Reviews - Week of October 28, 2009

***Book of the Week***

Green Lantern #47
Writer: Geoff Johns / Artist: Doug Mahnke
On a week when Blackest Night and its most prominent tie-in are both released, I have to admit that I enjoyed this book just a tad more than the its big brother. Whereas Blackest Night advances the story (albeit in a formulaic way), Green Lantern tells a side story of the seven Lantern Corps building an offensive strategy. That's important for two reasons. I love strategizing. Sometimes the creation of a plan is cooler than the implementation of it, and this issue doesn't disappoint. Given the huge amount of hatred amongst some of the Lanterns, of course getting them to work together would be a difficult task. Johns doesn't falter on that premise as he builds on the tension between Sinestro and Hal, Larfleeze's envy of the Blue Lanterns, and Atrocitus's unique situation with Black Lanterns. The other reason I enjoyed this book more than Blackest Night is because it actually has the Lantern Corps in it. Pretty much the only thing I like about the DC Universe is the story of the Lantern Corps and its emotional specturm; and both are featured wonderfully. One way in which this book doesn't match up with Blackest Night is the art. Don't get me wrong, Mahnke's art is impressive, although his Larfleeze is lame, but no one can top Ivan Reis. This book has the coolest developments of the week and that's what makes it the best.
IGN - 8.8/10
Comic Book Resources - 4/5
Comics Bulletin - 3/5

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Blackest Night #4
Writer: Geoff Johns / Artist: Ivan Reis
My preference for Green Lantern is no knock on this book. Blackest Night #4 is brilliant. Although every issue of this series has followed the same basic premise (tough fight, a B-Lister takes center stage, horrific last page), Johns does an amazing job making each issue actually feel fresh. This week has an unlikely group of heroes attempt to hold down the fort while they wait for Hal Jordan to finish his mission in the pages of Green Lantern. Of course, with this being Blackest Night, they end up on the losing side of the fight because of a stunning event, but what's impressive is the character development. Before this issue, I never cared about, or maybe even heard of, Flash, Mera, or Atom, but I found myself rooting for them. Flash truly shines in this issue and even has a line I look forward to repeating to my friends for years to come. The best thing about this issue is the amazing work of Ivan Reis though. With so much going on in every panel, it's actually surprising how good they all look. No character is under detailed and no battle is blurrily glossed over. And there is one splash page that is so gorgeous, I almost wanted to rip it out of the book and tape it to my wall. This book is amazing in every way and I cannot wait until the plots from it and Green Lantern come together and really rock the DC Universe.
IGN - 9/10
Comic Book Resources - 2/5

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Ms. Marvel #46
Writer: Brian Reed / Artist: Sana Takeda
You let me down, Brian Reed. I may not have been a fan of this story, "Death of Ms. Marvel," or her "Resurrection," but he has always had a great grasp on Moonstone. In an attempt to show a different side of her, he completely misses the boat with her characterization this issue though. Moonstone has never been a sympathetic character. She's cool because she's ruthless, nonchalant, and selfish. I don't want to see her abandon those "qualities." Ms. Marvel's victory over Moonstone was kind of cool though. Everyone knew she was going to win, but the way she did so was creative, even though it did eventually lead to Moonstone's travesty of a emotional overhaul. Takeda's art is a bad as ever. Everyone is still shiny and doll-like, action is uneventful, and Norman Osborn is darn near unrecognizable. This whole arc has been pretty bad, but next issue is sure to be great. If you remember the first chapter of "The Death of Ms. Marvel," Spider-Man agreed to help Ms. Marvel if she agreed to go out on a date with him. It's showtime next issue.
*No major comic book site reviewed Ms. Marvel this week

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New Avengers #58
Writer: Brian Bendis / Artist: Stuart Immonen
Once again, almost nothing happens in these pages. This issue amounts to one big chase scene, a la Matrix Reloaded (and we all know how that turned out). Some cool moments did take place in the chase though. Ares fighting Captain America was definately one of the highlights. No one else shined though, and I was actually a little disappointed by how useless Bullseye turned out to be. The plot development with Luke Cage is utterly ridiculous, but at least it seems like a tie-in to Thunderbolts. I'm not a fan of Immonen's art. Some of his panels are cool looking, but far too many are silly. Hopefully things will start picking up with the Siege right around the corner, because this series has been floundering as of late.
IGN - 8.5/10

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Secret Warriors #9
Writer: Jonathan Hickman / Artist: Alessandro Vitti
"God of War/God of Fear" has worn out its welcome. The story may have started out good, but without Nick Fury at the center of it, things went downhill fast. Actually, this issue is a lot like New Avengers this week in that the whole thing is just a chase scene with the Dark Avengers, except I don't really know the title team as well as I do the New Avengers. Even the art takes a dip in quality. I've enjoyed Vitti's art for the past few issues, but his resemblance to Caselli's isn't present this week. Some characters looked a little awkward and most of the art appeared a little murky. We have one of more issue of this story before things get back to Nick Fury's mission with Leviathan. I hope the last issue properly sets the stage for what is sure to be a cool story.
IGN - 8.3/10
Comics Bulletin - 4/5