Green Lantern #18 Review

Wrath of the First Lantern is going to be the last story arc by Geoff Johns on a Green Lantern book for the foreseeable future, and he is making sure that it is going to build up to an epic conclusion. It will be a sad day when #20 comes out and Johns leaves, however what he is producing with this book right now is as good as anything he has done on the series as a whole.

This particular issue focuses on Hal, Sinestro, and Simon as they are all stuck in the land of the dead. Only two of them can get out so one of them will be left there with no way of escape. The way this ended really shocked me, as I was convinced there was going to be a way round this problem, but there evidently was not one.
I also really liked the way Sinestro behaved during this whole scene. I am sure that he will backtrack at some point ( or maybe not ), but he seems very single minded with his approach to take take the First Lantern. It is clear that his idea will not work; but is this something he is going to realise before it is too late?

We also got a bit of a back story about Volthoom, the First Lantern. This helped make sense to some things that he attempted to do in the last issue. It also went a long way as to explaining just how powerful he is. I for one was not aware of how much power he possesses. He can literally reshape the whole universe into anything he wants, as well as reshaping the past. This may be common knowledge to some, but I couldn't believe it.

The art in the scene in the land of the dead was awesome. I loved the tone, which really did compliment the story, but unfortunately at some points I was really not sure as to who I was looking at. Sometimes characters would have their backs turned so it was hard to make out who exactly was speaking. This is only a minor problem, and it is not a big enough problem to make me have wanted the art to be any different in this scene.

Overall this was yet another solid instalment in the Green Lantern series. I really cant wait for the next two issues, as I imagine that the consequences and the stakes are going to be getting much bigger very quickly.
The score I am giving it may seem a bit low considering all the praise I have just given it, however I do feel that there does need to be a change. This book has gone right down the list of priorities with Johns; even though the issues remain consistently solid, I do think that they could be of higher quality like a lot of the issues in this current run. One thing is is for sure though; Johns is not going to go out quietly.


Rating: 7.7 / 10

Green Lantern #16 Review

The biggest shock for me with this issue was that starting next issue there is going to be a new story arc. I was not at all under the impression that this "Rise of the Third Army" crossover event had been concluded; thats because it hasnt been. There has simply been no conclusion to it whatsoever. So surely that makes this issue a very bad one then I hear you ask? Nope, not at all; which is all down to the fact that the story of Simon Baz is just amazing.

This issue mainly focuses on what is next for Baz. There is a recap of recent events, which I have to say was done in a very clever way. But before he can leave Earth, Baz wants to do just one more thing before he goes. What comes next is a really emotional scene that took up most of this issue. The emotion really jumps out of this issue and grabs you. There is pure desperation to be felt, and I for one was hoping for a positive outcome. I realise I am being a little vague on details here, but I really think it needs to be read to get a true sense of the scene, as well as a deeper understanding of exactly what Simon Baz is all about.
The last page of the book showed us what to expect next from this series. It looks like things are really going to be heating up, and I really can not wait to see what happens.

It cant be said enough how impressive Baz has been as a GL. I remember when Sinestro and Hal were "killed" and I was very worried that this was a terrible move to make. I had faith that Baz would be a decent enough replacement and that things would not get too boring, but I never expected the last few issues to be quite as impressive as they have been. This is pretty much a perfect jumping on issue due to the recap that I mentioned earlier. If you have avoided this title due to the current lack of Hal Jordan, then I think this issue may just change your mind.

Rating: 8 / 10

Green Lantern #13 Review

Me and GL #13 ( If you hadn't guessed )

OK, this is going to be a really quick review to the current time in the UK, and the fact I have a really busy day tomorrow. I should just go to bed but I need to let my thoughts out on just how awesome this issue was!

Last month in Green Lantern #0, we saw how Simon Baz became a Green Lantern. He then escaped interrogation after being arrested for stealing a truck. which unfortunately for him had a bomb in it which made him look like a terrorist. OK, brief recap done, onto this issue!

This issue follows on directly from last month as we see Simon Baz come to grips with the ring, and the power that comes with it. What is really interesting in this issue is that we get to see how his sister is affected by his actions. Her place of work seems to be doing their best to get rid of her after being led to believe that Simon is a terrorist, and was committing a crime against the country. You also really get a sense of the inner turmoil that she must be going through as she attempts to convince her family that there must just be a big misunderstanding and that is why Simon has been arrested. However, the art shows that it looks like she is struggling to convince herself. The book finishes with Simon attempting to meet up with his sister in a secret place after earlier arranging it with her, however he gets stopped by the Justice League...

I am really looking forward to seeing just where Geoff Johns is taking this story. He has done a great job in making you feel as though you already know Simon, even though he has only appeared in two issues. As much as I love Dan Slott  he needs to be shown that THIS is how you introduce a new major character ( unlike how Alpha was played out in ASM ). I am hoping for some sort of mini fight between Simon and the Justice League, or some epic team up, which would enable him to get used to using his ring. I am also looking forward to seeing the continuation of the effects this is having on his family. His sister should at least become a reoccuring character in this arc. Agent Fed is also a character of interest, and seeing him hot on Simon's trail will also be entertaining to say the least.

All in all, Johns has produced another really solid issue of Green Lantern. It has to be remembered that Hal Jordan and Sinestro were no where to be seen in this issue, which makes this feat even more impressive. I really do think that this could possibly be my favourite DC title ( behind Batman ) which is being produced right now. The colours have also been fantastic throughout the whole series, and that does not change in this book either. There is no question that this is also a very pretty book to look at. It is just a great issue from a creative team that you can just tell love being on this book.

Rating: 8.5 / 10