There aren’t any new characters introduced in this issue, major ones anyway, and that’s a good thing. Things are getting complicated enough as war engulfs the galaxy. I think it is completely fair, half way through a story, for an author to not go back and explain everything each time out. So, this review will contain a little more in the way of exposition than I usually put in a review, unless it is a first review of an ongoing story. It won’t be a simple synopsis, however, and it will be spoiler free.
Our story takes place on four planets: Rann, Polara, Thanagar, and Throneworld.
The battle on Throneworld continues from the last issue. Throneworld is the capital of the Infinite Realm, ruled by Prince Gavyn. Also known as Starman, his history is a little convoluted. Once a possible heir to the throne, he was sentenced to death when the rulership went to another. This was in accordance to their culture, and was meant to prevent any other possible claimants from causing dissent, but after he was thrown into the vacuum of space, an alien rescued him and gave him great powers, with which he became Throneworld’s champion. He kept his identity a secret, however, as he had been sentenced to death. Eventually, he died in the Crisis on Infinite Earths, but cheated death again when his life force traveled to Earth and took over an Arizona man named Will Payton. Payton, as Galvyn, returned to Throneworld, overthrew a dictatorship that had taken power and became ruler himself.
Tigorr is a member of the Omega Men. This is a group made up of various races from the hard luck Vegan system, which has seen more than its share of invaders and destruction. Seeking to free their worlds from the Psion led Citadel. Their involvement with this arc began in the Adam Strange Planet Heist mini, and has carried through to here. The others are already back in the Vegan system, hoping to free it during this unrest. Tigorr came to Throneworld to warn Gavyn of the coming Thanagarian attack.
In this issue they realize that the invading Thanagarians’ real target is the Hall of Science, which contains Zeta Beam technology.
On Thanagar, Kyle Raynor and Adam Blake, a.k.a. Captain Comet, find a dead world. It has been scorched by its sun’s corona. As a character Captain Comet dates back to the beginnings of DC’s Silver Age. In fact, he actually predates J’onn Jonzz by four years and the Flash by five. He is also the first superhero to ever have his powers attributed to being a mutant. They were triggered by a passing comet just before his birth. He is said to be perfect, representing what the human race was be like 100,000 years in the future. He is physically and mentally perfect, a genius with psychic powers (telepathy, telekinesis). After surveying a dozen ruins, they discover Onimar Synn. Onimar Synn is supposedly an ancient Thanagarian demon, but did not appear in the DCU in 2001. He is worshipped as one of the Seven Devils by the death cult responsible for this war. He took control of the planet and was able to influence all through the Nth metal. He literally feasts on souls and turns the corpses of his victims into undead winged warriors. His defeat came at the hands of Hawkman, Hawkgirl, and the JSA. Now resurrected, he will likely play a central role in the remainder of the mini.
On Polara the now freed Hawkwoman, Shayera Thal, begins to attack the Rannians, who have come to her rescue. Events on Polara quickly take an unexpected turn, however, and begin to highlight one of the themes of this issue.
On Rann things are going terribly. Most of the planet has been overrun and desperately needed supplies of weaponry are being intercepted. Sardath surveys all from a secret bunker, hopelessly trying to rally allies in time. These include the Dominators, a group as hostile and dangerous as Thanagar ever was, but who now share mutual interest in stopping the Seven Devils Cult. Her father’s willingness to ally Rann with the Dominators upsets and angers Alanna Strange, but Sardath has convinced himself that their end is near.
The two engines, or themes, that drive this issue are the nature of alliances and the desire for, or the threat of, Rannian technology. Every power would love to get their hands on it, particularly the Zeta Beams. These operate much like the teleporters on Star Trek, except instead of simply moving someone from a ship to a planet, they replace the need for a ship altogether and beam you directly to any place in the galaxy. In the hands of someone like the Thanagarians it could become a great weapon, placing armies any where at the push of a button. This war will be decided by who controls Rannian tech and what help they will need to determine that control.
Gibbons does a great job of balancing a complex story, and the art team, Reis, Campos, and Kalisz gives us some dynamic and grand sequences. As a fan of science fiction and well written space operas, of course, I love this mini. A relative newbie when it comes to DC’s non-Gotham titles, I am also enjoying this chance to see and learn about so many other aspects of their SF universe. If I had to come up with ways to improve this title, the only suggestions I could offer are that they include editorial notes for those feeling a little lost (though I hope the above info will help some) and a timeline. I’d like to see the latter because Hawkman is currently playing such a big role on Earth in the JLA story Crisis of Conscience, even while he is light years away trying to save his people from themselves. Oh well, they won’t be superheroes if they faced the same limitations that we do!
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