Green Lantern Corps #18
These first couple Wrath of the First Lantern stories have been stupid. None of the writers have been able to accurately describe what the First Lantern does. I guess he's some kind of emotional vampire? He can make people relive their pasts and alternate futures and he gets off on the emotion that ellicits? He seems to be immensely powerful because, I guess he can channel all the colors of the emotional spectrum?
Pat Gleason isn't on art this issue. Those duties are left to Chriscross. Meh. He puts forth your basic uninspiring artwork with a few panels that make you cringe.
Writer Peter Tomasi is better than this. For the last Green Lantern event Geoff Johns will be involved in, so far its not the send off he deserves.
Batman #18
There's so much going on in this issue that I don't really know where to start. I guess we can start with the second half of the issue drawn by none other than Marvel's own, Alex Maleev.
Now, I've never been a big fan of Alex Maleev's work. Its really dirty and scribbly. A far cry from the classic superhero art I prefer. But Maleev gets a lot of credit around the biz, and any time a creator who has been really tied in with another company for so long comes to DC, its cool to see.
This issue is about Scott Snyder's own creation, Harper and Cullen Row. Mostly Harper and how he's really directing her to being the next, first in-continuity female Robin. Now, I like the character. But I like her in the way I like Leslie Thompkins. A nice periphery character thats part of the Bat-universe, but we don't need to see them all the time. I don't think I'm ready for a full-time, hipster Robin. Do we even need to fill Robin's shoes with so many other supporting Bat-characters out there?
Oh, and Andy Kubert does the bulk of the art on this one and its really awesome.
Star Wars #3
Issue #3 of the Brian Wood/Carlos D'Anda joint continues, and Wood isn't shying away from the plot line of Luke and Leia having a thing for each other.
Leia has put together a special team of covert rebels to find a new home base. There happens to be a hottie on this team that has some space-wood for Luke, and Leia is jealous about it. Its nice to see Wood pick up this little bit of Star Wars history, because for a little while between 1977 and 1980, everyone was expecting a love triangle that got really weird by Return of the Jedi.
In other parts of the galaxy Wood shows that Han IS capable of shooting first and has no qualms about it. Han blasts a guy in the back after he realizes he's an Imperial spy. I like this slightly more morally grey Han Solo.
I still don't know how well the Star Wars concept works as a comic book overall, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't being entertained.
Batman and Robin #18
Comic books are a fine blend of the written word and pictures. But its also a medium that gives a creator a lot of different options. Sometimes, more so than movies or television.
Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason created a silent issue. No words. Only pictures to take us through Bruce's grief after the death of his son. Its one of the most emotionally moving pieces of literature I've ever read. Pat Gleason does some of his best work in this issue. Take a look at the cover of this issue and then at my Panel of the Week. Clever.
If you haven't been buying Batman and Robin, at least pick up issue #18. Its really quite brilliant.
Panel of the Week:
I figured Pat Gleason would be our artist for this week's panel. The problem was the issue was so good, there were a handful to choose from. So I chose this one. Pete Tomasi and Gleason really made me like Damian as a character. This image is classic Gleason Batman and Robin.
-Gint
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