Green Lantern Spotlight

  I just want to wish everyone a Happy New Year 2010. I hope that the New Year brings new beginnings, new hopes and new dreams to reality for everyone.

Blackest Night 

In Coast City, the Black Lantern Batman has dissolved into a pool of black blood in the shape of a bat. The various lantern corps leaders are trying to figure out how the Black Lantern Power rings were able to turn the living into Black Lanterns. Hal Jordan explains: "Not the living. The resurrected." Soon, a black ring blasts through his force field as Barry Allen tries to out run the ring pursuing him. While the various Black Lanterns like Superman and Green Arrow tell Hal that he needs to come back, that there isn't anything left but the black. While Nekron leaves with his horde of Black Lanterns with the Guardians of the Universe in tow. The other lanterns try to blast back the Black Lantern Superman but Hal won't use his ring to destroy his ring, since Superman really isn't dead. Sinestro yells at him that no matter what he thinks, he will soon be dead and they won't have stopped the Black Central Power Battery. Meanwhile, Bart Allen attacks Barry before Wally West shows up and rescues his uncle. 

   The Flash then tells Hal to throw him a line and to hang on. Barry runs as fast as he can and without the Cosmic Treadmill, he can only guess at time travel. Hal is a bit confused but the two soon disappear and then reappear two seconds in the future. Causing the black rings following them to loose their connection. Barry then explains that how the Black Lantern power rings work is that a person has to be emotionally connected to a Black Lantern for them to latch on the victims. However, they are both confused why Batman self-destructed after Nekron told him too. Hal also wonders that if they do stop Nekron, will they die and will all their other friends too? Barry hopes not. Deep inside one of the power rings, the Black Lantern Jean Loring tells her husband the Atom that despite everything that has happened. He feels nothing but pity but Boston Brand soon possesses her. He quickly warns them that all the Black Lanterns in the universe are heading to Earth and allows them enough time for the Atom to re-enlarge himself and Mera and escape. They emerge through Wonder Woman's ring and Mera locks arms with Wonder Woman while John Stewart above Earth warns them all the Black Lanterns have arrived. 

  While Sinestro and Indigo-1 fight off the various Black Lanterns with their allies, Ganthet tells them that they need all the Lantern Corps to help them destroy the Black Central Power Battery. In doing so, he activates Hal Jordan's copy feature on his ring and the others since their rings are all designed the same. He then places a Green Lantern power ring on his finger and rejoins the GLC. Soon, other lantern rings fly from their users and scan for others. The Blue Lantern ring finds Barry Allen while Larfleeze yells that his ring is his and his alone. Deep in Metropolis, Lex Luthor is attacked by all the people he has killed over the years, including his own father. The Orange Lantern power ring flies onto his finger. While over in Gotham City, the Scarecrow continues to torture people with his fear gas hoping that it will bring Batman to him so he can feel some kind of emotion. The yellow power ring finds him, while the indigo power ring finds the Atom and the red finds Mera. The Star Sapphire ring orbits around Wonder Woman, which causes Carol Ferris to feel the white light in Wonder Woman and that she is fighting back the black. Soon, Wonder Woman accepts the violet ring and she is transformed into a Star Sapphire and returned to normal. Barry soon joins them with the newest members of the corps saying: "All will be well." 

   There we have folks, what a freaking fantastic issue! A lot of us fan boys got our wish with who became Lanterns. Barry Allen in Blue, Lex in Orange and the Scarecrow in Yellow. This issue was great; Geoff Johns really kicked this entire story up. However, the real winner goes to Ivan Reis, his artwork is just top notch. It's just perfect for this kind of story and that last splash page was perfect!

  With Blackest Night #6 finally releaed, I can finally start my look at the newest members of each of the 7 corps and we'll start with our favorite, Barry Allen. 2010 is going to be a great year for the Flash, with Barry returning to his own title this March and so much buzz about the character and the rest of the Flash Family. Having Barry being a key figure in Blackest Night and now a Blue Lantern. There are a score of Flash fans that are loving it. Having Barry being a Blue Lantern has me pretty excited, the other character that has me the most excited I'll talk about after the New Year. Barry in blue not only makes for a great visual but also will lead to some very interesting developements concerning the members of the Flash family who have been retransformed into Black Lanterns. What will Barry show his grandson, Bart what is to come for him. What will his power be with Hal Jordan next to him and his ring at full power. What is Barry's greatest hope? These are questions I can't wait to see starting in February when Blackest Night reaches it's conclusion. 2010 is the year of the Flash!

  Hey guys, I hope everyoen had a great holiday season and have some fun stuff planned for New Year's. As for me, I'm gearing up for a lot of action here on the GLS. First of all, I have read Blackest Night #6 and after my review tomorrow. Expect a lot of entires dealing with that very issue and what it could mean for Green Lantern and the DCU. After that, look for our Anniversary show for the Green Lantern Spotlight Podcast. We'll start taking questions starting next week for the big show. Then I'll break things down for the various "returning" titles for January. After that, I'll be doing some interesting and fun stuff including a new look here for the blog. Then I'll take some time off at the end of February to enjoy the lovely beaches of Hawaii before returning for my big return to the Green Lantern Spotlight Podcast as we wrap Blackest Night.

DC bigwig Dan DiDio told Newsarama in his 20 Questions feature today that “The ’80s JLA group is going to be back, and be back with a vengeance, in 2010,” and it got me thinking that maybe a handful of recent comments and announcements add up to something–that something being the reformation of the Justice League International, a development I’ve been expecting since DC announced that there would be two Titans titles and two JSA titles but that the JLA, their tentpole franchise, wouldn’t have the same treatment.




So what’s happened lately that might play into this? Characters like Blue Beetle, Superboy and Kid Flash/Impulse, who have been written with a humorous aspect in the past, have been freed up lately. Also free of obligations right now is Wally West, who served on the Justice League Europe for a while. You’ve also got DiDio trumpeting a “new direction” for Booster Gold in 2010, both as a character and as a title (complete with creative changes). When he announced the jettisoning of Jaime Reyes’ second feature in Booster Gold, DiDio told CBR that the character would be seen as a regular in another title soon, but that he wouldn’t be featured as either the headliner, or the second feature. Of the existing DC Universe teams, the only one that would really make sense for Blue Beetle III to be on is the Teen Titans–of which he’s already a member. Recent comments by Geoff Johns suggest that Martian Manhunter’s life as a character may not end as a Black Lantern–and when I think of his being back I wonder about Aquaman–another character who seems, based on February’s Brave and the Bold solicitation, to be back among the living after Blackest Night.



There was, a couple of years ago, a panel in Booster Gold that depicted a reformed JLI as having played a role in Final Crisis. The story hasn’t yet come to fruition, but it did depict Aquaman on the team and wearing his blue-camo suit. Although it was very short-lived when he wore it in the early ’90s (I think), he does appear dressed that way in a new toy available at KMart. Do the marketing folks know something we don’t?



Not conclusive, I grant you, but all of that tends to suggest that some or all of these characters could be headed in the same direction. Add to that famed JLI artist Kevin Maguire’s recent departure from Doom Patrol’s Metal Men backup–the co-feature was ended when, DiDio said, Maguire had to leave for “another project” and they decided it would be best not to try and go on without him. What project could he be working on? UPDATE: Not this one, apparently. When questioned via e-mail, Maguire responded that he had no idea whether or not a project like this was in the works. “This is the first I’m hearing of Dan’s comment,” the veteran penciller told us. “Whatever’s going on doesn’t involve me.”



To me, if even half of these announcements are connected, they suggest a JLI mini-, maxi- or ongoing series starting in late spring 2010.

  Merry Christmas! We celebrate this festive time of the year with not one but two podcasts. In episode 35, the guys talk about the latest Blackest Night news and reviews. Plus, just what is West doing for the holidays? Then over in episode 36, the beautiful and talented Rebecca Buchman, better known as the inker for Green Lantern Corps stops by and gives us her naughty and nice list. Followed by what it's like being on a hot book like Green Lantern Corps

Episode 35

Rebecca Buchman

Semperoth

  In Sector 1313, John Stewart arrives on the reborn, Xanshi. As John flies along the planet, he tries to figure out who's power battery he found. His ring reveals that the battery belonged to Driq of Sector 667. Who was murdered by Sinestro when he tried to bestow sentience onto Space Sector 3600. The apparently error in the ring kept Driq alive and later passed on after Sinestro was defeated. However, Driq appears before John part Green Lantern and part Black Lantern with the various people of Xanshi who have all been transformed into Black Lanterns and call for John's blood. John uses his ring and creates his old sniper uniform from his military days in the marines and destroys the power battery and destroys all the Black Lanterns in the area.  They soon regenerate and come back after him, saying there are thousands after him. However, his former wife, Katma Tui, which John is shocked to see, rescues Johns. She reveals that John was the first and only man she truly loved. That they were the first to reveal their true fears to each other.

  John flashes back to a mission gone wrong where his chopper was shot down and he faced an attack by enemy soldiers who grabbed his friend and pilot and tortured him. John in a fit of anger faced each man down and killed several of them before they retreated in fear of their lives. He then grabbed his friend to bring him home. Kat reveals that it was that day that John faced his fear of dying in a foreign land faced with unfriendly faces. John then admits he isn't afraid of anything even though Kat explains that it wasn't too long ago John tried to recreate Xanshi with his right. Yet the powers of the Black Rings have done that. John yells out that he finally understands what everyone has been trying to do. That he needs to put everything behind him, Xanshi, the wars he's fought and most important, his dead wife and move on. John soon creates a burst of will power and creates several soldier constructs and fights back the Black Lanterns and leaves Xanshi. However, when he leaves the planet he finds that he is in orbit of Earth and warns his fellow Green Lanterns that they are about to get hit hard with more Black Lanterns.

  Meanwhile on Earth, the Black Lantern Jean Loring with her former husband, the Atom and Queen Mera finally explains what is going on. That the Universe knew nothing but peace and death and then life emerged. Causing the war of darkness and light and in such a battle the light was splintered into its various colors. That the Guardians so called: "protection" wasn't for the universe but for the light. That it took eons for the universe to create it's own guardian, Nekron. Since Nekron was born, he saved as many of those who apparently "died" and held onto them to use them later as Black Lanterns. That no one will stop Nekron from achieving his goal of death and peace. However, near by Deadman appears saying: "I guess I'm no one."

  After waiting months, we finally get the John Stewart issue and it wasn't too bad. I enjoyed seeing John getting to cut loose and finally facing down the demons of his past. However, I don't feel much else was accomplished here. Great art work by Ed Benes and the back up revealing most of the origins of Nekron were fun stuff. However, we need Blackest Night #6 to see how all this really ties together.

  Revealed early today, Green Lantern Corps will be getting a back up feature in the book. Similar to Booster Gold and Teen Titans. So what does this mean? Well first off all, say hello to the $3.99 price tag for the book. Also, look fore more John Stewart action in the pages of both Green Lantern titles (hinting at the new Guardian status) Also, it's time to vote. What will the feature be? Well, we need a feature that is closely connected to Green Lantern like Ravager is to Teen Titans or Blue Beetle is to Booster Gold.

  I have two ideas for this, one dealing with the other Lantern Corps. We can't let them just fade into the background and this is GLC. So, having stories dealing with the other corps would be perfect. My second thoughts? More Soranik Natu please!

Red Badge of Rage

Kyle Rayner is dead to the shock of both Guy Gardner and Soranik Natu. As Kyle's ring heads towards Mogo, both Green Lanterns try to grab the ring before it's reassigned. Guy catches the ring and later tethers it to his own as it continues to try and speed away. Natu heads to Kyle's side and tries to revive him. However, with Guy's rate unchecked, a Red Lantern ring, left over from when Vice was killed by the Alpha-Lanterns, flies onto his finger. Guy is then transformed into a Red Lantern and with his rage out of control. Attacks all the various Black Lanterns with his new powers. Burning them apart with his powers. Meanwhile, Natu's attempts to revive Kyle are jeopardized as Black Lantern power rings continue and try to bring Kyle back as a Black Lantern but Natu blasts them one by one before Munk of the Indigo Tribe arrives and smashes them. Soon, Kilowog, Arisia, Vath and Ismote arrive and aid her. Soon, the Star Sapphire Miri and Kryb arrive to find the missing children that they have been looking for are now Black Lanterns. Kryb in a frantic daze tries to recapture them but Miri tells her that they are dead and lost.

  Soon, Kryb attacks Miri saying she will save her "children" and Miri learns that Kryb never cared about fulfilling her promise about returning to Zamaron. Miri is soon alerted that Zamaron has fallen and then her ring alerts here that love in is being attacked near by on Oa. She intends to at least help Kyle and Natu and creates a tether and slingshots towards them. Kryb in the mean time continues to try and help her children when Guy Gardner appears and destroys them. Kryb in a fit rage attacks Guy but he soon rips off one of her arms and shoves it down her mouth and then throws Kryb to the side. Miri soon arrives near Natu and using her powers joins her heart with Natu's and Kyle's and in doing so revives Kyle. Kyle's ring soon flies back towards him and he is welcome backed into the Green Lantern Corps. Regrouped the various Green Lanterns try to figure out a plan to get the Red Lantern power ring off of Guy but before they can do so. Mogo appears in orbit above them, ready to unleash his powers on the Black Lantern Corps.

  Not a bad issue, love conquering all was a bit much in how Kyle was saved. However, I'm happy to see that Kyle and Natu were reunited and that Kyle was kept from being turned into a Black Lantern. I also love Red Lantern Guy Gardner. However, outside of that, this issue read pretty fast but I'm looking forward to seeing what Mogo is going to do and how they are going to save Guy from his rage.

  With his return happening Green Lantern #49 next week. I thought I give everyone a quick history lession thanks to the DC Guide on Driq. A master strategist, Driq was a valued member of the Green Lantern Corps of the Klyminade. Unfortunately, they were no match for the combined power of Sinestro and MadGod Sector 3600. The Green Lanterns were mercilessly destroyed.




The only living survivors were Flodo Span and Olapet. Strangely, Driq was killed but his ring would not allow his life force to leave his body. Driq was in some form of half life that has not been fully explained.

[Green Lantern Vol. 2 #217]



The remains of the warriors of the Klyminade joined with members of the Green Lantern Corps of Earth to battle Sinestro. Though Driq had at times been blasted apart, his power ring was capable of gathering the pieces of Driq's body, reforming him to his after death state.

[Green Lantern Vol. 2 #217-219]



With Flodo Span, Driq was used to help bind the sentient sector through the might of the power ring. Flodo Span spread his consciousness to envelope the sector. When Driq was blasted apart, his power ring pulled his body back together and contracted Flodo Span's body. The sentient sector was contained in dark sphere the size of a baseball. The Green Lanterns then easily captured Sinestro.

[Green Lantern Vol. 2 #219]



Both Corps separated, but Driq would wander the spaceways. On Orinda, he attempted to rescue Harbinger from the android Manhunters. Harbinger had gone to the Manhunters' homeworld to recover her history of the universe, which had accidentally fallen into Manhunter hands.



Members of Earth's Justice League International, including Green Lanterns Hal Jordan, Arisia, and Katma Tui Stewart, traveled to Orinda to shut down the Manhunters, who were threatening the Earth during the Millennium event.



Firestorm, a member of the Justice League's strike force, sensed Harbinger's call for help. He mistook Driq as an enemy and the two had a brief skirmish. After things had been sorted out, the Green Lantern and the Nuclear Man had an interesting conversation.

[Justice League International Vol. 1 #10]



Captain Atom, Harbinger, Driq and Firestorm managed to break free of the Manhunters as Orinda broke up into fragments beneath them. Driq's appearance was more welcome than that of G'nort of G'newt.

[Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #68]



After defeating the Manhunters, the JLI quickly took leave of Orinda, leaving G'nort in space. The spacefaring heroes attempted to follow the Highmaster, the Manhunters' leader, in his attempt on the Guardians' extra-dimensional stronghold. The spell cast by Doctor Fate was less than successful, and the heroes' survival depended on combining their life forces into that of Hal Jordan and Superman. The two heroes were able to destroy the Highmaster, which was the central power source for the rest of the Manhunters.



Back on Earth, Driq, the Floronic Man (one of the New Guardians) and Hal Jordan went to a barbecue at Hal's brothers Jim and Jack. They were sucked up by a sudden tornado which they quickly dispersed. The Green Lanterns discovered Myrwhydden was behind the tornado and a series of disasters across the globe. All these attacks were designed to funnel power to Sinestro who plotted with the mage to break each other's imprisonments. The two villains were easily defeated by the Green Lanterns.

[Green Lantern Vol. 2 #220-221]



After the final transformations of the Chosen, Driq joined the Earth based Corps in their journey to Oa. For the first time since the end of the Crisis, the Green Lantern Corps had assembled for the trial of Sinestro. Driq was reunited with Flodo Span and Olapet. The Korugarrian's guilt was not in doubt, he freely admitted his actions. For Sinestro's crimes, the Corps would seek the ultimate punishment, death.

[Green Lantern Vol. 2 #222]



Though his body was physically dead, Sinestro had managed to escape again. He had transferred his consciousness into the nearby Central Power Battery, causing it to implode. The power rings of the assembled Green Lanterns were absorbed back into the battery. Driq was one of the first Green Lanterns to lose his power ring. Without the emerald energy to sustain him, Driq collapsed, his body crumbled, finally at peace.

[Green Lantern Vol. 2 #223]



It was only the actions of Hal Jordan, Flodo Span, and Guardian Appa Ali Apsa that halted the battery's final collapse. Flodo Span died in the attempt and Appa Ali Apsa found his Guardian powers returned to him. Of the assembled members of the Corps, only Hal Jordan's power ring remained. The Corps disbanded, the powerless Green Lanterns spread through the universe.


  Driqu has been brought back as a Black Lantern recently but a small part of him remains tethered to the living world thanks to his power ring but is he friend or foe now?

  Today is the day, Guy Gardner struck with such rage of the death of Kyle Rayner is transformed into a Red Lantern. Now the Black Lanterns are going to burn! Oh they will so burn. When I first read about Guy getting the Hal Jordan treatment and becoming a member of the Red Lantern Corps, I thought as many others did. This was bound to happen. After Hal Jordan was turn into a Red Lantern shortly during Rage of the Red Lanterns. The door was open for it happening to others and with Guy its completely in character for him. Few remember that Guy for a brief time was using Sinestro's ring following his original "death". As it was revealed then and now, Guy could cause enough fear in the bad guys to use the yellow ring. He used it more recently during the Formerly the Justice League mini series.
  Now, Guy Gardner has gone red and his rage is burning so bright he's going to take down every last Black Lantern but will other Green Lanterns get caught in the rage spew.

  Since my review of Blackest Night: Flash has been delayed a bit due to lots of Christmas Shopping. I thought I would express my thoughts on Mon-El at the moment. As you may or may not know, for the last year, Mon-El has been brought back to the Superman books as a fill in while World of New Krypton has been going on. Brought out of the Phantom Zone and currently cured and immune to the effects of lead thanks to Brainiac 5. Mon-El took on the identity of John Kent in memory of Superman's adoptive father and joined the Science Police and the Justice League while Superman tried to hault his people from going to all out war with Earth.

  I've always loved the character of Mon-El since I was a little kid reading the Legion of Super Heroes but it bothered me they just left his character in the Negative Zone and only used him when the story fits. Now, how does now differ from then? Well, Mon-El has been a realitively untapped character, only used for flashbacks, or when the planet Daxam was used for a story. James Robinson has used the character pretty well in the last few months. I know that in the end that Mon-El will go back to the Phantom Zone, since that's his future no matter what Earth he's on. I have loved the fact that while he has none of Superman's weaknesses that doesn't mean he isn't invincible especially due to his powers sputtering as of late.

  I might not be a fan of his new costume (I think Ma Kent is losing her touch) but I love the character and I'm enjoying the story and that's what is important.

 While it's taken a while to get out. The guys stop by to discuss Blackest Night: Superman #1 and Crisis of Two Earths. And a bit of discussion on Sinestro that West keeps disconnecting from.

The various eras - or legacies - of the DC Universe is the focus of the next project DC announced this week at their official website. Legacies is a 7-part mini-series kicking off in May from writer Len Wein and “an all-star cast of artists”.




According to DC’s The Source, “Each issue will spotlight a different era from the history of the DCU in two stories, with each issue moving us closer to the present."



The father and son team of Joe and Andy Kubert are the artists of the first issue, along with J.G. Jones in the second story, which focuses on the birth of the DCU and rise of mystery men, and the Golden Age.




 “Legacies is the history of the DCU as told from the point of view of the man on the street,” says Wein. “It starts at the dawn of the Golden Age and right now it runs right up to the moments before Countdown to Infinite Crisis begins.”



 “Being asked to work on these historic and iconic characters is an honor,” adds Andy Kubert. “Being asked to work with the creators involved — that I grew up reading...and got RAISED by — is not only an honor, but awe inspiring.”



But the exploration of DC's history and heroes doesn’t end there. Also announced to be published in tandem with Legacies is a brand new The History of the DC Universe series and an all-new 12-issue Who’s Who, “profiling some of the best and lesser-known characters populating the DC Universe.”


The DCU in 2010 will be “very much about pushing our most beloved characters into new worlds and to face new challenges. There’s a lot to be said about tipping your hat to the past, and the legacy of those that came before,” concludes DC’s announcement.



More on Legacies can be found at www.comicbookresources.com.

  Green Lantern Corps artist, Patrick Gleason stops by the podcast to talk about his work on Green Lantern, the business and a little bit about his past and upcoming work.

The DC Blog the Source released information that BRUCE WAYNE will return in an all new series written by Grant Morrison.




Set to hit in April, BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE #1 (of 6) "will prove to be Bruce Wayne’s defining moment as a hero, and his toughest challenge yet."



Apparently after getting hit by Darkseid's omega beams in Final Crisis, Batman is flung through time where he must do all he can to return!



USA Today has an interview up with Morrison.



Head on over to the DC Blog - THE SOURCE for all the info!

  I'm not to surprised by this news, it's been a year since Bruce was "killed" by Darkseid and with Batman and Robin apparently coming to an end in some form this spring. Not to mention the War of Supermen this summer and Wonder Woman's major change in status coming up this year. I think its a safe bet that this is leading to the supposed Justice League story in late 2010 that will see more of the formation of the classic League. I do question this kind of "Captain America Reborn" approach, with the time lost Bruce Wayne. But this is Grant Morrison we're talking about, so I'm not too worry about this since he started Bruce Wayne's journey in the first place since 52.

  In one word... Yes! While I have enjoyed Sinestro Corps War and Legion of 3 Worlds. I have had it with the "evil" Clark Kent of Earth-Prime. While it has been stated after Blackest Night is over, we won't see SBP for a long... time. I have to say, I'm tired of it. If it wasn't for the current status of Blackest Night. I would honestly not even care. However, seeing SBP getting his payback aftetr all the people he has killed the last 4 years. I'm enjoying it and the DC Comics breaking the 4th Wall jokes have been pretty funny. It's just, it's time to send him packing for a long time. Yes, I know "How does this differ from Lex Luthor of Deathstroke showing up for the Nth time?" Lex and Slade are huge parts of the Superman and Titans legacy, you can't expect them to not not show up.
   Usually, they fit the stories pretty well and it they work as supporting cast members instead of the up front villains of the piece. Superboy-Prime gets shoved in our faces as much as Jackpot does over in the Spider-man books over at Marvel Comics. If they fit the story, then use them but don't just use them for the sake of using them. Remember kids, over used characters are bad, don't use them.

   As revealed in the pages of Blackest Night #5, it has been Nekron all along who has allowed the various heroes and villains of the DC Universe to return to life. Due to the fact that Barry Allen left the door open after the first crisis. This leaves a very interesting twist on all the various Black Lanterns and the talk of what characters will be brought back to life "fully" after Blackest Night is over. Nekron was able to use the Black Lantern power rings to also "kill" the various characters that were brought back to life from Superman to Kid Flash. While Dawn Granger, the current Dove is illuminating the White Light of Life. The power rings have been revealed that they can't bring back those who have officially moved on. Hence, Nekron was unable to keep the person from moving on from life to death. Instead of being caught in the in-between state all other characters were in to be brought back to life like Donna Troy or Conner Kent.
  This leaves the door open to the fact that characters like the original Aquaman or other members of the Green Lantern Corps to be brought back to life as normal after Blackest Night is over. Not really much of a reset button but a second lease on life to get it right this time. We'll know more in the next couple of months and the possible new DC titles that will be revealed by this coming April.