BT07 – Space Heroes

Green Lantern: Rebirth (DC) [collects #1-6]
w. Geoff Johns; a. Ethan Van Sciver 

Writing		New reader?
Art		Non-comics reader?

I missed this 2004 miniseries when it came out, rehabilitating Hal Jordan as Green Lantern — bringing him back, explaining the whole Parallax looneyness (I never thought it needed explaining, but too many HJ fanboys were offended by it all), and bringing him back in sync with the Justice League and GL Corps.  It’s all very comic-booky (in a good way, but there’s a cast of zillions hearkening back to decades of DC history).

A well done story as far as it goes, with plenty of plot hooks for the next couple of years of GL action.  A key comic if you’re a Lantern (or Hal Jordan) fan.

Invincible: Three’s Company, Vol. 7 (Image) [collects #31-35]
w. Robert Kirkman; a. Ryan Ottley

Writing		New reader?
Art		Non-comics reader?

Kirkman’s ongoing tale of a teen-aged Superman-style hero continues to add layers of complexity — both in relationships and in violence.  For example, we have a nice love triangle between Mark, his girlfriend Amber, and his fellow super Atom Eve.  That leads to an inadvertent enemy who captures Mark’s mom and step-brother and keep shifting Mark to different dimensions in an attempt to kill him.  After a bloody resolution to that (and a meeting with a future version of Atom Eve, who only adds to his love life comlexities), there’s a bit of relaxation for the supporting cast, until Mark learns his dad may have left secret clues on how to defeat ultra-powerful aliens who are out to conquer the Earth — his father’s own people.

Whew.

And yet, Kirkman juggles all of this seemingly without effort, and Ottley’s clean, expressive art only add to the apparent simplicity.  Mark’s not the deepest character, but he’s the most relatable-to hero since the classic days of the early Spider-Man.  Dealing with both romance, heritage, and his abilities, Mark is a great everyman who faces a lot of tough decisions … and doesn’t always choose correctly.

I’d recommend this title to practically anyone except for someone who has no interest in super-heroes.

(listening to: Nena, “99 Luftballoons (Eng.)” from Greatest Hits of the 80s)
(listening to: Gold, Murray, “The Doctor’s Theme” from Doctor Who – The New Series – Original Television Soundtrack)
(listening to: St Louis Jesuits, “Praise the Lord, My Soul” from Earthen Vessels)
(listening to: Wainwright III, Loudon, “Our Own War” from Little Ship)
(listening to: Newton, Juice, “Queen of Hearts” from Billboard Top Hits – 1981)
(listening to: Hogwood & AAM, “Comfort Ye My People” from Messiah)