Welcome to Tranquility

Author: Gail Simone

Bibliographic Info:

Simone, Gail. (2008). Welcome to Tranquility. La Jolla, CA: Wildstorm Productions.

Descriptive Summary:

What happens when old superheroes get put out to pasture? Apparently they retire to Tranquility. Tranquility is a city whose citizenry is made up of superheroes with their glory days behind them, their often superpowered descendents, their former enemies, and the non-powered law enforcement who attempt to keep the peace. The local sheriff, the granddaughter of the mysterious Black Glider, has her work cut out for when a murder of a beloved former hero occurs. Those involved are reluctant to talk and there are hints of something sinister bubbling beneath the surface of this superhero paradise.

Evaluative comments with rating: 3/5 TVs – Better than most of what’s on TV

Gail Simone is one of the better comic book writers in the industry and usually manages to combine wit and humour with strong female characters, Welcome to Tranquility is no exception. Unfortunately, Welcome to Tranquility tries to do a little too much within its confines. “Historical” material is introduced alongside the story’s present-day narrative and rather than enhancing the storytelling, it detracts from it and confuses the reader. Welcome to Tranquility is a fun post-modern take on superheroes (think a more lighthearted Watchmen), but it works best for readers who have a solid handle on superhero comics, but might be a little tired of superhero conventions.

Suggested Audience (age range): 14+

Readers’ advisory notes (appeal factors/readalikes):

Appeal factors: Action-packed, intricately plotted, plot-driven, world-building, funny, suspenseful, offbeat

Readalikes: The Watchmen - Alan Moore, 1963 – Alan Moore, Astro City – Kurt Busiek, Young Heroes in Love – Dan Raspler, America’s Best Comics – Alan Moore, Ex Machina – Brian K. Vaughan

Booktalking hook:

Sheriff Lindo: That harmless old guy? That used to be the most powerful maxi goin'. Had a magic word that turned him from an accountant into a superhero. Only, he had an accident. Forgot the word. Now he reads dictionaries, every single word, all day long, tryin' to find that word again. That one's Hebrew, I think. These people, Collette. They told the Nazis to shove it. Sometimes literally. Don't make them a punchline.

Reason for inclusion: Familiarity with the author’s prior works.

Thomasina Lindo (main character) of Welcome to Tranquility was named Best Female Character in the Glyph Comic Awards

Category: Graphic Novel/Mystery