DC is rebootlaunching their universe into a DCnU, as we are all very aware. Over the course of last week we saw glimmers of how this will play out as DC released the various images and solicitation information. Now here at Multiversity we’re spending the week looking at these changes and analyzing the hell out of them. Each writer on the site has been assigned one of the categories as presented by DC, and I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to talk about a franchise that I clearly enjoy.
So what say Burpee about the Green Lantern line of books to hit in September? Check behind the curtain to see…
From what has been revealed, it would appear things aren’t changing too drastically in the Green Lantern neck of the woods. I’m honestly OK with this news. I say, if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it! I think things have slowed down as the focus has been spread so thin due to events and things, so what’s coming in September will see things get shaken up enough for it to get exciting again. There should be enough change to freshen the franchise up but not enough to alter a winning formula.
Anywho, let’s get on to discussing the info we do have for each title.
Green Lantern #1
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by DOUG MAHNKE and CHRISTIAN ALAMY
Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 – 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US – RATED TThe red-hot GREEN LANTERN team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Doug Mahnke introduce an unexpected new Lantern.
Ok, so we have the team of Johns and Mahnke, which is most excellent still. We also have an excellent cover or teaser (whatever it is). It’s just a badass image. Other than that all we are told is that they are introducing a new Lantern. So not a lot here, but that’s fun.
My immediate questions are whether this book stars Hal Jordan or not, and whether this new Lantern is a Green Lantern. Notice they leave it rather ambiguous as to what type of Lantern it is.
This for me is one of those books that will be a must buy. We don’t get a lot here, but there’s enough to leave you wanting more.
Green Lantern Corps #1
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN and SCOTT HANNA
Cover by DOUG MAHNKE and CHRISTIAN ALAMY
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 – 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US – RATED TWhen deadly conflicts emerge across the universe, it’s up to Guy Gardner, John Stewart and an elite Green Lantern strike force to keep the peace — or else.
Guy Gardner! This marks two Guy Gardner books (the other being JLI) which makes me happy. It honestly sounds like business as usual with this title. The big thing here is the return of Tomasi, which is a great idea.
I’m excited for this book but slightly sad it won’t be Guy and Kyle. When this title focused on those two it was at its best. I do like that we see some of my favorite Green Lanterns on this cover. Everyone that I would want to be there is there. Well, except Kyle, but that’s OK because it looks like he’s going to busy elsewhere.
Speaking of,
Green Lantern: New Guardians #1
Continued belowWritten by TONY BEDARD
Art and cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT
On sale SEPTEMBER 28 – 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US – RATED TKyle Rayner has assembled the most powerful team in all the universe, selected from the full spectrum of corps. But can he even keep this volatile group together?
I originally thought this might be sort of lame with Kyle basically taking the place of Hal. Then I read this solicitation and the idea of Kyle perhaps hand picking his own group of Guardians from the different Lantern Corps sounds pretty awesome. I like the idea of Kyle joining up with a mix of Lanterns that we know and even those that are newly introduced too. I think this title has a lot of possibility, and I’ve enjoyed Kirmham and Bedard on Green Lantern Corps so this should be fun as well.
Who would you like to see on a team that mixes all of the Lanterns? There are a lot to chose from including characters that we’ve seen in the background but don’t necessarily even have names yet. I can’t wait to see the first promo for this one more than any of the others which had no promo.
I am really excited for this book after seeing the vague silhouette cover image. I think it looks badass with white background and the dark figures glowing with their respective color. It appears that Arkillo is here as well as an Orange Lantern construct. I am really hoping that when this hits the stands Kyle will be Ion again. It would make sense if he is representing the Corps in a set of New Guardians.
Red Lanterns #1
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art and cover by ED BENES and ROB HUNTER
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 – 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US – RATED T+Atrocitus and his Red Lantern Corps return in their own series, battling against injustice in the most bloody ways imaginable!
I gotta say, this is the title that least appeals to me and I probably will be taking a pass. I love Milligan’s work on X-Statix and some older work like Batman: Dark Knight, Dark City. I even slogged my way through his X-Men work and Greek Street, so I know there are two sides here. I tend to believe in the inherent good talent when it comes to Milligan though, so I am willing to forget the bad and assume the excellent.
That being said, my real problems with this book are twofold. First, I really hate Atrocitus’ design. I’ve never liked it. I enjoy the character but hate the design. I think it’s the armor/turtleneck that bugs me. I much prefer the character’s look in the recently released Green Lantern: Emerald Knights movie. If we could get some of that action I’d be stoked.
My other reason for not caring too much about this title is the incredibly generic image and the solicitation which reads like a Jean Claude Van Damme flick done with 90’s era Image standards are off putting. Or, to put it simply: this sounds no bueno.
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Well, those are my thoughts and opines on the rebootlaunced Green Lantern titles. It’ll be interesting to see come September whether I am on the money or way off. For all I know, Red Lanterns could end up being my favorite title of all time and Atrocitus could become my favorite character.
…Well, let’s not get crazy.
