Not really knowing all that much about Final Crisis at this point, I don't know how "important" this series will be in the long run. Unfortunately, no the Countdown series isn't particularly good. There are some good moments, and some good ideas throughout, (enough to keep me through to the end and not particularly regret sticking around) but the overall execution is severely flawed. The story will drag one minute, be rushed the next, characters will do stuff and I think I'm supposed to care but I don't. The "spine" idea was poorly thought out. While I like that they used a bunch of obscure characters and, for the most part, agree with their choices (the only one I was particularly opposed to was Jason Todd - shoulda left him dead), the characters seemed to float through the plot rather than direct it, if that makes sense.

It's possible the last 3 issues will bring it all together and make it all worth it. But I doubt it.