GREEN LANTERN CORPS #16

[ A GUYS DISCOUNT ] 

I once had a mate who broke out of prison. He became annoyed because his soufflé hadn't risen. He got his hands on a club. And then after a quick thud-thud-thud. He burst free with a cake and a mizzen. Hey! I don't know what a 'mizzen' is either. You best ask Writer: Peter J. Tomasi; Artist: Fernando Pasarin; or Publisher: DC Comics what this word means. Especially in February 2013.

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 4 questions about this STORY entitled 'Bad Guys'.

• WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: When Guy's brother and sister go to visit him in prison; they are suddenly attacked by the Guardian's Third Army.
• ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: No. Simon Baz and B'dg show up and save the Gardner's collective asses.
• ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: Whilst in deep outer space, John Stewart starts to become perplexed helping Mogo reform himself, because it may inadvertently aide the Guardians nefarious schemes.
• HOW DOES THIS STORY END: Baz plays Guy a message from Hal hidden within his ring.

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

Oh, dear! I can't choose which one I like more. I liked it when Guy said about himself 'You can take the guy out of the cop, but you can't take the cop out of the guy'. But I also dug the Gardner's family motto of 'Gotta live till you die' too. Plus I have to say that I did enjoy reading most of the banter between Baz and Guy as well.

Hey! I know. I'll choose them all. OK?

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

Being a bit of a sucker for the Gardener family at the moment, I must confess that I did take a lot of pleasure in reading all of the scenes with them in it. To me -- as one of three brothers -- I could relate to the varying dynamics between the kin. One's a hot head (me / Guy). One's an office bod (my older bro / Gerald). And the other one everybody likes (my younger bro / Gloria). 

Also, I got a right kick out of the Baz / B'dg rescue scenes. It didn't feel like a brash departure where the overall narrative was concerned, especially if you've already checked out the current Green Lantern title. 

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

As much as the 'Mogo sub-plot' did progress a little bit further in this issue than it has done so in the past, I still have to mention that the information Fatality gives to John could have easily been given to him a couple of issues previously, thus avoiding the whole 'should he / shouldn't he' scenario he's currently facing.

Yes. This was a mite too trite for my own liking.

What was the most INNOVATIVE thing about this issue?

During this tale there was a panel drawn by Fernando Pasarin, where Baz and Guy gave each other a look that screamed 'We're more alike than we think'. Ka-Pow! What a picture! To me, its little nuances like these that make this title extra spicier as a title in it's own right; plus a much appreciated addition to the Green Lantern Universe. 

Pick TWO CHARACTERS out this comic book, and compare them individually to a SIMPSONS CAST MEMBER.

LENNY AS GERALD: Being a 'supporting artist' isn't very easy you know. Nonetheless, just like good old Lenny over here, Guy's brother seems to be holding his own at the moment.

THE MUTANT FISH AS THE THIRD ARMY: Do I have to explain this one to you, dear reader? Both of them were created by horrible people. Nuff said.

What WORD or PHRASE could you use to sum-up this story?

'Run Away' -- King Arthur's Knights from Monty Python and the Holy Grail

What SONG, THEME-TUNE, or MELODY, would complement this tale, as well as add and extra dimension to it by default?

THE THEME TUNE FROM 'SONS OF ANARCHY': Come on. I had to chose this song. Mainly because there are lyrics in this melody that share the same spirit as the Gardner's family motto.

ANYTHING Else?

OK. So what do we have here then with 'Green Lantern Corps' 16? A good read perhaps? Or maybe I can even say that it was a very nice 'lead-in' tale to a bigger and hopefully better story-line?

Yeah! That sounds about right. Most of the main players are in place now. Most of the reveals have been revealed. And by in large it looks like the Guardians and a select few Green Lanterns are primed and ready to commence battle.

But still, how is said skirmish going to turn out? Plus how in hell is this situation going to resolve itself? Are the Guardians going to peg it? Will some Lanterns be snuffed out? Also, how will the First Lantern fit into this situation once it's been aired that he's a bad guy too?

Ohhhhhh! Questions. Questions. Questions. You've got to love a question. Got any, dear reader? Throw them my way, OK? Plus if you get the chance, please check out the DCSA facebook page to connect with comic fans from South Africa. 

GIVE IT, IT'S DUES: If this story was a fruit, it would have to be a banana: Full of protean and ready to split.