In Brightest Day, in Blackest Night....

Geoff Johns is likely in my top 3 comic book writers of all time. He understands how to make characters sympathetic and really brings them down to earth with having them deal with the same issues we deal with everyday.

One day in February this year, I went to the comic book store and asked what was good. One of the clerks started talking about Geoff Johns' run on Green Lantern. He was a little baffled that I had not read them yet. I asked, "where should I start"? He said you need to start at the beginning with "Green Lantern: Rebirth"(2005), the first in the long running series by Johns. So, after the first volume, I was hooked. Hal Jordan is reborn and the back story of his disappearance explained. Not only did they establish Jordan as a relatable character, but they effectively showcased what makes being a Green Lantern so great. Look, this was a lot of reading and it was definitely worth it.

This of course led to the Blackest Night event in 2009 and went on until the Brightest Day in 2010 and closing out in 2011. The biggest take away for me was the idea that there were other colors of the emotional spectrum in the Green Lantern universe. They range from red (rage), orange (avarice), yellow (fear), green (will),  blue (hope), indigo (compassion), violet (love), black (death), and white (life).

Johns really played with the idea of the different emotions in how they interact and how they react when put together. With this, we also get to see Green Lantern's greatest fear when he uses the yellow ring, his greatest hopes with the blue ring and so on... Even the extremely detailed artwork of Doug Mahnke makes this a treat. I would put Mahnke in my top 5 comic artists of all time.

It is with all of the rich storytelling and epic scale of the comics by Johns that spearheaded a movie adaptation. Of course, those of us that wasted money to see the film in 2011 were met with much disappointment by the lack of creativity, direction, writing, etc. that went into it. It may not be until 2017 until the public can sort of forget/forgive the movie treatment. That's what essentially makes it difficult to get non-readers of the particular comic to read the series -- because of their exposure strictly through the film.


I highly suggest that you stop by your local comic book shop and get "Green Lantern"(2005-2011) by Geoff Johns. If anything, just read "Green Lantern: Rebirth" and decide from there if you should continue reading. Grade: A+

Batman #2 & Justice League #2 -- Reviewed.

Batman #2
It keeps getting better as Snyder creates another charcter in the series, the city of Gotham. We care about the city and its relationship to Bruce Wayne and his family legacy. With this along with interesting dialogue and character development, we also get introduced to a new villain in an exciting way.
To sum it up: This is the best series so far from the relaunch.
Overall Grade: A+

Justice League #2
Try to think of this series as an all out action series. Does the Justice League really need character development amongst its popular characters? Yes, of course but not as much as a singular character series and what we do have is enough to actually 'get the league together' in this series that examines the actual formation of the popular team. Superman is actually the bada$$ here as Green Lantern, Batman, and Flash try to hold him off.
Really fun read.
Overall Grade: A-

Green Lantern #2 & Superboy #2 -- Reviewed.

Green Lantern #2:
Another exciting, albeit short, issue where Hal Jordan is given another chance(well, sort of) from Sinestro of all people. Hal Jordan is really treated as the arrogant hero here just like he is in "Justice League #1". Yes, Hal Jordan is cool but I really fancy reading more about Kyle Rayner. To me, he is a more creative Green Lantern and when your power is what your mind can create through willpower, Kyle has it in the bag.
Overall Grade: A-

Superboy #2:
Now this is a good Superman title. Superboy is learning right and wrong from people he shouldn't be. His powers come into question a few times in the issue and makes you wonder how Superboy would fare in a fight with Superman. Yeah, Superman is far more experienced but with the advantages Superboy has, it'd be interesting. Anyway, the supposed villains in this are typical but as to who truly created Superboy remains a mystery. What will Superboy do with the knowledge of how he came to be? I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Overall Grade: A-

"Green Lantern #1" & "Superboy #1" -- Reviewed

I actually really enjoyed these two comics and look forward to reading "Animal Man #1" very soon. Good story telling all around for the most part.

"Green Lantern #1"
Continuing from where we left off previously, Sinestro has been chosen by a green lantern ring and Hal Jordan has been 'de-ringed' and sent back to Earth after having to kill one of the guardians to protect everyone in the universe. Hal is shown having trouble not being Green Lantern and adjusting to human every day life and Sinestro is shown checking in on his own planet and where he left the Yellow Corps. Creative, engaging writing drive this story and the very end will want you asking for more, much more. I can't wait til the next issue.
Overall Grade: A

"Superboy"
The story of Superboy picks up fast and we learn more and more about his abilities and his morality. This really reminded me of Flashpoint's "Project Superman" but on a much lighter, optimistic tone. The only complaint comes from the scientist that safeguards Superboy and her reasoning for doing so. Don't want to spoil too much. All in all, Superboy's potential is dubious but the journey of how he comes into being great will be fun to read and watch.
Overall Grade: A-

New Justice League Promo Pic!!!

I just love Jim Lee and am pretty excited for the relaunch from DC Comics. As you may notice, Superman has the most obvious change to his costume. Wonder Woman is also not wearing the tight granny panties anymore. The costumes were changed in order to make the heroes more practical and, well, more modern. I'm really digging Superman though. Some people have problems with all the changes going on with their favorite heroes but I believe change is a good thing in this case.