w/r/t Countdown: So.... Booster Gold and Blue Beetle -- were they ever *actually* a couple, or did they just act like it? They're slashier than Tim/Kon, and I don't say that lightly. Also, is it wrong that I actually found Blue Beetle *hot*? Without his mask, that is. I mean it -- HOT. Oh -- and is Calculator supposed to be so good-looking, because I don't remember that from Identity Crisis.

I have a whole lot of thoughts about what's coming for the DCU, and where it came from, and most of them revolve around Batman. But I have to let it percolate for a while (and I have a lot of work to do). But I will say this: the JLA/"adults" fucked up BIG TIME by not telling the Titans that Dr. Light is New And Improved and Now! With Extra Vengeance!

Oh, and when the HELL is Countdown supposed to be taking place in DC's screwy continuity? Does anyone know?

Astounishing -- who was that at the end? Is it an old-school X-character that long-time readers would know?

Outsiders -- What. EV. Deathstroke would NOT walk away. I don't buy it.

I read Batgirl and Batman too quickly, but I will say that, in Batman, if that really is Jason, frankly, I *like* that he beat the crap out of the Joker with a crowbar. (Though perhaps I'm just digging the whole vengeance thing because I just read Sin City.) And in Batgirl -- I really like coffeeshop!girl. But who was the boy at the end?

Countdown: The hawtness of the Calculator surprised me too.

Yeah -- that was the bit of Outsiders didn't work for me either. But they've painted themselves into a bit of a corner with Deathstroke is way too good. They can't be calling Cass every time he shows up.

Batgirl: Oh, good. I didn't recognise the boy either. I was going to go reread from the start of the Bludhaven arc, but haven't had a chance.

Astounishing: I've never seen that body before -- but Joss might tie it into something historical.

Steph, Ted was a good-looking fellow, in a very human way, at least in all the Ted stuff I've read. Also, just a sweet and wonderful character. Yep, I shall miss Ted. Who was totally heterosexual life partners with Booster.

Was Calculator in Benes' section of the book? Because that would explain the pretty.

Countdown,

Not excited by BB buying it, though, not at all.

I really dislike being put into the head of a sympathetic character (especially for an entire 80 pg issue) who is then killed. It annoys the living crap out of me. Also, neither Bats nor Supes wants to bother investigating the disappearance of a hundred pounds of kryptonite? Or the fact that someone is using Waynetech to loot other companies? The ads in the book make me think that I probably won't be following the series very closely. Rann vs. Thanagar just doesn't do it for me.

Was Calculator in Benes' section of the book? Because that would explain the pretty.

Yes, he was! Damn, you're good, woman! (I was able to check b/c I brought Countdown in for chatty!co-worker to read, who, upon finishing it, said "So, how long before metahumans are outlawed, do you think?" Which is a pretty good call on his part.)

I get where Bats is having some sort of breakdown about the Identity Crisis fallout -- he's been distant and not immediately useful in Outsiders at the very least, perhaps more.

Oh! And what's up with Martian Manhunter being such a dick? That was weird.

Despite my copy being only about four feet away from me, I was too lazy to check for myself, but I was pretty sure it was Benes. Who does the pretty even when it's really, really not appropriate. (See: his work on Thundercats.)

Steph, I was wondering the same thing. The only sympathetic major players were Wonder Woman and Hal, and Hal took off to check up on his laundry after the kryptonite disappeared, too.

Yeah, Bats is totally having issues. Possibly a subscription.

I've seen MM be that rude before, when he's making assumptions. (Damn, which JLA arc was that? It's the one where he ripped Oracle a new one.)