Release Date: April 20, 2011
Cover Date: June 2011
Story: Tony Bedard
Pencils: Tyler Kirkham
Inks: Matt “Batt” Banning
Cover: Aaron Lopresti
1:10 Variant Cover: George Pérez
Hal Jordan, Kyle Rayner, Guy Gardner, and John Stewart are trying to figure out how to use their new rings when they’re attacked be a contingent of corrupted Green Lanterns. Kyle’s Blue Lantern ring accidentally charges the enemy’s rings, but Hal pulls them all away so they can locate Ganthet. The Guardian’s fighting off Green Lanterns himself, and he’s none too pleased that the four Earth Lanterns have chosen other colors. As more Green Lanterns attack, the group faces a much more potent threat: a corrupted Mogo.
The opening scene of this issue was by far the best part: our heroes trying their damnedest to get their new rings to work, as if they were rookies all over again. I also liked that Ganthet chewed out our heroes, especially Hal, for wearing rings that do not suit them. We know that these changes aren’t permanent, but I’m hoping that there will be some lasting ramifications when all is said and done.
Of course, this does beg the question: why are these guys having so much trouble? They’re all veteran power ring wielders. The color Corps deputies in Blackest Night managed to learn how to use their rings in a matter of minutes, and none of them had any previous experience (except for Ganthet).
Hal wonders what else Kyle can do, since he needs active Green Lanterns around him for his ring to work properly. This isn’t entirely accurate — Blue Lantern rings worked without the presence of Green Lanterns in Blackest Night: The Flash and more recently in Justice League of America (Vol. 2) #55 — but Hal wouldn’t know that. Kyle admits that Ganthet’s pep talk convinced him to go for the blue ring, and even though Ganthet disagreed with his choice, it does seem that Kyle’s getting a handle on the ring quickly. He’d better, because Mogo is a big enough problem right now without being supercharged. Speaking of Mogo, I’m sure the Death Star is what first came to mind for most, but I couldn’t help but think of Sinestro’s Yellow Lantern remote weapon from Green Lantern: First Flight.
We got a better look at John’s sniper rifle in this issue, and we discover…that it’s his indigo staff. Dumb. Seriously, it looks laughably awful, not to mention that it makes absolutely no sense. First of all, the staff is the Indigo Tribe equivalent of a power battery, not a weapon. Secondly, since no one else got power batteries…why would John get one?
If the checklists are to be believed, then we’re halfway through “War of the Green Lanterns.” The next installment is Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #9, due out this week. You’ll have to wait until next Monday for the review, though, as the conclusion to Brightest Day is also due this week, and that’ll be Friday’s big review.
