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.

Green Lantern Corps #20

Issue #20 comes across as an epilogue to the epilogue of "The Sinestro Corps War". The last issue showed the aftermath of the war and now we see the affect on both Guy and Kyle. This issue serves as more a character piece with Guy and Kyle trying to find their place in the world (universe). I like the secondary story dealing with Mongul's new found power with the Sinestro Corp ring. It is too bad that we have to wait until issue #23 for that story to come to the forefront. The art in this issue is a bit inconsistent. Gleason & Rollins cover is exceptional but the interiors aren't up to that standard with some of the pages looking rushed and Guy just not looking like Guy.

I put this book on my pull list at the start of "The Sinestro Corps Wars" and will keep up with it for a few more issues - at least until the Mongul story is complete. However, if Guy's bar is a central point and the series loses focus, it won't stay on my pull list for long.

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.