DCU Comic Book Reviews

TANGENT COMICS:  SUPERMAN'S REIGN #2

Chapter Two

June 2008

Written by Dan Jurgens

Pencils by Jamal Igle

Inks by Robin Riggs

Cover by Carlos Pacheco and Jesus Merino

Synopsis

On Earth-9, the green lantern returns to its rightful owner.  However, Earth-1 Wally West and John Stewart also come along with it.  The Earth-9 Green Lantern can’t return them home, either.  Meanwhile, Lori Lemaris undergoes re-education as part of her parole, when she imagines her instructor looking vastly different.  Meanwhile, Earth-9 Green Lantern tells Wally and John about their ruler, Superman, who has created a “Big Brother” type society.  The Earth-9 Green Lantern then conjures up a vision to explain to Wally and John about the Purge, when the rebellious Secret Six fought for freedom, but were destroyed (and some killed) by Superman.  In Saudi Arabia, Superman is negotiating for oil when he senses danger.  Elsewhere, Manhunter and Spectre try to free the Atom, but are stopped by Obsidian and Jade.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Under normal circumstances, I think I would be annoyed that this issue spent so much time relaying to the reader the backstory of the universe.  There is not much story or plot in this issue; it is essentially exposition-filled scenes.  Yet, for some reason, it didn’t bother me that much.  Some of that is due to the fact that at the very least exposition is not only for the reader, but also for two of the characters.  It makes sense that the Tangent characters would need to relay historical information to characters from another universe.  I also have to admit that it didn’t bother me because Earth-9 is a fully recognized universe with a defined history; the Tangent universe was not created solely for this story.  So Jurgens is smartly providing the set-up, not only for the plot but also for the setting.  But I think the biggest reason is that I actually am intrigued by the set-up.  This is just some inherently appealing about a character named Superman who has used his power to rule over others.  There is part of me that thinks we’ll learn Superman has ulterior (ie, good) motivation for what he is doing, but there is another part of me that wants Superman to be just plain evil.  Either way, it should make for a good story. 

HISTORY LESSON:  Chapter Two

Written by Ron Marz

Pencils by Fernando Pasarin

Inks by Jesse Delperdang

Synopsis

Guy Gardner (aka Detective Chimp) tells the history of the Metal Men, both in terms of what is public knowledge and what has been buried and not widely known, to Jennifer Haydon, who works for people who want to end Superman’s reign and want Guy to help them.

Review

Ha!  Guy Gardner as Detective Chimp and as a nerd/geek.  I love the basic concept of the Tangent universe for exactly those reasons.  As for the actually history, well, it certainly helps the reader fill in the gaps not provided in the main story while at the same time providing a little bit of mystery as to what Jennifer wants with Guy and who she works for.  All that I ask is that this story somehow make sense or connect to the main story.