If you've already read Countdown #29, you know who the Extremists are, and how the Challengers visit to their world ends up. But if not . . . this book is a fantastic introduction. This issue actually starts about 6 years ago, and gives us a little history on Lord Havok's world. We learn who his Extremists are, Gorgon, Dr. Diehard, Dreamslayer and Tracer. This is a world much like that of DC's Marvelous competitors, after the Civil War. There's been a Metahuman Act passed, and during the recent Presidential election, the candidate for the First Metahuman Presidential Ticket was elected. Tin Man, with Americommando as his running mate. The Metahuman Act was an act that not only required that all Metahumans would have to be registered and legalized, but also that they would operate as one unifying force . . . the Meta-Militia. And of course that force works for the government. When passing the act, what they failed to mention was that non-compliance would result in arrests, concentration camps and often death. Which is where Havok and his Extremists come in. They consider themselves officially at war with the government. To that point, Lord Havok kills the President when he is making a speech on television. "You all know me as Lord Havok, Tin Man was but the first. From this moment forth, my fellow Extremists and I will eliminate every tyrannical imbecile foolish enough to accept the mantle of President. They will call us criminals for this. They will label us terrorists for this. But please keep this in mind . . . one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. And whether you are aware of it yet or not . . . we are your freedom fighters." So, seeing the story from their side now, when the Challengers land in Lord Havok's castle, he thinks that they are the beginnings of Americommando's invasion force. So, in order to read this properly, you should read this issue, then Countdown #29, and then back to this book for issue #2. Fantastic story by Frank Tieri. And it's brilliantly drawn by Liam Sharp. I've been a huge fan of Liam's ever since I first saw his work. I can't believe he's going to be back on a monthly title, and for DC. It's amazing. For that reason alone I was more that willing to give this book a chance. After reading the first issue, it certainly didn't let me down. My only comment is that they didn't put the world symbol on the front cover. You know. Like they're doing on Countdown. If I remember right from Countdown, this is Earth 8. I know. A minor complaint.
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