View Full Version : DC Countdown
derek
01-29-2007, 07:33 PM
So apparently the rumor is that Countdown is the new weekly series from DC that picks up right as 52 ends and will count down each week from 52 to 1. Paul Dini will be writing along with Sean McKeever and probably others. What do you think about another weekly book coming along so soon? I know personally I was looking forward to spending $10 a month less than before, but with the quality of 52 picking up so much lately and Dini on board as writer, I'll probably get sucked into this one too. Damn you DC!
And on a side note, how much longer until Marvel starts their own weekly series? I know Joe Q has said it won't happen, but he says a lot of things....
Finally, I bet that teaser image that was making the rounds last week has something to do with this.
Anyway, here is a link...
http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/?column=13
on the weekly series thing Joe Q has only said that it won't happen this year
derek
01-29-2007, 07:41 PM
on the weekly series thing Joe Q has only said that it won't happen this year
Yeah but do we really believe that? Each issue of 52 sells around 100,000. That's more than Civil War if you look at it monthly, and they can sell 4 times as many ads as Civil War per month. You just know Joe has got something in the works to capitalize on this.
I'm sure he does. I was just saying that rather than him saying they won't do it, he has said they won't this year. expect a weekly book scheduled for 2008 to actually be shipped in 2009
conorkilpatrick
01-29-2007, 08:47 PM
So apparently the rumor is that Countdown is the new weekly series from DC that picks up right as 52 ends and will count down each week from 52 to 1. Paul Dini will be writing along with Sean McKeever and probably others. What do you think about another weekly book coming along so soon? I know personally I was looking forward to spending $10 a month less than before, but with the quality of 52 picking up so much lately and Dini on board as writer, I'll probably get sucked into this one too. Damn you DC!
Strictly speaking, Dini isn't writing it, he's "show running" it. Think of him as the Executive Producer of the book. That is, at least, what I have been lead to believe from what I've read.
I'll be honest - I'm excited. I'm pumped for these upcoming DC events, whereas I just want Civil War to end end end.
baxter
01-30-2007, 12:37 AM
I'm all over this. Dini does some excellent work, and I love 52. I think I might go LCS on this one instead of DCBS. Reading 52 in chunks seems wrong.
jtkleindljr
01-30-2007, 12:38 AM
Off topic, but Fred, gotta say I love that avatar!
Off topic, but Fred, gotta say I love that avatar!
thank you sir
dustinsemo
01-30-2007, 03:03 AM
Another weekly series? I'm in. 52 was great. I've loved what the DCU is doing since before the first "Countdown," so whatever they do, I'm in.
Especially if that teaser image has anything to do with it.
One request for the story: Challengers of the Unknown! I've desperately wanted a modern re-telling since reading New Frontier.
One request for the story: Challengers of the Unknown! I've desperately wanted a modern re-telling since reading New Frontier.
Howard Chaykin did a Challengers mini-series (http://www.amazon.com/Challengers-Stolen-Moments-Borrowed-Time/dp/1401209416/sr=1-2/qid=1170134094/ref=sr_1_2/002-1611944-8383252?ie=UTF8&s=books) recently, a modern take, pretty cool, you might wanna check it out if you like Chaykin. I read it precisely because I wanted more Challengers after reading New Frontier, too.
jimski
01-30-2007, 05:07 AM
I have to hand it to DC; I never dreamed a weekly book could come out every week for a year without exhausting the marketplace. It must be a symptom of my own crotchetiness that the week 52 was announced my instantaneous reaction was "hmm... 52 x $2.99...." but there it is at the top of the charts every month. I mean, you can't argue with that list of writers. (Who'd a' thunk so many strong, "name" writers could share one overarching storyline without killing one another? Then again, I guess that's the definition of continuity.)
I also am quite impressed by their efforts on 52. I haven't been reading it since the single digit issues or so but it looks like I made a mistake when I stopped. Just the fact that every issues comes out on time is amazing(even though it shouldn't be).
mastap
01-30-2007, 04:15 PM
One request for the story: Challengers of the Unknown! I've desperately wanted a modern re-telling since reading New Frontier.
It might be hard to hunt down, but Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale did an amazing run on Challengers in the 90's. It made me like a concept i had previosly thought outdated, and gave me a lasting attachment to the charaters. Highly recommended.
baxter
01-30-2007, 10:15 PM
So who do you guys think should be the writing team on this one? I've been mulling it over, and since the current 52 team is probably too burnt out to run with this I decided on these guys.
Paul Dini
Kurt Buseik
Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Grey
And since he's been rumored involved Sean McKeever, but I haven't read any of his stuff yet.
I think they could crank out one hell of a read.
derek
01-30-2007, 11:45 PM
So who do you guys think should be the writing team on this one? I've been mulling it over, and since the current 52 team is probably too burnt out to run with this I decided on these guys.
Paul Dini
Kurt Buseik
Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Grey
And since he's been rumored involved Sean McKeever, but I haven't read any of his stuff yet.
I think they could crank out one hell of a read.
That is a great lineup! I would love it if that ended up being the real thing.
ekval
01-31-2007, 08:44 PM
(Who'd a' thunk so many strong, "name" writers could share one overarching storyline without killing one another? Then again, I guess that's the definition of continuity.)
Why the heck can't Marvel manage this?
derek
01-31-2007, 09:48 PM
(Who'd a' thunk so many strong, "name" writers could share one overarching storyline without killing one another? Then again, I guess that's the definition of continuity.)
Why the heck can't Marvel manage this?
Oh they're working on it. Of that I have no doubt.
kevmann16
01-31-2007, 10:29 PM
Publishers being able to sell 4 sets of ads on a single title a month is attractive to them and we could see it become standard practice over the upcoming years for them to have at least one weekly "event" book running.
Stuff like the adoption of Photoshop colouring and "inking" could help speed the production up and being able to send and discuss work electronically surely means the whole production process has gotten quicker in the last 5 years.
marcushill73
02-01-2007, 12:23 AM
Most of the posts I have seen for DC's Countdown have been positive. I have read other sites, and a different point of view is being expressed. Other readers of 52 have expressed they stopped reading the series around issue 20, 30, and have purchased remainder of series out of guilt.
iFanboy's coverage of 52 has been less than enthusiastic. It seems only recently that the story has picked up in quality and the pieces are coming together, i.e., Steel's niece storyline.
What if those readers who quit around issue no. 20 or 30 just say, "That's IT! $12.00 a month for 12 months is a big financial commitment. Could Countdown be the jumping off point for readers?
Cheers,
Marcus
conorkilpatrick
02-01-2007, 01:08 AM
iFanboy's coverage of 52 has been less than enthusiastic. It seems only recently that the story has picked up in quality and the pieces are coming together, i.e., Steel's niece storyline.
I dunno, except for a slow period in the teens, we've been pretty enthusiastic about 52. It gets the big iFanboy thumbs up over Civil War, by a wide margin.
marcushill73
02-01-2007, 01:22 AM
Imagine if Marvel Comics announced a new series: Civil War: The Reconciliation? And this was to continue for another year? Perhaps this is something Marvel already has done with all the amount of "specials" that have been put out in relation to Civil War. I saw another special has been scheduled titled Civil War: The Confession by Bendis and Maleev.
If DC does get this right, they will earn $12.00 a month ($156.00 for the year) that readers might spend on other titles. Great for their market share!
As a poker player, this kind of game is frequently called a bleeder; just keep shelling out money.....
Cheers,
Marcus
jimski
02-01-2007, 01:23 AM
I dunno, except for a slow period in the teens, we've been pretty enthusiastic about 52. It gets the big iFanboy thumbs up over Civil War, by a wide margin.
I haven't read 52 in about 36 weeks, but for some reason reading this kills me a little on the inside. I don't know why. It's not like I get any money from Marvel. (Quite the opposite.) I guess I'm just the most flesh-eatingest marvel zombie out there, God help me.
The sentiment expressed above seems like a different version of the same thought I had when 52 first came out: "Jeez, even if they can pull it off, can they really hold reader interest for that long?" But... I dunno... if they put out a book that came out every week, and 10 "name" writers worked on it, and it was just called "Marvel Universe" and dealt with some overarching continuity-laden storyline, would I buy it? Magic 8 Ball?: "SIGNS POINT TO YES."
marcushill73
02-01-2007, 01:26 AM
I predict most people purchasing 52 will continue with Countdown. "Well, I'm half way there now (point of now return". I am not sure what I will do. It's just a heck of a lot of money to shell out.
Cheers,
Marcus
conorkilpatrick
02-01-2007, 01:54 AM
It's just a heck of a lot of money to shell out.
I don't understand that sentiment. It's one book a week. Take away one book a week from my stack and there is virtually no difference, in terms of money. It's not like they are charging premium prices.
It only matters to me if it's a good book - if it is, then it's worth buying, and the fact it comes out every week becomes a good thing (!) There's been many a light week (including this one) I've been glad to have 52 to read. I'm sure I'll give Countdown a chance because I've liked 52 - and if it isn't good, I'll stop.
marcushill73
02-01-2007, 02:07 AM
It comes down to how good the title is. DC New Frontier was $7.00 a pop and worth every penny! I am wonder about DC's $12.00 a month it will earn (or may not) from a market share perspective. That's all.
I am on the fence as to whether I will continue with Countdown. It all comes down to if how well DC finishes up 52, which does looks good at this stage. I was kinda hoping to finish up with it, but now.....
Cheers,
Marcus
The sentiment expressed above seems like a different version of the same thought I had when 52 first came out: "Jeez, even if they can pull it off, can they really hold reader interest for that long?" But... I dunno... if they put out a book that came out every week, and 10 "name" writers worked on it, and it was just called "Marvel Universe" and dealt with some overarching continuity-laden storyline, would I buy it? Magic 8 Ball?: "SIGNS POINT TO YES."
I would definitely buy that book.
acomicbookgirl
02-01-2007, 02:54 AM
That is a great lineup! I would love it if that ended up being the real thing.
It better be the real thing since McKeever is leaving Spider Man Loves Mary Jane. :( Its DC. Loved 52. I'm all in for this! :D
dustinsemo
02-01-2007, 04:11 AM
The $ I spend on 52 each month is some of the most well-spent money I have spent this year on comics. The art has merely been serviceable, but I've enjoyed the pacing of the story the whole time. I never even found the teens issues week, as many have suggested.
If Countdown is this good, I'll buy it. If not, I'll drop it. Same with Marvel, if they attempt this.
My picks for writers:
It looks Dini is the showrunner, with McKeever.
I'd like to see Adam Beechen, Busiek, and Simone, too.
jimski
02-01-2007, 04:28 AM
When does this WWIII take place? Haven't we already seen what happens One Year Later? Rather odd that no one is talking about WWIII the week after it happens, and there are no consequences. But I don't know much about DC's multiple earths personally.
When does this WWIII take place? Haven't we already seen what happens One Year Later? Rather odd that no one is talking about WWIII the week after it happens, and there are no consequences. But I don't know much about DC's multiple earths personally.
WW3 takes place in 52 Week 50 and then also simultaneously in the four one shots.
This is the length and breadth of my current DC knowledge
not really but almost