GREEN LANTERN #30 (REVIEW)

Green Lantern #30

Writer: Robert Venditti

Artist: Martin Coccolo

Cover: Billy Tan
          Alex Sinclair





The Rundown:
Hal Jordan is admiring the peaceful view upon Mogo, when he is summoned to the gathering at the new Green Lantern Corps crypt. There Hal holds a ceremony to honor the memory of the Lanterns who have fallen, most notably Kyle Rayner, who gave his life so that they could all carry on. Afterwards, he holds court with his little council of advisers (Kilowog, Salaak, and Two-Six) before they head of to Sector 0571 to talk with the Emissary's of Port Oasis Bay. Hal takes them there to talk about the war between Lanterns and the rest of the universe, at the forefront of that group is the Khund. Who are also present for this meeting. Emissary Preegus decides that Hal Jordan and Captain Khu will fight each other. If Hal wins, he gets control of the Khund Warship, Drokkun. If he loses, then the Khunds will be given control the Green Lantern Corps. And the only weapon allowed is the Khund Throat Knife.
Before the battle, Hal and company take seat in a bar having some drinks. He invites Captain Khu and his men to join them, for which he gains a touch of Khu's respect. While sharing some Khund Ale they exchange their point of views on their pending war between each other that will follow after this battle. Flash ahead to the fight, and Khu is mainly getting the upper hand on Hal Jordan. Pummeling him, and nearly skewing him with his blade. With both skill and some luck, Hal is able to defeat Khu with his own weapon. Bleeding out on the ground, Hal tries to get Khu to the infirmary for help when he is stopped by the other Khund warriors, who finish the job and strip their former captain of his belongings. They then tell Hal and others that they can dispose of the body as they wish. Striking a nerve with Hal who see's this as disrespectful, the other Khund tell him that it is he who has disrespected them by looking at their ways, and their traditions as he does. They also tell Hal to take their ship, but that they will be coming to take it back soon enough.
Back on Mogo, the shape shifting traitor amongst the Corps is weak and losing both power and shape. He is confronted by Green Lantern Mukmuk (giant fish), who fries the traitor with a blast from his ring. Mukmuk also lies to another Lantern when explaining what happened. Ending the story with a devious look.


The Review:
It was an okay story, felt more like a filler story despite their being a casualty. Although it is hard to really say what is a filler, when the titles New 52 history has been almost none stop grand events. There were some nice points that were brought to attention, with how some species/people have different traditions and ways of life, that may appear as illegal or wrong to the Green Lanterns, it isn't viewed that way by others. Something Hal and his crew will have to take into consideration trying to police the universe without those all-knowing Guardians who may or may not have taken certain things into consideration.
The art wasn't too bad, story was told well, and didn't require anything over the top as the story didn't really call for any. Would have been nice to see some constructs in the battle to the death, but again, story didn't call for it, but the art gave us the idea of how Hal pulled it off nicely. The landscape upon Mogo was done very well also, the crypt even looked like a calm, peaceful place as opposed to the traditional dark, creepy type crypts. White tombstones upon green foliage was factor in that I think.
Overall, it was an okay issue. Again, it felt more like a filler story, but filled with some key content as mentioned with Hal needing to learn how the rest of the universe works before he and his fellow Lanterns can truly be the authority. I also found myself curious as to where Saint Walker is during the issue, as his journey has been quite intriguing so far being the fading blue light amongst the sea of green. Looking forward to seeing where this "traitor amongst them" storyline goes. Now that the initial traitor is dead, who is this new one? Possessed Lantern maybe? Always been a spy? If so, how long has this been going on? Again, looking forward to seeing how all this plays out in the upcoming issues.

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GREEN LANTERN #29 (REVIEW)

Green Lantern #29

Writer: Robert Venditti

Artist: Billy Tan


Cover: Billy Tan





The Rundown:
Things start off with an aquatic looking member of the Green Lantern Corps (a fish), scanning Mogo's surface for any abnormalities and comes across what looks like a box containing vials of something. On earth, Hal Jordan is visiting his brother and his family. It is a very quick visit as he explains the current situation to his brother. How he is going off to fight a war far in space, how the Red Lantern Corps is now controlling Sector 2814, but that the only remaining Green Lantern allowed on earth, Simon Baz, would be overlooking them for him while he was away. His brother of course, wished the situation was different, but nothing he could do about it.
Back in space, Mogo is speeding through the galaxy while conversing with Saint Walker as he watches Mogo's sun fade off into the distance. With their destination being a war zone, the remaining Blue Lantern finds it hard to remain optimistic like his celestial friend. What little "hope" that remains within Saint Walker is diminishing further as he says that he is a Saint no more, and only Walker as drifts off into the darkness. Inside their headquarter, Salaak and Kilowog are examining the bomb discovered by the Green Lantern member earlier, appears to be a more refined version of Relic's light draining weaponry. Although they think that it was planted by the Durlan still hiding amongst them, but not the one who built it. Hal enters the room saying he may know who did as he holds a small meeting with fellow Corps members Kilowog, Salaak and Two-Six. Jordan asks them for their help to run the Corps. Not only with things like strategy, but also with the morale of the Green Lanterns. The trio agrees to help their fearless leader, and then decide to attack the Khund Military on Gwottle head on by placing Mogo right in the middle of things.

On Gwottle, in Sector 0487, the Khunds are overseeing the six-armed Gwottlens and their production of light draining weapons. Hal and a group of Lanterns begin their attack, but quickly discover that the Khund didn't invade and capture Gwottle, they were invited and are working with together to stop the Green Lanterns. The Corps is looked at as dictators after the Durlan impersonated Hal (in a previous issue) broadcasting a message skewing the Green Lanterns "public" perception. They are attacked by Khund and Gwottlens alike, attempting to secure the light-draining weapons with a construct, but failing as the grapple like barbs break through. Hal is able to remove the remote from the enemies hands, but learns that it is encrypted and must be unlocked first. Green Lantern Gorin-Sunn removes his ring, and becomes liquid splashing down onto the remote control. The attacking barbs begin to malfunction and fall from the air as Gorin-Sunn retakes shape explaining that he is living energy and simply merged with the electronic device with quite ease. After capturing the Khund and Gwottlens, Hal decides to let the Gwottlens go after realizing that they were simply pawns reacting to the words from the Durlans broadcast, and that they needed to release them in an attempt to garner any amount of their "public" image back.
The issue closes with the Durlan on Mogo's surface discovering that some of his items are missing, and will have to remain hidden amongst the Corps even longer, but that time was running out with them clearly being aware someone is up to something. We also see that Lantern Voth may be the imposter amongst the Corps.


The Review:
I am liking the aftermath of the last story arc with Relic. I like how it somewhat mirrors reality in some cases, with the police doing what they can to help protect people, but still being looked at as the enemy. In some cases it is warranted, but in most cases no. Regardless of that, it is nice to see how it is played out in the current arc, and is making for a somewhat good story. I am curious as to how they basically left the events of last issue (find review for issue #28 here), other than the brief explaination to Hal's brother. It will obviously be covered in Red Lanterns and Supergirl, but at least a mention of the key event would have made sense. I am curious about two things in regards to Saint Walker and the Blue Lanterns. I know he is now the only remaining member, but there isn't anyone in the universe that has enough hope within them to garner a membership to the Blue Lantern Corps? Perhaps they work different, and it was explained elsewhere, but should cover it at some point. I do like the Saint Walker, now known simply as Walker, situation. Will he be replaced? Will he rekindle the hope within, and of course what will cause that? His name slight name change has me thinking he is about to have some sort of "spiritual walk" and rediscover himself. Hopefully they don't drag his part in all of this out too much.
The art was okay. I do not know if it was in the original pencil work or if it is from the inking, but seems almost "smudgy" in parts, and complete lack of detail in some panels. But, that is only when I am forced to sit and analyze the work. It told the story very well, which is the purpose, so it is hard to knock it. I did like how Simon Baz was drawn, although it looked a tad blurry, that may have been intended to make him look like he was glowing, so it worked out well.
Overall, it was a decent issue. Nothing over the top, and I guess is a needed break from major events, which the Green Lanterns have been apart of for years now. I am intrigued in how things play out for both the Greens and the Blues. Would like to see at least one more venture (one issue) to dwell back into the Red Lanterns current situation, not looking for a giant cross-over, just feel it should have at least been referenced in this issue, and that their involvement in the current situation is a small part of that story.

Stay Nerdy!

Green Lantern/Red Lanterns #28 (2-in-1 Review)

Green Lantern #28 (2013-present)
Writer: Robert Venditti
Artist: Billy Tan

Red Lanterns #28 (2013-present)
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Alessandro Vitti

They gave us two issues in one, in the form of a "flip book". A term that I misunderstood, as I thought they had meant an animated flip book, especially with the contents of the stories. Regardless, here is two reviews in one. One for the Greens, and one for the Reds. Like Christmas....in February.

Green Lantern Rundown:

The story begins with Green Lanterns Barreer and Lok racing back to Mogo to see what is happening with communications being down. Off in the distance they see red light from a Red Lantern and with the new mission of the Green Lantern Corps is to police the use of power from the emotional spectrum. Unaware of whom she is, the Red Lantern that they encounter is, Supergirl, and judging by her screams and illegible speech, she has yet to visit the lake on Ysmault. She crashes into Barreer, who is trying to shield his face from the red plasma dripping from Kara's mouth. The other lantern attempts to help, but the meteor they landed on, is blown apart when Supergirl uses her laser-eye powers. Which causes her to pass out from exhaustion. Barreer and Lok use the opportunity to construct a coffin of sorts to continue  pull her on their way to Mogo to reach the other Green Lanterns.

Back on Mogo (who is a living planet bearing a Green ring, and current home of the Green Lantern Corps, for those unaware), we see Hal Jordan, leader of the corps, swearing in new recruits. There is still some annimosity amongst corps members over the new light weilding rules. Suddenly, Barreer and Lok arrive with their new "friend". Who has broken free and now requires all the Greens to construct retraints on her to hold her down. Nobody, including Hal, is aware of who she is and who her cousin is. After his ring does a scan of her, he now is aware she is Krytonian. Hal searches for Blue Lantern Saint Walker, who is on Mogo dealing with being the sole surviving member of the Blue Lanterns, and only person capable at the moment to "cure" a Red Lantern of being a Red Lantern. However, Saint Walker is still to greif stricken to help. Hal decides to leave Kilowog incharge and bring the new Red Lantern to Guy Gardner and the other Reds. We learn that Mogo's ring is simply hanging on a branch of a tree for treemunks to play with. Also, that Krypton was in Sector 2813.

Green Lantern Review:

Although I am a tad disappointed on the flip book situation, I am once again happy to see that Geoff Johns departure from the title hasn't hindered it at all in my opinion. I could definitely use a break from all the cross-overs (not just Green Lantern titles either), but it is nice to see that the flag ship title of this part of the DC Universe involved in a special kind of way, in bringing in Supergirl as a Red Lantern. A semi big deal for me. Story was decently done, I like how they are approaching the Blue Lantern situation, some out there may be against another dark situation in comics, but I think at times we need to see our heroes emerge from darkness that is as close to reality as they can, as to give us...hope if you will. And it will be interesting to see how the power of hope survives and returns from the loss of all member but one. Even though I am not totally on board with the "no using light" rule, I do like how it's adding a build up story with the dissension amongst the Green Lanterns that appears to be happening over this.

Red Lanterns Rundown:

Things begin where Red Lanterns #27 left off with Zox and Skallox squaring off against Shadow Thief. On route to a losing end, Guy Gardner and Ice show up to save the day. After Skallox explains Shadow Theif's powers absorb the light, Guy comes up with the plan to make things as bright as they possibly can as to eliminate the shadows. They do so using their rings, and have Ice follow-up using her abilities to freeze the body of the villain. Guy tries to finish patching things up with Ice, but she let's him know that she is not interested, despite his best efforts to show he has changed, and isn't the hot head she once knew. Heartbroken and angry, Guy and the other Red Lanterns head enroute back to Ysmault. We rejoin the sub story from last issue where, Rankorr and Bleez are trying to fend of the attack of Atrocitus, Dex-Starr and a creature we now learn is a red ring bearer named, Klarn. The new Reds ability is to not only absorb the power of from the Lanterns ring attacks, but to also send it all back out in an attack of its own. Atrocitus explains how he feels betrayed by his Red Lanterns and that Dex-Starr was his only loyal follower.

Hal and company arrive on Ysmault, to a "warning shot" by Guy Gardner picking up where Green Lanterns #28 left off. Gardner exclaims that the Reds are taking Sector 2814 because Hal promised a sector to them, and Ysmault is also in Sector 2814 like Earth. After some more heated words, Guy notices the Greens "package" and its contents. He cools down a bit, and Hal proceeds to explain that she is Kryptonian. Both agree that they need to tread lightly as the only other Kryptonian that they know is Superman, and neither want to be on his bad side. Upon hearing "Superman", Kara freaks out, breaks free and is back on the offensive. Hal decides to let the Red Lanterns find out the hard way first on how strong she is. They then work together to submerge her into the lake by the power battery. We are reminded by Zox, that before Guy arrived, Atrocitus had sent out nine rings, meaning there were eight more recruits on the loose plus Ratchet's "replacement".

Back to Bleez and Rankorr, still trying to survive Atrocitus and others' attack, it appears that Rankorr has decided to learn from fallen Lantern Ratchets actions, and sacrifice himself so that Bleez may escape to warn the rest of the Red Lantern Corps. Back on Ysmault, things wrap up with Guy and Hal waiting on the new recruit to re-emerge from the lake, agreeing that the Reds are in control of Sector 2814, with the only exception being that Green Lantern Simon Baz be allowed to remain on Earth. Now with a more clear head, the Kryptonian tells the men her name is "Kara Zor-El". Hal realizes that this may be a direct family member of Superman.

Red Lanterns Rundown:

I do like the direction the book is taking now. I didn't think that I would as I loved the character Atrocitus and wasn't ever a fan of Guy Gardner's. However, either he is being portrayed in a new way, or I just didn't give him a proper chance, then add the new look, I am a fan of the current Guy Gardner. I liked that they were attempting to add a human to the mix with Rankorr, but it is looking as though he may be short lived (or not), but with that comes the return of Atrocitus and Dex-Starr. I fell for the duo in the initial issue of the series when Atrocitus saved his kitty.
I am very happy that they added a bigger name to the mix with Supergirl. How long it will last I am not sure, but I think I will enjoy it while it lasts. Plus, there is apparently eight other rings out there. Not all of them may land on anyone worth noting or already established, but perhaps there will be a string of name brand characters will temporarily utilize the power of rage. Giving us a taste of what could be.
The art is as always, good, but a touch rough at times for my liking. Held its own with slightly better work on the flip side, and did not take away from the story at all, and did its job.

Stay Nerdy!