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.

WCBR’s Top Picks

Ray’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Batman and Robin #2 – Simply the best Batman book on the stands. It gave me the old-fashioned feeling of wanting the next issue already.

Most Anticipated for this Week: Green Lantern #43 – It’s finally here! My most anticipated event for this year. The dead shall rise, and as that cover indicates, hopefully Johns can properly undo Morrison’s great crime…

The Nobody –  Jeff Lemire— the modern master of human tragedy, nostalgia, and identity, is back with this brand new graphic novel.

Other Top Picks: Batman #688, Red Robin #2, Superman: World of New Krypton #5, Dark X-Men: The Beginning #1, The Nobody (HC), The Unwritten #3

Kyle’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: The Invincible Iron Man #15 – Intense, cinematic, and character driven, the latest issue of Invincible Iron Man proves that “World’s Most Wanted” still has quite a bit of steam left.

Most Anticipated for this Week: Unwritten #3 – Only two issues in and Unwritten is already a serious contender for best new ongoing…

Other Top Picks for this Week: Ms. Marvel #41, The Stand: American Nightmares #4, Dark X-Men: The Beginning #1, Darkness #78, No Hero #6, The Strange Adventures of H.P. Lovecraft #3

Rob’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Batman and Robin #2 – Great, great art, great story, and some great character work profiling the new Batman. Can’t wait for next installment.

Most Anticipated for this Week: DC Wednesday Comics #1- This looks very cool on many levels. Gotta love DC novel idea here with newsprint comics helmed by some of the best talent out there.

Other Top Picks for this Week: Amazing Spider-Man Annual #36; Green Lantern #43; The Stand: American Nightmares #4; The Good The Bad And The Ugly #1; Unwritten #3; X-Men Legacy #226

Alex’s Top Picks

Best Of The PastWeek: Agents of Atlas #7 – Another solid book in a series that more people should be reading. This issue, Parker actually makes a real impact on Marvel continuity, reshaping Namor’s history and giving his book some real legitimacy in the process.  I’ve loved this Atlantis storyline and feel that the book, after the Osborn, Sentry, Cap, and Avengers cameos, has finally found its own voice.  Gabriel Hardman’s pulpy, retro art doesn’t hurt; Marvel has a real star on its hands here.

Most Anticipated: The Unwritten #3 – Two issues in, and this is already the best new series of 2009 for me.  I can’t wait to see what happens next.  Is it really possible for this series to get any better?  Mike Carey has got a good thing going here.

Other Top Picks for this Week: Green Lantern #43.  Seriously, that’s it.

DS’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Justice League – Cry For Justice #1. The art was fantastic and the story worked. Heroes taking the initiative isn’t an original concept, but it delivered.

Most Anticipated for this Week: R.E.B.E.L.S. #6 – We’ve got front row seats to Dox vs. Starro. Who’s going to win, the fascist or the despot?

Other Top Picks: X-Men Legacy #226, Batman #688, Red Robin #2, Superman: World of New Krypton #5, Ms. Marvel #41.