Sinestro finds himself in unfamiliar territory as he continues to both try to redeem himself for not saving his own people and try to reclaim his position as undisputed leader of the Sinestro Corps. For perhaps the first time Sinestro finds himself in a position where for once he cannot simply will something to be the way he wants it to be and in the newly released Sinestro #3 we find both of Sinestro’s goals to be in direct conflict with each other.  And the titular character’s pride adds gasoline to the fire just as the threat of the Paling begins to show itself.

Cullen Bunn does a superb job of weaving together a number of disparate elements into an ongoing story where the reader may not necessarily find themselves rooting for anyone but the drama of all these various factions vying for control makes it hard to ignore.  There’s no hero in this book but there certainly are a lot of characters that makes the reader want to see what happens to.  The members of the Sinestro Corps are clearly divided and while they may wear Sinestro’s symbol on their chest his followers are not as quick to fall in line as those that joined him when the Corps was first formed.  Sinestro’s new directive is not what any of them have signed up for and if Sinestro didn’t already have enough problems establishing himself as the alpha dog his directive has made the job all the more difficult.

This issue has the fractured state of his leadership on full display as a splinter group runs into members of the Paling, beings who’s aims are unclear yet at this point but who are certainly targeting anyone who wields a weapon of the emotional spectrum.  With Relic having already wiped out so many their job is vastly easier and while we do not see the fate of Sinestro’s AWOL troops they are most likely doomed for whatever fate the Paling has in store for them.

The highlight of this series for me continues to be the interactions between Sinestro and Soranik Natu.  Natu has been portrayed as perhaps falling prey to her father’s influence but if this issue is an indication it seems that she is straddling that line pretty well, here being somewhat of a conscience for Sinestro and imposing herself on the mission to rescue more Korugarians.  Soranik’s cards are being played very close to her chest and it’s not clear whether she’s playing along to eventually bring her father in to the Green Lanterns, trying to redeem her father or she has a different agenda all together. 

Sinestro’s hubris is once again his downfall and Bunn provides a great scene between Sinestro and those members of his race that were in suspended animation to illustrate how Sinestro’s pride has blurred his vision when it comes to his past actions.  It’s not that denies what he’s done but his inability to see another perspective has his version of history in sharp contrast to everyone else.  At the same time he’s keenly aware that his future is shaped by that history, telling his daughter pointedly that “…we are all prisoners of our choices.”

I’m sure I’m not alone on this but I cannot wait for Dez Trevius to get his own comeuppance down the road.  In this title he’s become the character I love to hate, however his ability to get under everyone’s skin is precisely why we need him in this series.  He is, as Sinestro describes him, a pot stirrer and nothing will keep the flames of discontent fanned like he does.  It’s only a matter of time before that pot boils over and I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens when it does.

The conclusion to this issue brings Sinestro directly into the cross hairs of the Paling leaving me wanting issue four now.  The Paling look to be an imposing force, drawing visions of a religion devoted to the lack of emotion, represented perfectly right down to the colorless wardrobe.  Joining Dale Eaglesham this issue is Rags Morales and their art styles blend together really well, helped along by a great inking and coloring job which added a level of cohesiveness.  

Sinestro #3 continues to re-define Sinestro in the post-Johns era and while the pacing of the series may be a little slower than some readers would like I’m not disappointed at all with Cullen Bunn’s decision to build things up at a simmer.  This series feels like there’s a considerable amount of drama and weight to it, something which complements the lead character very well.  This issue positions Sinestro for a challenge he’s not ready for with allies who don’t exactly have a great deal of faith in him.  Hard times are ahead and issue three does a great job of whetting our appetite for what’s to follow.  Four out of five lanterns.

Related articles

• Bunn & Eaglesham Make Light From Fear with “Sinestro”(comicbookresources.com)

  ---

• Sinestro #2 Review(blogofoa.com)

  ---

• August 2014 Green Lantern Solicitations(blogofoa.com)

  ---