GREEN LANTERN #5

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It's hard to rectify past mistakes. Especially when your life suddenly slips on the breaks. But there is always a way - when Sinestro comes to play - with his gangster pals called 'The Two Jakes'. Or else, maybe you would rather read this cosmic yarn, Written by Geoff Jones; Drawn by Doug Mahnke; and Published by DC Comics in February 2012.

So what’s the story morning glory?

This final instalment of 'Sinestro', is a tale that is full of questions and answers - four to be precise. One of them is unanswered though.

Question One - Can Hal and Sinestro escape from their confinement, particularly when the recently 'lantern imbued' Korugarians want to kick the sh*t out of the puce faced plonka? Well, thankfully for him and Hal, Sinestro has two back-up plans to get them out of this situation. (1) He has previously tamped with the Korgarians power rings - so that they cannot harm him. And (2) He is able to communicate with his power battery - prompting this super-source to slap all of the sinister sods silly, POW!

Question Two - Can this reprieved rabble of rogues turn the Sinestro Corps into VHS video tapes? Yes - they do become rather redundant after a somewhat rambunctious battle.

Question Three - What next? The Korgurians returns to their home planet, and tell Sinestro to p*ss off. Sinestro takes the yellow core-battery to Oa, and tells Hal to p*ss off. And Hal goes to earth and tells Carol... ahem... that he loves her.

Question Four - What the f*ck are the Guardians talking about in their Citadel? Chamber of Shadows? The first Lantern? The Third Army? Doesn't look good now, does it?    

What is the most memorable sentence spoken in this issue?

I liked the following conversation between Hal and Sinestro once the battle was over.

Sinestro: I only wanted order - that's all I ever wanted.

Hal: You mean you wanted control. You want to control everything as you let others think you control yourself. You let everyone believe you never have moments of doubt or fear or weakness.

Sinesto: I don't.

Ha! Woody Allen style analysis for Sinestro please!

Was the story any good?

Actually, I did not mind this final chapter of Sinestro at all. I liked Sinestro's smugness - Hal's even-keeled presence - and the Korgurians stoic vibe. Plus, in addition to this, the way that this issue was structured and paced, was very well executed also. Simple - revealing - yet expansive at the same time.

Was the art any good?

By in large I did like Doug's art-work in this story. His battle sequences were bold and brash, and his layouts were very nicely presented to boot.

Moreover, kudos has to go out to colorists, Alex Sinclair and Tony Avina - whom complement his work very well indeed.

However, I am afraid to say that the plethora of inkers on this issue was slightly off-putting at times. I could tell the contrast in their line-work from page to page.  

What is the best thing about this issue?

I liked the aftermath to this tale the best. For a start, the scene between Hal and Carol was very heartfelt - and made sense within the confines of this arc. Also, I did enjoy Sinestro's John Cleese impersonation (very 'Basil Fawlty'), and the Guardian's cliff-hanger too (very 'What the f*ck?').

What is the worst thing about this issue?

Dramatically, I did not really 'feel' the cliff-hanger which flowed in from last issue to this one (i.e. the whole Korgurian wanting to kick Sinestro's ass thing). For me, at the moment this type of groan-worthy 'titivation' is starting to be very repetitive in the DCnU - and it is becoming very formulaic in the process.

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

Now is it just me, or did this issue scream "Never piss into a cosmic storm"? A warning as such.

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

OK, so this issue was a resolution of sorts, correct? With a way about it that is dynamic, smug, and misleading overall. So what about 'He's Misstra Know-It-All ' by Stevie Wonder. Sound's good it me.

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

I would have loved to have seen Carol do a striptease in front of Hal, by saying to him 'Call me Apollo, Midnighter', before Sinestro did likewise to Hal a moment or so later.

Well? That would be very DCnU, correct?

Final thoughts...

This year seems to be a very turbulent time for the whole Green Lantern line of comic books. But I have to say that this one seems to be the most turbulent.

I just hope that Geoff does not 'over do it' with his current roller coaster ride, and is able to give each issue some substance in character and plot.

Marks out of 10? 8