Countdown to Mystery #8 is an issue of the series Countdown to Mystery (Volume 1) with a cover date of June, 2008.
Synopsis for "The Music of the Spheres, Part 5: Apocynthion"
Appearing in "The Music of the Spheres, Part 5: Apocynthion"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Eclipso (Bruce Gordon)
- Rosario Corrotto
- William Hanson
Other Characters:
- Batman (Cameo)
- The Huntress (Cameo)
- Mona Bennett
- Offspring (Cameo)
Locations:
Items:
Synopsis for "More Pain Comics: Part Eight – Small Magic"
Maddy was inspired by Kent's efforts to overcome his self-absorption to distract Negal with an image of Inza's character Killhead. This gives enough time for an elf with a gun to shoot Negal. The elf then departs, as a quacking voice invites him to share a beer with the "big guy", "Thunny", "Megs" and "Bev" before the big guy has to "head upstairs". Nelson and Inza recover, and Maddy gives him back the helmet. As they return to Vegas, Nelson says that whatever happened, it took all three of them, and that the helmet still has a lot to teach them.
Appearing in "More Pain Comics: Part Eight – Small Magic"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Inza Fox
- Maddy
- An Elf With a Gun
Antagonists:
Locations:
Items:
Synopsis for "No More Pain Comics: Final Chapter – Penultimate Breath"
Nelson sees his life flashing before his eyes, as Negal gloats that he will now destroy Dr. Fate forever. Nelson seizes on the happy moments in his life, and claims that killing him never achieved anything, and he should know. He tells Negal that Dr. Fate is an ideal, and has returned before. Since Nelson is no longer consumed by self-pity, Negal (lord of the self-despised) is powerless and returns them all to where he left them, claiming that he will return. With Inza back in her apartment and Maddy back at the bookshop, Nelson returns to the casino, reflecting that every journey must end, through chance or fate.
Appearing in "No More Pain Comics: Final Chapter – Penultimate Breath"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Inza Fox
- Maddy
Antagonists:
Locations:
Items:
Synopsis for "More Pain Comics: The Fifty-Minute Hour"
Maddy tried to wake Nelson, but cannot. In his dream, Nelson has a conversation with one of his patients, Mr. Mardillo, who is drawn to resemble Steve Gerber, and the scene takes the form of a text piece, a common occurrence in Gerber's work. Mordillo explains fate is the hand you are dealt, but destiny is the way you play it. Negal hates fate because, as a demon, he has no way of changing his destiny. Mardillo points out that Nelson seems resigned to the same thing, and talks him through his problems. As in the previous story, Nelson's newfound hope gives him power against Negal and, although he acknowledges his depression will return, for the moment he is able to use the helmet to free himself and the others, briefly gaining the original Dr. Fate's costume while doing so. Back in Vegas, he is astonished to find a note from Mardillo in his pocket, but is unable to read the handwriting.
Appearing in "More Pain Comics: The Fifty-Minute Hour"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Inza Fox
- Maddy
Antagonists:
Locations:
Items:
Synopsis for "An End to Pain Comics: Chapter Zed – This Diminished Life"
Maddy was "tripping" on the power in the helmet and unable to use it effectively. Upon seeing Kent awaken, she gives him the helmet. Finding Inza is now a living statue, he asks her if she wants to live and, when she says yes, points out to Negal that she still has hope, and is therefore beating him. Using his psychiatric skills, he diagnoses Negal's obsession with causing and feeding on misery as indicating an addictive personality with narcissistic tendencies. Acknowledging his own faults, he adds that he was still good at his job, and offers to help Negal. The final panel shows Kent flying across Vegas, with Inza and Maddy in tow, reflecting on how well Negal's therapy is going and that he may be falling in love with Inza.
Appearing in "An End to Pain Comics: Chapter Zed – This Diminished Life"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Inza Fox
- Maddy
Antagonists:
Locations:
Items:
Notes
- Countdown to Mystery (Volume 1) was Steve Gerber's project to revitalize the character of Doctor Fate but he died of pulmonary fibrosis before the story could be completed and as a result, this last issue features multiple conclusions written as a tribute by Adam Beechen, Gail Simone, Mark Evanier and Mark Waid.
Trivia
- The elf with a gun is an homage to Melf.
See Also
Recommended Reading
- Eclipso
- The Spectre Recommended Reading
- Adventure Comics (Volume 1): Adventure Comics #431– #440
- Countdown to Mystery
- Crisis Aftermath: The Spectre (Volume 1)
- Day of Judgment
- Day of Vengeance
- Final Crisis: Revelations
- More Fun Comics (Volume 1)
- Spectre (Volume 1)
- Spectre (Volume 2)
- Spectre (Volume 3)
- Spectre (Volume 4)
- Tales of the Unexpected (Volume 2)
- Wrath of the Spectre (Volume 1)
- Doctor Fate Recommended Reading
- The Book of Fate (Volume 1)
- Countdown to Mystery (Volume 1)
- Doctor Fate (Volume 1)
- Doctor Fate (Volume 2)
- Doctor Fate (Volume 3)
- Doctor Fate (Volume 4)
- Fate (Volume 1)
- The Flash (Volume 1): The Flash #306– #313
- Helmet of Fate (Volume 1)
- Immortal Doctor Fate (Volume 1)
- JSA (Volume 1)
- More Fun Comics (Volume 1)
Links and References
Look at how sad this is making Batman. You did this.
