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.

Qwardian Conclusion

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #57
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Tyler Kirkham

 

The Weaponer becomes a member of the Sinestro Corps and Firestorm shows up in this issue. The whole thing with Firestorm was kind of unnecessary but I always love when crossovers like this happen so I don’t care. There really wasn’t enough Kyle in this issue but oh well.

The Truce Dilemma

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #56
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Tyler Kirkham

 

The interesting thing about this issue and this storyline in general is there is no clear enemy – the Green Lanterns began fighting the Weaponer but are now fighting the Sinestro Corps with him but they really CAN’T fight the Sinestro Corps because of the truce between the two Corps so they are are in kind of a pickle. It is great to see that Sinestro does care for his daughter after all – in his own way of course.

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.

Trained By The Bat

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #54
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Tyler Kirkham

 

You know what made me cheer in this issue…when Sinestro asks Kyle who trained him to fight, and Kyle hits him hard and says Batman!!! Hells to the ya. Another reason why Kyle Rayner is better then Hal Jordan, Batman likes him better!  Anyways, Kirkham’s art really impressed me in this issue as he can draw scenery wonderfully. Just look at his Oa! He is a great guy to draw a book mostly set in Alien Landscapes. The moments between Soranik and the Weaponer were really great as it kinda sorta humanized the villain and showed how caring and compassionate Soranik can be. Great issue.

The Real Green Lantern

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #53
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Tyler Kirkham

 

Tyler Kirkham joins the creative team just as this new arc focusing on the Weaponer begins. I am not familiar with his work but I liked his art here. So far this arc is Kyle-riffic and I am loving it! Kyle’s response to when the Weaponer asks where the real Green Lantern is classic – he is the real Green Lantern. Nice job Bedard! He DOESN’T have to prove himself anymore, he is right about that for sure. I liked that Sinestro didn’t immediately worry about his daughter – completely in character. Good start for this arc.

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.

Christmas In July

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #56
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

 

Once again the best thing about this series is everyone else but it’s supposed star Hal Jordan – as he continues to be boring but everyone around him is fascinating as hell. I finally can say that I love the character of Larfleeze and his search for Santa Clause was just adorable. Hector Hammond eating the orange power battery was interesting. I didn’t know he could do that. It was great to see Renee Montoya and Saint Walker together too. I wonder how these entities are going to effect everyone near them?

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.

Action 889 and 890

Action Comics #889
Written by Greg Rucka and Eric Trauttman
Art by Jose Perez
Co-Feature by James Robinson
Art by Cafu

 

The main story ends Rucka and Trautmann’s run on the book by having Chris and Thara defeat the false Rao. It was a kind of a wimper of an ending. I have to say that I have grown to like these two characters as they have starred in this book – but not enough to really miss them. I like the mythology of it all but I think it is just time to move on. The finale to the Captain Atom back-up was more exciting as Mirabai is defeated and Captain Atom’s reputation restored. I really thought this back-up was a neat idea all-around and I’d say it was successful.

Action Comics #890
Written by Paul Cornell
Art by Pete Woods

Wow that was unexpected. I wasn’t sure what to think when I heard Lex Luthor would be the new star of Action Comics but damn this was awesome. Lex is an evil bastard and Cornell writes him that way. He has an employee killed just for embarrassing him, he builds a robot Lois to be his companion haha, and he is obsessed with finding the secrets to the Power Rings. Great start!

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.

This Blew Me Away

Black Lantern Green Arrow #30
Written by J.T. Krul
Art by Diogenis Nevis

This issue marks Krul’s first issue on this title and already he has improved the book 300%! This was a tremenous issue as we follow Green Arrow stuck as a Black Lantern – and hurting his family members. The things Black Lantern Green Arrow says are downright nasty but they come from inside Ollie’s mind. Does this mean that Ollie really thinks those things? No but everyone has had mean thoughts about people they love and regretted it. I think that is what makes it so powerful. I can’t say enough about how good this is. The art was beautiful! I hope this guy is staying on the book! Speedy is back in her red costume and that makes me happy. Why was she in that black and yellow costume for the last year anyways?! Great stuff and probably one of the best Blackest Night tie-ins there has been.

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 (: