Green Lantern Corps: Peter J. Tomasi, Cafu, Scott Hanna, Gabe Eltaeb, Dave Sharpe, Ivan Reis, Oclair Albert, Rod Reis

Wow, I really wasn’t thinking I would ever get invested in this Third Army stuff DC’s pulling on us. But here we go with my favorite of the “Green Lantern” books, making me care, making me fear for my favorites of the GLs. The Third Army creatures make a hell of an attempt at becoming a legitimate threat to everything we know in this issue, and they only appear at the beginning and end of the issue. That’s power, my friends.

The issue starts with two major hits…two huge blows that really stack the cards against our plucky hero, Guy Gardner. First, the Third Army dudes attack space miners, assimilating everyone quite gruesomely…and then somebody on Oa goes into the deep sub Science Cells, where the most dangerous of dangerous enemies are kept, and breaks out Xar. Now, if you’re unfamiliar with Xar then you probably didn’t read the Zero Issue…this was a dude that Guy Gardner takes down at the very beginning of his GL career, before he even has his badge. And, looking at the walls of Xar’s cell, he’s never forgotten that.

We then go to the upper parts of Oa to find the Guardians commend Guy, and promote him to the new rank of Lantern Sentinel. This is, of course, all a dog-and-pony show because we know the Guardians have put into place the dismantling of their Corps. I do like, however, that Guy is getting this kind of recognition, regardless of whether the smurfs are being murderous douchebags while doing it.

Next, Guy takes a group of GLs on a diplomatic mission to Alderaan Ronos to oversee the journey of peace ambassadors to Oa in order to negotiate a cease-fire on their war-torn planet. John is called before the Guardians to let him know that pieces of the GL planet, Mogo, are traveling through space to some unknown point of origin…and the Guardians believe he is re-assembling himself. I actually love this news…it’s awesome. The blue dudes send John on a lone mission to find where Mogo is, possibly, rebuilding. I can definitely see this tactic putting John easily into harm’s way.

Meanwhile, Guy gets word that Xar’s escaped the Science Cells, and he heads to Earth to keep the alien from hurting his family out of revenge. The Guardians are livid, and order Guy to stay with the ambassadors…but they predicted he would fly away, and have arranged for a special someone to intercept the ambassadors instead. Tricky little f*$&s.

As Guy, Vandor, and a smaller group of GLs head to Earth, they are ambushed by the Third Army posse. Someone gets torn to pieces and assimilated. And it’s CRAZY, and very gruesome. I do like how Tomasi and Cafu (guest pencilling for Gleason) aren’t afraid to show these horrors of war - throughout the entire series, people have been getting hacked up, murdered, and maimed, with nothing held back. This team fearlessly shows the dangers of being a space cop.

This scene in particular is…pretty horrific.

Speaking of Cafu, nice job on the guest pencils. He does a really great job of emulating Gleason’s style that I honestly didn’t notice the difference, shame on me. Everything’s pretty much the same. The colors are rich, as usual, courtesy of Gabe, and once again there’s not “too much” green.

Green Lantern Corps #13, the verdict: I loved it. The Third Army actually felt menacing, and extremely dangerous. Their ferocity and strength is displayed very plainly, supplying the issue with very strong bookends. Seeing what happened to the character at the end of this ish made me really fear for my favorite GL characters for the first time. I honestly don’t expect Tomasi to kill off John or Guy, especially so early in the series’ life, but there are other GLs around them that could very easily kick the bucket, and no me gusta. I like that this book remains my favorite of the “Green Lantern” titles, because it shows consistency in the creative team in terms of pumping out great work month after month. Year 2 of this one is starting off just right, I feel, and I can’t wait to see what’s coming next.

(Photo Source: Digital Daily Fix)

DC Universe Presents: Marc Andreyko, Robson Rocha, Oclair Albert, Gabe Eltaeb, Wes Abbott, Ryan Sook

Cool cover, yeah? The rebirth of two of DC’s fringe heroes. A couple of lesser-known guys, Black Lightning and Blue Devil. Fans of Teen Titans may be more familiar with Blue Devil’s protege, Kid Devil - Eddie Bloomberg, who was killed in the preboot. Blue Devil, however, was kind of something else. It’s refreshing to see that they’re sticking to much of the same origin for him here.

The only difference I see is that he’s not so quick to spout pop culture references like he was before. Blue Devil, preboot, was hip, man. He had an iPod, and talked about what was on TV. He was a very funny and enjoyable character. It made sense, given the character’s background. Here, he’s still from showbiz it seems (or at least his family is), but he’s just not as fun. He’s drawn like he’s fun, and he’s always smiling and cracking jokes…but the jokes aren’t that good to be honest.

Black Lightning I don’t know much about…only that he’s so named because he does actually produce black electricity, not because he’s black. That’s a total coincidence, I’m sure. I’m certain. Surely they wouldn’t have made a character who’s black capable of making black lightning, something that totally exists in real life— OKAY so it’s a bit racist. But whatever, his design kicks ass. Or…wait a second, the design on the COVER kicks ass, but it’s nothing like the interior costume. Why? No clue, ask Rocha.

So the issue takes place in Los Angeles, where Blue Devil and Black Lightning both are trying to take down Tobias Whale’s drug ring. They run into each other, and fight - of course - because Lightning thinks Devil’s working for them, even though he can plainly see Blue Devil fighting Whale’s men. So…why can’t he trust him? Because it makes a better story for the heroes to fight each other in a misunderstanding? Hmmm…I don’t think I made it to that class in Storytelling 101.

We find out that Jefferson Pierce, Black Lightning, is a school teacher - I’m assuming History - whose father is a reporter also trying to bring down Whale. This guy’s popular. And ugly, by the way. And, apparently, he wants results! That’s nice, don’t we all? Whale’s men tag Devil with a tracker and follow him back to the picture studios where he and his grandpa live, attacking them both. Meanwhile, Lightning’s father is attacked by drug dealers, and he must step in to save him.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?! Well, we’ll have to wait for next month. But it doesn’t look good for either hero. Perhaps this will give them something in common to unite under and fight Whale together. Novel. In the end we see that there’s more to the devil suit than Dan - the kid under the costume - originally thought…and Whale’s men are bringing out the worst in him.

Rocha’s art is good, I’ll admit that much. There are just a couple places where I question things. Again, the design change in Black Lightning’s costume from cover to interiors. Was someone not on the same page there? And Blue Devil’s “transformation” at the end of the ish - I’m taking it as a transformation because of the slight differences in the character’s facial expression from one panel to the next - is simply just a surprised look on his face with a “FWOOM” sound effect and him screaming in pain (though his expression doesn’t seem in that much pain).

Other than that, things are good, and I’m enjoying it. Looking forward to what happens next!

DC Universe Presents #13, the verdict: I’m glad we’re seeing more and more of these C-list heroes reappearing in the New 52. They’re part of what made the pre-New 52 DC Universe so diverse and interesting. A movie studio stunt dude with a crazy costume that let him do amazing things. A black guy with electricity to match his ethnicity (ha, I rhymed). These are cool heroes, and I’m very excited to see them back. That’s what I like about this title, is that it allows for the lesser-known characters to make their appearance and give the readers a taste of the layers in the DCnU, as shallow as they are still.

(Photo Source: ScienceFiction.com)

Action Comics: Grant Morrison, Rags Morales, Cafu, Brad Walker, Rick Bryant, Bob McLeod, Andrew Hennessy, Brad Anderson, Gabe Eltaeb, Steve Wands, Cliff Chiang

I like how a lot of the #12 issues have felt like entire chapters in the lives of the heroes closing. This ish has that as well. It’s nice because it IS a year later, and so it’s this nice round number to wrap things up with. Kind of like a season finale. What’s great about this title in particular is that, even though it has that “ending” feeling, there are still mysteries that are discovered and new questions that will lead us anxiously into next year!

I’m calling this villain “Captain Comet,” as Lois’s niece does. Captain Comet uses his telepathy and other psychic powers to battle Superman as he tries to defend the girl, the people, and a severely injured Lois. Susie still seems conflicted on what to do. She thinks Captain Comet’s powers are great, but she’s concerned about Lois and Superman.

We find out who Comet really is, and that Superman actually knows about him a bit, thanks to growing up in Smallville. I had mentioned, last ish, about the motivations of these neo-sapiens being unclear. I guess it makes sense, because Comet’s so-called “masters” show up…the Oort-kind. These are the craziest looking things. And their motive seems different than Comet’s, so we can chalk it up to Comet being crazy and confused, and following blindly while the Oort-kind make the real plans. It’s not often you see an evil “underling” deceived like this (or so I’m assuming), and it’s refreshing.

Superman does this crazy thing where he saves Lois by reading all of the medical books ever published, because she won’t have time to live through the long surgery she needs. So Superman pulls a Bart Allen and reads through a library before performing the surgery himself. It feels like an old-fashioned solution, something we’d see out of comics from the 50s or 60s, but it’s endearing because we get to see how desperate Superman is to save Lois. I like that.

Batman makes another appearance in this issue, and it’s still really fun seeing them work together. It seems so casual, so familiar and relaxed and— oh, did he just put a bat-tracer on Superman’s suit? Well…so much for being open, Batman. Still paranoid as ever? Still, it’s nice to see them working together. They decide to try and rebuild Superman’s alter ego of Clark Kent…bring him back from the dead somehow.

What’s even better is…waaaay back in issue #1, we were given a character that Clark lives with, Mrs. Nyxly. Well…(spoiler alert) her full name is Nyxlygsptlnz. I’m pronouncing that as NYX-ul-ig-SPIT-ul-enz. And Mxyzptlk is her “dear,” though it’s unclear exactly how they’re connected (remember to pronounce that as MIX-yez-SPIT-ul-ick. You’re welcome). She talks about being from someplace bigger, where there are more dimensions to reality. I’m assuming she’s talking about the fabled 5th Dimension, where Mr. Mxyzptlk was originally from. We get a bunch of what sounds like nonsense, but is said so seriously you just can’t help but feel sorry for Nyxly. We get a great image of her multi-dimensional form…which is awesome. I’m really glad we’re seeing higher dimensions portrayed properly, and not like just some crazy little world like it’s been in the past.

Action Comics #12, the verdict: What a great way to end the year. It’s been a really great run, and I’m excited for what’s coming next. The tease for Mxyzptlk at the end is fantastic, and I’ve never seen anything like what Rags has drawn here, it’s so brilliant. I can’t wait to see what the genius of Morrison will cook up for this enemy. Here’s my one concern, though: that the attitude of the “DCnU” will change Mxyzptlk into a serious villain. He’s an imp. He’s supposed to be fun, and I would really like his issues to be fun still…even if he’s causing serious trouble. Make sense?

(Photo Source: Comic Box Commentary)

Green Lantern Corps: Peter J. Tomasi, Fernando Pasarin, Scott Hanna, Gabe Eltaeb, Dave Sharpe

The conclusion of the Alpha War happens here. I did like this story arc, even though it can be boiled down to one of things I dislike most in comics: in-fighting. The GLs are rebelling against the Alpha Lanterns. It could only get more in-fighting if Guy socked John in the jaw.

So we’re in full revolt mode. I’m surprised the GLs didn’t go knock down the Guardians’ doors afterward to tell them what happened. I’m surprised the Guardians didn’t come out and say something about the radical behavior of the Alphas, maybe make up some bullcrap about how the Alphas lost control of themselves, or became to willful. I dunno.

The only reason I say that is because I can’t see the Guardians getting away with it. Guy’s the type of…erm, guy…to go up to them and tell them that the Alphas were always a bad idea. While the Guardians are planning the collapse of the Corps, how will they respond to that?

This issue is pretty action-heavy. There are a couple of great character moments, but mostly it’s there to serve the purpose of showing the GLs taking on the Alphas. There are a lot of really gorgeous splash pages full of ring blasts and Alphas being badasses. Pasarin’s art is unleashed in this ish, thanks to all the huge images he has to draw. I’m really impressed. Even more so that Eltaeb’s colors are still amazing to look at, and each green is distinct from another’s. Like, it doesn’t all blur together.

The end scene with the Guardians was interesting, and I like what they did. It definitely closed a chapter in the GL history…one that actually doesn’t seem that long. It’s sad, also, when you think about the characters that are lost. Yeah, that does happen. But I remember reading some of these characters decades ago…to see them finally go is a bit depressing.

So the Rise of the Third army starts next. Knowing GLC, we’re likely to get even more character deaths…and, yet, I find myself excited for what’s to come. I really hope we get to see Guy punch out a Guardian.

Green Lantern Corps #12, the verdict: I wish I had more to say about this one, but it was pretty straightforward. Without revealing too many spoilers, it’s hard to talk about my favorite parts. There’s a sacrificing moment that was pretty powerful at the end. And there was a bit where Guy and John are yanking power batteries out of Alphas. Oh, is that all we had to do to them? In any case, it’s pretty awesome looking. Good action, and good use of constructs. Great character moments at the end. Incredible work by the art team.

(Photo Source: Collectorz.com)

Justice League: Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, David Finch, Scott Williams, Sandra Hope, Jonathan Glapion, Mark Irwin, Matt Banning, Rob Hunter, Joe Weems, Alex Garner, Trevor Scott, Alex Sinclair, Gabe Eltaeb, Tony Avina, Sonia Oback, Pete Pantazis, Patrick Brosseau

Wow, look at all those freaking artists! Maybe that’s why this issue looks kinda messy. It’s never clear who did what pages when it comes to inking, so I can’t tell if Scott did everything Jim penciled, or if others stepped in to help out. Point is, for some reason this issue does NOT look like all the others in terms of Lee’s art. It’s either how he drew it, himself, or the inkers making it look different. The lines don’t seem as thick and bold, and it’s much sketchier than normal.

That was pretty much the only thing I have to say about the art in this issue…is how it doesn’t feel like normal Jim Lee stuff. Anyway, the story opens up with folks on TMZ talking about the Justice League and their recent, very public fighting, and how people are losing faith in the League.

This seems interesting, but unfortunately because we haven’t seen these guys in action for that five years everyone’s mentioning, it’s hard to go along with the feeling that the JL’s been screwing up and causing people grief. I think it’d carry much more weight if we had actually seen them over time, slowly eroding and falling apart, making more and more mistakes. Instead, this whole plot is driven on the one mistake, David Graves and his family.

Graves’ motivation finally makes a bit of sense as he reveals he’s going to use the parasitic creatures from Mount Sumeru to bring joy and happiness to the people of Earth, because they can take the form of people’s loved ones…like they have for him. So we finally get to see what’s been behind Graves’ transformation, his drive, and his goals. It makes sense now, especially his targeting Steve Trevor…because that was kind of random before.

Why we had to wait 3 issues to find this out is still a question…but at least we know now. And, to be honest, I’m considering liking how it was executed. It was kind of fun being on the same page as the heroes - they didn’t know why Graves was doing what he was doing, and he didn’t go on spouting his whole plan at every chance he got, before, which was also good.

The part where Graves is finally freed from the creatures’ grasp was very tragic and emotional. I really enjoyed watching this reversal, and seeing the expression on Wonder Woman’s face as she reconsiders going in for the kill. Look at Graves here, and then compare it to how he looked before: young and healthy. It’s truly sad.

The League goes on to question their goals and practices, seeing as how the world is now closely watching them through the media. Questions are rising about how effective they really are, and just how much protecting they actually do. One of the members actually quits. Superman and Wonder Woman share a tender moment that actually feels good. Johns does a good job of making it feel natural between them, and not so forced as I had feared.

Because this is the year-end issue, and because Geoff Johns is writing it, we get the typical Johns-prophecy-hint-teaser pages at the end. Age-old Wonder Woman villain Cheetah will be making an appearance soon, and Shazam is going to come and fight Superman (ugh, more in-fighting?) and Cyborg talks of a traitor. There’s also the tease of…THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA! DC’s and Geoff Johns’ newest book, which starts in 2013. Ugh, just…please…no more David Finch.

Justice League #12, the verdict: We’re at the end. The end of what feels like an era with this book. It’s been a year, and we’ve seen some interesting stories. Not a lot of development for some of the characters on the team, especially poor Cyborg and Aquaman, and way too much in-fighting for my tastes. Hopefully this romance budding between Supes and Wondy will keep them from hitting each other anymore. This issue did a great job of wrapping things up, and putting a definite “close” on the chapter. The teases at the end also really helped make it seem like a whole new thing is starting with this book, coming next. I like that, and I’m into it. Let’s bring it.

(Photo Source: Atomic Books)

Green Lantern Corps: Peter J. Tomasi, Fernando Pasarin, Scott Hanna, Marc Deering, Gabe Eltaeb, Dave Sharpe

Guy Gardner, the most headstrong, audacious, and loudest of all the Green Lanterns, gets an origin telling here in this Zero Issue. It differs greatly from his original story, in which he was beaten by his father and escaped into comic books. Now, he’s a former police officer who grew up having to constantly compete for his father’s affection over his older brother (now named Gerard and not Mace) and younger sister, Gloria.

I like that there are less origin stories of abuse these days, because that kind of thing isn’t tolerated anymore, or overlooked, like it used to be. The parent who ignores is much more likely these days. The guy was married to his job, dedicated to being a police. He was wounded and started drinking to drown his sorrow. Being the middle child, Guy had a lot to struggle with.

Going through this issue, I felt nothing but sadness for Guy. All of the things he felt or said, the things other people said to him, it was all so tragic because I knew what Guy would become. I knew what he’d go on to do. He would save the world several times over. He would defend his world and his people, and give everything of himself. To watch these people around him treat him badly, and to see him doubt himself or fight for his pride and honor really made me feel for him.

So we see Guy fight with his father, and then run off to save his brother, who’s under fire. It’s a really great sequence where Guy comes to his rescue, and goes all Hollywood action star on the gang bangers. There’s some tragedy in this scene, but it’s also a triumphant moment because it’s in this moment of bravery when the ring selects Guy to be a Green Lantern.

Later in the story, Guy faces off against a big brutal dude named Xar with a bunch of other GL recruits, still not wearing their badge, and he watches as they’re all cut down…but he never gives up. In the end, we get a really great scene between Guy, Hal, and Kilowog.

I love how this book has never shied away from the gore. The beginning of the book is very gory, and there are plenty of other scenes of bloodiness as well. Pasarin has always delivered on the craziness. Remember issue #1? People being sliced up and brutally murdered. His art never disappoints, and I’m so glad he got to do the Zero Issue, when other titles are getting a different artist.

Green Lantern Corps #0, the verdict: A great story that really moved me, and somehow made Guy even more my favorite Green Lantern. Tomasi has given us excellent stories with each issue, and I’m looking forward to reading this whole year again all at once. It’s a true accomplishment to make a supporting title book that turns out to be better than the main flagship one. Incredible job, everyone on the team.

(Photo Source: DC Comics)

Green Lantern Corps: Peter J. Tomasi, Fernando Pasarin, Scott Hanna, Gabe Eltaeb, Dave Sharpe

Wow, this was a fast read! It was paced perfectly, and it was full of edge-of-your-seat action! The Alpha Lanterns continue their ruthless campaign against Guy Gardner and John Stewart, taking out their frustrations on Kilowog and the others who helped rescue Stewart from the Sciencells.

Varix, one of the Alpha Lanterns, starts to have second thoughts about what the Alpha Lanterns are doing…the lengths they’re going to, and the rules they’re bending. Well, the feeling seems to be widespread, because soon everyone is disobeying the Alpha Lanterns. There’s a great moment of defiance from Salaak, one of the staunchest of the rule-followers in the Corps. I cheered for him at this part when I normally think of him as an annoyance, or comedy relief.

John and Guy go down to the Ring Foundry and find all of the designs and prototypes of all the failed machinations the Guardians built. The Manhunters, the Alpha Lanterns, and something called the Psions. I’m not familiar with these, actually. A part of the Green Lantern mythos of which I’m unaware, interesting. John gets an idea, and assembles a large group of animatronic warriors to fight against the Alpha Lanterns.

In the attempt to beat them back and overthrow the Alpha Lanterns, these machines start to mold together…and it results in a very intimidating splash page that’s beautifully done by Pasarin.

Meanwhile, the Guardians are just watching. They’ve become so disillusioned with their own Corps, the lives of these people that they’ve chosen to fight for them, that they don’t even care what happens to them. They’re all just pawns in their greater game. A means to an end. Well, they’re the thing that needs to “end” for the means to become real, the Third Army. Interesting that Guy and John didn’t find any clues to this Third Army in the tunnels of Oa. That’s definitely where I thought that sequence was going.

We do discover, in line with that, all of the new rings the Foundry is making aren’t leaving to find new recruits. In fact, they’re all stuck there in an unbreachable containment field.

The loyalty the other Lanterns display for Guy and John is really incredible, and it made my heart soar to watch them endure great pain for these GLs. It’s funny, the things the Alpha Lanterns are saying and doing to them…and the unanimous refusal to cooperate from the Corps members…is very similar to what John went through with the Keepers. And the Alphas don’t even realize what they’re doing. Boodikka in particular. How ironic that the Alphas are now in a position that could force the same kind of actions from a Lantern that John had to take. The hypocrisy of it all is staggering.

I normally say how amazing Pasarin’s artwork is…and it still is…but I want to take a moment to take my hat off to Gabe Eltaeb, the colorist. Do you realize how much freaking green is in this title? There’s green in almost every single panel. EVERY ONE. That’s hard to do without making the entire book bleed together into an ugly pile of boogers. I’ve seen Green Lantern constructs that looked like that, too, trust me (mainly from the Golden Age, but still). It’s not easy to make the look of a book up of just one color and still make the visuals interesting and, more importantly, striking. It’s got to be an image that stands out from the rest of the book, the other panels surrounding it. And while Pasarin does a great job of showcasing different things on each page, it’s Eltaeb who makes it easy to read and not an eyesore of green. Nice work.

Green Lantern Corps #11, the verdict: This is quite excellent. If this issue were a delicious alcoholic beverage, I wouldn’t sip at it gently because it’s too strong and it’d burn going down. It’s smooth, tasty, and easy to drink so that I can enjoy it thirstily. If it were a dessert treat, it would be enjoyable, sweet, probably green, and good to the last bite. Not something that you get three-quarters of the way through and decide you’ve had enough, or the taste is getting too strong, or it’s leaving a film in your mouth. No. Green Lantern Corps, and #11 specifically, is everything good about story, character, and art, wrapped in a neat, well-wrapped package. That’s green. I can’t get enough of this book. To me, it’s the best of the GL titles. No contest. Nice job.

(Photo Source: Newsarama)

Justice League: Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Jonathan Glapion, Alex Sinclair, Gabe Eltaeb, Patrick Brosseau, Bryan Hitch, Paul Mounts

Shazam!: Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, Brad Anderson, Nick J. Napolitano

Graves’ attack has left out team down for the count. It’s weird, didn’t last ish show them all decrepit and sunken-in when Graves attacked them? Well, if they were, that’s all gone now (I swear I remember seeing that). But they are living through their worst memories. This feels overplayed, I feel like I just read this somewhere, in another book. I can’t place it, but I know I didn’t think of it as original when I first read this issue.

Graves goes to visit Steve Trevor’s sister, Tracy, and promises that her brother will help him “save the Earth” from relying on false gods, or something. Apparently this is all about the Asura, which is one of four “unhappy births” that punished souls go through instead of being judged to live in heaven or hell after death. I don’t know why, but I’m not totally on-board with this. 

The Asura, and the place where Graves went to when he was dying, are in the place where souls wait, imprisoned, for judgement. The Asura, I guess, are very wrathful and vindictive for some reason. I guess they feel slighted for not having a chance to be judged? And why is Graves’ family being punished? Are they? Or are they just waiting their turn to be judged and so are trapped in the Asura’s place? See…I’m not sure what the motivations are here, and how Graves’ family plays into this…other than the fact that they died.

I’m also really confused as to how using Trevor is going to help Graves take over the world. Is it going to be his spirit? Is Trevor going to be reborn as an Asura? Is that what Graves’ current form is? An Asura? I’m so lost on this.

So all this hubbub over Steve’s disappearance has the League suddenly fighting each other over how to deal with it. Wonder Woman wants to bring the fight to Graves - not surprising - and kill him to save Steve. Batman, being Batman, wants to do it the League way, the hero way: no killing. Lantern wants her to trust them and to work as a team. Well, they all start fighting. Great. More in-fighting. Ugh, I’m so done with this crap.

Somehow - and I honestly don’t understand how, because it doesn’t seem like it’d be a part of his powerset - Graves is broadcasting the League fighting each other all over the world, on any kind of device that can stream or broadcast. …That’s truly confusing, because this guy doesn’t display the know-how or even the supernatural powers to do that.

Aquaman ends up being the voice of reason, and the team finds a way to the Valley of Souls, where the entrance to the Asura place is. There, they all start meeting with the ghostly forms of their lost loved ones. Interestingly, Cyborg sees himself. That’s gonna throw a wrench into his systems, I’m sure. 

The Shazam! issue in the back is pretty good. It looks like we’re FINALLY getting somewhere. Though, lately in the New 52, the wait to see the hero has been worth it (see Swamp Thing). This ish starts with the coming of Black Adam - so excited - and he’s as badass as ever. I like his redesign, though I honestly think he looked better without a cape. But still. Awesome. Gary Frank does a great job. Meanwhile, Billy and Freddie try to get revenge on those boys from that rich family whose name I can’t remember, and boards a train…that leads him to the Wizard’s place. WOO!

Justice League #11, the verdict: I’m really excited to see what happens next…but, honestly, the Shazam! story is more interesting to me. I’m glad they’ll be focusing on him in the upcoming Zero Issue. Right now, Justice League is just focusing way too much on the in-fighting. I can only imagine it’s there to set up some kind of, “Oh, remember how spunky we were back then, when we’d hit each other at the drop of a hat?” and then they all chortle together. I simply don’t read comics to watch Wonder Woman high-kick Superman in the face. Sorry, but that’s not interesting to me. Well…it IS…but not when comics right now are so over-saturated with in-fighting as it is.

(Photo Source: DC Wikia)

Green Lantern Corps: Peter J. Tomasi, Fernando Pasarin, Scott Hanna, Gabe Eltaeb, Dave Sharpe

I converse with various DC Comics writers and artists over on Twitter every now and then. I like to think I’m being a liaison. But really, I’m just grateful. Now, there are times when this book, or Batman and Robin, is just so fantastic that I really wish Peter J. Tomasi was active on Twitter so I could reach out to him - like I do others - and let him know how much I enjoyed his work.

This whole Alpha War thing, with John’s sentencing, has kept me on the edge of my seat every single issue. I never know which way it’s going to go. Are they going to find him innocent or guilty? How are they going to sentence him? Is Guy planning on fighting the Alphas or breaking John out? What are the Guardians going to do in their efforts to manipulate the Corps? There are so many outcomes. So many roads the story could take. And the most thrilling part? I’m not one iota in control. I just grab my lap bar and hang the hell on.

I liked this series when it first started. The beginnings of the Keepers story was really good. I admit to faltering a couple times, but you know what? Overall, this title has had a really great run so far. I was hard keeping it out of my Top 10 at the time. It’s definitely a contender for the next round of Top 10 (yeah, keep your eyes open for that in the next couple of months!).

Everyone in this issue is playing their character to the letter. It’s great seeing Guy, in his new status, conferring with the Guardians while the Alphas decide the manner of execution. It was great seeing him interacting with John just before Kilowog intervenes. Even the Guardians continue to eschew responsibility for everything going on, and go on warping their Corps into the time bomb that’s going to cause the Third Army soon.

Pasarin’s art…oh, good lord, how I love Pasarin’s art. I wish Green Lantern were his to draw too. It’s so detailed, and the constructs are always top notch. You want to see how good Pasarin is? Check out that huge full-page splash of Kilowog’s construct busting through the wall above John and Guy. That whole page is ecstasy. A feast for your eyes. The detail and the scale of it is unbelievable. I almost missed that page because I mistook it for an ad.

Even in the huge crowd scenes at the Tribunal and such, Pasarin remembers to draw alien shapes in the audience. And Hannu? Look at the awesome closeup of Hannu on page 3. Incredible.

I’m still incredibly anxious to see where this goes, what’s going to happen next. Will the Guardians intercede? Will this be the hammer stroke that forces their hands to shut down the Corps? I just can’t wait!

Green Lantern Corps #10, the verdict: If this book somehow falls out of continuation because DC Comics makes yet another bonehead cancellation decision, I will cry. For maybe a week. I won’t be able to overcome a mindless tragedy such as that. Just imagining a world with one less Tomasi-written book, or without a monthly dose of Pasarinonin (an addictive drug I’ve just made up using his name), is a dark and cold world indeed. Green Lantern Corps continues to be one of the strongest of the GL family books DC is offering. And, thanks to the over-arcing story that ties in with most of the other titles, it’s seeing a boost in sales. Hopefully other people discover the addiction to Pasarinonin so that, after the arc, they still want more!

(Photo Source: Comic Book Movie)

Green Lantern Corps: Peter J. Tomasi, Fernando Pasarin, Scott Hanna, Gabe Eltaeb, Dave Sharpe

Alpha Lanterns: “John Stewart, you are under arrest for murder!”

John: “But he was gonna send the Keepers to destroy Oa and the Guardians.”

Alpha Lanterns: “…Oh, well…we forgot that part…”

John: “Yeah, I was doing my duty as a GL to protect our home.”

Alpha Lanterns: “I suppose that is more important than one Lantern’s life…”

And then John was free to go! YAY!

…Well, that’s how it SHOULD have gone down! Instead, John does basically say those things, but the Alphas don’t listen and force a trial upon our stoic GL. Guy has some really excellent character moments in defending John to basically anyone who’ll listen. The Guardians love how this is all fitting into their skeezy little plan. And here I am thinking, “REMEMBER WHEN ALL THIS WAS SIMPLER?!”

I admit, I miss the days when our heroes were all fighting external forces, and not each other. Used to be the majority of comics that were released were about fighting an enemy, either alone or on a team. It was a rarity, a special occasion that people excitedly talked about when something happened BETWEEN heroes and they started fighting.

Now it’s flip-flopped. And I’m sitting here shrugging and hoping things improve.

I’m not interested in my favorite heroes fighting each other. I don’t find myself sitting here going, “What would happen if all the Teen Titans fought each other?” I just don’t care! I don’t wanna see that! I wanna see my heroes working together! Being an awesome team! A focused weapon that totally rocks!

Well nobody in the New 52 seems to understand that. So John Stewart’s on trial for Kirrt’s murder. It’s so open-and-shut it’s ridiculous, but the spectacle is made and we’re given pretty much the cliche, predictable ending…but it’s still intriguing. And here’s why: This is pretty much all leading up to the whole Third Army deal - and apparently a new GL from Earth. So what does that mean for John?

Surely they won’t kill him. But will he become a refugee? An outlaw? Will they fight back and defeat all the Alpha Lanterns? Hard to say, and that’s the exciting part. I literally have no idea what happens next.

Still digging Pasarin’s art here. There’s lots of detail in his work that really adds depth to the panels. I especially like how the Alpha Lanterns lift their face shields, removing all possible links to their former, biological selves, when they announce their sentence of John. It’s just…creepy. In an “I’ve-lost-control-of-my-robot” way.

Green Lantern Corps #9, the verdict: Guy is really the one who shines in this issue. Poor John is merely left to protest his - not innocence, but justification. Guy, I’ve decided, is my favorite Green Lantern. John is kind of a plot device character at this point, but I’m hoping he’s going to have a bigger role in future issues. He really was in the right for what he did, but apparently Alpha Lanterns are dicks. Hence everything in this issue. I can’t help but think the Guardians are just sitting back, sipping champagne, and eating this all up. After all, Palpatine’s behind it all!!

(Photo Source: Science Fiction)

Green Lantern Corps: Peter J. Tomasi, Fernando Pasarin, Scott Hanna, Gabe Eltaeb, Dave Sharpe

Another good, solid issue. What I love about this book is how Tomasi is able to keep elements of his stories going even after that arc is over. Because of John’s actions in the Keepers arc, the Alpha Lanterns have decided to arrest him for murder. Guy is getting all kinds of fun recognition in this issue, which I think is about time. He’s my favorite 2814 Lantern, and this issue really highlights why. He’s brash, he speaks his mind…often he plays both the roles of the hand and the conscience of the Corps. He’s not afraid to act. Because of all this, and his tenure with the Corps, the Guardians are appointing a brand new rank for him, even higher than Salaak. He now reports directly to the Guardians, and no other Lantern is above him. This is pretty awesome…but I cannot help but wonder what the blue dudes are planning with this. Obviously they have the downfall of the Corps to think of, is this part of their game? Or are they trying to properly recognize Guy’s hard work before the end? Hard to say. Anyway, they get into a bar fight at Warriors when the Alpha Lanterns show up. That’s basically it. Well, aside from the Guardians deciding the Sinestro Corps battery be kept, buried, on Oa. That’s actually what sets Guy off. He has a point, too, about trusting Sinestro. He does always have a plan…and while we currently don’t know what that is…it actually DOES look like he’s sticking with the Green this time, over in Green Lantern. Some of the construct images of Sinestro Guy pulls up are hilarious, too, with him sharing beer and playing poker with the Corps. Speaking of, we got more beautiful art here by Pasarin. This guy was born to draw Green Lantern, I mean it. I can never get over how awesome this title looks, every issue. Nice work.

Green Lantern Corps #8, the verdict: Well John’s in deep trouble now. Nobody escapes the Alpha Lanterns, after all. Though…I’m sure somehow this will all work out. Surely they won’t execute John right here in the New 52. No way. So I’m excited to see what happens, though the promise of no lethal threat kind of dampens that excitement. What are you gonna do, though? I’m also anxious to see how Guy uses (and abuses) his new status. Perhaps he’ll use that to save John? I’m proud of Guy, though. He deserves this, I think. Also, I love how much of the issue takes place in Warriors. I love that there’s a freaking bar on Oa. A bar! Another point of Guy’s genius. And he even talks about serving club sandwiches. It’s so great. I’d love to visit Warriors.

(Photo Source: Green Lantern Wikia)

Justice League: Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Mark Irwin, Jonathan Glapion, Alex Sinclair, Gabe Eltaeb, Tony Avina, HiFi, Pat Brosseau, Cully Hamner

Shazam!: Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, Brad Anderson, Nick J. Napolitano

Another issue that I was somewhat disappointed in. We start with a very ill David Graves seeking out some kind of power in the mountains of Asia. He meets some kind of gods there who promise power if Graves has the will to seek it. This is, supposedly, where we are to assume Graves got his abilities. The story goes back and forth between this and the current timeline with the League. That one begins with Aquaman saving some people, and Johns reminding us that people still like to laugh at him. The only thing I found interesting with this scene was that it mentions Vulko, Aquaman’s preboot Atlantean advisor. On the Watchtower, it’s revealed that Graves used the League’s villains to gain information on the League so he can strike at them, and he does. Using his abilities, with these ghost tendril monster things, he is able to somehow “feed” off their loss and sadness. It devastates the team to great effect. However, my problem is…why did Graves have to go through all the trouble of questioning their villains if he’s going to learn about their greatest sadness with those monster things? Unless he doesn’t learn what the monsters glean…but that just doesn’t make any sense. I have to assume Graves is learning from all this. You would think Graves would learn a LOT more from these things - including identities and all - than he would from the League’s enemies. So that all just doesn’t make sense to me. We still don’t understand why Graves blames the League for killing his family…but the tease tells us we’ll find out next. We get to see more of the Shazam! story, but it’s a little contrived and nothing really happens. A bit of a bummer there. Freddie basically agrees to show Billy where the Bryer family lives - the people who Billy fought off last ish. We meet Tawny, the tiger, and see Billy remembers her from his early life. There’s also the little matter of the return of one of the greatest villains of all in this issue. That was really the most exciting bit of this whole book, which is disappointing.

Justice League #10, the verdict: So, I’m a bit bummed about this issue…as it doesn’t really offer much in terms of the story or even the characters. We learn only a couple things about what the League knows about each other…but it’s hardly a consolation prize. Even the Shazam! issue is a let down offering little in terms of growth or story. I really hope the next issue delivers much more.

(Photo Source: iFanBoy)

Green Lantern Corps: Peter J. Tomasi, Claude St. Aubin, Scott Hanna, Gabe Eltaeb, Dave Sharpe, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Rod Reis

This issue, above all the others, cemented in my head that THIS is the best of the “Green Lantern” titles in the New 52. It used to be such an easy decision, with New Guardians being a bowl of suck and Green Lantern providing inconsistent results every month. Now it’s tougher to say that as both of the other titles have improved a lot. But with this, the aftermath of John’s actions while a captive of the Keepers, clinched it for me. This issue explores John’s guilt over his actions. He understands why he did it, and he still thinks it was the right thing to do. Lantern Vandor even admits respect for John over it. But, of course, he still hates himself for it. This is now the second Lantern he’s executed…and the third major death/deaths he’s caused as a GL. He’s been called the Corps conscience before, and Vandor outright says it here, but that’s not what John wants to be. He doesn’t want to be that go-to GL killer when the going gets tough. It’s a great characterization of John’s, and I love Tomasi for exploring it. What gets me most about this issue is this: for some strange reason, I have a kind of brother complex. I’ve never had a brother of my own, though growing up I’ve always wanted one. Some of my favorite characters I’ve created for my own writing have or have been brothers. It’s very important to me, though I can’t explain it. So to find out that Lantern Kirrt had a little brother…and to see him react so strongly to Kirrt’s death really got to me. Tomasi did a great job in handling that, and wrote Birrt with grace and respect. The last page just killed me. Also fantastic was the way the panels kept cutting to John’s grieving face whenever something about Kirrt’s will to survive and his self-sacrifice came up…because none of that was true. John killed Kirrt for almost giving up Oa’s passcodes. Poignant. Guest penciller Aubin does a great job, and captures some really awesome moments that help add to the emotion of the scenes. Birrt trying to pull Kirrt from the glass coffin was especially sad.

Green Lantern Corps #7, the verdict: This served as a very good, albeit emotional segue into the next arc with the Alpha Lanterns. It helped wrap up John’s actions as well as Guy’s. He did execute two Sinestro Corps prisoners, after all. The Guardians aren’t very happy with that…and you get the feeling that they were hoping the Keepers would gain access to Oa to help the Guardians phase out the Green Lantern Corps - however violently. I’m very excited for the start of the next arc, but I will cherish this issue and its emotion, its significance to brotherly love, forever.

(Photo Source: Kabooooom)

Justice League: Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Alex Sinclair, Pete Pantazis, Gabe Eltaeb, Pat Brosseau, Scott Williams, Carlos D’Anda

Shazam!: Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, Brad Anderson, Nick J. Napolitano

Wow, so now HERE’S what I’m talking about! Johns continues to deliver the excitement and twists with this book. It’s almost like that last issue never even happened. Just with the first page alone, there are so many evocative images and stirring questions. Questions that almost leave you outraged and demanding answers. Author David Graves was somehow stricken ill and his family killed. This is the guy who wrote the book “Justice League, Gods Among Men” at the end of the first story arc with Darkseid. He praised the new heroes for saving him and his family. So it’s hopeless for him now…there’s no saving his life from whatever it is that’s killing him. Even worse? He blames the League…and promises revenge. We assume he spends the next four years appropriating the necessary what-have-you to exact this revenge, and goes after Col. Trevor - who he knows to be the closest liaison to the JL. Trevor, however, is having problems of his own. The paparazzi are constantly hounding him about the relationship with Wonder Woman, and more. The best part of this issue was the very short flashbacks for each character as they remember moments from their past. These were so poignant and short…very well done. I loved Flash playing “bad cop,” which was hilarious. And thank goodness Jim Lee’s back on art. Shazam! was the BEST so far. I loved what happened here. I have to admit, though, I’m kind of tired seeing Billy in a constant scowl. Hopefully something happens soon to boost his spirits. Nice to see Billy kicking ass, though.

Justice League #9, the verdict: A monumental improvement over the last issue. I love the direction we’re going in, and I like that we had some time to cool down after the first arc to start “The Villain’s Journey.” An appropriate place to continue the story. The art is outstanding again, now that Jim Lee’s back, and I think the combination of all that…is really a big part of why this book feels so good. I’m really pumped to see how David Graves is going to affect the League, and find out the final fate of Steve Trevor.

(Photo Source: ComicBookMovie.com)

Justice League: Geoff Johns, Carlos D’Anda, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Gabe Eltaeb, Alex Sinclair, Patrick Brosseau, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Mike Choi, Marcelo Maiolo

Shazam!: Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, Brad Anderson, Nick J. Napolitano

I have to admit almost overall disappointment in this issue. I hated the artwork by Carlos D’Anda. We had a pretty serious-looking book for a while there, and then this stuff comes on looking all cartoony and terrible. Then again…this issue is kind of cartoony in itself. And, what counts, is that when it IS time to get serious…so does the art. And it’s that moment that I like the most about this issue: where we see the exact reason why the Justice League doesn’t induct other members. That whole two-page splash with Manhunter is BEAUTIFUL. Good job to Ivan Reis and Joe Prado on that. I love Reis’s work. But Green Arrow is played off like this stupid half-pint hero, when he’s not exactly that way in his own book. But I understand that he’s trying to impress the League. He just comes off as a douchebag. That’s unfortunate. Also, Aquaman is especially mean to GA…but it’s hinted that something happened between them in their own books. I’m excited to see that, but that’s the only thing (besides Manhunter’s appearance) that got me excited in this issue. The Shazam! issue in the back was good, in that we get to see him interacting with his new family…and we also meet the OTHER kids from the “Flashpoint S.H.A.Z.A.M.!” series. So they’re playing a larger role in the DCnU as well…interesting. Billy is predictably mean to everyone, and gets off on the super-wrong foot. Surely something must happen in the future to make him worthy of the wizard’s power. Good work by artist Gary Frank too.

Justice League #8, the verdict: Pretty disappointing, and terrible art, except in those slim couple moments. In a series that’s been delivering excitement and awesomeness so far, this felt like it was from another title entirely. I’m pumped to see what more of a role Manhunter will play, and if they’ll ever actually tell that story in a future issue. Shazam! is still good, and I’m excited to see more.

(Photo Source: Entertainment Weekly)