The Blog of OA: Fernando Pasarin

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5/21/12

Green Lantern Corps #9 Review

5/21/2012

It was only a matter of time before John Stewart's decision making was going to get him in trouble, and right or wrong he has ended up on the wrong end of the Alpha Lanterns. Green Lantern Corps #9 forces John to acknowledge what really happened to Kirrt back in issue 6. With his actions now in question as well as his character, things are looking too good for John Stewart.

Green Lantern Corps #8 Review

4/25/2012

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After last month's pause in the action and the emotional story of Kirrt's family in issue seven, the eighth issue of Green Lantern Corps launches into the "Alpha War" as John Stewart begins to face the consequences of his actions during the Keeper battle. Writer Peter Tomasi takes this first issue of his next arc to lay the foundation for a story that is likely to be filled with all the drama and action we've come to expect from him.

July 2012 Green Lantern Solicitations

4/09/2012

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The July 2012 solictations from DC Comics for the Green Lantern family of books has been released and the start of the "Revenge of the Black Hand" story that Geoff Johns talked about to Newsarama recently as all roads for the Green Lantern books lead to the coming of the Third Army. Alan Scott also gets his post-relaunch origin and Larfleeze takes on the New Guardians while the "Alpha War" wraps up in the pages of the Green Lantern Corps.

Green Lantern Corps #6 Review

2/20/2012

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The War between the Green Lantern Corps and the Keepers reaches the final chapter but the events that unfold in Green Lantern Corps #6 create ripples that will be felt in this title for months to come with John Stewart once again making the tough choices needed to assure peace. Guy Gardner and his band of action heroes make their assault on the Keeper home-world of Urak with their living fear bomb ready for their final assault in hopes of saving John Stewart and their fellow lanterns and preventing the Keepers from taking the central power battery.

The Story -

On board the Interceptor Guy Gardner and his team are enroute to Urak with their fear bomb, the Sinestro Corps members known as Fat Man and Littleboy. Meanwhile the leader of the Keepers continues to torture John Stewart and his fellow Green Lantern prisoners of war. As their plan unfurls we learn that the portal being used by the Keepers are powered by members of their culture who keep the stargate powered by the energy of will absorbed by them during their time living in close proximity to all of the power batteries that were once stored on Urak.

May 2012 Green Lantern Solicitations - Updated

2/13/2012

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The May 2012 solictations from DC Comics for the Green Lantern family of books has been released, revealing that the answers to some of the mysteries of the Indigo Tribe are going to be revealed, John Stewart gets himself into some hot water, and more.

This has been updated to include Blue Beetle #9 featuring a crossover with Green Lantern: New Guardians.

RED LANTERNS #9

Written by PETER MILLIGAN

Art by ED BENES and ROB HUNTER

Cover by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA

On sale MAY 2 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US RATED T+

No RED LANTERN is safe! ATROCITUS discovers a conspiracy behind the awakening of the terror that is ABYSMUS, which threatens to kill every member of his corps!

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #9

Written by DAN JURGENS

Art by AARON LOPRESTI and MATT RYAN

Cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

On sale MAY 2 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US RATED T

It’s the JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL against O.M.A.C in a fight to the finish! Special crossover with this month’s FIRESTORM #9!

GREEN LANTERN #9

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Art by DOUG MAHNKE and CHRISTIAN ALAMY

Cover by DOUG MAHNKE

Variant cover by GARY FRANK

1:200 B&W Variant cover by DOUG MAHNKE

On sale MAY 9 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US RATED T

Combo pack edition: $3.99 US

This issue will ship with three covers.

“THE SECRET OF THE INDIGO TRIBE” part three! HAL JORDAN and SINESTRO learn the horrific truth behind the members of the Indigo Tribe and their connection to ABIN SUR Also, the GUARDIANS begin their plan to replace the Green Lantern Corps – at any cost!

This issue is also offered as a special combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #9

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Art and cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS

Backup story art by GARY FRANK

1:25 Variant cover by CARLOS D’ANDA

1:200 B&W Variant cover by JIM LEE

On sale MAY 16 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US RATED T

Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

“THE VILLAIN’S JOURNEY” begins here! Part one of a story introducing an all-new major nemesis for the Justice League by GEOFF JOHNS and JIM LEE!

In part three of the SHAZAM! backup story, Billy Batson attempts to get used to his new life, new school and new family as Sivana unleashes an ancient evil imprisoned long ago.

This issue is also offered as a special combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #9

Written by PETER J. TOMASI

Art and cover by FERNANDO PASARIN and SCOTT HANNA

On sale MAY 16 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US RATED T

“ALPHA WAR” part one! JOHN STEWART is put on trial for the murder of a fellow GREEN LANTERN by the ALPHA LANTERNS!

BLUE BEETLE #9
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art by MARCIO TAKARA
Cover by PAUL RENAUD
On sale MAY 16 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

BLUE BEETLE squares off against GREEN LANTERN KYLE RAYNER and THE NEW GUARDIANS! If Beetle and the Lanterns don’t kill each other, the bounty hunter packing Oan technology will be happy to do it for them. Wait…OAN technology?! Continued this month in GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #9!

GREEN LANTERN ANIMATED #2
Written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO
Art and cover by DARIO BRIZUELA
On sale MAY 16 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED E

Hal Jordan and Kilowog patrol the limits of the galaxy in their “borrowed” Green Lantern ship! Has Hal learned the lessons Kilowog’s been teaching him? We’ll find out as they run into an old foe: the Invisible Destroyer!

THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN #9

Written by JOE HARRIS and ETHAN VAN SCIVER

Art by YILDIRAY CINAR and NORM RAPMUND

Cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER

On sale MAY 23 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US RATED T

Don’t miss this crossover with JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #9! RONNIE seeks information – but is the price he must pay too high?

GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #9

Written by TONY BEDARD

Art and cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT

1:25 B&W Variant cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT

On sale MAY 23 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US RATED T

This issue will ship with two covers. The variant cover will feature the standard edition cover in a wraparound format.

ODYM, homeworld of the BLUE LANTERNS, is under attack by the alien conquerors known as THE REACH! The combined power of the different Lantern Corps might not be enough to defeat The Reach! To make matters worse, they may have been betrayed by one of their own! Continued from BLUE BEETLE #9.

Green Lantern Corps #5 Review

1/22/2012

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It's the calm before the storm in this week's issue of the Green Lantern Corps and as both side prepare for war the mystery of the relationship between the Keepers and Guardians is exposed. Guy assembles his strike force while John and the rest of the captive Green Lanterns are submitted to all matters of torture in an attempt to pry the information the Keepers need to breech Oan airspace.

The Story -

Where's a Snake Plissken reference when you need one?

Guy Gardner inerrupts Kilowog's training to get information about the toughest members the Corps has to offer (outside of himself, of course), but little does the human know that four of the roughest members have a secret hangout underneath Warriors and have been making liberal use of the bar's stock. After discovering the hangout of the "Mean Machine" Guy recruits the four members unwinding there: Lee, Bronchuk, Aldo and Flint.

Gardner's team, the four members of the Mean Machine, Hannu, Sheriff, Isamot Kol and Brik, are briefed by the Martian Manhunter, who shares the history of the Keepers. Urak was a world with a unique structure that allowed the Guardians to tune the power rings and batteries in such a way that a portal would allow Green Lanterns to store their batteries on the planet's surface to be summoned when needed. This was a measure that answered the problem caused by the need for a recharge at inopportune times for Green Lanterns; a situation that led to more than a few deaths.

However Urak was inhabited by a species who was barely surviving on the sparse resources that the planet provided, so the Guardians struck a deal with the Urakians wherein they would be provided for in exchange for tending to the power batteries. The batteries in turn provided energy that fed the planet and allowed it to thrive while also infusing the force of will into the Urakians' DNA. Then, for some unknown reason, the Guardians removed the batteries from Urak without notice, leaving the Urakians to fend for themselves on a rapidly dying world, leading them to respond by stealing the resources of others and now plotting to regain their connection to the power of will by taking the Central Power Battery.

With that the Martian Manhunter disappears and the team begins to think that the Keepers might be able to be overcome with fear, prompting Guy to think of using one of the Sinestro Corps members as a fear bomb. They'll also need some guns, so after stowing their living fear bomb on an Interceptor the team sets out to get some weaponry.

Meanwhile the leader of the Keepers is torturing John Stewart and his fellow imprisoned Green Lanterns on Urak. The mission of the Keepers is a very personal one for them having lost so much and survived the harsh existence that they have faced since the Guardians reneged on their agreement. Promising to remove the ring finger from every Green Lantern and plant them in the Emerald Plains all the Keepers need to execute their strategy is a way to break through the forcefield surrounding Oa, but the resolve of John and his team continues to be a barrier that cannot be broken.

The scene between John and his captors is a highlight of this issue

The Green, the Bad, and the Ugly!

In deep space the Interceptor and her crew inserts themselves into a cosmic arms deal and achieve their goal of stealing the weapons they need to take the war to the Keepers and free their fellow Green Lanterns. With that the issue comes to a close, promising an action filled conclusion to the first story arc in next month's sixth issue.

The Writing -

This issue has some great high points and the reader can't help but see the connections between the Man Machine and the casts of action films over the years. So since we're going there, here's the Good, the Bad and the Ugly about this issue from a writing perspective.

The Good - The whole sequence between the leader of the Keepers and John's team is superb. After witnessing the well told story of the Keepers it's very easy to understand and empathize with their plight despite the severity of their response to being stripped of the existence they had as a result of their good faith agreement with the Guardians. The leader of the Urakians in particular is a character I hope survives the melee to follow next month. Likewise I really enjoyed the dialogue between Guy and Salaak about taking extreme measures to fix another Guardian mess, a recurring problem that hints that there is so much more going on behind the scenes that we don't know yet with regard to the Guardians and their actions both past and present.

The Bad - While I think the references to old action movies is kind of a neat idea I'll admit that I found it distracting due to the heavy handedness of the characterizations, names and likenesses of the Mean Machine. Lee, Flint, Bronchuk and Aldo are such obvious amalgams of people like Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood, Charles Bronson and Arnold Schwarzenegger with perhaps some Lee Van Cleef, Chuck Norris and Brad Pitt's character Aldo from Inglorious Bastards thrown in for good measure. It's not clever like Geneva spelled backwards in the "Treaty of Av-eneg" in issue four or Isamot being Tomais backwards and it just comes off as lazy writing to me. We know not everyone is going to survive, gee what characters might that be? And don't get me started on the Fat Man and Little Boy......

The Ugly - Last month the Martian Manhunter stated he'd be wiping Gardner's mind when their encounter was over and in this issue you get the impression that he he did just that when he leaves the team behind and Guy's conversation falters, but later on Gardner references J'onzz in his dialogue with Salaak - a bad case of not following your own continuity. Do Green Lanterns really need to resort to guns other than to complete the action movie shtick?

The Art -

Like the writing the art has some ups and downs this issue. I love the character design work Fernando Pasarin put in on the leader of the Keepers and the work on him really drives home the intensity of the Tomasi's dialogue. Likewise the whole sequence where we learn the story behind the Keepers is very engaging and the panel design work is very creative.

On the downside I have a problem seeing the Mean Machine look like they walked off the set of a war movie and slapped a Green Lantern logo on their clothes. These are not men who would be a part of a galactic peace force in my mind and the terminator like appearance of Aldo just pushed the cheese factor over the edge for me. Likewise the weapons resemble Earth weapons waaaayyyy too much for my tastes.

What Do I Think?

Issue five had a great potential to be a great build-up for the conclusion of the first story arc for the Green Lantern Corps title, but it falls short with the heavy handed way that it compares this story to war and action films of American cinema rather than letting the reader do that themselves. What I'm sure was planned to be a great penultimate chapter in an outstanding story instead reads like a bit of a lazy effort depending on how much leeway the reader is willing to give the creative team. Three out of five lanterns.

Green Lantern Corps #4 Review

12/29/2011

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The first skirmish between the Keepers and the Green Lantern Corps is over, but the war itself has just begun. Issue four of Green Lantern Corps speaks to the nature of war and the effect on those who survive while both sides deal with their captive prisoners. Writer Peter Tomasi also begins to reveal the history between the Guardians and the newest threat to the Corps.

The Story -

When we last left our squad of lanterns on Xabas in issue three they were surrounded by the agents of the Keepers. Faced with a dire situation John Stewart dares their captors to re-engage in battle, but with their rings nearly drained of energy they pose no threat. Vandor manage to gain the upper hand for a moment but is stymied when he learns that he cannot use the Keepers' energy blades against their owners.

John attempts to surrender, but the Keepers drive home the point that their conflict is beyond the conventions of war by driving an energy sword through one of the ring slingers' heads as another casualty of war. Vandor cannot contain his fury over the senseless murder, but John asserts his leadership and reminds him that they are better off saving a confrontation for a better time.

The true face of the enemy revealed.

On Oa Guy Gardner interrogates the Keeper prisoner who his being prevented from willing himself to death so that Guy and Salaak can try to find out more about their mysterious new enemies. Removing the mask Guy reveals the nearly transparent emerald skeletal form beneath, but Salaak is unable to identify the species in the enormous catalog of information at his disposal. Guy tries to intimidate his captive, but nothing he does i able to reveal an information about their new enemies.

Elsewhere on Oa three of the Green Lanterns who joined John earlier are all dealing with survivor's guilt in different ways. Hannu takes his frustrations about leaving his comrades behind on Xabas out on the terrain. Other members of John's original team face similar challenges with Isamot Kol plagued by nightmares that force him to relive the events that led to the loss of his limbs, finding Sheriff Mardin unable to sleep as well. While Hannu continues to pummel the rocks Isamot and Sheriff find consolation in the training chambers.

"The Green Mile"

Having teleported to the Keepers' planet we see a clue to the past relationship between them and the Green Lantern Corps. As they walk through the Emerald Plains we see familiar shapes in the ground that look like impressions made from power batteries. We don't know where the Green Lanterns are being taken, but it's likely that wherever they are going they will be learning a bit more about the Corps than the Guardians want them to know.

Guy has reached a stalemate with his captive on Oa, but the Martian Manhunter arrives to pry the beings minds open. By the conversation between the two it's easy to say that the Martian's history is one of those more affected by the Flashpoint relaunch as we see that Guy not only has no recollection of the Manhunter, but he has no admiration of the Corps, blaming them for not coming to Mars' aid in its darkest hour. While he reveals some information to the Green Lantern, it's made clear that once the Manhunter's investigation for Stormwatch is complete and he has discovered the Keepers' goal, the Martian plans on wiping Guy's recollection of what transpires from his mind.

The mental probe by the Martian reveals that the Keepers once took care of the Green Lanterns' power batteries when there were stored in a "pocket universe". The Keepers were responsible for taken care the batteries, but at some point the Guardians instructed the Corps to cease using that method to store them. As usual the Guardians provided no explanation to their Green Lanterns but it is safe to assume that whatever caused the change in policy didn't sit well with the Keepers. The issue ends with the revelation that the Keepers plan is to capture the Central Power Battery on Oa for their own.

More secrets of the Corps exposed

The Writing -
The action in this issue slows down considerably and it needs to with the frenetic pace that the book has been on. This time Tomasi takes the use of the much needed pause to establish more of the plot and he uses this opportunity to reveal what we need to know about the Keepers and further develop the cast all the while keeping the tension wrapped tight.

The notion that the the Keepers maintained the power batteries for the Green Lantern's is a great revelation; I'd always wondered what happened when a battery was put there. It's no shock that the Guardians didn't reveal the knowledge of the Keepers to the Corps as well as making sure no record of them exists, but what makes this really fascinating is not knowing why the Keepers did it and why the Guardians stopped using them. With only two issues left in the first arc I trust that Tomasi will reveal at least some of the details.

I really liked how time was spent showing that the events on Xabas affected those who were there. The ways in which Hannu, Isamot and Sheriff dealt with their guilt and frustration were revealing and added to their character. I also found the appearance of the Martian Manhunter interesting since I haven't been reading Stormwatch and didn't know how his role in the new DC Universe might have changed from the pre-Flashpoint continuity. The cameo did what was needed in getting us more information and reminding us that each book is a part of a larger universe without seeming forced in any way.

The Art -
Three distinct images in this issue stood out in my mind in particular when I think back on what I read. One was seeing the death of the Green Lantern on Xabas, a construct sword thrust through his skull. The second the reveal of the skeletal appearance of the Keepers and then the image of captive Green Lanterns as they enter the Emerald Plains and see the impressions of the power batteries on the ground. All three of those images really stuck with me long after I put the book down and that's a testament to the great work that Fernando Pasarin did with this issue.

What Do I Think?
Both Green Lantern Corps and New Guardians keep fighting for the number two spot in my Green Lantern food chain and this issue, while perhaps light on the action, was a great read in terms of plot and character development. In the overall story the change of pace was needed so the story could breathe a little bit before the pace picks up again. Five out of five lanterns.

Green Lantern Corps #3 Review

11/20/2011

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The Green Lantern Corps, bent but not broken from their battle with their new foes, face off against overwhelming odds in the third issue of Pete Tomasi's post relaunch title. The pulse pounding action starts on the first panel, grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until you put the book down.

The Story -

Porter makes his case

The team of Green Lanterns on the planet Xabas are severely outnumbered, outgunned and completely surrounded by the warriors of the Keepers and as the small band of emerald brothers try to hold out against the overwhelming odds Guy Gardner reaches out to Salaak to send reinforcements. While he has trouble believing Gardner's assessment of their foes, Salaak realizes that if Gardner is asking for help it must the most dire of situations.

Salaak gathers a battalion of unassigned Lanterns and prepares to send on the three hour trek from Oa to the front-line. However one of them, Porter, proposes using his innate ability to teleport to cut the travel time down and improve their chances at doing more than picking up the pieces left behind in the battle. Despite Salaak's protests he agrees and in moments Porter has the rest of his teammates off the surface of Oa.

It appears that they may not arrive in time as John Stewart and the rest of his squad are on their last legs, except for Isamot Kol who lost his limbs last issue but is doing a fine job using his power ring on his serpentine tongue. The warriors that team captured in issue two are also close to getting free with the Green Lanterns having all they can manage to ward off the oncoming waves of attackers let alone keep the constructs binding their captives intact. However the prisoners have another strategy in mind to protect the Corps from learning more about them and they begin to actually will themselves to death.

John tries to learn the weakness of the enemy

That doesn't set well with John Stewart, who manages to knock one of them out in all the mayhem so that he will be alive to be interrogated further. A scan of the unconscious warrior proves that they are also harnessing the power of will but the realization may be coming too late as the numbers of enemies bring Guy Gardner to the conclusion that they are making their last stand.

Fortunately for them Porter's gamble worked and they arrive in the nick of time to literally lay the hammer down on the warriors. The tide of battle turned, the Green Lanterns make quick work of the fight and begin to help the planet's inhabitants. The effort to get the Corps to Xabas has taken a toll on Porter, who is bleeding from the eyes from the strain it took on him. But knowing that a second wave of attackers is only moments away from starting the battle anew, he prepare to teleport everyone back to Oa.

The next wave comes, stronger than the first and as the battle begins to rage again Porter makes his move and in a blink of an eye the Lanterns and their captive are whisked back to Oa. The second effort proves to be too much for Porter, who collapses and dies in Guys arms. Despite Porter's dying efforts he was unable to get all the Green Lanterns off Xabas and the issue closes with the image of John Stewart, Vandor and a handful of Green Lanterns surrounded by the hostile warriors with Guy Gardner promising to bring a universe of hurt in issue four.

The Writing -

Porter's sacrifice

Pete Tomasi has this issue full of rings to the wall action and the pacing reflects that with this issue moving so fast that by the time I reached the end I was wondering if there were pages missing. There's little time for meaningful dialogue or character development and in reviewing this as a single issue I'd call it out for a lack of balance, but taken in the context of the larger story being told this issue represents that part of the action movie where all hell breaks loose making this issue exactly what it needs to be.

While this issue is very action heavy, there is also a bit of plot development as the cast finds out more about the enemy and we learn just how strong their will is. Tying this to the narrative going on in the main Green Lantern title and the revelation about the Guardian's new mission in the third issue, one has to wonder where the Keepers may fit into this whole "Third Army" business.

If there is a weakness in this issue it's found in the contrivance of the character of Porter, a never before seen character who just so happens to have the one ability to come in handy in the situation facing the protagonists. I'm not downplaying the sacrifice the character was willing to make, but the whole nature of creating a character with a special ability only to have them make the ultimate sacrifice doing the one thing only he can do is lazy writing to me and I think too much of the Tomasi's work to give it a pass because he is better than that.

Likewise we have a score of characters never seen before and I wonder if the "not everyone makes it out alive" teaser that was made about this first arc just means that some of these characters were just conceived to be the Ensign Smith red shirt that beams down to the planet in Star Trek only to die in the teaser at the hands of this week's bad guy. If this new threat is to have any meaningful lasting power there needs to be some weight behind it that shows this is serious business. I'm not calling for the head of either of the two leads, but someone with some history needs to take a dirt nap if we're going to take the Keepers as real threats.

The Art -

Fernando Pasarin is out for this issue, with Geraldo Borges stepping up to the plate on pencils. Borges work isn't outstanding nor is it the worst I've seen, but somewhere comfortably in the middle. His work shows his lack of familiarity with some of the established characters, not quite getting John and Guy's facial expression quite right. But when he's allowed to create something all his own there's a great deal of creativity there. I rather like some of his unique Corps members that he comes up with as part of the team leading the charge on Oa and it reminds me of one of reasons I love the Green Lantern mythology.

What Do I Think?

Issue three of Green Lantern Corps is all out war from cover to cover, only pausing to advance the plot of the story for a few panel before jumping back into the action. If you're not already reading this title this is not the issue to start with unless you really want to jump right into the action without knowing what's really going on. Despite average artwork and a plot contrivance this issue provides a lot of adrenaline rushing action and deserves four out of five lanterns.

Green Lantern Corps #2 Review

10/23/2011

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When writer Peter Tomasi compared the new volume of Green Lantern Corps to Call of Duty he wasn't kidding. This issue takes our team out of the frying pan and puts them squarely into the fire as all hell breaks loose and provides some jaw dropping moments as we begin to learn more about the antagonists to this story and what they are trying to achieve, beings that Tomasi recently referred to as "The Keepers".

The Story -

It's ass-kicking time!

Our team of Green Lanterns is stunned by the attack on Nerros and the slaughter of the inhabitants of this peaceful water world. As Guy, John, Sheriff, Isamot Kol, Hannu, Vandor and Brik notice the missing fingers from their fallen Corpsmen, they at first think that their rings had been stolen, but Salaak assures them that the rings are seeking successors. As the seven Green Lanterns wonder about the rationale behind the attack and take care of their dead comrades, an identical disturbance to the one that devastated Nerros is detected on another planet in the sector. Vowing justice for all of the fallen the team leave the dead world behind to find the attackers.

On an unnamed world our killer presents the severed digits to his leader as we learn that something is about to arrive. Turning to face a barren world the skeletal mouth of the leader seems to smile as a portal opens up filling a void with the water that was taken from Nerros. There are several lanterns which glow green, much like the emotionless, mechanical orbs that constitute the eyes of the mysterious figure, who orders his underling to address a problem on the planet Xabas.

A universal truth on a planetary scale

On Xabas the the team of Green Lanterns have arrived in time to see the portal sucking in trees and the planet's inhabitants. As they try to save the people they connect the dots that whoever is behind this is trying to steal natural resources. The power of the portal is too strong for their constructs and the matter is made much more complicated with the arrival of what looks like space ninjas brandishing swords which look like their are made from the energy of will.

The legion of attackers have a distinct advantage over the seven Green Lanterns because they not only severely outnumber the team they also appear to be immune to the team's rings and constructs. Isamot Kol, forever the sacrificing warrior, goes to blow the portal up using John's thought that an explosion was the only way to seal the vortex and instructs his ring to detonate the energy shield covering the portal when he makes contact.

The number of foes calls for drastic action

The Thanagarian's gambit works and the portal shuts down just as two the attackers reach John and Guy and clamp their hands down on the Green Lantern's ring hands, telling the two Humans that "Your will is our will, Lanterns." Not to be shut down, the two veteran ring slingers psych themselves up by reciting the oath and blow the two attackers threw the air before taking it to their foes once again as they realize that the key is to have more willpower so they can overcome their enemies.

New foes, or old?

Meanwhile we find that Isamot Kol did not die in the explosion, instead appearing in the worst place possible, on the other side of the portal and surrounded by darkness...but not alone. On Xabas the Green Lantern's have triumphed over their adversaries and their interrogation leads to the revelation that it wasn't the forestation that was the target, but the people of Xabas that was the goal due to their ability to create a breathable atmosphere from the chemicals they exhale. We also come to understand that Xabas was the final planet needed to complete their mission and that their is bad blood between them and the Green Lantern Corps, something that must go back to the mysterious past of the Corps which we continue to learn was far more than we'd been led to understand.

Just as the Corpsmen are about to transport their attackers to Oa, the portal reappears and Isamot Kol emerges, falling to the feet of his comrades. The appearance of Kol, completely limbless, is a shock to everyone, us included, but the Thanagarian alerts them to the greater problem which ends the issue, the emergence of hundreds of new attackers intent on finishing their mission.

The Writing -

What more can I say other than Pete Tomasi once again delivers an action packed story that keeps the pages turning until you reach the end and lamenting the four week wait for the next issue? This issue is a great page turner complete with enough revelations about our new enemies to keep us curious and enough plot and character progression to keep the pace moving. And the shocking state of Isamot Kol was a jaw dropper for certain!

We've seen Isamot in a similar situation after Blackest Night, Green Lantern Corps #47 specifically. In that issue we saw the surface dweller of Thanagar donate his legs to his partner, Rannian Vath Sarn, after he lost his during a Black Lantern attack. At the time Isamot Kol was unsure if he could regenerate his legs but we've not seen him try to recover from this dramatic of a turn, and the situation certainly looks dire for him considering how outnumbered his six comrades are going to be when the action picks up again with issue 3.

Tomasi has also done a great job in creating yet another new layer to the Green Lantern mythology for us old timers who've felt like we've seen it all and I really appreciate how the creative teams have gone to great lengths to add more to what we know about the Green Lantern universe without necessarily erasing anything important to the lore that we are so fond of.

The Art -

I've been critical of Fernando Pasarin in the past, but I have to say that any qualms I've had with the quality of his work have been put to rest with these first two issues. I only hope that my new found faith in his work isn't the result of having a lot of lead time that will catch up with him down the road. I also have to praise the rest of the art team, Inker Scott Hanna, Colorist Gabe Eltaeb and Letterer Pat Brosseau for doing a great job of helping to convey the sense of emotion and frantic energy that Pete Tomasi's script demanded.

What Do I Think?

Green Lantern Corps continues to be a fantastic book with Pete Tomasi at the helm. Like the main Green Lantern title I finish each issue wishing it were longer and dreading the wait until we get the next chapter. In my mind both these titles are the cream of the crop of DC's cosmic titles and my two favorite books overall, just above Batman, Batgirl and Aquaman. Four out of five lanterns.

Green Lantern Corps #1

9/21/2011

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This week marks the debut of the third Green Lantern title this month, Green Lantern Corps. Returning to the GLC title is the creative team of Peter Tomasi and Fernando Pasarin. Tomasi has always done a great job with expanding the Green Lantern universe by creating new threats and really painting on the canvas of Green Lantern's mythology in broad strokes, really establishing for readers that there is whole universe out there than can be explored. With that in mind the first issue of the new run of the GLC books continues with the universe building trend while still grounding the two Earth Green Lanterns starring in the book as they try to fit back in on a world unaware of the all the things going on in the universe around them.

The Story -

Another GL pays the price

At the sector house in Sector 3599 the two Green Lanterns of the sector are locking up a recently apprehended baddie when the they are attacked by an unseen assailant. In a gory display of violence all three beings are are sliced in two, but not before we a glimpse of the attacker's gauntlet, which looks a lot like Libra's, not that it's likely to be him peering out from behind the glowing green eyes of his mask. The murderer mysteriously rambles that "Where there is a force of will...there is a force of destiny" as the scene shifts to Earth.

Guy Gardner is sitting in, of all places, a planetarium, and he appears to have a lot on his mind as he comments on the seeming insignificance of Earth in the grand scheme of the universe. Reminded that he's late for an interview we are transported along with Guy to a high school and, surrounded by people who recognize him as one of Earth's Green Lanterns, he becomes the subject of an endless barrage of questions. Unlike the past, Guy isn't enjoying the attention and seems bored with the banality that surrounds him, like someone who has clearly outgrown the novelty of stardom.

Guy's inability to integrate with "normal" society is underscored by his interview, where the impact of being a Green Lantern results in him being questioned about the safety and insurance issues as well as the ability to balance a high school coaching career that would take a backseat anytime his duties got in the way. It's then that the female interviewer drives the point home that the world doesn't need Guy Gardner the football coach, it needs the Green Lantern more than ever before.

Meanwhile John Stewart is likewise having a hard time fitting back in, with his notoriety as a ring bearer makes him publicity fodder. But John can't rectify the local politics with his code of ethics in the construction of a housing complex. John becomes frustrated with the lack of vision and after trying to make others see the bigger picture he flies off in disgust with the small mindedness around him.

Far across the universe on the planet Nerro in Sector 3599 a been of energy cuts through the water world's inhabitants, creating a whirlpool that begins pulling all life under the surface towards it. Before they know it there is a burst and all life is pulled towards the sky.

Guy and John sit together in Earth orbit, riding a satellite as the two men compare notes about the decision they made to go public with their roles as Green Lanterns and how that has made blending in an impossibility. It's a great moment for these two men in a cosmic version of "you can't go home again" having seen the greater universe and realizing they've been so changed by their experiences that they can no longer find common ground with the common man. The affect of always being on call is very similar to what Hal is going through in Green Lantern and what many people who have these types of lives deal with and that's the inability to detach from the job and not able to function until the next mission comes along like a drug addict waiting for his next fix.

The weight of the universe sits heavy on the two Earth Green Lanterns' shoulders

The two Earth men head to Oa where they meet up with Salaak, requesting that the two be assigned other duties and leave Sector 2814 to Hal and Kyle. Salaak remind them, and us, that Hal is not a Green Lantern anymore and doesn't mention Kyle as John notices the screen that Salaak was looking at. Beside the two corpsmen who perished in the sector house, a patrol sent there to confirm the deaths responded to a distress call from Nerro and have gone missing. Salaak just so happened to be putting together another team to check to investigate, providing Guy and John with the opportunity they needed to get their minds off their situation at home.

One war over, another begun

A team of Lanterns, including Isamot Kol, Brik and Hannu, leave Oa and arrive at Nerros only to discover the the water world is nothing more than a barren rock. Landing on what would have been the ocean floor the team finds a scene of genocide complete with the skewered remains of the patrol on the final panel.

The Writing -

It's clear that Pete Tomasi has the voices for all the characters down pat, and we continue to see Guy Gardner and John Stewart evolve. I was kind of shocked on my first read through to see that he didn't try once to pick up the female interviewer! This isn't the same old Guy Gardner of old and there is a lot going on underneath the ginger haircut. Clearly both Gardner and John are men who are now fish out of water in their own ocean, strangers in a familiar land. And Tomasi clearly channeled Denny O'Neil in his scene between John and the construction crew, displaying some of that anger at the "man" who can't see beyond his pocketbook to do the right thing.

The villain in this issue is intriguing with just enough shown to whet our appetite. Despite the similar appearance to Libra's gauntlet, this must be some new cosmic threat that will likely be revealed in issue two. While I'm not sure if this issue is new reader friendly or not, I don't think it would be too hard for someone with a very rudimentary knowledge of Green Lantern lore to jump in with both feet. What makes it a good entry point is that Tomasi knows how to blend the science fiction elements with a crime drama which makes the story accessible to anyone who's ever watched a crime show. The first chapter in this new volume of the Green Lantern Corps title starts and ends with a bang.

The Art -

If this issue has a bang it's Fernando Pasarin's art that supplies the sound. Everything looks gorgeous this issue and the art drives home the brutal nature of the violence, the introspection by Guy and John, and the cosmic wonder of Oa and deep space. The color work is also spectacular and despite some of the gruesome imagery it all looks beautiful.

What Do I Think?

The Green Lantern Corps comes out of the starting gate immediately establishing itself as a contender for the best title in the family. From Guy and John's inability to transition to life back on Earth to the murder mystery and the appearance of a new threat to the universe this issue has it all. I consider it an equal with the main Green Lantern title and ahead of the debut issue of Red Lanterns. Four out of five lanterns.

Select US Cities Will Get to Join the Corps

6/08/2011

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In celebration of the June 17th theatrical release of the Green Lantern film, Warner Bros. Pictures will electrify eleven North American cities on Monday, June 13, encouraging people to join the Green Lantern Corps. To join the Corps, fans will be invited to decipher local clues leading them to a secret location where the Green Lantern symbol will be projected from dusk until midnight. Those attending the events, sponsored by Kodak, will have the chance to win fantastic prizes, including an opportunity to be among the first to see the film at local preview screenings, limited edition T-shirts, light-up Green Lantern rings, Green Lantern: Emerald Knights Blu-ray combo packs and more. And some people who are photographed with the projected symbol behind them will have their photos posted on the movie Facebook page. Select markets will also give people the chance to record the Green Lantern oath which will be added to the Infinite Oath app on the movie website.

Markets include: Los Angeles, New York City, Vancouver, San Diego, Miami, Atlanta, Cleveland, Kansas City, Sacramento, St. Louis, and New Orleans, where the film was shot.

Source: IGN

6/08/2011

1 comment

The latest DC Universe animated film, Green Lantern: Emerald Knights, was officially released yesterday in both digital and optical disk formats, the second animated film featuring Green Lantern. While not linked to Green Lantern: First Flight in terms of continuity, the fact that the creators choose to take a shortcut and use the same character design could certainly add a bit of confusion if you began watching this feature thinking you were getting a sequel. Like Batman: Gotham Knights, Emerald Knights is an anthology of five animated sequences held together by an over arcing story, however where the Batman anthology seemed a little disjointed by an unclear narrative and diverse art styles Bruce Timm and friends have done a better job to put together a film that serves as a primer for anyone new to the Green Lantern universe that remains satisfying to long time fans.

This review covers the Blu-ray edition of the movie, so some elements such as special features may not apply depending on the version you purchase.

New Emerald Knights Video Clip and Nathan Fillion Interview

6/06/2011

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Warner Brothers Home Entertainment has released a new clip from Green Lantern: Emerald Knights along with some short interview clips with Nathan Fillion who provides the voice for Hal Jordan. I edited the clips together to make it easier to watch.

6/06/2011

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Comic Book Resources has a great video interview with Bruce Timm and Alan Burnett, two of the creators behind the DC Universe animated direct to video features. This particular interview, shot during WonderCon, focuses heavily on Green Lantern: Emerald Knights, which releases officially on June 7th. The interview touches on the emphasis on Hal Jordan as the main Green Lantern, the choices for the stories in this new anthology, as well as the upcoming Justice League: Doom animated feature and the tragic loss of Dwayne McDuffie.