Something to Talk About
Written by: Dan Abnett
Art by: Federico Dallocchio and Veronica Gandini
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 20, 2015
I enjoyed the first issue of Convergence: The Flash enough, but when it ended with Tangent Superman as Barry's opponent, I can't say I jumped for joy. In fact, I was as much in the dark about him as he appeared to be about himself. In the meantime, I did a little research on the character and my lack of knowledge was replaced with indifference. That has been a problem with some of these Convergence tie-ins... if you aren't interested in the "villains", the book can fall flat. However, sometimes, the appeal of the main character is enough to win the day. So, did my love of Barry Allen make this issue a must-read? Let's find out...
I'm going to tell you right off the bat, this issue is filled with exposition. I don't mean that as a negative, just a statement of truth. If you've read this issue, you'll know that I'm trying to get a laugh at Tangent Superman's expense. While he didn't really know who he was at the end of the last issue, he's a quick learner. In fact, he went from a confused guy in a robe to boastful douche in a robe in no time at all. He claims that everything he says is just a statement of fact, but if you are a Barry fan, you can't wait to see our hero punch Superman's smug mug. Don't worry, it happens. it just takes a bit.
After all, I've just said, Dan Abnett does a great job with the dialogue of this issue. We get a good idea of who this Superman is and what he's all about. The reason I hate the guy so much is all from his dialogue and I loved watching a confused Barry just sit there and wonder who the hell this guy is. I also commend Abnett for going at this "battle" part of the Convergence story at a different angle than most.
After Barry listens to everything Superman has said, he starts a thinking. Bad move, Barry. I'm not saying Barry is a dummy because we all know he isn't, he just has a crazy, speed force attention span that leads him straight into trouble. Dan Abnett does a great job of showing how he quickly jumps to wild conclusions about who this Superman is. Then he lets his fists do the talking.
I really enjoyed seeing Barry knock the snot out of Superman, but it doesn't last long. Superman shows that everything he boasted about is true and the fight seems about to end when Abnett throws a curveball at the reader. Tangent Superman's powers show him how important Barry is to his city, but also to the entire multiverse. Because of this, he yields and Barry wins the battle.
Talk about an emotional ending. Tangent Superman sacrifices himself and his city for the good of the whole multiverse. The problem is, I don't care two licks about Tangent Superman or his city. If this would have been a character I cared about or was a bit more likable, the ending would have hit harder. In the end, it was a unique Convergence tie-in that mixed up the formula in a way that made it stand out from some of the generic books we've been getting.
I really liked Federico Dallocchio's art mainly for the unique angles and perspectives throughout this book. It doesn't hurt that everything also looks great.
Bits and Pieces:
Dan Abnett mixes up the usual Convergence formula to give us an exposition-heavy issue that ends in a smart and emotional way. It's a matter of the needs of the many outweighing the few and while that can fall into cliche, Abnett thankfully avoids that. Like most other tie-ins, I can't recommend this to everyone, but if you read the first or are a Barry Allen fan, check it out.
7.0/10
Yeh as a big time Tangent Universe fan I am saddened in how many people didn't know of the off week event of 1997 and 1998 or even Superman's Reign years later. I thought this was a great story knowing The Superman. Yes, he is that powerful. I knew Barry Allen was going to have his hands full because in the Reign of Superman it took all the regular DC universe heroes and villians together to beat The Superman.
ReplyDeleteSo I was hoping Barry would win somehow. And he gives him a good run, and the fight ended as expected. Only the outcome with The Superman yielding was COMPLETLY in character for him. The Superman is not a good or bad guy really. He is a problem solver. He definately would look at the bigger picture and if he saw removing himself for the greater solution, he would do that solution. Awesome stuff.
What I don't get is why is the Tangent Universe fighting on three fronts? The Superman fights The Flash, The Doom Patrol fights the Teen Titans, and the Secret Six (a personal fav of mine) fights Justice League Detroit.
So Tangent had to fight off three other cities? So did that give three chances to win or three chances to loose?
I am really interested in the Tangent stuff now, but I'm having fun tracking things down. In the end, I really did like The Superman. As far as fighting on three fronts...that was kind of a thing in this whole event. Every week had at least one moment (usually a lot more, though) where you scratch your head wondering why the other heavy hitters aren't involved. It was all to keep them in their separate solo tie-ins though when you look at the big picture, it made no sense at all.
Delete