Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1

Serving as the first of many stories that would lead into Infinite Crisis, Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1 is a 80 page DC Comics issue that is told through various flashbacks to tell a story involving conspiracies and superhero identities. Ted Kord, billionaire and superhero Blue Beetle, investigates the theft of funds of his own company that leads him to something much larger that could threaten even the Justice League. Despite no one in the League, bar Wonder Woman, and other heroes, especially Batman, doubting his claims, and only Booster Gold giving him aid until an explosion injures him, Kord must use the remaining tools and resources he has to solve this issue. While he does manage to figure out that Maxwell Lord, a former Justice League associate, is leading the Checkmate organization with files of the secret identities to many superheroes and planning to kill all metahumans, he is killed when he rejects Max's offer to join him. If I can compare this comic to anything I'd say it plays out like a new-noir mystery through Blue Beetle's narration, the mystery sleuth story, the change of different time periods, and the conspiracies involved. The writing between Geoff Johns, Greg Rucka, and Judd Winick is astounding whether between the dialogue, going through the flashbacks, and especially in the relationship between Beetle and Booster. This issue's biggest accomplishment however is that it succeeds in drawing you in at what the story this is meant to be lead in to. With Ed Benes as the artist and multiple people behind the pencilling, inking, and coloring, you have a brisk and well flowing artwork that doesn't just show great action sequences and detailed emotions, but with a certain mood that adds to its new-noir story. So whether or not you have read what comes after, or were too afraid due to DC having so much history, Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1 is a great issue to read on its own or even as a prelude. Over all: 100%

Top list so far for 3rd set of comics:
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2. Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1

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4. DC Universe: Legacies #1

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6. Shang-Chi (2020-2021) #1 (of 5): Brothers & Sisters Part One

7. Champions (2020-) #1

8. Infinite Frontier (2021) #0

9. Green Lantern Vol. 2 #76

10. DC Retroactive: Green Lantern - The 70s #1

11. Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020-) #1
12. Showcase (1956-1978) #17
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