Welcome to Tranquility

Supercbbox| title = Welcome to Tranquility


caption= Cover art for "Welcome to Tranquility #1".
Art by Neil Googe and Carrie Strachan.
schedule = Monthly
publisher= Wildstorm Comics under DC Comics
date = February 2007 - January 2008
issues = 12
past_current_color = background:#5be85b
writers = Gail Simone
artists = Neil Googe
colorists = Carrie Strachan
letterers = Travis Lanham
creators = Gail Simone
Neil Googe

"Welcome to Tranquility" is an American comic book series created by Gail Simone and Neil Googe and published by Wildstorm.

The series is set in Tranquility, a fictional town in California, which is home to retired superheroes and supervillains (known colloquially as "Maxis") as well as their families. This town coexists with the existing Wildstorm Universe, with frequent references to its heroes, such as The Authority and Gen 13.

Publication history

The series start in December 2006 and is still ongoing. A new story arc started in issue #7. Like "", the series stopped at issue #12 and it then appeared as part of the Christos Gage-written crossover storyline, with artist Horacio Domingues. However, unlike "Stormwatch: PHD", and other titles involved in that story, it is not one of those that has been announced as restarting in 2008 with World's End.

Wildstorm editor Ben Abernathy has said "Welcome to Tranquility" would return in a six-issue limited series, entitled "Welcome to Tranquility: One Foot in the Grave", with Simone returning to write it and Domingues staying on to provide the art. [ [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=157434 Wild at Heart: Ben Abernathy] , Newsarama, May 19, 2008]

Characters

Major characters

Sheriff Thomasina "Tommy" Lindo - Sheriff Lindo, or "Tommy", is the town's sherrif. Her main duties seem to consist of keeping peace when old rivalries flare up or when the more unbalanced inhabitants, such as Minxy Minerva, cause trouble. Rather than use swear words, she frequently uses euphemisms such as "doody", "dang", and "poop".

Sheriff Lindo is the granddaughter of a Maxi hero known as The Black Glider, and the sister of Seresa Lindo, local pilot and assistant to Minxy Minerva. Romantically, she has been linked to deceased Maxi hero Mr. Articulate, who she freely admits to sleeping with after a stay in the hospital, during which he provided her with companionship.

While Sheriff Lindo has been shown to have a quick temper, she is also an extremely courageous and compassionate person, placing herself in the line of danger to protect others, and showing more patience with the inhabitants of the town than almost anyone. To this end she uses a special baton made by Doctor Tomorrow which has a powerful electric charge on it.

Colonel Isaac Cragg - Former member of the Liberty Squad, Colonel Cragg is the only man to serve in 3 branches of the U.S. Military simultaneously (Air Force, Navy and the Army) and holds the record for most enemy planes shot down in a career. He bears a scar across the left side of his face, and a blinded left eye, from a fight with Nazi Giant during his former military days. His combat and piloting abilities are more than likely superhuman in nature, given his record-breaking service record, coupled with the fact that some portion of said record was obtained with the limited depth perception of having only one eye. Colonel Cragg is known to have fought in World War II, but it is not known how far his service extended past the war's resolution.

Colonel Cragg is usually seen with his former second in command, Bad Dogg. Cragg was also a pallbearer at Mr. Articulate's funeral, implying that the two were probably friends, although he believes Mr. Articulate to be gay. Cragg has demonstrated difficulty adjusting to the modern era's political correctness.

Deputy Presley Duray - Former sheriff of Tranquility and currently a deputy for Sheriff Lindo. Presley lost his position as sheriff after a case in which a murder suspect in his custody committed suicide in their cell after an intense interrogation. After the suspect was found to be innocent and the real killer being caught the next day, with pictures of the murder found on his person, Presley was presumably fired or asked to resign. The guilt and shame from this event resulted in a suicide attempt on Duray's part, which was discovered and thwarted by the newly appointed Sheriff Lindo, who deputized him.

It is possible that Presley is a Maxi, given that most of the towns older residents are Maxis, although this has not been stated as of yet. This is backed up by his doubt in Kevin's ability to harm him, which implies some sort of defense.

Bad Dog - Bad Dog (real name unknown) was Colonel Cragg's second in command during their military service, and served with him on the Liberty Squad. He constantly wears a collar around his neck. He possesses superhuman "toughness," which likely consists of enhanced strength and endurance. He served as a pallbearer for Mr. Articulate, although he had a mild dislike for Mr. Articulate, due to his intelligence and expansive vocabulary. As this suggests, Bad Dog is known for having a temper, and has sometimes been shown to enter an almost feral mental state.

Emoticon - Real name unknown, Emoticon is a local teenager and grandson of a villain (and presumed Maxi) known as The Typist, and causes trouble for the citizens of Tranquility. He is disrespectful to most elders in the town.

Emoticon dresses in a flashy style, including a fur coat, several necklaces and assorted other jewellery. His most distinctive feature, however, is a mask he wears, which covers his entire face. The mask displays his current emotions via a LCD screen, which expresses said emotion as a text "smiley". This mask apparently translates Emoticon's true feelings at the given moment and does not allow any attempts at concealment (effectively rendering him unable to lie.) Emoticon also speaks in internet s _ne. marijuana. She is not the highest ranking doctor in Tranquility, but is apparently the only one with powers.

Minor characters

Acolyte - A World War II-era Maxi who possesses healing powers that she believes were given to her by God. Has her own line of "ouchless" bandages, and presumably other medical supplies (the case for which is used by Dr. Steel as a cigarette case for her joints, presumably to avoid drawing attention.) She was seen at Mr Articulate's funeral as one of the mourners.

Captain Cobra - Maxi resident of Tranquility (real name unknown) and sworn "Enemies to the DEATH!" with fellow Maxi and next-door neighbor, Mongoose Man. He has threatened to kill Mongoose Man for taking back apples from Mongoose Man's tree that fell on his side of the fence on more than one occasion. This argument has apparently progressed to the point where Deputy Troy expresses annoyance in being there again, and Sheriff Lindo has threatened to cut down the disputed tree.

Cedric - Collette Pearson's camera man. A young man with an inability to keep his thoughts to himself and a well developed sense of humour. Has been assaulted and presumably murdered by an unknown assailant for his refusal to provide said assailant with the location of his boss, Collette.

Henry Hyde - Former arch-nemesis of Maximum Man, Henry (Maxi name "Henry Hate") has since reformed. He has a twin brother, and was considered the foremost inventor of his time. Currently spends his time playing chess with his former nemesis, Kyle Trueblood (which he wins frequently, presumably due to enhanced intellect.)

He created a HATE Bomb which destroyed only living people, yet left material possessions and buildings untouched, it was this threat that brought people to Tranquility in the first place. He also pretends not to know Maximum Man's secret word, though he later told him the word in a crisis.

Seresa Lindo - Minxy Minerva's assistant and sister of Sheriff Lindo. Despite the regular dangers of working for Ms. Minerva (frequent plane crashes being the most prevalent), she continues with the job because she's paid $20,000 a week for her services. She is in fact a skilled driver and pilot herself and seems to be quite competent in what is feasible for aerodynamics. She cares deeply for her employer as well and has a more personal interest in the job than she lets on.

Lisa - The town dispatch officer. She has a daughter and apparently no super powers.

Minxy Minerva - Former child aviatrix and aeronautics engineer, with the catchphrase "Yinkies!" Currently a resident of Tranquility. Despite her severe dementia (possibly caused by Alzheimer's Disease) she still has powerful friends in top positions in the U.S. Government because her plane designs are credited with a large part of the Allied victory in World War II.

Despite bouts of confusion, in which she thinks she's still fighting in the European Theatre (and that Seresa Lindo is her former sidekick Venus,) Minxy continues building and flying airplanes, which usually results in spectacular crashes, risking her life, the life of her assistant, Seresa Lindo, and anyone who happens to be nearby. Lindo has sought to revoke her license, or equipment, but Fury has vetoed this due to Minerva's years of public service and friends in governmental offices.

Mongoose Man - Real name unknown, Maxi resident of Tranquility and sworn "Enemies to the DEATH!" with fellow Maxi and next-door neighbor, Captain Cobra. Mongoose Man owns an apple tree, but takes back any apples that land on Captain Cobra's side of the fence between their houses, and feels they are rightfully his (a dispute Captain Cobra disagrees with.) This argument has apparently progressed to the point where Deputy Troy expresses annoyance in being there again, and Sheriff Lindo has threatened to cut down the disputed tree.

Sampson Twins - Obnoxious Maxi twins who presumably (due to their comically large physiques) have enhanced strength. After the death of Mr. Articulate they were arrested for starting a bar brawl by insulting him in front of Colonel Cragg, Bad Dog and Mayor Fury. One twin speaks in classical English while the other speaks in a drawl with bad grammar and slang.

Slapjack - Slapjack (real name unknown, presumed last name "Terrell") is the father or father-in-law of Deena Terrell, and grandfather to Leona Terell. His only demonstrated power is being a speedster, which has been passed on to his granddaughter. He doesn't entirely approve of Leona dating "a boy named Sally" however her warms to the relationship after the confrontation at the Observatory.

Arnold Stipple - Arnold Stipple, better known under his Maxi name of Cosmos, was a member of the Liberty Squad. Though acquitted, he is considered to have betrayed the Liberty Squad to a villain known as Were-Lizard, which resulted in the death of Earth's greatest hero, Astral Man. This leads to his home in Tranquility being vandalized quite often.

Due to his status as a pariah, Arnold lives alone, save for several cats. He claims to have been blamed by then-Sheriff Duray for every major crime that happened in Tranquility. He was even briefly considered as a suspect for the murder of Mr. Articulate, due to his powers of teleportation.

Deena Terrell - Daughter or daughter-in-law of Slapjack, and mother of Leona Terrell. Deena is a Christian Fundamentalist who is known for her abrasive personality and tendency to shout. It has been implied that these elements were contributing factors to Leona's suicide attempt.

Kyle Trueblood - Former member of the Liberty Squad, under the Maxi name of Maximum Man (possibly the origin of the term.) An homage to Captain Marvel, Kyle was a timid accountant until he spoke a secret word which granted him the power of "Indian Fakirs", transforming him into a Maxi with enhanced strength, invulnerability and the power of flight. In his old age, Kyle has forgotten the word, and spends most of his time wandering around Tranquility, reading dictionaries aloud in any language to rediscover it. He is also fond of playing chess with his former arch-nemesis, Henry Hyde. As of the fifth issue, Kyle has found out the word, which is "Hecatean".

Deputy Troy Veron - One of Sheriff Lindo's deputies.

Zeke - An undead Maxi, whose status as a hero or villain is unknown. Zeke's "death" occurred some time in the 1960's, and it is unknown what his status was revealed much later the comics began. Zeke runs (and presumably named) Gate to the Underworld, the local cemetery and presumably the mortuary. He is also seen briefly in the tattler fending anti-Maxi protesters away from the cemetery gates. His bodyshape may imply some relation to Henry Hyde, and in fact, was a "punishment" brought by the same being who granted him a form of "immortality", the demonic "Host".A struggling popstar, an Elvis wannabe, the Ezekiel bargained with a demon for eternal youngness and everlasting life, in exchange for "looking on a little property", supposed to be the Gate to the Underworld. However, as Ezekiel repented and tried to escape, the demon badly disfigured him, thus ending his popstar career, but without taking his immortality, leaving him to be as an half-rotted corpse for eternity.

Zeke is a very obvious homage of the Crypt Keeper, speaking in bad, horror-themed puns, though he has made at least one (unsuccessful) attempt to branch out to "a general thing of Man's inhumanity to Man." As part of this homage, Zeke appears as a half-rotted corpse. He is seldom seen without his pet snake Hamnet, who is generally wrapped around his arm, and whom he talks to when no one is around.

Liberty Snots

Former child stars who have grown up and become a Goth band after recruiting additional members, the Liberty Snots are generally considered bratty kids. There are two main characters, Kevin and Leona. The original members were once the "Tranquili-teens", who solved mysteries on a Saturday morning children's show.

Kevin Emils - Kevin, who prefers to be called "Sweet Sally" at all times, is the front man for the Liberty Snots. He possesses the ability to channel sound into forceful attacks, such as Black Canary or Banshee. He is the presumed father of his girlfriend, Leona Terrell's child. He is Kyle Truegood's godson, and is dating Leona. He hates being called Kevin and will always insist forcefully that his name is Sally.

Leona Terrell - Leona, who has taken the stage name of "Ajita", inherited her powers as a speedster from her grandfather, Slapjack. Leona is pregnant with Kevin's daughter. She works as a waitress at the Chick'n Go. Her mother is extremely controlling of her life. Leona has been attempting to pursue an acting career since the Tranquiliteens was cancelled but to no avail.

Arson - Real name unknown. Power of pyrokinesis. Seems to glean great satisfaction from the use of his powers and is seemingly the most temperamental of the Liberty Snots.

Freaksho - Real name and powers unknown. Thus far the only time he has spoken has been to level allegations against Deputy Durray. First about Police Brutality and then about sexual harassment, all within the space of a minute.

Mangacide - Jess dresses in a loligoth fashion. Powers involve psionic tentacles that grasp objects. Due to her strange method of speech during her attack on the hospital is could be implied this is spell casting from which her powers are derived. Her origin was somewhat featured as a back-up story in issue #11. She recently got a job as a waitress at the Chick'n Go.

M-T - Byron is the grandson of the Maxi Doc Tomorrow. Powers involve some sort of enhanced intelligence and/or technopathy; he invents things, much like his grandfather. Actually dislikes goth music. Had a brief relationship with Roxy Spaulding of Gen13.

Silicon Stiletto - Real name unrevealed. Powers involve clawed fingers. She also possesses superhuman strength as she lifted Sheriff Lindo off the ground with one hand and traded blows with the super-strong Caitlin Fairchild of Gen 13. In addition, she possesses a degree of invulnerability, taking an energy blast to the face from the Authoriteen's Kid Apollo without injury. Tking this into account she may be Carrie from the Tranquiliteens and possibly a relative of The Pink Bunny.

Deceased

Astral Man - Real name unknown, he is the former leader of the Liberty Squad, Killed by Were-Lizard. There is a statue in the center of Tranquility bearing his likeness, as well as an inscription of his last words: "We must do right." His powers are unknown.

Arthur Hensford - An international detective during World War II, Arthur Hensford, better known as Mr. Articulate, was known for his chivalry, wit, elegant manerisms, and his signature sword-cane and blue rose corsages.

He visited Sheriff Lindo during her stay in the hospital and gave her small trinkets from his world traveling days, which eventually lead her to reveal that he wasn't gay, as many of the townsfolk thought due to his nature, and even going so far as to quietly provide money for Leona Terrell to have an abortion. However, after his death, the Tattler implied a past relationship with Midnighter, an openly gay superhero.

After his autopsy, it was revealed that Mr. Articulate was in the final stages of cancer and had he not been murdered, he would have had a month to live, at most.

Plot

Mr. Articulate's Death, #1-5

Sheriff Lindo attempts to dissuade journalist Collette Pearson from doing a story on Tranquility and its inhabitants, when Minxy crash lands once more. After overcoming the initial panic, Pearson switches her focus to the heroic sheriff. Lindo later asks Fury if she can do something to prevent Minxy's actions, but he disallows this in lieu of Minxy's years of heroic service.

After the meeting, Lindo takes Collette and her cameraman, Cedric, to Suzie's Chik'n Go for lunch. As the bill arrives, it is taken by another town resident, Mr. Articulate, a former detective who still carries himself with chivalry. Suddenly, a gang lead by a villain's grandson, The Emoticon, enters and starts a ruckus. When Lindo ends the argument, Mr. Articulate has been stabbed through the chest with his own sword-cane and killed. The other present townsfolk include Cragg, Bad Dog, and Leona, the waitress at the Chick'n Go who is a former child star and Maxi.

Sheriff Lindo begins questioning suspects, while at the morgue, a tabloid reporter named Bug is caught photographing the body for an article. The prime suspect, Emoticon, reveals that he could not have killed Articulate, since his emotion mask cannot allow him to lie.

The funeral of Mr. Articulate is attended by the entire heroic community. After the funeral, Bug tries to blackmail Leona with knowledge that Mr. Articulate owed her a favor. Bug is forced from the restaurant by Cragg and Bad Dog, and Leona leaves to meet Kevin, her boyfriend, also a Maxi and child star. Bug, spying on the two lovers, is attacked and murdered by an unknown assailant. Lindo discovers Leona and Kevin in the park, and speaks with Leona, who was the first to Mr. Articulate after the murder. While the sheriff thinks Leona knows something, Leona claims she doesn't, and angrily shoves Lindo. Deputy Duray asks Lindo to leave the girl alone, and as she leaves, Lindo promises to stop by her house the next day and talk to Leona's overprotective mother. A distraught Leona rushes home and apologizes to her mother for not living up to her expectations, and takes a bath while reflecting on her connection to Articulate: she is pregnant and wants an abortion, which the elder hero offered to pay for.

Later, Lindo finds out that Bug was murdered and that Leona is hospitalized as a result of a suicide attempt. At the hospital, Leona improves, and Dr. Steel reveals that it was a genuine attempt and that Leona is pregnant. Lindo takes Mayor Fury aside and asks if he can keep the FBI off of the Articulate case until she can solve it. He gives her three days. After this meeting, Lindo goes to the scene of Bug's murder to search for clues, and discovers that Bug's equipment are missing, but she finds a book belonging to Mr. Articulate and his trademark, blue rose petals. Inside the book is written the word "DECAPITATE!" in someone else's handwriting. She has her deputies arrest Emoticon and place him in an interrogation room, where he reveals that he was paid to cause a disturbance, but didn't know Mr. Articulate was going to be killed. Lindo asks her deputies to find Collette and Cedric to place them in protective custody. Unfortunately, Cedric is kidnapped and beaten by an assailant, who throws him bound into a river.

At the hospital, Kevin arrives with the rest of the Liberty Snots, and demands to see Leona and his unborn child, or the group will attack the hospital. During this time, Henry is beaten by a shadowed assailant, who wants his deadliest weapon. Lindo asks Suzy to watch over Collette while she goes to the hospital. At the Chick'n Go, Collette mentions that she believes the water of Tranquility acts as a Fountain of Youth. Mayor Fury arrives and has a fight with Suzy, because he wants to protect Traquility's secret. He is scarred by hot grease, but punches Suzy, who calls Lindo, who has quelled the Snots' riot by letting Kevin see Leona at the request of Kyle Truegood. Wondering how she can go against Fury, Henry, who has made it to the hospital, reveals that he knew Kevin's secret word, something he lied about when asked days prior. Saying "Hecatean", Kevin becomes the much younger and mightier Maximum Man. However, Leona reveals that Articulate's killer was not the Mayor, and across town, Colonel Cragg approaches Bad Dog with Henry's bomb and tells him he has a heroic side and a darker one he can't quell. Bad Dog believes he has to beat some sense into his best friend.

Collections

It is being collected into Trade paperbacks:

*"Volume 1" (collects "Welcome to Tranquility" #1-6, 160 pages, WildStorm, December 2007, ISBN 1401215165) [ [http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=8380 Volume 1 trade details at DC] ]
*"Volume 2" (collects "Welcome to Tranquility" #7-12, 144 pages, WildStorm, May 2008, ISBN 1401217737) [ [http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=9208 Volume 1 trade details at DC] ]

Awards

In 2007, Thomasina Lindo of was named Best Female Character in the Glyph Comics Awards.

Notes

References

*comicbookdb|type=title|id=11007|title="Welcome to Tranquility"

External links

* [http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/116593106293318.htm Review of issue #1] , [http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/116866283696061.htm #2] , [http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/117346955519372.htm #4] , [http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/117591291455002.htm #5] , [http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/118131604147787.htm #7] , [http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/118979094490345.htm #10] and [http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/119523778094229.htm #12] Comics Bulletin