Reading reactions online to Countdown, I see a negative mindset surrounding the series. People are jumping over this thing left and right. What should be remembered is that this is a year long story so the first issues are going to set you up with unanswered questions. Why does everyone seem to know Jason Todd? How did Jimmy get these superpowers, which seems to something Jimmy Olsen is wondering about himself? What the hell killed Lightray?
If you expect answers to these questions right away, you are not going to get them. People should really give this series room to breathe before you decide to drop it. This comic is an unfolding mystery, so time should be given to let it unfold.
Even in a much shorter mini-series then Countdown you never get the answers in the first issue. The thing is the people complaining have been reading comics for a long time and they all know you never get the answers when a mini-series first starts.
People are comparing this to 52 and how much they liked 52 over this. The proper comparison should be made when the entire run of Countdown is finished. Besides why compare this to 52 anyway. Just because both are weekly comics.
Personally I am going to get every issue of Countdown for the primary reason that I put trust in Paul Dini, who is the head writer of Countdown. I am also getting this every week because this comic tries into the entire DC universe.
All I am saying is give Countdown a chance before you drop it.