Dan Didio's End of 2007 Newsrama Interview

Newsrama has a two-part interview with DC's Dan Didio. If you have heard him do a Q&A at a convention, it is pretty much the same type of interview. Part 1 can be found here. There are a few spoilers in the interview, but I was most interested in his responses to how the company felt "Countdown" went as compared to "The Sinestro Corps Wars". I felt the latter was the direction that the company should go in - big events that cover a family of titles vice the whole line. Geoff Johns stepped in during Part 2 and reaffirmed that this would be DC's direction for the Superman Family of titles. The story has quite a bit of art to go along with the words and I grab a couple that I thought were exciting.

I really hope that DC can pull it together with "Countdown to Final Crisis". Didio states that "Final Crisis" will be seven issues ending in December 2008 with two other miniseries in support. He also said this will not be impacting the monthlies. I'm not sure how they are going to accomplish that. After "Final Crisis" I'd like to see DC move away from DCU spanning crossovers and focus on strengthening their family of books. Geoff Johns struck a perfect note this year with the Green Lantern family and I'm looking forward to see what he does with the Superman titles.

Dan mentions that he really cares about the opinions of the fans that go to the LCS every Wednesday (or once a month) and purchase their books. I'm one of those guys. I go every Thursday or Friday and pick up my pull list - mostly DC. I want DC to succeed. I want Dan Didio to succeed. Yep, I want Dan Didio to succeed - as he goes so goes the DCU.

Here's looking forward to a strong year at DC.

Countdown to Final Crisis #23

The first half of this issue has the reader bouncing around catching up with all of the players that have been absent the last few issues. This issue is another step backwards in improving the series. It feels like this issue is there for stretching the story out.

Why are the Challengers here? They have all of those one shots they can deal with their plot line.
Why are the New Gods here? They have "The Death of the New Gods" for their story.
What is the importance of Piper & Trickster? Are they here just to get whacked?
What is the importance of Holly & Harley? That story has just gone nowhere.

The Karate Kid/Firestorm in Bludhaven plot has provide some good action and a good ending to this issue, but how does it all fit in. I'm ready to give up on this weekly. "52" was a compelling read that rose to the top of my weekly pull list. "Countdown to Final Crisis" has had some improvements but this issue misses the boat.