CBR Wha...HUH?

 

If you read comics, chances are, you probably know all those "alternate universes" stories, those What if... or Elseworlds books Marvel or DC like to put out from time to time, exploring alternate turn of events, other worlds and whatnots....

Well, here's something similar...yet totally different.

This isn't your classic What ifs, this is...

Comic title: Wha...HUH?
Art by Jim Mahfood
Story by Mark Millar &Brian Bendis

Published by Marvel
From 2005
Lineup What the...
Format:One shot.

I know what you're thinking out loud now..
Wha..HUH???
What is this about, what's this book?

First a little background.
Marvel comics has for a very long time now used to publish little "alternate universe" stories, different takes on regular Marvel events and/or world-changing decisions in self-contained one-shot stories called "What if..."
What ifs are usual in fiction, lots of science fiction stories explore these kind of stories. But for Marvel it has always been a long time tradition.
Then in 1988, a parodic series, mocking the comic book industry, Marvel and even DC comics was launched.
What The--?!
"What the.." was a riff on the same concept, only, not making any sense, playing with comics' concepts, parodies, satires, references, etc...
A lot of big names participated and wrote some "What the...", including cult authors like Stan Lee, John Byrne, etc..

It ran for 26 issues. Then the ride was over and it sort of disappear from everyone's mind, though one of its creations, the funny Spider-ham character lived on through other allusions and guest-starrings.

Wha..HUH is a sort of spiritual successor and revival of the same concept.

The men behind the book.

"What the.." might have been an on-going with various authors playing with concepts, different spotlights and some recurring characters (the Pulverizer, Spider-ham...), but "Wha...huh" is a different animal entirely in its execution.

It's a one-shot released in the middle of 2005. It was conceived mostly as a means of evasion and playing more freely than in the regular Marvel books for its authors Mark Millar &Brian Bendis.
Both are well-known for their, often, violent and mature books. Used to depict a gritty reality and an harsh comic book vision of the world.
Here? None of that.
Nothing "angsty" (apart if it's voluntary in-story, a parody).
The book is constructed with little one-pages jokes, some splash-pages parodies, one or two multiple pages stories and fake message boards fanboy rant (what if we had the internet in the 40s, the 70s, etc..), all that across about ~40 pages.
It's something for those who like to laugh and don't take stuff to seriously. (specially comics, which are supposed to be "entertainment" afterall)

It's not all Bendis (Ultimate Spider-man, House of M,..) and Millar (Wanted, Kickass,...).
They also got some "guest" authors such as Ed Brubaker, Brian K. Vaughan, Marc Andreyko, Nick Thompson, Mark Waid, Tom Peyer and even Stan Lee himself! All well-known popular writers, playing like kids, some for the very time, offering all top-notch humour and not taking this experience too seriously.

The whole book is all drawn by Jim Mahfood, who's done some amazing work, contributing for half of this book's worth of work.
It's cartoony, super-deformed and works perfectly here!

Overall, I'd recommend you give this book a try!
Well worth its 4 dollars of admission (and probably less if you find it amongst old books).

A book for fans, probably not for fanboys.
(hey, those guys take a lot of "shots" in this one-shot)

It's cleared meant for Marvel fans, but even DC fans should give this one a try ;)
(though the "Daredevil vs. Batman" joke is kinda a miss since there's actually been a DD vs. Bats book already!)

A fun book, quite funny. You might not like every single joke, but the overall stories is worth checking it!

I give it:

  2 / 3 SpiderHams!

CBR:Quickies The Atom

I already reviewed another Atom comics, his big epic storyline Sword of the Atom!
Since then I either wanted to review more of what is available of this character or that other Atom Ryan Choi.

But you know what? There isn't a lot of Ray Palmer Atom-related comics in the modern DC Universe.
So here's some Quickies on all of the Atom one-shots and specials ever published by DC since the mid-80s!
For fans of the Tiny Titans, it's more precisely all the current canon comics available nowadays at comic stores.
Not silver age rare out of print comics (other than a recent reprint or two), nor showcases.
Just all of The Atom's single issues printed in these last couple of years!

The Tiny Titans leaps into action!

Who is The Atom?
Professor Ray Palmer was studying a fallen meteorite when he discovered by using the white dwarf matter from it he was able to shrink things.  But most of the time they tended to explode after a while.
One day after an accident, Ray was forced to shrink himself to help out some firemen..and did not explode.
Since then he created a superhero persona and has been helping out people and joining the Justice League on various occasion as Ivy Town's own hometown hero, The Atom!!

There! Simple as that!

The Atom is one of those superhero who's able to alter his size, like Marvel's Antman (there's like 3 of them), The Wasp, DC's Elastic-Girl, Giganta, etc..
And like most of those, he's also a pretty funny and humorous characters...that some writers like to mess around in other books. (seriously though, check out Antman, turning him into a wife beater on Avengers, the Wasp being killed in some event, Ryan Choi killed sadistically in Titans, Jean Loring turned into a psychopath in Identity Crisis, Ray Palmer being turned into an executioner in Cry For Justice)...the List goes on, most shrinkable heroes gets often poorly treated in other comics.

So I decided to make a list, review all of the Atom's self-titled specials and one shots.
To check out how his adventures turn out usually.

Comic title: DC Comics Presents The Atom 100-Page Spectacular (Mar '11)
Written by Steven Grant,Tod Dezago and Rich Faber
Art by Gil Kane, Drew Johnson and others
Format: One Shot collecting Legends of the DC Universe #28-29, 40-41

This "100-page spectacular" reprints some comics from the early 2000s.
In the first mini-series collected in a single issue here, Steven Grant and Gil Kane join forces to tell one of the first team-ups between the Green Lantern Hal Jordan and the Atom.
An alien tyrant is able to escape a condition that kept him at large while Abin Sur was Earth's Sector Green Lantern.
This "Traitor" tricks the Atom to gain advantage over the current Lantern.
Needless to say, things go from bad to worse. The planet Earth gets in danger...because of the Lantern's Power Ring itself!
A story of willpower, bringing into the mix Jean Loring, The Atom's long time love interest and Carrol Ferris, Hal's.

The second story is about one of the earliest confrontations of the Atom against Chronus, a wannabe supervillain and would-be time master...only he's not that smart and finds himself trying to steal other's technology.
In this story, he's able to use the work of one of Ray Palmer's friends, Prof. Hyatt.
By accident long time ago, Hyatt was able to open a Time Pool, a small window into the past...but it isn't very large so the Atom's been exploring it often, thanks to his size-control abilities.
Chronus causes a time distorsion...A story taking place around the time of the JLA's Year One.
Snapper co-stares in this story! (see link above)

Overall: Those are some early career stories for the Atom.
Definitively recommended if you're interested in the Atom or the early days of the DCU.
Great art on both stories, nicely done stories.

I give this one a: 3 / 3 Score!

Comic title: DC Comics Presents The Atom (Oct '04)
Written by Dave Gibbons & Mark Waid

Art by Luke Pat Oliffe, Livesay, Dan Jurgens & Jon Bogdanove

Format: One Shot

This one shot was done for a very specific reason.
In 2004 a new line of DC Comics Presents were published, each celebrating the legacy of Julius Schwartz who died recently. Julie Schwartz had been one of the forces behind the DC since decades, and had also been one of DC's best editor-in-chief.
As a tribute to the big man he was, DC had a group of artists and writers come up with new stories the Schwartz-way. He used to commission covers from artist and have creative teams in on-going books improvise whole tales from it.
So to make the man proud, DC had some old covers of Batman, Green Lantern, The Atom and others redrawn and new stories made from scratch based on those.

This one-shot offers us two new tales of the Atom. The cover was taken from the classic silver age Atom #10.
First there's a story by Dave Gibbons & co. In this story, the Atom is caught up by an explosion, and the bomb distorts the time pool sending him across another world...our very own! Mandatory cameo obliges, Ray gets some help over there to go back to his world by the man himself, Julie Schwartz! In the second story, Mark Waid and Dan Jurgens tell us a story where villains using death traps have been able to kick the heroes' butt lately. Where did they get so much imagination lately...well, from an editor/storyteller who likes to brain storm in a coffee shop. It's all another excuse to write an homage to mr. Schwartz, sure, but a really fun and original way to do so.

Overall: Yep, that is a signed copy by Dan Jurgens. :P
Anyway, it's a great little one shot, mixing up campy stories and more modern settings.
A beautiful tribute in memory of a great DC guy!
I'd recommend this just for that!
There's also a word from Alan Moore himself at the end (as there was on the rest of the line)

As for the stories themselves?
They're funny. Simple. A throwback to good ol' times.
The first one is simpler, straightforward. Very "silver-agy".
The second one is almost in continuity, the artwork looks classic, the story is great.

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Countdown Special: The Atom #1-2
Written by Gerry Conway

Art by Alan Weiss, Josef Rubinstein, Arvell M. Jones, Bill Draut & Romeo Tanhal

Format: 2 One Shot collecting Superman-Team Family #11-14 (1977)

These "Countdown Special" were 2008 reprints of an Atom story arc from the Superman family book from the 70s.
Why did they reprint it? Because Ray Palmer was back into the DCU and going to be an important player of Countdown - a recent DC event.

Anyway, this adventure of Ray Palmer sees him teaming-up with various characters across the DC Universe and are supposedly still in continuity (for the nerds that might wanna ask this question).
It starts up with colorful (bad) supervillains going in a rampage in the streets, probably an average day in Ivy Town I'd say. The Atom teams up with Barry Allen/The Flash. Together they're soon joined by Superman's cousin the Silver Age Supergirl Linda Danvers (which to stay in continuity would make her the alien Supergirl Matrix).

The story is about T.O. Morrow first, who gains access to a sort of organic alien planet/or dimension (it isn't that clear) and is able to capture Jean Loring (again!)and Iris West. The heroes fight the villain, but soon Jean Loring's molecular structure becomes instable due to this dimension and begins to teleport randomly everywhere across time and space!
The Atom tries to catch her and follows her through (4 issues) the DCU - and by universe I mean in outter space and beyond!
In his quest he's helped by the Thanagarian Hawkman - a long time friend and then, Hal Jordan the Green Lantern.
Finally back on Earth, the instable Jean Loring wrecks havoc on the planet. Aquaman, Captain Comment, Wonder Woman and even Green Lantern villain Star Sapphire all guest-star at some point to help out our hero.


Overall: It's a fun silver ag-ysh comic. The art's great!
Quick mention for these one-shots new covers, they're beautiful even if a bit creepy.
It serves mostly one purpose, to place the Tiny Titan properly in the bigger DC universe.
The Teams-up are ok. Though I'd like to mention how ridiculous Wonder Woman was back then, restrains shutting down her power.. (I've become a fan of the Amazon through the better George Pérez reboot in the 80s)
This Search for Jean Loring also mirrors the recent "Search for Ray Palmer" story arc from the current DC books.

I give this one a: 2 / 3 Score!

Comic title: The Atom: Special #1 ('93)
Written by Tom Peyer

Art by Steve Dillon

Format: One Shot 

This one's not a reprint!
It is actually an original One Shot from the early 90s.
The Tiny Titan didn't had an on-going for quite some time. This story was intended to (re)establish our shrinkable hero and his cast of character after Sword of the Atom.
We're introduced to his friends, the prof, Jean Loring. How they are and what they've been up to.

The story in itself is quite entertaining.
The villain Chronus gets some help from somewhere in time through the Time Pool.
Ivy Town gets crazier.
The Atom gets lost in his thoughts. It's all about overcoming his fears from his past to be able to look forward.
(a "kid Atom" died not long ago, Laethwen and her tiny alien people proably died as well, Jean Loring cheated on him...)


Overall: It has truly one purpose, to establish a modern take on the Atom for a new era.
The art looks beautiful, some amazinh work by Steve Dillon, which I've always been a big fan.
Great comic, one of my favorites from the Tiny titan!
It's just too bad it didn't end up getting a new series for the Atom back them (Marvel and DC often "test the ground" for upcoming series with a mini first). I would have loved to see the same creative team on the Atom after that. I'm not surprised they lost Steve Dillon for Marvel! (where he would go on to draw some kickass Punisher comics)

I give this one a: 3 / 3 Score!

Comic title: The Atom: Special #2 ('95)
Written by Tennessee Peyer

Art by Luke McDonnell, Doug Selogy, Mark Probst, John Dell and Ande Parks

Format: One Shot

After "Zero Hour", the status quo for most books was played around with a bit.
Like most DC events, it was another Green Lantern-related event. Hal Jordan was, well to put it simply, angry. He went crazy, altered time and space. While people forgot about Batman making him an urban legend for a while, Connor Hawke became the new Green Arrow instead of Oliver Queen, etc..
As for this review's character? Ray Palmer  was de-aged.
This new "young" Atom was as all his later years were erased, making him forget (or to be exact as he never experienced) all of his adult life. Most of these Zero Hour retcons were quickly re-retconned in a couple of years. As if ZH never happened.

Anyway, for what concern Atom fans, the character was given a new direction, a reboot. This young Ray Palmer never learned to use his powers and didn't exactly know the work he would have done years later.
Since he forgot his memories (he didn't live them yet), he had to find a new place in the great scheme of things.
Though pretty fast, Ray jumps in action action using his Atom costume.
His cast is revamped, Jean Loring tries to understand where Ray Palmer disappeared again this time. while Ray learns from scratch to use his powers.
Meanwhile, the military stoles his tech and tries to use Ray's shrinking devices for the army. The application of his tech into weapons quickly turns from bad to worse!


Overall: It's a new relaunch!
Sadly it didn't end up giving him a series as well.
It really is not that bad, despite a very, very bad concept behind it. It was interesting to have to relearn our hero.
At least he became a regular "honorary" member (and leader) of the Teen Titans. He would go on to redesign his costume, but this de-aged Atom didn't last long.


I give this one a: 2 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Impulse & The Atom: Double-Shot #1
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Pop Mahn & Dexter Vines

Format: One Shot

Continuing the adventures of the post-Zero Hour Atom!
When the de-aged Atom, full of "chronal energy", Bart Allen/Impulse, son of the Flash from the future, and the Time Pool collide!!
It's a story of space/time continuum altered and inter-temporal bugs!
Our time-altered heroes end up on Vanishing Point, a place outside the regular timestream.
And, oh, they've also been rejuvenated!

Overall: A sort of wrap-up of the Atom's de-aged storyline.
At the time the Atom was already sporting a new look, leading the Teen Titans and still a kid.
This one's a very funny story, not meant to be taken too seriously.
Specially in an over-saturated market by grim 'n' gritty comics.
Even the writer, Dan Jurgens, jokes on that in-story.
A filler, disposable, but recommended for fans ;)

I give this one a: 2 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Brightest Day: The Atom (Sep '10)
Written by Jeff Lemire

Art by Mahmud Asrar & John Dell

Format: One Shot

"Nucleus Prologue"
This one shot was a special issue released to serve as launch for a future on-going back-up feature of The Atom at the end of Adventure Comics (starting at issue #516). And it uses this occasion to finally picture the first real retelling of the Atom's origins in the modern DC continuity! (unlike all the previous usual one off panels recap of his origins until now).
Actually, here most of the issue is spent narrating the complete retelling of his background adding up new elements as well as more informations on Ray Palmer's family (his relation with his brother, dad and uncle specifically).
Also, this prologue ends up on a mystery. What is really happening and why and who stole stuff in Palmer's laboratory?

Overall: This is what I call a good start!
Really interesting retelling with a nice new on-going plotline for the Atom, why didn't they release an actual new Atom comics again?
Joke aside, it's a great comic!
The art's gorgeous and the plot intriguing.

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Giant-Size Atom (May '11)
Written by Jeff Lemire

Art by Mahmud Asrar, Allan Goldman, Robson Rocha, John Dell, Andy Owens, Eber Ferreira & JP Mayer


Format: One Shot

"Nucleus Conclusion"
This one shot serves as conclusion to the back-up story continued from ADVENTURE COMICS #521.
This time Hawkman guest-stars for some panels to help out the Tiny Titan defeat his foes.
Even by missing the previous storyline, it's easy to "get" the story here.
Ray Palmer's uncle, as a highly motivated man of science made so uneasy alliance with some bad guys. Now they've turned on Ray.
The Atom fights the bad guys to save his dad and uncle, etc..
A decent conclusion...that in the end serves as a debut for future adventure (??).

Overall: Bwahaha! Get it? "Giant-size Atom"! XD
Hilarious!
Anyway, on the title. It's not only a size-joke. "Giant size" is usually a Marvel Comics concept - DC always used over it stuff like "56-Pages Giant" or "Special" or things like that.
As for the writing and the art, it's pretty consistent with the above comic.
The idea and new enemies are placed, the settings defined. Now if only DC would allow a book for Ray Palmer after cancelling Ryan Choi's. (the previous Atom). Seriously guys, Batman and Superman can have like a zillion titles but lesser characters are only allowed irregular back-up publications here and there?
Nice comic but get it if you're real interested and/or followed the "Nucleus" storyline.

I give this one a: 2 / 3 Score!


And that's all for the Atom!
Other than these one shots there's been an on-going series of Ray Palmer's protégé Ryan Choi. A young professor and an ex-student of Ray. The book was written by Gail Simone and it was pretty in line with usual Ivy Town craziness.
Both Atoms appeared in the (awful) Cry for Justice, together at last!...but it didn't last when Ryan was killed in the pages of a new book, Titans.
(at least for now..I'm still hoping to see Ryan back, kicking ass alongside his mentor)

That is all for this time's QUICKIES!

 

That's all for this time's Quickies!

CBR JLA: Year One

 

Over the years, DC Comics released a lot of Year One titles.
Afte rthe big crisis of the 80s, the Post-Crisis DCUniverse was brand new to explore. Most books kept their old and classic roots (like the ongoings Green Lantern, Flash...), others were given a fresh start (Wonder Woman, Superman: The Man of Steel,...) as I already discussed in my Batman: Year One review.

As for DC's first team-up book, the Justice League, it wasn't clearly defined for a while. But with Batman keeping for himself in Gotham, Wonder Woman arriving late in "man's world" and Superman protecting the world all by himself the roots of the team wasn't as clear as it seemed.
That is where Mark Waid came in.

Comic title: JLA: Year One 
Art by Brian Augustyn
Story by Mark Waid & Barry Kitson

Published by DC
From 1998
Lineup JLA
Format: .Trade paperback collecting JLA: Year One issues #1-12.

JLA: Year One is a bold new retelling of how the Justice League came out to be.
It's what some would call a smart "retroactive retcon". This story try to keep and reuse classic JLA moments and plots in a brand new overall storyline.

Sure, nerds and fanboys didn't like how this new team came out to be without a Wonder Woman, Batman or Superman in the roster, but I really think it helped out flesh out these other Leaguers.
(plus, didn't you like Wonder Woman's reboot by George Pérez?? It's amazing!)

What about the story itself?

Five young heroes will band together to face an outter space menace...

The story starts out with some bigger than life threats.
All across the world, some giant elemental creature strike out but get quickly dispatched by "super heroes".
These guys and gal are: Aquaman the king of the sea, the fastest man alive The Flash, ring-wielder Green Lantern, the detective Martian Manhunter and Justice Society's kiddo Black Canary (II)!

But those aren't the world greatest's heroes most readers are used to now. They are early incarnations of them, all this book is clearly "Year On-ysh".
Aquaman is a man, alone, trying to find a place in the world of the land-dwellers.
The Flash is adjusting to his superpowers and his double life as Central City's hero and as Barry Allen - police forces' forensic scientist.
Hal Jordan, test pilot and Green Lantern is still young and cocky.
J'onn J'onn the Manhunter from Mars...well he's been around for a while, 50 years at least. But he lived most of his time on Earth hidden. And now with these strange being we call "superheroes", he can finally try to become accepted and expose himself.
And finally, Dinah Lance the Black Canary? She's trying to step out of her mother's shadow, the first Black Canary on the JSA, another superheroic team.

Quickly, Hal Jordan establishes himself as the Leader. (at least, that's what he thinks)

Mark Waid does a great job of working on a clearly climatic event working its way over the 12 parts of this Year One tale, something that would need and result in the formation of the League... While still keeping it localised and really character-driven.

He perfectly captures the voices of all five heroes, and will make you a fan of any of them. (even myself, I didn't really like Aquaman originally..but this book won me over the king of Atlantis).
All five are very different individuals, with very different backgrounds and type of powers.
This mini-series was told over 12 issues, which gave Waid the pace and time to drop by every corner of the DCU. There's a great deal of time spent on each character's side, as we learn who these Barry Allen, John Jones, Hal Jordan, Arthur (?) and Dinah Lance are.

The team works it out all in the open during its first year of activity.

The art of Brian Augustyn is great! Terrific!
He has that artstyle that makes this story looks simple enough, classic, while still being a modern book.
Like a modern take on a Silver Age-era comic book.

Everthing looks great, perfectly in-character, from a writing and artwork aspect.
There isn't a lot of splash pages, something I feared when I first saw this was a 12-parter (comics should tend to use those a lot less...it may look nice, but it's such a waste story-wise... IMO...).

It's a great JLA story set in its early era and trying to establish its new roots.

And a team was born...

Speaking of which, it's not only the JLA the plot tries to establish, but its roots and relations to the larger DC Universe, and a lot of future important characters that would interact with the League.
There's a lot of things going in this book, while the heroes face an alien threat and try to stop an incoming invasion. The JSA inspires and is omnipresent throughout the book, other teams such as the Doom Patrol (in all their classic glory) appear and draw comparison to these newbies...
Batman may not be part of the team, since a Bats from that "era" was such a recluse and only sought to protect Gotham, though he does observe and appear in these events.
Superman also appears a bit more. He almost joins the team..but renounces due to how isolated he was in his early career (as can be seen in other Superman-related comics).
Green Arrow is almost an secondary member of the team seeing him pop-up so much throughout the issues. (and he does play an "important" role without spoiling much here..)
Wonder Woman...well she arrived on "man's world" much later...

All in all, it's a very enjoyable ride, a great big typical superhero comic.
With lots of fanservices, tons of characters, references to old classic Silver Age comics while still not depending on it and a lot of love for these characters and the DCU in general.

Overall, it's fun and recommended read!
Great starting point for those who want to dig into the larger DCU or the Justice League title.
Reader friendly while still playing tribute to these characters.
Fresh, fun, one of my all-time favorite JLA tales.

And for nit-picking nerds, it's still very much in continuity despite what some might say.
Yeah, Supes and Bats are barely in the book, but they might have teamed up with these characters in some off-panels occasions. And Wonder Woman post-crisis couldn't be her, don't be sad about that, rejoice for Black Canary! She doesn't get that many non-Birds of Prey moments to shine!

The book is great, sets the foundations of these World Finest heroes, pays a lot of respect to past tales yet doesn't depend on those solely and builds up the roots for many future threads such as Ted Kord becoming a the new Blue Beetle, Snapper Carr helping out the League as its go-to guy, Ollie and Bats relation with the team, Maxwell Lord's inspiration and so many more...

I give it:

  3 / 3 Plastic-trophies!

CBR:Quickies Green Lantern (2)

Here's a 2nd feature about Green Lantern books!
(to check my previous one, use the CBR button above!)

I was going to review all the Blackest Night-event books...but before date, I wanted to have a look back at older comics~

Our heroes! Green mean ring-wielding space cops!

Since last time I talked about and explained a bit of the Green Lantern mythos and Hal Jordan, the "Greatest Lantern of them all", this time I'm gonna discuss about the other Earth Lanterns.

Hal Jordan wasn't the only Green Lantern to occupy the DC Universe.
Long before him, when comics where in their Golden Age, there was Alan Scott, the original GL.
When comics where being reinvented during the following Silver Age, Alan Scott was made GL of an alternate universe, Earth-Two (invented to keep older WW2 characters around more recent ones, despite the many years that separated them). Since DC restarted its universe in the 80s with the "Crisis", Alan Scott is now simply an older hero from another past generation.
Alan Scott isn't a space cop like the other members of the Green Lantern Corps and isn't directly linked to the Guardians of the Universe. He simply uses the power of the Starheart, a mystical-based green flame. Created by the Guardians when they were tried to understand magic.
Since Alan's power is organic-based instead of engineered, he can't arm nature, like wood and plants.

While Hal Jordan was travelling the USA with Green Arrow to get back to a more earthly plane and understand who he fights for, the Guardians decided to have another Lantern in the sector 2814.
Enters John Stewart. Former War veteran and architect. John filled in for Hal for a moment and became the second Lantern. More of a replacement for Hal when in need than a full-time Green Lantern.
He quickly grew on the fans and has been the official GL representant on DC's Justice League team (both in comics as in the cartoons).

But not John nor Hal were supposed to become Green Lantern when the alien Abin Sur crashed on Earth. Noo.
It was Guy Gardner who had the greatest willpower in the region where he crashed. Guy was a nice all-around person wh had been through a lot of jobs. Gym teacher for a while, he was destined to overcome great fear.
But when Abin Sur searched for a replacement, Guy was too far away while Hal was closer..since the time was running up, Abin called in Hal. And that's how Guy Gardner missed his first call to join the Corps.
The second time was after an accident, he ended up in a coma. That's when the Guardians pickled up John.
But finally, his time came and Guy Gardner became a GL. He after all that, he wasn't the sweet hearted nice guy anymore but an angry GL who had enough of being left out for second-bests.
The character's been through a lot over the ages - he became amnesic, lost his GL ring, used the yellow ring from the evil Sinestro for a while and was infected by a "warrior" virus for a while - but two little things never changed.
His good intentions at heart (and love for Tora/Ice).
And his unique  costume.

And last (but not least), Kyle Rayner.
We'll check Kyle a little in a future review.
For now, let's just say he became a Lantern when there was no more Green Lantern Corps. He kept the flame burning.

Currently, all four are Green Lanterns. Hal and John are the GL of Sectore 2814, most of the time hanging on Earth. Kyle was the Guardian's favorite Ion for a while and he and Guy are for the moment Honor Lanterns.

Comic title: JSA Presents: Green Lantern
Written by Steven T. Seagle, Tony Bedard and Junior Thomas
Art by John K. Snyder III, Dennis Calero, Staz Johnson, Mike Norton and others
Format: Trade collecting Green Lantern: BRIGHTEST DAY/BLACKEST NIGHT and JSA CLASSIFIED #25, 32-33

Before there was Hal Jordan, there was Alan Scott wielder of the Starheart mystical green flame.
In this recent collection, Alan Scott confronts memories of his dead daughter, Jade, in the dawn of new DC events.
Plus collecting Alan Scott's epic confrontation against Solomon Grundy.

Overall: It a great way to check out some Alan Scott stories, specially if you're not super experienced with Alan Scott's GL.
One of the first DC heroes (chronologically to appear), Gotham City's real first superhero.
The art's gorgeous on both stories and the stories basic enough to present clearly who and what is this Golden Age Green Lantern (which are their real purpose).

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!


Comic title: DC 1st: Green Lantern
Written by Ben Raab
Art by Jamal Yaseem Igle & Pete Woods
Format: One shot issue special

The retelling of Alan Scott's first team up with Hal Jordan!
Kyle Rayner is attending a special event at Alan Scott's radio company. There, with Jade, he meets up Alan Scott who tells him his first team-up with Hal.
It's a simple yet sweet story.

Overall: Two stories in one!
There's 2 different creative teams working on this book, one for the present day Kyle & Alan story. And another for the Hal & Alan flashback.
Around 2002, DC Comics made several of these "DC 1st" one shots. They weren't exactly all good. Only this GL one and a Batgirl/Joker story came out nicely.
The flashback story is actually the retelling of an ol' story, showing off new elements.
The art's a bit weird on the Kyle Rayner sequences... Anyway, a nice book, worthile to be in your GL collection if you come across a copy of it.

I give this one a: 2 / 3 Score!


Comic title: ION vol. 1: THE TORCHBEARER 
Written by Ron Marz   
Art by Greg Tocchini, Tom Grindberg and Jay Leisten
Format: Trade collecting Ion #1-6

After Jade died, Kyle Rayner was turned into Ion, the Torchbearer.
 He didn't realize what exactly was his new role nor the extend of his powers.
This first collection follows Kyle as he attemps to understand his role in the bigger picture.
Kyle tries to find back his roots, a break away from the Corps and the Guardians.

Overall: Kyle is possibly my fav GL (or one of my favs anyway), probably because he's an artists and uses the power ring unlike another member of the corps.
This miniseries give him a little spotlight, taking place simultaneously as Geoff Johns current GL and GLCorps books.
The story is pretty interesting and describes this unique character. It gives him some background, something we can relate too. It's a nice book!

I give this one a: 2 / 3 Score!


Comic title: ION vol. 2: THE DYING FLAME
Written by Ron Marz   
Art by Greg Tocchini, Fernando Pasarin and others
Format: Trade collecting Ion #7-12

In this follow, Kyle continues his search for an identity, a motivation.
Kyle finds "the bleed", a passage into other alternate dimensions. (not the recently revealed 52 multiverse, just "parallel universes to this multiverse").
He confronts alternate realities and finally find himself and his purpose.

Overall: Great conclusion. With a bit fan service in the cameo of the WildStorm Universe (for fans of this Inprint!). Also characters from the Elseworld Tangent Universe cross over, including fan-favorite very different Green Lantern.
I prefered the second half of this miniseries, so the score won't surprise you.

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Flash & Green Lantern: The Brave and the Bold
Written by Mark Waid and Tom Peyer  
Art by Barry Kitson and Tom Grindberg 
Format: Trade collecting Flash & Green Lantern: The Brave and the Bold #1-6

This little spinoff from the Brave & the Bold crossover-comics focuses on the friendship between Hal Jordan and Barry Allen, The Flash.
Not really an on-going story and more like vignettes from various points in the past (when it was written, Hal was dead and Wally West was the new Flash).


They had nothing in common, one was a space cop while the other was a more earthly based speedster, one was a cocky adventurous rebel pilot while the other was a serious hardworker moderst police scientist...despite all that they formed an unbreakable friendship and truly were the Brave and the Bold.

Overall: One of my favorite non-Geoff Johns Green Lantern books!
It's well constructed and very unique.
The stories cover their early years, later points and nearly-recent events.
The dynamic between those two is great.
I really recommend this comic, be you a fan or no ;)

I give this one a: 3 / 3 Score!


Comic title: Green Lantern/Green Arrow Vol. 1
Written by Dennis O'Neil   
Art by Neal Adams & Dan Adkins, Bernie Wrightson, Frank Giacoia, and Dick Giordano
Format: Trade collecting Green Lantern (Vol. 2) #76-82

During the 70s people started losing their interest in Green Lantern. It wasn't the coolest thing of the moment anymore.
Came along Dennis O'Neil. Dennis wanted to try different things with comics. Movies and TV used greater-than-life subjects to talk about common subjects, why couldn't comics do the same?
After taking away all of Oliver Queen/Green Arrow's fortunate and growing him a beard in the Justice League comics, O'Neil decided to team him up with the other Emerald hero from DC and hit the road in a new direction.


Hal Jordan hasn't been in touch with his planet for too long. He kinda lost sight of what really matters as his role of GL, for who he fights for every day.With Green Arrow, his long time friend, they decide to travel the USA to check on the people behind sector 2814. The Corps depower Hal Jordan for this task and one of the Guardians tag along to have a look at of the creatures that they swore to protect.
They go from town to town, Ollie tries to put sense into Hal's head who was lost in military reflexes and rules for too long.

Overall: This award series changed and evolved Hal Jorda into a more human being. Gone was the sillyness of the Silver Age. Comics like the Watchmen or Batman Year One are what they are because of the changes O'Neil started doing in funny books.
Povery, drugs, racism...It touches every subject!
"Green Lantern" become "Green Lantern co-starring Green Arrow" (and later Green Lantern/Green Arrow).
And Oliver Queen got the attention he deserved. (hey! I love this character!)
The first Volume don't contain the more controversial stories but it's a great way to start aynway!
Plus it contains an introduction by Dennis O'Neil who give us his opinion and views on changes he started with this book.
A must!

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!


Comic title: Green Lantern/Green Arrow Vol. 1
Written by Dennis O'Neil   
Art by Neal Adams, Dick Giordano and Bernie Wrightson
Format: Trade collecting Green Lantern (Vol. 2) #83-87, 89; back-ups from Flash (vol. 2) #212-219, 226

In the first half of this book, Hal and Ollie continue their soul searching quest through America.
All the fan-favorite stories to have shaken both the GL and Arrow mythos are in this collection!
Since Hal's not protecting space sector 2814, the Guardians decide to give the power to another torchbearer. John Stewart's first appearance is in this book!
Plus Speedy helps bust a drug dealing black market..only to be found using some!!!

In the second part (from issue 89), it's the later stories of this GL/GA era. After a while, the sales started to slow down a bit. Maybe it was too critical of America, maybe the audience was getting tired.. Anyway, to help boost up sales a bit the story went more and more scifi again, like any GL book should always be about.
And finally, the second feature (mostly Green Lantern Corps stories that aren't reprinted in this collection) became a place for the other half of this duo. Green Arrow went in one direction and Hal Jordan in another.
While Ollie continues his social tales of urban America, Hal meets his successor John Stewart.
Finally the book became a solo GL on-going series again (about John Stewart mostly)...and the duo Hal Jordan/Oliver Queen returned as a second feature in the more successful Flash comics.

Overall: My favorites stories of this era are collected in this volume. Gone is the Guarding tagging along with the Emerald warriors. Instead, Black Canary joins in the duo for most of the stories in this paperback.
There's an introduction by Dick Giordano worth mentioning.
It's an era of change both for the culture awareness and the comic series presented here (it went back to scifi with a new lead character after that).
Great book, DC comics history.

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!


Comic title: Tales of the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 1
Written by Mike W. Barr, Len Wein, Paul Kupperberg, Robin Snyder, Kurt Busiek and Todd Klein
Art by Joe Staton, Dave Gibbons, Carmine Infantino, and others; Cover by Brian Bolland
Format: Trade collecting Tales of the Green Lantern Corps #1-3 and Green Lantern #148, 151-154, 161, 162 and 164-167

The Green Lantern Corps is not only composed of Earth heroes...There's also thousands of other people and creatures from all over the galaxy in its ranks.
This book is about them.
It starts with an event, an important event....The Corps and the Guardians are in danger...against a creature trying to break free into our dimension from the death realm! Nekron try using and corrupting the light of live to breach into the DC universe. From the point of view of Hal Jordan and Katma Tui we see and are introduced to a much bigger Corps like we've never seen before.
After the little arc from the GLCorps miniseries, the book offers second features from the on-going Green Lantern comics. Tales of various membres of the Corps.
Some are more mystic with touches of fantasy, others directly more scifi with bigger-than-life threats.
Different planets, various cultures, one Corps.

Overall: A great compilations!
The stories are well presented and go from one end to a completly opposed one.
They cover quite a large spectrum of type of comics, heroics one, adventure even some comedy!
I specially dig Dave Gibbons' contribution to the GL mythos, being a big fan of this artist.
Also it's a great way to see established some fundamentals GL elements, from the Corps, OA to even Nekron, one of the key players of the latest GL even, Blackest Night.
If you're a fan, know your GL-stuff and are motivated enough to check this compilation of 80s GL comics.

I give this one a: 2 / 3 Score!


Comic title: Tales of the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 2
Written by Alan Moore, Len Wein, Kurt Busiek, Dave Gibbons and others
Art by Dave Gibbons, Kevin O'Neill and others
Format: Trade collecting Green Lantern #168, 169, 171-173, 177, 179-183, 185, 187-190 and Tales of the Green Lantern Corps ANNUAL #1

More second-features from GL comics of the past!
In this second volume, the more important stories are collected.
And I mean it really.
More Dave Gibbons stories (art AND writing), Alan Moore entries in the GL universe, Ch'p stories, follow-up to some previous Tales...
It really depicts lots of very different members and the life of very different characters.
There's a story about Stel, a fan-favorite GL, a silent story, political stories, epic journeys...

Overall: More Tales is always a good thing!
My favorites are in this 2nd edition, including one classic "Mogo Doesn't Socialize" introducing the biggest membre of the Corps! :P
Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore started the collaboration in this series!
Very fun look at the GL mythos like the 1st volume. With a slight preference for this one.

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!


Comic title: Green Lantern: Tales of the Sinestro Corps
Written by Geoff Johns, Ron Marz and others
Art by Dave Gibbons, Pete Woods, Jerry Ordway and others
Format: Trade collecting Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special; Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Ion; Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Parallax; Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Cyborg Superman; Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Superman Prime; Green Lantern/Sinestro Corps Secret Files; back-up stories from Green Lantern #16-20

Playing on the previous Tales, "Tales of the Sinestro Corps" collects all the one-shots made around the Sinestro Corps War event (as seen in my previous GL review).
It's composed of origin stories of certain membres of the yellow corps as well as some sidestories.
Some are told through Lyssa Drak, guardian of the Sinestro book, which is a nice gimmick, it gives the story a sort of "Tales from the Crypt"-vibe.
What's the motivation behind the cybord-Superman? Who is Superboy Prime?
As well as some membres-specific stories that seem like a twisted tales on the original concept from the 80s.

Overall: Very fun book. Specially if you're a fan of the larger DCU or just GL.
It makes a great companion book to the event as well as perfectly introducing bizarre concepts like Superboy Prime and Cyborg Superman, key players of the Sinestro Corps.
Like the original Tales of the GLC, the stories varies from genre and feel.

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!


Comic title: Green Lantern: Legacy - The Last Will And Testament Of Hal Jordan
Written by Joe Kelly
Art by Brent Anderson and Bill Sienkiewicz
Format: Trade collecting Green Lantern: Legacy miniseries.

This is an in-between tale. After Hal was killed as a crazy Parallax and before being brought back in Rebirth.
It's not a retrospective of his life, as some may think.
But a story of redemption through Tom Kalmaku's eyes, a friend of Hal.
It tells how he was able to forgive and accept Hal in his heart again after he went insane.
We also see John Stewart and Guy Gardner. What did happen to them.
How a universe without the Corps was.
And finally how the planet Oa was brought back as well as Kilowog.

Overall: A very different story from all the space-opera usually around the GL characters.
Joe Kelly is a fantastic writer and he tells a great tale of redemption before Parallax was retconned as a creature possessing Hal's mind.
Great story that establishes how they so easuly forgave Hal on his return.
A must!
You may not even like GL and still found some love for this book.

I give this one a: 3 / 3 Score!


Comic title: Green Lantern: In Brightest Day

Written by John Broome, Alan Moore, Ron Marz and others
Art by Gil Kane, Dave Gibbons and others
Format: Trade collecting Green Lantern #7, 40, 59, 162, 173, 177, 182, 183 and 188, Green Lantern (vol. 2) #51, Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #6 and Green Lantern Corps ANNUAL #2.

A compilation of important Green Lantern stories, picked up by Geoff John himself.
See Hal Jordan's first meeting with the Guardians, or Sinestro, his first team-up with Alan Scott, when he was introduced to Guy Gardner (as well as a What if.. scenario if Guy had been chosen at that moment), John Stewart's introduction, the first hint at a larger prophecy and some GLCorps Tales.

Overall: Okay, I say right from the start my negative points. Some stories, already present in "Tales of the GLC" have been reprinted here. (as well as John Stewart introduction in GL/GA).
On the good part, Geoff Johns introduces the collection and makes a like introduction to each story of this book. Each one!
See the ideas and basic elements which Johns bases his own current series on.
The stories are taken from various eras, there's old school material in here as well as some 90sEXTREME art!
Great must have for all GL fans!
There's a ton of material and pages here!
As well as the seeds of Abin Sur's prophecy, the trend and direction the book is currently taking...

I give this one a: 3 / 3 Score!


As you see..I'm a big huuuuge GL fan.
Next time we'll dig into Blackest Night.....

The GL franchise is easily likable thanks to a great concept and the fantastic directions it can take depending on the characters and events.

Till next time~

 

That's all for this time's Quickies!