DCU Comic Book Reviews

TANGENT COMICS:  SUPERMAN'S REIGN #4

Chapter Four

August 2008

Written by Dan Jurgens

Pencils by Jamal Igle

Inks by Robin Riggs

Cover by Carlos Pacheco and Jesus Merino

Synopsis

On New Earth, Hal Jordan (aka Green Lantern) with the help of Dr. Magnus attempts to find John Stewart and Wally West.  The two have somehow found themselves on a different Earth and were part of an effort to rescue the Tangent Atom from the clutches of the world’s ruler Superman.   However, John Stewart was captured.  Elsewhere, Tangent Hex leads Tangent Joker to an underground location to help the Tangent Secret Six make a move on Superman.  Meanwhile, Superman questions John Stewart and realizes that there are others trying to contact Stewart.  Stewart wants to know how he knows this.  Superman reveals he still has the Atom.  Elsewhere, Jordan, Batman, Black Lightning, and Black Canary arrive on Tangent Earth.  At the moment, the “Atom” reveals her true self:  Power Girl. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Rather than writing something new, I should probably just direct you to my review of the previous issue in which I point out how the lower page total each issue is resulting in a slow, slow build-up of the central conflict in this story.  This is the fourth issue, so right now we are one-third of the way through the series, but it doesn’t feel that way.  We are still putting the pieces in play, this time with the New Earth heroes coming over and Superman revealing his plan to strike back at the rebels on his Earth.  The Tangent Joker is still running around without much to do.  It seems like each issue we are getting beat over the head about reformation, but the Tangent Joker still hasn’t gotten to the point of either getting back in the saddle or not. 

Despite these gripes, I am enjoying this series.  It is well-written and the basic concept of the Tangent universe is still fresh and interesting.  I like seeing the new characters (Powergirl!) being introduced because they are familiar yet different.  So in a way the slow build-up is helping to establish the universe, although I think at this point it is time for some action. 

In this issue, I also like the central conversation between Superman and Stewart:  does the good that Superman has done over the years outweigh his tyrannical rule.  I like the fact that Stewart even mentions that, telling Superman that believing he is doing good is just an excuse to cover up the dictatorship.

HISTORY LESSON:  Chapter Four

Written by Ron Marz

Pencils by Fernando Pasarin

Inks by Matt Banning

Synopsis

Guy Gardner (aka Detective Chimp) tells the history of Superman from his battle with the Ultra-Humanite to his rise of power.

Review

There really is not much to say about this back-up.  It does a decent job of recapping Superman’s origin, helping to fill in the blanks for the main story without filling the main story with unnecessary exposition.  Like the main feature it has been dragging in terms of revealing what is going on Guy and Jennifer, but like the main feature the Tangent universe is still fresh and exciting that I am enjoying the history lessons.  But I think it is time to take the story somewhere.