DAVE GIBBONS ON THE RANN/THANGAR WAR

[MattBrady]

Continuing our look at the miniseries coming from DC following Countdown, we touch on the cosmic side of the DCU with the May debut of The Rann/Thangar War, written by Dave Gibbons, with art by Ivan Reis.

Unlike The OMAC Project, Rann/Thanagar doesn’t spin directly out of Countdown - it’s a more thematic follow-up, as DCU Executive Editor Dan Didio has said it will be where DC re-establishes the “cosmic” side of its universe, something that’s been slightly to largely neglected of late.

DC’s science fiction heritage goes back decades and looks to the likes of earthman Adam Strange, who was transported via Zeta Beam to the far off planet Rann, and became the hero of a world as one of its earliest members. Throughout the Silver Age, and under the guidance of Julie Schwartz (although the very science fictiony Legion of Super Heroes was making its mark in the larger, more cosmic scheme of things), DC’s “cosmic” scope grew, and landmark planets and alien races were created that would both interact with earth’s heroes, as well as see stories set on their own worlds.

Perhaps the most recent, concerted emphasis on DC’s cosmic side came in the ‘80s thanks to the likes of the New Teen Titans’ Tamaranian princess Starfire and the cosmology her origin and backstory afforded the series. Likewise, the time also saw The Omega Men get their own series. Later, LEGION (a present day police force, not the future teen heroes) came, along with the Darkstars. By and large, DC’s cosmic side went under the waves in the early to mid ‘90s, and hasn’t really seen a push – until the currently running Adam Strange miniseries by Andy Diggle and Pascal Ferry. When it was announced, Diggle made no bones about the fact that Didio had told him this was his first step in revitalizing DC’s grand cosmic legacy.

And now, in May, the legacy gets another kick, as The Rann/Thanagar War continues with threads started by Diggle in Adam Strange.

But first off, no, Gibbons isn’t offended if he’s asked how he landed the job, as it would seem that Adam Strange writer Andy Diggle would be the obvious choice. He’d already been looking to the stars.

”Actually, I'd worked up a few ideas for another star-spanning mini-series and, although they ended up not being right for that, they fit perfectly into the Rann/Than scenario,” Gibbons said. “Peter Tomasi suggested that I write the Rann/Thanagar series, too and I was happy to oblige. And I think that Andy has other fish to fry anyway...”

For Gibbons, writing the story of an intergalactic war adds a relatively new notch to his belt, which already contains a wide breadth of tales, though, given his latest writing output, an alternate history Captain America story and his original graphic novel, The Originals, a star-spanning adventure may have seemed like the last thing he had in him.

“I've always been surprised at what I do have in me,” Gibbons said. “Although I had to do a fair bit of research, the DC Universe seems to have seeped into my soul over the past decades, and it was no great stretch to embrace Rann and Thanagar. They're as familiar as Mars or Venus, in some ways more so. Also, I've always loved space opera, particularly the works of Asimov, Niven and Ian M. Banks, so it wasn't that unusual an area for me.”

With Didio saying that Rann/Thanagar War would clarify and bring back the cosmic side of the DC Universe, it’s no surprise that Gibbons had some fairly strict guidelines from day one. “There's bound to be a lot of direction when you're attempting to tie a story in to wider continuity and the narrative has to function as more than just a personal vision or exploration of a situation,” the writer said. “It's a question of trying to remain fluid as the bigger picture changes around you. I won't pretend it's been easy and it's certainly been a learning experience for me. However, I have a great deal of respect for Peter Tomasi and Steve Wacker's editorial skills and feel we've become war buddies in our own way!

“As I understand it, DC are trying to clear the decks and establish the base situation in the different areas of their universe - science, magic etc. - to build upon. This interplanetary war provides the way to bring several of their science fiction characters to the fore and explore their relationships and loyalties. Along the way, we'll see clear lines drawn in the map and get a sense of the scope of their science fiction universe.

”Now that the spadework is done, I'm really enjoying fleshing out the narrative and discovering the niches where I can add my own personal embellishments.”

While Gibbons said that he’s not consciously basing or riffing Rann/Thanagar War off of any classical battles or wars, he wouldn’t be surprised if readers point out that he’s (subconsciously) pulled from Homer or Shakespeare in regards to the personal conflicts amid the large-scale action, which consumed the miniseries’ early days.

“Much of the early work went into blocking out the action, since there are certain beats that have to be hit in a project like this,” Gibbons said. “Having said that, we've made many changes to accommodate character and incident. Again, the trick is to remain fluid. Even with a clear road map, side trips and layovers present themselves, along with unexpected, compensating short cuts. And it's true that the characters themselves start to have a say, as you write them.

”In character terms, the war is just the setting and the interest lies in seeing how our various players respond or take the initiative. Even in battle, there are quiet moments and unexpected, surprising or forgotten traits and behavior come to the fore.”

And yes, like Geoff Johns, Gibbons also noted that Kyle Rayner is on the cover of issue #1 – signifying that he apparently doesn’t die in Green Lantern: Rebirth. “Just as Adam Strange has been through a war of sorts before our story begins, so has Kyle. The scars of Rebirth are starting to heal for the Lanterns and the Guardians are thinking once more of the part they must play in the evolution of the universe. As Kyle was finding, even before Rebirth, his destiny lies increasingly off-world. How he will respond to his new role and the orders he receives is what we'll see the beginnings of here. Like much else in the DCU right now, we're in the foothills of massive changes that are building for anyone with a Green Lantern ring.”

In regards of the larger picture, Gibbons said that the seeds of the conflict between Adam Strange’s adopted homeworld of Rann and the world of the Hawkmen, Thanagar were sewn long ago, and the recent flare up in the Adam Strange miniseries was just the most recent skirmish in a decades-long antagonism.

”Rann and Thanagar have always had an uneasy truce. And both bear the legacy of past conflicts,” Gibbons explained. “Rann, a world of science, has been ravaged by atomic war and the consequences of its technology. Thanagar, a planet of warriors and ancient tradition, acutely feels the loss of its previous empires and supremacy in the galaxy. When Rann's technology is apparently turned against Thanagar, with devastating effect, retaliation becomes inevitable, and ancient forces seize the opportunity to pursue their own dark agendas.”

If you’re thinking what you’re probably thinking, don’t worry – Gibbons is thinking it too. Six issues for a war between two planets? Riiiiiight.

“An interplanetary war is never going to be neatly tied off in a six-issue story, so expect the consequences to reverberate and color the DCU for a long time,” Gibbons said. “Allegiances will be formed, destinies will be altered and there will be a resolution to a major strand of the conflict. And not everyone will survive...”

[ManofTheAtom]

This one sounds awesome.

I hope that they also explore how crime in the universe has gone rampant over the last decade.

When Jordan destroyed the Corps, Vril Dox shut down L.E.G.I.O.N., and the Controllers canceled the Darkstars program, there were no longer any cosmic police agencies, so it stands to reason that crime must be at an all time high in the DC Universe.

It be cool if that were ever explored.

[victorderas]

Originally posted by MattBrady
And I think that Andy has other fish to fry anyway...”

So Diggle will write the death of Aquaman???

[samnoir]

Hopefully bringing Thanager back into the picture won't muck things up for Hawkman again now that they finally kinda sorta have his continuity straightened out.

I also like the fact that the Thanager we've seen recently is more akin to what we glimpsed in Alan Moore's Swamp Thing and Grant Morrison's Animal Man. Hopefully they can reconcile those dark and fanciful versions with Hawkworld.

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[BlueThunderArmy]

Good to see Kyle will still have a role in the DCU. Just a shame it won't be as star of the Green Lantern series. Still, I'm sure Geoff Johns will manage to inject some life into Hal, and Mr Gibbons will give us a few great months with Kyle in this mini.

[Bakema NL]

When I read about this Rann/Thanagar war series I didn't know how fast to pick up the recent Adam Strange series........only # 4 and 5 were left in my comics shop. The other missing issues are already ordered somewhere else. My mistake not picking the series up in the first place. The war should be a cool read.

[Doc Holiday]

I'm really curious to know what other space characters will be making appearances.

[Vyper]

One word: KYLE!

[Kolimar]

Originally posted by samnoir
Hopefully bringing Thanager back into the picture won't muck things up for Hawkman again now that they finally kinda sorta have his continuity straightened out.

Don't worry about that. After so many years of suffering and finally being being able to straighten Hawkman out, DC won't allow anything bad to happen to him for at least twenty or thirty years.

[Dreighton]

"Bigger Fish to Fry"
Ummm....fried Aquaman! Roll him in Cornmeal, and deep fry him!

"Not all will survive"

Start the Kyle is gonna die treads (Again) now.

Dreighton

[adamcasey]

I'm pumped for this. I think between DC and Marvel, DC has had the better cosmic cast of characters and they have been negelected lately.

[KyleCowstar]

I'm getting this because of Kyle. When Donna comes back to life I hope Kyle comes back to Earth.

[daryldens]

I've really enjoyed the Adam Strange mini-series and I think this one will continue to deliver. I'm very curious to see how they shape out the cosmic aspects of the DC Universe as I'm not very familiar with them.

No what we need is for DC to get the Adam Strange series out in trade form soon after it ends so those who may be interested in it and missed it can pick it up.

[Dave Fury]

Originally posted by BlueThunderArmy
Good to see Kyle will still have a role in the DCU. Just a shame it won't be as star of the Green Lantern series. Still, I'm sure Geoff Johns will manage to inject some life into Hal, and Mr Gibbons will give us a few great months with Kyle in this mini.

Maybe DC can start a new team book that takes place in space. Have Kyle, Adam Strange, Darkstar, Omega Men, Space Ghost (c'mon, how cool would that be?), and others form an interplanetary peace-keeping force.

[chbryan]

Matt, I love the teaser headline -- "Rann to Thanagar: Drop Dead!" (Being an ancient wonder, I can remember when an NYC tabloid ran something similar many years ago regarding federal assistance to the Big Apple.)

To anyone who's concerned about Hawkman's "continuity" -- hahahahahahahahahaha. I'm sure, one way or another, some big rock will get thrown into the pool. The mere fact that he's on the cover is troubling, given that I thought the whole Thanagarian thing was being downplayed now -- it sure as crap hasn't been mentioned in Hawkman's title in the last year or so.

Wait and see, I guess -- wait and see.

[ManofTheAtom]

Gotta remember that the current Hawkman is the reincarnated Carter Hall, the very human Hawkman whose link to Thanagar is very thin... important, but thin.

Hopefully this arc will bring back Katar Hol, but I doubt it. Maybe Shiera Thal will be in it.

[Robert_Coyner]

God... I can't stand it. Every time I try to get out, they pull me back in. I figured I was done with this part of DC after Adam Strange was over. I've really liked Adam Strange, but for all the things R/T War is not... It's one man's Odyssey through the cosmos of the DCU. Not Star Wars a la DCU. But then I read Dave Gibbons' take on this. Oddly enough, it's not his take on Adam Strange that has me intrigued. I'm excited to see the continuation of Kyle's story as Green Lantern and his analogy of Kyle having been through a war himself really seals it.

I loved Hal Jordan, but I was ultimately content with his transformation into Parallax. The commitment DC had made to having it be real continuity (unlike Batman's broken back, or Superman's death) really won me over. And just seeing the ultimate corruption of such a great hero by so much power, it was equally intriguing to me to see the steps of Kyle Rayner as he grew into the mantle of Green Lantern.

That said, I'm glad he's not just going to disappear back under the rug or die off in some abstract fashion like Ronnie Raymond/Firestorm. Plus, I'm more intrigued by the idea of Green Lantern as a spacefaring hero in many ways. So, basically, I'm excited for everyone who gets to have Hal Jordan back. And, I understand why the decision was made... But in the back of my mind, I think I'll stay content to believe that was never really undone, and will keep going with the wild-eyed hope, optimism and wonder that Kyle has as he continues his exploration of the wider DC Universe...

[grantg]

Originally posted by ManofTheAtom
Gotta remember that the current Hawkman is the reincarnated Carter Hall, the very human Hawkman whose link to Thanagar is very thin... important, but thin.

Hopefully this arc will bring back Katar Hol, but I doubt it. Maybe Shiera Thal will be in it.

Katar is dead for now, but I would really love to see Sheira make her return. I can't imagine DC letting her sit this one out, especially with her starring in the JLU cartoon.

[Kevin Street]

Originally posted by Doc Holiday
I'm really curious to know what other space characters will be making appearances.

Maybe Space Cabbie!

"Straight from Thanagar to Rann - that's six fifty, Bub. And don't bump your wings when you get out. I hate vacuuming all them feathers off the seats."

[AdamYJ]

How strange is it that Kyle Rayner has become the go to Lantern for space adventure? He barely ever went off world when he was first made the lead in Green Lantern. He was always the more down to Earth Green Lantern. Now, he's out in the cosmos more often than not.

[Doc Holiday]

" I've really liked Adam Strange, but for all the things R/T War is not... It's one man's Odyssey through the cosmos of the DCU. Not Star Wars a la DCU."

Exactly. That's why I am not as enthused about this as I have been with Adam Strange. Space Ghost is also an odyssey, and it is working. Both have excellent, appropriate art. I fear the R-T War is going to be Big, and a little confusing, with a lot of ongoing plots and character appearances that don't really develop much.

Adam Strange has been a delight; I'm sorry the same creative team isn't going to do the R-T War. Space Ghost too has been wonderful; I think the most recent issue, with the kids, was the best so far. Both of these characters have history but were open for rethinking. GL and Hawkman are not. Better to resurrect underused characters and re-present them, I think.

[Dreighton]

Originally posted by KyleCowstar
I'm getting this because of Kyle. When Donna comes back to life I hope Kyle comes back to Earth.

I agree, that I want to see Kyle and Donna together again. Only because that was such a well writen an believable comic book romance. I could so see myself through Kyle, being the single guy with out serious stuff, and growing up into a "real" job, and dating a pretty charming girl, that had already grown up, having a past, and a small child. It was my exact story at the time too. (though I wish my job was being a Green Lantern)

And I can't believe I'm saying this about a comic character, but in a way I fell in Love with Donna as Kyle did. I was very dissapointed when Byrne ripped her from Green Lantern, and Marz's run never recovered. Marz had said he had ploted out stories for almost 2 years with Donna and Kyle, and all had to be thrown out. And the new stories were so flat.

So I want to see them rapped up, but sadly I don't think DC will be able to recapture the magic of the moment from long ago. (but that also is a true take on an old love)

Dreighton

[Zadillo]

Originally posted by AdamYJ
How strange is it that Kyle Rayner has become the go to Lantern for space adventure? He barely ever went off world when he was first made the lead in Green Lantern. He was always the more down to Earth Green Lantern. Now, he's out in the cosmos more often than not.

I think as he faced greater and greater challenges and became an even greater Green Lantern, combined with having to basically handle what the entire Corps used to handle, has made him really solid as an outer space hero as well.

I have to also think that his experience as Ion probably gives him a lot of insight into the universe as a whole.

-Zadillo

[Zadillo]

I've got to say, this definitely sounds awesome (and these interview pieces on the various miniseries have been great, really have helped a lot to get me interested in all of them).

Sounds like a lot of fun, and I'm definitely glad to see the reinvigoration of DC's various sci-fi and space properties.

-Zadillo

[Brian Langlois]

I'm looking forward to this too. The cosmic books have always been my favorites. It should be noted that the neglect of DC's sci-fi franchises all stems from Emerald Twilight and the loss of the GLC. Darkstars and L.E.G.I.O.N. shared common ground with the corps, and were both cancelled shortly after. It would be interesting to see a universe without it's premiere peacekeeping force. Too bad DC never decided to tell it. I would imagine the Khund empire grew exponentially in the time without the GLC and Darkstars. L.E.G.I.O.N. was never shut down (their book was), but they have always been a private security force and only aid those who subscribe to their services. The GLC were the true peacekeepers in the galaxy, and their absense should be addressed. Their re-remergence will definately have an impact.

As for Kyle, I don't mind him sticking around, especially if they keep him like he is in Rebirth. I call that Kyle 2.0. Anyway, if they are going to keep him they need to lose the costume. A porper Corps uniform would be fitting at this point in time.