Reviewer: Mathan “Where is Effigy†Erhardt
Story Title: Homecoming? Part Three
Written by: Ron Marz
Penciled by: Luke Ross
Inked by: Rodney Ramos
Colored by: Moose Baumann
Lettered by: Jared Fletcher
Editor: Peter Tomasi
Publisher: DC Comics
So, by now everyone should know that Kyle Rayner has returned to Earth after a self imposed exile in space. He came back and found that his girl is shagging another guy in his bed, the JLA doesn’t really need him, and basically there is no home to return to.
This issue begins with John Stewart coming home to find a “Dear John†letter from Merayn. She has gone off to discover herself, and John takes it as well as can be expected.
Then we move cross-town where Fatality has just attacked Kyle. Y’know Fatality, the woman with the power staff, who has a beef with all Green Lanterns, just because of a mistake by John Stewart that destroyed her planet? Anyway Kyle’s not in the mood, considering he and Jade have officially called it quits.
Kyle attacks and Fatality defends, using some new equipment. During their battle, she hits Kyle with a dart full of neurotoxin. As you would expect this wreaks havoc on his concentration. Kyle stumbles (or the flying equivalent) through the city trying to avoid Fatality.
He eventually sobers up enough to defeat her. Then he grills her about the identity of the person behind the plot against him. And she reveals the name of a character from Kyle’s past that looks to have a debt to settle.
Marz has a very good issue here. Merayn’s letter sounds genuine and the stream of Kyle’s thoughts when he’s got the toxin in his system is every entertaining to read. I wish Fatality had beaten up Kyle a little more, as very little happened to him while he was essentially defenseless, but that’s about my only qualm. It’s nice to see Marz wrapping up some of the loose plot threads from his run on the title.
Ross has a stellar issue. The scene when John reads the letter perfectly illustrates the emotions that he feels, from disbelief to despair. The fight scenes are well done, especially Kyle’s intoxicated constructs. Fletcher does a great job lettering the issue, from Merayn’s letter to Kyle’s tipsy thoughts.
