The opening issue of Convergence promises a wild ride down memory lane that should appeal to all fans of the DC Universe.
Convergence is the ultimate DC crossover event for fans who hate crossover events. It’s not the best of both worlds, it’s the best of all worlds, as Brainiac has collected cities from different places and times within the history of the DC Universe and deposited them on a living world charged with their care. But Brainiac is gone, and this living world is calling the shots now.
Writers Dan Jurgens and Jeff King establish the story in issue #0 entirely through a conversation (interrupted by Super-punches) between Telos, the living planet at the center of the mayhem, and Superman, a hero Telos describes with surprising respect: “No matter the universe or timeline…you demand attention.”
Representing himself as nearly every incarnation of Brainiac we’ve ever seen, Telos reveals to Superman that he is on a planet removed from time, a planet that Brainiac found so unique he conquered its nature and transformed it into the guardian of these displaced cities. “The master is gone. Yet, the cities must be cared for. My cities.”
Telos decides to send Supes home after wiping his memory, and he also decides on a course of action for his cities—survival of the fittest. Convergence should be an interesting series when the domes separating the cities are lifted, and I’m sure Jurgens and King will offer plenty of twists and turns, laced with numerous homages to comics of the past.
Artist Ethan Van Sciver is spending overtime on research for this one. Just including all the Brainiacs was a feat—as was including the many deaths of Superman (that spread will send a chill up your spine). As always, his attention to detail is superb, and it was interesting to see him adapt his style to reflect the Brainiacs through the many eras this series will represent.
At the end of the book is an extensive list of the worlds present under the domes on Telos. It includes worlds like Gotham City, Red Rain Universe from Batman and Dracula Red Rain (1991); Metropolis, Kingdom Come Universe from Kingdom Come (1996); Hub City, Earth-Four from Blue Beetle #1 (1967); Fawcett City, Earth-S from Whiz Comics #2 (1894); New York City, Earth-A.D. from Kamandi #1 (1972); and many more.
Convergence is going to be a wild ride down memory lane that should appeal to all fans of the DC Universe. Do yourself a favor and get one of the checklists. The creative teams working on these titles comprise DC legends and your current favorites. (I’m looking forward to Marv Wolfman and Nicola Scott teaming up on Convergence Teen Titans #1.)
Dan Jurgens, Jeff King (W), Ethan Van Sciver (A) • DC Comics, $4.99
