Lead Feature Written by Adam Beechen. Lead Feature Art by Eddy Barrows; Julio Ferreira; Tanya Horie; Richard Horie; & Phil Bausman.
Back-Up Feature Written by Justin Gray. Back-Up Feature Art by Fabrizio Fiorentino; Tanya Horie; Richard Horie; & Rob Clark Jr.
Cover Art by Ivan Reis; Oclair Albert; & Rod Reis.
SUMMARY:
In this ten-issue series, DC Comics released this 52-page installment for December 2007. The 21-page lead feature is entitled “The Home Front: In the Time of the Plague.” In San Diego, Animal Man & his wife, Ellen, save a wounded Starfire and a terrified, young Maxine from their infected young son wielding a knife. Earth-based physicians initially suspect that Starfire is likely the alien carrier of the virus.
A emotionally-drained Ellen voices her marital suspicions re: Buddy’s feelings for a presently-powerless Starfire (who is also wary of her married friend’s feelings). With Lady Styx’s virus rapidly accumulating new disciples, an outmatched Animal Man and Starfire become trapped in an invisible bubble with this army of assailants by a large UFO.
On Rann, fugitive Adam Strange’s family desperately tries to escape the same virus rioting on their planet. Yet, Strange’s propensity for improvising miraculous heroics may have finally run out of luck.
At 17 pages, Forerunner’s ongoing back-up story is entitled “Part Three: The Realms of the Conjurors.” On a magic-dominated Earth-33, Forerunner is captured by its reality’s version of the JLA: the League of Shamans. Yet, a showdown is imminent once Dark Angel reveals her present disguise.
REVIEW:
Through there isn’t anything extraordinary about this issue, the lead feature possesses both solid storytelling and high-caliber visuals. As for Forerunner serial, her face-off vs. the League of Shamans is interesting. Even if the story can’t be described as memorable, there really isn’t anything wrong with it, either. It’s just middle-of-the-pack storytelling.
Countdown to Adventure # 3, as a whole, ensures a welcome read for 52/Countdown fans. Specifically, the dual storylines make some satisfactory progress.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
A standard “DC Nation” column includes cover reveals for Crime Bible # 1; DC Infinite Halloween Special # 1; Lord Havok & The Extremists # 1; and Countdown to Adventure # 4.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
