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.

Smug

Adventure Comics #508
Written by Geoff Johns and Sterling Gates
Art by Jerry Ordway
Co-Feature by Johns
Art by Francis Manapul

Grant Morrison’s Animal Man and even the final pages of Legion of Three Worlds were a cool way of bring the readers into the story – but when you hammer it into the story too much the coolness disappears and it just becomes annoying, which is how I felt about this issue. Seeing Superboy-Prime tear up the DC Comics headquarters makes the book written for the people writing it and not the fans. I felt like Johns was really being overly self-important here. I did not like it. Especially considering Geoff Johns used to be my favorite writer, I expect better from him. The Superboy back-up was much better then the Prime story as we discover the Lori character is related to a certain evil bald billionaire. I liked it.

Brought Back Too Soon

Adventure Comics #507
Written by Geoff Johns and Sterling Gates
Art by Jerry Ordway
Co-Feature by Johns and Michael Shoemaker
Art by Clayton Henry

If it weren’t for the fact that I know Johns is leaving this book after issue six, I would be okay with this Blackest Night interlude focusing on Superboy-Prime versus Black Lantern Alex Luthor but with this interlude, it means we are only getting one more issue of Superboy and that just sucks. Oh well. This was still good. It was great to see Earth-Prime comic shops and Superboy-Prime reading them to find out what happens next. And of course it was just awesome to see my  favorite Legion (The Legion of Earth-Prime) back! But I got to say that we just saw Superboy-Prime in Legion of Three Worlds and I think he is being brought back way too soon. The Legion back-up was probably the best it has been yet with a sweet story about Blok and White Witch.

Sam Lane Makes A Great Villain

Action Comics #882
Written by Greg Rucka and Sterling Gates
Art by Pere Perez
Co-Feature by Rucka and James Robinson
Art by Cafu

This is part 3 of the Hunt for Reactron storyline that began here and continued here. I didn’t expect Reactron to kill the entire Squad K – especially when I was starting to really like their leader. This little crossover has been a lot of fun and action-packed so far and I can’t wait for next week’s conclusion. The Superman books are the best they have been in years – even without Superman. Sam Lane is the ultimate villain. The Captain Atom back-up finally explains why Captain Atom went crazy and became Monarch in Countdown – he was being controlled by Mirabai. Now I am not sure why she sent him into the multiverse to do all those crazy things – but Countdown was so poorly thought out that it doesn’t really matter does it. Major Force shows up and when that asshole shows up you know things are bad. It was good to see Natasha Irons as well.

World’s Finest Best Buds

Adventure Comics #506
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Francis Manapul
Co-Feature by John and Michael Shoemaker
Art by Clayton Henry

Now this is a really great comic. For anyone who knows the history and relationship between Connor Kent and Tim Drake, this would be a lot of fun to read. I have followed them since their Young Justice days and it is great to see them working together again…it reminds me of when I hang out with my old friends and instantly there is that bonding even though we are both in completely different places (emotionally, mentally, and physically) then we were the last time we saw each other. It was very relatable for me. Johns uses continuity awesomely as usual. I wonder why he is building up the supporting cast like Lori and Simon Valentine if he is just going to be leaving this book after issue 6. Is Paul Levitz going to still be exploring these characters? Didio made it seem like that wasn’t so in interviews. Anyways, we get in the heads of both characters and they both open up to each other and were completely genuine about what they are going through and I liked that. As for the Legion co-feature, it was definitely the best part yet as we have a great team-up between Polar Boy and Sun Boy and learn that the Legion of Super-Villains have some of their members hidden in the 21st century.

Green Lantern Corps 13 – 30

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #13
Written by Dave Gibbons
Art by Patrick Gleason

I liked the whole Mogo’s infection thing and I liked how Bzzd basically saved the day. What an awesome character! The DCU needs more talking flies!

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #14
Written by Dave Gibbons
Art by Patrick Gleason

This is part 2 of the Sinestro Corps war and I enjoyed it. None of the Earth GL’s make an appearance so that may be why I did not enjoy it as much as the first part but I did like the idea of Sinestro tricking Natu into becoming a dictator of Korugar just as he was. I wonder where this will go.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #15
Written by Dave Gibbons
Art by Patrick Gleason and Angel Unzueta

In this action-packed issue, the Battle for Mogo begins as the Sinestro Corps attacks the planet Green Lantern. I never realized how important Mogo was to the Corps until this issue, with the revelation that it is Mogo who guides the rings to their new owners. This was good stuff, a little face-paced, but still good.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #16
Written by Dave Gibbons
Art by Patrick Gleason and Angel Unzueta

They finally save Mogo from the Sinestro Corps this issue and Sodam Yat, who is being set up to being some kind of prophetic hero, destroys Ranx. I like the idea that the Green Lanterns are allowed to kill now, as in this case, they really had no choice.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #17
Written by Dave Gibbons
Art by Patrick Gleason, Angel Unzueta, Dustin Nguyen, and Pascal Alixe

So Sodam Yat is the new Ion, while it is sad that Kyle is no longer the most powerful Lantern, at least he is back to being a regular Green Lantern and this guy is Ion. This issue was good, probably the best of the Sinestro Corps War in this title yet as they fight for Earth. I can’t wait to see Ion face Superboy-Prime (Whos is called Superman-Prime here before they got the Superboy-Prime name rights back)

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #18
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason and Jamal Igle

Peter Tomasi begins his run on this title this issue, and if his run is going to be anything like this issue,then I am happy. This was really good. Tomasi writes the battle between Ion and Superboy-Prime without making it just a boring battle. He flashes back to Sodam Yat’s life history, and his life on Daxam, bringing the character to life in a way Gibbons never did.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #19
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

Tomasi knows how to write great character moments, his main plots are only okay, but he has these great down-time moments. This issue shows that he will be bringing that to this title as well, as there were great moments in this issue between Kyle and Guy and Guy and Ice. Seeing Kyle become a star of this book makes me so happy as he really needs to be in some title and I almost shed a tear as Guy reunited with Ice. Gibbons didn’t really explore these characters enough, he focused more on the battles then characterization. Tomasi will probably make me enjoy this title a lot more.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #20
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason and Carlos Magno

More great character moments this issue, as Kyle and Guy tell Hal and John they are moving to Oa to start up a new Warriors bar there. Tomasi has astronomically improved this book in just three issues. So Guy made Salaak look small with his ring? Does that mean that anytime we see a construct of a person talking they can make him or her look however they want? Haha if true I would have some fun with that.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #21
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Nelson

This little fill-in arc focuses on the newly christened Alpha-Lantern, Bodikka. We get some background on her relationship with her family and home planet as well as her now very unemotional state of an Alpha-Lantern. While a fill-in, this was very good. Who is Nelson though? Never heard of him.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #22
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Neslon

This concludes Gates’s fill-in arc with a fantastic cover! I love the look of the Alpga Corps members, especially Bodikka’s look. I like the idea that her sister will be forced to work with her now as I am sure that will make for some great stories in the future. Gates is a good writer and I look forward to his run on Supergirl.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #23
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

You know I am not sure how exactly I feel about Gleason’s art…sometimes it just seems kinda odd, especially when it comes to faces. As for the story, it was pretty good but definitely the weakest of Tomasi’s run so far.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #24
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

While this was better then Gibbons’s issues and I did like the update on Mongol, this wasn’t really that great. I mean I got kinda bored with it. If you like just action and no substance, you will like it but this wasn’t for me.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #25
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

Now this is more like it! Mother Mercy explains her story and how she only wanted to relieve suffering but her children have been corrupted by Mongul to cause Suffering. Awesome retcon here makes Black Mercy not only sentient but also a creature that I really like. Tomasi returns to form with this issue. I also liked that Kyle is the one who decides to reason with Mother Mercy, because HE WOULD be the one to do that because he is the GREATEST GREEN LANTERN.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #26
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

Awww poor Bzzd I really liked him. He will be missed. As for Mother Mercy becoming a Green Lanterns, that is a great idea! I hope she shows up again soon. This was a good arc, even though it dragged on a little long.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #27
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Luke Ross

In this rather disgusting issue, someone murders families of GL’s in and then rains the eyeballs of the deceased on the trainees. Pretty gruesome stuff. The art is much better then Gleason, it’s a shame Ross isn’t staying. As for the talk between Kyle and Guy as their new bar opened, that was easily the best part of the issue.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #28
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Luke Ross

The Quintent are pretty scary villains. I am not quite sure I understanding their powers? Are they really siblings? Clones? I don’t know I found this issue kind of confusing. The guy who can talk to the dead is a great addition to the Green Lantern Corps and I bet he will play a larger role in “Blackest Night”.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #29
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

I love the concept of the different Corps, and the Star Sapphire Corps/Violet Corps is one that I am really interested in as Johns has said that even though they represent love, they are not good. Hmmmm I want to see how this could be? This story deals a lot with love…love between the widow who becomes a Star Sapphire and her late husband as well as the love between Guy and Ice, who can’t seem to make it work as they are leading two different lives. Guy acts immaturely when Ice tells him she can’t move in with him, which did make me think of his old JLI attitude. Very good issue.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #30
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

Okay….is it just me or do the Green Lanterns and Guardians come off as total assholes in this issue?I think the Zamarons have a good idea about the nature of love and how it can be found even in the evilest of hearts. But maybe I am just an optimist I do not know, but I think the Star Sapphire Corps is the coolest of the Corps we have met so far (Although the blood puking Red Lanterns are pretty damn cool as well). Kryb is just a creepy villain and visually appealing. Hats off to Gleason and Tomasi for that. This was a good issue. Oh and you know the Guardians’ proclamation at the end is bound to piss a few Green Lanterns off.

Green Lantern 21-34

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #21
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ivan Reis

Why I waited this long to start reading the Sinestro Corps War I do not know because this was as fantastic as everyone said it would be. Kyle as Parallax is awesome, although I am glad it is only temporary. Kyle Rayner is by far my favorite GL and I was happy to see him diss on Hal (even though it was him posessed by Parallax).

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #22
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ivan Reis

Part 3 of the Sinestro Corps sees Hal fighting Kyle as Parallax on Qward with the help of the Lost Lanterns. The friction between Jordan and the Lost Lanterns is fun to watch. This was another good issue.

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #23
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ivan Reis

Okay….the ending of this was fucking amazingly intenese! I loved it. Now we are on earth and things are going to get personal. Awesome writing from the master of cliffhangers, Geoff Johns. When Parallax says Kyle should kill all the GL’s so he can be special again, I kind of agreed with him. (:

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #24
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ivan Reis

Hell ya! Kyle gets his ring back (And shirtless as well)! The last moments of this comic gave me goosebumps. Superboy-Prime is such a little brat it’s hilarious, and things are heating up very nicely.

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #25
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ivan Reis

First of all, the color spectrum of Corps is really cool and I can’t wait to see it in action. But I do find it hard to swallow that no one would evacuate Coast City….seems a little rudiculous if there was an alien threat those people would be out of there in seconds. John Stewart calling the Anti-Monitor Marshmallow Man was hilarious since I have been thinking that he looked like him since the beginning. I really love how Johns respects all four earth GL’s equally in this story. It isn’t just a Hal Jordan story. And the ending…well let’s just say Summer 2009 is going to kick ass.

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #26
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Mike Mckone

This series is really as good as people say it is. I don’t know why I waited so long to catch up (probably because I absolutely hate Hal Jordan). I think the Lost Lanterns made the right decision in killing Amon Sur considering what arresting him would have done to the reputation of the Sinestro Corps. We’ll see if the Guardians see it that way.

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #27
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Mike McKone

The Alpha Lanterns are awesome looking, but I liked there appearence in Green Lantern Corps and Final Crisis then here. McKone’s version is a little more blue I think. I think the idea of the Alpha Lantern’s is magnificent. And I especially love how they have their own oath.

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #28
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Mike McKone

Okay this issue got me really excited for Rage of the Red Lanterns! The design for the Red Lanterns is kick ass. I think the Green Lanterns killing as a last resort is reasonable, but no they should not kill if they do not have to as Hal believes. Wow I actually agree with Hal Jordan on something.

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #29
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ivan Reis
Well, I sware the first few scenes of this I have read before and I really don’t care too much about Hal’s relationship with his father (mostly cause I could give a shit about Hal) but the story did not get to me I admit. I liked the bickering between Hal and his brothers. Why isn’t this arc called Year One?

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #30
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ivan Reis

Hal actually becomes GL this issue and it was actual really cool and is something that would work great in a GL movie. I kept thinking of Jor-El’s voice in the original Superman when Abin Sur was explaining what a Green Lantern was.

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #31
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ivan Reis

Oh my God this arc would make a great Green Lantern origin movie. I am really geeking out about this…especially for someone not so fond of Hal Jordan. I feel the sense of wonder and awe that Hal must be feeling as he is inducted into the Corps. This is perfect Johns wrting. It’s worth mentioning that Reis is doing some great work here as well.

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #32
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ivan Reis

"I am the greatest Green Lantern"….Wow Sinestro your very humble. This was another fantastic issue of the Secret Origin story arc. I like how Johns manage to connect it back to the present by dealing with the Red Lanterns and the "Blackest Night" prophecy. Johns isn’t retelling Hal’s origin for no reason.

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #33
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ivan Reis

I like how this arc is not only showing the secret origin of Hal, but also his major villains like Sinestro, Black Hand, and Hector Hammond. The art was fantastic again this issue. I am surprised at how much I am enjoying this arc.

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #34
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ivan Reis


This was another great issue of the arc I did not expect to enjoy – Secret Origin. Now the alien Sinestro and Hal fight is pretty generic, although I know that he is set up to be part of the Red Lanterns, but that is not the point of this issue, the point of this issue was Hal’s relationship with his family. Finally, I think Geoff may be getting me to enjoy the Hal’s family subplot, even if I still don’t enjoy Hal Jordan as a character.