Review: Green Lantern #27
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Mike McKone and Various
DC Universe | 32pg. | Color | $2.99 US
On Sale Now
This issue is amazing just like the rest Green Lantern series lately, and the fact that Geoff Johns isn’t letting up an inch has got me itching for another Lantern book monthly. There has been nary a lull in the series since the end of the war. The issue starts out with Amon Sur’s yellow power ring making a stir on its to Arkahm Asylum. We then see that it’s seeking out Johnathan Crane, better know as the Batman villain “Scarecrow”as its new bearer. Unfortunately for him, Hal Jordan and John Stewart are able to find and neutralize the ring just before Crane has the chance to slip it on his finger
As the two Earth Lanterns make a trip to Oa to find out how a ring could be ownerless if the production sites on Qward were shut down. This leads into the two find out about the death of Sinestro Corp. member Amon Sur at the hands of an enraged Laira. Laira killed the surrendered villain in retribution for murdering the family of recently deceased Lantern and close friend Ke’Haan.
This issue marks the first full appearance of the Alpha Lanterns, a group that serves as a sort of Internal Affairs branch of the Corp. Given another power ring with the ability to siphon energy from the rings of other lanterns. In addition the the extra ring an extensive surgery internalizing their power batteries (which they are not informed of beforehand) they also have their minds connected directly to the Book of Oa. This new elite group isn’t quite what it seems though, it appears that the Guardians solicit some of the strongest in the Corp. for the Alpha-Lanterns, and after undergoing the undisclosed surgical procedure that not only alters their physical appearance but personalities as well. This disturbing change in behavior is made most apparent with Boodika’s utterance of the phrase, “No Lantern escapes the Alpha-Lanterns”, hearkening back to the Guardians original police force gone wrong, the Manhunters and their oath “No man escapes the Manhunters”. The Guardians believed that the best elements of the Corps and Manhunters would be embodied in the Alpha Lanterns. The sentient drive and thought process of the Green Lanterns as well as the cold logic and efficiency of the Manhunters.
