Green Lantern Corps #5
DC Comics
Writer/Artist: Dave Gibbons
Multiple plot lines are hard to juggle. Readers need to be able to keep separate tales stright, care about more characters, enjoy each setting, etc. This book seems capable of telling maybe one great story at a time, with subplots and interludes thrown in, but not true multiple plots. The Rann/Thanagar lanterns still feel two dimensional, and as much as I like the Mogo interludes as character pieces (learning what troubles each Corps member is a kick) they’re wearing thin. The Korugarian lantern is still the most interesting of the new batch of heroes, and the Salaak/Gardner tensions are a riot, but this book needs to focus more. And please, return Gleason to the art chores, Gibbons is alright and all, but doesn’t have enough majesty or moxie for this title.
Score: C
Green Arrow #67
DC Comics
Writer: Judd Winick
Artist: Scott McDaniel
The reeducation of Ollie Queen continues this issue. The assassin Natas beats Green Arrow up for a while, teaches him to track, cheat the stock market, and otherwise schools him in the subtle arts of villainy. Ollie takes up this new knowledge with relish, truly believing he needs this knowledge to eventually retake his city. Connor and Mia train with less disreputable folks, and are at turns proud of and worried about their mentor and inspiration. The last page reveal is a bit nifty, and promises lots of carnage next issue. McDaniel martial beat-downs are some of the best in this medium, as this installment further proves. This was another fun adventure story, more evidence that Winick can tell a good yarn if he gets out of his own way.
Score: B
52 Week Twenty-Three
DC Comics
Writers: Rucka, Johns, Morrison, Waid
Artists: Giffen and Johnson
What, you don’t like our renewed long review format? Shame on you!
Martian Manhunter #3
DC Comics
Writer: A.J. Lieberman
Artist: Al Barrioneuvo
It’s still hard to know what to make of this title. It’s certainly ambitious, exciting, and entertaining. But J’onn really doesn’t seem himself and that has yet to be explained in any depth. So without a credible protagonist, nothing feels right. It’s a decent mystery story, and the ethical questions it raises are dealt with deftly, but it’s just not a Martian Manhunter story. The art varies a bit from great to workmanlike, and the inconsistency only aids the disconnected feel of the book. Still, the other characters (the JLA) are written in character, so maybe it’s just a question of the cart before the horse.
Score: C
