Review:
This book collects the conclusion of the Tangent: Superman's Reign limited series, wrapping up the Dan Jurgens story of a powerful hero forcing peace on two worlds. The Tangent Universe is a fascinating corner of the larger DC Universe, so similar yet so different from the mainstream Earth or even Earth 2. Flash is a woman made of pure light; Green Lantern is a hooded, mystical woman; Batman is a hollow suit of armor dating to the days of King Arthur, a literal Knight.
But the biggest difference is The Superman, a Zen-like figure who floats more than flies, and who exudes tremendous mental powers. A man who, having saved his world from certain disaster, then took control of that world, and who rules it with an iron fist hidden in the velvet glove of his calm exterior. Now, he is after our world too.
He easily brushes off our Superman and Power Girl, and abducts all of the world's leaders to force them to do his will. It takes the combined might of the Justice League, plus a half-dozen heroes from the Tangent world, to finally defeat him.
The overall narrative is intriguing, filled with fascinating parallels and contrasts, but Dan Jurgens does struggle at times with the large cast of characters. As a result, several (see Black Canary) fade into the status of backup singers in this larger chorus. Visually the action is page-filling and enthralling, although plagued by minor inconsistencies.
The collection also includes the backup story "History Lesson" by Ron Marz and drawn by Andie Tong. It is a surprisingly intense and sexy, if talk-heavy, tale. Tong's visuals occasionally fall flat, but he finds a good balance between the action sequences and the stretches of static conversation.
Description:
In the 1990s, DC Comics created a line of DC TANGENT comics where only the heroes' names remain the same -- everything else was changed. In this graphic novel, the heroes from Tangent Earth and the DC Earth are about to collide! In the years since the Tangent world was last seen, a mind-reading, telekinetic Superman has taken control and brought peace, but at the cost of the world's freedoms. And as the walls between the Tangent Earth and the DC Earth being to fall, the Tangent Superman's visions are about to get even grander.
Collects: Tangent: Superman's Reign #7-12
Authors: Dan Jurgens, Ron Marz
Artists: Andie Tong, Carlos Magno, Wes Craig
Published By: DC Comics
Published When: Sept. 15 2009
Parental Rating: PG
ISBN: 9781401224745
Pages: 144 pages
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