Lead Feature Written by Adam Beechen. Lead Feature Art by Allan Goldman; Julio Ferreira; Jay Leisten; Tanya and Richard Horie; & Steve Wands.
Back-Up Tale Written by Justin Gray. Back-Up Tale Art by Fabrizio Fiorentino; Adam DeKraker; Tanya and Richard Horie; & Sal Cipriano.
Cover Art by Eddy Barrows; Oclair Albert; & Rod Reis.
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for March 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: Rescue Parts,” as Adam Strange, Starfire, & Animal Man star in a direct sequel to their 52 adventure.
On Rann, with their young daughter in tow, Adam Strange’s wife, Alanna, saves her unconscious husband from a death squad. She then teleports their family to Earth seeking the Justice League. In San Diego, a powerless Starfire and Buddy Baker/Animal Man’s wife, Ellen, set aside their strife to focus on somehow rescuing Buddy from dissection by the alien healers.
Joined by the Strange family, their makeshift assault-and-rescue team boards the healers’ vessel to save Buddy. Earth’s best hope of saving it from the Lady Styx virus is for Starfire to sufficiently recharge under Rann’s three suns to mass-release a solar-powered cure.
Entitled “Part Six: Love and War,” the 18-page back-up story has Viza Aziv (aka Forerunner) facing off vs. Thanagarian space cop, Golden Eagle, in hand-to-hand combat for her freedom. Emerging victorious, Forerunner claims her foe as an unwitting sex slave. Aboard her starship, she may have also drawn closer to Monarch to wreak lethal vengeance.
REVIEW:
Remaining consistent, both art squads deliver commendable efforts. As stated in other issue reviews for this series, DC doesn’t skimp on Countdown to Adventure’s visuals. However, writer Adam Beechen stumbles this time. Aside from the desperate, it-happens-only-in-comic-books illogic of the heroes’ commando strike (including the Stranges’ young daughter & Animal Man’s wife), Beechen’s plot twists become awfully convenient. Clearly, his storyline’s loose threads are meant to quickly converge prior to the series’ last two installments.
In a stunt similar to colleague Justin Gray’s Forerunner series, Beechen even throws in a profanity and cuts off young Aleea Strange repeating it verbatim at her mommy’s encouragement. It’s meant to be a cute gag for adults, but this joke could easily be construed as offensive.
As for Forerunner’s sixth installment, writer Justin Gray wastes his talents on this ‘sexy’ sci-fi/fantasy tripe that aims to please die-hard male fans only. Once again, DC doesn’t bother with a parental advisory; otherwise, the less said the better. Due to its contrived plotting, Countdown to Adventure # 6’s main feature loses momentum, but it’s still a far better read than Forerunner’s trashy story.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
In the “DC Nation” column, Senior Coordinating Editor Jann Jones shares her creative passion for Ambush Bug. Thumbnail cover reveals are for the penultimate Countdown to Adventure # 7; Action Comics # 861; Trials of Shazam # 11; and Batman # 673.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4 Stars
