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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