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Mild Mannered Reviews - Specials

Countdown 2

Countdown to Final Crisis 2

Scheduled to arrive in stores: April 16, 2008

Cover date: April 16, 2008

"Darkseid Equals Death"

Writer: Paul Dini (head writer) and Keith Giffen (story consultant) with Sean McKeever
Penciller: Scott Kolins
Inker: Scott Kolins

Back-Up Story: "The Origin of Darkseid"
Write: Scott Beatty
Penciller: Ryan Sook
Inker: Ryan Sook

Reviewed by: Adam Dechanel

Click to enlarge


Metropolis is crashing down in pieces, during a Godzilla/Power Rangers style throw down between Darkseid and Turtle-Boy (Jimmy Olsen). Deep within Turtle-Boy lies the essence of the New Gods and Darkseid wants it back.

Deep within Jimmy, Ray Palmer is searching for what Darkseid seeks... a Soul Battery.

As old stoneface is about to strike the killing blow suddenly Jimmy shrinks to a powerless size. Ray found what he was looking for and a devastated God of Evil watches as Ray fulfills his prophecy as the key to the end of Countdown. The Souls of the New Gods fly out to unknown destinations and Darkseid prepares to unleash a terrible revenge... until a Boom Tube opens and Orion appears to complete his destiny.

The DCU's heroes race to help, Orion forbids their intervention while the two tussle.

The New Challengers attempt to intervene but Superman sides with his friend - this isn't their fight, it's a fight between father and son, between GODS.

The two fight with each a temporary victor.

Tirelessly they battle until Orion finally strikes victoriously killing his father.

Mortally wounded Orion limps away as Superman and the Challengers watch in shock.

Darkseid lies as a seared ribcage and nothing more and so they realize...

There came a day when the New Gods died...

TO BE CONCLUDED...

1Story - 1: No substance. Sure it had an amazing fight with a climax that shocked me...

...and puzzled me... Darkseid dies, as he has many times before... but aren't they his glowing eyes and rocky skin staring out at me in an advert for Final Crisis which starts in a few weeks? Then it gets me asking - what the hell is the point?

But really, Jimmy was wasted... after all his story development it was a 'Soul Battery' that though it stored the life of the New Gods was utterly undetectable... They also threw in Turtle-Boy for what, Dini or us?

I didn't read Death of the New Gods so the 'big reveal' here came across as a lame 'story saver', but at least for all Orion's talk he finally had the guts to put his money where his mouth is. Sigh... Please let it get better... Some of the very long-winded ties at least are done with...

4Art - 4: VERY Kirbyesque!

The art was very enjoyable and did its dandiest to bring to life a story essentially told in four pages. Great artwork for the death of Darkseid - shame it wasn't Superman that finally did it.

Back-Up Story: "The Origin of Darkseid"
Write: Scott Beatty
Penciller: Ryan Sook
Inker: Ryan Sook

When the old Gods died the vacuum of their planet spawned two opposing planets.

Apokolip and New Genesis.

Darkseid ruled over Apokolips with an iron fist, his deadly strength, evil mind and astounding Omega Beams giving him unparalleled control. With the new planet's existence at stake the leaders forged a pact of peace trading their firstborn sons as a show of good will. Little did Darkseid know his birth child Orion would one day become a deadly thorn in his side.

Locked in a stalemate, Darkseid turned his attention to the Anti Life equation and its existence on Earth. With his plots continually foiled by Superhero "Gods" of a sort. He tried discrediting the heroes of earth, he crushed the immortal forces of the Amazons and tried to corrupt its young heroes with manipulation.

But ultimately even with all his games and searches for power, Darkseid is not immortal and Orion has seen to that.

2Back-Up Story - 2: Though it solidifies the Fourth World series and Legends story line into continuity it doesn't do much else of anything. For DC's most evil villain this was a very dull account of his life and his schemes past and present.

5Back-Up Art - 5: Great artwork, sadly Sook wasn't given much to go with. A real shame as this guy illustrates Darkseid's pure evil with expert compositions, hope he comes to Superman books soon!

2Cover Art - 2: Six words... The Dark Side of Jimmy Olsen. Says it all really.

You think with the series coming to an end they'd have pulled out the stops cover wise.

It's loud, brash and bright but perhaps Orion ought to have been a part of it? Also the perspective doesn't really show you they are Megazord size...

Mild Mannered Reviews

2008

Note: Month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic went on sale.

January 2008

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