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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not needed, February 7, 2006
This review is from: The Rann-Thanagar War (Countdown to Infinite Crisis) (Paperback)
I bought this as well as all the other countdown to Infinite Crisis books, and I must say this one disappointed me the most. Other than the fact that it was revealed in IC #4 that (**** SPOILER *******) Superboy-Prime moved the planets with his bare hands, and that OA is no longer in the center of the universe, this book has no other relevance.
The story really drags, to the point that you forget what the heck it is even about. This books is packed with beautiful art, but lackluster writing.
If you want to have a complete library, go for it. If you think you are buying this to get a larger more fuller understanding of Infinite Crisis, you will be disappointed.
PS. I also bought the Rann/Thanagar Infinite Crisis Special one-shot for $5, and I wish I had spent that money on some Archie comics, or given it to the needy, cause that book sure wasnt needed.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
The most disappointing of the Infinite Crisis lead-up's, March 29, 2007
This review is from: The Rann-Thanagar War (Countdown to Infinite Crisis) (Paperback)
Of the four mini-series' that lead up to DC's mega event Infinite Crisis, the Rann-Thanagar War was the most promising. A massive, interstellar war written by the artist of Watchmen and creator of the the Originals? Needless to say, this was the mini I was looking forward to the most. That's what's so disappointing when you pick up this TPB and start reading, realizing just how much potential got wasted and lost in translation. Rann, the home planet of space hero Adam Strange, gets involved in a brutal war with Thanagar; home planet of heroes like Hawkman and Hawkgirl. In between all this is Strange, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, and Green Lantern's Kyle Rayner and Kilowog; all of whom are trying to make sense of the whole thing, which you'll be doing too. What really kills Rann-Thanagar War is the convoluted storyline and weak dialogue, with the best moments coming in the concluding chapter, which sets the stage for Infinite Crisis. The book's saving grace is definitely the artwork by rising star Ivan Reis, which is excellent. Other than that though, unless you absolutely need every Infinite Crisis tie-in TPB, the Rann-Thanagar War is better left on the shelf.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Tenuous, Flawed Story, January 27, 2006
This review is from: The Rann-Thanagar War (Countdown to Infinite Crisis) (Paperback)
The Rann Thanager War is another of the Countdown to Infinite Crisis storylines that will probably upset a lot of readers by its incomplete ending. This is honestly a stand alone story and its status as being part of the Infinite Crisis is a bit tenuous at best and only hinted at in the last few pages. The story opens as Adam Strange of Rann has tracked down Hawkman to give him the grim news that his home planet of Thanagar has been destroyed. Seems a rogue Thanagarian zealot has used a planetary teleportation device to move Rann into Thanagar's orbit, sending that planet into its sun. Rann helps evacuate thousands of Thanagarians to their world before they are incinerated.
The fragile peace on Rann does not last long as Thanagar survivors soon begin a revolt again Rann and war erupts. The war soon has other major races lining up and taking sides in what could be a galactic battle. Tamaran, Durla, Throneworld, Colu, Khund, the Dominion, Psions of Vega, even the L.E.G.I.O.N. all become involved, not too mention Kyle Rayner and Kilowog of the Green Lantern Corps, and Captain Comet. Back on what's left of Thanagar a high priest has summoned forth one of the mythical seven devils, the soul-eating Onimar Synn whose vast power can tip the balance in the war against Rann at the cost of thousands of souls. Synn's goal is to eventually claim the Rann Zeta beam technology for his own so he can virtually have the whole universe to devour.
With so many races involved and so much back door politicking and negotiating between all of these races, it borders on tedious to keep everyone, and every plotline straight. Synn's role as a major villain in the vein of Darkseid comes up short. He simply does not seem all that intimidating or all that much a serious threat. He's eventually dispatched in relatively short order so the final lead in to Infinite Crisis can be surprised on the reader. Writer Dave Gibbons almost seemed rushed to get to the books inconclusive ending. A pity because there is a pretty good story here. The art by Ivan Reis and Marc Campos is very good and the action is handled well. Solid without trying to be to "showy". The Rann Thanagar War is a good idea but not without some major flaws.
Reviewed by Tim Janson
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