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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
So, this is a review for volumes 1 and 2...,, July 23, 2010
This review is from: Blackest Night: Black Lantern Corps Vol. 1 (Hardcover)
Ok, so right off the top, let me say, wait for the paperback. I went crazy with Blackest Night fever and got a few too many hard covers. Besides, the main title and the Green Lantern Blackest night, none of them are worth shelling out the extra dough the hard covers go for (hmnn, maybe the Green Lantern Corps one, if you're really a fan of that title and are sick of the wait you've had to put up with, but it's a self contained story, and anyway that doesn't apply here). A couple of plot threads are introduced in these two volumes which tie into the regular series, but nothing that will minimize your enjoyment of it. That being said, there's really not a bad story in the bunch. And one, surprisingly (though I should have known better) was truly excellent. Each volume does three stories, three chapters apiece. Vol. 1 covers Batman by Peter J. Tomasi, Superman by James Robinson (love what he's doing over on the main title, do yourself a favor and check out the New Krypton stuff), and Titans by J. T. Krul. The Batman story, while not great, manages to set the pace as Batman, Robin, Red Robin, the GCPD, Deadman, and the Demon all find themselves in a situation best described as "Hell cometh to Gotham". Out manned, out classed, and having to confront their own personal demons as they try to restore some semblance of order to Gotham City. It's a well told story, if a bit obvious. You kinda of see it coming from a mile away! I have a major complaint about this, though. When Etrigan The Demon shows up, he doesn't speak in rhyme. He's a rhyming demon! If your not good with rhyming verse, farm that portion of the dialogue out to someone who is. Maybe I'm being a continuity buff, but it took me right out of the story. The Superman story by James Robinson was a little disappointing considering his good work over on the main title, but something happens which I won't give away, that I wonder what ramifications it'll have over on the main title (superman, that is). And, I must admit, there is an absolutely cool Martha Kent moment that will have you stand up and cheer. There's also a Superboy comes into his own, moment. Frankly, although the story doesn't flow as well as the Batman one, I enjoyed it more for its collection of moments that seemed genuine to their characters. I really haven't much to say about the Titans. I haven't read them since the eighties when Marv Wolfman wrote them. I kinda outgrew them. The formula doesn't seem to have changed much. Whiny people with super powers trapped in a soap opera storyline. A hero dies that I frankly didn't know existed. So... there's that. Ok, moving on. Vol. 2 starts off with The Flash by Geoff Johns. In just three chapters Geoff Johns juggles more plot threads than a cat on fertility drugs has kittens and it Never feels busy or over crowded. If you've read his relaunch of the return of Barry Allen story, this feels like a natural extension of what's going on in the main title as he further defines Barry's character and what sets him apart enough to enough to be the recipient of a Blue Lantern ring. Also, his rogues gallery get their own story and in a thoroughly "hey, I ain't the hero, I'm the bad guy", sort of way, do manage to step up to the plate. A lot happens in this story to a lot of different characters from the Flash universe, and it all flows nicely, and feels like a natural extension what he's doing with that title. You know, as a writer, I'm not only jealous of his talent, but the man must type like a hundred words a minute, considering his output! Either that, he owns his own Starbucks franchise! The second story is with the JSA, also by James Robinson, and it sort of picks up where the Superman story left off. Both stories are drawn by Eddy Barrows. But on Superman, he shares art duties with Allan Goldman and a bus load of inkers! On JSA, he's the sole artist, with inks by Ron Marz and is much better served that way. His art is a little inconsistent, but at times, really beautiful! The story is another of the "Hell comes to town" variety, as the JSA face an army of super powered zombies consisting of former friends and enemies while they race, simultaneously, to find a way to eliminate the threat (man, just watch the Evil Dead movies! All you need is a big boom stick)! This story is mostly one big action piece, but it pauses here and there, as the narrative changes point of view, and Robinson plays to his strengths, which is character. Those, incidently, are where the art truly shines. So there's some kind of symbiosis going there between writer and artist which is just a joy to experience. The final Story in the volume, is Wonder Woman, by Greg Rucka. Here, let me say, that although I am a Greg Rucka fan, I've never read his run on Wonder Woman. To me, she's always been a supporting character. I'm less interested in her, as I am in how the rest of the superhero community relates to her. Suffice to say, I'm going to go and pick up all the Wonder Woman titles I can find by Greg Rucka! She's bestowed with one of the Star Sapphire rings (the violet ring of love), which on surface, makes sense because that's the way they've always written her. As a character who wears her heart on her sleeve, inspires love,and reveres truth. But she's a warrior (she snapped Max Lords neck), who comes from a militant society. And she's an ambassador (and she should be a lesbian, but that's never gonna happen). Somehow, Greg Rucka manages to take all those contradictions and make a seamless whole. Everything she is an has done (even snapping Max Lords neck) has all come from a deep reverence and love of life. Don't worry, the story has plenty of action! She goes from wearing a black ring, to no ring, to the violet ring... She hallucinates, gets in two super powered battles, fights an army of zombies and without breaking pace, Greg Rucka never stops exploring and defining her character. This one is easily the best story of the bunch, and i give it five stars. It might not be anything special to those familiar with his run on Wonder Woman, but as I said, I'm not; and now it's got me running to play catch up. So there you have it. As a pair, I give it about 3 1/2 stars, but vol. 2 being the better one, is probably closer to 4 1/2. But who's going to read just vol. 2?
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Formulaic but enjoyable, July 26, 2010
This review is from: Blackest Night: Black Lantern Corps Vol. 1 (Hardcover)
All three of the stories in this book are very formulaic. Dead heroes and villains come back from the dead and attack the people they knew the closest. The heroes defeat these villains and then hear about how other heroes are being attacked and go and help them. However despite this formula the stories are pretty enjoyable. On each book the art is solid, and not being too much of a fan of Teen Titans or Superman it was interesting to see who had died in their lives. Like others have said this book doesn't tie into Blackest Night at all. Its worth skipping but at the same time its not a bad book. Although I won't be getting the next volume.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Decent Side Tales of the Blackest Night, July 24, 2010
This review is from: Blackest Night: Black Lantern Corps Vol. 1 (Hardcover)
The arrival of a major comics crossover usually means the company's other titles will serve as extensions of the event. Smart writers can use said tie-in's to further their own story lines (ex. Ed Brubaker and Captain America during "Civil War") but more often than not, it ends up derailing and interrupting the book's stories. With "Blackest Night", DC initially chose to avoid this and instead commissioned 6 mini-series, each focusing on a key DC team or player and their reaction to the zombie apocalypse. "Blackest Night: Black Lantern Corps - Vol. 1" collects the first batch of mini-series, which span the first half of the main "Blackest Night" book.
"Blackest Night: Superman" sees then-current Superman writer James Robinson tackle the Man of Steel as Smallville and New Krypton are assaulted by the Black Lanterns. Robinson's story unfortunately is weakened by awkward pacing and dialogue, though Eddy Barrows provides decent depicitions of the Black Lanterns.
"Blackest Night: Batman" sees a reunion as Peter Tomasi returns to Nightwing. The newly minted Batman, along with Tim Drake, Damian Wayne, and others must fight to save Gotham as the deceased rogues rise from the dead. Tomasi again demonstrates excellent characterization for Dick Grayson and Adrian Syaf has a good handle on the Gotham Knights.
"Blackest Night: Titans" closes the collection as the Titans face off against their deceased members. J.T. Krul demonstrates a good grasp of one of DC's most iconic teams while Ed Benes' artwork is serviceable.
These stories are ultimately not essential to the main storyline, but perfect for those wanting to see how their favorite heroes or teams handled the Black Lantern invasion.
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by James Robinson
by Geoff Johns
by Geoff Johns
by Peter J. Tomasi
by Geoff Johns
