prove to be too cool of a thing to mess up with late books. Read Full Review

Overall, Paul Dinis writing is passable and Jesus Saizs art (which I loved on Checkmate) serves the story well, making it easy to follow. The problem here, as Ive stated, is its just not very interesting. Much like how 52 kind of petered out near the end for me, Countdown starts off with a similar pace. Its a small recommendation, but if youre at all curious where DC is headed over the next year with their titles, youve got to start somewhere, and this is the one book thats going to be central to it all. Read Full Review

And for the record, its not that I was appeased by the diversity in 52s cast rather, the characters took precedence over their skin color so that race was a complete non-issue until actually given some thought. But for some reason, Countdowns narrow breed of characters sticks out like Randy Marsh on Wheel or Fortune, or Larry David on affirmative action, or Buffy on UPNs lineup point made? Read Full Review