We open with Geoff's
answer to the fandom: Amon Sur's ring heading straight to
Jonathan Crane, AKA "Scarecrow." John and Hal intercept,
though, prior to Crane actually receiving it.
While I think this is very cool, it took about 5 pages and
should and could have been 1-2, leaving the rest for actual
content rather than fanboy dreams.
Laira is then accused by the Lanterns -- the Lost Lanterns
-- that were there at Amon's death, who are asked if it was
Justice or Murder. All respond "Murder," Hannu, Graf,
Boodikka, and Tomar. Laira says it was Justice. Hal and John
did secure Amon's ring... Boodikka says that the Laira issue
isn't Hal's business -- he says that it is when he has to
hunt down a ring that they lost. When Hal asks Salaak where
the Guardians are, they appear and announce the Alpha
Lanterns -- stating Emotion can cloud judgment and they
cannot allow that to happen
We all knew this stuff was coming. It was done well... not
much more opinion from me on this part, Laira going to trial
and Alphas announced.
Fuzzy-looking PBs appear and go to Varix, Chaselon, Kraken (Raker's
partner), Green Man, Boodikka, and John Stewart.
They are told, "You have the ability to enforce justice.
You have been chosen to be an Alpha Lantern." All
accept, except John Stewart -- they are told this is the
highest honor that a Lantern can receive but they must
forget their lives and only serve to enforce justice.
Okay, this is odd. For what, fifty years, Honor Lantern was
the highest honor, now this Alpha Lantern is, and the
Guardrians choose Kraken? Some Lantern that has just shown
up receives the highest honor in the Corps? Why? The only
ones that makes any sense to me are John Stewart and Green
Man... the rest, I don't know.
John stays he will not accept until he knows the other nine
laws -- "John Stewart of Earth Forgoes Great Honor," the PB
says, then going scanning the known universe for a
replacement and the Guardians state that they are very
disappointed in him.
We knew he wasn't going to be one, so no surprises there.
Jump to Sector 650 the Guardian who was burned by the
Anti-Monitor is meeting with Ash (yes, Ash from GLCQ) -- she
tells him to go search for the Corpse of the AM, as if there
is any power left in it someone may well be trying to
harness it. Ash asks if the other Guardians know she is
asking him to do this and we get a close up on her eyes
(which have the Black Lantern/Black Hand symbol in them) and
she says "of course."
The cosmic surgery of
the Alpha Lanterns now happens -- with their new oath.
Now, in my opinion, these 2 pages are the best of the issue,
bringing back Ash whom I loved from GLCQ and the scarred
Guardian apparently infected by the Black Corps. Great
stuff, Geoff.
In Days of Peace
In Nights of War
Obey the Laws Forever More
Misconduct Must be Answered for
Swear us the Chosen
The Alpha Corps!
I mean really, Geoff, was there a need for a new oath and
bad rhymes to boot?
Salaak reviews Laira's ring log and then he Hal John and the
Lost Lanterns try to put her in a sciencell. She escapes and
when they try to stop her their rings are suddenly depleted
of their charge.
"We'll take this from here" -- off panel
Garf: "Boodikka?"
John: "My God."
Alpha Boodikka: "No Lantern escapes the Alpha Lanterns."
They have basically
been converted into Manhunters. We see their weird fishy
faces flipped up to reveal the Manhunter Charger-Face under
it.
"The Alpha Lanterns will embody the best of each Military
faction we have had a hand in creating -- the Sentient Drive
and thought process of the Green Lanterns -- and the
efficiency and logic of the Manhunters (guess they forgot
about the Halla the Green Glob and the Fists of the
Guardians)."
Okay, wow. I did not expect a Manhunter tie-in here
especially after the Sinestro Corps War with the Manhunters
playing such a big part in it, but I think Geoff was going
for shock value here and I think it worked.
Circle of Guardians: "The Alpha Lanterns are active, it is
time to enact the 2nd law."
What, oh what is the 2nd law? Nice place to end the issue
we've all been dying to know since the 1st one was revealed.
All in all it was a good issue. Not great, but good. The
thing I didn't like was that this is GL, not GLC, and we get
about 5-7 panels of Hal when this is Hal's book.
Other than that everything was good. The only story point I
don't like is Green Man becoming an Alpha since they just
potentially destroyed a great character and great chemistry
with Stel.
Wow -- it was a great ride this week. Good job, Geoff. I
truly loved that Ash is being used and that whole deal with
him.
