GREEN LANTERN #14

[ A LEAGUE OF DISCOUNTS ] 

Where-oh-where is that bloody Hal Jordan? Is he snorkelling in the Bahamas with Jim Gordon? Or maybe he's nearby? Tucked within a pig-sty. Just next to that large police cordon. Yeah. You know the one. On the opposite side of the street to where these people live. Writer:  Geoff Johns; Artist: Doug Mahnke; and Publisher: DC Comics in December 2012.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

Boy-oh-boy! There sure is a lot of talking going on this issue entitled 'Courage'! The Guardians of the Universe talk to the imprisoned first Lantern about the nature of free will. Whilst Green Lantern, Simon Baz, talks to the Justice League about how he got his power ring.

• However, when Batman attempts to take of this super-charged trinket away from this Halal-Lantern, it goes ballistic. Causing Baz to freak-out and run away as fast as his ring can carry him.
• Well, when I say 'run away', what I mean to say is that he quickly meets up with his brother's wife, Sira, who informs' him where to go to find the person that makes bombs.
• Yeah. That sounds better. Much better. Not unlike Black Hand bringing back to life one of the renegade Guardians, Regal.

To be continued just as soon as Hal and Sinestro take a walk through the dead zone.

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

I really did get a big kick out of Baz's encounter with the League this issue. And I especially chuckled at...

BAZ: You don't expect me to fight you, do you? I mean, your Superman. Even if I knew how to use this ring, you'd kick my ass by yourself. Maybe I could take on Batman.

FLASH: He's a Lantern all right.

Plus I did like reading the Flash's response to hearing that Baz's got his power ring from a dead Lantern -- 'I hope it was Gardner... I'm going to hell for that, aren't I?'

Ha!  What's not to like?

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

For me, personally speaking, I thought the tone of this adventure really did elevate it to very personable proportions. Well, we've all seen heroes fight heroes before, haven't we? So why not state that fact! Like Baz did in this tale. Also, I did enjoy reading the Guardians philosophical discussion at the beginning of this tale; because it reminded me of... no... I leave that for another issue me thinks.

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

My only slight gripe with this story was that I found the pacing slightly uneven half-way through it. It starts off conversational by default, then it segways into a chase scene and a couple of continuing plot-strands -- which in essence are still largely left up in the air.  

This is a very slight gripe though. Not a biggie.

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: As I've mentioned previously, I did like the scene where the League confronted Baz. Not only was it funny in tone, but it was very innovative when they attempted to define the nature of terrorism, and how hero's are meant to behave when they first meet.

Class and creative. Say no more.

ART: Honest to God. Baz's darkly hued uniform is really starting to grow on me by the issue. At first I thought to myself 'Why in Allah's name is he wearing a mask for and looking like a ninja?'. Now though -- it all makes sense to me. Plus I did like the manner in which his ring produces very sleek looking vehicles.

Good on you Doug Manke. Keep on trucking. 

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

BATMAN: Have you ever wondered what the Dark Knight would sound like if he were a stand-up comedian? Yeah. Funny enough, that's exactly what I was thinking too. Steven Wright -- the Dark Knight of deadpan.

FLASH: As for the Flash on the other hand? OK, I know that he has a potty mouth, but can't you just imagine either Trey Parker or Matt Stone speaking out of their asses? Ppppt!

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

Whenever You Are In Doubt, Run Away And Look For A Bomb. It Must Be Better Than Fighting The Justice League!

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

Conceptually speaking, this adventure was about a hero running around from pillow to post, trying to figure out what he's meant to be doing. Right? So why not compare this tale to something like the Clint Eastwood movie, 'The Gauntlet', just without the Sandra Locke character. Ha!

FINAL thoughts...

Dear People Who Are In Charge Of This Green Comic Book,

As I mentioned yesterday, last week I started to write to those plumbs over at 'Marvel' through this section of my b*llshit. So this week I thought I do the same thing to you plumbs at DC too.

Well, fairs, fair, huh?

Anyway, what I want to say is that I really do appreciate what you ugly looking people are trying to do on this title. Each week you try your best to tell a continuing story, whilst spinning a focused tale in the process.

Granted, this week it wasn't very focused. In fact, it was a bit philandering here and there, as if it was trying to plug a whole in a dam. Still, I forgive you for that -- kind of -- because all's fair in love and Green Lantern war.

Oh! By the way, that reminds me, where is the war? Presently your 'master plan' seems like a collection of 'odds and sods' cobbled together. OK, I can appreciate that a bigger picture is going on behind the scenes. But sometimes bigger isn't always better.

Just ask your respective spouses, ha!

Love Light And Peace, Your Ever Loving Reviewer

MARKS out of 10? 9