It's not a Green Lantern book? You could have fooled me, with this issue being mainly a battle between two Lanterns and recently returned L.E.G.I.O.N. operative Lobo. It's narrated by one of the Corps, Okaaran GL Altin Admos, who has a lot of 'splainin' to do to the Guardians of the Universe. Altin even gets an origin here, while we still know sod all about members of L.E.G.I.O.N. who debuted nearly two years ago. Next issue's blurb promises/threatens a focus on the other Lantern of Sector 2828, Gorius Karkum ...
As for actual L.E.G.I.O.N. characters, Vril Dox and son Lyrl are around, having hogged the spotlight for the last several issues. But the rest? Captain Comet, Starfire, Adam Strange and the other members I can no longer name? They show up for a group shot but don't get to contribute to the action, or say a word between them.
It's annoying - bad enough this book turned into the Dox family fortunes, without notorious page hogger Lobo returning. Now the book is seemingly an adjunct to the GL titles. The R.E.B.E.L.S. name even becomes a proper acronym here, defined in relation to the Green Lantern Corps. OK, so Lobo's 'Regular Everyday Bastiches Endin' Lantern Supremacy' isn't likely to be officially adopted, but in 21 issues it's the first attempt at explaining the name.
There were some things I liked. Tony Bedard writes one or two nice moments, such as the Okaaran GL's good manners in battle and Dox's manipulation of the media. While not wishing to see it played out at length, I liked Dox's 'who died and made you galactic gods?' attitude towards the Corps. The actual fight choreography is good, bar the fact that GL Gorius may as well not be there. Claude St Aubin and Scott Hanna make a wonderful penciller and inker team, while Rich and Tanya Horie's colours are excellent. Travis Lanham? Top letterer. And Francis Portela and Javier Mena supply a lovely cover - for a GL book.
I've read the L.E.G.I.O.N. series in all its incarnations, and am loath to drop it, but it has, in effect, dropped me. The Legion of Super-Heroes and/or villains for the present day concept has all but gone, as DC apparently bids to cash in on current Green Lantern success. The next several issues are going to see Dox's so-called peacekeepers in all-out war against the Lanterns, and I couldn't be less interested. I can see myself skipping them and checking in again if this book remembers what it's supposed to be about.
i cant bear Lobo...he monopolised the original LEGION series too much, and besides I hate mega-violence characters. When will this series get back to being a prequel of the LSH? I want to see ancestors of Polar/Sun/Cosmic Boys et al and hints of future LSH storylines...sadly it hasnt being that for a LONG time. Its just an adjunct to the GL corps....I find Captain Cardboard boring as hell, Adam Strange tiresome and Starfire slutty...not that we ever see them of course. Dont get me wrong, I like the delicious deceptiveness of Vril Dox but we see too much of him. I want Stealth back, along with Strata [ we can do without Garryn Bex though...ugh]. Please DC enough of this arrant Lantern nonsence...introduce more early LSH references to tie this into the mother LSH series.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Karl. The first L.E.G.I.O.N. series had just the right amount of LSH linked characters without ever turning into a copy of the mother book, or overwhelming us with foreshadowing. I'd love to see this new book honour its roots rather more.
ReplyDeleteI do miss Stealth, Marij'n Bek, Phasr and the rest.
I agree with all you say here Mart. The title just seems to have lost it's way a bit the last few issues.
ReplyDeleteI hope it gets back on track.
A little late to the party on this issue (I only go to my shop once ever 2-3 weeks). I've never been a fan of Lobo, and I wish he hadn't been in this series. I did enjoy them standing up to the Corps, and asking who made them the guardians of the universe? (heh-heh)
ReplyDeleteOne thing the recent uprising in GL popularity that has bothered me is that they have taken some of the magic out of the Corps. Before the ring found you because you could kick butt, and had no fear. Now you got rookies who haven't "earned" their shield yet. For instance they have them on the cover, but not inside the comic. Now it seems like the GLC has a bunch of red (Green?) tape they have to muck through. Maybe I will take this though over to the Cave.
Late is fine, it's always good to get your input. And yeah, do take it over to the cave, I'll be interested to see what you make of things.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, so much of the GL lore has been turned on its head. In my opinion, not always for the better. Grump. Moan.