GREEN LANTERN #33

[ BURNING THOSE BARGAINS ] 

You don't understand! I could've had class. I could've been a contender. I could've been a somebody! Instead of a bum... which is what I am. A bum that's gonna get his head kicked in when I check out the following comic book Created by Robert Venditti, Billy Tan, and Published by: DC Comics, in August, 2014.

To QUOTE Winston Churchill: 'We will fight them on the beaches'.

THE STORY:

Now if you're ever thinking about visiting the very warm planet of 'Zezzen', please have in mind you might possibly witness the following three scenarios. (1) A group of Durlans boasting about how they will become the next race of supermen. (2) Hal Jordan and the rest of the corps trying their best to stop them from doing this. And (3) A surprise guest appearance from Christopher Nolan... errr.. I mean Nol-anj and her 'outer clan', who will also assist Hal with his dilemma.

Well, I think they do, anyway.

THE GOOD:

A week or so ago I had a discussion with some chap on the internet, who told me that he stopped picking up this book because he didn't like Billy Tan's artwork. 'What?' I said to him. 'You've decided to stop reading Green Lantern just because of the way it looks!'. 'Yeah' he replied. 'If something doesn't look right to me, why should I bother wasting my money on it?'

Now, from a financial point of view -- yeah -- I can understand where he's coming from with this. In the same breath, however, I also felt his opinions were fairly superficial as well.

I mean, what about the characters? What about the idea behind the corps? Plus what about the action, the romance, and the overall adventurous aspects? Personally speaking, I love Green Lantern because it reminds me of a cop show, a cosmic opera, plus other such sci-fi bent narratives like 'Star Wars' or 'Star Trek'.

Granted, this title isn't one hundred percent like what I've just mentioned. Yet it does have the scope and the tenacity to delve into these aspects whenever it so wishes.

Take this grand story-line for instance.  How I see it, this is one of those tales where you're not going to love every single installment. But what you will get is a cleanly illustrated and daring stepping-stone-story that'll build up to one hell of a gala event.

BOOOM! Say no more.

THE BAD:

Despite this comic kicking off in a fairly imposing fashion -- by relaying that the Durlans were going to transform themselves into an army of superman -- regrettably, this sense of fear and dread didn't continue when the battle eventually took place. It was as though one minute the story was like, 'Oh, shit! Hal and the corps are f*cked now!'. Whereas the next minute it was like, 'Ahh! Don't worry yourself. We've got everything under control'.

THE MUSIC:

OK. So maybe this is the more silly side of me talking. But because this tale was about 'predisposed power' and 'a very hot location', why not match it up with 'The Doors' classic, 'Come on Baby Light My Fire'?

THE COMPARISON:

On a conceptual level I'd say this issue conveyed a war-time battle between two opposing factions set in a very sunny location. So if you think about it, folks, loosely speaking this whole scenario was like any other such skirmish with very humid weather. Like Afghanistan, Vietnam, Cambodia, South Africa, Finland, or any other major battle of times past.

THE CONCLUSION:

At the very end of this comic book Hal Jordan received a message from his brother in arms, John Stewart. But, prey tell, what could this message be? Surely not something like...

1. Now if Kilowog had three apples, and the Durlan's took away two, how many apples would he have left?
2. If the corps have an equal opportunities policy, how come you've never hired any Native Americans?
3. Please come back as soon as you can. The Durlan's are starting to sing Karaoke.  
4. Obi Wan Kenobi, you're our only hope.
5. Hey, Hal, what did you think of the new 'Guardians of the Galaxy' movie? And do you think we can sue them for using the name 'Guardian'?
6. How do I get porn on my power ring?
7. Do you think you're paying too much for your home insurance?
8. Hal! We we're wrong. It's not over!

Nuff said.