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.

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.

Green Arrow/Black Canary Wedding Issues

So, I'm a sucker for DC books. I bought all three of these and believe they each had varying degrees of success. I liked the "JLA Wedding Special" the most. Writer Dwayne McDuffie establishes his post-Meltzer JLA right off the bat by bringing in Firestorm, John Stewart, and the Injustice League Unlimited. I love McKone's art and hope that he can get a monthly title to work on for DC. I enjoyed Meltzer's 12-issue run, but I am looking forward to McDuffie bringing an action packed view to the Justice League of America monthly. I would recommend this to anyone looking to jump onto this monthly title.

My girls liked the "Black Canary Wedding Planner". I thought it was a bit girly for my taste and was a bit provacative in a few of the panels. The art was fair and the read was breezy. It wasn't anything to phone home about, though.

Finally the "Green Arrow and Black Canary Wedding Special" starts out great. Amanda Conner's art is spot on. I really like her style. The center spread wedding shot is very good showing all most of the heroes of the DC universe. Of course, the wedding happens, although not as planned, with fighting and mayem. This was a great read right up until the last four pages. The final "shocking" panel just left a sour taste in my mouth.

DC put a lot of effort to create a special event that celebrated joy. The tie-ins, crossovers, and one shots were all fun and funny with the right amount of action and story. However, the last four pages of this "special" were almost unforgivable. I'm not a big Green Arrow fan. However, DC has already killed him off once. With "Green Arrow: Year One" looking quite good and a new Green Arrow/Black Canary monthly coming out. I just have to wonder what the editors are thinking. Death is having a good year in the DC Universe. Whether it serves the story or not.