Murderers and Warriors

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #23
Written by Robert Venditti
Art by Ethan Van Sciver

Hal is dumb as hell in this issue – completely oblivious to the people around him – and that means Venditti is writing his character well. Meanwhile, I love how Kyle has become another star of this book and is finally back in the spotlight. The bromance between Guy and Arkillo continues to put a smile to my face – I hope they stick together for a while. Speaking of Kyle though, I thought it would be a long time before Soranik find out that the villain from the future was her and Kyle’s kid – but she scans the body and finds out in this issue. The Green Lantern who committed the murder turns out to be Tomar-Tu which I did not see coming. It is revealed by a Vuldarian – is this just an easter egg – or do you think Venditti will reintroduce Guy Gardner’s vuldarian warrior powers again? I’d like to see that.

Green Lanterns 21 – 25

Green Lanterns #21
Written by Sam Humphries
Art by Robson Rocha

Robson Rocha really hit it out of the park with the art in this issue. Wow! Ever panel was breathtakingly beautiful in this issue where Dr. Polaris nearly pulls the Justice League watchtower out of space and on top of a city but is stopped by the two starring Green Lanterns. Doctor Polaris is turned into such a tragic character in these pages. Good issue.

Green Lanterns #22
Written by Sam Humphries
Art by Ronan Cliquet

Yay the first GL to show up in this issue besides our star Jessica Cruz is none other than Kyle Rayner! This is apparently the first time Jessica has met Kyle – I am frankly surprised that she has never heard of him. Hasn’t she done her research on the past Green Lanterns of Earth? He even says he used to have her job. In fact, Kyle and Jessica have a lot more in common than that. Both of them got their rings spontaneously and were not trained at first. Anyways, it was great to read about Jessica’s introduction to the Green Lantern Corps headquarters too and I look forward to seeing Guy train Jessica and Kyle train Simon! So glad Hal Jordan is not involved…that guy sucks. PS Ronan Cliquet is a great artist.

Two Corps United, But For How Long?

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #22
Written by Robert Venditti
Art by Ethan Van Sciver

First of all, it is so amazing and gets me all nostolgic to see Kyle Rayner back in his old Green Lantern duds. Too bad he did not make the cover of this book. Can’t we just change it’s title to Kyle Rayner and the Green Lantern Corps and make Hal the Spectre already? This was a good issue and it does give me hope to see the Sinestro and Green Lantern Corps working so well together. I love Arkillo and Guy Gardner’s new bromance especially. The final page cliffhanger is a great twist though.

Hal Jordan and the GLC 1 – 21

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #1
Written by Robert Venditti
Art by Rafa Sandoval

The Green Lantern Corps and Oa have dissappeared while the Sinestro Corps and War World have taken their places. Sinestro vs. Hal Jordan…that sounds like a snoozefest. I am more interested in what happened to the Green Lantern Corps which it looks like we will get next issue.

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #2
Written by Robert Venditti
Art by Rafa Sandoval

This is getting better. I especially liked the moments between Sinestro and his daughter. Basically any moment without Hal Jordan is a good moment to me. But in all seriousness…all I wonder is where is Kyle Rayner!

Green Lanterns 1 – 19

Green Lanterns #1
Written by Sam Humphries
Art by Robson Rocha

As happy as I am to have a new Green Lantern book that is not starring boring old Hal Jordan, I can’t say I was excited to read this. Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz have not interested me one bit in the Justice League book. Simon just seems like a jerk and Jessica is so unsure of herself it becomes not sweet, but annoying. I was hoping under a different write I would feel differently. This issue did not win me over, but maybe future issues will because the art was good and I am interested in the Red Lantern sub-plot. Oh and Dex-Starr!

Green Lanterns #2
Written by Sam Humphries
Art by Robson Rocha

Now this was more like it! By focusing on Jessica learning about her ring with her sister, Humphries made me actually understand her character better and what she is going through. Hopefully we will get a similar focus on Simon. This series just got good.

Emerald Warriors 9-13

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #9
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin

For someone who is wearing an Indigo Tribe ring, John Stewart hardly acts compassionate in this issue. I question why he was given that ring anyways. All of the others make sense…not so much with John and the Indigo ring. This issue was actually really cool where the four Lanterns go underground in OA and see where the rings are forged. They meet an Alien named Shedd who is apparently protecting the ring of the “first Lantern.” It leave you with just enough to keep you wondering what other mysteries lie within.

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #10
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin

John continues to show no compassion and my man Kyle Rayner – Greatest of Green Lanterns – points that out after John straight up kills Mogo to save the Corps. Kyle refuses to give up hope and wants to bring Mogo back. Not only that but Kyle saves Guy Gardner’s life here by being the only one who is competent enough with his ring to utilize its power right. In this issue it is said that Guy actually is in love with the Green Lantern Corps more than Ice. I am not sure I buy that Guy loves the Corps more than Tora. That seems pretty awful. All-in-all, this was a good issue.

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #11
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Bernard Chang

In this Guy Gardner solo issue, Guy meets a beautiful Alien dignitary who he falls for and she swiftly kills him as she kisses him. Guy is revived by her assistant who betrays her and takes her down. It was actually an enjoyable read and a good way to do a one and done story. Good art too.

 

 

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #12
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Chris Batista

This was another terrfic one and done story. In this issue, Guy faces a beast who apparently has a taste for eating Green Lanterns. He swallows them and then keeps them barely alive in its stomach. This is a scary creature and I hope it comes back one day or its brother because Guy basically kills it.

 

 

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #13
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Ron Frenz

This was an action-packed yet at the same time – a lot of fun- final issue where Guy Gardner and Batman team up to solve a murder that happened on a space station. First of all, the DCU earth has apparently almost reached light speed capabilities? That seems a little crazy. But outside of this, it was great how quick Batman solved the case and how Batman and Guy played off each other’s strengths. You can tell Batman respects Guy more than Hal – and who wouldn’t?

Green Lantern 65-67

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #65
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

You have to give it to Geoff Johns, he knows how to write a good comic book. I go back and forth between loving and hating the man (I really only hate him for bringing back Barry and Hal, and for his ridiculous explanation as for why men cannot be Star Sapphires.) but this was a damn good issue and it was so cool to see the four Earth Green Lanterns having to use other colors. Hal is Yellow Sinestro Corps, John is a compassionate Indigo Tribesman, Guy is of course a rage-filled Red Lantern, and Kyle – my favorite GL – is a Blue Lantern of Hope. It fits them perfectly!

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #66
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

In this issue Hal and Guy fight the Guardians who have now been transformed by the different Lantern Colors by Krona. In the end, it is revealed Krona plans on remaking Guy and Hal into new Guardians to run the Corps with him. Beautiful artwork and well written. I can’t really say anything bad about it.

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #67
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

This is the final issue of this volume of Green Lantern before the New 52 awful reboot. From what I understand the Green Lantern franchise was barely effected by the New 52. (I wonder if that has anything to do with Geoff Johns’s power at DC Comics? Actually I won’t wonder I am sure that is exactly the reason.) I love that Johns has Kyle use his drawing skills to save Carol! Kyle Rayner is the best Green Lantern and the most relatable. I still wish he was the star of this book but it is cool to see Johns respects the character and uses him well. The ending of this issue brought a smile to face as Hal Jordan’s ring is taken away and he is dismissed as a Green Lantern for killing Krona. Good, he should be. (I know this doesn’t last but I wish it did.)

Guy Vs. Hal

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #8
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin

 

This is part 3 of the War of the Green Lanterns storyline that began here and continued here. In this part Hal and Guy come to blows after meeting in a the secret "Green House” of the Corps and Tomasi did a great job of showing their rivalry over the years. I loved how Pasarin drew Guy in his different costumes punching Hal as Lantern Constructs. In the end, of course, they take off their rings. I have to say that this was a great issue even though Hal was in it (Tomasi doesn’t write Hal as being quite as unlikable as Johns does I think.)

Best Hope

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #58
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Tyler Kirkham

 

This is part 2 of War of the Green Lanterns which began here and it was awesome! Ganthet tells Kyle Rayner it was no accident he was given the last ring and that he was the Corps’ best hope then and still is today! Hell to the ya he is! He is a dreamer with a heart; the perfect Lantern. Anyways, it looks like Parallax has taken over the entire Corps I imagine he was never able to do that before when he was stuck in the battery because he didn’t have Krona’s help. Things are getting crazy!

Old Snake Eyes

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #7
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin

 

So old snake eyes is now in control of Sodom Yat – that is not good for anyone – Yat is Kryptonian-level powerful. Maxwell Lord and Zardor or whatever his name is should team up. I am glad Kilowod and Arisia saved the day – that was a great scene but some of the art made things a bit confusing for me while reading it. Not a bad issue though.

Emerald Warriors 5 and 6

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #5
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin 

 

The Green Lanterns under the control of the evil telepath guys all kill themselves in a sad and disturbing scene and Kilowog is deeply affected. Meanwhile, Guy Gardner reveals why he made the pact with Atrocitus. Interesting stuff.

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #6
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin 

 

Guy’s in trouble! The telepath guy I can never rember his name has control of Sodom Yat. Shit! But the real break-out star – as the cover suggests – is Bleez. She is just hilarious as she casually kills of the planet guards and drinks her own blood as the other lanterns talk. I love her! I wonder if she will be staying her or transfering to the new Red Lantern Corps book when it begins.

Breathable

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #4
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin

Guy Gardner’s breathable, unbreathable torture was hilarious…otherwise I found this issue to be pretty forgettable. I have enjoyed this book a lot so far but I can’t figure out why this issue bored me to tears. Hm.

There Is No Fighting On Odym

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #3
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin

 

Umm Brother Warth is awesome! He just puts his hand around Bleez and says there is no fighting on Odym and he has got her! I love his calm Buddha-like attitude, he is the perfect Blue Lantern. I crack up everytime Guy calls him Babar haha! Anyways, we find out the true threat in the unknown sectors – someone is draing the power of the Green Lantern rings slowly. I think this is supposed to be the guy who has kidnapped all the telepaths and is using them to control rookie lanterns but I could be wrong. I like that Bleez is sticking around with our merry crew as she is an awesome looking character. Poor Sodom Yat can never catch a break with his own people though.

Ridding The Red

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #2
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin

 

So Guy will joined by Kilowog and Arisia to the unknown sectors. Apparently there is an evil snake telepath guy who is building a telepath army? Anyways, this was another good issue. I still wonder what exactly Guy’s mission is and why he thinks Kyle, Hal, and John will be upset with him about it. Kilowog seems to be majorly depressed, poor guy.  It was great to see Odym and the Blue Lantern Corps again as they are by far my favorite of these new Corps. This book is a welcome addition to the GL books as it serves as sort of different purpose then the other two as the traveling into the unknown book. Very cool.

Maintaining The Quality

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #48
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Ardian Sayaf

 

Bedard and Sayaf both get off to a great start on their run on this book! Sayaf is different from Gleason but still manages to make Oa look amazing. John Stewart joing the cast just as Guy leaves. Ganthet officially becomes a Green Lantern. Everything was pretty darn good and it looks like this series will maintain the quality that it had under Tomasi and Gleason. Definitely the best Green Lantern book still.

Escape

Justice Society of America #39
Written by Bill Willingham
Art by Jesus Merino

 

For some reason I thought this was the conclusion of this arc but I guess not. This was all good as we check up on the heroes making their escape from the Nazis. It was cool to see grown up versions of our favorite heroes. The twist is that Mr. Terrific is going to use Obsidian to send a message back in time I guess we will see how it goes next issue.

Sweet End To A Sweet Run

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #47
Written Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

 

Tomasi’s run on this book comes to an end on this issue and it couldn’t couldn’t have been a better way to wrap up. Guy and Kyle toasting at the Warrior’s Bar, the Guardian’s repealing the third law, Kyle’s amazing speech about how the Green Lantern Corps needs heart and soul and not just cold logic (This is another reason why Kyle is so much cooler then Hal). Vath and Isamot’s fight and reunion over Vath’s legs. It was all so good and great character moments. I will miss Tomasi and Gleason on this book, but at least Bedard is a great replacement. This is still the best Green Lantern book on the stands.