REVIEW: Green Lantern 51

The latest installment in the Blackest Night saga, Green Lantern #51 hit stands today, bringing with it more of the Ring-slingin' goodness that Johns has made a name with. But, how does this issue measure up?

Cover: The first thing one notices with a comic is the cover, and this issue has a cool one, in my opinion. It neatly condenses the last issues story, showing us the newly-freed Parallax joined with Hal Jordan, facing the other members of his "rainbow rodeo" as well as the Black Lantern Spectre. Besides being a bit of a reflection of its companion book's cover (Green Lantern Corps), it shows the triangle of conflict involved in this plot, and does so in a dynamic and aesthetically pleasing manner.

Art: I'm going to start with the big negative of Doug Mahnke's art: Hal Jordon doesn't have a cleft chin, or at least not one THAT big.
That's it. That's the only problem I had with his work.
Doug's work is appropriate to the Green Lantern script that Johns is penning. We see incredible detail of each battle and each character. We see the Spectre in several different ways due to the script, and Mahnke's art makes each unique and powerful. Also, his Parallax drawings are properly disturbing, almost making your spine shiver when you look upon his toothed visage. If I was more properly trained in art, I could go on for hours.

Story: And speaking of something I could go on for hours about, and in case you've forgotten, Geoff Johns wrote this issue, as well as the previous fifty issues of this book. And trust me when I say he is in top form.
Everything we see Mahnke drew, Geoff wrote. Geoff drops his usual subtlety for a relatively straightforward knock-down, drag-out fight, but it's not a bad thing in this case; it doesn't hurt that he includes plenty of dialogue and unique panel layouts that make it seem deepert than that. It's my biggest regret of this event - it's only going until March, when there's SO much Geoff could do with it. This battle easily could have been made into another issue, the only thing I dislike about his writing. It ends a little too soon, though I do realize it's in preparation for the next Blackest Night-proper chapter. However, what we have hear is the way a fight should be - physical action mixed with powerful and meaningful conversation, even between enemies.

Overall: This book is phenomenal. That is all that has to be said.

Of course, you may disagree... feel free to discuss!
-John Di Pietro, Jr.
Secretary