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Green Lantern Corps #34 [Review]

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Walt

Emerald Eclipse part two

Story & Words: Peter J. Tomasi
Penciller: Patrick Gleason
Inkers: Rebecca Buchman, Christian Alamy
Colorist: Randy Mayor
Letterer: Steve Wands
Editor: Adam Schlagman
Cover: Pat Gleason (variant by Rodolfo Migliari)
Publisher: DC Comics

This issue deals with a number of points in the ongoing story: Sodom Yat’s mother has arrived to try to bring him home to save his people. Meanwhile, back on Daxam, Mongul and Arkillo are having it out for control of the Sinestro Corps. Their battle ends with one a decisive victor. At the same time, Kyle and Soranu continue their relationship, discussing how it’ll play into their roles as GLs; and we check in on the Sapphires and Kryb, as well as Guy, Kilowog, Salaak & co. who are dealing with their new Red Lantern prisoner.

The story’s pretty good, really…keeps everything moving along, and we see all the characters being lined up for where they’ll (need to) be for Blackest Night. No real complaints there…this’d be an interesting story just as prose, without visuals to go along with it/as part of it.

However, I’m just not digging the art. There’s something about it that for the most part comes across as too cartoony or stylistic or SOMEthing…and actually detracts a bit from my enjoyment of the book…it distracts me a bit from the story. I much prefer books where I find that the art is either unobtrusive, or is so good that the entire story just pops and I enjoy looking at the visuals as much as reading along.

This probably isn’t the best point for jumping-on, but longer time readers probably shouldn’t pass this up, as there are things unfolding that are certain to be quite germane to Blackest Night (as if the banner on the cover wasn’t already clue enough).

Story: 7/10
Art: 6/10
Whole: 6.5/10

Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, Green Lantern Corps | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Green Lantern Corps #33 [Review]

Posted on February 11, 2009 by Walt

Emerald Eclipse part one

Story & Words: Peter J. Tomasi
Penciller: Patrick Gleason
Inker: Rebecca Buchman
Colorist: Randy Mayor
Letterer: Steve Wands
Editor: Adam Schlagman
Cover: Gleason, Buchman & Nei Ruffino
Publisher: DC Comics

Mongul arrives on Daxam, where his arm (powered by yellow rings) makes short work of defenses. Mongul is here to set up a new home base for the Sinestro Corps, of which he now considers himself the leader. He sends out a signal to draw remaining members of said corps to Daxam, while he terrorizes native citizens. Meanwhile, Kyle and Soranik discuss where they’re going to go in terms of their blossoming relationship, particularly in light of the latest new law added to the Book of Oa by the Guardians–that there can be no romance between Corps. members. A short segment at the end of the main story brings someone from Sodam Yat’s past back into his life.

The story holds potential, and is heightened a bit simply by the billing of “Prelude to Blackest Night on the cover (as well as the loaded story title Emerald Eclipse, given prior major GL arcs Emerald Whatever). Mongul having his amputated arm acting in his stead seems really over the top to me (even in a book with aliens and little rings that harness the emotional spectrum and all that). Though technically focusing on the GL Corps as a large body, this book feels like it’s Kyle and Guy’s book…and that’s something I’m liking. That I’m so greatly enjoying the Kyle/Guy interaction is certainly testament to Tomasi’s writing.

Not a huge fan of Gleason’s art, but it holds a fairly solid consistency from recent issues, so though not my preferred visual style for these characters compared to depictions in Green Lantern, I can’t fault it in and of itself.

The main story here is fairly solid, and moves the story forward, fleshing out reactions to events and setting into motion stuff that’ll obviously be touched on as this arc builds.

Origins & Omens

This backup seems rather out of place as it doesn’t feel like it quite fits the title. However, it certainly does what a good backup should: though a mere six pages, it tells a nice little story that expands on stuff found in the main story. Basically, Kyle and Guy are priming the surface of a building that Kyle’s going to draw a mural on–the history of the GL Corps. He’s determined to do it by hand, no cheating with the ring (much as Hal is about flying a plane without the ring), and adds that little bit of characterization to Kyle. We also get to see some other lanterns with tidmits of insight into them, as well as the way they’d react to the actions one Lantern is about to undertake.

All in all, not a bad issue, though not stellar, either. That the backup expands as it does on Kyle’s artisitic undertaking justifies the shortened main story, and so the backup works, giving for a solid issue on the whole.

Story: 7/10
Art: 7/10
Whole: 7/10

Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, Green Lantern Corps, Origins & Omens (Event) | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Green Lantern Corps #32 [Review]

Posted on January 18, 2009 by Walt

Sins of the Star Sapphire part four: Hearts and Minds

Story and Words: Peter J. Tomasi
Penciller: Patrick Gleason
Inker: Rebecca Buchman
Color: Randy Mayor
Letterer: Steve Wands
Editor: Adam Schlagman
Cover: Gleason, Buchman, Nei Rufino
Publisher: DC Comics

While a Lantern gives birth, fellow Green Lanterns fight Kryb in order to keep the Sinestro Corps member away from the baby. During the battle, the latest revision to the Book of Oa is made known to all GLs, prompting yet another decision to be made–one that is echoed throughout the Corps. with significant implications for down the road.

I think I’m finally getting used to the art on this book. It’s probably never gonna rank in my tops list of fvorite art, but it works with the GL Corps concept with the various aliens and all that. Kryb comes across as both creepy (presumably intended so) and rather stupid looking…almost like some sort of “emo alien” type.

The story continues to move forward as the GLs (with some help from a Star Sapphire) attend to Kryb who has been kidnapping children of GLs for awhile now. We have several good moments in this issue…between the parents and their new child; Kyle and Soranik; and between Kyle, Soranik, and one of the Star Sapphires. However, I’m still not clear on who Star Sapphire is or was, and thus far can’t tell any of the new Star Sapphires apart…they just don’t come across as distinct to me, nor do they come off as all that interesting–certainly not enough for me to bother researching them online.

Right now, this feels like a filler story even though it’s introducing us to one of the numerous Lantern Corps. I haven’t cared about Kryb, and being a relatively young, single adult with no children and no spouse of my own, I’m not really all that engaged with the story of the GLs’ children being put in danger…especially not when it follows on the earlier story of the GLs PARENTS being in danger.

You could do worse than this issue, but unless you’re intent on following the GL franchise in general, this is nothing special to seek out (though I hope that that’ll change soon as we head into Blackest Night later this year).

Story: 5/10
Art: 6/10
Whole: 5.5/10

Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, Faces of Evil (Event), Green Lantern Corps | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Green Lantern Corps #31 [Review]

Posted on December 14, 2008 by Walt

Sins of the Star Sapphire part three: Empty-Handed Heart

Story and Words: Peter J. Tomasi
Penciller: Patrick Gleason
Inker: Rebecca Buchman
Color: Randy Mayor
Letterer: Steve Wands
Editors: Eddie Berganza & Adam Schlagman
Cover: Gleason & Nei Rufino
Publisher: DC Comics

The Guardians approve a Third Law to add to the Book of Oa–banning physical relationships and love between Green Lanterns. We then shift scenes to the ongoing situation at least partially responsible for the enactment of this law, as several Lanterns are tracking a Sinestro agent who is killing off Green Lanterns to steal their babies. There are also checking-in-on’-em scenes with Mongul as well as the new “Sapphire Lantern” Corps. based on the love just banned for the GLs. At issue’s end, yet another victim seems ready to be claimed in the ongoing GL/Sinestro Corps. animosity.

I’ll be honest–I don’t “get” the Star Sapphire stuff. I don’t think I’d even heard of the character (?) prior to this story, and I just don’t have any interest in the character. I know this story is fleshing things out and showing another fledgling Lantern Corps as we head toward Blackest Night, but other than that element, I’m just not that engaged. The story is somewhat interesting–touching on the subject of an antagonist striking at heroes through families–seen here not as some potential threat but an active and ongoing actuality.

The art doesn’t thrill me….There’s something to it that just doesn’t really do it for me. It clearly shows the characters, yes, and it provides a decent look at some fairly alien characters (and a rather creepy main antagonist)…I’m just not a fan of the style. As tastes do indeed differ, I’d suggest peeking at the art before buying–if you’ve no obvious complaints with it, you’ll probably enjoy this with little trouble.

All in all not a bad issue, keeping things moving forward. I’ll be glad to see this arc conclude and hopefully move on to more interesting territory.

Story: 7/10
Art: 6/10
Whole: 6.5/10

Filed under: Comic Reviews 2008, DC, DC Universe, Green Lantern Corps | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Green Lantern Corps. #29

Posted on October 11, 2008 by Walt

Sins of the Star Sapphire: Love on the Air (part one)

Story and Words: Peter J. Tomasi
Penciller: Patrick Gleason
Inkers: Drew Geraci & Rebecca Buchman
Color: Randy Mayor & Gabe Eltaeb
Letterer: Steve Wands
Editors: Adam Schlagman & Eddie Berganza
Cover: Gleason & Nei Rufino

This issue introduces us to a couple of lovers in space, who love each other very much, and their lives are wrecked when Mongul–still alive, but horribly injured after his encounter with some Green Lanterns and the Black Mercies. Their encounter gives way to the introduction of a member of a new Lantern Corps. At the same time, Kyle and others are securing children of various Lanterns, making sure families of the Corps. are safe and not allowed to be threatened (after so many parents were recently murdered). Finally, Guy and Ice have some discussion as to their relationship and where they are and where they’re going.

The story of the issue works pretty well. I’m not all that interested in the Star Sapphire stuff myself–I’m more interested in remnants of the Sinestro Corps. and/or any hints to be had toward Black Lanterns. Still, the story progresses things in a believable fashion–we know these other Lantern Corps. are coming into existence; it’s also well within reason that after parents were threatened, GLs would check on children/family in general. Similarly, it’s totally believeable seeing Guy and Ice hash out their relationship issues. Even with the power(s) they both have and their lot in life, it’s cool to see them at least trying to make a go of things, and dealing with the pressures each is under.

Visually, I’m not the biggest fan of the art. It works–characters are clear and distinct, there’s no issue following what’s going on, and all that. Something about the style just doesn’t suit me, though, and it’s all the more noticeable since this issue shipped alongside Green Lantern #35, whose art by Ivan Reis is some of my favorite GL art to date.

Overall, another solid issue of the series. Nothing bad to it, but nothing particularly blew me away, either. As we head into the tail end of 2008, with 2009 on the horizon with the promised Blackest Night, this title’s got a lot to measure up to as I’m nearly a year after it was announced still chomping at the bit for a story that’s probably at least a good seven to eight months away.

This is the first issue of a new arc, so as good a point as any to jump in; worth the pickup for fans of the GL Corps and their ongoing adventures in general. For more casual fans, I’d suggest waiting for a collected volume to get the whole arc at once if it interests you.

Story: 7/10
Art: 6/10
Whole: 6.5/10

Filed under: Comic Reviews 2008, DC, Green Lantern Corps | Tagged: , , | Leave a comment »

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