DCU Comic Book Reviews

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #36

Emerald Eclipse, Part Four

July 2009

Written by Peter J. Tomasi

Pencils by Patrick Gleason

Inks by Rebecca Buchman

Covers by Patrick Gleason and Rodolfo Migliari

Synopsis

On Korugar, Sinestro confronts his daughter, Soranik Natu.  Sinestro tells her the story of her childhood and how she was about adopted by the Natus.  He warns her that Red Lantern Atrocitus might attack her simply because she is his daughter.  On Oa, the battle between the Green Lanterns and the Red and Yellow Lanterns attempting to escape in the ScienCells rages on.  On Daxam, Mongul is building a planetary defense shield.  Sodam Yat and Arisa are alone, with reinforcements unable to come to the battle on Oa.  So, Sodam attacks Mongul in a surprise move, hoping to use the power of Ion.  However, when he tries to tap into the power, he is unable to due to the Guardian Scar.  Mongul starts to win the fight.  Sodam allows Mongul to blast him fully with his powers ring.  It allows Sodam to tap into Ion’s power. He then flies directly into Daxam’s sun, causing it to turn from red to yellow.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

The issue was divided into three parts, so let’s do a three-part review.

First, the father-daughter conversation.  Overall, I liked the conversation and I liked how well Tomasi was able to write a convincing history for these two characters.  My only complaint is that it seems to go on too long.  Even as I was reading it, I was wondering why so much time was spent on the duo.  Yet, looking back on it, I can’t imagine what could’ve been.  Yes, a lot of the conversation is exposition, but it also features some nice character interactions between the two that really helps to solidify their relationship.  Plus, it looks as if Soranik believes him, so maybe we dispense with the “it’s not true” angst.  And as an added bonus, they didn’t fight.  It was a true conversation rather than the common staple of comics:  characters talking and fighting at the same time.  I bet you that is where Aaron Sorkin got the idea. 

One final note, I wonder about the face tattoo.  Has this facial marking ever come up before?  Have we seen this on other Korugarians (and is that the right way to say it?)?  I realize these are nitpicks because I am sure after 20 or so years Soranik would be used to it and it wouldn’t be something that would be at the front of her mind. 

Second, the riot on Oa.  I was disappointed.  Not so much in what was there, because the fight was brilliant and Gleason’s art was fantastic, as usual.  The problem is that it was too short.  I wanted more.  The fight was the best part of the last issue and the same is true for this issue.  Good stuff; I wish there was more of it. 

Third, the ending with Sodam.  I actually liked the sacrifice and what he did to change the course of his people, giving them all powers under the yellow sun and thus the ability to fight back.  I am not sure if this will change their phobia about aliens, but it will fundamentally change who they are.  What bothers me is that Sodam had to ask Oa for permission to use the Ion power.  I didn’t think it worked that way.  I thought Ion was inside of him and he could use it when he wanted.  Why would his ring lock the power of Ion?  Was that put in place because if he used bother it would be too much power?  The problem with all of these questions is not the answers, is the fact that Tomasi presented a scene that caused me to ask the questions.  Tomasi didn’t build the foundation so that the scene would work without wondering what the hell is going on.  Having said that, the fact that it was Scar who blocked his request just adds to the fuel for the upcoming “Blackest Night” mini-series. 

ïPREVIOUS	Main		Page	NEXTð

Home ●  Blog ● Who Are We? ● Site News
Alive and Well since April 16, 2006

 DC Universe Reviews.  All Rights Reserved
  Characters, trademarks, brands are property of DC Comics

For problems or questions regarding this website, please contact our kindly webmaster.
Last updated: 08/06/11.