There’s not much really I can say about Countdown #04. As I’ve already really made clear, I’ve found the series a dissappointment overall and I’m basically only sticking with it because there’s only a few issues to go. I’ll say this though. Jamal’s artwork was really nice this issue. And Darkseid waiting on Mary’s sofa was a classic moment. However Mary going evil again was just daft. We did this plotline and resolved it. And now its back for no real reason other than obviously “Mary is evil” was on the end of Countdown checklist.

And Earth-Kamandi is explained in pure exposition an issue after we left that storyline. That felt badly “oops we forgot to explain that” tacked on.

Is it too much to hope that this series can pull something out of its bag in its last couple of issues?

Whatever they do, 52 had the awesome “Booster Gold saves the Multiverse” ending. They’re not going to beat that. Especially with only 3 issues left.

Said way more than I intended to about Countdown there.

I’ve sung the praises of Peter Tomasi’s Nightwing run, and I’m going to do it again. Whereas Countdown (nuts I’m talking about it again) forces characters to contort themselves around its plot, Nightwing remains focused on great characterisation.

I don’t even care what the plot was. All I know was I read page after page of great dialogue between Nightwing and Robin. Peter Tomasi really nailed they’re relationship as brothers, and made the issue an absolute joy to read. My only complaint is that its another month till the next issue.

One thing I am looking forward to though, is seeing more of Nightwing’s day job. With this arc, Tomasi’s spent a lot of time re-establishing Nightwing’s place in the superhero community. He’s really brought out the idea that Nightwing is a focal point for all the heroes and teams and it works brilliantly. But now he’s established that, I hope we get an arc more focused on Dick Grayson’s new status quo to bring some balance.

Alternatively, another issue of Nightwing/Robin banter and I’ll be happy.

Hang on. Shazia? How did that happen?

Like just about everyone on the “You’re Fired” show, I’m amazed that Jenny didn’t get sacked. Shazia’s big mistake was probably the same as Nicholas’ last week. She should’ve defended herself better in the boardroom. However she was the one in the task who seemed most organised, and she was the only one who realised they should secure the irons before the boys got them (sadly, the boys were well ahead of them).

However, from watching the footage, its obvious just how shocked she was to be in the boardroom, which probably threw her chances of defending herself out of the window. Jenny’s team leadership was pretty much a disaster. She was divisive in the team from the beginning, leaving Lucinda without a task, and continually berating Lucinda for little reason. There was a clear clash of personalities there.

Lucinda’s only real mistake (which she was rightfully pulled up for) was not making the meeting. If it was deliberate though, I don’t think anyone could blame her. After the way Jenny had treated her I don’t think she could be blamed for thinking “stuff this”. Much like Nicholas last week, I think she could easily end up quite isolated, and ultimately I think she comes across as too nice to be in the competition (and I mean that in a good way).

The good thing is that unlike Katy last year (who was quite nasty behind people’s backs, but no one noticed until it was too late), I notice a couple of the girls seem to have Jenny’s cards marked. Primarily Sara it looks like.

Well done the boys though. Unlike last week, they just sailed through this task. I can’t remember the last time I saw a task go that right for a team. They didn’t seem to do anything wrong. Definitely a big episode for Raef and Simon, who both came out of it very well. Loads of people now seem to be picking Simon as an early contender for the win.

So, for a good while now, I’ve been a DC man.  I can’t really say when it happened.  Used to be big into Marvel when I first started getting into comics.  I bought Spider-Man during the Clone Saga (which I enjoyed - but I’ll agree it went on far longer than it should’ve), Iron Man, Deadpool, Heroes Reborn.   But at somepoint (well, for Spider-Man, it was when Aunt May was resurrected and Amazing #400 retconned) I slowly drifted over to DC.  But a good friend of mine is still a true believer and keeps me up-to-date with the goings on at Marvel (although I’ll admit to reading all Brubaker’s run on Captain America.  That’s comic book gold).

So, with the hype around Secret Invasion, and the artwork I enjoyed so much in Superman Birthright, I thought I’d check out the competition Final Crisis has.

Grant Morrison better have something special up his sleeves.   I’m a DC guy, but that was a phenomenal read.  Even as someone who hasn’t read much Marvel lately (albeit someone up-to-date on the current goings-on) even I was picking my jaw off the desk at some of the twists.

I’m definitely on board for the whole 8 issues (glad to see 8 issues and not 7 - recent events, *cough*Infinite Crisis*cough*, felt too rushed at 7 issues).

Of course, many recent events have proven that writing a killer first issue is only a fraction of the battle.   The afore-mentioned Infinite Crisis had a dynamite first issue as well (”This looks like a job for Superman!”), but fizzled out badly as it went on.   If Secret Invasion can maintain this level of quality though, DC should be a bit concerned.

My only concern: I looked at the checklist for tie in titles at the back and shook my head.   I’m intrigued to pick up some of them (both Avengers books at a minimum I’d have thought), but there’s no way I’m buying them all.  I fell into that trap with Infinite Crisis, and if the story can’t stand on its own 8 issues, then I’ll have a problem with it.