NEW GUARDIANS #14

[ BLINDING BARGAINS ] 

Can the rise of the Third Army be stopped? Can this revolt eventually be topped? Kyle Rayner doesn't care. He has wavy-hair. And recently he's had it styled, pampered, and chopped. Yeah. Just like green supreme creative team of Writer: Antony Bedard; Artists: Andre Bressin and Amicar Pinna; plus Publisher: DC Comics in December 2012.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

Ding-Ding! Its lesson time in this space adventure entitled 'Fear Factor'; where Kyle and the gang are taught many emotional lessons from many emotional people. For example:

1. Kyle is taught the art of compassion by Indigo-1.
2. Carol is taught never to piss of the Zameron's by the Zameron's.
3. Akillo is taught that he has a man-crush on Sinestro by Kyle.
4. Plus collectively, Kyle, Carol, and Akillo, are all taught that they best knock Kyle into shape pretty quickly, or else the Guardians of the Universe are going to piss everyone right off.

Damn straight to be continued...

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

There were a lot of pithy little passages scattered throughout this issue that I didn't mind reading. But for me, the best out of the bunch, was when Indigo-1 said to Kyle -- 'You labor under the misconception that compassion is good. A true indigo embraces both positive and negative emotions. One cannot have good without evil. One can not have rage without love. All are parts of the same continuum'.

Well, not only does this poignant paragraph perfectly illustrate what the 'emotional spectrum' is all about. But it also demonstrates to Kyle that what is good is not always good, and visa-versa.

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

I suppose the best thing about this story is also the worst thing about this story too. Of course I'm referring to the simplicity of it. Conceptually this uncomplicated tone makes the overall tale very easy to follow, without adding any additional 'gumf' for good measure. However, whilst saying that...

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

... this said same tone makes this story a tad too 'child-like' in nature, inadvertently hindering the messages behind certain scenes.

Take the Akillo scene for instance. Kyle's and Akillo's 'evolution' seemed to have gotten lost within its 'play it by numbers' stance on this matter. Not really having the emotional gravitas needed for this type of emotional scenario.

Do you see what I'm driving at, dear reader? Sometimes 'too simple' can hinder 'too deep'.

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: Without a shadow of a doubt, the most creative thing about this story is how the Zamerons are using Carol as a compass for the Guardians to track down Kyle with. Wow! What a revelation that was! Really took me out of my seat that did. And found it both sneaky and creative in the process.

ART: Apart from Star Sapphires new mask -- which looks dreadful -- Andre Bressin and Amicar Pinna did a really good job on this issue. Both of them really complemented each others work without distracting from the overall tale. Moreover, I did like the way in which they both illustrated Kyle, giving him more of a 'Spiderman' physique than a 'Superman' one.

Also, kudos has do go out for the dramatic staging too. The majority of this issue was just talking heads. And Andre and Amicar did very well composing these scenes as interesting as possible. Smashing.

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

AKILLO: Continuing this month's comedic casting-call theme, I'd have to cast comic, Bruce Vilanch, into the role of this very-angry looking alien, who has a man-crush on Sinestro. Works on more than one level, huh? Just think about it.

INDEGO-1: Alright. I know that the feminist comedian, Joe Brand, looks more like Akillo than this compassionate custodian. Still, wouldn't it be funny to hear her talk about this erstwhile emotion in that surly way of hers?

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

You've Heard Of: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly. Now Get Ready For The Misunderstood, The Glad, And The Butt-Ugly.

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

Just like last issue, this issue dealt with the continuing theme of Kyle's training. So what else can I compare it to than something like 'Police Academy 3 - Back In Training' -- just funnier and more emotional.

FINAL thoughts...

Dear People Who Provide the Staples at DC Comics,

Thank you my friends. Thank you for binding this book with the mighty power of Thor. So far the content's within your binding is very pleasing to follow. Each month we readers are treated with a very nice read. Never too poignant or flashy. And with just the right amount of balance between cheesy and gritty.

However, if possible, can you convey to the 'big boys upstairs' why it's taking them so long to define the concept behind this book? I don't get it. Initially I thought it was going to be team book comprising of different colored lanterns. Next I thought it was a platform for Kyle to evolve as a character. And now I think that it's a combination of these two aforementioned factors.

Am I right? Or am I clutching at straws here? Trying to define something that will never be truly definable.

This book needs some definition. It would fall apart if each month you decided to use different types of staples -- literally -- and that's what I'm worried about the most.

Love, Light, And Peace -- The Reviewer

MARKS out of 10? 8.7