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Final Crisis (Collected Editions)
Countdown to Final Crisis, Vol. 2
The second of four volumes, this title collects the incredible tale starring Jimmy Olsen, Mary Marvel, Karate Kid, and the major characters of the DC Universe.
This volume collects COUNTDOWN #38-26.
This volume collects COUNTDOWN #38-26.
296 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2008
6 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Paul Dini
703books694followersPaul Dini is an American television producer of animated cartoons. He is best known as a producer and writer for several Warner Bros./DC Comics series, including Star Wars: Ewoks, Tiny Toon Adventures, Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, The New Batman/Superman Adventures, Batman Beyond and Duck Dodgers. He also developed and scripted Krypto the Superdog and contributed scripts to Animaniacs (he created Minerva Mink), Freakazoid, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. After leaving Warner Bros. In early 2004, Dini went on to write and story edit the popular ABC adventure series Lost.
Paul Dini was born in New York City. He attended the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, California on an art scholarship. He attended Emerson College in Boston, where he earned a BFA degree in creative writing. (He also took zoology classes at Harvard University.)
During college, he began doing freelance animation scripts for Filmation, and a number of other studios. In 1984, he was hired to work for George Lucas on several of his animation projects.
The episodes of the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon that were written by Dini have become favorites amongst the show's fans over the internet, although despite this as well as contributing to interviews on the released box sets of the series, Dini has made no secret of his distaste for Filmation and the He-Man concept. He also wrote an episode of the Generation One Transformers cartoon series and contributed to various episodes of the Ewoks animated series, several of which included rare appearances from the Empire.
In 1989, he was hired at Warner Bros. Animation to work on Tiny Toon Adventures. Later, he moved onto Batman: The Animated Series, where he worked as a writer, producer and editor, later working on Batman Beyond. He continued working with WB animation, working on a number of internal projects, including Krypto the Superdog and Duck Dodgers, until 2004.
He has earned five Emmy awards for his animation work. In a related effort, Dini was also the co-author (with Chip Kidd) of Batman Animated, a 1998 non-fiction coffee table book about the animated Batman franchise.
Dini has also written several comics stories for DC Comics, including an acclaimed oversized graphic novel series illustrated by painter Alex Ross. (A hardcover collection of the Dini and Ross stories was published in late summer 2005 under the title The World's Greatest Superheroes.) Other books written by Dini for DC have featured his Batman Animated creation Harley Quinn as well as classic characters Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel and Zatanna.
Best known among Dini's original creations is Jingle Belle, the rebellious teen-age daughter of Santa Claus. Dini also created Sheriff Ida Red, the super-powered cowgirl star of a series of books set in Dini's mythical town of Mutant, Texas. Perhaps his greatest character contribution is the introduction of Harley Quinn (along with designs by Bruce Timm) on Batman: The Animated Series.
In 2001 Dini made a cameo appearance in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back during the scene in which Jay and Silent Bob wear ridiculous looking costumes for a film being directed by Chris Rock, in which Dini says to them "you guys look pretty bad ass".
In 2006, Dini became the writer for DC Comics' Detective Comics. That same year, he announced that he was writing a hardcover graphic novel starring Zatanna and Black Canary. In 2007, he was announced as the head writer of that company's weekly series, Countdown. Paul Dini is currently co-writing the script for the upcoming Gatchaman movie. Dini is also currently writing a series for Top Cow Productions, based in a character he created, Madame Mirage.
Paul Dini is an active cryptozoologist, hunter and wildlife photographer. On a 1985 trip to Tasmania, he had a possible sighting of a Thylacine. He has also encountered a number of venomous snakes, a Komodo Dragon and a charging Sumatran Rhi
Paul Dini was born in New York City. He attended the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, California on an art scholarship. He attended Emerson College in Boston, where he earned a BFA degree in creative writing. (He also took zoology classes at Harvard University.)
During college, he began doing freelance animation scripts for Filmation, and a number of other studios. In 1984, he was hired to work for George Lucas on several of his animation projects.
The episodes of the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon that were written by Dini have become favorites amongst the show's fans over the internet, although despite this as well as contributing to interviews on the released box sets of the series, Dini has made no secret of his distaste for Filmation and the He-Man concept. He also wrote an episode of the Generation One Transformers cartoon series and contributed to various episodes of the Ewoks animated series, several of which included rare appearances from the Empire.
In 1989, he was hired at Warner Bros. Animation to work on Tiny Toon Adventures. Later, he moved onto Batman: The Animated Series, where he worked as a writer, producer and editor, later working on Batman Beyond. He continued working with WB animation, working on a number of internal projects, including Krypto the Superdog and Duck Dodgers, until 2004.
He has earned five Emmy awards for his animation work. In a related effort, Dini was also the co-author (with Chip Kidd) of Batman Animated, a 1998 non-fiction coffee table book about the animated Batman franchise.
Dini has also written several comics stories for DC Comics, including an acclaimed oversized graphic novel series illustrated by painter Alex Ross. (A hardcover collection of the Dini and Ross stories was published in late summer 2005 under the title The World's Greatest Superheroes.) Other books written by Dini for DC have featured his Batman Animated creation Harley Quinn as well as classic characters Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel and Zatanna.
Best known among Dini's original creations is Jingle Belle, the rebellious teen-age daughter of Santa Claus. Dini also created Sheriff Ida Red, the super-powered cowgirl star of a series of books set in Dini's mythical town of Mutant, Texas. Perhaps his greatest character contribution is the introduction of Harley Quinn (along with designs by Bruce Timm) on Batman: The Animated Series.
In 2001 Dini made a cameo appearance in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back during the scene in which Jay and Silent Bob wear ridiculous looking costumes for a film being directed by Chris Rock, in which Dini says to them "you guys look pretty bad ass".
In 2006, Dini became the writer for DC Comics' Detective Comics. That same year, he announced that he was writing a hardcover graphic novel starring Zatanna and Black Canary. In 2007, he was announced as the head writer of that company's weekly series, Countdown. Paul Dini is currently co-writing the script for the upcoming Gatchaman movie. Dini is also currently writing a series for Top Cow Productions, based in a character he created, Madame Mirage.
Paul Dini is an active cryptozoologist, hunter and wildlife photographer. On a 1985 trip to Tasmania, he had a possible sighting of a Thylacine. He has also encountered a number of venomous snakes, a Komodo Dragon and a charging Sumatran Rhi
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 2, 2012
I don't know how it's possible, but this book series actually got worse.
May 18, 2017
I like this series. Maybe it's because I'm reading it quickly rather than over 52 weeks?
July 13, 2020
It's better than I expected so far...
July 15, 2019
More of the same from volume one, with an extra helping of breaking Mary Marvel as a character for no immediate identifiable reason.
Also, aren't the New Gods supposed to tie into this somehow? Isn't that the big Crisis we're building to?
And yet I keep reading it?
Also, aren't the New Gods supposed to tie into this somehow? Isn't that the big Crisis we're building to?
And yet I keep reading it?
January 5, 2015
Once again I seem to be on my own when I say I enjoyed this book. As I stated its not as perfect as its predecessor of sorts, "52", but it's still an intriguing read so far. The only way I can see this getting terrible is if the climax is disappointing, which I'm not ruling out, but I'm not going to let that ruin my experience.
People complain that there are far too many characters in this to make it readable, but I didn't find this the case at all. Every story seems to be building to one point, but it's still unclear what that point is. As of the end of this volume we still have no idea what's pulling all of these seemingly unrelated events together.
All the stories seem to be moving forward nicely. Of course some are more exciting than others and some have some writing holes in there, but you know what, I didn't mind. I have previously not had any introduction to most characters like Mary Marvel, Karate Kid, Pied Piper/Trickster and Holly Robinson, but I'm finding I'm liking most of them so far. Well I'm not hating any of them so that's a good thing right? There are a few issues where (I'm guessing) cross over from other titles at the time this took place. The issue with Black Canary's hens do and wedding are the most prominent. I haven't read that book, but I could gather what was going on never-the-less.
I love big series like this that have a bunch of characters. Especially when the multiverse is concerned. There were some very cool run in's with other universe counterparts, my favourite being Earth-15 with Jason Todd as Batman and Earth-3's Crime Society. For some it might be confusing, but I found it awesome. For the most part the art is also really good, a few issues are a bit meh but nothing terrible.
If you enjoy big build ups with multiple stories intertwining then give this a go. I already ordered volume 3, but I can't find the 4th and last instalment anywhere. Well anywhere thy isn't WAAAAAYYYYYYY overpriced. Hopefully I find the needle in the haystack with that one!
People complain that there are far too many characters in this to make it readable, but I didn't find this the case at all. Every story seems to be building to one point, but it's still unclear what that point is. As of the end of this volume we still have no idea what's pulling all of these seemingly unrelated events together.
All the stories seem to be moving forward nicely. Of course some are more exciting than others and some have some writing holes in there, but you know what, I didn't mind. I have previously not had any introduction to most characters like Mary Marvel, Karate Kid, Pied Piper/Trickster and Holly Robinson, but I'm finding I'm liking most of them so far. Well I'm not hating any of them so that's a good thing right? There are a few issues where (I'm guessing) cross over from other titles at the time this took place. The issue with Black Canary's hens do and wedding are the most prominent. I haven't read that book, but I could gather what was going on never-the-less.
I love big series like this that have a bunch of characters. Especially when the multiverse is concerned. There were some very cool run in's with other universe counterparts, my favourite being Earth-15 with Jason Todd as Batman and Earth-3's Crime Society. For some it might be confusing, but I found it awesome. For the most part the art is also really good, a few issues are a bit meh but nothing terrible.
If you enjoy big build ups with multiple stories intertwining then give this a go. I already ordered volume 3, but I can't find the 4th and last instalment anywhere. Well anywhere thy isn't WAAAAAYYYYYYY overpriced. Hopefully I find the needle in the haystack with that one!
September 26, 2015
I can understand this tale was quite the undertaking, focusing on so many characters through a weekly title. But then that doesn't excuse the poor quality, as theres too many characters to focus on, failing to deliver storylines you'll want to read to the end.
January 27, 2012
Sigh. No better or more engaging than the first volume. It's a huge undertaking, and I give them credit for that... It's just falling flat far more often than not.
May 23, 2020
Here’s where things really become interesting...!
The last issue in this volume is a handy summary of what’s been happening, in case any readers are still wondering, so it’s a great way to end it. The rest of the volume tosses the reader on a chaotic journey partially immersed in a myriad of companion series. I think part of what made Countdown, and Final Crisis itself, so difficult to enjoy was “event fatigue,� not merely the sheer breadth of material DC presented but the apparent need to read all of it. I did read much of it, at the time, so maybe it helps me gloss over, and not particularly worry about, the other things happening along the way. Most of it wasn’t hugely essential anyway, just interesting storytelling possibilities, the way Marvel handled Hickman’s Secret Wars, which was an expanded version of DC’s Convergence (which, by the way, was sort of an extension, as it turned out, of Earth 2: World’s End, a weekly companion to Earth 2 itself; this is how comics work, folks). Anyway, with event comics happening all the time, fans have increasingly grown tired of them. They used to be era-defining. Now they’re just a hassle. DC had, beginning with Infinite Crisis, come out with so many companion comics, which Countdown continued, it was probably just about the last straw.
But again, Countdown itself works better than it might seem. It’s not 52. It’s the DC landscape in all its messy glory, and increasingly, DC as perhaps Jack Kirby might have envisioned it, given half the chance. He got a quarter of a chance with his New Gods, which left a lasting impression on the landscape, but other than them, all his other ideas for decades existed, if at all, on the fringes. Countdown, like 52, is a story about the fringes, but in a more comprehensive fashion, with a few more recognizable elements, and connecting to more recognizable events. Jean Loring, for instance, shows up finally. Loring famously turned villain in Brad Meltzer’s Identity Crisis. It’s no coincidence that her ex, Ray Palmer, the Atom, is being sought in Countdown, the first and all but the last time to date either of them, like Ralph Dibney in 52, will get to spend time in the sandbox.
The major DC material Countdown intersects with this volume (because that was one of its goals) was the wedding of Green Arrow and Black Canary. Seems like ages ago that happened! Doesn’t help that the New 52 reboot sort of erased it, and we still haven’t back to it yet...
A major supporting character for the rest of Countdown, Forager, makes her debut this volume, too. It may seem like nothing is happening, but that’s simply not true. Characters keep referencing “the Great Disaster,� another key element of Jack Kirby lore. That’s the crux of this whole thing. In the final volume will be Countdown’s best material, a brilliant version of Kamandi’s secret origin.
And there’s still plenty of interesting material before we get there...
The last issue in this volume is a handy summary of what’s been happening, in case any readers are still wondering, so it’s a great way to end it. The rest of the volume tosses the reader on a chaotic journey partially immersed in a myriad of companion series. I think part of what made Countdown, and Final Crisis itself, so difficult to enjoy was “event fatigue,� not merely the sheer breadth of material DC presented but the apparent need to read all of it. I did read much of it, at the time, so maybe it helps me gloss over, and not particularly worry about, the other things happening along the way. Most of it wasn’t hugely essential anyway, just interesting storytelling possibilities, the way Marvel handled Hickman’s Secret Wars, which was an expanded version of DC’s Convergence (which, by the way, was sort of an extension, as it turned out, of Earth 2: World’s End, a weekly companion to Earth 2 itself; this is how comics work, folks). Anyway, with event comics happening all the time, fans have increasingly grown tired of them. They used to be era-defining. Now they’re just a hassle. DC had, beginning with Infinite Crisis, come out with so many companion comics, which Countdown continued, it was probably just about the last straw.
But again, Countdown itself works better than it might seem. It’s not 52. It’s the DC landscape in all its messy glory, and increasingly, DC as perhaps Jack Kirby might have envisioned it, given half the chance. He got a quarter of a chance with his New Gods, which left a lasting impression on the landscape, but other than them, all his other ideas for decades existed, if at all, on the fringes. Countdown, like 52, is a story about the fringes, but in a more comprehensive fashion, with a few more recognizable elements, and connecting to more recognizable events. Jean Loring, for instance, shows up finally. Loring famously turned villain in Brad Meltzer’s Identity Crisis. It’s no coincidence that her ex, Ray Palmer, the Atom, is being sought in Countdown, the first and all but the last time to date either of them, like Ralph Dibney in 52, will get to spend time in the sandbox.
The major DC material Countdown intersects with this volume (because that was one of its goals) was the wedding of Green Arrow and Black Canary. Seems like ages ago that happened! Doesn’t help that the New 52 reboot sort of erased it, and we still haven’t back to it yet...
A major supporting character for the rest of Countdown, Forager, makes her debut this volume, too. It may seem like nothing is happening, but that’s simply not true. Characters keep referencing “the Great Disaster,� another key element of Jack Kirby lore. That’s the crux of this whole thing. In the final volume will be Countdown’s best material, a brilliant version of Kamandi’s secret origin.
And there’s still plenty of interesting material before we get there...
September 5, 2017
As I said before I really loved re-reading 52, it still holds up as an really well plotted, well written story. I guess it was really successful at the time to and that was why the decided to do the whole weekly thing again. Why not... well maybe because they probably planned 52 for a lot longer than they did this and so it all forms a great complete story. This on the other hand has some great parts to it, I do like the Piper and Trickster sections and their search for the other villains (read Salvation Run for that story) and I like the way Mary Marvel is manipulated and becomes more 'villainous' but some parts are really dragged out and just don't work, and there the whole thing really drags. The Karate Kid storyline is boring, mainly because it doesn't seem to be strong enough to cover the amount of issues they want it to. Most of the time nothing happens at all.
On the upside there is only two more volumes to reread and then I can sell them off never to be seen again!
On the upside there is only two more volumes to reread and then I can sell them off never to be seen again!
May 3, 2020
The story is starting to make more sense to me in this volume but it's still a bit confusing with all the stories going on in different universes. Jimmy Olsen is trying to find out about his new powers. Mary marvel is being controlled and her powers are way too much for her to handle. Pied Piper and the Trickster are fleeing and shackled together. Holly Robinson and Harley Quinn end up in an Amazon battle in a surprise initiation. Karate Kid is carrying a virus that none can help him with. Donna Troy and Jason Todd have banded with a monitor they named Bob as they fight in the multiuniverses. There's a lot going on, a lot to follow....but it's all fun and interesting. All are heading toward the final crisis and hoping to come out alive.
February 6, 2019
Příjemný překvapení. Po prvním díle jsem nečekal nic moc ale druhej díl celkem svižně odsejpá a dobře se čte. Piper a Trickster jsou napsaný skvěle a dokonce jsou i nevtíravě vtipný chvilkama.
Jsou to ale spíš takový 3,5 hvězdičky než 4. :D Spousta scén je podle mě trošku zbytečně roztahanejch a některý by tam nemusely bejt vůbec. Kdyby knížka měla o 50 stran míň, tak bych byl uplně štastnej.
Jsou to ale spíš takový 3,5 hvězdičky než 4. :D Spousta scén je podle mě trošku zbytečně roztahanejch a některý by tam nemusely bejt vůbec. Kdyby knížka měla o 50 stran míň, tak bych byl uplně štastnej.
February 28, 2021
Countdown continues to be so separate with tangential ties that it struggles to come together. There is far too much exposition from the Monitors at times and the book seems to strive to throw as many random DC characters into the mix as possible. The art is decent but the biggest issue is still the plot. Overall, its okay for what it is but what it is isn't great.
July 28, 2017
A bit confusing for someone new to the comic scene because it jumped around a lot and i barely remembered who anyone was but i still loved it. 5 stars. love how shadowpact was in there too, one of my favourites :)
August 30, 2021
I'm starting to read the spin offs and there's just a ton of stuff going on here. Can't wait to see some of these big factions collide, 51 Monitors, Darkseid, Monarch, Lady Styx, Eclipso, it's gonna be crazy!
February 19, 2009
When reviewing this book, it is important to understand that this is an amazing undertaking. Producing a sprawling epic story with multiple teams of writers and artists on an impossible deadline: 1 issue a week! It explores the events that minor characters such as Donna Troy, Red Hood, Jimmy Olsen, Trickster & Pied Piper, etc. As they are involved in the events leading to the Final Crisis. But the story is (probably as necessary) too big and convaluted... but the art is great for what it is.
If you are a big DC Comics fan, read it, if not, skip it.
If you are a big DC Comics fan, read it, if not, skip it.
July 4, 2016
Sorry Jimmy, but I don't know what you're going through... and frankly I don't care!!
My god, this is actually getting worse.. All these different tales to be told... It worked in 52, but here... Not so much :( It's all over the place...
I'm still hoping it'll all come together before the end, but the way they are doing it now, is not the way to do it...
*This is me, keeping my positive hat on*
My god, this is actually getting worse.. All these different tales to be told... It worked in 52, but here... Not so much :( It's all over the place...
I'm still hoping it'll all come together before the end, but the way they are doing it now, is not the way to do it...
*This is me, keeping my positive hat on*
November 1, 2016
Overall very entertaining, but something starts going wonky within the last chapter of this installment--something about all of the Monitors gathered with the alpha giving his war drum speech starts to change the feel of the trajectory. I would have loved to get more background on what brought Monarch to this point in the story.
September 14, 2009
There were just too many characters and storylines going on. It's an difficult feat for Paul Dini to tie in droves universe-shaking events into year-long stories for a weird mix of characters (will The Question ever show up again?), but that doesn't mean it's engaging.
Shelved as 'graphic-novels'
March 31, 2014
March 27, 2015
Countdown to Final Crisis, 51-issue weekly series, starting with #51, ending at #1. They are collected in four volumes. Volume two contains #38-#26
Story is not so great. too many characters and it seems like the storyline was slipping from Paul's grip.
Story is not so great. too many characters and it seems like the storyline was slipping from Paul's grip.
July 27, 2011
Halfway through the series and the story hasn't progressed. If I hadn't already bought the last two volumes I would stop reading this series right now.
Read
September 22, 2012It's always great seeing so many great characters come together. Loving it so far
July 10, 2013
Solid continuation of Volume One. Shit is slowly but surely happening. If you have patience, it's well done. If you don't, you're probably going to get anxious.
August 18, 2014
يا رب ارحمني وخليني اخلص الاجزاء دي بسرعة علشان اقرا فينال كرايسيس
February 16, 2016
Some of the threads here were interesting and some weren't, but the authors couldn't seem to figure out which was which and gave us everything in equal measure.
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