Geoff Johns ending run on Green Lantern

With the release of DC’s May Solicitations, it has been revealed that Geoff Johns’ run on Green Lantern is ending at 9 years with issue #20.  (Yes, that sounds weird.)  This news brings up mixed emotions in me.  On the one hand, Johns has been on the title for a very long time, and it may be good to let someone step in and take control of the title.  On the other hand, I’ve really enjoyed Johns’ run on the title, and there is the worry that I may not enjoy whoever replaces him.

Geoff Johns began his run on Green Lantern with the Rebirth mini-series.  This mini-series is what ended Hal Jordan being The Spectre, and brought him back to life, and back to being a Green Lantern.  Throughout the early part of his run, his stories dealt with the difficulty of Hal being alive again, considering what he did as Paralax before his death.  Then there was the most notable story in his run, the crossover Sinestro Corps War.  This story would launch the Sinestro Corps, wielding yellow rings powered by fear, and would expand to create corps for the rest of the light spectrum.  Later on, we would get Blackest Night, War of the Green Lanterns, Rise of the Third Army, and lastly (soon to start) Wrath of the First Lantern. 

DC Nation – 9/29/12

Today we have the season 2 premiere of Green Lantern, titled “The New Guy,” in which Hal returns to Earth to find that there’s a new Green Lantern running around.  Today’s episode of Young Justice is titled “Satisfaction.”

Green Lantern:  The Animated Series – “The New Guy”
There’s a crack in space, and something (Anti-Monitor) floats through it.  He drifts down to a planet, and destroys a ship that tells him he can’t be there.  It then reactivates Manhunter robots.  Hal Jordan returns to Earth, and tells Carol Ferris that he won.  He asks if they can start again, and wants to get back to work.  Carol tells him that since he’s been gone for months, she had to replace him.  Mid discussion, Hal sees a news report about a broken crane, and leaves to help, after setting dinner plans with Carol.  He arrives at the construction site in order to save a worker, but another Green Lantern stops the crane from falling.  Guy Gardner is the new Lantern.  Guy tells Hal that the Guardians sent him in as a replacement.  They decide to talk Guardian business over hot wings at a place called McDuffie’s (Dwayne).  Guy convinces Hal to call the Guardians and tell them off.  Hal starts, but finds that Guy is real friendly with the Guardians.  Hal, not happy about being replaced, and they come to blows.  Their fight is stopped by a news report about unearthly energy coming from an archeological dig.  They find markings that translate into “No man escapes the Manhunters,” and find 3 of robots.  The Manhunters attack them.  Hal reports in to Salaak, who tells him that if they are active, then they need to be destroyed or else they’ll exterminate everyone on Earth.  The Manhunters break through to the surface.  While Hal and Guy are fighting 2 of the Manhunters, the third spots a town, and detects emotions.  Working together, they are able to destroy the Manhunters, and have a bonding moment.  Hal gets a call from Carol an hour and a half after their dinner plans, and Carol tells him that it’s better for both of them if they just move on.  Salaak contacts Hal, and tells him to report to the Guardian chamber at one.  The Guardians tell him that he will no longer be Green Lantern of Sector 2814, and instead, has been promoted to honor guard, patrolling all of Guardian space. 

Weekly Readings

Welcome to this week’s Weekly Readings.  Here’s what we cover this week:

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Color Classics #4, in which the Turtles find something relating to their origin.
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro-Series #8, in which we’re told the tale of Fugitoid.
• Detective Comics #0, in which we learn about who was Bruce Wayne’s last teacher.
• Before Watchmen:  Silk Spectre #3, in which Silk Spectre seeks out revenge for a drug trip.
• Action Comics #0, in which a boy steals Superman’s cape.
• DC Universe Presents #12, in which we get a fun Kid Flash story with dinosaurs.
• Hawkeye #2, in which Clint Barton and Kate Bishop team up to stop a group of robbers.
• Green Lantern #0, in which we are introduced to a new Green Lantern named Simon Baz.
• Fairest #7, in which we’re told the tale of Lamia.
• Earth-2 #0, in which we get a tale involving the Trinity.
• Dial H #0, in which we learn about the power of the dial.

Spoilers after the break. 

Weekly Readings

It’s a very “annual week this week, along with a couple Geoff Johns books that were delayed.

• Aquaman #12, in which Aquaman confronts Black Manta.
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro-Series #7, in which we get a story about April O’Neil.
• Justice League #12, in which the League tries to defeat David Graves.
• Before Watchmen:  Minutemen #3, in which divisions appear within the group.
• Superman Annual #1, in which Helspont returns to put Superman in his place.
• Green Lantern Annual #1, in which the Guardians begin assembling The Third Army.
• Detective Comics Annual #1, in which Black Mask tries to reassert his control.

Of course, there are spoilers after the break. 

New corps member to appear in Green Lantern cartoon

While we wait for the San Diego Comic Con to get fully started, there was one interesting thing (interesting to me) from the Preview night that I wanted to highlight.  It was revealed yesterday that Guy Gardner would be appearing in the second season of the cartoon.  Guy Gardner will be voiced by Diedrich Bader (Batman:  Brave and the Bold, Drew Carey Show), and is advertised as a “much cockier, more brash and a womanizer.”

It was also revealed that the big threat for the second season would be the Anti-Monitor.  Personally, I’m not really sure how you introduce the Anti-Monitor, the destroyer of universes, into a kids cartoon.  My hope was that the Sinestro Corps would be introduced, but I do kind of admire the show for not grabbing that low hanging fruit immediately.  Although, they have introduced 4 of the 7 standard rings of power.  The only ones left out from the first season were indigo, orange, and yellow.  I will be mightily impressed and surprised if they ever introduce the black ring, it being death and all.

DC Nation – 5/26/12

Welcome to this week’s edition of DC Nation.  Today’s episode of Green Lantern is titled “Homecoming.”  The Red Lanterns arrive at Oa.  Today’s episode of Young Justice is titled “Beneath.”  The Alpha Team heads to Bialya to investigate Boom Tube usage, while Jamie Reyes looks for his friend.  The short segments include a profile of Animal Man (might be a repeat), part one of an Atom cartoon, and a new Super Best Friends Forever cartoon.

Green Lantern:  The Animated Series – “Homecoming”
Hal and Razer fly off to implement their plan, while Kilowog tries to buy them some time.  Atrocitus, aboard the Interceptor, arrive at Oa.  Using Aya, they trick their way onto Oa.  Hal Jordan wakes up to find himself on Earth, where he sees Carol.  Atrocitus and his forces land on Oa, and attack some Guardians.  Hal is having dinner with Carol, but seems a bit out of it and doesn’t remember what has been going on.  Kilowog does his best to fight off the Red Lantern armada.  Carol tries to make Hal remember being a Green Lantern by going to Ferris Air and showing him his Lantern.  This causes Hal to remember.  Razer and He went to Zamaron to ask the Star Sapphires for help.  Hal convinces them to teleport him back to Earth, despite of the possible consequences.  Hal kisses Carol, and flies off.  While fighting, Kilowog experiences a power boost.  This cam from the presence of the Blue Lantern Saint Walker.  Along with Saint Walker, Mogo joins the fight against the armada.  Atrocitus and his group are able to overpower Salaak, and get to the Guardians.  However, Hal Jordan is there waiting for them.  Hal tells Atrocitus that he’s right to feel rage towards the Guardians, but what he’s doing is wrong.  Drusa is attempting to delete Aya’s higher functions when Razer teleports in and saves her.  Using Saint Walker to boost Mogo’s power, they are able to stop the armada.  Hal is fighting Atrocitus, while the Guardians watch.  Hal is able to overcome Atrocitus.  Hal tries to reason with Zilius Zox.  The Guardians promise to make restitution in the Forgotten Zone.  Zilius agrees, as Atrocitus is taken to the prison.  Razer avoids the question of how he got to Oa so quickly.  The Guardians go to thank Hal, but he flies back to Earth. 

DC Nation – 5/19/12

Welcome to this week’s edition of DC Nation.  Today’s episode of Green Lantern is titled “Invasion.”  Hal and the gang try to keep the Red Lanterns from using the Lighthouse.  Today’s episode of Young Justice is titled “Salvage.”  A group tries to reach out to Red Arrow, while Superboy and Blue Beetle find their own Intergang problems.  The short segments include a profile on Animal Man, and a two part Vibe cartoon.

Green Lantern:  The Animated Series – “Invasion”
Atrocitus interrogates Byth Rok to get the code to the Lighthouse from him, but Byth Rok does not give in.  Hal and Kilowog want to destroy the Lighthouse, while Razer wants to go back Oa and get reinforcements.  The castaways on Mogo want to get off to join the Red Lanterns.  Saint Walker talks with Mogo, who tells him to climb to find the savior from the Red Lanterns.  Hal and the gang arrive at the Lighthouse, and are able to make it through the gateway.  Security measures at the Lighthouse attack the group.  Hal, Kilowog, and Razer leave the ship to try to disable the measures, but are attacked by a group of Red Lanterns.  The Green Lanterns are forced to retreat.  A Red Lantern ship comes to the castaways, where Zartok begs Atrocitus to let him join.  Saint Walker wants to attack the Red Lanterns, but Mogo tells him that they are not his concern.  Aya tells Hal that the Red Lantern armada will be there shortly.  They form a plan with Aya flying in the energy beams forming the gateway.  Aya makes it to the Lighthouse undetected.  She was able to deactivate the defenses, but was spotted by the Red Lanterns.  However, she’s able to turn the Lighthouse’s defenses on the Red Lanterns.  Atrocitus catches up to the Green Lanterns in his ship.  Razer detonates the Lighthouse.  The Green Lanterns are able to escape the asteroid belt, but Atrocitus was able to as well.  Saint Walker reaches the top of the mountain, and asks to be shown the savior, shown hope.  Hal, Kilowog, and Razer investigate Atrocitus’ disabled ship to bring him in.  They get there and the ship self destructs.  Saint Walker is not sway by the lack of a savior being show, and is presented with a blue lantern and ring.  Hal, Kilowog, and Razer fly back to their ship, but it starts attacking them.  Aya has been taken over by Drusa, who was chosen by Atrocitus instead of Zartok.  Atrocitus flies off, blowing up the liberators that he had left in the asteroid belt.  This opens up a hole for the armada to fly through.

DC Nation – 4/28/12

Welcome to this week’s installment of DC Nation.  Today’s episode of Green Lantern is titled “In Love and War.”  The Green Lanterns discover the Star Sapphires.  Today is the first episode of season two of Young Justice, which added Invasion to the title, and is titled “Happy New Year.”  It’s five years later, and the team discovers alien invaders.  The short segments include a profile of Blue Beetle (Jamie Reyes), a Super Best Friends Forever cartoon titled “Grounded,” and a new Mad cartoon titled “Teen Titanic.”  Once again, I imagine that I’ve spelled most of the things wrong in the Green Lantern episode.  I’ll fix it when I can find the correct spellings.

Green Lantern:  The Animated Series – “In Love and War”
Kilowog is feeling down about leaving Galia behind.  Hal is trying to cheer him up when Aya alerts them that there is something 20 seconds away.  It turns out that this thing is a giant space monster.  They are aided by two Star Saphires, named Acapo, Gyita.  They offer the Lanterns rest and repairs on their home planet of Zamaron.  Acapo looks into Kilowog, and sees he’s suffering from a broken heart.  A Star Sapphire ring goes to Galia.  Acapo tells Hal that they used to be with the Guardians, long ago, but they disagreed with the Guardians about the role of emotions.  The Sapphires believed that only love could heal the universe.  Gyita takes Hal on a tour, but he brushes her advances off.  Kilowog runs into Galia.  He asks how she got here, but she tells him to hush, and that she has something that can keep them together forever.  Aya has fixed the ship, but she can’t get Kilowog to respond.  Razer contacts Hal, who tells him not to worry.  It’s revealed that Kilowog has been encased in a crystal.  Queen Acapo is unhappy that Hal hasn’t fallen in love with Gyita yet, and tells her to take stronger actions.  Gyita gives Hal a drink, and finds that he already has a true love in Carol Ferris.  Acapo sends a ring to Carol.  On Earth, Carol has just been told that Hal can’t be found when she’s offered a ring.  Razer approaches Acapo, and demands to know where Kilowog is.  Acapo invites Razer to join her in searching for him.  She denies Aya entrance though.  Aya decides to go on her own search, and finds Kilowog, among many others, encased in crystal.  When she tries to contact Razer, she is attacked by Galia.  She subdues Galia, and flees.  Aya finds Razer as Acapo was offering him drinks, and tells him that Kilowog has been imprisoned.  The ring transports Carol to Hal.  Carol sees Gyita, becomes jealous, and attacks her.  Eventually, Hal is able to reason with Carol, and get her to stop fighting.  They kiss, she comes to her senses, and Hal tells her what’s been going on.  Gyita tells Carol that she can use the power of love to keep him.  Carol tells her that that isn’t actually love.  Carol gives back the Star Sapphire ring, and is returned to Earth.  Hal gets Kilowog out of the crystal, and they go to help Razer and Aya, who are fighting Acapo and her guards.  Gyita tries to convince Acapo to release them.  Acapo looks into Razer’s mind, and realizes that Aya looks like Razer’s love Alana.  With the help of Gyita, the Green Lanterns are able to escape.

DC Nation – 4/21/12

Welcome to this week’s installment of DC Nation.  Today’s episode of Green Lantern is titled “Fear Itself.”  Hal and Kilowog find themselves on opposite sides of warring alien races.  Today’s episode of Young Justice is titled “Auld Aquaintance.”  The team must rescue the Justice League from Vandal Savage.  The shorts today include a look at costumes from WonderCon, a Plastic Man cartoon, and a Teen Titans cartoon.

Green Lantern:  The Animated Series – “Fear Itself”
Hal and Kilowog eat the last of their rations, grossed out by what each other are eating.  Aya finds a nearby planet that they can find food on.  Hal and Kilowgo split up, going their own route to find food.  Kilowog comes across a female, and defends her against squid-like things.  When things go wrong, she saves him.  Hal is flying along, admiring the scenery when suddenly his ring stops working.  He thinks the scanner is finding him something to eat, but each time it backfires.  Kilowog wakes up after having a nightmare about the destruction of his planet and family.   Nelia brought him back to her home, and feeds him some soup.Hal is attacked by the same squid-like things, and his ring has no effect on them.  Nelia takes Kilowog to meet the village elder.  He asks him to save them against the Nodarra.  Hal was taken back by the squid-like people to their home.  Razer needs to charge up his ring, but he no longer wants to say the oath.  Kilowog is training soldiers of the alien race he was brought back to.  The “squid Norman” leads Hal around, and shows him the yellow crystals.  Hal recognizes them from the prison.  He sets off to find Kilowog.  Nelia is cooking with the yellow crystals.  Kilowog has another nightmare.  After waking up, Kilowog decides that they need to attack the Nodarra (squids) immediately.  Nelia gives Kilowog a headband made from the yellow crystal.  They find each other, but Kilowog thinks Hal is a traitor, and orders them to attack.  Hal tries to explain that the yellow crystals are making them crazy.  Eventually, Hal gets through to Kilowog, and they stop the Zor attack.  Hal explains that the Nodarra mine the crystals, and know that the crystal harms others.  That is why they were trying to keep it away from the Zor.  Hal gets some food, as Kilowog says good-bye to Nelia.  Aya returns to Razer, with a new oath for him to try to recharge his ring.  Razer tells her that it worked, but it was a lie.

DC Nation – 4/14/12

Welcome to this week’s installment of DC Nation.  Today’s episode of Green Lantern is titled “Reckoning.”  Razer decides to deal with Atrocitus himself.  Today’s episode of Young Justice is titled “Usual Suspects.”  The truth about a mole being on the team is finally revealed.  The shorts today include a test of a real Batarang, a Mad cartoon, and an Aardman cartoon.

Green Lantern:  The Animated Series – “Reckoning”
The Green Lanterns find the Red Lantern mothership.  Razer is unhappy with Hal and Kilowog being content to just gather information, so he leaves the ship.  Aya tells Razer that she must alert Hal and Kilowog to stop Razer.  Razer detonates something on the ship to distract them.  Aya tells them that Razer left, and this was just a diversion.  Razer goes in the the Red Lanterns’ headquarters to recharge his ring.  Atrocitus tells Zilius to prepare a welcoming for Razer.  Razer sees Atrocitus and tells him that he was captured by the Green Lanterns, but was waiting for the chance to escape.  He tries to kill Atrocitus, but it’s revealed that Atrocitus was only letting Razer think he recharged his ring.  Hal, Kilowog, and Aya try to infiltrate the base.  Atrocitus is interrogating Razer, so see what he’s been doing with the Green Lanterns.  When Razer won’t talk, Atrocitus tells Zilius to schedule Razer’s execution.  Aya sneaked into the command center, while Hal and Kilowog search for Razer.  In stolen guard aromor, Hal sneaks into the Temple of Atrocitus.  Hal asks the Cleric to tell him about the stained glass window.  The cleric tells of a story about how the Guardians sent the Manhunters to Ysmault to destroy the people there after they would not worship the Guardians.  This is what created Atrocitus’ rage, leading him to become a Red Lantern.  Two actual guards show up as Kilowog stumbles out of his hiding place.  Hal stops them from shooting, but he punches Kilowog to maintain his cover.  He leads him to Atrocitus.  Atrocitus tells Hal to execute Kilowog as Zilius is executing Razer.  Hal tells Aya now, and she creates a diversion to free Kilowog and Razer.  in the ensuing battle, Razer is able to recharge his ring.  Hal convinces Razer to leave and live another day.  Aya opens up the bases defenses to allow them through, but they still have to fight the pursuing Red Lanterns.  Aya is discovered by Atrocitus.  Atrocitus tells that he has Aya, and if they want her back, they need to meet him in Battery Square.  Razer convinces Hal to let him get Aya while Hal takes Kilowog back to the ship.  During their fight, Atrocitus reveals that he’s the one that started the war on Razer’s homeworld that killed Llana.  In his rage, Razer has Atrocitus down, but Aya convinces him to help them instead of getting revenge.  Razer takes Aya back to the ship.  Aya tells Hal and Kilowog that she has decrypted the files she stole.  It reveals that the Red Lanterns  have an armada of warships.