Gint's Pull-List Review 4-20-11

4/20/11 is a week where any of the 3 books could finish at number one. It feels good to sit down with your books for the week and know you'll be pleased with all of them.

In a strong third place finish:
Supergirl #63

 
This was one of those issues that took me a few pages (3) to remember what was going on. There wasn't a big break between issues (credit to the creative team for keeping this book on time) so I guess its just my brain getting older and not retaining that short-term memory. Or perhaps its just not a memorable story?!

No, I've actually been enjoying this story. James Peaty has done a good job picking up on the great storytelling that Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle left behind. And I like Bernard Chang's style. He draws hot chicks. Dig it. So besides the big reveal of one wacky, Kirby-created character this issue, its pretty hooked up.

I also like the cover for this issue a lot. Though part of me liked it because I thought it was Freddie Williams II. I thought I was being treated to his work two weeks in a row. Turns out its not Williams, but the team of Amy Reeder, Richard Friend and Guy Major. Hopefully DC will keep them on some books. I'd like to see more.

 

Second Place goes to:
Green Lantern Corps #59

 
There's a good chance this is the best issue of Green Lantern Corps since Tony Bedard and Tyler Kirkham took over as the creative team. Following Green Lantern #65's Part Four of War of the Green Lanterns, this issue flows seamlessly from that book. All the characterization is spot-on and while John and Kyle get the spotlight (since it's their book and all), it doesn't feel forced.
 

John and Kyle have indigo and blue rings respectively and can't get them to work. The mythology of the different rings corps is so rich and follows its own science and rules. Just because you can wield a green ring, that doesn't mean you can just pick up another one. Seeing John wear himself out trying to make the indigo ring light up was great.
 

I'd like to see Kirkham work on drawing Hal a little more, but at that point I'm nitpicking.
 

Five parts in and War of the Green Lanterns has been a very enjoyable read. I almost feel bad for doubting it when I first heard about it.
 

And our Number One book:
Green Lantern #65

 
This issue was the kind of story I was hoping to get when War of the Green Lanterns started. This issue offers up some great character moments from everyone in the book. Kilowog is a bad-ass, Krona is scary and Hal and Guy are pitch-perfect in their roles.

What I really liked about this issue was the comedy. Its the situational comedy that isn't forced but grows naturally out of the story.

Geoff Johns has said in multiple interviews that its the characters that make the Green Lantern universe so rich. And he's right. So long as they're written properly. In someone else's hands, these characters might not sing as sweetly as they do under Johns' leadership.

Great issue. Might be worthy of a second read.

-Gint

And our panel(s) of the week:

While Ivan Reis will always be the quintessential Green Lantern artist to me, Doug Mahnke does a great job hooking up some creepy shit.