On the surface, Adi Tantimedh does what a lot of the writers of other JLA Elseworlds books did before him: simply take the familiar icons of the DC Universe and plant them in a new, unusual setting. But there's something more to Age of Wonder. There's a sociological and ideological context at play here that challenges the reader, and one is eased into the more intellectual side of the book by the more familiar trappings of the super-hero genre. It's a clean-looking book that lives up to its title.
In the late 19th century, a young man from a small Kansas town reveals his unique physical abilities to the world just as inventive minds reveal the fruits of their scientific studies. Clark Kent's powers and the kinds of such men as Thomas Edison and Nokila Tesla are teamed together, and it ushers in an age of wonder in America. Kent, dubbed the Superman by the press, is soon joined in a League of Science by others who discover or are granted powers of their own. Unfortunately, Kent's vision of a peaceful future comes into direct conflict with the greed of Lex Luthor, and the latter plots to usurp power and the media spotlight for himself.
Russell provides the breakdowns and layouts for this lovely book, and it shows in the clean designs and linework. But it's Showdon's pencils and inks that really bring out a tone of innocence in the main characters here. I'm reminded of Dave (Watchemen) Gibbons's style here. The character designs are iconic but more realistic than most super-hero looks while maintaining a sense of the period at the same time. McCaig's bright colors add to that wide-eyed sense of purity and good. Lappan's unmistakable letter suit the historic tone of the story quite well. The only real visual flaw to be found in this book is on the cover, as the combination of font and color obscures the names of those involved in the creation of the book.
Like many other JLA Elseworlds story, this is in reality a Superman story at heart. At this point, the other heroes are, for the most part, somewhat superfluous figures in the story, but they reinforce the sense of wonder and the encouraging atmosphere of collaboration. Luthor's character is rather one-dimensional, though. He is defined by his greed and little else.
Ultimately, this book is about idealism versus realism. At first, it seems as though Tantimedh elevates Superman's idealism to an almost deified level, contrasted with the greed and corruption that Luthor represents. But other elements are introduced that make it seem as though Kent's idealism blinds him to what's going on around him. Kent doesn't understand poverty, especially in an urban context. His good intentions may not pave the rood to hell, but it does lead to his undoing as well as that of others.
