Post by ryokowerx on Sept 15, 2011 20:16:48 GMT -5
(cross-posted from my Facebook account. I hadn't originally intended on picking up all the new #1s but the 50% off deal at DCBS turned out to be too good to pass up. Feel free to discuss, agree or disagree
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
PLOT SUMMARY:
Sinestro is chained before the Guardians of the Universe who are informing him that he is a Lantern again. Sinestro wants nothing to do with this. After they release him and send him on his way, Ganthet objects and then is either killed, made a vegetable or mind controlled - we don't know the outcome. Meanwhile, back on earth, a ringless Hal Jordan gets himself thrown in jail for attempting to be a hero. Carol Ferris springs him and they go out of a date with Hal totally ruining things and getting himself stranded. Sinestro, however, is monitoring his homeworld of Korugar and discovers that his Sinestro Corps has enslaved the population. Sinestro has to kill one yellow ring-wearer as he is discovered spying on Korugar. He destroys the fleeing yellow ring. Hal Jordan shows up after presumably a long walk home and is surprised by Sinestro waiting for him offering him his ring back but only if he does what Sinestro says.
THE ART:
Doug Mahnke is the artist and I'm a fan of his work to begin with. Mahnke has more of a traditional comic illustration style to his work but, unlike others that I have made this comment about, he does it better than most. I especially enjoy his rendition of Sinestro. His Hal Jordan less so as he looks like he's dazed through the issue or, perhaps, just going through the motions of his life which would justify the look. All in all, above average artwork for the issue.
THE STORY:
Geoff Johns, the big gun writer credited with really bringing back Green Lantern as a major character, handles the writing and, while good, it isn't a very involved story. However, I'm not holding this against Johns. Anyone who has read his work for any amount of time knows that simple situations quickly turn into royal clusters. I do have to say that I love the idea of Sinestro doing everything he can to get rid of the green ring that has essentially been forced on him even if it means forming a alliance with his greatest enemy to do so. I expect there is going to be some serious repercussions on the Guardians before all is said and done.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
I'm not a big Green Lantern fan. I've read the trade paperbacks of most of the major events in the GL universe (Sinestro Corps Wars, etc.) but I've never bought the monthly title. Unfortunately, this is not a issue designed to get new readers involved without complications. Knowledge of past events is assumed and there is no explanation of who the Yellow Lanterns are or their connection to Sinestro. If you're a Lantern fan, you'll drop your $2.99 without thinking but, for others, it might be more of a decision. Like previous GL events, I'll get this read eventually in trade paperbacks.
NEXT WEEK:
Batman And Robin #1, Batwoman #1, Deathstroke #1, Demon Knights #1, Frankenstein: Agent Of Shade #1, Grifter #1, Mister Terrific #1, Red Lanterns #1, Resurrection Man #1, Suicide Squad #1, and Superboy #1.
GREEN LANTERN #1
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
WARNING! SPOILERS OFF THE PORT BOW CAP'N!
PLOT SUMMARY:
Sinestro is chained before the Guardians of the Universe who are informing him that he is a Lantern again. Sinestro wants nothing to do with this. After they release him and send him on his way, Ganthet objects and then is either killed, made a vegetable or mind controlled - we don't know the outcome. Meanwhile, back on earth, a ringless Hal Jordan gets himself thrown in jail for attempting to be a hero. Carol Ferris springs him and they go out of a date with Hal totally ruining things and getting himself stranded. Sinestro, however, is monitoring his homeworld of Korugar and discovers that his Sinestro Corps has enslaved the population. Sinestro has to kill one yellow ring-wearer as he is discovered spying on Korugar. He destroys the fleeing yellow ring. Hal Jordan shows up after presumably a long walk home and is surprised by Sinestro waiting for him offering him his ring back but only if he does what Sinestro says.
THE ART:
Doug Mahnke is the artist and I'm a fan of his work to begin with. Mahnke has more of a traditional comic illustration style to his work but, unlike others that I have made this comment about, he does it better than most. I especially enjoy his rendition of Sinestro. His Hal Jordan less so as he looks like he's dazed through the issue or, perhaps, just going through the motions of his life which would justify the look. All in all, above average artwork for the issue.
THE STORY:
Geoff Johns, the big gun writer credited with really bringing back Green Lantern as a major character, handles the writing and, while good, it isn't a very involved story. However, I'm not holding this against Johns. Anyone who has read his work for any amount of time knows that simple situations quickly turn into royal clusters. I do have to say that I love the idea of Sinestro doing everything he can to get rid of the green ring that has essentially been forced on him even if it means forming a alliance with his greatest enemy to do so. I expect there is going to be some serious repercussions on the Guardians before all is said and done.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
I'm not a big Green Lantern fan. I've read the trade paperbacks of most of the major events in the GL universe (Sinestro Corps Wars, etc.) but I've never bought the monthly title. Unfortunately, this is not a issue designed to get new readers involved without complications. Knowledge of past events is assumed and there is no explanation of who the Yellow Lanterns are or their connection to Sinestro. If you're a Lantern fan, you'll drop your $2.99 without thinking but, for others, it might be more of a decision. Like previous GL events, I'll get this read eventually in trade paperbacks.
NEXT WEEK:
Batman And Robin #1, Batwoman #1, Deathstroke #1, Demon Knights #1, Frankenstein: Agent Of Shade #1, Grifter #1, Mister Terrific #1, Red Lanterns #1, Resurrection Man #1, Suicide Squad #1, and Superboy #1.