Green Lantern Corps (2006 Series) #54

December 14, 2010

Title: The Weaponer Part Two

Writer: Tony Bedard
Pencils: Tyler Kirkham
Inks: Batt
Colorist: Nei Ruffino
Letterer: Steve Wands
Cover: Patrick Gleason
Editor: Adam Schlagman
Publisher: DC Comics

The Weaponer has captured Kyle Rayner’s girlfriend, Soranik Natu, and issued an ultimatum to Kyle: bring him her father, Sinestro, or Soranik will die. Kyle has come to Earth to face off against Sinestro and bring him to Qward, by force if necessary, to save her life.

Sinestro really is a right bastard, isn’t he? His own daughter’s life is on the line, but he can’t lower himself to work with Kyle. (Sinestro is still smarting over the beating Kyle gave him back in Green Lantern: Rebirth.) Over in the parent title, Sinestro has been dancing over a fine line between being a full-on villain and being something of an antihero. This issue is definitely heavy on the villain side. Whether he turns up again before this storyline sees its conclusion will say a lot about who the writers want Sinestro to be.

We also delve more into the Weaponer himself this issue, learning a bit more about his history through his interactions with Soranik. He actually feels like a bit of a sympathetic character here – not so much that you’ll start rooting for him, but enough that you can sort of feel where he’s coming from. That extra layer makes for a more entertaining villain over all. Perhaps the best bit of this issue, though, is the set-up for next month. We’ve got the extended cast of this title assembled and ready to charge, which is what you’re waiting for when the time has come for a big ol’ smackdown.

Tyler Kirkham is up and down for me on the artwork. I find I prefer his work on the more alien characters, like Hannu and Boodikka, than I do on the human or humanoid characters like Kyle and Soranik. When he does a character that’s human, he goes overboard with the tiny lines and details, like he’s imitating a 90s style (which I was honestly never a fan of in the first place). Hannu, on the other hand, looks much more natural and impressive than the rest of the cast.

A really good story is buoying up so-so art and keeping this book on my recommended reading list.

Rating: 8/10