Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Green Lantern #55
DC Comics
Johns, Mahnke & Alamy
Lobo shows up and causes a stir with some of the key ring slingers in this issue. As you might expect the issue contains a lot of large and loud brawling. The story that is in this issue is very slight and subtle. Essentially the issue is setting up a couple of character's agendas. Really, Lobo, is just a vehicle for one of the agendas. It's actually a good issue with a nice surprise in the back in the form of a Tales of the Red Lantern story.
For what has felt like three issues, Hal Jordan, Carol Ferris, Sinestro and Atrocitus are standing around talking about finding the various entities. Lobo shows up and the fight begins. The beauty here is that Lobo fights with some great trash-talking dialogue. Also, Lobo shows up with his dog that just adds to the fun and comedy.
The set up with Lobo showing up is that he is hunting Atrocitus. Lobo was hired to haul him in by an anonymous client. Hal and company fight off Lobo mostly because he is a pain in the neck and causing damage on Earth. When Lobo eventually backs off, Hal suspects something is amiss. Before Hal, Carol and Sinestro can fully exhaust discussing Lobo they switch back over to talking about Atrocitus, who sneaks off in the fight, and his motives. If the dialogue comes across as disjointed it makes sense because the trio is missing the bigger picture and that seems to be the point here.
Finally the issue devotes six pages for the origin of the Red Lantern Dex-Starr known as Dexter, the irresistible cat, prior to finding his red ring. The story is very good and tugs on the emotional strings a little bit. And let's face it, who doesn't like seeing the cute little kitty go medieval on some unsuspecting slobs.
The artwork is terrific. The issue has a lot of fighting and massive explosions and no corners are cut here. The battle scenes contain plenty of details and really stretch out the panels to jam in as much as possible. The back up story is equal to the task. Dexter and his emotional roller coaster ride are brought to life very well.
While the issue may seem like nothing really "happens" in it the execution is very good. The arc is definitely moving at a snail's pace but how can you not like an issue with Lobo and a good fight? This was a fun read with a couple of surprises at the end of the main story and a great origin story in the back. You can't go wrong with this issue.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
