Tangent At A Glance
I bet you never thought you'd find an article on the "Steel" movie. Well,
you're not going to find one here either. Instead, let's talk about
Tangent. The new line of nine Elseworld-ish comics that will be released
one week in October, while the rest of the DCU gets put on hold. Each book
consists of 48 pages and costs $2.95. To me that means trouble; being the
frugal/poor/cheap person I am, I'm going to have to limit these titles to
the best possible one(s). So, lets take a peek...
THE ATOM
EXCERPTS FROM DC ONLINE: The Atom reveals the secrets of three generations
of high-flying nuclear-powered heroes who defined the eras in which they
lived. The newest member of this heroic dynasty meets with immediate
opposition from the villainous Fatal Five, one of whom has a connection to
the original Atom and holds a secret that leads the hero's grandson to a
shocking journey of discovery about his heritage.
WALLY'S WORDS: I was never big (no pun intended) on the Atom, but his
appearances are so seldom that it's a possibility. It seems like a whole
lot of character development for a one shot, leaving me to say...needs
more plot...Ah, well, maybe the sequel?
DOOM PATROL
EXCERPTS FROM DC ONLINE: In the year 2030, four heroes narrowly escape
Earth's destruction. Traveling through time to the year 1997, they struggle
to prevent this horrible future from coming to pass. But will they save the
world or ensure it's doom?
WALLY'S WORDS: Well there you have it (see The Atom comment)...more plot!
This has the makings of a good action story. It may be a keeper but there are seven more to sift through yet,
and me ever the optimist; always thinking the next will be better.
THE FLASH
EXCERPTS FROM DC ONLINE: Meet the Flash--a young woman literally made of
light--who has more trouble with life as a teenager than life as a
super-heroine, at least until the covert group known as Nightwing decides
that she must be neutralized.
WALLY'S WORDS: In the DCU the Flash is one of my favorite characters, but I
don't harbor any interest here. Next...
GREEN LANTERN
EXCERPTS FROM DC ONLINE: An ageless woman appears at the graves of those
who died before their time, bringing back their spirit to even the score
by means of a mystical green lantern. This haunting collection of tales
revives fallen hero Captain Comet, amateur sleuth/exiled monarch King
Faraday, and a third whose life was intertwined with the heroic Australian
pilot Captain Boomerang.
WALLY'S WORDS: This book has an edge to it. It seems mysterious and
compelling, making me want to see what's inside. Plus it's the only book
with more than one story, making it thrice as good (or bad depending on
your point of view).
THE JOKER
EXCERPTS FROM DC ONLINE: In new Atlantis--an oceanfront city rebuilt after
the nuclear exchanges of 1962--decades of tension between local police and
radiation-scarred refugees have reached a breaking point. What these people
need is a good joke. Enter the Joker: an adrenaline-charged martial artist
with a flair for anarchy and top-flight comic timing. The whole city wants
to know this working-class heroine's secret identity, but she remains a
mystery...and she always gets the last laugh.
WALLY'S WORDS: It seems like the Tangent universe is dominated by females,
that's three in a row so far. This book feels like it's written with a
lighter tone, something that will leave you feeling good after it's read. I
need a good joke too. I'm sold.
METAL MEN
EXCERPTS FROM DC ONLINE: A crack squad of soldiers nicknamed "The
Metal Men" ended the cold war in Czechoslovakia and achieved greatness
as a result, as one soldier would become president, another would join
the Cabinet, and some of the others would join Nightwing--giving one
of them even greater influence than the President. But first they
would have to win a bloody war, and that fateful battle unfolds in this story.
WALLY'S WORDS: YUK! Another commando squad story, pass.
NIGHTWING
EXCERPTS FROM DC ONLINE: The horrifying truths behind the covert
organization called Nightwing are revealed in a dark blending of black
ops and black magic. Trying to gain control over superhumans,
technology and mysticism, Nightwing has already gained access to every
home, but there are troubles within the group--tensions that may expose
all of their secrets to the world.
WALLY'S WORDS: See Metal Men comment, but ad magic.
SEA DEVILS
EXCERPTS FROM DC ONLINE: After the atomic destruction of Florida,
schools of undersea creatures were transformed into a new race of
beings--the Sea Devils. These new creatures fight to keep safe
distance from the intolerant human race--except for one rebel who
leads a group of his friends to explore the world above. But a new
horror is rising from the ocean depths, one that threatens both
worlds. Can this new breed of heroes overcome fear and prejudice to
save both races?
WALLY'S WORDS: I'm intrigued. Although, not a totally unique idea;
reminds me of the gamma infected creatures that were in the desert with
the marvel-ous big green guy. I'm still interested enough to pick up
this book.
SECRET SIX
EXCERPTS FROM DC ONLINE: Some of the greatest heroes of the Tangent
Universe--The Flash, The Atom, The Joker, Plastic Man, Spectre,
Manhunter--join forces as the Secret Six in a thrilling adventure to
battle against Aquaman. Can the hidden half-dozen thwart an insidious
plot to destroy the moon and upset the world's tides?
WALLY'S WORDS: WHOO-HOO! I can't wait to read this one. I always knew
Aquaman had a mean-streak, but a villain that the worlds greatest
heroes have to team-up against. This I would never expect.
Well there you have it. Decisions, Decisions! What ever you decide I
hope you enjoy it. At the risk of sounding preachy, I buy comics for the
entertainment value not their resale. Although if the comic value rises,
that's a sidebar-plus in my book nothing more. So those of you that are
out there buying strictly for profit these are all number one books, but
then again, the marketing people throw a number one on all the one-shots
anymore just for people like you. Have you made any money on one-shots
with #1 lately??? But, the name of the game is entertainment, so if
that's how your entertained that's fine by me.
Column by Wallace "Wally" Frost
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