COUNTING DOWN WITH MIKE MARTS: COUNTDOWN #45

[MattBrady]

Back for another week of DC’s Countdown with Editor Mike Marts…and special guest (and expert on all things Forerunner) Justin Gray.

But before we get rolling…a little something from Mike about credit where credit is due…

Thanks Matt - before we start in with our discussion on Countdown #45, we’d like to apologize to Tony Bedard—Tony was the co-writer with Paul Dini on this issue but unfortunately he wasn’t listed in the credits. Our sincerest apologies, Tony!

Onward…

Newsarama: Okay - big picture wise, and looking at the bigger picture of the series, would it be safe to say this issue was a pause for exposition? After all, we had the explanation of who Forerunner is, Jimmy's recap of the story so far and his explanation of the New Gods, and a recap of the Legion members in the present-day...

Mike Marts: While there were a few short pauses to explain things a little more thoroughly than usual, I don’t remember it being a conscious decision on our part. I think it was more a case of the natural progression of the story...the timing was right for Jimmy to recap who the New Gods are, etc. Let’s not forget, the bulk of this issue was the action-packed fight in Washington DC between Forerunner and Donna Troy…

NRAMA: Okay - into the issue...Justin, since you and Jimmy are credited with a lot of Forerunner’s groundwork...breaking it down from what we read, does each Monitor in each universe then have a world where the species to which Forerunner belongs is bred as a race of weapons?

Justin Gray: Nope, Forerunners are exclusive to Earth-34, the only such creatures in the Multiverse bred specifically by one overzealous Monitor. As you'll see in Countdown to Adventure this breeding process is a lot more complicated and comes with more than a few surprises genetically speaking. The idea was to create a character that was unique in the DCU. There's a lot more to her than first impressions would indicate - I never intended for her to be a throwaway plot point and luckily I can expand on who she is in Countdown to Adventure.

NRAMA: Are they kept as slaves, or do they come at the beck and call of the Monitors?

JG: The Forerunners are not slaves, but they're also not aware of what happens outside of their solar system or what the Monitors are planning. This particular Forerunner was "chosen" by the mastermind behind creating her race, while the others remain on their home world blissfully unaware that one of them has gone missing. Contrary to popular belief Forerunner isn't a new variation of the Harbinger and her abilities go beyond just running fast. Rule number one was that Forerunner had to evolve as a character, she has her own trials and problems and decisions to make as Countdown unfolds. As for the name, these are the forerunners of a new evolutionary species and by coincidence the Monitors intended for her to be the first wave of a much more terrifying threat.

In short, you'll learn everything you need to know in the first issue of Countdown To Adventure and then I build on that foundation for the rest of the story. I was very careful to make it accessible for people coming in cold and for those who are following Countdown. If you're just picking up CTA for the main story then I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by what Fabrizio and I are doing. Plus you'll get a tour of some of the Multiverse's most interesting earth variations! Oh and as a special treat for my friend Keith Giffen there's no decompression, just 17 pages of action, adventure and a dash of philosophy. Oh...and Nazi Batman! Oh...and some Starman magicians! And...more. Sorry, I'm excited. I'll go back to work now.

NRAMA: Hey wait – before you go…what kind of jobs are Forerunner’s race pulled in for?

JG: The assignment is to kill specific anomalies because Forerunners are among the most fearsome warriors in the Multiverse. They live in an environment that kills off the weakest of their kind and they've had to survive hundreds of wars. As a result there are only a small number of Forerunners in existence.

NRAMA: Jason and Donna nearly get greased by Forerunner, yet the Monitor stops her cold. Hey - what are the Monitors' powers anyway?

JG: There's a very complex relationship between the Monitors and their experimental race. Part of the inspiration comes from Wuxia stories where you have an elite group of fighters employed by an emperor or whatever and at some point the emperor fears that these people will rise up and take his throne. In this case the Monitors have installed a genetic failsafe to keep that from happening.

NRAMA: Over to you Mike - the Monitor that saved Jason and Donna - that's the good one, right? Well...yeah - he saved them after all, but is he the one we saw opposing the killing of the others earlier in the series?

Mike Marts: Yes, that is the same Monitor...and don’t worry, the “good” Monitor will get a name (of sorts) in an upcoming issue.

NRAMA: Is it safe to say that the "good" Monitor is the one for New Earth?

MM: That’s a pretty safe guess, yes.

NRAMA: Where does Forerunner go from here? Will we see her again in Countdown, or is she straight on to Countdown To Adventure?

JG: She makes a few more appearances before CTA that define her direction for the series and the main Countdown book. Like I said she's got to grow and make decisions that define who she is and where she fits into the DCU.

Okay – off to work.

NRAMA: Mike, with 52, there was always talk of the first few issues setting the stage, and then, things really taking off once all the players were where they were supposed to be. Is that similar to what we're seeing in Countdown's first few issues?

MM: No, with Countdown we took a different approach—we decided to blow #%&! up from the very first issue and never allow readers to catch their breath.

NRAMA: And finally for this week's ish - who was that checking out Forerunner at the end of the issue, and why's that specific character peeking in on her significant?

JG: Hey - can you wait a week?

NRAMA: Aren’t you supposed to be working?

MM: Check out next week’s cover for a (big) clue.

NRAMA: Over to the back-ups...how many more parts does Dan Jurgens have, and how closely should these be read by long-time fans? That is, are there changes or tweaks in the various histories?

MM: Dan Jurgens is writing and drawing twelve parts in all...and they are important to both new and old fans alike! Not only do they give an intensive look into the history of the Multiverse, but they provide some interesting clues to the future storylines of Countdown as well.

NRAMA: Which issue do the super villain origins begin in, and who do they start with?

MM: Issue #37...and it starts with Poison Ivy, written by Scott Beatty and drawn by Stephane Roux.

NRAMA: And next week? Take us home with a tease…

MM: Not much to tease aside from some all-telling art…next week is Countdown #44...written by Paul Dini and Adam Beechen, with art by Carlos Magno and a great cover by Ed Benes.

And that cover…

[braniac5]

Finally...some hot Monarch-on-Monitor action!

This...THIS is why the internet was created!

[calvin!]

that is a great cover

[JoeZhang]

A lot of people have been attacking countdown for being slow - others have defended it saying the first few issues are just set-up and it shouldn't be judged yet because it's too soon.

NRAMA: Mike, with 52, there was always talk of the first few issues setting the stage, and then, things really taking off once all the players were where they were supposed to be. Is that similar to what we're seeing in Countdown's first few issues?

MM: No, with Countdown we took a different approach—we decided to blow #%&! up from the very first issue and never allow readers to catch their breath.

Not taking sides - I'll allow the pros and antis to fight it out over that quote.

[holtom2000]

do you know how much it sucks to get your comics monthly?
(well, a lot of things suck where I live, so you think I'd be used to it)

[Knowbrainer]

Looks good to me. That cover is pretty awesome, too.

[Salieri]

Best. Monarch. Pic. EVER.

[rwe1138]

I wanna see a Bob the Monitor & Bob, Agent of Hydra crossover. Bobs unite!

[Jayfoot]

Did that look like Grace in the Amazon picture or is it just me?

[Zhen Dil Oloth]

Awesome cover.

Love that series more and more every issue.

[Cousin Cory]

Justin Gray says of Forerunner: "The assignment is to kill specific anomalies because Forerunners are among the most fearsome warriors in the Multiverse," yet she couldn't even kill Donna Troy and Jason Todd. Looks like instead of wasting all their time breeding Forerunners, the Monitors should have just hired themselves a Superman robot and a few hundred comic geeks with phones.

[elmenor]

I`m curious about Monarch, maybe things get interesting from now on.

[s*p rules]

Wonder Girl is sooo lucky...

[DBHughes]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

MM: No, with Countdown we took a different approach—we decided to blow from the very first issue and never allow readers to catch their breath.

There we go; I fixed the typo.

[Doc Whiskey]

I dont read DC all that much, but looked and sounded cool as hell PERIOUDDD

[CodeGuy]

Did DC give up on the redesigned statues for the Seven Deadly Sins?

[s*p rules]

Originally Posted by Cousin Cory

Justin Gray says of Forerunner: "The assignment is to kill specific anomalies because Forerunners are among the most fearsome warriors in the Multiverse," yet she couldn't even kill Donna Troy and Jason Todd. Looks like instead of wasting all their time breeding Forerunners, the Monitors should have just hired themselves a Superman robot and a few hundred comic geeks with phones.

Excellent point, but then he'd have to worry about DiDio undoing all their good work.

[achilles140]

Originally Posted by braniac5

Finally...some hot Monarch-on-Monitor action!

This...THIS is why the internet was created!

I thought it was for porn!

[Ravager]

Originally Posted by Cousin Cory

Looks like instead of wasting all their time breeding Forerunners, the Monitors should have just hired themselves a Superman robot and a few hundred comic geeks with phones.

That is awesome. I'm having it in my sig.


Love that monarch cover. Now heres my deal- i don't mind cap atom becoming monarch, but i would really hate it for him to become a bad guy....


Horrid Prediction: Well you know it looks as if DC is heading for another event? Maybe this is the equivalent of Zero Hour, as Hawk/Monarch/ Extant was a main baddie in that, as well as Parrallex. So i'm thinking - Cap Atom and Kyle are the antagonists for the next event, (possibly being manipulated by Darkseid into causing a 'great disaster'....) Say it ain't so DC!

[Grievous]

Great cover, i am really enjoying countdown.

[Gordon Lee]

I have been SO enjoying these interviews!

[ChristineEd]

Originally Posted by Jayfoot

Did that look like Grace in the Amazon picture or is it just me?

I think it's Holly.

[Skatonic10]

Originally Posted by JoeZhang

A lot of people have been attacking countdown for being slow - others have defended it saying the first few issues are just set-up and it shouldn't be judged yet because it's too soon.

Not taking sides - I'll allow the pros and antis to fight it out over that quote.

How much has really blown up since this thing started? I don't really find this series to be what it claimed to be before it came out. There's NO WAY its keeping pace with the rest of the DCU - at least it doesn't feel like that to me.

I keep buying this book on Wednesday. I read it on Thursday and go "ok". Then on Monday I decide not to buy it. Then on Wednesday I skip it in the store initially, but then decide to pick it up in case I miss something good. I don't think there was much to miss yet.

[Clem]

They say they kicked things off with a bang, blowing sh*t up as they go, but i honestly can't see where that applies.

They killed Duela Dent and Lightray? Nobody even knows who they are for the most part.

Personally, i've dropped Countdown. It took alot to resist the notion of a weekly, but i just couldn't see the point anymore.

[Ricardo]

Looks like Mariah Benes had some contribution in that cover. Gotta love these Brazilian siblings. What a gifted family.