GREEN LANTERN #3

[ YELLOW FOR SALE ] 

There once was a bad boy called Sinestro. Who needed a buddy to help him ‘have a go’. Hal was his name, a man who liked a game, especially one called Punto de Banco. And this is a tale presented to you by Writer: Geoff Jones; Artist: Doug Mahnke; and Publisher: DC Comics in December 2011.

So what’s the story morning glory?

In this third part of ‘Sinestro’, we get to see the somewhat reluctant paring of the new ‘Green Team’, Hal Jordon and Sinesto, initiating, planning, and implementing their collective attack against the Sinesto Corps, whilst tying to save the enslaved planet Korugar at the same time.

Now all of this starts on Earth, where Sinestro manages to persuade Hal to join him in his quest. This then continues in space, where Sinestro tells Hal his plan of attack. And finally, this concludes on Korugar, where Sinestro detracts, and Hal goes BOOM!

In addition to this, on the planet Oa, the Guardians come to a decision to rectify their past failures, by starting a ‘new army’.

What is the most memorable sentence spoken in this issue?

I liked it when Sinestro changed his costume to a darker hue, and then, after a brief tête-à-tête with Hal, he boldly stated ‘Your training really stopped after I left, didn’t it?’.

Was the story any good?

Now this issue did have a similar style to the proceeding chapter – in the way that exposition out weighs the action, as well as the ‘delayed tone’ that this story-line does come across as. However, unlike the proceeding chapter – this one did feel fuller in characterisation, and it did have a strangely alternate take on a ‘lets beat up the bad guy’ scenario.

Was the art any good?

I am a sucker for Doug Mahnke’s art. He has a very bold and stern way with his line work, which I have to say, does make his characters feel very vibrant indeed.

Though, on the reverse side of this statement, sometimes the hues of the colourist, David Baron, do appear to dilute the conceptual artwork upon the page, thus making the depictions very flat and benign in quality.

What is the best thing about this issue?

Two things’ really stand out for me in this issue. The first one being the whole Guardians segment – as I like the idea that they are going to create a ‘new army’, it is very intriguing. And the second being, how Sinestro tried to validate his stance on ‘hiring Hal’ – it makes him seem like a pompous and foolhardy git, and is very in character.

What is the worst thing about this issue?

The ‘delays’ in this comic book are really an annoyance at times. Hal saying that he wants to speak to Carol – Sinestro being a bit of a w*nker – and the general ‘wait one minute, I have something to say’ way that this story works.

That is all that is bad though.

If you could sum up this issue in a phrase or saying, what would that phrase or saying be?

Simple – the old adage ‘Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer’.

If this issue were a movie, an object, or a piece of music, what would that be and why? 

In a rather conceptual manner, this issue reminded me of the Martin Lawrence and Steve Zahn movie, ‘National Security’ (click here for my review). Well, basically speaking, both this comic book and this film possesses certain key elements that are very similar. They both have a jovial nature, a fleeting storyline, and the two main protagonists keep on rubbing each other up the wrong way.

What do you think would have made this issue better than it was?

I would have liked this issue to have more substance as a story, and not act as a light stepping-stone to whatever is coming up next. Moreover, I am sitting on the fence where the conclusion of this issue is concerned – because I am unsure if this will play out in a fleeting or a developmental level.

Obviously, Hal is not dead – he is merely resting until Johns can tease us a bit more.

Final thoughts...

Overall, I thought that this issue was a lot better than the last issue. I liked the dynamics and some of the character on display – whilst at the same time; the progression through this issue did come across a mite lop-sided, especially where the plot was concerted.

Marks out of 10? 8