Last Week’s Comics 8/24/2011
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Green Lantern Corps #63
(DC – writer: Scott Kolins; art: Joe Prado, Scott Kolins, Freddie Williams II, and Daniel Hdr)
I’m sad to see Green Lantern Corps end this way. It’s a bitter ending to a powerful staple of the DC Universe. While the story won’t necessarily be ignored, this was a window to the Green Lantern universe, one that wasn’t explored in the regular, Hal-driven Green Lantern series. Kyle and John were given unbelievable depth and camaraderie that was destroyed when Mogo was killed. The aftereffects are palpable in this issue, which is split into four vignettes that tie in to a common theme of the Green Lantern universe. As Lantern Tomar-Re states, “No matter our differences. No matter the pain or cost – or the friends we’ve lost. We’ve each made our oath.” I think Scott Kolins’ goal is to reassure the fans that while the Corps may be fractured, its heart and soul are still alive and beating. I can’t, however, say that he accomplished this.
The first three stories deal with Alpha Lantern Boodikka, Salaak and Kyle Rayner. Not one of these stories is uplifting. If fact, they all seem intended to remind readers of the shit-storm that has recently engulfed the Corps. Much like a bad hangover, the characters are still suffering from when the Central Power Battery was corrupted by Krona. They’re fighting with each other, turning against each other and trying to kill each other.
This issue is so depressing that I’m almost glad they’re rebooting next month. In the end, I didn’t feel the brotherhood Tomar-Re mentions, nor the one that Daniel Hdr beautifully illustrates on the final page. The tone this struck is more a reminder of how things have been altered forever and that the only thing tying these aliens together is the fact that they each took an oath. It’s hollow. And sad.
While Scott Kolins tries – very hard – to remind people that the Corps comes before the person, we’re not given this until the very last page, and even then it feels false. I don’t believe Tomar-Re when he tries to reassure the readers that by stating the oath, all Green Lanterns are united. The oath seems worthless now, especially when one of the stories has Kyle being attacked by a group of aliens who feel humans should be banished from the Corps. Tomar-Re even makes Kyle disappear – whether it’s because he’s pissed or trying to save him is unclear.
There are parts of this issue I liked (such as the attempt at theme) and parts that I think failed (such as the attempt at theme). I’m looking forward to seeing what DC has in store for the Green Lantern universe, but I’m also saddened that we won’t have Kyle and John together in their own series – at least in the immediate future. Kyle is taking over the New Guardians, John and Guy are going to be in the new Green Lantern Corps book and Hal isn’t even mentioned in the new Green Lantern series. In fact, Sinestro graces the cover.
After reading this issue, I need a fresh start. The Green Lantern books have always been the most hopeful of DC’s lineup – at least without getting cheesy (hear that, Superman?). But they’ve gone down a dark path that has been both amazing and horrifying – and at all times, gripping.
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The Walking Dead #88
(Image – writer: Robert Kirkman; art: Charlie Adlard)
Bannen’s Book of the Week: The Walking Dead is best when there are no zombies. This is one of those issues. The story centers on Rick dealing with Carl waking up from his coma and the aftermath of the bullet he took to the head. Initially, it appeared Carl was going to have the ol’ amnesia (insert eye roll here.) But Kirkman found a way to make this new, and while Carl kind of has amnesia, it’s altered. The aftereffects of this injury are going to be very interesting to see in action.
Like with many Walking Dead issues, you have to have been following the series to understand everything that happens. It’s like watching an episode of Lost: If you’re not up to date, you’ll spend a lot of time asking questions. This is especially crucial in understanding the conversations that occur in this issue, and if you haven’t kept current on your Walking Dead, I recommend you catch up because things are getting very interesting.
The story here is completely character and dialogue-driven. Whereas Venom is visual and word-heavy to the point of being overbearing, The Walking Dead features dialogue that’s full but not cumbersome to read. I was struck by how realistic the conversations are and how I could hear the tone and effect of Rick’s voice.
The supporting characters are also in play here. Kirkman’s putting them in strategic positions, much like chess pieces, for what appears to be an impending coup d’état. In this issue, more than others, we’re reminded of the desolation the characters face. The starkness of the illustrations highlights the barrenness of the surrounding areas and how truly alone these people are – both as a group and individually.
Rick especially seems to be a victim of circumstance. At one point, he voices what I think a lot of Walking Dead readers feel: “It can never be easy … can it?” And here’s where we get to Carl’s issue. He’s forgotten a lot of things, but worse than that, he’s become emotionless. When he tells Rick about how he doesn’t remember people (even his own sister), he says it through a glassy, emotionless eye. He speaks about the people around him dying as if he’s reading the contents of a shopping list. When Rick reminds him that his mother’s dead, Carl responds, “Oh.”
The strain on Rick’s sanity is evident, but it also looks like things are only going to get worse. Kirkman’s other works – like Haunt – don’t have the same emotional impact as The Walking Dead. Here and there, he writes an issue that’s a bit too dramatic, or a bit clumsy. But when he’s on, he’s on. And here, he’s on.
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