Broken Frontier

There’s an elephant in the room. And this particular pachyderm isn’t content to sit quietly in the corner keeping himself to himself. Nope - he’s had a few beers and he’s mouthing off and I can’t help noticing that he’s actually frighteningly big for his age. I want to ignore him. I don’t want to start any trouble. But he keeps staring at me. He’s looking for a fight and I know that any minute now he’s going to accuse me of spilling his pint...

Yes you can take it as read, from the strained metaphor, that the elephant in question is the Final Crisis/Countdown continuity question. I really wanted to avoid getting into any commentary about the inconsistencies between Countdown, The Death of the New Gods and Final Crisis. However the very nature of a feature that takes a weekly look at events in the DCU and, where appropriate, pulls together those plotlines, means realistically that’s going to be next to impossible. So, while we will try to be as objective as humanly possible in the circumstances, there will inevitably be occasional references to those contradictions.

In the meantime I’ve defused the situation by embracing that angry elephant with a big manly hug. I’ve always been his best mate apparently...

Spoiler Warning: Read no further if you’ve not had your DC fix this week and don’t want to read about key story elements.

Across the Universe
(A rundown of the week’s releases)

Recently mentioned as a clue on Rip Hunter’s chalkboard in Booster Gold #10, Batman: Gotham After Midnight #2 takes another look at the creepiest aspects of the Dark Knight’s world.

The spotlight is on the heroes of Japan and a long-lost hero makes a dramatic return in Final Crisis #2.

Witness not just the secret origin of Hal Jordan in Green Lantern #32 but also that of long-time GL villain Hector Hammond.

Helena Bertinelli enters Bruce Wayne’s world in Huntress: Year One #4.

Wildcat wants his fighting abilities back and the Justice Society are there to help in JSA Classified #39.

The Kirby-centric feel to the current DCU continues in Superman #677 when one of the King’s lesser-known creations challenges the Man of Steel.

The team suffer a loss when the Clock King’s machinations come to a head in Teen Titans #60.

There are ominous dreams and rampaging aliens to cause concern for our triumvirate of heroes in Trinity #4.

And books this week from other DC imprints that still have ties to the DCU include Earth-50’s Number of the Beast #6 and Madame Xanadu #1 from Vertigo. Finally, if you’re looking for a primer for upcoming supernatural events, grab a copy of DC Universe: Reign in Hell 80-Page Giant #1.

The Bigger Picture
(All the developments, hints, clues and teasers for the overarching storylines)

The Rebirth of the New Gods – A number of characters, some established and some not so familiar, are taking on aspects of the New Gods. Terrible Turpin is becoming extremely violent and is recognised by the evil Gods in Blüdhaven as Darkseid.

Alpha Lantern Kraken is apparently being controlled by Granny Goodness. She frames Hal Jordan for the attempted murder of John Stewart - a crime she committed herself. As Kraken has links to Apokolips that were established in recent issues of Green Lantern and was rumoured to have been targeted by the Female Furies perhaps her "possession" is an Apokoliptian revenge. Also worth noting the Kirby type visual effect as Wonder Woman approaches Kraken on panel 4 of page 16 which foreshadows the Big Reveal 5-6 pages later. Batman discerns all is not right with Kraken and finds himself a prisoner of the evil Gods for his troubles.

Shilo Norman, Mister Miracle, is searching for potential recruits for a team to oppose the Evil Gods. MotherBoxxx leads him to Sonny Sumo in Japan. (Sonny was a minor player in the original Fourth World stories who debuted in the original 1971 Forever People run). As Sonny is established as a character who possesses the Anti-Life Equation perhaps this would explain his importance in opposing Darkseid. He seems more violent here than remembered but as the last time we saw him he was stranded in ancient Japan perhaps that would be an explanation. An alternative would be that Sonny Sumo is now an avatar of some kind for Orion. (Final Crisis #2)

The Trinity – Tarot has more visions that include a link to a higher power known as the Worldsoul which she may be able to control. She also witnesses Despero’s conflict with Kanjar Ro and his escape through an interspatial gateway which he’s been mysteriously drawn to. Despero is aware that someone is watching him. There are currently two Desperos active in the DCU (his earlier self is running around with the Time Stealers in Booster Gold) (Trinity #4)

The Dark Side Club – Events in Teen Titans #60 occur concurrently with Birds of Prey #119 as Black Alice and Misfit’s bout is scheduled for after Hardrock and Kid Devil’s. Time does not exist in the normal sense within the confines of the Club. Although the Titans escape the Club their growing doubts about Ravager’s stability as a member of the team lead to Rose Wilson leaving their ranks without a goodbye. Clock King, who has been capturing young metahumans for the Dark Side Club, is particularly keen to recruit Rose Wilson to his team. Like him, she shares a precognitive ability to be aware of events seconds in the future. Expect this plotline to be followed up in the upcoming Terror Titans series. (Teen Titans #60)

Terrible Turpin follows the trail of the missing children to Blüdhaven where he discovers the Evil Factory, complete with resident evil scientists Simyan and Mokkari, has set up shop again in the Command D bunker (from The Battle for Blüdhaven and Countdown to Final Crisis). Amongst the captured youths is the New Earth version of Kamandi, also seen in Countdown to Final Crisis if that continuity is still valid (which is open to question). The children are being conditioned as slaves. (Final Crisis #2)

The Religion of Crime – Orion was murdered by a "God-bullet" fired backwards in time from the Society’s HQ using Metron’s Mobius Chair as part of the firing mechanism. Wally West and Jay Garrick’s investigation of events is interrupted when Barry Allen bursts into the scene chasing what may be the God-bullet. Pursuing him is the new-look Black Racer. As all Flash-fans know Barry Allen is supposed to appear to Wally on three pivotal days of his life. Will the third meeting prove to be a more permanent return for Barry? (Final Crisis #2)

Lex Luthor looks for allies to oppose Libra’s control of the Society. Libra uses Clayface to blow up the Daily Planet building leaving Lois Lane (and presumably Perry White’s) fates hanging in the balance. Whether Libra does this as an enticement to Luthor or to show his superiority remains to be seen.

Intriguing as well that the heroes are being taken out one by one with an almost surgical precision. Martian Manhunter is dead, Green Lantern has been captured by the Alpha Lanterns, Batman is a prisoner and Superman’s world has just been blown apart. The Day Evil Won indeed... (Final Crisis #2)

Salvation Run – J’onn J’Onzz’s murder was, in part, revenge for his impersonation of Blockbuster on the Hell Planet. (Final Crisis #2)

In Blackest Night... – As Hal Jordan came to terms with his destiny as green Lantern the demonic Atrocitus, the escaped prisoner from Abin Sur’s crashed spacecraft, investigated the identity of the founder of the Black Corps (knowing its origins were on Earth). We know the Red Lantern Corps has links to the Empire of Tears and Atrocitus’s ritual in this issue uses what must be the oath of the Corps of anger. William Hand, the future super-villain Black Hand is revealed as the object of his search. (Green Lantern #32)

The Monitors – The exiled Nix Uotan has flashes of his past life as a Monitor (check out the various alternate world characters he’s doodling on page 9 for example). He’s dreaming of his life as a Monitor and recalls the Orrery of Worlds (quite how this machine can be reconciled with the structure of the Multiverse in Countdown is open to question). In scenes reminiscent of Black Adam’s recent predicament he starts reeling off phrases searching for the "magic word" that will, metaphorically we assume, take him home. He stops just short of the word "Crisis". (Final Crisis #2)

Rounding up... Hector Hammond’s origin is retooled for the current GL continuity with his exposure to the meteorite that gave him his mental powers now no longer being a deliberate act. Instead it occurs accidentally when he is investigating the power source for Abin Sur’s ship. Hammond’s appearances in this origin tale and Geoff Johns’ use of him of late bear watching. I suspect a greater role for Hammond in the overarching GL storylines... (Green Lantern #32)

After his perceived betrayal by the Secret Six, experiences on the Hell Planet in Salvation Run and savage beating by Turpin the Mad Hatter may be looking to be taken a little more seriously in his next appearance. (Final Crisis #2)

Continuity Corner
(The whys and wherefores of some of this week's characters and events)

Superman#677: Atlas Comics

It’s a good time in thee DCU at the moment for former alumni of their barbarian/caveboy/sword and sorcery lines. The latest escapee from the mid-1970s stars in Superman #677 and is a creation of none other than the King himself, Jack Kirby. Atlas first appeared in 1st Issue Special #1 (April 1975) and looks set to be a thorn in the side of the Man of Steel over the next few months.

His allusions to the distant past are not without foundation. Atlas was a mythical-type hero in undetermined ancient era. One of the peaceful tribe of the Crystal Mountain he became the implacable enemy of the Lizard King Hyssa when the tyrant burnt down his village and kidnapped everyone he knew. 1st Issue Special was a tryout book which launched the career of Mike Grell’s Warlord but little else. When last seen Atlas and his mentor Chagra had arrived at the city of King Hyssa with vengeance in mind but, apart from a couple of possible Kingdom Come cameos, we’ve had to wait 33 years to see the next chapter of this warrior’s saga...

Also of note in this issue is the use of the Science Police. The SP of the 30th Century have, of course, have been a major part of the Legion of Super-Heroes mythos for many years. In recent continuity a prototype version of the organization has been established working as part of the Metropolis PD in the current day DCU.

Superman #677 introduces us to a number of officers in this outfit and implies all the major cities of the DCU may now have their own division (Midway City certainly does). These include Travis DuBarry, Adam McCafferty, Carol Dash and Jake Grimaldi. The Metropolis field officers are co-ordinated by a mysterious woman called Control. An admittedly very outside bet, but could this be the grand-daughter of Control of the wartime DC series O.S.S. (which debuted in Showcase #104 (Sep 1978) and featured for some time in G.I. Combat)? If memory serves she was last seen in Suicide Squad Annual #1 (1988) as part of the shadowy government agency Argent.

Jake Grimaldi is a former member of the Human Defense Corps, one of the many DCU specialist units designed to form a human defence against metahuman threats. The mention of Grimaldi’s time in Hell is a direct reference to the events of the six-issue 2003 Human Defense Corps miniseries when the HDC mounted a rescue mission to save 66 of their number trapped in the netherworld.

Fanboy Moment of the Week

It’s just a little throwaway line but it’s still the sort of thing that Geoff Johns does so well. Page 7 of this week’s Hal Jordan origin tale in Green Lantern #32 has a scene with Carol Ferris trying to salvage her business when the entire flying staff of Ferris Air walk out on her. The pilot she is trying to persuade over the phone to come work for her is someone called "Trainor". This is Larry Trainor, of course, who will go on to become Negative Man of the Doom Patrol. Sometimes it’s the smallest of touches that make a shared universe so much fun...

That's it for another week. Until then feel free to post corrections, criticisms and commentary on the Broken Frontier ATDCU message board thread  here. See you in seven days and thanks for reading!