Film Review: Green Lantern

A test pilot is granted a mystical green ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers, as well as membership into an intergalactic squadron tasked with keeping peace within the universe.

Director: 
Martin Campbell

Writers: 

Greg Berlanti (screenplay), Michael Green(screenplay), and 5 more credits »

Stars:

 Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and Peter Sarsgaard

As a long time Green Lantern fan I went into the film expecting quite a lot.  I wanted an entertaining story that was faithful to the source material.  I wanted incredible CG effects and mind blowing battle sequences.  I also wanted to see actors nail those characters in their portrayals.  I was not disappointed.

While it would be impossible to fit decades worth of continuity into one film they managed to squeeze quite a bit of story in without bogging it down with too many elements.  The character portrayals were pretty spot on to their comic book counterparts or were at least close enough.

The visuals were amazing and the use of 3D was well done.  The film drew you in and made you feel immersed in the action.

Hal must defeat not only the Mindworm, Hector Hammond, but also Parallax, in this version a former guardian corrupted by the yellow energy of fear. The action sequences are amazing and the constructs are very well done, even the costume is achieved believably as a CG ring construct.

Of course Hal isn't welcomed to the corps with open arms, but skepticism, and after saving the Earth from Parallax he finally earns their respect.  They should really have listened to him about the yellow ring being a bad idea though.

I did like the nod to Carol Ferris as Star Sapphire, by her call sign "Sapphire".

All in all I was impressed with the story and with the FX, they managed to maintain a good balance.

I also liked the lead-in to the sequel, which as you guessed it will be Sinestro taking on the Green Lantern Corps and forming his own Sinestro Corps.

Legion of Doom #1

Writer: Adam Glass
Penciller: Rodney Buchemi
Inker: Jose Marzan Jr

Colorist: Arthur Fujita
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Cover Art: Miguel Sepulveda & Jose Villarrubia

Assistant Editor: Sean Mackiewicz
Editor: Pat McCallum

Hot Blooded




For the most part I was bored with this issue.  Not much interesting happens.  Even the death of Jason Rusch had no build up and left me not really caring.

For the most part the issue is Heatwave in prison after he kills Jason Rusch and is captured by Cyborg.  The fight between Cyborg and Heatwave is very cliche, complete with the 'just in time' arrival and the classic 'stopping a train'.  Cyborg seems so far to have more build up than substance.

There was one thing however that did manage to grab my interest at the end.  Plastic Man, Eel O'Brian, was smuggled into the prison inside of Cluemaster and proceeds to exit his host... painfully.  The last two pages and especially the last one made the book worth reading.  Plastic Man had a very cool and sinister look to him and I really want to see what this version of him does next.

Wonder Woman and the Furies #1

Writer: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Penciller: Scott Clark
Inker: Dave Beaty

Colorist: Nei Ruffino
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Cover Art: Ed Benes with Pete Pantazis

Assistant Editor: Darren Shan
Editor: Brian Cunningham

Part 1- The Arrangement




An interesting new take on Wonder Woman.  In the altered timeline rather than going out into the world to be a champion of justice Diana and her amazonian furies wage war against Aquaman and the atlanteans.

Rather than Steve Trevor in need of rescue being Diana's first contact with the outside world it was Aquaman saving her from a kraken.  The amazons are grateful to the king of atlantis for saving Diana and both civilizations decide to help the world with their wisdom and advances.  To solidify their effort the two nations would be joined by the marriage of Diana and Arthur.

There are traitors on both sides as an assasination attempt on Diana's life is carried out by Artemis, who instead accidently kills Hippolyta.  She frames Garth for the murder and kills him before he can reveal the truth that Arthur's brother Orm is in league with Artemis to stop the union.

We've seen the seed that the war between the amazons and the atlanteans sprang from, I'm intrigued to see the rest of its evolution.

Grodd of War #1

Writer: Sean Ryan
Penciller: IG Guara
Inker: Ruy Jose

Colorist: Stephani Rennee
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual
Cover Art: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato

Assistant Editor: Kate Stewart
Editor: Joey Cavalieri

I have always been a fan of stories told from the point of view of the villain.  Grodd of War lived up to my hopes for it.  The story addresses the question of what happens when the conquerer has nothing left to conquer and the warrior has nothing left to wage war on.  

I suppose in Grodd's case, getting there was more than half the fun.  Grodd seems to have come to the realization that it's the conquest, the fight, the violence that fuels him and makes life worth living.   Old soldiers are not meant for peace and the boredom that comes in a life after struggle and combat. 

Grodd has an attempt on his life that he believes to have been coordinated by his aide, Malavar, but he lets him live and does not let on that he is aware of the treachery.   Grodd is tired of life without a worthy fight and hopes that Malavar will try again and succeed.  Grodd also allows one of the young humans who tried to assassinate him to live after mind controlling him into killing his friends.  He tells the boy to grow up hating him and to one day kill him.

Grodd, hoping to die in a blaze of glory, decides to take on both Wonder Woman and her Amazon Furies and Aquaman and the Atlanteans.  The book started off on solid footing and I am looking forward to the next issue.

Teen Titans #96

Writer: J.T. Krul
Penciller: Jose Luis

Inker: Sandro Ribeiro & Jonad Trindade

Colorist: Jason Wright

Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual

Cover Art: Scott & Hazlewood with Wright

Assistant Editor: Ricky Purdin

Editor: Rachel Gluckstern

Beast of Legend

While overall a straight forward slugfest the issue shines a spotlight on an underrated character as Beast Boy takes center stage against demon king Rankor and his hoarde of demons.    Beast Boy demonstrates a level of power never before hinted at and manages to go to toe with a demon king and hold his own.

Beast Boy has help from newbie Solstice, whom Raven gets a bad reaction from, and manages to free his friends.  Solstice realizes it is her destiny to face Rankor the demon king.  I couldn't help but think of Return of the Jedi every time I read that name.

The issue leads up to the climactic battle between Solstice and Rankor and leaves us waiting to see who wins.

Overall it was an entertaining read and I really enjoyed seeing Beast Boy shine.  He has been an underrated character for a long time and its good to see him use his potential.  I'm looking forward to next issue.

Supergirl #65

Writer: Kelly Sue Deconnick

Penciller: Chriscross

Inker: Marc Deering

Colorist: Blond

Letterer: Travis Lanham

Cover Art: Mahmud Asrar & Guy Major

Editor: Wil Moss

This Is Not My Life- Part 1 of 3

In general I was a little disappointed in this issue.  After the excitement of the last story arc this one falls a little flat.  The silk pajama society, I mean come on.  

I did like the interaction between Kara and Lois though.  Lois' failed attempts at humor gave me a chuckle, but otherwise the supporting cast of the issue is rather annoying.  Hopefully this story will pick up a bit in part two.

Batman #711

Writer: Tony S. Daniel

Penciller: Steve Scott

Inker: Ryan Winn

Colorist: Ian Hannin

Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher

Cover Art: Tony S. Daniel

Assistant Editor: Katie Kubert

Editor: Mike Marts

Pieces- Part 2- The Long Way Back

An opening which brings flashes of George Romero movies to mind starts us of on getting some answers as to the mystery which began last issue.  We are told right off the bat that Two-Face is alive and well... or unwell actually.  

The Riddler saves Harvey, who seems confused as to wether he has hallucinated the last several hours, not wanting to believe he had been double betrayed and that his presumed dead ex, Gilda, was actually alive and working with a rival of his, mob boss Mario Falcone.  The Riddler Tells Harvey that he helped stage his death and that Gilda needs his help.

The issue features mostly on Two-Face, but also does not leave out its star character as you get to see why Dick Grayson was given the cowl.  There is classic detective work, with a touch of the light humor that Dick brings to the character.  We also get to see Batman in action as he makes a dramatic entrance to save Catgirl, who is a fly in the ointment yet well meaning.  I would like to see a Damian/Catgirl team-up.  Two arrogant heroes with something to prove and a legacies they feel are theirs to carry on, could be interesting.

Damian does have his usual arrogance and defiance, but it seems as if he is growing more comfortable in the world he has found himself in since leaving his mother's side.  Although I doubt he will ever be "warm and fuzzy" I think Damian could grow into a worthy eventual successor to the mantle of the Bat.

We get our lead in to next issue when a wounded Catgirl tells Batman what she overheard and then a cut to Two-Face and his new ally The Riddler preparing to rally the troops and show mob boss Mario Falcone that nobody double crosses Two-Face.