Countdown to Final Crisis #8

"Catch Up Issue" is how I would describe "Countdown to Final Crisis #8". After several action packed issues, Dini & company take a pause to catch readers up on what is going down. If this were a monthly series I would understand this, but being a weekly it just slows and extends the story that much longer. I guess DC editorial figured that with 8 issues left they needed a jumping on issue because nothing much happens here except for exposition about what has happened - lots & lots of talking heads. I could have just as easily skipped to the last page and not missed much. Carlos Magno's art is decent and is the highlight of the issue.

If you are looking for a jumping on point for this series, this is your issue. Otherwise, if you have already been reading this series, this is a pretty boring read.

Countdown to Final Crisis #22

The first few pages of issue #22 deal with Mary Marvel and Eclipso. On a whole I like what DC has done with the Eclipso character. I thought we were going to see the rise of a powerful Mary Marvel, but we get a whiney brat instead. I get it she has trust issues, lets move on.

The next plot deals with Jimmy Olsen. How he fits into all of this, I'm not sure. Is he the vessel for the dying New Gods? I don't know. I do know that continuity gaffs hurt this storyline. I've been reading "The Death of the New Gods" and I know that Mister Miracle is in subdued gray mode now. Here he is presented in full circus color mode. Also, at no time in "The Death of the New Gods" did Mister Miracle leave the company of Orion and Superman. When did he get the time to go meet up with Jimmy? I'm still looking for this plot line to add up to something interesting.

After a brief fifth dimension interlude we are treated to more "funny" gay jokes with Piper and Trickster. Both of these guys were great back in "The Flash" but know they are the punchline to "Countdown". The ending had me scratching my head and wondering why DC has spent so much time on these two.

The art isn't half bad but this issue was a step back from the past few weeks.

Countdown to Final Crisis #24

"Countdown" has received a facelift over the last few issues and has finally hit its stride as "Countdown to Final Crisis". Fresh off of his stint in the "Sinestro Corps War", Superman Prime makes an appearance here in a black suit reminiscent of Superman's post "Death of Superman/Return of Superman" uniform. Back in "Countdown to Final Crisis" #26, the story jumped to Earth-15 as a black clad individual grabbed a bald headed guy. Well, in the first few pages of this issue we see that it was Superman Prime grabbing Earth-15's Lex Luthor. For those keeping score, Earth-15 is the Earth where Zod is Superman. Prime works over this Earth keeping the same tone that Geoff John's established in the Sinestro Corps "Prime" one-shot. We also see story lines begin to merge as the Bludhaven/Firestorm intersects the Mary Marvel/Darkseid storyline. Both the Firestorm and Mary Marvel stories are handled quite well here.

Penciller Tom Derenick and inker Wayne Faucher's art is very good. I've never really heard of either of these guys, but they capture the action and present it in a dynamic manner. I'd like to see more from Derenick - if he can keep a monthly schedule.

I've gone from luke warm to warm on this series. Issue #26 was a good jumping on point for new readers. The last two issues have been good and the future is looking brighter.