Green Lantern Corps #56 – Review

By: Tony Bedard (writer), Tyler Kirkham (penciller), Batt w/Rob Hunter (inkers), Nei Ruffino (colorist)

The Story: The showdown between the Sinestro Corps and the Qwardians commences, with the Green Lanterns caught in the middle.  One rule: no rings.

The Review: Considering the enormous scale of the Green Lantern universe, it makes sense to deliver a few titles under their banner, just to get some decent coverage of their stories.  The writers just have to make sure each title gets a distinct flavor, with a mission and character all its own.  While Hal Jordan romps around Earth in his own title, Green Lantern Corps dedicates itself to the actual policing efforts of his fellow Corpsmen across the universe.

Tony Bedard’s work on this series doesn’t have the nuance or sentiment of his predecessor, Peter Tomasi, but if anything, he delivers even more high-octane action.  From the beginning rally of the Sinestro Corps to the arrival of the armed and dangerous Qwardian backup at the end, this issue just gets you pumped for major space craziness going on.  The battle royale gets even wilder when out begrudging respect for the truce between Corps, the use of power rings gets restricted.  It’s a nice break from the slightly tedious, destiny-driven stuff happening in the other Green Lantern titles.

Still, you can’t help feeling that most of the action is a little brainless.  Not that you really expect much subtlety with these kinds of things, but a little attention to strategy and tactics would have elevated the creativity of the battle scenes some.  Perhaps it’s the recent drop in page count, but the pace is so electric that you never really get the sense that any of the Green Lanterns are in real danger.  It just seems like a missed opportunity to show off what they’re really made of in a fight, even without their rings.  Frankly, I expected more from the anticipated confrontation between Sinestro and the Weaponer, but the arc’s not over yet.

There isn’t much character work to speak of here, and the dialogue often comes off over-the-top.  Take one Yellow Lantern’s fightin’ words to Kyle Raynor and Natu: “Sinestro said the Weaponer is his alone.  I should let them shred you just for thinking of disobeying him.”  Even within the context of a sci-fi action comic, the line is pretty dumb—just one of many.  It just doesn’t feel like Bedard has much more than a shallow handle on these characters.  Their interaction feels less like actual personalities bouncing off each other, and more like clichés.  It’s not out-of-character or anything; it’s just not particularly inspired.

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.