Red Lanterns #2

Release Date: October 6, 2011
Cover Date: December 2011

Story: Peter Milligan
Pencils: Ed Benes
Inks: Rob Hunter
Cover: Ed Benes and Rob Hunter

Atrocitus ruminates over his new mission of vengeance, and thinks of the war engulfing the planet Ghan IX. The alien Yuevers tried to stop the tribal conflicts there, only to become embroiled in the battles themselves. When a pair of Yuever soldiers accidentally kill innocent Ghanite children, Atrocitus hears the lone survivor’s cries of rage and rushes to the planet. He kills those responsible, but one of the soldiers says that his death may result in more pain and rage for his family. When Atrocitus returns to Ysmault, he decides that he’ll need to return some intelligence to one of his Red Lanterns to help him in his mission. Who will Atrocitus choose? (Hint: it’s Bleez.)

While there were a few cool moments in this issue, it largely fell far short of its predecessor. The hackneyed monologues by Atrocitus aside, the overall plot just wasn’t very interesting.

There were two bits that I did find intriguing. Even though Rixx was confronted by Atrocitus only briefly, this may just be foreshadowing as to her possible future as a Red Lantern. If so, that would be most interesting; she’d be a child filled with rage, sure, but could her young intellect properly understand justice instead of mindless revenge?

Also, the obvious point that killing the soldier would only drive his family towards grief and possible vengeance themselves was handled well. Of course, Atrocitus murdered the poor bastard anyway, but it would be some great storytelling if this came back to bite him in the ass.

So if this issue is hinting that Rixx may become a Red Lantern…what about the two Earthmen from the last issue? That subplot isn’t even referenced. I know it’s only been a single issue, but it seemed worthwhile last time; it doesn’t even get a nod here, and that’s rather strange.

I’m not a fan of the cover art. I understand that Ed Benes was going for a propaganda poster look, but it just doesn’t quite work for me. The presentation just looks boring, with a partially obscured figure and a boilerplate “RAGE” tag behind it. The lack of color in the drawing doesn’t help, either. (Note: I know Rixx never wore a red ring in this issue, but we’ll let that go. Rarely do comic book covers accurately depict the events therein!)

In addition, there were more laughable exotic dancer poses from Bleez and another female Red Lantern. (If she’s got a name, I don’t know it; someone fill me in?) I know it seems that I harp on Benes’ art a lot, but I do enjoy most of it; in particular, that double-page splash of the massive battle on Ghan IX looks awesome! The alien designs spanning from simple melee weapons to warships were well done, too.

It’s not a good sign that Red Lanterns is already faltering. We’ll have to see if things pick up in the next issue.