If I could go on a Tangent for a moment…

More specifically, let’s talk about Tangent: Superman’s Reign. When this maxi-series started earlier this year, I picked it up on a whim. I had no prior knowledge of the Tangent Universe and what it was all about. I had just started reading monthlies, and frankly the reason I was drawn to it was because Superman’s name was on it.

But I picked it up, not sure what to expect. I was more than a little thrown to see the Tangent version of the Flash, wearing a pink suit with a yellow sunburst on the front, as well as names like Lori Lemaris and Harvey Dent.

One of the most enjoyable parts of this series has been seeing the back-up story, or the “History Lesson,” as it has been called, told by a seemingly unassuming techie by the name of Guy Gardner. Honestly, I don’t even want to call it a back-up story, because it’s been just as pleasurable as the main story. And for someone who began the series with absolutely no knowledge of the Tangent Universe, the second story in the book was vital to my understanding of the Universe as a whole.

The Tangent counterparts of the New Earth heroes (and, in some cases, villains) has been a great break for me from the DCU. Wait, I think Jim would call this book a “palate cleanser.” Sure, it’s serious and has some trans-universe implications, but it does take place outside the actual continuity of the DCU, and therefore is a nice book to read right after a heavy book such as Final Crisis.

I don’t know that I will actively search out past stories in the Tangent Universe, but this is definitely a case where I took a chance on a book that I had absolutely no prior knowledge about and it has paid off for me in the long run. I look forward to reading The Superman’s Reign every month, and from the way events are starting to fall into place, it appears as if I will be left very satisfied.

Inspired by comments in Episode 144

Sean and Jim had some interesting comments that caught my attention during their conversation about Renee’s part in Final Crisis: Revelations. I liked seeing her being brought in as possibly being involved with a team during issue #4. But instead of having her in the type of book you suggested (a spy, espionage-type book), I wonder how she might possibly fit in as a part of the new Justice League group being formed by James Robinson. My understanding of the book at this point is that this Justice League, headed by Hal Jordan, is intended to be more of a pro-active group. And now that we see that Renee has fully embraced her role as the Question and is working so hard in Revelations to help fix the situation, I can see her accepting a situation once again where she is dependent to certain degrees on a team once again. Doing so would mark a period of closure and healing for her character, since she has been burned so much in the past when she has put her trust in others.

And plus, any way we can see her character on a monthly basis would be a good thing. I’m still holding out for a solo series, but I would settle for Renee’s Question on a team.

New Format

One of the hardest parts of doing this blog once a week, (or so) is that I sometimes have a hard time picking just one topic to write about on here. And when I can’t narrow it down, I tend to put off writing anything at all. So to keep that from happening, I’m going to attempt writing about two or three topics a week. Sure, it might mean that you see me write about Smallville more often, but at least it will be shorter in length.

And if anyone ever has any questions, comments, or just wants to hear (or in this case, read) my opinions on a certain book, you can email me at gutterlife@gmail.com.

By Mandy Stegall

Celebrity Death Match: Geoff Johns vs. Mark Millar

It seems that both of these guys want to pen a Superman movie. Good for them. I’m dying to see a new one, whether it’s Brandon Routh, Tom Welling, or any other new phenom to get in the tights and spit curl his hair.

But if Superman Returns did nothing else, it reinforced the Superman fans’ love of the traditional mythology when it comes to the movies. Lois Lane is the spunky reporter with the hots for Superman, not a thirty-something emo with a five-year-old Superman love child. Simply said, the fans don’t want a re-imagining; they want the same kind of “hell yeah” moments that brought in $1 billion for The Dark Knight last summer.

The two biggest names that have come across the wire with interests in writing a new Superman movie are Mark Millar (of Wanted fame) and Geoff Johns, the current god of anything and everything Superman and DC in general. Mark Millar’s experience with the Superman character extends as far as Superman: Red Son, an Elseworlds tale. And Johns, well, the turn around of the Superman titles in the last couple years is largely due to his run on Action Comics. And I’m sure we’re all strongly anticipating his Superman: Secret Origin miniseries coming up in 2009.

Millar has said in various interviews that his vision for a Superman movie is a darker tale, much like his Red Son story. Sorry, but as interesting as Red Son might have been, it’s not the Superman people want to see. I want Kansas, Clark Kent, the Daily Planet, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Lex Luthor, and the Big Blue Boy Scout in all his Kryptonian farm boy glory.

Johns is so in tune with the Superman universe right now, one might think that he actually is Superman. He certainly is the Superman of DC Comics right now. He said this week in an interview on MTV.com that he “would love a crack at Superman.” My only question at this point is why the head honchos at Warner Bros. haven’t already made an official announcement. What are they waiting for? Johns is the Holy Grail.

I liken the idea of Millar writing a Superman movie to Joe Quesada being hired to write a live-action Wonder Woman movie. The obvious questions about character familiarity have to be raised. Character research would certainly be involved, but I personally would feel a whole hell of a lot better handing a franchise the size of Superman over to someone who already has inside-out knowledge of the character and RESPECTS what Superman is all about. Suggesting a departure from the traditional Superman formula suggests that it no longer works. But frankly, we all could use a couple heroes like Superman. Do us all a favor, Millar: stick with Marvel.

By Mandy Stegall