Though
we've following a relatively logical progression of events
since the epitome of the fan-pleasing spectacular that was
the "Sinestro Corps War Special #1" into GL #21, GLC #14,
and most recently GL #22, at last we get an issue that
totally delivers on that special's promise at the scope of
which that it
made seem imminent.
It's
fantastic, every page of it. Absolutely riveting from cover
to cover, here we find ourselves at what seems like -- if
not the heart of the War itself -- a pivotal battle that
will likely impact things for the rest of the War.
The cover's
"City vs Planet" and "Killer vs Warrior," the planet Mogo
squaring off against the (now-upgraded and enlarged since
last we saw it in GLC #6) sentient city Ranx and Kilowog
squaring off against Arkillo... it really kind of sets the
tone. For a moment, it very much seems we're headed into
Freddy vs. Jason "Place your bets!" territory, but it's
a harmless fun sort of feeling.
In the
beginning we get a bit of a scene continuing from the last
issue of GLC between Green Man and Stel -- joined by Bzzd in
a scene-stealer I got a kick out of -- which serves to
further illustrate the "Oh, shit" aspect of their
predicament as Ranx and hundreds (thousands?) of Sinestrians
pour out of Ranx directly toward them.
When things
seem grim and final, Kilowog and a sizeable regiment of
Green Lanterns arrive on the scene and begin bashing heads.
For the first time in this story arc, it actually seems like
the Green Lantern Corps are able to inflict at least a bit
of damage on the enemy... but as they've literally been
surrounded by hundreds of Sinestrians in previous issues,
their rings' inability to allow a GL to kill is costing
lives. Each issue seems to underline the inherent stupidity
of such a handicap in the middle of an all-out war, and I
suspect it will be done away with more sooner than later.
Last seen in
GLC #6, we see again the Children of the White Lobe. Enkafos
(the Pharaoh-esque Sinestrian equivalent of Salakk, for
those not keeping track) has a bit of dialogue with one of
them, Ravillian, who -- and as we're alluded on the next few
pages -- seems to be intent on leading literally a suicide
bomber contingent of Lobers to Mogo's core... doubtless to
enable Ranx to detonate the blink bomb that the prophecy
from Alan Moore's "Tales of the GL Corps" Annual #2 from the
80s indicates will happen.
On the side,
Soranik Natu decides she can better benefit her people... by
joining the fray. She leaves Korugar, headed for battle.
With
Kilowog's "I just got busy," we're allowed to bear witness
to what a lot of folks have been looking forward to since
this began (and the cover promised, damn it!) : Kilowog vs.
Arkillo. To be honest, I was really expecting to get a lot
more mileage out of this battle than we see here, but the
jury may still be out on it... seems very much like it may
spill over into the next issue, maybe even the regular GL
book as it reaches no decisive end. Still, quite satisfying
in what we do get -- plenty of blows exchanged and
insults hurled, Kilowog verbally and physically
standing up for his worth as a warrior and a leader of
Lanterns. This is Kilowog, Kilowog exuding and
personifying such a level of cool we always knew he
could but were just never quite offered appropriate material
with him in it.
Also we
learn that Mogo has been responsible for guiding GLC rings
to seek new owners every time a GL dies. Questions are
subsequently raised: Does that mean Ranx similarly guides
Sinestrian rings to their owners? What did the GLC do for
recruiting before Mogo was part of the Corps (which, if you
believe his first appearance was in Green Lantern, Vol. 2
#24, couldn't have been that long ago in DC time)?
We get a page worth of the Guardians, who now seem to be
unable to refute the uncanny number of supposed coincidences
that just keep popping up about the Prophecy of Blackest
Night. They decide the only course of action is to "rewrite
the Book of Oa itself." What this means is anyone's guess.
In any case, what are they
supposed to do? Even if you establish that the Prophecy is
pretty much correct... what do you do about it?
It's like a paradox. Knowing about a Prophecy, wouldn't
there be the possibility (and especially considering Sur's
prophecy from the same Qull) your actions to try and avert
it actually end up being what ends up fulfilling the
prophecy?
I don't know, though. I would think the shakeups of the
Crisis, Zero Hour, and Infinite Crisis would have
sufficiently jarred continuity/time enough that all bets
would be off anyway in such prophecies. Again, these are
doubtless questions and thoughts Gibbons is sending through
our heads... another good show! I just can't speak highly
enough about the storytelling we're getting here... has this
jaded fan on this edge of his seat.
As we
wrap up the issue, we pick up from GL #22 with the Lost
Lanterns (did I mention that's kind of a derogative nickname
to be saddled with? just saying...) continuing on their way
through Qward's innards searching for "the Ion power"... and
run face-to-face into the Anti-Monitor himself. Yes, the
Fucking Anti-Monitor.
Now
here's a cliffhanger. Bring on the next chapter already!
