Green Lantern #34 Review

"Secret Origin"
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert

Geoff Johns has been slowly building up towards the next great Green Lantern war story and I stress slowly. I have a bit of Secret Origin fatigue and I just want to start Rage of the Red Lanterns already ironically enough at the point where Secret Origin starts to pick up. That aside, this issue reads very well. You can see Johns introducing elements such as Sinestro not believing that Hal affected yellow. You also get William Hand getting the device that may or may not turn him into Black Hand. Johns is such a technically sound writer that continues to put out good issue after good issue. I thought the pocket dimension was a bit of a cop out to how they would win the fight. If they can do that then why didn't they do it during the war? Ivan Reis continues to put out some great art and makes Green Lantern on of the most visually pleasing comics on the market. This is a great comic and Johns just spoils the reader because you know it only gets better so it makes hard to stay in the present day.

Art: BALLIN
Overall: GET IT

Green Lantern #33 Review

Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Ivan Reis

Geoff Johns is probably my favorite writer. Although I got some heat last time for giving the last GL a top score, I think that this Secret Origins arc has been worthwhile. It is clear that Johns is building towards his Blackest Night event next year, and is doing so methodically. He has been slowly putting in the seeds for this event throughout this arc, all the way from Abin Sur's delusions to Atrocius. Now for this issue, Johns continues to impress with how he handles characters. He really gets into his characters and understands them and it shows in his writing. His handling of Hal Jordan and (especially) Sinestro is damn impressive. Johns throws in new mysteries such as who is William Hand, and also spends time to fill in Hector Hammond's backstory. For all of us who has read all 33 issues of Johns' run, it is really nice to see the consistency and development in these characters. Ivan Reis provides some gorgeous art.

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Green Lantern #32 Review

Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Ivan Reis

By far the best Secret Origins issue. Many people have complained that they don't like these origin issues in comics, but I have no problem with a writer carefully retconning a certain mythos to better his story, especially if it is a really good writer that will be linked to the title that he is retconning, i.e Geoff Johns of Green Lantern or even Ed Brubaker of Captain America among others. Geoff Johns saved this franchise, and I think he has the right to tweak the origins if it helps the future of the story. With the inclusion of none other than Sinestro (not Sincestro), this story rocked. I don't think anyone in comics today captures a character more perfectly and intricately than Johns does with Sinestro. It is a hit every time. He once again proves this in this issue, as Sinestro was spot on with his dialogue and character mannarisms. I also loved the internal monologue of Hal, as Johns has so perfectly handled these characters in his run on Green Lantern. Even though the title has cooled off after an incredibly hot Sinestro Corps War run, let us not forget that this title is one of the best on the market today. When Johns is done with his run (and I hope that is a distance away), I think we will appreciate how well he has handled these characters, and you will see that links from issue #46 with issue #13. Johns has created an atmosphere in this title that you can submerge into and appreciate. While he is doing a Secret Origins issue, he doesn't have his eye off of the big prize, with the careful page about the Red Lantern. He is still building towards Blackest Night, but he is doing it slowly and carefully, and the payoff will be evident and well worth it a year from now. This issue reinforces Hal's love for flight, and Sinestro's love for authority and rules. Ivan Reis is tremendous, and is one of the best artists in comics today. I loved this issue.

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Green Lantern #30 Review

Writer Geoff Johns
Artist Ivan Reis

Abin Sur is investigating the Blackest Night Prophecy and is traveling to Earth carrying Atrocitus with him. He is talking to Sincestro the whole time about what is going on and basically filling him in on the prophecy that his ring will fail him so he is rolling in a ship now. Hal Jordan is now a mechanic who is jonesin to get back into the plane. He goes to complain about his situation but a corporate buyout has just happened and he meets Carol Ferris for the first time. Atrocitus is talking up Abin Sur and the Paralax kicks in and starts messing with him. He breaks out and attacks Abin Sur and escapes. The rest as they say is history. Abin Sur crashes and seeks out Hal. Hal suits up and goes and stops a plane from crashing. As a true hero he immediately tries to tap Carol but Hector Hammond (small headed currently) shows up and cocks block him (awww snap).


Comments: This was a great issue. I am enjoying the twist that Secret Origin is placing on the Hal Jordan origin. Good for Johns using Alan Moore to do some real good. I also liked the little Paralax angle that Johns threw in there, way to be consitent. The art is just quality man, I love it. On a serious story note, I think here we will see how big of an unsung hero Sincestro is. Someone is going to have to take down Atrocitus and I'm guessing it is Sincestro since he is the only one that knows whats up. If anything, I think this will become Sincestros story as mucch as anyones and what can I say, I'm a sucker for the complex villain. That is an important distinction that Johns will have to make soon about Sincestro's villainous nature. This will be a great story, I can feel it in my bones, better yet my power ring (I know bad pun, deal with it).


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Green Lantern #28 Review

The Alpha Lanterns (Part 3)
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Mike McKone

Summary:
We start the issue with a character kill someone who has screwed up. He says he will have his revenge against Sinestro, and we see a Red Lantern (oooooooooohhhhh). We have the trial of Laira commencing. She is found guilty of using lethal force and resisting arrest. Alpha Lantern Boodika strips her former friend Laira's power ring. She is to be sent back to her homeworld. The Guardians then add the 2nd new law......... Lethal force authorized against all members of the Green Lantern Corps. We go to Sinestro and Hal. Sinestro knows about the new law, and says that the prophecy will come true. He says that when it does, the Green Lantern Corps will be ruthless. We go to the guardians. A flash of red light appears in the sky. A guardian comes back and says that there is a man named Agent Orange. We go to some people. They hate the guardians, and say that they need to find the orange light. We go to Laira. She says that with or without the ring, she will kill the rest of the Sinestro Corps. Suddeny we see red. A red power ring comes and recruits Laira into the Red Lantern Corps.

Comments:
Amazing issue. We aren't getting like crazy battle scenes anymore, but more development in stories. I found the Alpha Lanterns to be a bit disappointing, as they haven't showed their stuff yet. Even though they haven't done anything, their presence is felt throughout the Green Lantern Corps. The unveiling of the 2nd law was necessary, and i am sure a future law will be for them to use lethal force against anybody. The scene with Sinestro was just great. He foresaw everything, and it just shows how smart and calculating he is. Johns is such a good writer. I loved when he said "I believe in the Green Lantern Corps, Do You?". This is such great work by Johns. We are teased with some red and orange, but it comes to fruition at the end. Laira being recruited into the Red Lantern Corps is a logical move. I love that the war and hype towards Blackest Night (2009) has started. Laira has never said how loyal she is to the Green Lanterns, only that she wanted to kill the Sinestro Corps. The red ring will allow her to do that. I am waiting for Reis or Van Skyver to come back, but McKone is alright (I thought Sinestro was purple).

Verdict:
OWN IT

Green Lantern #27 Review

Alpha Lanterns (Part 2)
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Mike McKone

Summary:
We begin this issue with a wake-up call from OA to John and Hal. A yellow ring is looking for a new bearer. Our heroes chase this ring all the way to Jonathan Crane. They stop it before Crane gets a hold of it. The Lanterns discover that Laira murdered Amon Sur. We get to a heated debate among the Lanterns if it was justice or murder. The Lost Lanterns turn their backs on Laira and say that it was murder. Naturally, she freaks out. The guardians come out and tell her that she is suspended. They also say that they need a police force that will police the lanterns. Behold the Alpha Lanterns. These guys don't need to sleep or recharge their batteries. It is the greatest honor among the Green Lantern Corps. Many of them accept, but John Stewart doesn't because he doesn't know what he is getting into. We have a scene with a guardian recruiting someone to go find the Anti-Monitor's body. What is weird here is that the guardian has the symbol of the Black Lanterns in his eyes. The chosen Alpha's go to the surgery center, and they are being transformed. They are about to lock up Laira, when she tries to escape. The Alpha Lanterns (they look like robot-aliens) come out. Guardians end the issue by saying it is time to enact the 2nd law.

Comments:
Solid issue. This issue just sets up stuff going forward. We are treated to a new corps within the corps. This will lead to some confrontations with the GLs in the future. The Laira trial was ok, but if they put in the law, why can't she just kill him. Whatever, i don't care too much about her. Art is solid, but i want Reis and Van Sciver back. Johns does a good job introducing the Alpha Lanterns. I don't know why they made them that powerful though. Why make the people who govern the Lanterns stronger than the Lanterns, who actually have to go out there into some dangerous shit. It seems like a waste to have people that powerful just sit on the sidelines and just "police the Lanterns". But i have faith in Johns to make the useful in the broader battles. I still think this is just a filler arc for the eventual run against the Red Lanterns. It is intriguing, but the arc hasn't really done too much for me (in terms of what Johns usually delivers). Very solid though.

Verdict:
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