Showing posts with label Green Lantern Corps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Green Lantern Corps. Show all posts

Thursday, December 13, 2007

This week's books (as yet unread)

The thing about the Sinestro Corps war is that it’s in a holding pattern now, just killing time. It was supposed to have been over by now, but DC saw the initial success it had and prevailed upon Johns to stretch it out over a few more months than was originally intended. So, the story remains the same, but we get such wasteful issues as last month’s Green Lantern Corps which featured an issue-long fight between Ion Mark II and Emoboy Prime. And not even a resolution. And we get scattered GLC vs SC battles in nowheresville America before suddenly relocating to New York City. You just KNOW that these elements got no more than a page or two in the original script, but now they’ve been blown out of proportion and the event has begun suffering because of it.

Simon Dark is certainly interesting, but it’s not that good. For one thing, it’s set in a Gotham city unlike any that we’ve ever seen before. What’s the point of setting this book in a shared universe if you’re not even going to take advantage of said universe’s preexisting elements? I’ll read it, because I’m mildly curious, but I’m not excited about it or anything, nor would I strongly recommend it to anyone as anything more than a curiosity.

Astounding Wolf-Man has been moving v e r y s l o w l y. So slowly that I can’t really recommend it to anyone looking to pick up a new book. I love the K-Man, don’t get me wrong, and am therefore reading this book. But it’s more out of loyalty and anticipation than anything else. I’m really just waiting for K-Man to bring the AWM into his shared Invincible Universe. As an agent of The Pentagon (parking in rear).

As for the resurrection of Ra’s Al Ghul, there’s one huge problem that keeps coming back to me, and that’s that the ONLY functioning Lazarus pit in THE ENTIRE DCU is SUPPOSED to be IN THE BATCAVE! Recall a few years ago (Ra’s Al Ghul: Year One) when Bats destroyed every single one, only to be confronted with the reanimation of the dead and the refusal of the dying to actually die? And he realized that by destroying all the pits he had disrupted the universal balance? At that point, he figured that the safest place to create a new pit would be in the Batcave, so that’s what he did. Yet, others apparently have sprung into existence since that time, with absolutely no explanation! Continuity IS important, regardless of what others may say, otherwise, each story must need to stand alone in its own microcosm.

Booster Gold is GREAT FUN, but it's not for everyone.

Battlestar Galctica: Origins has nowhere to go. The show is so tightly plotted, with such a tight continuity, that no matter what happens in the series, there’s no possibility of jeopardy, surprise, or, therefore, fun.

Salvation Run has MAJOR PLOT HOLES THAT YOU COULD DRIVE A TRUCK THROUGH. Primarily, if the point was to exile criminals to another planet, WHY send them there in their COSTUMES WITH THEIR WEAPONS??? Makes no sense. Might be fun, but ultimately isn’t worth the read.

Gen13 #14 was AWFUL, so bad that it was tough to read through. Gail ripped the heart out of the series in her last issue, and #14 had the characters acting completely against their previous 13 issues of characterization. I’m NOT going to be continuing to read this series.

The rest of the Wildstorm Armageddon books have been really, really BAD, and I see no reason to believe that the Stormwatch book will be any different.

Captain Carrot has just NOT BEEN FUN.

The problem with Ultimate Iron Man II is that the original series was supposed to tell a complete story, but Orson Scott Card just couldn’t stick to his monthly deadlines and it ended up getting cancelled after FIVE issues! I see no reason to expect any differently THIS time around. This reader is STILL waiting for the long promised conclusion to the Alvin Maker series. Long delays like this make me start to worry that a writer will actually DIE before finishing the story. The Crystal City was published in 2003!!! And no word from Alvin Maker since.

My ongoing problem with New Avengers is that Bendis has been writing The Hood COMPLETELY DIFFERENTLY than he was originally envisioned by BKV. I’d have preferred that he just create a new character, as opposed to butchering the characterization of an already extant one.

Top Cow managed to alienate me completely with its last Marvel crossover issue. That was teh SUCK, and following it I have absolutely NO INTEREST in reading any of their established properties AGAIN.

And is anybody STILL reading Countdown? Why torture yourself? A couple of times since dropping the series I’ve come back for an issue because of somebody else’s online review, and every time, without fail, I’ve found myself hearkening back to the “good old days” of Bruce Jones on Nightwing. That’s how bad it is.

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Green Lantern Corps #18

Green Lantern Corps #18
Wait a minute...haven't I read this book already? Yes! I did! I was called World War Hulk #5! And at least that book, even though it was such a dumb ending, was beautiful to look at.
This entire issue is wasted on a long, drawn out fight between Ion Mark II and Emoboy Prime. They bash each other around, through the country, through the world, through NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS, and still there's not even a resolution by the end of the issue. What a waste. AWFUL.

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Green Lantern Corps #16

Green Lantern Corps #16
Wow. This issue is jam packed with action, and brings the Sinestro War home to Earth. Mogo ends up not being destroyed, and the Guardians, realizing that their Lanterns have zero hope of prevailing against the Sinestro Corps with their current tactics, decide to authorize lethal force. Hoo-yah! Now it's on, and suddenly this seems like a fight that the GLC could possibly win. EXCELLENT.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Green Lantern Corps #15

Green Lantern Corps #15
Not nearly as good as last issue's Soranik/Sinestro matchup, but still quite competent - for what it is: basically an extended battle sequence. "The Battle of Mogo". It's got a nice ring to it. And that's all this issue is. In fact, it's only part one of "The Battle of Mogo". And yet, it's still pretty GOOD. A host of artists manage to achieve a sort of consistency between their work - something I've never seen in such a collaboration. It works well. GOOD.
Interestingly enough, this entire event is based on a minor detail from a single issue written by Alan Moore a long time ago (Tales of the Green Lantern Corps Annual #2 (1986)). That's not necessarily a problem. In fact, it shows incredible foresight and planning on the part of Geoff Johns.

Friday, July 13, 2007

Green Lantern #21

Green Lantern #21
That was really VERY GOOD. For the first time since either of these series began (Green Lantern Corps as well), I'm actually excited about the story possibilities. The Sinestro Corps was a stroke of genius. I'm surprised that nobody came up with the idea sooner. After all, every action has an equal and opposite reaction, just as every force in the universe, physical or metaphysical, has an opposite counterpart.
What I truly love about the Sinestro Corps is that Sinestro is not actually evil. What he's doing, he's doing to make the universe a better place. Some of the more powerful individuals he's absorbed into his Corps are evil, such as Superboy, Cyborg Superman, and the Anti-Monitor - although the case could be made for the Anti Monitor being the opposite force to the original Monitor, which would make him not evil, but rather a function of universal balance and harmony.
Parallax, on the other hand, seems to be evil as an entity. I think it's quite a statement towards the relative moral compasses of both Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner that even when Hal was Parallax, he still did everything that he did to, in his mind, make the universe a better place. Whereas Kyle, who accepted the Green Lantern ring because he thought it'd be cool, has no deep seated sense of universal good. And therefore, the Parallax entity, which is one of the purest forms of evil in the universe - unless harnessed properly - has overwhelmed his personality to the point where he's really, really, EVIL! For once, I'm actually looking forward to the next chapter in Green Lantern Corps.

And also, Jack T. Chance!!!

Friday, June 29, 2007

Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special #1

Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special #1
Quite GOOD. Much better than I was expecting. Basically shows that this entire event has been planned since the beginning of Rebirth, and incorporates the Silver Age appearances of Sinestro and former run of Green Lantern very nicely into a scema that actually, for the first time, makes more sense than not. Johns has a plan. And as long as it doesn't involve Hal Jordan saving the Universe by kissing alien chicks, I'm cool with it. (But as far as that goes, since when are Zamorans purple? During Millennium - yes, I know it sucked - they looked like human Amazons. But I guess that would be too confusing nowadays, especially with the Amazons Attack! event occurring silmultaneously.)
Using Superboy Prime, the Anti-Monitor, (who I thought was dead, wasn't he? Wasn't Alex Luthor's tower built from his corpse? Whatever.) and the Cyborg Superman is a good move too, although in the case of Superboy, isn't it a bit of overkill? It's like loading a biological weapon into a nuclear bomb. Again, whatever. Still, it's nice to see that the really good bad guys didn't get forgotten.
Plus, Kyle as the new Parallax? Ion's a stupid character evolution, although at least the concept is explained well here. So I'm down with that, too.
Is it just me, or would it be really cool to have a "Tales of the Sinestro Corps" ongoing feature or featurette, even after this event concludes?
This book was REALLY LONG! I was quite pleased. And the art was nicely done, too.
Well, that's all I have to say about that.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Green Lantern Corps #13

Green Lantern Corps #13
That's an ugly cover, but it hides a pretty GOOD issue. Finally, a basically done-in-one issue which wraps up the crazy Mogo storyline, uses the Lantern team of Isamot Kol and Vath Sarn more effectively than has been done since their introduction, and really gets the most out of Soranik Natu. It also has good characterizations of Kilowog and Guy and a well-done (re)introduction to Mogo's sector partner, a sentient insect named Bzzd. (See? I'm trying here.)

This is the kind of issue that should have been done a year ago. It sets up major Lanterns, provides a good introduction and plenty of face time, has them interact, and resolves a plot issue all at once.

Oh yeah, the resolution? Well, one of my friends said that he thought that Mogo had defected to the Sinestro Corps. Not so, but he was close - all the crazy shit on Mogo has been caused by a sentient fugus that is no doubt a member of the Sinestro Corps. Mogo defeats said fungus by maneuvering himself into the path of an asteroid to wipe it out.

See? I'm not biased against this series. When a book is GOOD, I'll admit it. I just wish every issue of this title were, too.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Green Lantern Corps #12

Green Lantern Corps #12
Yes, I read it. Mostly. I really hate this series. It consistently takes a promising premise and turns it into a load of CRAP. This issue is no different. Spare yourselves the pain.
The overall problem with this series is that the stories are too drawn out. They are intercalated as well, combining vignettes from several stories which apparently have nothing to do with each other, apart from the fact that they deal with Green Lanterns. Ooooh. If, perhaps, the stories in these issues were to be boiled down to their most condensed format, then presented sequentially, instead of concurrently, this series might at least be readable. Instead, we get one meandering issue after another, and an overall unpleasant reading experience.

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

What to buy on 5/09

Countdown - Maybe...they don't have the same level of talent writing it as they did 52, but if they learn from the mistakes of 52 and don't repeat them, it could turn out to be a good series. I'd wait though, before recommending it.

Green Lantern Corps - One of the worst titles being produced by DC right now. A title with zero sense of direction, no feeling for the characters, and ludicrous plots. I really don't like this book.

Hulk and Power Pack - Only if you enjoy the Marvel Adventures series would I recommend this.

Invincible - Absolutely! Highly recommended.

Jack of Fables - This current arc is seriously EH. Overall, a good title, but if you haven't been reading it, I can't say as I'd recommend starting with this issue.

Marvel Zombies Dead Days - looks interesting. It might be worth picking this one up. At least you wouldn't have to worry about potentially adding another continuing series to your pull list.

New Avengers - I'll read it, but the fact that Bendis has been jumping back and forth in time is really jarring to the reading. I wouldn't recommend it.

New X-Men - This new arc could be good. And Skottie Young's art on this title is very cute.

Nova - I wasn't sure how to feel about last issue. And in this issue, Marvel editorial imposes Iron Man upon Nova in order to tie in the events of Civil War. I think it's a mistake to do something like that in such an early issue of a new title.

Punisher War Journal - If every issue of this title were as good as last week's Spidey annual, I'd say no question. As it is, last issue was pretty EH, and the title has really been hit or miss for me as a whole. It's not that it's particularly bad writing. It's just that Fraction's Punisher isn't someone I really care to read about.

Spidey/FF is definitely worth keeping on your list. Because even if every other single book you buy is utter shite, this book will leave you with a pleasant taste in your mouth.

Thunderbolts - An odd title. I'll read it, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it...especially to someone who hasn't been reading it.

Y The Last Man - This title is in the homestretch. If you've enjoyed it thus far, I'd say definitely pick it up. Otherwise, wait for the trade.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Green Lantern Corps #11

Green Lantern Corps #11
This series is so AWFUL. I get no sense of where in the universe any of these sectors are - their numbering just seems random to me. And there's no way that I can remember the name of each and every GL from month to month. Especially when they're not even named. The only "story" that I enjoyed at all in this issue was that of the Raanian GL's. Which was all of three pages long. And didn't even name the GL's featured. More like a vignette.
What the hell happened to Kilowog to make him go psycho? Since when is Arisia such a bitch?
This series seems to flounder along from month to month with no clear purpose. I keep reading it hoping that that'll change. But now, after nearly a year, I'm resigned to the fact that it won't.
AWFUL.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Green Lantern Corps #10

Green Lantern Corps #10
Now that we're done with the atrociously AWFUL "Corpse" (Green Lantern Corps #7-#9) storyline, I still can't bring myself to care about this series very much. I don't much care about the characters, nor do I care about what they're doing - for the most part. I will say this, however: I'm extremely intrigued by Sooranik Natu's actions on her homeworld, opening up a free clinic and helping people with the aid of her ring. That's really something. Heck, I'd read an entire issue of that. But perhaps that's just my Biology background showing (by the way, if anyone knows of any Genetics research positions, let me know!). That part was interesting. Ironic, since I had never cared for her to begin with.
I also liked Kilowog getting so angry that he crushed his donut and coffee...mmmmm Donuts, arghhhhh.
Otherwise, EH.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Green Lantern Corps #2

Green Lantern Corps #2
This is better than the first issue. That's really not saying much, but it's about the only praise I can give it. Besides a talk with Mogo about Fear leading to Anger and Anger leading to Power (there's Yoda talking again), we get orbital Lantern spacestations for Lanterns on assignment, a mystery so obvious, even I have it figured out, a missing Lantern, and the death of a Lantern we were supposed to care about, but really (besides the fact that I believe it to be a ruse), I couldn't care less. See, when you kill someone without ever having put the effort into making them essential to the story, well then, you defeat the purpose. So, another CRAPpy issue. Oh, and the art is atrocious.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Green Lantern Corps #1

Green Lantern Corps #1
Well, this is just not good. It doesn't even come close to being good. The characters are all sterotypes. Youve got the battle-hardened soldier, the newly-promoted officer, the rookie, the racist, the reformed guy, and the asshole. And some minor supporting characters with absolutely no personality whatsoever. In fact, the only main character with actual thought put into him is Guy Gardner, and that's quite possibly because we already know him so well. If he were a new character, he'd be just as awful as all the rest of the characterizations.
And the Guardians have sheathed their entire planet in some sort of armor? Wha?
The art is weaker than it was in the Recharge mini - that was OKAY - and so is the story. I'm willing to accept the new status quo of the rings, namely, that the yellow impurity can be overcome by fearlessness, but the new status quo of the Guardians as unapproachable bureaucrats rubs me the wrong way. Sure, the Guardians have ALWAYS been assholes, but they perpetrated their assholery in person, not through intermediates. Whatever. This is so bad that it defies the format of a traditional critique. AWFUL.