I'd like to first note that my knowledge of the DC U (with the exception of Batman and Superman) would best be described as passing.  I haven't read any of the Crisis books, and I've only ever actively collected Batman titles.  That said, this was great.  The art was fantastic, and the story was enough to intrigue me.  I only recognized a handful of the rogues, but I'm familiar with all the heroes.  Familiar enough that when I got to the end I could say only one thing: "Barry?"  I'll be keeping an eye on final Crisis, and the itch I've had to buy and read Crisis on Infinite Earths for the past few months has been increased to the top of my buy pile.  It's time for me to get into DC continuity (albeit a little at a time) and DC owes it all to fantastic Batman stories, Green Lantern buzz, the 'Jimmy Olsen Must Die' ads, Absolute New Frontier (and the DVD) and this $0.50 cent issue. But I AM still gonna wait for the trade :p