Green Lantern: New Guardians

Green Lantern New Guardian is becoming one of my favorite books out of the New 52. The team ( Kyle Rayner, Glomulus, Arkillo, Saint Walker, Fatality, Munk & Bleez) are a bad mix out of a comedy film, yet their interactions keep this series shinning. We see the team (minus Bleez) interacting with the massive ship/ solar system, and finding out secrets that compromise Larfreeze and the New Guardians into their foray and their encounter with Invictus.

The High Points:

Tony Bedard is making a shining gem out of this series and stands on par with Green Lantern written by Geoff Jonhs. The way the characters interact with each other is often hilarious at points and the character development is getting better by the issue. Also we start to see certain mysteries unfold on both the current situation they are and on the members themselves. Not going to spoil what mysteries are, but they are worth reading. Tyler Kirkham , Harvey Tolibao and Batt are making excellent drawings on the characters, the setting and the inks are done just right, I have no complaints from this good team.

The Low Points:

The only complaint I will have is that I have to wait till the end of the month to see the next issue. Silly complaint I know, but the series is getting better and better.

Final Verdict:

This series gets better and better. Mysteries keep forming up and more and more better. Highly recommended.

I still can't get over how great this book has been getting. There are times when I think Geoff Johns couldn't pull off the things Tony Bedard is doing with this book. Chief among them is making Kyle Rayner a likeable and funny straight-man for a team of psychos. Its no secret that Johns loves to use Hal Jordan and this is the type of GL book that I wouldn't want to see yet another character study of Hal. Tony Bedard is working with the groundwork that Johns laid down is elaborating on some of these characters. Even Glomulous gets a chance to shine and the more Larfleeze, the better in my opinion. I also have to thank this book for clarifying where it is in continuity in regards to Red Lanterns. Not only does it answer my questions but it sets us up for a new development. Lord knows how Kyle will handle Bleez and her manipulativness.

As much as I hate to kiss ass like this, there isn't much I can find that's wrong about this book. All of the charcters are familiar and easy to get into and the fresh feeling it has is something few of the New 52 have had lately.

So we start with the new guardians deciding to split up and search the enormous model solar system. Fatality goes with Munk. Arkillo begrudgingly goes with Saint Walker leaving Kyle with our adorable friend Glomulus. Meanwhile, Bleez has returned to Ysmault just prior to the events of Red Lanterns issue three where Attrocitus dunks her head in the blood lake and makes her smart... because I guess that's how that works. Cut to Larfleeze and Sayd, it's revealed that Larfleeze has alterior motives for sending the others into the giant science fair project. The various groups enter different spheres to find planets like Tamaran and Okaara, even though that's probably impossible. The only thing these planets seem to have in common is the fact that they all worship this deity that they call the Archangnel. When Kyle and Glomulus show up, everyone runs because Glomulus bears the "Mark of the beast". Evidently Larfleeze is the satan of their religion. That is hilarious. In retaliation, the aliens summon a god like being called Invictus.

What Works:

Great character development, interesting ideas, a cosmic threat, and a decent story. Oh, and Glommy is hilarious

What doesn't:

I got nothing, it's a solid issue

Overall 5/5

Can't wait for the next one

At this point in the the new 52 relaunch I may in fact be giving this series too much credit.  Heading into the reboot I was pretty excited about the cosmic series, most of which were focused around the Green Lanterns, but thus far I have been disappointed in certain respects with all of them except for this one.  One of the main issues is that the gender equality which was so well handled prior to the reboot is mostly absent in the series except for this one, which features the new female stars of DC Cosmic Fatality and Bleez as Carol Ferris and Soranik Natu are laying low.  That having been said this is a fairly basic but still entertaining space based story as the de facto team continue to look for answers which brings them to an giant replica of a solar system.  As the team splits up they find different threats along the way, in what ends up being a pretty engaging tale thought not necessarily memorable.   

Finally, this series has hit a perfect stride, and given a perfect issue. Kyle leads his team of New Guardians into The Orrery, and contained within are mysteries weaved with utmost perfection. This series started out with a heavy focus on the interconnected supersaga, but this arc has flipflopped into a more traditional style of Green Lantern tale, where you can just sit back and enjoy it without needing to connect all the dots of the larger picture. This is simply a great story alone.

The Orrery's size is quickly explained, it's not just a structure that's huge for the sake of size. It's the size of a solar system because it IS a solar system. Each planet sized sphere contains within it, a planet. But the planets we see thus far are impossible, and the occupants unnerving. They have no exposure to the real universe, an entire solar system part of a single rule with devotion as strong as a cult. And at the same time, we've been given no true indication that Invictus, their archangel, is truly evil; although the various citizens seem to regard him with as much fear as they do adoration, and that's not a good sign. *()

In addition to this epic tale, this issue manages, amazingly, to provide ample character development for each cast member. This does cause some problems, but not in the fault of this series. It's becoming clear to me that Peter Milligan over on Red Lanterns isn't as connected to the rest of the Lantern writers, and thus Bedard is forced to bench his Red Lantern, Bleez, with no promise of a return, just an awkward uncertainty due to Milligan's machinations. I really have no idea if Bleez will return to normal in leave her prominence in Red Lanterns, or be replaced by some no name Lantern here. I would LOVE to see Dex-Starr in here, he's largely been ignored in Red Lanterns, but at the same time, the role of offbeat pet lantern seems to have been filled by Glomulus.

And speaking of, the little Orange Lantern Construct has really gained a life of his own. His simple speech and quirky actions making him an adorable lovable little bundle of fun, kind of like an early Stitch. He's adamant that while he is a construct, he does have his own personality, not just a puppet of Larfleeze. This is a really interesting path to go down, and helps cement the idea of the more unique aspects of the orange light.

The main GL series is about to finally tackle the dark side of the Indigo Tribe, and Bedard hints at it wonderfully here with a nice scene between Fatality and Munk. Fatality really endears herself as a likable character, setting her apart from being just another Violet Lantern. I'm really impressed with Bedard's handling of her after he utterly ruined my favorite Sapphire, Miri. Being trained as a warrior from a young age, Fatality recognizes visual clues to Munk's background that the other characters wouldn't have, leading her to question his past as much as he challenges hers.

But the best part comes at the end, when we see a different reaction on the planet Kyle and Glomulus explore. People flee in terror at the emissary of their Archangel's hated foe, revealing his identity with a surprising statue in the cathedral. A cathedral that makes me think heavily of Castlevania. It's almost like The Orrery is one gigantic castle to be explored, with a range of areas within, and a heavy gothic and/or religious tilt among the architecture. But mostly it was the cathedral that cemented it. And I love Castlevania, so I approve.

In Conclusion: 5/5

This was the first issue where I was engrossed 100% from beginning to end. I never once had to stop myself and think "Oh, that was annoying, going to have to talk about it in my review." It was a well put together story, great concept, pacing, artwork, character development; everything. Also, I vote to cancel Red Lanterns and start Agent Orange instead. Larfleeze was my favorite Lantern from his debut onwards, and Glomulus is rising in that scale as well, though he's still behind Dex-Starr, Miri, and Guy Gardner. But those guys are hard to beat.