“Red Lanterns” was a book I was excited to try when the New 52 began last September, and it was a disappointment until I dropped it at issue 5. I’m still reading two other Lantern books, and the ‘Third Army’ crossover and a zero issue prompted me to give it another shot.
Written by Peter Milligan
Illustrated by Ardian Syaf– PROLOGUE TO THE THIRD ARMY!
– Don’t miss the secret chapter of the Red Lantern Corps, as the legacy of Atrocitus’s violent past unfolds!
– Witness a prophecy that threatens to change everything!
It’s not an uncommon occurrence, but I feel compelled to point out two of the three bullet points in the solicitation are false. Nothing in this origin tale relates to anything seen so far for the Third Army. This issue contains exactly two prophecies. The first is fulfilled two pages after it’s made, and the second is the formation of the Red Lantern Corps. These hardly change anything.
This story is a straight forward origin self-narrated by Atrocitus, beginning when he was Atros living happily with his family. After the manhunters destroy his planet, he joins forces with four “demons” against the guardians. Along the way, Atrocitus describes the important events where his other emotions (hope, love, compassion, and fear) “died”. When the guardians eventually defeat and imprison them, Atrocitus murders his allies and becomes a Red Lantern.
If that last part sounds brief, it is. While the issue does a good job of revealing the details of Atrocitus’ life, it completely glosses over the important aspects: the role and malfunction of the manhunters, the identity of the guardians, and how he actually becomes a Red Lantern. His personal battery appears literally from nowhere for one panel, then isn’t seen again. The central battery appears behind him with the caption “I build the power battery.” I’m also unclear on why Atrocitus is so long-lived. From the text, he’s over 2000 years old before becoming a Lantern. Was this the work of the demons, or just how ling his species lives? Milligan doesn’t say. This translates into an entertaining story for current readers, but fails to be a good jumping-on point.
Syaf’s work is clear and detailed, especially the scenes immediately following the devastation of the planet Ryutt. The demons are drawn to be truly bizarre and frightening. There was only one thing which puzzled me: Atros was the only member of his species who had no lips. His work is nicely complimented by the inks of Vicente Cifuentes and colorist Peter Pantazis.
Overall, this was an ok issue, but not good enough to entice me back next month.
Final verdict: 6.5
