Release Date: November 2, 2011
Cover Date: January 2012
Story: Peter Milligan
Pencils: Ed Benes
Inks: Rob Hunter
Cover: Ed Benes and Rob Hunter
Atrocitus gives Bleez back her intellect by plunging her into the Blood Ocean. She’s not pleased with it, and Atrocitus attempts to assuage her pain by bringing her back to her homeworld of Havania. There, Bleez discovers that she was set up to be tormented by the Sinestro Corpsman who killed her suitor. Bleez kills Baron Ghazz, but spares Count Liib so that he’ll live in constant fear. Atrocitus will have none of that, however, and kills Liib himself, much to Bleez’s annoyance. Back on Ysmault, Bleez manages to rein in the rest of the Red Lanterns, but Atrocitus still wonders if she’s loyal.
Red Lanterns #3 was certainly a step up from the previous issue, but it falls prey to some of the same problems.
For example, this issue saw the return of John and Ray from Red Lanterns #1, but ignores Rixx from Red Lanterns #2. I’m guessing the two subplots will alternate issues for a bit and then come together at some point in the future; the teaser text for the next issue, “Who Are the Chosen Ones?”, seems to support this. For now, it adds more confusion to a book that supposed to be a ground floor for new readers.
The laughable sexploitation in Red Lanterns is still glaringly apparent, and I almost wonder why I bother commenting on the gratuitous ass shots and whatnot anymore. The final panel is a closeup shot of Bleez’s backside, and it almost looks like the other Red Lanterns are crowding in to get a closer look. (Just like the adolescent male audience.) I know this is how superhero comics are often sold, but in Red Lanterns‘ case, it’s just silly and distracting.
There’s a possible error on the cover art; look at Bleez’s legs. (Not like that, you perverts.) She’s clearly meant to be standing in a deep pool of blood, but the background was left as a brilliant white to contrast with the bright red arterial fluid dripping all over here. Leaving out the pool may have been an artistic choice by colorist Nathan Eyring, but it seems a bit odd.
This issue wasn’t all bad, though; the retelling and expansion of Bleez’s origin was excellent, and a smart move to help newcomers familiarize themselves with the character. I’d even go so far as to say that the illustration of her pre-Red Lantern self is not sexist; sure, she’s dressed in skimpy clothing, but that look was very much in keeping with Bleez’s previous arrogance and narcissism. She practically considered herself a goddess! Bleez’s dialogue throughout the issue was far more interesting than that of Atrocitus, though the Red Lantern leader did have a few good moments, most notably when he throttled Bleez for disrespecting him.
Red Lanterns #3 was a needed improvement, but it remains to be seen how long this can last. The story’s getting a bit too predictable and cheesy.
