GREEN LANTERN CORPS #18

The First Lantern is really on the prowl. He's primed like that crusader with a cowl. Kyle's already been licked. While Guy's been savagely kicked. Now all that's left is to make the rest of the Corps scowl. But of course, not before the green supreme creative team of Writer: Peter J. Tomasi; Artist: Crisscross; and Publisher: DC Comics in April 2013. Grrrrrr!

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 4 questions about this SIXTH PART of 'Wrath of the First Lantern'.

WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: Without beating around the bush, Volthoom -- the First Lantern -- snatches John and Fatality from God knows where, and then perverts their memories like a monkey with severe bowel problems.
ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: Ppppprrrt! Sniff-Sniff. It wasn't me!
ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: We learn what life would have been like for John if his mother had lived, if he and Fatality got together, and if all of his bad choices weren't so bad after all. Kind of.
HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With Volthoom gloating like a right tosser.

All in all, what is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

As much as I did like most of the prose on show in this issue, in many ways Volthoom's final remarks summed up the whole thing very nicely once he mussed...

'The power of will and love. So strong yet so weak. Your lives are what I make of them. You do what I want you to do. Be what I want you to be'.

The only thing I would have added at the end of it, though, is if 'Voom-Voom' said something like 'Now where is my genitalia?'. Ha!

What are the BEST bits about this issue?

(+) For my own tastes the art by Crisscross in this adventure was just spot on. His characters showed expression. His action scenes were dynamic. And his panelling was very evenly paced too.

(+) Although I wasn't very keen on this tales 'tried and tested' conceit, in the same breath, I was very keen on how it amalgamated John's and Fatality's plights into one story-stand mid-way through it, and gave what was once old a new spin.

(+) The only thing I knew about John's past prior joining the corps, was that he was once a member of the marines. So it was a nice -- yet bittersweet -- surprise to find out that his political Mum died by a gun-mans bullet when he was just a lad. Furthermore, it was also very surprising to see his recent 'Kirrt kill' and 'Mogo mash-up' showcased as well.

What are the WORST bits about this issue?

(-) I suppose my only slight gripe with this issue -- just like some of the other parts of 'Wrath of the First Lantern' -- is how the overall premise is basically 'Bad guy messes about with good guys memories, so he can feed off of their negative emotions'. Apart from that though, this story was f*cking amazing.

Choose TWO CHARACTERS out of this comic book, and then compare them to two REAL LIFE PEOPLE.

A YOUNGISH SAMUEL L JACKSON AS JOHN STEWART: Now if you've had the time to check out my piece on Sam with James Lipton, then I'm sure you will agree with me when I say that John and Sam have both endured through similar 'harder edged' lives.

Minus the planet blowing up of course.

STACEY DASH AS FATALITY: Look at Stacy. Go on. Look at her. Can you feel it? Can you feel that one day she'll look good holding a giant pink stick?

Coff-Coff! I need a shower now.

What QUOTE would be appropriate to sum-up this story?

'I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done' -- Lucille Ball

What SONG, THEME-TUNE, or MELODY, would complement this tale, as well as add and extra dimension to it by default?

'TAINTED LOVE' BY SOFT CELL: Now if you've already checked out this comic book adventure, by all means, please listen to the following song, because I'm sure it'll give it a brand new warped perspective. Ha!

Volthoom, this is your theme-tune, baby.

ANYTHING Else?

Now from what I have seen so far, most of the subsidiary 'Wrath of The First Lantern' tie-in's have all been fairly 'so and so' all in all. The conceptual pretext's are all the same. The stories are differentiating in quality and taste. And by in large they all tell a personal tale about perverted loss channeled through the eyes of 'Voom-Voom'.

Granted, as a cross-over event goes, this one is a bit above average. Each tale has its own merits, and is able to intrigue, fascinate, and compel us to continue following it. Nevertheless, I would have liked to have seen something more, wouldn't you? Something apart from an excuse to take a trip down memory lane, not so long after DC's Zero Month.

GIVE IT, IT'S DUES: If This Comic Book Was A Serial Killer, It Would Be A Misguided One Who'll Turn Himself In Once He's Had Enough.