Countdown: Arena #4 of 4

If I treat "Countdown: Arena" like a summer popcorn flick like "I, Robot" or "Armageddon" then I can say that it was a fun read. If, on the other hand, this is supposed to be a pivotal miniseries in the, as Dan Didio puts it, "Countdown" line of comics then I have to say, "huh?" Everything that happened here (and in sister series like "The Search for Ray Palmer") could have taken place in the main "Countdown to Final Crisis" weekly. Heck, if that had happened that book might even be better. Now, it was a fun mindless read. I'll give DC that, but it did not accomplish very much.

In the final analysis, I have to say that while this mini had a lot of action, it was much like eating sushi - good going down but I'm hunger ten minutes later.

Countdown Arena #3 of 4

Saving the best for last, my "Countdown" reading continues with "Countdown Arena". As compared to what is going on in "Justice League of America" issue #16 from this month, I'm not sure where "Countdown Arena" fits into the timeline. I say this because Tangent Flash shows up here and in "Justice League of America". If she's in the arena, then how is she over with the JLA. Once again, I'm not a continuity nut but stuff like this on an editorial driven story drives me nuts. The first two issues I would have the Wiki list of the 52 Earths up and cross reference who's who. I have given up hope of keeping track of all of the Earths and I just go with the story presented. Keith Champagne is presenting and interesting story and imbues each varying hereo with a unique personality. Although, the back and forth between the two Supermen gets a bit tedious. I do like the Zen-version of Superman, though. The fights are almost an afterthought as plot points are put into motion that should culminate in a wham bang finish to the miniseries. Scott McDaniel's art falls off a bit more this issue as it looks like he's rushing to get the issues completed.

With the exception of the continuity error and the rushed art, this was a decent read that provided some fun moments and a decent setup for the final chapter.

Countdown: Arena #2 of 4

It feels like writer Keith Champagne is having fun with
"Countdown: Arena" and it shows on the page. Champagne has fun with the characterization of the differing multiverse heroes and does a good job of giving each their own personality. It looks like we will be getting a few of face offs and issue with this issue covering Green Lantern, Blue Beetle, and the Ray. My favorite line of the whole issue is Champagne's tip of the hat to Frank Miller's "All Star Batman and Robin" Batman. Green "Bruce Wayne" Lantern of Earth-32 says "I'm the damn Green Lantern!"

Scott McDaniel's art is a bit of a step down from issue #1, but he does a good enough job capturing the differing styles for each of the Earths heroes. The fight scenes are easy to follow and nicely laid out.

There are only a couple of issues left and it remains to be seen where all of this is going. Some little tid bits are given out over the course of this issue but not enough to add up to much.

Countdown to Arena #1 of 4

First off, this issue is a fun read. The art from penciller Scott McDaniel, inker Andy Owens, and colorist Guy Major is excellent capturing the styles used for each Earth of the multiverse. Earth-12 (Batman Beyond), Earth-19 (Gotham by Gaslight), Earth-21 (New Frontier), and Earth-31 (Darker DC) are spotlighted here. With a little explanation from Monarch, the battles begin with Nightshade going first. Writer Keith Champagne is having fun with the different versions of DC heroes and has provided distinct personalities for each. I like his newly created bald Superman. The main fight this issue has three versions of Batman going at it. The action is presented nicely.

The fights are good and the interactions between the various versions are handled well. While this is really the equivalent of comic fast food, I enjoyed this issue and will be picking up the next three.

From DC Nation #89:
Earth-2: Home of the original Justice Society (first appearance 52 #52)
Earth-3: The Crime Society's world (first appearance 52 #52)
Earth-4: Home of the Charlton characters (first appearance 52 #52)
Earth-5: Home of the Fawcett (Shazam) characters (first appearance 52 #52)
Earth-8: World of Lord Havok and the Extremists (COUNTDOWN #29)
Earth-9: Tangent Universe (upcoming in TANGENT: SUPERMAN'S REIGN #1)
Earth-10: Home of the Quality (Freedom Fighters) characters (first appearance 52 #52)
Earth-11: World of reversed genders (ARENA #1 and THE SEARCH FOR RAY
PALMER: SUPERWOMAN/ BATWOMAN #1)
Earth-12: The Next Generation, beyond Batman (ARENA #1)
Earth-13: World of dark and arcane heroes (ARENA #1)
Earth-15: World of heroes realized (Donna Troy, Wonder Woman) (COUNTDOWN #30)
Earth-16: Home of the Super-Sons (ARENA #1)
Earth-17: A post WWIII, apocalyptic universe (first appearance 52 #52)
Earth-18: World of the Elseworld's JUSTICE RIDERS (ARENA #1)
Earth-19: World of Elseworld's GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT (THE SEARCH FOR RAY PALMER: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT #1)
Earth-21: World of Elseworld's NEW FRONTIER (ARENA #1)
Earth-22: Elseworld's KINGDOM COME Universe (first appearance 52 #52)
Earth-26: Universe of Captain Carrot and the Amazing Zoo Crew (CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK #1)
Earth-30: World of Elseworld's SUPERMAN: RED SON (COUNTDOWN #32)
Earth-32: World of Elseworld's BATMAN: DARKEST KNIGHT (ARENA #1)
Earth-34: World of Elseworld's AMAZONIA (ARENA #1)
Earth-37: World of Elseworld's THRILLKILLER (ARENA#1)
Earth-40: World of Elseworld's LIBERTY FILES (ARENA #1)
Earth-43: World of Elseworld's BATMAN: RED RAIN (THE SEARCH FOR RAY PALMER: RED RAIN #1)
Earth-48: Forerunner's world (COUNTDOWN #46)
Earth-50: Wildstorm Universe (first seen 52 #52)