Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke; Christian Alamy; Tom Nguyen; Randy Mayor; Gabe Eltaeb; & Rob Leigh
Cover Art by Doug Mahnke; Christian Alamy; & Hi-Fi
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Feared,” this Blackest Night cross-over was published by DC Comics for November 2009. As Carol Ferris/Star Sapphire and Sinestro face the Black Lantern Corps, planet Zamaron is in danger of being overrun. Among the Black Lanterns is Amon Sur, who was the son of Sinestro’s closest friend, the late Abin Sur.
The Violet Lanterns (Star Sapphires) & Sinestro’s Yellow Lanterns get much-needed relief from Hal Jordan and two Indigo Lanterns. Hawkman & Hawkgirl’s Ancient Egyptian incarnations are summoned as new Black Lantern recruits. While a perplexed John Stewart investigates the Black Lantern planet of Xanshi, the corrupted Guardians of the Black Lantern Corps pursue the now-vulnerable Indigo Lanterns.
Indigo-1 escorts Hal, Carol, and Sinestro to Sinestro’s planet, Korugar. In a grudge match, Sinestro confronts Mongul, who possesses several Yellow Lantern rings. After Mongul’s foreseeable fate is revealed, the quartet of Carol, Hal, Sinestro, and Indigo-1 face more surprise Black Lanterns.
Note: Though the image isn’t available in this comic, there’s a variant cover by Andy Kubert & Alex Sinclair.
REVIEW:
Despite the complex summary, this issue is actually less convoluted (a welcome relief!) than Issue # 45. More so, it’s a far cry from the ultra-offensive garbage seen in Green Lantern # 43 (a Blackest Night prologue starring Black Hand). Impressively, writer Geoff Johns and the art team score big on this particular Blackest Night crossover.
Case in point, the chemistry among Hal, Carol, and Sinestro shines, as does the guest appearance of Indigo-1. Hal’s inspired quip re: Sinestro’s bad haircut is hilarious while Carol’s in-battle banter with Hal is terrific. To his credit (at least, this time), Johns coherently juggles his other deep space sub-plots in for a brief scene or two without overwhelming readers.
Supporting Johns, the art team’s visuals are top-caliber and occasionally stunning (i.e. just see the cover image). If anything, the stellar Green Lantern # 46 (and, to a lesser degree, Green Lantern # 45) make superb consolation for the reprehensible Green Lantern # 43.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
DC Senior Editor Ian Sattler merely plugs the release of the Superman/Batman: Public Enemies animated film in the single-page “DC Nation” column.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 10 Stars
