GREEN LANTERN #11

[ DAY OF THE DISCOUNT ] 

Will the villain Black Hand get his own back? With a packet of toffee and a pound of smack? Hal Jordan hopes not. Sinestro is a snot. And the rest of the gang are looking forward to the crack. True story. As Written by Geoff Johns; Drawn by Doug Mahnke; and Published by DC Comics in May 2012. Sometimes.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

Have you ever won the lottery before, only to then lose your bearings? Sound's pretty peculiar, doesn't it?  Well, peculiar is precisely what happens to a ring wearing green-space-cop in part one of 'The Revenge of the Black Hand'. Mores the pity.

• Picture the scene if you care; Hal Jordan is in a very funny situation type situation at the moment.
• On the one hand, Natromo and the Indigo Tribe have restored Hal's power ring back into his control, as well as given Sinestro a new lease of life -- so to speak.
• Whilst, on the other hand, Black Mask is back from the dead, and is now ready to cause havoc upon the world of the living.
• Worst still, is that the all powerful Guardians are watching over what Hal and Sinestro are currently up to, too!

To be continued just as soon as these two heroes peek into 'The Book of the Black'. Plop!

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

There was a conversation between Hal and Sinestro that really did float my boat in this tale...

HAL: You should not threaten Indigo and her tribe. They're on our side.

SINESTRO: Which is why they kidnapped me?

HAL: OK, my side.

Sound like a comedic double-act, doesn't it?

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

One of the most intriguing aspects about this adventure was that certain segments were starting to come together within the 'bigger picture'. Like the whole 'Third Army' sub-plot for example, plus the Indigo's inclusion to overcome the Guardians. 

Moreover, I'm really enjoying how Hal's and Sinestro's relationship is starting to shape up. One part 'sparring partners'. One part 'reluctant comrades in arms'

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

I found that this tale was encased in a very strange way. It started off with a flash-black -- well, I think it was -- relating to Hal and Sinestro fighting the Manhunters. And then it ended with them zooming through 'The Book of the Black' and landing on Black Hands lap.

Just a tad too fractured for my own liking.

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: One of my most favourite scenes in this issue was the one where Hal and Sinestro were in the 'Bat Cave' together. In many ways this shows another side to Mister plug-ugly -- giving him more scope as a character in his own right.

Also, all of the Black Hand scenes were a pleasure to follow as well -- and reminded me of... no... I'll get to that later.  

ART: A chill ran up my spine when I saw that 'Book on the Black' splash page. No. I did remember to close all of the windows in my apartment. It's the fact that this 'blatant teaser' teased the living lantern out of me. Guy in prison? A new Lantern on the rise? The New Guardians in battle? What's not to like?

Good on you artist, Doug Mahnke.

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?

SINESTRO: Now if this smug git was a flower, what flower would he be? A Supertunia Pretty Much Picasso Petunia, perhaps? It's pink and green, flourishes in hotter climes, and is difficult to handle in spring. 

HAL: OK, so what would Hal be then, huh? Maybe a Busy Lizzie? They are nice to look at. They grow all over the place. Plus I hear that they rest firmly in their beds.

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

Death, Be Not Proud. Rebirth, Depends' I Suppose. Life, If Possible.

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why? 

Now as I was going to say previously, the Black Hand scenes reminded me of something I have seen before. 'Insidious' the horror movie. Not in a negative way of course. Just how the mundane 'day in the life' perverted snippet's came across like a normal thing for this villain to do with his family.

FINAL thoughts...

I pretty much liked reading this issue of Green Lantern. You see, unlike some of the earlier issues, this one had a more resolute tone to it, plus had a nice plodding pace which wasn't too quick plough through.

My only slight concern though, is that I hope this 'Third Army' shenanigan doesn't fizzle in the breeze once it kicks into gear. This 'event' needs to be more than a 'stepping-stone' to something else -- it needs to hold water -- and not sink into the abyss. 

MARKS out of 10? 9