Green Lantern #43 – Review

By Geoff Johns (writer), Doug Mahnke (pencils), Cristian Alamy (inks), and Andy Mayor (color)

The Story: Enter William  “Black” Hand, the most deadly, sickening, and perhaps powerful villain in the DC Universe, and witness his birth as the totem and leader of the Blank Lanterns. Through his life we learn the roots of the coming war of light and what role the Black Lanterns will play.

What’s Good: This was this issue I’ve been waiting for. This issue delivered the goods and showed how great Geoff Johns can be when he hits the mark. This narrative is extremely well-written and well crafted. If every installment of Blackest Night were to be slung like this, then it makes all the sense in the world why it has taken a couple years to launch.

What an outing and change for the art department in this comic. This seemed like a completely different series going from Tan to Mankne. Manke is an exceptional storyteller and his depiction of Hand, which I guess is “A Portrait of The Cosmic-Zombie Maniac As A Young Man,” was great as you can tell everything about Hand’s psychosis just from his portrait in family pictures.

There were tons of great allusions to what’s down the road and who’s coming back as a Black Lantern. Also, there was the introduction to the Indigo Tribe and its leader or embodiment named Predator.

What’s Not So Good: I really didn’t find anything at fault in this issue. Seeing how well this story was made me frustrated with the Agent Orange arc and how painfully drawn out it was for no real reason except to kill time. Perhaps readers might be frustrated that Blackest Night didn’t officially begin as all this issue took place before Blackest Night #0,  and definitely before DC Universe #0, as well. So, in that sense, this is yet another build-up and at this point we are all just ready for this event to begin already.

Conclusion: Wow, this was a disturbing and effective read. The last scene of this issue gave me the nauseous-willies as Black Hand was simply terrifying. Has Johns created the most chilling character of all time? What a sicko… And now he is an immortal, invulnerable, and ultra-powerful Super Villian.

Before this event really kicks off I’d like to make a statement. If Black Hand’s eventual defeat comes from Hal wearing all the different rings from across the emotional spectrum and utilizing their collective power, then I will never be as disappointed in any form of literature as I will be with that possible development. For now, I’ll put my suspicions aside and just be happy that a great GL book is finally back on the stands.

Grade: A

-Rob G.

DC Wednesday Comics #1 – Review

By Gaiman, Allred, Berganza, Galloway, Pope, Palmiotti, Conner, Didio, Lopez, Nowlan, Calwell, Kubert, Kerschl, Fletcher, Simonson, Stelfreeze, Azzarello, Rossio, Gibbons, Sook, Baler, Bullock, Heuck, Acudi, Bermelo, Busiek, Quinones.

The Story: The Bat-Signal is thrown. Jim Gordon greets Batman bleary-eyed and torn, as the Dark Knight stands on the spotlight and listens. He learns about the abduction of one of Gotham’s best, and how he is set to be murdered at midnight.  Batman looks at the clock, which reads 11:59 PM. Batman crouches and reaches for his Bat-Hook. The scene cuts to the abducted being suffocated. The end of part 1.

This story and fourteen other newspaper styled comic shorts compose this groundbreaking venture by DC Comics.

What’s Good: In a general sense, what’s not to love about Wednesday comics? It’s a newspaper of super hero comics created by some of the greatest talent out there. Seriously, if this doesn’t appeal to you then there is something wrong with your comic book soul.

I would say that 95% of the stories here are all-out winners. The ones that work best are the ones that have the greatest hook, as in most cases, there are only a handful of panels to get the reader interested in the story. The best stories in my opinion were the Batman, Kamandi, Hawkman, Flash and Superman; mostly because of the great art.

As I read these stories, I was pulled into the sense of pure wonder that DC elicits profoundly in a reader. Some stories are fun (Metal Men), some are deep (Flash and Kamandi), some are thrilling (Batman), some have great multi-character work (Metamorpho)  and some are just poetic, like the Hawkman story. There’s a little for every comic book fan in this newspaper.

What’s Not So Good: The Wonder Woman story was terrible and nearly impossible to understand. I didn’t even finish reading it. Also, the Green Lantern was underwhelming and had no hook whatsoever. But, really you can’t hate on this comic/newspaper because of a few blown stories when there are still more installments coming every week for the next couple months.

Conclusion: This is really cool stuff, and kudos to DC for making this happen and for making such a daring and novel move. The last time I was this excited about a comic book medium was when I was a kid and there was a cereal that had comics in its box, that even had a “page” on the back (Does any WCBR reader remember this too?).  This should be their next 52 week project.

It’s not just the idea that works here, but the comics are actually mostly excellent as long as your willing, as a reader, to try a new form. This is an incredibly diverse selection of styles and stories and it just works brilliantly. I cannot wait for next week’s installment of Wednesday Comics.  I would totally give this an A+, but my boss Ray would give me a virtual wack and correctly remind me that a few of these stories didn’t deliver and we only give A+’s to near perfection. However, this is the first time that I can remember when I have given two different books from the same company an “A” in the same week. Nevertheless, DC has done it with a great Green Lantern #43 and this awesome invention.

Grade: A

– Rob G.

Green Lantern Corps #36 – Review

By Peter Tomasi (writer), Patrick Gleason (pencils), Rebecca Buchman (inks),

The Story: Things heat up in the Emerald Eclipse arc, as Sinestro reveals to Soranik that he is her father. Meanwhile, shit has hit the fan in the Green Lantern Corps headquarters. An all out riot takes place within the sciencecells and among numerous areas within Oa. Moreover as Oa burns, Sodam Yat prepares to save the intolerant people (that he hates) of his native world, from the power-hungry Mongul.

The Good: The compelling story of Sodam Yat’s return to his home planet, Daxam, and to his xenophobic native people. Every great writer will tell you, a good story is packed with lots of conflict. And from what has been going on in Emerald Eclipse, Sodam Yat’s situation makes up  a bulk of the good of this story. On top of confronting the people he loathes, and with the riot on Oa keeping the Green Lantern backup from coming to his aid, Sodam is forced to set aside his hatred and live truly by the Green lantern oath, when he decides to save his people from Mongul and his Sinestro Corps members. The end result is epic and bittersweet for now.

What’s Not So Good: The pacing seems a little off in this issue; which is no surprise as Tomasi is essentially juggling three stories at once: Sinestro and Soranik, the battle in Oa, and Sodam Yat’s return to Daxam. The story is hurried as the panels are packed with too many forgettable conversations, and as each scene seems to be on fast forward (especially the Oa riot scene which drags on for a chaotic montage).

It seems as though that Tomasi could make this story better if he was able to dedicate an issue for each subplot. Or at least try not to cram everything all at once. There’s definitely something wrong with packing in all three yarns in this issue, as it affects the impact they’re each supposed to have. For example, I was really disappointed that the encounter between father and daughter quickly fizzled. In the previous issue, when we found out that Sinestro is Soranik’s father, we expected some sort of memorable confrontation upon revelation. However, that’s not the casein this issue as Sodam Yat’s story steals the story’s thunder.

Conclusion: Although Green Lantern Corps #36 doesn’t exactly read smoothly, it is probably the most entertaining chapter in the Emerald Eclipse arc. I’m glad that this title is able to hold its own. It has definitely become a book worth picking up, as it manages to keep the readers wanting more from its multiple storylines.

Grade: B

-Raymond Hilario

Green Lantern Corps #35 – Review

By Peter Tomasi (writer), Patrick Gleason (pencils), Rebecca Buchman (inks), Randy Mayor (colors)

Man–the Green Lantern Universe is rocking lately. It seems like anything to do with corps is guaranteed to be great entertainment. This issue of the Green Lantern Corps is no exception as we’re treated to a few exciting and divergent storylines.

First, we have the Red Lantern attack on the sciencell that quickly escalates to a multi-light battle, with the Yellow Lanterns entering the fray. Then we have what is going on with Daxom and Ion action over there. Finally, we have the surprise arrival of major character on Koruger (hint, hint: he’s on the cover).

There are so many things to like about this issue, like the giant Sinestro sentinel that is as big as a planet and the pervasive, but underlying, ascension and effect of the Blackest Night. Peter Tomsai carefully culls dialogue and action into great pacing that is interesting and fun.Despite this being an action mag, it is layered enough to warrant being reread.

The art, for the most part, is very good. The problem that I have had with some of the illustrations in the arc and the last is that alien fight scenes are hard to decipher for anatomic and kinetic reasons. Many times a fight scene will be too frantic and busy for me to piece together what is going on and I have to rely on the text to determine who is who and what’s happening. However, Gleason draws great light projections and the panels are always in synch with the story.

I really can’t find too much at fault with this comic—you’re getting your money’s worth here. My one complaint is that the whole Koruger story line seemed forced and kind of cliché. I would rather have seen more of the other plot lines developed and expanded in those pages.

I am really impressed with how well this series works with John’s Green Lantern. In a sense, Green Lantern Corps compliments and completes the main series.

Grade: B+

-Rob G.