Countdown: Arena # 3 (of 4)

The concept is sheer gimmickry, just an excuse to show the characters from various "Elseworlds" stories interact. If the reader is unfamiliar with these "alternate" versions, then this miniseries will look just like a bunch of random fight scenes between people with similar powers. For example, the battle between the Flashes seen in this issue is less compelling as these characters are largely too unfamiliar to most people.

The fight between the Wonder Women is more interesting, partly because we have seen them before and partly because they all retain similar personality traits despite their different backgrounds. Their common code of honor and reluctance to kill makes them all seem admirable so the readers are not made to root for only one of them. The writer also cleverly shows the imprisoned heroes taking the initiative to try and find a way out of their dilemma so this story becomes more than just a string of battles.

The art is a weak point. The fight scenes are done well but the style is too cartoonish for a series with such a large and varied cast. It lacks the subtlety necessary for a story where they have multiple versions of the same character sharing the same panel, over and over again. Not that the artist doesn't try his best, emphasizing the differences in hair style and costume of all the characters. But it still looks rushed and blocky.

If you can put aside the silliness and bloodthirstiness of the whole concept of ARENA, then this issue gets a decent two and a half stars.