Writer: Ron Marz
Artist(s): Michael Lacombe, Jeromy Cox
Publisher: DC Comics
“The Sinestro Corps War” has come to a breathtaking, exciting and action-packed end with wild implications for the future. Possibly the single greatest storyline I have read as a sci-fi fan, a Green Lantern fan and a comic book fan, “The Sinestro Corps War” has redefined the way I look at “big events”. Not only did the story completely rock the house, but the tie-ins supporting the event were also strong, focusing on the characters that could not suck up page time during the installments of the main event. The last such tie-in focuses not only on the new Ion, Sodom Yat, but also the original Ion, Kyle Rayner.
Sodom Yat stood toe to toe with Superman Prime and got his ass handed to him. The Daxamite managed to survive and continue his new role as the “mascot” of the Green Lantern Corps. He still hasn’t learned to completely control his powers, which begs the question, what happens during Round 2 of Ion vs. Prime? But this issue also puts Kyle Rayner in his new role as a Green Lantern. Forget the “Challengers from Beyond” nonsense in Countdown; Kyle is truly in his element here, amongst Hal, Guy and John, the Green Lanterns of Earth. One way to think of the four Earth bound Green Lanterns is somewhat like the four horsemen of Notre Dame Football; legendary figures that in the thick of battle are the guys who go out there and get the job done. Kyle has come full circle as an Earth Green Lantern as he confronts the Guardians about their using him as Ion. Yat and Kyle have also yet to really meet each other and that’s really where this issue comes into play. This issue serves that purpose as well as serving as an epilogue to Ron Marz’s Ion series from earlier in the year.
This issue also continues the trend of the Tales of the Sinestro Corps one-shots by delving a little further into the character psyche of Yat and Kyle. Kyle seeks out Yat to talk to him about the Ion power and to get to know his successor a little better. The conversation between the two serves as closure for Kyle as he steps away from the Ion persona, one that he rightfully deserves and even unleashed before he gave birth once more to the Guardians. It’s a fantastically written interaction between Kyle and Yat and Marz continues the maturation of Kyle as well as offering even more intrigue to Sodom Yat. There’s a great moment when readers learn of Yat’s fatal weakness, even with the powers of Ion and Superman, Yat has this one weakness as a result of his battle with Prime. I won’t spoil it because it is really quite creative and it offers a new depth to the character, especially as a Green Lantern.
However, there is the random and almost obligatory appearance by Alex Nero. Nero has been Kyle’s sort-of arch-nemesis for quite some time and it definitely feels like putting Nero in this book is par for the course. It’s strange because this is where the issue really becomes an epilogue for the Ion series as well as Kyle’s tenure as headlining the Green Lantern. It covers the usual motivations from Nero but unless you are a strictly Kyle fan, this situation has no bearings or involvement with the Sinestro Corps War. However, it does do a great job of showing Yat’s power, Kyle’s reaction to said power, and also furthers Kyle’s new role as a mentor for Yat.
While this issue does reveal a few key elements to Yat’s character, its primary purpose is to establish Kyle’s new role amongst the Green Lanterns. It serves as a reminder that Kyle belongs with the Green Lanterns, not hopping through the multiverse embarking in what has become an almost pointless chase. Ron Marz does what he does better than anyone, he understands his creation; he is the only person who can successfully progress Kyle’s character to higher levels. I find the ending of this issue extremely fitting as Guy, Hal and John accept fully Kyle as one of the guys. Over the past two years Kyle has been through hell just like the other three Earth-based Lanterns, and it finally feels like his character is in the right place.
The cover by Ed Benes was very well done, but I wasn’t totally crazy about the interior art by Michael Lacombe. For me it was hit and miss. There were some images that were very nicely done and others that just didn’t look right to me. I felt there was a lack of consistency in the faces and the art differed in quality from start to finish. Strangely, as the issue went on the artwork got better. I do think he did an excellent job with the action scenes, particularly the fight with Yat, Kyle and Nero. Jeromy Cox’s colors also added to the positive appeal of the artwork during that sequence.
In terms of the “Sinestro Corps War” this title isn’t the strongest tie-in. However, in terms of “Tales of the Green Lantern Corps” as the cover suggests, this issue serves its purpose very well. Furthering the evolution of Kyle and well as deepening the character of Sodom Yat, this issue does a good job closing out this chapter in the Ion saga.
What did you think of this book?
Have your say at the Line of Fire Forum!