Green Lantern #28

I did not have high expectations coming into this issue. The Alpha Lantern story line had left me a bit cold as I thought it was a bit of a rehash of the Manhunters. However, Geoff Johns does some very interesting things in this issue. At the end of "The Sinestro Corps Wars" Johns' showed the teaser for his "Blackest Night" story that is coming in 2009. Here, at the end of a slightly boring Alpha Lantern story, we finally start to see the seeds that Sinestro laid begin to bear fruit. There is a lot going on in this issue. The trial is quick and painless and only serves up to move the defrocked Green Lantern in the direction needed to propel the "Blackest Night" story. I love when Hal visits Sinestro. The scenes come across as a nice riff on "Silence of the Lambs" with Sinestro dolling out his knowledge and understanding to Hal. Hal is beginning to realize the bigger picture as well. I didn't know if I would care for the splintering ring societies but I like the Red Lantern - especially the "great rage" tag. Mike McKone's art is somewhat stronger in this issue. He really shines on the various alien GL's, but his Hal is still a bit week. Hal just doesn't stand out here. I think his Sinestro is very strong though.

Next issue brings the retelling of Hal's origin as a Green Lantern. I believe instead of treading well worn ground, Johns will be weaving in elements of Abin Sur's "Blackest Night" prophecy as well as continuing the discussions between Hal and Sinestro. For what I thought would be a down issue, Johns and company produce the strongest since the war ended.

Annihilation TPBs

Marvel released its "Annihilation" series in three TPBs. Based solely on the reviews I read across the internet I decided to check them out. I was worried because I wasn't too up-to-speed on the who's who in the outer reaches of the Marvel Universe as the last time I read a story with Nova he was a part of the fledgling New Warriors and I had never heard of Drax: The Destroyer before. Anyway, I jumped into the pool all in and picked up all three TPBs. Writer Keith Giffen weaves a very fun story in "Drax the Destoyer" 1-4. Mitch Breitweiser's art is exceptional. Along with Brian Reber's outstanding coloring, the art in "Drax the Destoyer" is quite good both supporting and adding depth to Giffen's excellent story. Is this story required reading for the overall "Annihilation" - no, but it does present good background on Drax and stands alone as a good story.

Giffen also wrote the "Annihilation Prologue" with art by Scot Kolins. This prologue serves to touch the various stars of this series and provide a way to get that "who's who" that is needed. Along the way - in all three TPBs - you get a look at the Nova Corps files on each of the main and background players. These help out a lot.

Writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning provide the story for "Annihilation: Nova". Growing up I always thought Nova was cool, but I didn't realize what a "Green Lantern" rip-off he was until the beginning of this story. DnA take what is a copy-cat character and turn him into a true force by the end of this 4-part story. From Kev Walker's art to DnA's story this blood pumping, action filled story is very good.

"Annihilation Book 2" brings three character stories centering on the Sliver Surfer, Super Skrull, and Ronan the Accuser. Giffen's Silver Surfer provides almost a restart to the character. Giffen provides a clean slate for Silver Surfer moving forward. The Super Skrull story by Javier Grillo-Marxuach is a lot of fun. Gregory Titus' art really shines in this story. I've never been a huge fan of the Super Skrull but Grillo-Marxuach paints a different story for the character. Finally for this TPB, Simon Furman writes Ronan the Accuser. I felt this was the weakest story of the bunch, but to truly understand Ronan's motivation it is a must read.

Keith Giffen pulls out all of the stops in "Annihilation" presented in "Annihiliation Book 3". The story is action packed and includes all of the primary and secondary characters presented in the previous books. This war is on par with DC's "The Sinestro Corps Wars". By the time I made it to this point, I was invested in the characters and the outcome. The "Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus" two-parter is a bonus to Giffen's excellent "Annihilation" story. Serving as a prologue the story focuses on the current and former heralds of Galactus.

You can go into these three TPBs cold, not knowing any of the characters, and enjoy it. Giffen and company do a good job of introducing each character so that the reader can absorb it all. If you liked DC's "The Sinestro Corps Wars" or are a big SciFi buff, pick up these TPBs, you won't regret it.

Green Lantern #27

The second part of "The Alpha Lanterns" story has writer Geoff Johns peering over the edge of ridiculous. I want to trust Johns here as he has put out some excellent books over the last few years, but having the Guardians create this quasi-Manhunter/Green Lantern hybrid almost borders on stupid. At this point I'm asking myself if the Guardians ever learn from past mistakes. I'm guessing this is what Johns is going for here with the hubris of the Guardians on full display. The book starts out quite nice with the both Hal and John being called in to trace a Sinestro Corp ring buzzing around Earth. However, once we get Hal and John back on OA the Alpha Lanterns are put into play. Kudos for Johns having John Stewart in correct voice here. If Johns is going for a sense that this is all heading into bad territory for the Corps then he nailed the tone.

Artist Mike McKone does a fine job of capturing all of the Green Lantern Corps members save one - Hal Jordan. His Hal is a little to pretty boy model - a little too thin. I think McKone would do a great job on "Green Lantern Corps" but his Hal just leaves me flat. I don't know if it was his decision to have Scarecrow in full costume in custody or Johns'. Either way I think Scarecrow would be in a jumpsuit rather than masked up, but that is just nitpicking.

This was a down issue for me. There were some great moments but the story didn't gel. Hopefully next issue will pick up.

Green Lantern #26

While "Green Lantern" #26 is billed as a Sinestro Corps epligoue, this issue did not read like the typical epilogue. Writer Geoff Johns has a lot going on in this issue. I like the focus on both Hal Jordan and John Stewart. It will be nice to see more of John Stewart in this title as Hal's partner. Johns has made "Green Lantern" a white hot title for DC and it looks to continue as such with the Alpha Lanterns story kicked off here. Penciller Mike McKone puts in an excellent effort here. I like his Sinestro a lot. By the solicitations, it looks like McKone will be on the book for three issues and then Ivan Reis returns. DC has done a great job of keeping top art talent on this book to back up Johns' outstanding stories.

If you missed out on "The Sinestro Corps Wars", this issue might be a good jumping on point.

Superman/Batman #43

Rarely does DC put out a one-shot Superman/Batman. In the days of 4-6 issue story arcs that package nicely as a TPB, it is nice to see a one-shot. The best part of this issue is Mike McKone's art. His pencilling is really top notch. I liked his page layouts and he captured the action nicely. The story by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning wasn't the best though. There are some confusing story elements at the beginning as I'm not sure if Superman was posing as Bruce or if the dialogue is off. Anyway, the action kicks into full gear right away and is non-stop right through to the finish. I believe the ending is a nod to the Injustice League arc over in "Justice League of America" which would have made this story a little better continuity-wise if this book had come first.