52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen #6 of 6

When this "52" tie-in miniseries began, I wasn't enthralled. I actually got it by accident as my LCS throw it in my box because of "52" on my pull list. The first couple of issues didn't pull me in as writer Keith Giffen let the plot unfold slowly. With issue #3, though, I started to get into Giffen's Trinity tale. The final issue did not fail to disappoint. Giffen provides a very satisfying ending. The art team of Pat Olliffe & John Stanisci handles the action well. I like their renditions of the Doom Patrol, Wonder Woman, and Batman. I wasn't too fond of their Superman. From here they move onto "The All New Atom" and should do a fine job there.

If you didn't pick up the monthlies and you are looking for a decent Trinity series, get this in TPB. It isn't ground breaking work, but Giffen provides a fine story. Now that Giffen is exclusive to DC I look forward to seeing him on some high profile DC projects (other than "Countdown").

52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen #4 of 6

I'm truly a lazy comic buyer. I had "52" and now have "Countdown" on my pull list. My local comics shop, being good capitalists, generally pull any miniseries that have that tag line. I didn't much care for the first three issues of "52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen", but I continue to buy it. I mean - It is in my box. I might as well just get it. Well, issue #3 popped up this week and I must say that writer Keith Giffen has turned the corner on this. While it pales in comparison to "52" and doesn't really continue that story, it does try to wrap up the Four Horsemen storyline that set off Black Adam on his World War III rampage. I have always been a fan of Giffen but I felt the first three of issues of this were awkward and wordy. This issue, however, have the seeds laid in "52" and the first couple of issues bearing interesting fruit. I like Giffens use of Snapper Carr here and his characterization of the Trinity. Wonder Woman is a bad ass here. Batman's interactions with both Snapper and Superman are sharp and Superman while injured shows some brains behind the brawn.

While I like Mark Waid's version of Dr. Caulder over in "Brave and the Bold" better, I liked seeing the Doom Patrol in a real fight. While the art by penciller Pat Olliffe and inker Johan Stanisci isn't "knock you out" spectacular it does serve the story quite well. The character designs for the Four Horsemen are somehwhat goofy but Olliffe nails the Trinity and gets good emotion out of his art.

While this miniseries is not a must have, issue #4 takes the story and propels it forward with gusto. While I was ho-hum on this miniseries, Giffen won me over here and I'm looking forward to the closing chapters.

Countdown to Final Crisis #25

Action, Action, Action! "Countdown to Final Crisis" kicks into high gear this issue focusing on Karate Kid and his entourage in Bludhaven. Firestorm and the Atomic Knights show up and a battle ensues. Firestorm takes a while to realize he can do just about anything and takes care of business. I enjoyed this entire issue except for the three pages focusing on Piper and the Trickster. I get it Piper is gay. What this has to do with the story is a mystery, but the writers keep indulging in the urge to bring it up. Both of these characters were very good when utilized in "The Flash" and have been reduced to the Abbott and Costello of Countdown. Ron Lim's art is very good in this issue. I liked his Firestorm and Darseid. The final splash page has me looking forward to the next installment for the first time in this series.