Release Date: December 21, 2011
Cover Date: February 2012
Story: Peter Tomasi
Pencils: Fernando Pasarin
Inks: Scott Hanna
Cover: Andy Kubert
The Green Lanterns are no match for their mysterious enemies, and even though John tries to surrender, the villains feel that they need to be taught a lesson. To prove their point, one of them kills a sloppily-dressed Green Lantern in cold blood. The captive Lanterns are teleported elsewhere, while Guy Gardner interrogates a prisoner back on Oa. Martian Manhunter arrives on behalf of Stormwatch, and discovers that the enemies are known as Keepers, and they were responsible for taking care of Green Lantern power batteries stored in the pocket dimension. Something’s really pissed them off, though, and they’re coming for the Central Power Battery.
This issue would’ve been a lot better except for a few stutters. The biggest quirk is that Green Lanterns were ordered to no longer use the pocket dimension to store their personal batteries…except that we saw Sinestro yank a battery out of the pocket dimension in Green Lantern (Vol. 5) #3.
Next, it’s made clear that the Keepers’ weapons only work for them, just like power rings only work for those specifically chosen. This is also wrong: as we’ve seen in various Green Lantern comics over the past few years, anyone can wield any ring as long as they feel the proper emotion. During “War of the Green Lanterns” in particular, the four Earth Green Lanterns slipped other rings on and off without any trouble.
Then there’s silly stuff like the Star Treaty of Av-Eneg. Oh wow, it’s “Geneva” spelled backwards, like the Geneva Conventions. Yeah, we get it. Sheesh.
On to more fun things. The design of the Keepers looks great, and vaguely reminiscent of the Sinestro Corps member Slushh. The skeleton beneath a clear skin motif is nothing new, but the bits of musculature and the not-quite-human facial features set them apart.
It seems like the Keepers are being set up as a race that was used and abused by the Guardians, then simply forgotten once their usefulness came to an end. (Due to “Emerald Twilight,” maybe?) Or, perhaps the very act of no longer storing the power batteries in the pocket dimension is beginning to do serious damage to the Keepers’ home. Either way, it’s making for an excellent story, hiccups nonwithstanding.
Green Lantern Corps (Vol. 3) #4 is also our first taste of other “New 52″ retcons and reboots actually affecting the Green Lantern books. Guy Gardner has no clue who the Martian Manhunter is, and his memory of their meeting is erased at its conclusion. This is a bit of a shame, as the past friendship between Guy and J’onn was always cool. I’ve also got a feeling that the Guardians were well aware of J’onn’s “intrusion,” and likely permitted it. They’re almost certainly aware of Stormwatch’s existence, since they work towards the same goals (albeit on a universal scale).
Things are moving along at a fine pace, and I can’t wait to see what the next issue brings. The Keepers are great antagonists, and there’s sure to be a lot more to them than just former custodians pissed at their old employers.
