DCU Comic Book Reviews

TANGENT COMICS:  SUPERMAN'S REIGN #5

Chapter Five

September 2008

Written by Dan Jurgens

Pencils by Jamal Igle

Inks by Robin Riggs

Cover by Carlos Pacheco and Jesus Merino

Synopsis

On Tangent Earth, Power Girl attacks the Tangent renegades and New Earth heroes.  The New Earth heroes underestimate their powers and are beaten soundly.  New Earth Batman wants to regroup, but Tangent Green Lantern takes him and Tangent Spectre to a place of safety.  Elsewhere, Tangent Hex shows Tangent Joker his home and tries to enlist her into their cause.  They also learn of Power Girl’s attack and someone else informs Hex that their plans need to change.  In Switzerland, Power Girl returns to Tangent Superman, who integrates New Earth Green Lantern (John Stewart) and comes to believe that New Earth is threat.  Superman realizes the Lantern power ring is the key to finding New Earth, so he takes it from John Stewart.  Elsewhere, New Earth Batman is taken to home of the Tangent Green Lantern, where he is introduced to Plastic Man.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

I don’t really have much to say about this issue.  It is pretty much more of the same as we get Tangent and New Earth heroes somewhat working together, Superman showing how much power and ego he has, and Tangent Joker getting led around to seemingly nowhere.  This issue is really not that much different in terms of the layout and format of the previous issue.  Jurgens has hit upon a template and is working it.  Normally, I think this would bother me, but the differences, yet similarity, of the Tangent characters has got me riveted to this mini-series, so I am willing to let it pass because I like it so much.  Plus, it is always interesting to watch Batman be frustrated by his inability to strategize the fight against Power Girl.

HISTORY LESSON:  Chapter Five

Written by Ron Marz

Pencils by Fernando Pasarin

Inks by Matt Banning

Synopsis

After Guy Gardner (aka Detective Chimp) is taken into an old Nightwing facility, he relates the history of Lori Lemaris (aka The Joker).

Review

Hey, look, Ron Marz finally gets his name on the cover.  Um, not that much else to add.  We are still getting the history lesson and we are still not getting anywhere in terms of who these people are and how they will connect to the main story.  Yet, just like the main feature, the story is riveting and the history lessons are very informative and enjoyable.