Lead Feature Written by Adam Beechen. Lead Feature Art by Allan Goldman; Julio Ferreira; Tanya and Richard Horie; & Rob Leigh.
Back-Up Tale Written by Justin Gray. Back-Up Tale Art by Fabrizio Fiorentino; Adam DeKraker; Tanya and Richard Horie; & Rob Leigh.
Cover Art by Eddy Barrows; Oclair Albert; & Rod Reis.
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for January 2008, this 48-page issue of the eight-part mini-series continues its split Countdown-related storylines. The 29-page lead feature is entitled “The Home Front: First, Do No Harm,” as Adam Strange, Starfire, & Animal Man star in a direct sequel to their 52 adventure.
On planet Rann, a fugitive Strange desperately evades his psychotic successor dubbed ‘Champ,’ and Rann’s soldiers, all infected in blind allegiance to Lady Styx. On Earth, friction occurs between Animal Man and a powerless Starfire, as they contend with this same mind-control virus claiming victims among San Diego’s public. The Teen Titans make a cameo appearance.
Entitled “Part Four: Friends and Foes,” the 18-page back-up story has Viza Aziv (aka Forerunner) on Earth-33 challenging her evil successor: Dark Angel. Encountering this world’s magical counterparts to some of DC’s heroes, Forerunner & Monarch experience a falling out. Forerunner’s training session with an armored back-up squad is observed by another reality’s Nazi Batman. The tale ends on a cliffhanger, as Monarch seemingly disposes of his top field agent.
REVIEW:
Both art squads are on their game, as the visuals deliver this issue’s best asset. However, the storytelling is undeniably geared towards DC’s die-hards. The lead feature pivoting between Strange’s thinking-man action hero predicament and Starfire & Animal Man’s escape from Lady Styx’s army of human pawns is well-played for what it is. Still, multiple reads probably aren’t necessary.
Forerunner’s Countdown: Arena-related serial holds far less appeal. Trying to decipher the various DC counterparts seen on this Earth-33 (plus a Nazi Batman seen later) is distracting enough, but there frankly isn’t one likable character to be found. If anything, DC is pushing too much screen time for Forerunner (and this incarnation of Monarch). Another turn-off in Justin Gray’s script is the unnecessary use of a five-letter profanity — suffice to say, it adds nothing to an overindulgent sub-plot. Parental Note: Gray resorts to this same word a few times throughout Forerunner’s mini-series.
Countdown to Adventure # 4’s feature story is a good read, but Forerunner’s tale falls well short on entertainment value.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
In his “DC Nation” column, Dan DiDio catalogs half of the known Earths in DC’s new 52-world multiverse (mostly various Elseworlds alternate realities). Thumbnail cover reveals are for Countdown to Adventure # 5; Green Lantern {Hal Jordan} # 25; Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Ion # 1; and Countdown Presents: Red Rain # 1.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
