Corps Take Over

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #64
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

 

Okay things go to hell for the Corps really fast in the first part of “War of the Green Lanterns” as Krona and the entities take over the Guardians and restore Parallax to the Central Power Battery. Oh and a bunch of folks get stuck in the book of the black. It was really good for an opening chapter of this crossover, but a little too much Hal Jordan and Johns’s annoying Hal Worship going on.

Still A Little Too Much Hal

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #63
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ed Benes and Ardian Syaf

 

Well I got to hand it to Johns, I did not see that coming. So apparently Krona was behind the manhunters’ slaughter of the Lost Sector and his motivation makes sense for what the character was trying to prove. Benes and Sayaf don’t do a half-bad job here either. Overall quite a good comic and great prologue to the next GL event but there was a little too much Hal Jordan in this.

The Keeper’s Identity

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #60
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

Well the one who has been stealing the entities identity is revealed…and it was someone I didn’t guess and you would think I would it was so obvious. Anyways, this was okay although the whole Parallax possessing the Flash thing was absolutely pointless.

Hope Burns Bright

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #58
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

 

I already like Adara…the Blue Lanterns have always been my favorite corps and I really like the character of Nicole Morrison so I hope this sticks around. Hal is such a dick in this as usual. Can’t stand him still but everything else in this book is blast. Good stuff.

All Hail The Queen

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #57
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

 

Once again the most interesting stuff about this book is everything besides it supposed star Hal Jordan. Larfleeze and Carol Ferris really steal the show here as the Predator is retrieved by the Star Sapphire and Carol ins named new Queen of the Star Sapphires. I enjoyed all the discussion about the nature of love and what it does to a person. Relationships are extremely difficult and that is why love can become corrupted. This is some great writing by Johns. I still wish we got an actual male Star Sapphire though and not this Abraham Pointe being possessed by the Predator.

Green Lantern 54 and 55

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #54
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

 

The funny thing about this book is it is supposed to star Hal Jordan but Hal Jordan is so boring that Johns mainly focuses on the supporting cast. Atrocitius really shines in this issue and his fun cat. Lobo showing up was a surprise too. I liked this issue a lot and I wonder who is kidnapping the entities and what this has to do with those ressurected by the white light. Mahnke’s art is as beautiful as ever too.

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #55
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

 

It turns out Atrocitus hired Lobo himself to attack him so that GL, Sinestro, and Carol would side with him. I wonder why? The best part of this issue though had to be fantastic origin of Dek-Star the Red Lantern Cat. As a cat owner myself, it really warmed my heart but was so sad too. He is full of rage because his owner was murdered. Great little story. I hope he sticks around.

Let’s Stay Focused On The Other Characters

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #53
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

Really Johns? Another Donner Superman reference? Give me a break. We get that you liked the original Superman movie but this is getting out of a hand lol all we had was Lex Luthor and already he is referencing the Donner Superman movie. I liked this issue, that being said, as it focuses on the group of New Guardians. It makes for a great way for Johns nto to focus on boring old Hal Jordan. Didio’s DC Nation at the end of this week’s books explain a lot about why certain characters keep coming back. He is such a douche.

White Lantern

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #52
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

 

Once again we are shown that Green Lantern Corps is the Green Lantern title you should be reading this was…well…kinda pointless. John Stewart takes out Xanshi which may or may not be connected to all the rings. That is about all that freaking happens! Hal Jordan is just bossing people around and acting like a dick as usual. Johns used to be my favorite writer, it’s sad, why does he like this character so much! Sinestro’s White Lantern costume is cool though and I like all the history stuff I will give it that.

Meh

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #51
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

 

The Black Lantern Spectre is defeated and Hal is no longer Parallax is one issue. This all seemed to be just stalling for the fight against Nekron and it bored me. There were some cool moments, none of which featured Hal Jordan of course, but otherwise it was just a waste. Mahnke’s art seemed really rushed too.

All The Powers Of Superman

Adventure Comics #510
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Travis Moore

Ummmm Bedard could have taken over this series for all I care because this was a great issue! Bedard shows he knows the character of Connor Kent inside and out by recapping his history while moving the story forward. This was by far the best Blackest Night tie-in yet. We get to see lots of action and great characterization at the same time. The strong love between Wonder Girl and Superboy and their training to make sure Connor is never mind controlled again (Nice use of continuity by the way, I would never have thought of that) allows for Superboy to escape from the Black Lantern ring. The art was fabulous as well. Oh and Superboy gets freeze-breath finally! Now he has all the powers of Superman. I kinda liked it when he was all about the tactile telekinesis but this is okay too.

Parallax Rebirth

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #50
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

Wow! I thought that the cover was just metaphorical but no, Hal becomes Parallax again in order to scare off the Spectre! Where is Nekron in all of this though. Why the focus on Spectre instead of him? Don’t get me wrong I liked the issue but I was just wondering what was going on with him. This is a nice anniversary issue because it harkens all the way back to Rebirth. Hey maybe Hal will stay as Parallax and we can get Kyle back! I highly doubt that but I am a Blue Lantern what can I say (:

I Think We Might Have To Reconsider Our Relationship

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #48
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

The editor’s note says this takes place before Blackest Night #6 – which is obviously supposed to be #5. How does an editor’s note have a mistake!! Come on DC! Anyways, this issue had Atrocitus and Larfleeze join up with the other Lanterns to take on the Black Lanterns. It was pretty good – but not really essential reading. Hal makes me fall asleep in ever panel he is in. The best parts were Larfleeze’s lines – they were pretty funny, including the one that this post was titled after.

The Colors Are Coming Together

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #47
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

So the Red Lanterns seem to be invulnerable to attacks from the Black Lanterns because they have no heart or have had theirs replaced with rage. This is really interesting stuff. Johns is building a cosmology that is based on science fiction, mysticism, and all kinds of great concepts. I liked this issue as there wasn’t a lot of lame Hal moments. This is a great companion to Blackest Night. It was action-packed and intense.

Taking Back His Corps

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #46
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

At first I was confused at to why the bodies of Khufu and Chayara were in the power battery of the Star Sapphire Corps and then I realized…of course, that’s brilliant! Their undying love would be powering the Star Sapphires wouldn’t it! That’s just awesome! The art is spectacular here as Mahnke always is and this was an spectacular read…I didn’t even mind the boring Hal Jordan moments. A lot happens here…the Star Sapphire homeworld falls to the black Lanterns and Sinestro takes back his corps from Mongul. In the end, Abin Sur and his sister rise as black lanterns. It doesn’t pack quite the emotional punch to me as previous black lanterns, but it is still something to look forward to. Great issue.

Hooray! No Hal In This Issue!

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #45
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

Hey Hal Jordan doesn’t even appear in this issue! Yes! Thank you Johns for not making me read about that douche bag and instead focusing on his more interesting co-workers, villains, and love interests. I got to say I was very happy to turn to the last page and still see no sign of Hal. Although, there was some typical talking up of Hal by Carol and Sinestro but I can deal with that. I was kind’ve annoyed that Carol even knows who Barry and Iris or Clark and Lois are. Does everyone know everyone in the DCU now? I mean come on! Mahnke’s art is great and this issue was almost as good as one of Tomasi’s Green Lantern Corps issues, except with no Kyle which is why it is almost as good and not AS good. I also liked the idea of Abin Sur’s sister as Sinestro’s former love.

Alienated

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #44
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

Let me tell you, I didn’t expect to love Blackest Night as much as I did and this issue is no different from the rest of this event. I love Martian Manhunter, he is the heart and soul of the Justice League and any long time readers of this blog know I complained a lot of how he was treated by DC (aka Dan Didio and Brad Meltzer) after Infinite Crisis. Johns understands this and I loved when Barry said he didn’t become Alien, he was Alienated. Barry is exactly right. Any Martian Manhunter fans should read this issue. This was a quick read and did seem kinda filler but I still loved it because of it’s Martian Manhunter content and Mahnke’s great art. What a battle he drew.

Death in the DCU

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #43
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

If this issue doesn’t get you excited for Blackest Night the nothing will. This was an excellent issue detailing the history of the Black Hand, the murder of his family, and suicide and then his rise from the dead as the first Black Lantern and embodiment of the Black Lantern Corps. Mahnke’s are is as gorgeous as ever and I think he may be my favorite artist at DC for event books. I love the DC Universe and its continuity and it was so exciting to see Mahnke draw all the heroic deaths over the years. My only complaint is story-wise, why the fuck no mention that Kyle was basically the entire Green Lantern Corps for a decade! It’s just another example of DC favoring silver age old-fuck heroes. Oh and fuck Didio by the way and his stupid ass DC nation column about the Justice League. Am I being a little mean with this review? Sorry. Let’s go back to the positives, this was an amazing issue that brings us right into what will hopefully be the greatest event DC has had in a long time.