Comics are Awesome III

[Sparky Prime]

Does he look Korugarian to you? He seems to have that crimson skin like Sinestro, Soranik or Katma Tui.

Yeah, his skin tone does suggest he could be Korugarian. And his uniform also kinda reminds me of Sinestro's civilian clothes.

[Sparky Prime]

Green Lanterns #22
Jessica freaks out about being taken across the universe abruptly, and manages to get her ring to stop by saying claiming an emergency. Kyle arrives, having been at a nearby planet, and takes Jessica the rest of the way to Mogo where they quickly reunite with Simon, who is already having a beer with Kilowog. After learning the Green and Yellow Lanterns have joined forces, and a close encounter with one of them, Jessica freaks out again. Meanwhile, Rami (Volthoom) arrives on Mogo (apparently the summons John sent the 2 Lanterns worked on him as well, despite not having a ring?) where he is confronted by Ganthet and Sayd. They explain they are the last of the Guardians (what about the still missing Templar Guardians!?) and that they need his help repairing a defect with the Green Lantern rings. Apparently, they've been trying to recruit new members, but none of the rings are heard from once they've been sent out. Simon finds Jessica and John finally comes to talk to them, and introduces them to their trainers... Guy and Kyle. It seems incredibly strange that John says he's not having Hal train Simon because he doesn't want him getting lessons in how to be a loose cannon, yet he pairs Jessica with Guy... Who is an even bigger loose cannon. Kinda disappointed with the story for an issue title "Lost in Space". Jessica was only briefly "lost" and that was only for one page before Kyle found her. As much as I appreciate that the story finally seems to be getting back on track, I kinda wanted to see Jessica and Simon seeing what it's like to be a Green Lantern in space while on the way to Mogo.

[andersonh1]

They explain they are the last of the Guardians (what about the still missing Templar Guardians!?)

I think the Templar Guardians must be hanging out with Cowgirl, off in the mysterious dimension where forgotten GL character go!

[andersonh1]

Superman #22
This is a "Lois Lane", action hero issue, and I loved it. With Superman, Batman, Robin and Jon all missing, Lois gets in the truck and goes looking for them. Things get strange quickly, as the big oak near Goldie's grave (the cat who died in issue 1) is burning. Lois goes to see Cobb and then goes to town, where she discovers that there's a bunker underground with tons of video monitors, showing every last little detail of the Kent family's lives, as well as their secret identities. From there it becomes a chase as numerous people from town begin to chase Lois, arriving at her house before she does. She reaches for a weapon, prompting one of the men to ask my favorite line of the issue: "why does Superman's wife need a gun?" It turns out to be the bat-glove from the moon batcave, and she uses it not only to fight off her pursuers, but also to gain access to the Batmobile. She takes off with everyone in pursuit, but the Batmobile's defenses fight them off.. until Farmer Cobb shows up and somehow disassembles the Batmobile, leaving Lois defenceless....

And then in the last page of two, Superman finds the big purple squid thing he fought, and sees a number of captured individuals (some of them wearing clown masks, oddly), including Jon, Robin and Batman. To be continued....

Aquaman #22
A solid ending to the Dead Water storyline, as Aquaman returns to find two more of the marine group he's teamed with have become the Dead Water creatures, triggered by extreme fear. He uses the portable nuke the Aquamarine team was carrying to seal the portal between Earth and Tethys, blocking the signal and returning the two to human form. Mera is none to happy with his solution, accusing him of being as afraid of Tethys as the surface world is of Atlantis, but Arthur felt there was no time for any other solution.

Batman #22
Part 3 of The Button revisits the Flashpoint timeline, which should be non existent, as Thomas Wayne/Batman expects it to be. But after the Flash left, the timeline continued, with Wonder Woman and Aquaman fighting for domination of the world. Only now they've decided to kill Batman, so he's preparing to destroy his house when their troops arrive... only for Batman and Flash to appear with a damaged cosmic treadmill. It's a chance for Bruce to meet his father, and while they talk, Flash tries to figure out how this alternate history can possibly exist when it should have been destroyed, and Barry theorizes that something has held it in place and in fact directed him and Batman here. The two Batmen have to fight off the attacking troops, Flash repairs the treadmill. The moment he does so, the Flashpoint reality begins to disappear, as "whatever held it in place has let it go". Bruce tries to take his father with them, but he refuses to go, and as Bruce tells him that he's a grandfather, Thomas tells Bruce to let Batman die, and be the father to Damien that he could not be for Bruce. The Flashpoint reality finally ends with Thomas Wayne boldly charging into nothingness. Bruce and Flash encounter the Reverse Flash on the way back, and he says he knows whose power is in the button...

I think it's wise to work Flashpoint into the whole Rebirth storyline, since Flashpoint is where reality changed drastically before we got the New 52. Bruce gets to exchange a few words with his father, and there will likely be long-term consequences from that. It's a good, solid character-based issue, with the obligatory fight only there to provide some tension and keep the book from being one long conversation.

[Sparky Prime]

Star Trek/Green Lantern: Stranger Worlds #6
Guess I missed issue 5... The Enterprise crew and the Green Lanterns are facing off against Red Lantern Khan and a fully charged Sinestro on Oa. Hal is surprised to find one of them managed to charge their ring to protect them, but it's not one of the Lanterns, but instead Kirk has been chosen by a Green Lantern ring. With him holding off the two villains, the rest of the Lanterns are able to use Oa's Central Battery to recharge. Meanwhile, the Enterprise is under attack in orbit from Klingon's and Carol is able to use her love with Scotty to recharge her ring (she never did this before because...?), and gives the Enterprise a boost of power. Back on Oa, Kilowog and Guy have taken out Khan's people, and without their Rage to fuel him, Khan's ring runs out of power, allowing Kirk to capture him. Sinestro reveals to the Lanterns he and Parallax have bonded, which means even with 5 Green Lanterns, his power more than outmatches them. So Kirk orders the Enterprise to fire on Sinestro. Sinestro is down, but not out. He opens a portal to the Anti-Matter universe, escaping to fight another day. In the aftermath, the Enterprise has captured the Red and Orange rings. Kilowog, John and Guy are on their way to the Klingon homeworld to rescue Saint Walker. And Kirk decides to try being a Green Lantern for a while, and leaves with Hal to locate the other power batteries, now that they know Oa Green Lantern Central Battery exists. On their way however, Hal suggests exploring a star system with "a big red sun..."

Not sure why they seem to think there would be more Power Batteries in the Star Trek universe... The Lanterns know full well Ganthet and Sayd built the Blue Lantern battery. Sinestro built his, with help from the Weaponers (the first time). Atrocitus built his. Abin Sur created the Indigo Tribe (which are disappointingly completely absent from these two story arcs). The only two I might see already existing is the Orange battery (which the Guardians built before the Green Lanterns existed, probably to contain Ophidian) and Star Sapphires, if the Zamaron's have already built theirs. Speaking of... Strange that Carol was able to recharge her ring just by kissing Scotty. Also kind of disappointed the rings Scotty was able to make aren't featured more in this story. Other than the first issue (and maybe issue 5), I don't think we really saw anyone using them, despite having become a Starfleet security standard issue piece of equipment. It's interesting that despite the Star Trek universe being so far into the future, it's portrayed as the past in terms of events of the DC universe. I get the feeling the 'red sun' comment at the end of the issue is a reference to Krypton, which Hal intends to save. At any rate, this was an interesting story arc. Glad they addressed the issue of the Lanterns not having a way to recharge. Even though Larfleeze was shown to have his power battery in the previous arc...

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #20
The Lanterns go head-to-head with the prism creatures, with no effect against them. Eventually, Hal realizes he's at fault here, as the creatures must have been created by Krona's Gauntlet he left in sector 563. Hal and Rip leave to recover the Gauntlet and deal with Sarko, while the Lanterns hold the line. But realizing they can't win with their rings, they give them up... Elsewhere, Sarko explains not only did the Gauntlet have an effect on Hal, but Hal also had an effect on it. It gained a spark of thought of its own, gaining the ability to feel nothing but willpower. Sarko releases it, revealing the Gauntlet has itself come to life.

Love the twist of Krona's Gauntlet itself coming to life. I didn't see that one coming. Sarko drops some hints about his father, but nothing so clear as to figure out who that would be. Someone that Hal would have trusted with the location of the Gauntlet. My guess? I think he's the son of Soranik Natu and Kyle Rayner. As Sinestro's grandson, it would explain his fanaticism for the Sinestro Corps. And they've had Kyle heavily suggesting to Natu that they renew their relationship, even though she doesn't seem interested.

[andersonh1]

http://www.blastr.com/2017-5-13/dc-comi ... -interview

Exclusive: DC Comics' Geoff Johns reveals teaser, details on Watchmen/Rebirth title Doomsday Clock

[Spoiler warning: The final two questions contain plot information regarding DC Comics' The Flash #22, available this Wednesday.]

Let the countdown begin, because Geoff Johns' story about 'The Button' is coming full circle this November with Doomsday Clock.

The standalone DC-published miniseries written by Chief Creative Officer Johns, with artist Gary Frank, will continue the narrative that began last year with his Rebirth Special #1, and more recently unfolded in a four-part arc in Batman #21, and concludes this Wednesday with The Flash #22.

Based on our exclusive reveal of the teaser image for Doomsday Clock below, the story behind Watchmen's entrance into the DC Universe aims to be, well, super. It is an understatement to say that seeing the Superman shield in the top slot of the clock from Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' seminal work raises questions. Intrigue is further piqued by the title itself, its "D.C." initials, presented in that yellow, bold Watchmen typeface -- and the word 'doomsday', the same name of the villain who famously killed Superman 25 years ago.

Based on what Johns told me, there is a lot (I mean, a lot) that will unfold in this title about forces from Watchmen who have been meddling with our DCU heroes' timelines and history. And as the timer begins ticking down for Doomsday Clock this November, here are 12 things about the comic book you can set your watch to.

[andersonh1]

Love the twist of Krona's Gauntlet itself coming to life.

I agree, that's a great idea.

Sarko drops some hints about his father, but nothing so clear as to figure out who that would be. Someone that Hal would have trusted with the location of the Gauntlet. My guess? I think he's the son of Soranik Natu and Kyle Rayner. As Sinestro's grandson, it would explain his fanaticism for the Sinestro Corps. And they've had Kyle heavily suggesting to Natu that they renew their relationship, even though she doesn't seem interested.

I got the same impression from the hints Sarko keeps throwing out.

[Sparky Prime]

Green Lanterns #23
Jessica's training with Guy goes about as well as you'd expect, with his version of basic training pushing her to the breaking point. Kilowog gives her some advice with an old Lantern story about an emerald sun (which is shown to be a big glowing green crystal, I'm assuming is setting up for something, especially with Kilowog not answering the question if it's actually real), and just like her willpower, it is always there. She just needs to push the clouds of Fear out of the way to see it. This helps Jessica regain her confidence, but she's still had it with Guy, and eventually punches him in the face. Meanwhile, Kyle's training with Simon is simply that Simon needs to land one punch on Kyle, the catch being, Kyle isn't making it easy with his own imaginative constructs. The point of the exercise is for Simon to expand his use of the ring and force him to make more complex and imaginative constructs. Meanwhile, Volthoom is busy going through all of the Guardians books, finally discovering Rami's notes which indicate that he'd used Volthoom's Travel Lantern to create the first seven Green Lantern rings, which means if he can find those rings, maybe he can rebuild his Travel Lantern.

Apparently the Justice League/Power Rangers mini-series is being cancelled for the time being. Issue 4 just came out today, but according to Bleeding Cool, issues 5 and 6 are being delayed indefinitely, saying that they will be re-solicited at some point.

[andersonh1]

Flash #22
This issue has that cover that's done the rounds for the last month, the lenticular one that looks like Flash Comics #1 in one direction (with Batman, Flash, Reverse Flash and Red Robin taking the place of the original characters from the actual Flash Comics #1), and then the modern day rendition of Jay when tilted in the other direction. Jay does actually appear in this issue and plays a small but significant role in the plot, but he's not in it for long. The story picks up where the last issue of Batman left off, with Batman and Flash on the cosmic treadmill chasing the Reverse Flash, following the trail of energy from the button. The treadmill breaks, stranding Batman and Flash in the ether or whatever, while the Reverse Flash reaches the end of the trail and starts talking to someone unseen, who then kills him, or puts him near death where he dies as seen in part one of the story. At the end of the issue it's made clear that he found Dr. Manhattan. Batman and Flash meanwhile keep hearing someone call Barry's name, and it turns out to be Jay Garrick, the original, trapped in the Speed Force or timestream just like Wally, and Jay hopes to escape in the same way that Wally did. He pushes Flash and Batman clear and back into normal space, but without a tether is unable to remain. Barry doesn't remember him, and so Jay vanishes back where he came from. Batman and Barry discuss what they encountered, with Batman wondering if he should continue being Batman at all after what his father told him, which I suspect is what Dr. Manhattan intended by maintaining the Flashpoint timeline just long enough for Batman to visit it. The end of the issue shows a blue human hand turning the smiley face button into a battered Superman shield, leading to Doomsday Clock, coming soon.

Superman #23
The whole picture is becoming clear now. The main people in charge of Hamilton (though not the entire population) are metahumans, part of a group calling themselves the Super Elite (and that clues you in right away just who the ultimate villain is). This whole thing has been for Jon's benefit, and they want him to be more lethal in his methods than Superman is. Yes, this is Manchester Black's plan, from Superman vs. The Elite and Action Comics 775. His super team would use lethal methods instead of Superman's more benign methods, and that brought the two groups into conflict. Now he's going after Jon, trying to show himi how terrible the world is and how he's right and Superman's wrong. Oh, and Lois Lane gets her leg severed during the fight, with Superman cauterizing the wound and taking her to a hospital. That's brutal by anyone's standards, and I don't see it sticking past the storyline. Disfiguring Lois Lane permanently is very unlikely. And Manchester Black makes Jon watch the whole thing.

Aquaman #23
Some dissatisfied members of the Atlantean government launch a coup against Aquaman, dissatisfied with his absentee leadership and his affinity with the surface world. First he and Mera take on seven or eight attackers, defeating them without too much difficulty, only for some of the nobles from his court to step up and admit that they arranged the whole thing, and they want Aquaman gone. He vows to fight back, noting that coups have happened frequently throughout Atlantis' history. After the serviceable Dead Water storyline, this is a return to the Atlantean politics and conflict that helped make the first story arc so strong, so it feels like an uptick in quality to me. I have no idea where this is heading from here.

[Sparky Prime]

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #21
Hal faces off against Sarko and the self-aware Gauntlet while the Corps takes on the prism beasts in hand-to-hand combat with out their rings. During the fight, Natu notices that they aren't attacking her. Kyle grabs the ring Rip brought with him from John and demands to know how to stop this, which points to him and Natu as targets to be eliminated (um, I think there are some less extreme measures), telling him they are his parents. Kyle flies off, while Hal finds and rips the Gauntlet from it's power battery. Sarko is killed when the future Gauntlet sends out beams of energy as it is erased from history, and Kyle arrives to take him to a better place. Back at Mogo, Hal locks up the Gauntlet once again, which appears to not be so dead after all.
Have to say, I was expecting more from this issue... Really, this issue felt too abrupt to me overall. There was a lot of build up with Sarko and the Gauntlet now being alive, but in the end they really didn't do anything with it. It felt to easy that all Hal had to do was dig up and rip the Gauntlet from the battery. Disappointed the Gauntlet creature was basically a non-character here. Despite being alive, it might as well have been just another prism beast given all it did was attack Hal. Sarko's end was too quick, I'd have liked to see more of the character, but it was good to see Kyle was deeply affected by learning Sarko was his son though. I'm guessing by Sarko's last words, Kyle will end up blaming Hal and the Green Lanterns for his death, which would explain why Sarko ends up hating them so much. But I would have actually liked to see some of that to really get Sarko's point of view for his motivation.