DCU Comic Book Reviews

GREEN LANTERN #40

Agent Orange, Part Two

May 2009

Written by Geoff Johns

Pencils by Philip Tan

Inks by Jonathon Glapion

Covers by Philip Tan and Rodolfo Migliari

Synopsis

In Space Sector 1313, Star Sapphire Fatality contemplates her past, and then decides to search for Green Lantern John Stewart.  On Oa, the Guardians add the fourth law:  the Vega System is no longer outside their jurisdiction.  The Guardians order Green Lantern Gretti back home to help the Green Lanterns deal with Larfleeze (aka Agent Orange).  Meanwhile, criminal space ships attempt to flee the Vega System, but are stopped by Green Lanterns.  On Okaara, Hal Jordan and John Stewart meet up with Gretti.  They encounter Controllers, now Orange Lanterns.  As the two Lanterns fight each other, the Green Lanterns find their rings being drained of power by the Orange Lanterns.  When Gretti is killed, Orange Lantern Glomulus absorbs the ring, then spits out back out, with Gretti appearing as an Orange Lantern.  When Larfleeze notices Hal Jordan’s blue ring he tries to drain the power, but finds that he can’t.  So, he grabs Hal; Larfleeze he wants a blue ring for himself.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

There is something refreshing and engaging about this title, knowing that it will be chock full of goodness each month.  Not only has Johns been putting together a fantastic über-story leading into the “Blackest Night” storyline by putting together the building blocks for the upcoming story, but he also makes sure that each separate storyarc as well as the single issue stands on its own, as well.  And while the Fatality scene is a little out of place, the rest of this issue continues the same path.  For the blackest Night lead-in, we have the Scar continuing her machinations (cough), we have Hal and his quest for hope, and we have the Orange Lantern.  For this particular story, we have the Lanterns heading off the Okaara to deal with the Agent Orange, who in turn finds something else to covet more than just his living area.  All of this is woven brilliantly into an enjoyable issue with plenty of action, suspense, and humor.  This is great stuff, and it just keeps getting better, as we head to the summer and “Blackest Night.” 

The opening with Fatality doesn’t really have much to do with the rest of the issue, but I assume that Johns is setting up her appearance in the middle of the battle with Agent Orange.  Even granting that, the pages didn’t feel like part of the story.  Instead, the two-page opener felt like one of those origins that appeared in 52  It was all essentially background, bringing the reader up to speed with the character.  There is nothing wrong the pages, except they are heavy with exposition and it takes far too long to get through for a piece that isn’t part of the rest of the story. 

I am not quite sure what this means, but there were two concepts in this issue that I enjoyed immensely, but Johns decided to completely do away with.  The first is the Vega System, a sort of amnesty area for criminals to hide because the authorities won’t go after them.  There are tons of story potential in the idea and I wish DC had done more with this (or at least done something with it since I have been reading comics).  The second is the character of Gretti, a type of gypsy Green Lantern whose homeworld happens to be in the Vega System.  I liked the character and I liked the idea of a wandering Lantern, going from system to system to protect the universe. 

Tales Of The Orange Lanterns:  Weed Killer

Written by Geoff Johns

Art by Rafeal Albuquerque

Synopsis

The secret origin of Glomulus and resurrection as an Orange Lantern. 

Review

I missed this the first time I read the book.  When I got to the end with the cliffhanger, I simply closed the issue and pulled out the next one on the reading the pile.  It didn’t even occur to me that there was another story.  Regardless, this was enjoyable.  And even though this is a back (or co-feature), it is very necessary as it explains Larfleeze’s powers, thus offering insight into Agent Orange.   

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