Adam Strange: The Man of Two Worlds

Once upon a time, way back in the late 50s, Gardner Fox created space hero Adam Strange. He was a sort of watered down, one dimensional version of Burroughs "John Carter of Mars", colorfully illustrated by legendary Murphy Anderson. The stories injected some simplistic 4th grade science for 50s era kids who were growing up reading their dads old "Popular Mechanics" magazines. However, Adam Stranges' popularity was short lived and by the start of the 60s, the only stories of Adam Strange available were reprints of previous late 50s adventures in "Showcase" and "Mystery In Space". Aside from that, he had been relegated to sporadic guest appearances in DC team up titles and became ever more one dimensional, quickly plummeting to "C" list status. Roughly 20 years later in 1987, Alan Moore came along and changed everything. In a two issue story arc in Moore's "Swamp Thing" (issues 57 & 58) Swamp Thing visits Rann and we discover some rather unnerving things about Adam Strange's real purpose on Rann as well as that of Sardath and Rann itself. The story finally gave Adam some depth, and Swamp Thing left a lasting impression on the Planet of Rann. Three years later came "Adam Strange: Man Of Two Worlds" by Richard Bruning, Andy Kubert and Adam Kubert. The story is directly related to and spun off from events in Moores Swamp Thing story (with a few slight tweaks). Bruning continues what Alan Moore started as we see Adam Strange, Sardath, Alanna and the populace of Rann fleshed out as never before. Adam Strange and Alanna are about to have a child. The first child born on Rann in almost 20 years. As some fans of Adam Strange are aware, Adam has always had to deal with the unpredictable "Zeta Beam" which rather sporadically and frustratingly transports Adam back and forth from Rann to Earth randomly. Bruner finally attempts to jettison the Lincoln tunnel sized plot hole of the "zeta beam" and has Sardath arranging for one final trip back to earth for Adam to settle his affairs and leave earth forever to live permanently on Rann with Alanna and their child. It's here that writer Bruner turns Adams world upside down and it's here that we finally see underneath the "Hero" of Rann. We see why Adam feels more at home on Rann than on Earth. We see the effects and the repercussions of Adam leaving his earth family behind to go adventuring on another world. A bitter sister, and sickly father who have continued on in Adams absence while he has been off adventuring. We see why Adam feels so alienated on earth through flashbacks of his youth and his relationship with his older brother. We also see Adam through the eyes of the people of Rann. Bruner creates a world where Sardaths machines and technology do all the work. We also see what effect this might have on a society. People have become soft and complacent and lazy. And we see the other end of the spectrum as well. People who both want and need to be productive members of their ow

This Adam Strange story is written by Richard Bruning with art and colors by Andy and Adam Kubert, and was released in 1990. After years of bouncing back and forth between Earth and Rann, Adam Strange is preparing for one last trip on the mega-zeta beam so he can be with his wife Alanna and unborn child. Things go wrong. Horribly wrong. That pretty much sums up this story, which takes the classic Adam Strange formula from the 50's and turns it on its head into a political soap opera and tragedy. As with everything that passes through the modern lens, there's a dose of harsh reality here - Adam Strange cheats on Alanna (emotionally, if not physically), the citizens of Rann start a rebellion to feel more alive, and repeated doses of the zeta beam radiation have deadly side effects. There are no real heroes and villains here, save for some minor supporting players - instead everyone just steamrolls towards an inevitable Shakespearean conclusion. Yeah, Rann isn't a happy place to be in Richard Bruning's world. And while the story is an interesting read, you can't help but wonder if it was necessary - certainly by 1990, Adam Strange wasn't an A-list character that needed a shocking reboot or media attention. In fact, later authors went back and gave Adam a happier ending - check out JLA Vol. 4: Strength in Numbers for a more uplifting, if bittersweet resolution to Adam/Alanna's relationship. Recommended, though obviously not for those looking for lighter fare.

Not since the days of the late Gardner Fox have I enjoyed such a graphic sci-fi novel. This adventure of Adam Strange brings back the eager anticipation with which, I awaited the latest issue of Mystery In Space or the other sci-fi comics featuring Adam. More! More! More.

DC has two recent incompatible revivals of Adam Strange - this one and Adam Strange: Planet Heist, which was followed by The Rann-Thanagar War (Countdown to Infinite Crisis). Adam Strange: The Man of Two Worlds is well written, but dark. It also appears to not be the path chosen for future continuity. Both paths have an Adam Strange with the complexity and emotional challenge lacking in the 50's-60's stories. If you want an upbeat story, look to the alternative revival books; if you are not adverse to a fair amount of tragedy, try this book.