| Welcome to the world of Tangent Comics — where you only know the names. Parallel Lines: A DC Comics Tangent Universe Podcast is a bi-weekly, issue-by-issue exploration of DC Comics’ Tangent Universe events, hosted by Shawn Engel and Michael Bradley.
“Maybe there was no way to prevent what happened. But I still … I’ll always wonder if I could’ve done something.”
In a world where the Cold War turned hot, America needed soldiers with nerves of steel, and it got them in the form of a seemingly invulnerable special-ops squad. In this episode 2, your hosts, Michael Bradley and Shawn Engel, look at METAL MEN #1, which explores a more human side of the Tangent Universe with the account of a six-man Band of Brothers and the group’s final, brutal battle that ended the Vietnam War, but from which no man escaped unscathed. It’s gritty war action in “Secrets and Lies,” a story by comics greats Ron Marz, Mike McKone and Mark McKenna.
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Backmatter from the issue (click to enlarge)
NEXT TIME: Tales from the Tangent crypt with Green Lantern #1
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There are a bunch of foreshadowing references in both the Atom and Metal Men! In fact I’d argue that the first four comics in the Vol. 1 TPB, maybe three, set-up what will generally be important details along the way in the rest of the Tangent line — as you guys have been noticing! (Then again, there are one or two other additional comics who set up even more important hints, but they come later.)
Metal Men especially gives us hints about a character who will appear in the Tangent group comic, Lori Lemaris’ background who /will/ pop up later, andddd shoot, I forgot. Most likely Nightwing, as we’ll see the /rest/ of the Metal Men in greater detail, just dispersed in different titles — and a character from the unit will appear completely different physically later too (and will be obsessed with a certain girl of light…)
Gravedigger’s pin should show a certain organization’s logo. I don’t have the volume on hand, but it might not be drawn out either. More foreshadowing!
We will also find out what happened to Nixon later, hehehe ;D (There’s a lot of ‘laters’ in Tangent, ahahahahaha. But it makes it so good <3) I did love the comment about Pres. Schwartz's cigarette and how it relates to the story itself. Begins and ends it. I hadn't noticed that before! That's a really great note!
If you've read Sgt. Rock comics, since you mentioned him, many tropes there pop up in Metal Men too. Like almost unrealistic close combat explosions XD Though in Sgt. Rock, instead of injuries the characters would die in the aftermath…if I'm remembering right.
Ahh, this is going great! I'm excited to see what impact will Green Lantern have! (And I hope you mention another comic like it in the DC, at least with a similar idea.)