Countdown #36 -Review

Counting down everything you NEED to know about Countdown #36!

9. Rubber Tree. I had higher hopes for issue #36 after seeing the solicited cover, admiring its witty, cheeky cleverness and its spotlighting of what has become the Countdown story to watch, in my opinion. I wasn’t terribly disappointed with the actual issue, happy to report, and Tony Bedard triumphantly joins Palmiotti & Gray as Countdown scribes who “get it.” Their track records to date are consistently good, and though this is only Bedard’s third outing on the series, he once again delivers moments and movements to ponder and savor.

8. The Ruining of the Bull. The cover was wisely designed this week as it showcases Mary Marvel and Zatanna, or as I like to call them, “The Duo That Could Save Countdown.” Though they only receive seven pages of story, for me they dominate the book. At first, the entire sequence can be very frustrating, for fans of Mary know that she isn’t that much of a brat and likewise, fans of Zatanna know that she isn’t that naïve. Zee seems to do exactly what she describes, “giving a loaded gun to a child,” but when she tells us that she believed, truly believed Mary could be some sort of “sorcery savant,” we see the caring hero we know her to be. She’s honestly interested in Mary’s welfare, that much is evident, and though she loosed a bull in a china shop, Zee knew it had to be her china shop that the bull would have to be trained in. Now, she’s taking some lumps for her beliefs. Mary, well, Mary’s “under the influence” we discover, and the thought rankles me. A golden child, a perfect heroine, an unsoiled soul, on the verge of a change she may not recover from. I’m not too thrilled that Eclipso suddenly shows up again without much in the way of buildup in the series, but it's an intriguing development that can only spell trouble for our magical heroines. Mary’s Countdown story has been noteworthy for its serious tone, its interesting locales, its dire mood, and its beat-down of one of the world’s most powerful magic-users. It was also sad to see Robin Williams torn in two. He prided himself on service.

7. Jason, Are You Looking in My Window? Once again the Palmernauts spin their wheels and are attacked by yet another strange group of beings. It’s particularly sad to have a character in the story, and one I dislike, voice my own thoughts: “…why the hell are we sticking around!?” Once there was a sense of Ray Palmer surrounding this story, a presence that spoke of a quest that mattered. That quest is now mired in quicksand, and the spirit of the original Atom has deserted it. “Bob” the Monitor seems useless, Donna Troy has no impact beyond being the only female in the group, and Ryan Choi is mere window-dressing. This story needs a shot of life. This story needs to travel to a new level, literally and figuratively. I have some hope for whomever has stolen Ryan’s “boom stick,” but it’s a very, very small hope.

6. Swords and Botany. Moving onto more positive things, the Rogues run offered up a few interesting tidbits…and one good ol’ explosive final page. This isn’t the first time I’ve gotten a kick out of Trickster’s antics, and he delivered once more with his quick-thinking dodge. It was just enough to sound reasonable to Poison Ivy, and it made me wonder who her new partner could be to inspire such hedging in her. We soon find out as big, bad Slade Wilson, Deathstroke, steps on stage. Deathstroke is what I call an “uh-oh” bad guy, meaning you know that when he appears, it usually means something very, very bad for someone else’s health. He makes an impact, an “uh-oh” when he appears – you know, like the feeling the Joker used to give us. Can’t imagine how Slade and Pamela hooked up, but I also can’t help but wonder if this has anything to do at all with the ‘Stroke’s appearance over in Justice League of America. Anyway, it was an interesting development that was made all the more explosive by the book following it up with…

5. “The Origin of Deathstroke”! I mean, it was like an epiphany of sorts – have a great “bum-bum-BUMM!” cliffhanger followed by an Origin of the character who just showed up! Don’t know Deathstroke? This is him. Don’t remember much about Deathstroke? Here’s a reminder. Know Deathstroke but can’t get enough of him? Here’s more! Hate Deathstroke? Well, you lose, I guess! I for one appreciated this cool connection, as I’ve never been too “up” on this guy and was glad for feeling much more secure in my elation at the story’s dénouement. Thanks, DC (though that “you’ll call me, right?” panel is creepy –brrr).

4. Here Come the Big Boss. Karate Kid leads his little lovely Legion lass on one helluva date and runs into a few Superman opponents along the way. I feel pretty tepid about this sequence, still sore at the leaps and bounds it made in logic and sense in previous issues, but I read along and was mildly amused by the proceedings. What could have been quite a cool karate-choppin’ panel with Val showin’ Equus why he’s the martial artist was painfully marred by poor art by Jim Calafiore and Jack Purcell. Their figures are choppy, not their karate moves, sadly. And Una? Just when we thought she couldn’t be more useless – she’s more useless. Apparently, her Legion training has all but been forgotten (as is her flight ring) and her stunningly high marks in Victim/Target 101 come to the fore. Time to ditch the skirt, Val.

3. Selective Memory Loss. Who am I forgetting? Holly Robinson? No, I didn’t miss her in the slightest this week. I know there was someone else in the book this time…had a page all to himself…tip of my tongue…huh. Nope, can’t think of it right now. Regardless, I know it was some fairly interesting scene that could have really benefited from a few more pages. You know, a scene that was potentially wild, a crazy set-up, the kind that you want to know more about but you only get one stupid tiny glimpse at…? Ah, well. No biggie.

2. Makin’ a List… The progress that first began to show on Countdown around issue #40 or so is in some evidence again this week. I’ve also learned that there are writers who seem to spark with the nutty assembling of this series, and there are those who make me feel as if it's just another book they write on occasion. I’m adding Tony Bedard to my very short list of names to sit up and take notice of on Countdown, and I’ll be placing some wishes of good things to come on his next go-round.

1. That About Just Barely Covers It. Oh, and DC, could we take a break from the cheesecake covers for a bit? That was, like, two in a row (and I liked this week’s), but I have to keep ‘em turned upside down at home, y’know…

Liftoff!

Major Tom to Ground Control: send up another Bedard script or two, some decent art, an issue dominated by one or possibly two of the stories, much, much more connection with everything, and a few unopened boxes of Bandai’s Classic Godzilla Selection (1955-1975) of miniature Godzilla dioramas sculpted by Sakai.