Payoff.
Where to start...oh where to start. This issue is the payoff of allot of threads that we readers have been following, and suspecting, throughout the current run of GLC. With revelations, breaking points, and heroic stands this issue is simply jock-full of all kinds of momments that any fan should love, and are a true testament to Tomasi's skills as a writer. Being as the issue itself is broken into desparate parts, then that is how I shall address it.
Part I:Korugar
Soooo we were right, Sinestro's daughter is indeed Soranik. Allot of people have been speculating this since her introduction, but the way that Tomasi introduces and explains the concept is brilliant. Once more confronting his daughter on their home planet, Sinestro is forced to once again brush aside her attacks, while explaining his reason for not simply destroying her and their hidden bond. As far as art goes, Gleason's decision to have Soranik use medicine/surgery based constructs is genious (STAT lol) and a nice touch. We're treated to the story of Soranik's origin and Sinestro's interesting take on fatherhood. Small things like Soranik's tatoo being revealed as a secret tracker manage to show that Sinestro cares, even if it is in his own twisted way. While we also see Soranik struggle with the news. While not the most riveting part of the book, a great example of how masterful Tomasi can be w/ charachter momments and charachter building.
Part II:Oa
And this part of the book is left completly for Gleason to shine. From the opening sequence of Lantern's rushing to Oa, to battle scenes on the planets surface and in the citadels core. While Tomasi uses the interesting mode of a recording bot to relate the action w/o taking us out of it. Gleason gies us glimpses of the same great stuff we got during the Battle of Mogo. Now i know people have been complaining about his art lately, but here he really really shapes it up, and goes to town. While some weren't pleased there wasn't more time devoted, i personally really enjoyed what we saw and the way it conveyed the SCOPE of the epic battle going on, from Kyle and Guy cutting loose, to Vath and Isamot in soldier mode,and a near death Voz still fighitng to fullfill his duty.
Part III:Daxam
Now this was my favorite part of the issue. Tomasi has had the strongest hand in shaping Sodam, who is one of my all-time favorite charachters. Here we see the beggining of his journey come full circle. Trapped on Mongul occupied Daxam (and dealing with the news no help can be had from a war-torn Oa) Sodam realizes the only way to do anything is give his people a fighting chance, and hopefully take Mongul out at the same time. After an almost obviously romantic good-bye with Arisia he goes off to face Mongul. The battle between Sodam and Mongul is powerful. Gleason does a great job making it seem like a true clash of Titans. The revelation that Sodam has only been relying on his power ring, except for a few sporadic blasts of the Ion power, and that he can't access it w/o permission from his ring helps explain his performance since the War. When Scar denies him access, he quickly comes up with a counter plan and takes a full-on blast to the face from Mongul. Surviving Sodam blasts his way free of Daxam's atmosphere, through opposing Sinestros, and to the sun where he removes his ring, and plunges into the heart of the sun. While i don't beleive him dead at all, if so...i can think of worse ways to go.
Overall an enjoyable issue, and one i will be able to enjoy over and over again.
