Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1

Countdown to Infinite Crisis #0

by Geoff Johns, Greg Rucka, Judd Winick

Everything you knew about the DC Universe changes and it all begins right here with a prelude issue to the DCU mega-event INFINITE CRISIS! Superstar writers Geoff Johns, Greg Rucka and Judd Winick team with a bevy of artists for a story that alters the very face of the DC Universe for years to come!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Superheroes, Comic Book, Fiction

72 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2005

About the author

Geoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s in search of work within the film industry. Through perseverance, Geoff ended up as the assistant to Richard Donner, working on Conspiracy Theory and Lethal Weapon 4. During that time, he also began his comics career writing Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and JSA (co-written with David S. Goyer) for DC Comics. He worked with Richard Donner for four years, leaving the company to pursue writing full-time.

His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.

Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.

Reviews

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Infinite Crisis crossover was inconsistent in its quality, but the first Countdown issue made for an excellent introduction. Starring the Blue Beetle, as a tragic everyman sort of superhero among the heavy hitters, his investigation of a mysterious conspiracy makes for a nice tour of the DC Universe at the time. And a bittersweet farewell to the character. The ending and surprise villain was genuinely shocking at the time, and it still holds up. Forget about the tons of tie-in books back then. This was, on its own, simply a good comic

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an excellent build-up with a hell of a payoff. I knew for years the events and read Infinite crisis, but it was great to finally read this. Ted's internal thoughts and fight are fully in display here and set up so many interesting storylines.

[Elinor · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Not that bad but not that great either I think
(but now I know I will have to check out Blue Bettle and Booster Gold comics, those two and their friendship are gold)

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Countdown to Infinite Crisis. What better way to begin a sequel to Crisis on Infinite Earths than with a big one-shot that highlights Blue Beetle and Booster Gold, two of the core members of the JLI, one of the most memorable and unique comics to come out of the original Crisis?

And, Countdown is very much the intro to that sequel, Infinite Crisis. It's primarily a lead-in for The OMAC Project and Superman: Sacrifice, but it also touches upon the other two introductory series, Day of Vengeance and The Rann-Thangar War. Honestly, that makes it a lot less of its own book. It's primarily a setup that leads up to a single inciting event. Fortunately, the writing is sharp and interesting enough that it's an intriguing setup, and particularly today when you can read straight on to the rest of the story, you don't mind it's incomplete nature.

Of course one can't speak of Countdown without addressing the elephant in the room: the fan favorite character killed within and the other fan favorite character who was darkened irrevocably. In its day, that generated very angry responses from fans, in part because it sabotaged the JLI reunion that Keith Giffen was even then writing. Today? I think the uproar hardly matters. The characters are both back due to the total continuity f*** known as the Nu52, and who knows how all this fits any more. And honestly, people remember Infinite Crisis, not Giffen's short-lived JLI reunion. So, we can now enjoy this particular story without that drama.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cool. I was never a Booster Gold or Blue Beetle fan, but this was cool. Nicely told in chapters and good narrative voice. Good ending.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very solid writing - Johns is clearly able to get down deep into the emotional core of his characters by this point in his writing career. Sets a very serious, ominous tone to the coming battles, intrigue and power plays. Definitely has me looking forward to how some of the most talented creators at DC played these threads out.

I'm fascinated by the early "events" that DC & Marvel were doing - before they became a yearly exercise in trying to prop up flagging sales of all their books (and launching lots of ill-conceived ideas that usually die a quick, merciful death).

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1

Ted Kord finds out something that will not only destroy the Justice League, but threatens the very future of everyone on Earth.

A great opener to the 'Infinite Crisis', launching the serial from one of the lower tier characters makes this very interesting and the use of shading makes every page feel darker as the conspiracy is revealed.

[Juan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome comic about CRISIS on DC UNIVERSE

Entertaining comic from DC Universe and about Crisis on Infinite Earths story arc.

Interesting of how it all started of the countdown of Crisis on Infinite Earths.

[Joey Amorim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve wanted to get into the weeds of Infinite Crisis for a while now, and this was a really solid start. Onward to The OMAC Project.

[John Yelverton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there was ever a book that made you want to go out and buy every other book remotely connected to it, this is the book!

[Javier X · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know, for a free one-shot to kick off Infinite Crisis, this was a good one.

Booster Gold and Blue Bettle were good and it even had the balls to kill him at the end.

Rebirth #1 is very similar with Wally running across the planet trying to get noticed and ignored until the very end.

[Deth T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un tomo bisagra que fue el comienzo del regreso del multiverso DC. La muerte más dramática de precrisis Infinita. Se incluyó también en un coleccionable posterior.

[Joshua Adam Bain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was stoked to find this a a free download on the DC mobile app, as I'm currently going through the last 10 years of big DC events. I have previously read Infinite Crisis and I really loved it. Even though there were some parts that left me puzzled as to what was going on, but hey that's what Wikipedia is for isn't it?

This prequel builds the story for the main event, setting up the dynamics of the Justice League at this point, which at this point are quite strained. It is based around the Blue Beetle Ted Kord, who previously I knew next to nothing about. He is a c-list Leaguer who along with his best friend Booster Gold, have seen better days. To the rest of the world they are a joke, even the Justice League treat them like crap. To tell you the truth I don't think I've ever seen the League come across as such assholes, I felt for Ted as his suspicions were shot down by pretty much everyone except Hal and Diana. Geoff Johns is an absolute powerhouse of a storyteller, this is another great example. By the end of the story I found myself really caring for his character, even though I knew the conclusion.

This isn't a crucial read, but if you're like me and enjoy building atmosphere for an event, then give this one a read.

[Fugo Feedback · Rating 3 out of 5]

No es ninguna gran maravilla pero la historia tiene el suficiente gancho como para que den ganas de seguir leyendo Infinite Crisis, que claro que era la idea. La agarré en el momento justo para reengancharme con DC en una época en la que le había perdido el rastro. Cuando lo relea seguro lo rerreseñe.

[Jason Waltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

woof-ta! that was intense. brand-new story for me despite its age, I did no research or advance preparation, just decided to jump into Infinite Crisis and started with this. I don't know the back story or where this actually falls in the many crisis series, but it hooked me. definitely hope the big story is as enthralling. Good art, good mystery, good reading!

[Jedhua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Info: This collection contains Countdown to Infinite Crisis issue #1.


ABSOLUTE RATING: {2.5+/5 stars}

STANDARDIZED RATING: <3/5 stars>

[Koen · Rating 4 out of 5]

ohhhh, yes yes yes, the time has come! Infinite crisis is around the corner..
This was already a very good start to, what I believe, will be an epic story... hopefully :)
Too bad we already had to say goodbye to one of our heroes, but hey that's life..

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the stories that helped transform me from a casual DC fan to a dedicated reader. As a prelude to Infinite Crisis, its starts off the event with a bang. It is also a fun jumping on point for readers who are familiar with DC characters but aren't sure where to start.

The story follows former Justice Leaguer Blue Beetle, a billionaire inventor and third-string superhero, as he investigates thefts from his company Kord Industries. Each chapter leads him to another clue while introducing the plots for four other stories: The OMAC Project, Villains United, Day of Vengeance, and the Rann-Thanagar War. While not required, I recommend reading these four stories as the next step before jumping into Infinite Crisis. What Blue Beetle discovers will set off a chain of events that will change the DC universe forever.

Did you enjoy Countdown and want to read more? Continue reading for recommendations. Warning: Spoilers ahead!.
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Justice League International - These stories from the 80s explain why Booster Gold and Blue Beetle are friends and why the rest of the Justice League treats them like hasbeens.

Identity Crisis - This limited series explains what happened to Doctor Light and why the villains are uniting.

Blue Beetle - Learn the fate of the mysterious blue scarab and the next hero to don the mantle of Blue Beetle after Ted's death.

JLA: Crisis of Conscience - The sequel to Identity Crisis and the unraveling of the JLA.

Superman: Sacrifice - After killing Blue Beetle, Maxwell Lord takes control of Superman's mind. This story is the final nail in the coffin of the JLA and explains why the trinity of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman are at odds at the beginning of Infinite Crisis.

[Richard Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Crisis on Infinite Earths defined how event crossovers were run for the next two decades, then Infinite Crisis solidified the structure for the better part of the two decades that followed. This one-shot is the official kick-off for an event that had four six-issue limited series as a lead in, a seven-issue main series, dozens of tie-in issues, a 52 issue aftermath series, and as many issues that lead into Final Crisis. Back when they first came out, I read them all.

This time around, I'm a little more judicious in my re-reads. If you're thinking of reading Infinite Crisis, this is a perfect one-shot lead-in. Simultaneously paying tribute to the light-hearted JLI days while darkening them by many degrees, the emotional and narrative core of the story is the ill-fated Ted Kord. It's a classic DC Comics mystery set in an already darker DCU thanks to Identity Crisis. While it's by no means self-contained, and you can probably take a point or two off for that, full marks go to it being a taut and well-crafted teaser that does something interested with long-neglected characters,

NB: Read as part of my DC Crisis and Beyond Journey: #17

[Rihards Husko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 5-chapter kick-off for the DC crossover event extravaganza known as Infinite Crisis is a wild ride.

DC Comics are built upon a lengthy legacy. Even having read summaries to the issues and storylines leading directly towards this event, there is a lot to unpack and more referenced in this dense, non-linear 80 page book.

Blue Beetle suspects there is something amiss in the world, but several near-misses and his frayed relationship with the Justice League has isolated him outside the circle of trust. The book is an intense, thrilling ride, and the smart use of “second-rate” heroes manages to really convey a sense of dread and jeopardy as dark secrets are unveiled.

While it is hard to get the most of this lengthy one-shot without being very familiar with the history of the DC universe, this is still an engaging story that definitely has me on the edge of my seat for what is to come.

[Matthieu Savignac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une issue qui fait du bien, pour plusieurs raisons : déjà son prix, qui avait été mis assez bas afin d'être une porte d'entrée pour divers lecteurs, et aussi pour son but, qui est finalement une introduction aux quatre mini-séries qui allaient paraître juste ensuite : Day of Vengeance, Villains United, Rann-Thanagar War et OMAC, elles-mêmes censées précéder l'event Infinity Crisis.

Le Countdown est très agréable, avec entre autres Geoff Johns et une ribambelle d'artistes talentueux, difficile de faire autrement. Nous suivons un personnage secondaire de l'univers, Blue Beetle, qui va prendre assez d'épaisseur au fil du récit pour nous attacher à lui et découvrir en sa compagnie tout ce qui va amener à ce futur crossover.

Un récit qui ne paye pas de mine, mais qui est très agréable et contient assez de rebondissements pour être intéressant en tant que tel !

[Adrian Santiago · Rating 3 out of 5]

No es solo que todos trataran de la v al pobre Ted, ni que Batman ya no confiara en ellos y tuviera su propia idea de cómo seguir la vida; ni siquiera tanta buena referencia y continuidad a la Crisis de Identidad.

Es que me gustó que aquí tenemos a los pobres "seres humanos", igual dicen que el super poder de Batman es el dinero, y qué pasa si otros a su "nivel" no lo tienen? Qué pasa con los simples hombres cuando los quieren medir a la altura de dioses y super héroes? Después de estas historias ya nadie se puede preguntar cuándo se volvió tan "oscuro" DC. Simplemente fue el propio mundo, las propias personas. Y el pobre Blue Bettle no logró hace un cambio, a una situación que era necesaria en el futuro.

[Jasna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just discovered this and a "checklist" (officially) of other comics I should have read before Infinite Crisis. :laughcry: This is a neat montage of the major heroes through the lens of a "second string" hero, Blue Beatle II (Ted Kord), as well as his friend Booster Gold. It shows often a snootier side of how the major heroes treat him (and maybe the other second stringers?), save for a few like the loving Wonder Woman. :) It's also a nice intro to this larger story's Max Lord and a peek into the OMACs. Written and drawn well.

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

To take 2 of the more unserious characters during the JL International run and have them uncover one of the biggest schemes regarding their identities, weaknesses, and loved ones. What hurts most is that the countdown actually shows the reader that none within the league ever took them seriously. Seeing Barbara Gordon, Martian Manhunter, heck even Superman dismissed them felt so ugly in a way. The fact is, every single one of them could have just taken a little bit of their time instead of dismissing him. In the end, he died a hero, maybe the best of them all...

[Arif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great intro

This provides a great introduction to the volumes that help setup infinite crisis. And this digital copy provides a very comprehensive and chronologically accurate table of contents at the end that will guide you through the very murky waters of piecing together every strand of comic that lent itself to this story line. As it spanned nearly a dozen different titles it could be daunting task. Loved it

[Tomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I start reading some one-shot as an introduction to the greater event I begin to think that this is there just to give me background so I would have all information for the event. And always I get proven wrong :) I did not care about Ted before and now I miss him. Geoff Johns is master of universe-changing one-shots.

[Max Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another piece of the puzzle. This one shows us the death of Ted Kord, the event that started the event and gives a helpful list of 20 or 30 issues that have to be purchased in order to understand what happened in its entirety since DC never does digital versions of omnibuses for whatever reason.

[James Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ted Kord is tracking down a villainous conspiracy which has left him financially ruined, only to be disbelieved and brushed off from every angle by the heroes he tries getting help from. It's an issue that is primarily set-up, yet manages to build a tragic story of a hero everybody underestimates, which ends under heartbreaking circumstances. A strong start to Infinite Crisis.

[Cesar Millán · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great comic, after each chapter it gets better with a final scene that will blow your my with the blue beetle at the center of the story... Totally recommended between chapters you will find the inspiration that set the place to a scene for Batman v Superman.

[Julian Orozco, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ultimate storyline

Just loved the use of a second string JLA nonactive member carrying this storyline. Awesome illustrations and great writing. This is a must read to any JLA fan... any comic fan for that matter.