RED LANTERNS #29 (REVIEW)

Red Lanterns #29

Writer: Charles Soule

Artist: Alessandro Vitti

Cover: Stephen Segovia
          Gabe Eltaeb





The Rundown:
Skallox and Zox are testing both their weaponry and the powers of the new Red Lantern, Supergirl. Something that Kara requested. She holds her own pretty well using both her Kryptonian and her ring abilities to take out the missals. She somehow manages to crash the teams bar onto the missal launcher, and are about to share a drink when Guy Gardner steps. He stops Kara, claiming that she is too young to be drinking. Something that Kara doesn't take to kindly to as she causes the glass to break and cut Guy's hand out of small fit of rage. Controlling his own anger, Gardner informs them that they are heading out on patrol. While in space, Guy has Kara do a sweep of the moon while he asks Skallox and Zox to keep her busy while he seeks help with the situation.
Superman is in the middle of a rescue, and almost misses some people when Gardner swoops in with an assist. Guy introduces himself and goes on to explain the Red and Green Lantern situation and his arrangement with Hal. Superman is about to leave when Kara and the other Reds arrive. He immediately blames Guy and is about to remove Kara's ring when Skallox informs him of what would happen. Supergirl also learns that the situation is likely permanent, to which he loses her mind succumbing to the rage within. She begins to fly away when Superman opts to try and talk to her, to which she replies by hitting him with a baseball swing using a massive ship from the sea. She then vaporizes an approaching tidal wave with her heat vision, giving her the release she needs to calm down. Supergirl informs everyone that she is not a piece of luggage to be passed around, and is her own person. She tells Superman that perhaps this is what is best for her as the Reds don't repress anything. Superman doesn't agree with her choice, but he agrees it is hers to make. He just hopes she is happy with it in the end. Superman tell Guy that he appreciates the effort in attempting to help his cousin, but it is on him to look after her, so to try harder at doing so.

The Red Lanterns return to Ysmault to discover a large crater on the planets surface. As the team begins to approach, it is revealed to be a broken and battered Bleez. The Red Lantern Corps member is barely able to utter "Atrocitus". Guy Gardner is completely stunned having thought the former Red Lantern leader was dead.


The Review:
The story was decent, with Superman's reaction to his cousin being the newest member of the Red Lantern Corps. Although I would have preferred more of an action sequence before Superman learned of the situation as a whole, I did like Kara getting the upper hand on him showing the ring has added to her power level. I also enjoyed her reaction to learning that this is possibly a permanent thing and not an "okay I am done being angry now, see you later" type situation. Even though as a reader we know this will likely end at some point, unless overly popular.
The artwork style isn't one of my preferences, it did however, tell the story as it is supposed to. There were also the panels with Supergirl using her powers which were done very well, and popped off the page. As well as the shot of Bleez at the end, it didn't jump from the page, but was done well.
Overall it was an okay issue, I would rate it 2.5-out-of-5. Like I mentioned, I was hoping for more with the original Superhero making his appearance within the title. Superman man is a powerhouse so it presented an opportunity to load up some action sequences. I am liking the direction of the title as of late though. Was unsure of Guy Gardner's addition to the team, but he's grown on me. Zero offense to the current artist, but would like to see the title get a big name artist for a run or two.

You can find the review for the combo issue Green Lantern/Red Lanterns #28 HERE. For other Reviews, News and more! Be sure to head over to The Non-Geeky Nerd to check things out!

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Red Lanterns #27 (Review)

Red Lanterns #27 (2013-present)

Writer: Charles Soule

Artist: Alessadro Vitti
Cover: Alessandro Vitti

The Rundown:

 Guy Gardner and the other Red Lanterns are back on Ysmault recouping from the events from the previous issue, and the loss of team member, Ratchet. The people that the Reds freed have built giant life like statues of each Lantern as tribute to the late Ratchet;s sacrifice. Guy has changed up his appearance, looking like a red-headed "Gambit" (from X-Men) with a handlebar mustache.

With Ratchet's death comes a new lantern, as the fallen members ring is out on the hunt for a new bearer. It is decided that Bleez and Rankorr will set out to find the new recruit, who will be a danger to everyone including themselves once the ring first rests on their finger until they "take the plunge" in the lake on Ysmault.

Guy takes fellow Lanterns, Zox and Skallox, to his home planet of Earth. Once they arrive, Gardner tells the two not to mess with anyone, as Earth is home to many powerful beings who would make quick work of them. Guy gives them a list of places he thinks that Zox and Skallox would appreciate, then heads off on his own for some personal business. Personal business involving old flame, Ice, who isn't too happy to see her old beau.

 
Skallox and Zox visit the places on Guy's list (Grand Canyon, etc) and are unimpressed really, when they encounter Shadow Thief. Shadow Thief is a human who hates aliens, despite wearing a living alien suit for her ability (which Skallox quickly points out), and quickly starts a fight with the two Red Lanterns.

The story comes to an end when we rejoin Bleez and Rankorr on their search for the new Red Lantern. Who they come upon is not whom they expected at all, that person being the founding and once again a ring bearer, Atrocitus. Atrocitus isn't alone, with him as always is the loyal Dex-Starr and a new "pet" it would appear bearing the Lantern logo.

The Review:

It is nice to see things back on Ysmault, I am not really feeling the whole ship thing. Guys new look is pretty good in my opinion, he was one character that I really never cared for appearance wise, even down to his jacket style. Like I mentioned above, it reminds me of Gambit with a handlebar or Hulk Hogan mustache. Having only begun really reading Green Lantern and Red Lanterns at the relaunch, I am not sure about the history between Guy and Ice, but I see that it wasn't cold like one would expect (puns, how I roll). I really enjoyed the banter between Zox and Skallox, even their retorts for the borderline racist Shadow Thief. Pointing out her hypocrisy was classic.

Overall in the writing department, I am liking the direction they have been taking the Reds, and with Atrocitus back in the picture (for now at least), things are great. Honestly, I thought he was going to be similar to what they had going on with Sinestro, embodying the corps entity. Art is hard for me to critique, as someone out there probably loves the artwork (the beauty of art), but I will say it looks a little rough at times for my liking inside the book, the cover was a lot better. But, it doesn't take away from the story at all for me, so it is good enough. Plus, like I said, I like Guy's new look.

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