Lead Feature Written by Dan Jurgens. Lead Feature Art by Jamal Igle; Robin Riggs; Steve Wands; & Dom Regan.
Back-Up Tale Written by Ron Marz. Back Up Tale Art by Fernando Pasarin; Jesse Delperdang; Dom Regan; & Steve Wands.
Cover Art by Carlos Pachecho & Jesús Merino.
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for May 2008, this issue’s title is simply “Chapter Two,” as DC’s Tangent Universe (Earth-9) continues a twelve-part crossover with DC’s Earth-1. Having regained her mystical lantern, from the confines of a cemetery, a revitalized Green Lantern of Earth-9 explains to a stranded Flash & Green Lantern (Wally West & Green Lantern) her world’s dire reality.
To help prove it, she revives her reality’s heroic Joker, who relays to them what happened in a fateful battle the Secret Six faced vs. Earth-9’s corrupted Superman. Meanwhile, Earth-9’s ex-con Lori Lemaris is bewildered at a strange hallucination she has during a court-enforced education class. The Tangent Superman, after chastising one of his underlings, realizes that a new challenge to his throne is now afoot.
Elsewhere, at the Global Security Center, Earth-9’s outmatched Manhunter and Spectre’s rescue mission to save their Atom faces further jeopardy in the form of this reality’s Jade and Obsidian.
In the back-up tale entitled “History Lessons, Chapter Two,” more of Earth-9’s machinations is revealed, as underground computer hacker Guy Gardner finds himself recruited by the mysterious Jennifer Hayden.
REVIEW:
It’s a mild improvement over the inaugural issue. While there isn’t any discernible upgrade to the already-good-but-not-stellar visuals, writer Dan Jurgens at least provides readers more perspective re: these Earth-9 counterparts. For instance, the enigmatic Tangent Green Lantern and the saga’s baddie, the Tangent Superman, are sufficiently spelled out.
At this juncture, Tangent: Superman’s Reign # 2 isn’t a particularly engaging read, but it’s a sufficient sample sample to decide whether or not to further explore this year-long saga. Frankly, having given the first two issues the benefit of the doubt, this plotline still seems middling at best.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
DC’s Mike Carlin plugs Batman Confidential in the “DC Nation” column. Thumbnail cover reveals are for Countdown # 2; Gotham Underground # 7; Robin # 173; and a black-and-white Tangent: Superman’s Reign # 3.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5 Stars
