GREEN LANTERN CORPS #13

[ SHOP GREEN ] 

Look out, the third army has arrived! Will the world be saddened, hurt, and deprived? Maybe Guy can have a word? Whilst John can get deferred. Before the rest of the Corps thrived and survived. Or perhaps something else conjured up by Writer: Peter J. Tomasi; Artist: Cafu; and Publisher DC Comics in November 2012.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

In many ways this issue of the Green Lantern Corps -- entitled 'Torn' -- just goes to show that you can't trust those blue-faced transvestites, the Guardians of Universe.

• You see, on the one hand, they give the newly appointed 'Honour Guard', Guy Gardner, the privilege of escorting an Ambassador into deep outer space.
• Moreover, they give Green Lantern, John Stewart, a way of redeeming himself by piecing back together the planet he'd killed, Mogo.
• However, in the same breath, they also instigate a very cunning plan involving their new 'Third Army' and their prisoner, Xar -- thus throwing the proverbial spanner into the works. The b*stards.
• Still, it could be a lot worse I suppose. John and Guy could be in Vandor's shoes when the Third Army rip him to shred's.

Damn right to be continued...

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

One of the most intense scenes in this book was that segment where Guy defied the Guardians orders by saying to them...

GUY: You bestowed it on me 'cause I make split second decisions -- I go with my gut -- and my gut says the Ambassador is safe and my family isn't.

GUARDIAN: We hoped you had changed, that you would not start walking down a defiant path so soon.

GUY: Start? I never left, Chuckles!

Granted, I'm sure that Guy's dissention was part of the Guardians plan all along. But I don't think that they've factored in his instincts, huh? A crack seems to be appearing.

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

Alright, with hand on my heart, the best thing about this issue is also the worst thing about it too. You see, I was starting to like Vandor as a character in his own right, because he was evolving into a really great 'sidekick', which I thought was going to become a mainstay on this title. And although I have to admit that his demise was very well illustrated, coming across as very brutal indeed...

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

... at the same time I didn't want to see him go! Why writer, Peter Tomasi? Why snuff his lights out now just for the sake of titivation and plot? Vandor could have become the new 'Mr Nice Guy' to this intergalactic adventure! But instead he's turned into... err... no... I leave that for later me thinks. 

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: Now on a much brighter note, one of the most creative scenes in this issue was when the Guardians told John that Mogo is reforming, and he has to now put all of 'his' pieces back together again. Not only is it great news to hear Mogo will be back, but I liked the imaginative slant on John's redemption as well. Smashing. 

ART: Wow! Isn't Cafu a great artist? I just love his cartoon-ish yet bold renderings on this story, bestowing the complete package with a dynamic and fresh vibe that I'd love to see more of in the future. Also, as much as I didn't like Vandor dying, I did like the brutal pace of that scene. Very 'in your face' so to speak.

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?

A GUARDIAN: In this instalment of casting call, I thought that I'd cast these roles as if they were being played by different members of DC Comics staff. Well, if he was a lot smaller and a different colour, couldn't you see Jim Lee as one of these diminutive gits?

A THIRD ARMY MEMBER: Plus I am sure Dan Didio was the template used to create this new breed of being. Come on. Not only are they both bald, but they also spell trouble for the corps too! Ha!

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

Never Trust Any Small Person Who Wears A Red Dress -- Have Blue Skin -- And Are In A Position Of Authority. Especially Dan Didio. 

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why? 

As I alluded to previously -- concerning Vandors demise -- I'd say this issue reminded me of someone putting a cat into a microwave. Here, check out this clip to see what I mean...

But in a good way of course, ha!

FINAL thoughts...

Oh My God, this book is getting better and better by the issue! What next, huh? Will Guy save his family in the nick of time? How can John redeeming himself aide the Guardian's master plan? Plus was the Ambassadors mission somehow connecting to their mad-scheme by default?

Ha! You got to love a question, don't you? And that is what is making this book so fresh and dynamic! Keep on trucking Tomasi and company. I'm sure that the best is yet to come.

MARKS out of 10? 9