Green Lantern #45 – Review

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

The Story: Geoff Johns shifts focus from the Barry and Hal vs newly resurrected Martian Manhunter slugfest to the exploration of  greater DC cosmos as the Universe comes apart from Blackest Night. The main focus of this tale is the Sinestro Corps assault on Zamaron and the Star Sapphires, but there is also a strong back-up story on Ysmalt, home of the Red Lanterns, which features the resurrection of some of the best characters to come out of Alan Moore’s mind during his DC run.

What’s Good: There is not a soft spot in this issue. Every aspect of the story and art is top notch, and truthfully, I’m glad that the Blackest Night event steered away from Hal, Barry, and the Martian Manhunter bashing each other up page after page. Here, we are treated to the full ramifications of the arrival of the Black Lantern Corps onto the cosmic scene and how the War of Light has left every type of lantern susceptible  to annihilation.

I was impressed with the dialogue between Carol Ferris and Sinestro. As they started the back-and-forth banter, I was concerned that it would be cheesy, type-casted, and annoying. But, it was actually really effective. It showed interesting dynamics of both characters. Seeing Sinestro use the body of Hal as a light-construct against Carol was pretty cool as well. The return of Abin Sur, though expected, came at just the right time, and although I was unfamiliar with the undead with him, they looked like an imposing and frightful cast.

The events on Pdym, home of the Blue Lanterns was interesting only as it reconnected to the Orange Corps and how Larfreeze is totally screwed by the Black Lanterns harvesting his Corps. Good Stuff there.

The art, as usual, was stellar. And although there were a plethora of splash pages, they each were awesome as they completely complimented the issue and helped infuse the individual stories with excitement.

What’s Not So Good: I have two non-complaints. The first is, I want more Blue Lanterns. It seems as if anyone can take the Black Lanterns down, its them. Secondly, the build up to the Indigo Tribe is getting to be a bit much. When they are finally revealed, it better deliver.

Conclusion: I’m really psyched for the resurrection of the Inversions on Ysmault. If anyone doesn’t know about these guys, dig up DC’s compilation of Alan Moore’s greatest tales. In fact, if you havn’t read that GL tale featuring the death of Abin Sur, there is no way you are appreciating Johns’ entire run on GL and especially Blackest Night.

Overall, this is a fantastic comic with expert pacing and content that spans the GL mythos. It’s perhaps my favorite installment of Blackest Night to date.

Grade: A

-Rob G.

WCBR’s Picks Of The Week

Ray’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Daredevil #500 – Brubaker delivers in this 500th issue by giving us an unforgettable chapter in DD’s life. Plus I didn’t mind revisiting Frank Miller’s tale.

Most Anticipated: Green Lantern #45 – It’s Sinestro vs. his deceased comrades from the Sinestro Corps War… Nevertheless, I’m reading anything that features this yellow bastard.

Other Top Picks: Batman and Robin #3, Wednesday Comics #8, Gotham City Sirens #3, New Avengers #56, Secret Warriors #7, Avengers: The Initiative #27, Dark Reign: Sinister Spider-Man #3

Kyle’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Wolverine: Weapon X #4 – The battle between Wolverine and the Blackguard strike team member was one of the best one on one comic fights I’ve seen in a long time.

Most Anticipated: Batman and Robin #3 – I know it’s early, but Batman and Robin is already one of the best superhero books out there.

Other Top Picks: Ms. Marvel #44, Wednesday Comics #8, Gotham City Sirens #3, New Avengers #56, Secret Warriors #7, Avengers: The Initiative #27, Dark Reign: Sinister Spider-Man #3, Deadpool #14, Fantastic Four #570, X-Force #18, Ghost Rider: Trials and Tribulations TPB

DS’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Blackest Night – Superman #1. The art was amazing, the story was good and a Black Lantern Superman is certainly going to give Superman and Superboy a run for their money.

Most Anticipated For The Week: Batman and Robin #3. Why, because the Morrison/Quitely team are fantastic!

Other Top Picks: Batman: Widening Gyre #1, Wonder Woman #35, Detective Comics #856, JSA #30, Guardians of the Galaxy #17, Ms. Marvel #44.

Alex’s Top Picks

Best Of The Past Week: Ex Machina #44 – Finally giving some answers, but only doing so in a manner that opens more questions and hints at things that are impossible, this issue was nothing short of being absolutely crazy. After three issues of build-up, it really hits the fan this month.

Most Anticipated For The Week: Fantastic Four #570 – I can’t believe I’m actually excited for a Fantastic Four issue, let alone this excited. It’s been years since I gave a crap about Marvel’s first family, but as a lover of Jonathan Hickman’s work and a steady reader of Secret Warriors, Fantastic Four is officially back on my pull list.

Other Top Picks: New Avengers #56, Dark Avengers #8, Batman & Robin #3, Detective Comics #856, The Flash: Rebirth #4, Green Lantern #45, Justice Society of America #30, Secret Warriors #7, Secret Six: Unhinged TPB