COUNTING DOWN WITH MIKE MARTS: WEEK 2

[MattBrady]

So - this week in Countdown…

Jimmy went hunting for Red Hood, and revealed to readers that not only does he know who the Red Hood is, he also knows who Nightwing is as well.

What?

Mary Marvel visited Madame Xanadu in search of her powers, or at least a road to get her powers back, readers of Justice League of America #8 had some serious déjà vu as Karate kid was introduced into the series, the Rogues are *this* close to planning to do something, the Joker played head games with Jimmy, and as we left things, Momma Olsen's favorite was about to be eaten up by Killer Croc.

Yeah.

Once again, time to hit up Countdown Editor Mike Marts for our weekly check in.

Newsarama: Mike, last week, we started off with how long you've been working on this project, mostly in secret. Let's jump ahead to now - take a look around your desk for us. Without revealing upcoming plot points, what're you working on related to Countdown right now?

Mike Marts: All right, let's take a look around the desk...in the last twenty-four hours, here is what's hit my inbox related to Countdown...color proofs from Guy Major on #47...second proofs for lettering on #46...the third script revision from Paul Dini for that same issue...cover inks from Terry and Rachel Dodson on #42...final pencils on #38 from artist Jesus Saiz...cover pencils and inks for #31 from one of Wildstorm's top artists...plot revision on #27 from writer Sean McKeever...and confirmation for the story conference call with Paul Dini on #26. How's that?

Click here for the full Q&A...

[Spaz_Monkey]

One of the thing i REALLY like so far is the subtle crossovers. We're starting to get a real timeline in the DCU, get an idea of when/how long different arcs take place.

And it's only been 2 issues so far, but I've decided that Countdown is going in my pull bag. Far as I'm concerned, it's a keeper!

[greenflameuk]

I really like the art on those pages for #49, a big improvement on this weeks issue.

[Moriarty]

Another week, another piquing of my interest. Very interesting stuff next week with the Monitors.

[jezor]

I liked 50 better than 51, but am really unsure how Jimmy Olsen can know who Jason Todd and Dick Grayson are but *not* know The Batman's secret identity. I'm glad at least that Marts acknowledges this needs to be addressed.

I've got very modest expectations for Countdown. I am just hoping that it helps explain some of the new DC continuity, and that it contains enough standalone story to make it worth the additional purchase each week. I'm here and hangin' on. {Prof. Jonathan}

[jedifish]

I'm really starting to get excited about some of the mysteries here.

So who's hand is it. Monarch? Anti-Monitor?

[dkc_2001]

Well, I'm thinking that must be Jason as Red Robin, since he's not shown in the Hood outfit on that teaser.

Oh, lord, we aren't getting the "Merge" that gave us the mess like Hawkman in Zero Hour are we?

[prolix]

52 was good enough to convince me to read Countdown, but there are several other reasons:
One of DC's recently-found strengths is the whodunit and there seems to be plenty of mystery in store. Add to that the fact that it is universe-wide and you just naturally pluck the heart strings of this fanboy. After all, this is the ultimate in "remaining true to continuity".
Did that make sense?

[blankpoint]

The art's really benefitted from the lack of Giffen's mundane layouts, I think.

[Clem]

I'm a big fan of the art on the first two issues, but that preview looks a tad ropey.

[Binker]

I cannot wait to get this, and the IC Series 2 Wonder Woman figure nezxt week.

[TedKordLives]

Originally Posted by blankpoint

The art's really benefitted from the lack of Giffen's mundane layouts, I think.

That's awesome, cause Giffen is actually doing layouts on this series too.



How could you have read anything relating to Countdown, and not realize that?


what a dope.

[thefourthman]

Originally Posted by TedKordLives

That's awesome, cause Giffen is actually doing layouts on this series too.



How could you have read anything relating to Countdown, and not realize that?


what a dope.

Actually, I'm pretty sure that Didio said that Giffen isn't on board until issue five or six, because of the overlap with 52.

[qnetter]

Originally Posted by TedKordLives

That's awesome, cause Giffen is actually doing layouts on this series too.

How could you have read anything relating to Countdown, and not realize that?

what a dope.

How could you be reading NEWSARAMA, and miss this in Didio's interview the other day?

NRAMA: Speaking of the production side of things, where’s Keith Giffen?

DD: Yeah – some people were noticing that. Keith’s not involved it the first few issues, because there was a period of overlap between the final issues of 52 and the beginning of Countdown. Unfortunately, because 52 was running so close to the wire on the final issues, it required all of Keith’s energies to make sure that book got turned around and met its deadlines. That was the priority to us at the time. So, you’ll start to see Keith’s name start to appear as we go on. I think he joins us with the fourth or sixth issue – it’s that whole counting backwards thing…I’m not sure. [laughs]

...too classy to point out who the real dope is here...

[TedKordLives]

I see.


Well, I have a strong policy of NOT reading anything Dan DiDio says.

So, comment withdrawn.

[Barnum01]

MM: There is so much more coming for Karate Kid...a journey that I'm sure no one is expecting. And I'd love to spoil some bits about the Legion, but Didio, Meltzer and Johns would break my neck. What I can say is that Karate Kid won't be alone on his journey...

As opposed to say breaking someone's neck for spoiling the big reveal at the end of 52. Glad to see Mike has a little more restraint than another person with the same first and last initial.

Regards

[rwe1138]

Hmm...is Mary in Khandaq?

[grantg]

I assumed the giant hand on the cover to #49 belonged to a monitor. However, looking at it again, I think that's the Monarch armor which means that's Captain Atom's hand!

Hooray! You gotta love Cap!

Also, from the preview pages...

Page one, panel 3 - Who is in the fourth monitor? Karate Kid, Nightwing, Supergirl and ???

[Speaker]

I'm a little biased, but I'm digging the slow burn of the beginning. The Croc cliffy seemed like a bit of a non-sequitor, but I only have to wait a week to resolve it. (I hope.)

[Colonsus]

Wow, the art on this title is already veering towards the toilet. If quality control on this is like that on the later issues of 52, readers are in for a looooong ride...

[rwe1138]

Originally Posted by grantg

Also, from the preview pages...

Page one, panel 3 - Who is in the fourth monitor? Karate Kid, Nightwing, Supergirl and ???

Some Legionaires. Braniac 5, Chameleon and...Cosmic Boy, I think.

[Spaz_Monkey]

Originally Posted by grantg

Page one, panel 3 - Who is in the fourth monitor? Karate Kid, Nightwing, Supergirl and ???

Looks like the Legion, or some variation of it.

Or maybe the Doom Patrol?

It's the green guy confusing me.

[TedKordLives]

That's the Waid/Kitson Legion. The Green Guy is Braniac 5.

[TCJohnson]

Originally Posted by Mike Marts

MM: That great action sequence from Calafiore is indeed "the fight" from the JLA/JSA crossover. We hope readers enjoyed this subtle crossover. Fortunately Paul Dini and the guys responsible for writing that issue-Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray-had Brad Meltzer's JLA script to work from fairly early on.

Originally Posted by Mike Marts

MM: Oh, you caught that...? We thought we were playing it fairly subtle, but hat's off to those who picked it up. This will have major story ramifications down the road-oh, wait-did I just give something else away?

This word he keeps using. I do not think it means what he thinks it means.

[MattBrady]

Originally Posted by TedKordLives

I see.


Well, I have a strong policy of NOT reading anything Dan DiDio says.

So, comment withdrawn.

then you might want to abstain from insulting others, and taking some kind of position of more knowledge.

Jeez - that little display was pathetic. Please knock it off.

MattB