“Buried on Sunday, a Black Lantern on Monday!”
When I set down to write this review, I had a lot of problems figuring out what to say. To begin with, this is the seventh and last issue of the mini-series. I have read the whole serie, but to be honest, I had no plans of reviewing it. It’s not that I have negative things to say about it, this was just one of the titles that I’ve been reading that just hasn’t fallen on my review list. Let’s face facts, with as many books as I read a month, I can’t review all of them! After seeing the cover and seeing the potential tying of this title into the Blackest Night saga, I felt that perhaps I should “get it out” there to our readers.
This issue, as well as the entire series, is the product of Scott Kolins. He is both writer and artist. I am very familiar with his work, being the die-hard Flash fan. His run on that book, with Geoff Johns, has left a favorable mark with me. I also like the fact that this book has not only a Golden-Age villain but also(of course) Grundy’s arch-foe, The Original Green Lantern, Alan Scott. I’m always a sucker for the D.C. Golden-Age characters and I actively seek out any and all appearances of the “original” heroes and villains. There are also several interesting guest appearances from the likes of the Phantom Stranger, The Demon, Bizarro, Amazo, Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, and Frankenstein.
This issue finishes off Cyrus Gold’s quest of finding out who originally killed him. Cyrus has been given only seven days to find out who did it before his next rebirth as Grundy. If he can succeed, then he can break the curse, end Grundy’s existence forever and finally move on to his final rest.
I enjoyed the issue and there are two nice twists in this book. One is the truth behind his murder – I didn’t see that one coming! The second was apprarent just by looking at the cover. Take a read and all will be made clear.
I thought the series as a whole was good, if not spectacular. I like the artwork and the chance to read about characters that I don’t normally read or are presented on a monthly basis. I find this book to be interesting in itself but I’m not sure it will be a must read because of the Blackest Night logo on the cover.
Issue #7: 3.5 out of 5
Series: 3.0 out of 5
Superboy romanizes Wondergirl!
This issue starts off with a bang as we are treated to the reformed team of Lex Luthor and Brainiac. This is a classic team-up and they have always come off as a great counterbalance to one another. There is some definite ground work being laid here that promises to have repercussions for all the Super-Titles in the future and also New Krypton as a whole.
We then shift gears by going back to Smallville. As a continuation, we find Connor trying to rediscover his life after returning from the dead. While he’s working on his “to-do list”, he is surprised by his true love showing up at the front door. This story slows the book down some, but not in a bad way. This section is all about characterization and not about action. I don’t think they should do this every issue, but I can handle another one do establish the future stories of this book.
This issue ends with Lex finding out to his surprise that his “son” is still alive and the shot of surprise on his face is priceless.
The back-up story is a personal favorite of mine being the Legion of Super-Heroes! It is very enjoyable if not lacking action just like the main story. The revelation to Lightning Lad by his brother is a shock to long time fans and I am very interested in the conclusion of this in the future. I guess my biggest gripe and one I’ll have every issue is the shortness of the back-up story. Give the Legion back its own title please!
All in all, a good book but I hope to see the pace of the story pick up and some more action be interjected into it. Future issues in previews look very promising with Superboy-Prime looking to make an appearance as well as Red Robin.
4 out of 5
Superman’s past retold for a new generation!
This review is for the much talked about and highly anticipated new six issue mini-series retelling of Superman’s Origin. It is brought to you, the readers, by the team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank. This is team just recently wrapped up a very successful collaboration on Action Comics and they look to continue their acclaim with this series.
This issue, called Book One: The Boy of Steel, starts with teenage Clark Kent living with his parents in the town of Smallville, Kansas. We find the young Kent not only struggling with puberty, but also his newly awaking and quite dangerous super powers. These challenges aren’t the only thing that he must face. He is also introduced to the facts that he comes from a place a lot further away than he realizes! To complicate matters more, he meets a young, but brash genius, and he is exposed to a glowing green rock that seems to hurt him unlike anything ever has before!
This review is very general and vague for a reason. I want you to go buy and read it yourselves! This is a great beginning to a potentially outstanding series. It has a top-notch team working on it and D.C. has picked the perfect time to release a new telling of the origin of Superman.
4.5 out of 5
In issue three of Blackest Night, Geoff Johns’ epic battle of the Ring Corps gains momentum. The Indio Lanterns, whose role and powers have been up to this point a mystery, reveal their skills and battle plan. The full page spread of the Indio Lanterns’ explanation of the origin of light and the various rings’ power is sharp. The fate of the new Firestorm and his joined partner is a great moment.
Ivan Reis’ artwork gives Blackest Night a true blockbuster feel. His panels are expertly details and graceful in their transitions. His effects are dynamic and convey the action with authority.
My one grip is the Black Lanterns’ cheesy dialogue. The poorly written tongue and cheek banter lessens the Lanterns’ terrifying nature. Elongated Man is squeezing Green Lantern like a boa constrictor as he quips, “We were never really tight, were we, Hal?” It works with the Joker, not the undead.
The event is living up to the hype. Unlike the rambling Final Crisis, Blackest Night is delivering an immense story with a clear plotline. The vast cast of DC characters are smartly being integrated into a cohesive tale. I want more.
4.5 out of 5
“The Return of the Silver-Age Flash continues!”
We are now up to the fourth issue of Barry Allen’s return and all I can say is that I am absolutely loving this book!
The art alone raises the story up a notch. Ethan Van Sciver is drawing his ass off in this book. His level of detail is extraordinary and he is fast becoming the master of super-speed pictures. He must spend hours upon hours working on this book over what is normally done on a monthly title.
The story is great and it has boiled down to where it should go: a showdown between Flash and Reverse-Flash. The return of Max Mercury is a welcome thing, because he’s a great character, though I wish we could have gotten Johnny back as well. I guess you can’t get everything you want!
By the end of the book, I was looking for the next issue in my to read stack. Sometimes a month between books sucks. Bring on issue number 5!
5 out of 5
“Return of the classic series!”
After a lapse in publishing that lasted over 26 years, Adventure Comics has returned! I have to admit that I was really looking forward to this series, just for the feeling of nostalgia alone. I have a fairly decent collection of the original series at my home. While my collection is nowhere near complete, it does have several of my favorite issues of in it which happen to star Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes.
The new series has placed Superboy (Conner Kent) in the lead role. Conner has recently returned to the current publishing time via the Final Crisis: Legion of 3 World’s series. He is a welcomed return that has much potential, as the first issue has shown. I enjoyed seeing him back in Smallville attempting to reforge his life after an untimely death. I hope future issues continue to explore these themes. I was hoping they would keep him somewhat isolated from other heroes and allow his character to grow, but it looks like they want to place him back with the Teen Titans. I guess we shall see what the future holds in that regard.
The second feature is the Legion of Super-Heroes. I love seeing the Legion here for sentimental reasons, but I also hope it is short-lived. I want them back in their own title now that we have the pre-Crisis Legion back to some extent. Again, I guess time will tell.
The issue is solid and is a great way for fans old and new to jump aboard this title!
4.5 out of 5
“Lots of changes for the universe!”
After much delay, the final issue of the last Crisis series has finally come out. Now I guess the big question is, was it worth? The answer is yes and no.
No series, in my opinion,is not going to suffer from a long delay in publishing between issues. This series would have done so much better had it come out monthly and wrapped-up like it should have in five months. Two of the best things to come out of it: the return of Impulse/Kid Flash and the return of Conner/Superboy lost much of its impact because of the delays. Other books that should have been published after their returns, wound-up being published before hand and spoiled this book and the one before it as a result.
The story itself was good but It didn’t do what I was hoping it would. I was looking for some epic conflicts and some great action. And though I was treated to some great art from George Perez, this story became more of a set-up for future stories. Geoff Johns had just done this very thing a few months ago in J.S.A. with the whole Black Adam / Captain Marvel story. That story and this one made some changes…significant ones for the future of the characters, but somewhere along the way, Johns forgot that some of us readers wanted a story told here, not just house cleaning for future stories and writers.
Perez’s art and a clean-up of Legion continuity saved this issue from being a total disappointment. I also like what they did to Superboy Prime at the end!
Rating 3.5 out of 5
In this final issue, this three-part mini adds depth to the many ring corps as they prepare for battle in Blackest Night. Divided into three parts, two original stories and a neat commentary on Blackest Night issue #0, this issue works, but it’s not outstanding.
Guru of all that is Green and involving Lanterns, Geoff Johns scripts the two stories. First, he tackles Kilowog’s rookie Lantern tale. Smartly written, but predictable, Johns gives Lantern fans a cute story about a fan favorite. I found the plot lacking creativity, but amusing. The second short stars the Green Lantern Arisia. Once gain, it’s a cute story. Johns effectively depicts her love of the Corps and the legacy of the Lanterns within her lineage. Lastly, we are treated to the sketch version of a few of the pages from Blackest Night #0. Johns and the editors weigh in on their thoughts from panel to panel. This was interesting, being able to see how these minds worked their way through the issue.
The art was average. I felt lesser pencils were assigned to these pages, saving the big guns for the two main Lantern titles and Blackest Night.
3 out of 5
Building off of the momentum of the Blackest Night series, Green Lantern flawlessly dives into the rise of the Black Lanterns. Hal Jordan and Barry Allen face off against the newest Black Lantern, their once friend and Justice League ally, the Martian Manhunter, J’onn J’onzz. The zombie-ish J’onzz attacks the duo as they explore Bruce Wayne’s grave. Why did someone steal Batman’s skull? Well, our heroes will have to find out later because the Martian Manhunter has risen from his grave and wants to kill them.
Author Geoff Johns writes a decent installment in the Blackest Night saga. The dialogue between Hal and Barry is spot on. Johns has many nice moments in this issue, subtle scenes that weave together a great and exciting world of mystery and danger. Honestly, I was expecting more from the initial throw down between Hal, Barry and J’onzz. Considering the buildup for the black ring bearers, the battle was a little lackluster. The scene with the Guardians was powerful and advanced the story very well.
Artist Doug Mahnke shows off some skills. His smaller panels display a flare for details and sharp images. Some of his figures in mid- sized panels are awkwardly proportioned.
Overall, it’s a nice gearing up for the action to be continued in the Blackest Night mini.
3.5 out of 5
With a huge improvement over the inaugural issue, the Tale of the Corps mini-series takes two steps in the right direction.
The first tale “Fly Away”, written by Geoff Johns, is the star of this book. Recounting the origin of Bleez of the Red Lanterns, Johns writes a short, sweet tale. Bleez, known throughout the galaxy for her beauty, is without a man. Her mother introduces her to a newly arrived suitor, a member of the Sinestro Corps, who won’t take no for an answer. What causes this hottie to be filled with enough rage to become a Red Lantern? You’ll have to read to see.
The second story “Lost Love” fills in the gaps of the Carol Ferris saga. Carol chats with the Star Sapphire ring that wants her to accept her place as the leader of the Star Sapphires. It’s more engaging than it sounds, making sense of her decision. Good art accompanies Johns’ gifted writing. The violet hues soaking these pages are very annoying.
“Blume Godhead”, the final short story, sucks.
In the words of rock legend Meatloaf, “Don’t cry baby, ‘cause two out of three ain’t bad.”
3 out of 5
