Letters to Green Lantern #28

I'm honestly not exagerating when I say this is not only one of Charlie's best issues yet, but also one of the best, breeziest, most fun reads on the site!

I've always prided myself to write speedy, immediate stories. I think these kinds of narratives should be direct, in your face, and fly at your like a tornado. To be honest, I'm really disconnected from this issue writing wise because it was written in a blur last year. I admit, I did tack on the introduction, but you know me...

A sense of impending disaster (well, not exactly impending for Rann!) permeates this issue, and even the startling revelation of the Predator's identity doesn't quite let the reader off the hook--- will Hal stop him in time before something truly tragic comes to pass...?!?

I hope the answer doesn't disappoint. I'm going to be hacking at the conclusion with Mark over the next few weeks because this has to be good. I don't want to disappoint anyone.

A great return to form from a fantastic writer. Despite the time that passed since the last issue, I was able to slip easily back into this story with no problem.

You're too kind. To be fair, this is written by a Charlie who was still storming through the DC2, not the Charlie who has only just returned, so next month is going to be the real challenge for me as a writer.

And great cover from Kraig Nicol. Man, the Predator is a great spin on a classic villain (or, should I say, a mash-up of two great villains), and he is both menacing and smug in that pic.

I was really lucky to entice Kraig way-back-when, shame our collaboration couldn't continue but his work is hella sharp.

Thanks for the kind words, Dave. I really appreciate it. I'll pay you later.

HoM
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Letters to Green Lantern #28 Nov 25, 2011 16:59:08 GMT -5

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Post by HoM on Nov 25, 2011 16:59:08 GMT -5

WOW! What a way to return Charlie!

Cheers, John. Glad to be home.

Admittedly I hadn't kept up with this series but I was able to be immediately immersed in the story with ease. And what a story it was!

This was not an accessible issue at all, dictated I think by the story matter, but I'm glad you were able to get into it. It's part three of a dense little four parter, and my one worry when coming back to the site with this was "will anyone want to read it after all this time?"

The pacing of this issue really shows off your growth as a writer and storyteller Charlie.

Argh, I really regret saying I wrote this last year. Now #29 posting fills me with dread.

You made the Predator a truly menacing foe and created so much drama and tension with little to no "real action", which made the story for me.

The Predator has been a blast to write, and I think his behaviour shifts next issue. I wanted to write him, if I remember rightly, as very much a "cosmic nightmare" with the verbose monologues and what not, but I realised last week... he was a human once, and all that was taken away from him. And who would be blame? Hal bloody Jordan, who else? So let's bring some human pain into this. We'll see if it works.

The cover by Kraig Nicol was top notch and really dressed the issue well.

Completely, I was very blessed to have him grace the cover.

So many small moments that built upon each other right up until the very end leaving me breathless and wanting more.

Thanks so much for the kind words, John. It makes coming back worth it.

Easily a 5 star effort.

Thanks again

Trevor
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Letters to Green Lantern #28 Nov 25, 2011 21:19:30 GMT -5

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Post by Trevor on Nov 25, 2011 21:19:30 GMT -5

I just finished reading this. Overall it was written very well. A few minor spelling or wording errors but nothing big enough to distract the reader.

There was a sentence that I didn't understand.
"I died, but am sat here, basking in the radiance of love,"
Did you mean, "I died, but am sitting here, basking in the radiance of love," or was this to mean something else?

This is my first time 'reading' anything 'Green Lantern" and my knowledge of Green Lantern is limited to the movie that was released this summer. So there were some areas in the story that I could not visualize based on the writing.

It was not descriptive enough for a new reader to Green Lantern (like myself), as I think you assumed this knowledge would be already there for long term fans of Green Lantern. Of course to add this background/detail would have bogged down the story, so I can only blame myself for my lack of knowledge and experience reading Green Lantern in general. For a long term fan, I am sure this was perfectly fine though and was unnoticed.

If I had to pick the one thing that really stood out for me in this story that I really enjoyed, I would have to say it was the dialogue and bantering between the Predator and Hal. Very intelligently written, and very entertaining to read. I was trying to anticipate responses while reading this, and was pleasantly surprised. I loved the cliffhanger as well at the end.

I do wish the Green Lantern Corps came to kick ass! While I was reading this, I kept thinking of how great a cover that would have made. I think you set the stage very well Charlie. Your master plan has definitely been put into motion, and I think the community here will love what is soon to come...

HoM
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Letters to Green Lantern #28 Nov 27, 2011 5:09:03 GMT -5

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Post by HoM on Nov 27, 2011 5:09:03 GMT -5

I just finished reading this. Overall it was written very well. A few minor spelling or wording errors but nothing big enough to distract the reader.

Sure, these things happen. Moving swiftly on--!

There was a sentence that I didn't understand.
"I died, but am sat here, basking in the radiance of love,"
Did you mean, "I died, but am sitting here, basking in the radiance of love," or was this to mean something else?

The Predator is crazy, it means what you want it to mean.

This is my first time 'reading' anything 'Green Lantern" and my knowledge of Green Lantern is limited to the movie that was released this summer. So there were some areas in the story that I could not visualize based on the writing.

It was not descriptive enough for a new reader to Green Lantern (like myself), as I think you assumed this knowledge would be already there for long term fans of Green Lantern. Of course to add this background/detail would have bogged down the story, so I can only blame myself for my lack of knowledge and experience reading Green Lantern in general. For a long term fan, I am sure this was perfectly fine though and was unnoticed.

I understand, and it's a good point; this Green Lantern is a version from what, six years ago? And not only that, the starting point for the DC2's Hal is so different, the stories he's had written about him so startling brilliant (and then there were mine, *sigh*) that someone coming in from the Green Lantern film might think... what the heck just happened. And that's awesome, of course, because it's our take, and if you invest in our take it's fun.

I think Green Lantern is a great title on the DC2 because you don't necessarily need to read every issue to get on board. Each writer's run is pretty self contained, but elements from each bleed in to one another so you're rewarded if you persevere. I know I take elements from Scott's run (you have to), John's, whose short-lived GL run terrified me-- and rightly so-- and then Jay's more traditional take that I took to heart in more ways than one.

So yes, probably not as accessible for someone who has never read an issue of DC2's Green Lantern before. But if you stick with me, you're going to be on the ground floor soon (especially after our discussion behind the scenes!) and the title is going to be ultra-accessible.

That said, new readers shouldn't be punished for not reading twenty seven back issues. I am making a concentrated effort to make the title more accessible moving forward.

But then I just thought about the story notes I was making yesterday and now I'm terrified I'm going to make a whole new kind of mistake

If I had to pick the one thing that really stood out for me in this story that I really enjoyed, I would have to say it was the dialogue and bantering between the Predator and Hal. Very intelligently written, and very entertaining to read. I was trying to anticipate responses while reading this, and was pleasantly surprised. I loved the cliffhanger as well at the end.

Thanks a lot, Trevor. I love dialogue, and whilst it probably falters at time, I try and allow the characters to talk through a lot of the story. I don't want to go to the repetitive/redundant lengths that Bendis does, but I think dialogue is probably one of my stronger suits, so why not?

I do wish the Green Lantern Corps came to kick ass! While I was reading this, I kept thinking of how great a cover that would have made. I think you set the stage very well Charlie. Your master plan has definitely been put into motion, and I think the community here will love what is soon to come...

Can't wait to get your take on the grand finale!

arcalian Administrator Alone in the dark Posts: 2,962	Letters to Green Lantern #28 Nov 28, 2011 0:08:31 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by arcalian on Nov 28, 2011 0:08:31 GMT -5 Love twisted into obsession. How very sad for the man that once was. I hope Hal makes it in time! And thanks for the Titans reference. I'm gonna have Metacrisis Effect occur before this, as we discussed. And indeed a badass cover!
	I'll always be in the dark, now.

HoM
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Letters to Green Lantern #28 Dec 1, 2011 15:35:25 GMT -5

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Post by HoM on Dec 1, 2011 15:35:25 GMT -5

Love twisted into obsession. How very sad for the man that once was.

Indeed. He's nothing like what he was once, is he?

I hope Hal makes it in time!

Me too. Who knows.

And thanks for the Titans reference. I'm gonna have Metacrisis Effect occur before this, as we discussed.

My pleasure, Jay. You know I'm a big fan of the shared continuity. It's a necessity. Need to touch base with you over the "Metacrisis Effect!" though. If it's what I think it is... colour me intrigued. And excited!