DCU Comic Book Reviews

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #24

RingQuest, Part Three

July 2008

Written by Peter J. Tomasi

Pencils by Patrick Gleason

Inks by Drew Geraci and Prentis Rollins

Cover by Patrick Gleason and Prentis Rollins

Synopsis

During a mission to retrieve Sinestro power rings in Sector 2261, Arisia and Sodam Yat were captured by Mongul.  Now, Guy Gardner and the rest of the Green Lantern team are searching for them.  They trace their rings to a planet covered in Ater Clementia, otherwise known as Black Mercy, which means Mongul.  On Oa, the Guardians create more cells for incoming yellow power rings.  Meanwhile, Arisia and Sodam Yat suffer at the hands of the Black Mercy, reliving their worst fears.  Gardner and the others eventually find Arisia and Sodam Yat,who have been infected with the Black Mercy.  As the others burn the Black Mercy, Soranik informs them they will have to return to Oa to properly treat Arisia and Sodam Yat.  Just then, Mother Mercy appears, claiming they are killing her children. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

As for the plot, this issue was fairly basic and predictable:  the lanterns search for Arisia and Sodam Yat and they find them being attacked by Black Mercy.  As Tomasi has shown with his writing on Nightwing, he is less interested in plots and twists and turns than he is with establishing character.  In this case, he put together a team of lanterns last issue and in this issue we see them interact with each other on a personal level and during battle.  The opening sequence, with the powerful image of dead bodies surrounding the planet like Saturn’s rings, clearly defines the characters, giving them voices and opinions, letting the readers know who they are.  More importantly, Tomasi doesn’t resort to conflict within the team.  They are soldiers, or officers, and therefore function well as a team.  Yet, they are individuals, which Tomasi explores to great effect.

The other memorable moment of this issue is the disturbing scene in the cells when Sinestro uses his own blood to carve out the Sinestro logo onto his cell door.  This is followed by others doing the same.  It is perfect.  It shows the loyalty of the Sinestro Corps while at the same instilling fear that the Sinestro hasn’t quite given up, yet.  Chilling.  And effective. 

Is it just me or does this issue kinda, really never states what the Black Mercy is supposed to do?  For someone like me, who is clueless, I was at a loss as to what the plant is designed for.  At one point, a character wants to know more about Black Mercy, but instead gets the history of Mongul, which only states that he used them to attack Superman.  Used them how?  I suppose what we see happen to Arisia and Sodam Yat explains a lot, although Mongul’s version of the plant is different than his father’s because he infuses the yellow power into them. 

When did Bzzd join the team?  I don’t remember the insect from the “gather the troops” issue last month.  Granted, he is small enough that he could be missed, but still, I don’t recall Bzzd being part of the team. 

I am not entirely sure Kyle sure utter a phrase such as, “So wrap this up and put it in the freezer.”  But that may just be me. 

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