''Rann–Thanagar War'' is a six-issue
comic book
A comic book, comic-magazine, or simply comic is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panel (comics), panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are often accompanied by descriptive prose and wri ...
limited series
In the field of comic books, and particularly in the United States, a limited series is a comics series with a predetermined number of issues. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is finite and determined ...
published by
DC Comics
DC Comics (originally DC Comics, Inc., and also known simply as DC) is an American comic book publisher owned by DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC is an initialism for "Detective Comics", an American comic book seri ...
in
2005
2005 was designated as the International Year for Sport and Physical Education and the International Year of Microcredit. The beginning of 2005 also marked the end of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Internationa ...
. Written by
Dave Gibbons
David Chester Gibbons (born 14 April 1949) is an English comics artist, writer and sometimes letterer. He is best known for his collaborations with writer Alan Moore, which include the miniseries ''Watchmen'' and the Superman story " For the M ...
, and illustrated by
Ivan Reis
Ivan Reis is a Brazilians, Brazilian comics artist. He is known for his work on comic books such as Dark Horse Comics' ''Ghost (Dark Horse Comics), Ghost'', Marvel Comics' ''Genis-Vell, Captain Marvel'' and ''Vision (Marvel Comics), Avengers Icons ...
, Marc Campos, and
John Kalisz
John Kalisz is an American comics artist who has worked as a colorist in the comics industry. He has been recognized for his work with nominations for the Comics Buyer's Guide Favorite Colorist Award in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004.
In August 1997 ...
, the series concerns a war between the planets
Rann and Thanagar, and features
Adam Strange
Adam Strange is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by editor Julius Schwartz and designed by Murphy Anderson, he first appeared in '' Showcase'' #17 (November 1958).
Adam Strange made his live-action de ...
, the
Green Lantern Corps
The Green Lantern Corps is a intergalactic Peacekeeping, peace keeping agency appearing in comics published by DC Comics. They patrol the farthest reaches of the DC Universe at the behest of the Guardians, a race of immortals residing on the plan ...
,
Hawkman
Hawkman is the name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Dennis Neville, the original Hawkman first appeared in ''Flash Comics'' #1, published by All-American ...
,
Hawkgirl
Hawkgirl is the name of several superheroines appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The original Hawkgirl, Shiera Sanders Hall, was created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Dennis Neville, and first appeared in ''Flash Comics'' ...
,
L.E.G.I.O.N.
''L.E.G.I.O.N.'' is a science fiction comic book created by Keith Giffen, Bill Mantlo and Todd McFarlane and published by DC Comics. The principal subject of the comic book is a team of fictional extraterrestrial superheroes. The characters first ...
and
Captain Comet
Captain Comet (Adam Blake) is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, created by editor Julius Schwartz, writer John Broome (writer), John Broome, and artist Carmine Infantino.
Once a minor character in the DC Comics ...
, along with other DC space adventurers. The series was followed in early
2006
2006 was designated as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification.
Events
January
* January 1– 4 – Russia temporarily cuts shipment of natural gas to Ukraine during a price dispute.
* January 12 – A stampede during t ...
with the
one-shot
One shot may refer to:
Film and television
* One-shot film, a feature film shot in one long take with no edits, or manufactured to look like so
* ''One Shot'' (2005 film), a Sri Lankan action film directed by Ranjan Ramanayake
* ''One Shot'', a ...
book ''Rann-Thanager War: Infinite Crisis Special'' #1.
Overview
''Rann-Thanagar War'', along with ''
Villains United
''Villains United'' is a six-issue 2005 comic book limited series, published by DC Comics, written by Gail Simone and illustrated by Dale Eaglesham and Wade Von Grawbadger, and later by Val Semeiks and Prentis Rollins.
Publication history
''V ...
'', ''
The OMAC Project
''The OMAC Project'' is a six-issue American comic book limited series written by Greg Rucka with art by Jesus Saiz and published by DC Comics in 2005.
Overview
The book is one of four miniseries leading up to DC Comics' ''Infinite Crisis'' ev ...
'', and ''
Day of Vengeance
''Day of Vengeance'' is a six-issue comic book limited series written by Bill Willingham, with art by Justiniano and Walden Wong, published in 2005 by DC Comics.
Publication history
''Day of Vengeance'' is one of four limited series leading up t ...
'', is one of four miniseries which lead up to DC Comics' ''
Infinite Crisis
"Infinite Crisis" is a 2005–2006 comic book storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous, seven-issue comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Ivan Reis, and Jerry Ordway, ...
'' event. Unlike most of the other tie-ins, it is also a continuation of storylines from two other series: ''
Adam Strange: Planet Heist'' and ''
Green Lantern: Rebirth''.
* ''Rann-Thanagar War'' #1-6, ''Infinite Crisis Special'' #1
* ''Adam Strange Special'' #1
* ''Hawkman'' #46-49, ''Special'' #1
* ''Rann/Thanagar Holy War'' #1-8
Pre-''Crisis'' war
In the continuity which existed prior to the ''
Crisis on Infinite Earths
''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' is a 1985 to 1986 American comic book fictional crossover, crossover series published by DC Comics. Written by Marv Wolfman and penciller, pencilled by George Pérez, it was first released as a 12-issue limited ser ...
'' limited series, a war erupted between the planets Rann and Thanagar. Rann's adopted hero
Adam Strange
Adam Strange is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by editor Julius Schwartz and designed by Murphy Anderson, he first appeared in '' Showcase'' #17 (November 1958).
Adam Strange made his live-action de ...
and Thanagarian law enforcement officers
Hawkman (Katar Hol)
Hawkman (Katar Hol) is a DC Comics superhero. He is the Silver Age, Bronze Age and New 52 Hawkman. Created by Gardner Fox and Joe Kubert, he first appeared in ''The Brave and the Bold'' #34 (February–March 1961). There are two versions of Katar ...
and
Hawkgirl (Shayera Hol) worked desperately to end the conflict. The trio succeeded, eventually revealing that events leading up to the war were manipulated by the intergalactic criminal
Kanjar Ro
Kanjar Ro is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. He is an alien dictator from the planet Dhor and an enemy of the Justice League.
Kanjar Ro has also appeared in various media outside comics. Marc Worden, René Auberjo ...
.
Series plot summary
During ''Planet Heist'', Adam Strange fought a rogue group of Thanagarians. During the battle, the leader of the group transported Strange's adopted homeworld of
Rann into the Thanagarian system in the hope of creating a dictatorship. However, Rann's new location caused the orbit of Thanagar to become unstable, and the planet crashed into the system's sun. The surviving Thanagarians and Rannians now all live on Rann, and tensions are high between the two groups, as each blames the other for their predicament.
Aware that war could erupt at any time, Strange goes to Earth to recruit the help of Hawkman and Hawkgirl, who are from Thanagar, in preventing a war. Meanwhile,
Kyle Rayner
Kyle Rayner (), one of the characters known as Green Lantern, is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character is depicted as being associated with the Green Lantern Corps, an extraterrestrial police force of ...
and
Captain Comet
Captain Comet (Adam Blake) is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, created by editor Julius Schwartz, writer John Broome (writer), John Broome, and artist Carmine Infantino.
Once a minor character in the DC Comics ...
go to Thanagar to investigate, finding
Onimar Synn
The Justice Society of America (JSA) is a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. It was conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox during the Golden Age of Comic Books. It first appeared in ''All ...
and engaging in a battle, with Synn escaping through a drop ship. They then find hundreds of bodies buried underground, supplying Onimar Synn with energy, where
Kilowog
Kilowog is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character is a member of the Green Lantern Corps.
Kilowog has been substantially adapted into media outside comics, primarily in association with Green Lantern. ...
shows up. Later, Kilowog and Rayner terraform Thanagar back to life and save the underground bodies.
When Strange and the Hawks arrive on Rann, they are shocked to see that the war has already begun. They form a team, including the Thanagarian
Hawkwoman
Hawkwoman is the name of several Female superheroes, superheroines all owned by DC Comics and existing in that company's DC Universe. They are partners, and sometimes spouses or lovers, of the various versions of Hawkman, and share many features w ...
and the
Tamaran
This page lists the locations in the DC Universe, the shared universe setting of DC Comics.
Sites
Arrowcave
The Arrowcave is the former base of operations of the Green Arrow and Speedy.
Avernus Cemetery
Avernus Cemetery is a hidden burial gro ...
ean
Blackfire. More and more planets are drawn into the war as Rann and Thanagar each call on their respective allies. Seeing a chance to seize power, Blackfire betrays the group, killing Hawkwoman in the process. It becomes clear that all factions have a common enemy: Synn. With the help of
Tigorr of the
Omega Men
The Omega Men are a fictional team of extraterrestrial superheroes who have appeared in various comic book series published by DC Comics. They first appeared in ''Green Lantern'' (vol. 2) #141 (June 1981), and were created by Marv Wolfman and Joe ...
and Captain Comet, Strange's team manages to cut Synn into seven pieces, and each piece is inserted into a separate star to prevent him from reforming.
At the end of the series, the assorted forces of Rann and Thanagar are faced with a fracture in space that resembles those that were seen during the ''
Crisis on Infinite Earths
''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' is a 1985 to 1986 American comic book fictional crossover, crossover series published by DC Comics. Written by Marv Wolfman and penciller, pencilled by George Pérez, it was first released as a 12-issue limited ser ...
''.
''Rann/Thanagar War: Infinite Crisis Special'' #1 - "Hands of Fate"
In ''Rann/Thanagar War: Infinite Crisis Special'' #1, the rift begins endangering the lives of those in the star system by sending out destructive energy waves.
Donna Troy
Donna Troy is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She is the original Wonder Girl, and later temporarily adopts another alias, Troia. Created by Bob Haney and Bruno Premiani, she first appeared in ''The Brave an ...
's assembled heroes are working to keep the peace between the two warring forces, when Adam Strange receives a message from Tigorr of the Omega Men. He leads Strange, along with Hawkman and Hawkgirl, to a stray Thanagarian surveillance satellite, which has documented footage of
Superboy-Prime
Superboy-Prime (Clark Kent; colloquial: "Prime") is a fictional Character (arts), character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. A boy from the Reality, real world Isekai, transported to the DC Universe, as an Alternative vers ...
forcing Rann and Thanagar to collide, and thus, go to war.
Though the satellite is soon lost in the chaotic environment, Strange has an idea to gather the heads of each faction so that they might stop fighting amongst themselves and work together against the new cosmic threat. Meanwhile, Green Lantern Kyle Rayner has been working with former lover,
Jade
Jade is an umbrella term for two different types of decorative rocks used for jewelry or Ornament (art), ornaments. Jade is often referred to by either of two different silicate mineral names: nephrite (a silicate of calcium and magnesium in t ...
, to fight against the enormous hands forcing open a hole in spacetime. Jade is unable to survive the electromagnetic energy surges and dies. In her last moments, she breathes the emerald energy that Kyle Rayner once granted her back into him, increasing his powers significantly.
Kyle gives Jade's body to her father,
Alan Scott
Alan Ladd Wellington Scott is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, and the first character to bear the name Green Lantern. He fights evil with the aid of his mystical ring, which grants him a variety of powers. H ...
, and he cradles her in his arms, remarking how she seems herself again, until another energy wave destroys her mortal remains. Kyle, once again calling himself Ion, tells Alan that as long as the two of them live on, her unique spirit and energy will continue.
Upon Kyle's ascension, the Guardians note that he is the first of a "new breed, the next step in the evolution of our cause". There is debate of whether so much power can be wielded by any Lantern, but Kyle's previous experience is considered, and the Guardians agree that being able to monitor him this time is an important difference.
On the barren surface of Thanagar, Adam Strange finds evidence to present to all of the warring groups: handprints deep within an enormous crater, created by Superboy Prime's interference. L.E.G.I.O.N., Thanagar, Rann and New Cronus combine their forces to make a full assault on the force behind the rift, with Ion in the lead.
''Rann/Thanagar: Holy War''
A new eight-issue limited series entitled ''Rann-Thanagar Holy War'' began publication in May 2008. The new series was written by
Jim Starlin
James P. Starlin (born October 9, 1949) is an American comics artist and writer. Beginning his career in the early 1970s, he is best known for space opera stories, for revamping the Marvel Comics characters Captain Marvel and Adam Warlock, an ...
with art by
Ron Lim
Ronald Lim (born 1965) is an American comic book artist living in Sacramento, California. He is best known for his work for Marvel Comics on their various "cosmic" titles, most particularly the ''Silver Surfer'' (vol. 3) series.
Biography
Lim' ...
.
Collected editions
In January 2006, this series was collected in a 160-page
trade paperback (). The one-shot special was collected in ''Infinite Crisis Companion'' ().
''Infinite Crisis Companion'' details
at DC The ''Rann-Thanagar: Holy War'' limited series was collected in two volumes.
In other media
* Elements of ''Rann–Thanagar War'' are adapted in the Tomorrowverse films '' DC Showcase: Adam Strange'' and '' Green Lantern: Beware My Power''.
References
External links
Your guide to ''Infinite Crisis: The Rann-Thanagar War''
��study of series as part of ''Infinite Crisis''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rann-Thanagar War
2005 comics debuts
2005 comics endings
Comics by Dave Gibbons
Comics set on fictional planets
Green Lantern storylines
Infinite Crisis
War comics
Wingmen of Thanagar storylines
Hawkman
Adam Strange