Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Green Lantern #28
DC Comics
Johns, McKone & Lanning
This issue is about the trial of Laira. It’s on the cover. It’s the part Hal Jordan is seen the most in and it’s got heavy Guardian involvement. However, that is only the vehicle to get the real story across. The real story, from my perspective, is the advancement of the Blackest Night arc, which is advertised to hit in 2009. I am very, very pleased to see so much setting up activity taking place this far in advance.
If you followed the Sinestro Corps War then you know all about the various colors of rings that will eventually engage in a massive war. You just don’t know who has what color or their origins. If you didn’t follow the Sinsestro Corps War I just told you all that you need to know. Picture the colors of the rainbow and those will pretty much be the colors of the rings that will be fighting in the Blackest Night arc. This issue lays the groundwork for two more colors.
The issue begins with s couple of ugly guys talking about Abin Sur and how he messed everything up by telling everyone about the Blackest Night prophecy. Qull, one of the ugly dudes, you may remember if you read Green Lantern back in 1986, is the guy who mentioned the prophecy to Sur. The other ugly, Atrocitus, I don’t recognize, but he “makes” a red power ring. The ball is rolling now!
Back to Oa and the trial of Laira. The Guardians help run the circus of a trial. Laira was guilty before she walked in. Sacco and Vanzetti had a more fair trial than Laira. She doesn’t even get a representitive! Hal Jordan stands by with his mouth shut. This was odd considering how outspoken he usually is whenever he has the chance to bark at the Guardians.
Laira is found guilty and to celebrate the Guardians enact the second new law, which is to enable the power rings to kill anyone. Not just the allowed to kill Sinestro Corps members now, but anyone. Funny that they try and convict a corps member for killing a Sinestro Corps member so they decide to allow more killing.
Hal Jordan does what any leader would do. He goes to his greatest enemy for council. Jordan talks to Sinestro about the turn of events. Sinestro comes across as smart and “right”. When compared to the Guardians, Sinestro projects himself as more on the side of the lanterns than the Guardians are. See where this all heading? The scary part is that Jordan listens to him like Superman listens to Jor-el.
The issue concludes with the orange council forming and Laira having a new ring drop in on her to use. Only it’s not green and it’s not yellow. How lucky is she that she gets two different colors seeking her out in one lifetime?
A pretty cool issue. This issue suceeds on a lot of levels. First off, it doesn’t rely on Hal Jordan at all. He is barely in the issue. Secondly, it moves the new ring colors arc forward on a couple of fronts. Third, it uses Sinestro in a much more sinister way than normal. Lastly, it uses an array of characters, some not seen in years and others totally new. To any reader this comic is layered with good stuff – new comers and life long veterans alike.
The artwork is great. As always, color is a huge feature of this book and it’s used to perfection in this issue. I particularly liked the details in the beginning, like the green ring pins sticking in Qull. I still cant get over how creepy the Alpha Lanterns look.
In all, this comic hits the right notes to close out a small arc and stretch out the longer one. This title is proving to be a can’t miss book if someone wants to stay in touch with the Blackest Night arc. I highly recommend the issue.
5 out of 5 geek goggles.
 Green Lantern #28 |
