GREEN LANTERN #20

Deaths and rebirths always come hat in hand. It's like listening to an electric mariachi band. Sometimes it can be fun. Other times it smells of bum. Whereas by in large it can appear somewhat timid and bland. Unlike the green supreme creative team of Writer: Geoff Johns; Artist: Doug Mahnke; and Publisher: DC Comics, in April, 2013.

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

WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: This is it, folks. This is the one where Hal, Guy, Kyle, John, Baz, plus every single member of every single corps, finally fight back against the villainous, Volthoom, before he kills every living creature in the known universe.
ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: Well, we're all still alive, aren't we? So what do you think?
ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: Yes. A bloody lot happens actually. Deaths. Re-births. Origins. Futures. Pasts. Tragedies. Triumphs. Plus quite a few more events I care not to mention. All of them unravelling one after the other, like a ball of string falling down a flight of stairs.
HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With a new dawn rising upon the horizon.

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

Maybe this just me reading too much into things, but when Volthoom said...

'I've allowed you to see clearly for the first time in billions of years'

... to me, personally, this phrase basically summed up Geoff Johns entire run in a nutshell. He's made us see the Green Lantern Corps in a very clear way now. Very-very clear.

What are the BEST bits about this issue?

(+) I did like how this story was book-ended by that pre-emptive 'Book of Oa' sequence in retrospect; because I thought that this additional layer gave this narrative two positive aspect's. Firstly, it was a nice way of bestowing some much needed sense of perspective onto this parable. And secondly, it allowed the adventure to be both focused and expansive without too much of a jolt in-between 'transitions'.

(+) Geoff Johns. Doug Mahnke. Plus the rest of the guys. Wow! What can I say? Smashing job guys. In this issue you all went above and beyond and made this special event that extra bit special. No holds barred.

(+) One of the most surprising aspects about this book was how all of the 'episodes' during Geoff's run seemed to have found a place within this tale. Nekron. The coloured Lanterns. The Guardians. Et' all. Everything just blended without messing anything else up.

(+) Alright. So Volthoom is an actual human being, right? But how did this Earth man find himself on the Guardians doorstep amidst Krona's shenanigans? Interesting 'plot-gap', isn't it?

(+) Without giving too much away, I did like how this tale resolved itself. It made an awful lot of sense overall, and set-up the future of this franchise quite perfectly.

(+) No matter what I may say in the following section, this comic book is one very classy and well-polished production. The art is amazing. The story is cinematic. And the overall package is just-just so. Know what I mean?

What are the WORST bits about this issue?

(-) Oi! DC! What the f*ck are you playing at? $7.99 for a comic book! Are you off your bloody trolley or something? I know that it's a great comic, chock-full of special extras and a conclusion to end all conclusions. But couldn't you have produced a more condensed version perhaps? You know. One without those 'word of phrase' scattered throughout the entire issue. That way some of the less well-off fans could have picked up this book, huh? And you are producing this comic for the fans, aren't you DC?

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

MORRISSEY AS HAL JORDAN: No. Don't worry. I'm not comparing Hal to Mo because Mo has a cat on his head -- giving me the opportunity to imply that he's a bit of a pussy. Instead, what these two great men both have in common, is an earnest passion for what they do, and aren't afraid to show it.

FRANK SINATRA AS GANTHET: Is it just me, or does this reluctant immortal occasionally resemble old blue eyes himself? Oh! It's just me then. Fair enough.

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

'Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Never give up work. Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it. If you are lucky enough to find love, remember it is there and don't throw it away' -- Stephen Hawking

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

'REQUIEM MASS' IN D MINOR BY WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART: Yeah! That's right. I'm going operatic on your ass with this comparison, folks. As what else can I compare this comic to, except for something that is both bold and timely to say the least?

ANYTHING Else?

Dear Geoff Johns.

Thanks mate. Thank you very much for such a great run on a really great title.

Yet, if I'm going to be honest with you, pal, I didn't think the same way when you began writing Green Lantern all those years ago. Honestly. I thought to myself 'What the hell is he doing here? He did a much better job on the JSA than he is on this book'. But over time -- you guessed it -- you won me over. Making me appreciate the clean and well defined nature of your work one issue at a time.

Granted, as you know all too well, not all of your stuff was greatly received by me or your fans alike. Sometimes you're story's felt laboured here and there. Plus I've got to admit, I wasn't too keen on how you're bigger arcs were too expansive with hindsight.

Still, at the end of the day you've done a great job, Geoff. You've invigorated a franchise. You've spread a lot of cheer and love. And most importantly of them all, you're a good-en, pal. And deserve a good long rest.

Love, Light, and Peace, the reviewer.

GIVE IT, IT'S DUES: If This Comic Book Was Some Type of Confectionery, It Would Be a Gob-stopper. Long Lasting. Refreshing. And Very-Very Sweet.