Green Lantern Corps, Volume 2: Alpha War

Green Lantern Corps (2011)

by Peter J. Tomasi (Writer), Fernando Pasarín (Illustrations), Scott Hanna (Illustrations)

As part of the DC New 52 event, the Green Lantern Corps return, led by fan favorite Lanterns Guy Gardner and John Stewart.
When the Alpha Lanterns, an internal police force for the Corps, arrest Green Lantern John Stewart for the murder of a fellow Lantern, it sends shock waves throughout the entire Corps. It is up to Guy Gardner and the rest of the Green Lanterns to break Stewart out and bring down the emotionless Alpha Lanterns.

Collecting: Green Lantern Corps 0, 8-12

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Superheroes, Science Fiction, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics

192 pages, Hardcover

First published July 9, 2013

About the author

Peter J. Tomasi is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, such as Batman And Robin; Superman; Super Sons; Batman: Detective Comics; Green Lantern Corps; and Superman/Wonder Woman; as well as Batman: Arkham Knight; Brightest Day; Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors; Nightwing; Black Adam, and many more.

In the course of his staff career at DC Comics, Tomasi served as a group editor and ushered in new eras for Batman, Green Lantern, and the JSA, along with a host of special projects like Kingdom Come.

He is also the author of the creator-owned titles House Of Penance with artist Ian Bertram; Light Brigade with artist Peter Snejbjerg; The Mighty with Keith Champagne and Chris Samnee; and the critically acclaimed epic graphic novel The Bridge: How The Roeblings Connected Brooklyn To New York, illustrated by Sara DuVall and published by Abrams ComicArts.

In 2018 New York Times best-selling author Tomasi received the Inkpot Award for achievement in comics.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The Alpha Lanterns were stupid and annoying from the start. They were just an extra set of Green Lanterns that nobody cared about, nobody liked, and nobody wanted to read about.
So the "Guardians" of DC decided to get rid of them.
They probably could have avoided this whole volume, due to the fact that everyone had forgotten about them almost as soon as they were created.
Just sayin'...
Anyway.
Tomasi actually did a really good job with this, considering the subject matter.
The Green Lantern Corps title deals with John Stewart (my #2 favorite Lantern) and Guy Gardner (nobody's favorite Lantern). So if you're not interested in what's happening with either of these guys, you may not enjoy it.
This volume does have an impact of the events in Green Lantern, Vol. 3: The End, but I managed to understand what was going on without having to read this one first.
It was nice to fill in a few of the blanks, though.

One of the things Tomasi did really well was give some of Gardner's origin with the Lanterns. He pulled one out and made him seem much more sympathetic and likable, which is always a plus when it comes to Guy.

Like most of these titles, it wasn't so great that I would go out of my way to recommend it, but it was also not a bad way to pass the time.

[Jesse A · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strong volume. Very entertaining.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

MURDERER!!! Not a word you see associated with a Green lantern, but in this Volume we see John Stewart on trial for his life. Risking everything he had and all of his morals to make sure he protected the Corps and countless innocents. He had to make a hard choice, one that will haunt him forever. This choice landed him in front of the entire Corps, charged by the Alpha Lanterns, and expected to be made an example off. To top this all off the Guardians are up to something and it looks like the end game will be the complete destruction of the Corps. This book was amazing!!! I am firmly hooked on the Green Lantern Corps series.

John Stewart and Guy Gardner take the center stage in this series and Guy is desperately trying to free his fellow Earth Lantern. A guilty verdict for John will mean his death by the hands of the Alpha Lanterns, the internal affairs of the Green Lantern Corps. When reviewing the evidence against John someone has tampered with the ring log and it is not looking good for him. This book is loaded with amazing action/fighting sequences and the art work is very well done.

The writing was spot on and kept me turning pages as fast as I could. I liked the first Volume in the New 52 reboot of the Green Lantern Corps, but this book was much better. Without giving anything away the Guardians have big plans for the Corps and it isn't necessarily for the best. Seeing these characters have a darker side is very intriguing and I can't wait to see how this story line plays out in future books. This is defiantly just another chapter in a larger story. I will be reading Vol 3 when it comes out as soon as I can.

If you would like to read more of my review check out my blog at brunnersbookshelf.blogspot.com

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Alpha Green Lanterns are mega dicks and they are about to use their sense of "justice" to kill one of the biggest Green Lanterns.

In reality this is really a story of setting up the big final crossover event coming next. The wrath of the first green lantern. This has John on trial for killing one of the members of the corps. BUT he did it to protect them. However, the Alpha squad look at it as black and white only. So they sentence him to death! Guy isn't having that though.

The guardians are really pieces of shit. All plotting to get rid of the central members of the Green Lantern corps to make room for their new creation. It's actually frustrating to see what they're doing in the background but it's nice to see how easy a government can use their people and throw them away, makes you realize how they do it in real life so easy too. I also think the fights here are pretty brutal and a great ending. The art can be a little sketchy at times and some ugly faces drawn here or there.

Overall, this is solid build up to the next crossover. Peter writes the corps good here and it's no different. 3.5 out of 5. Round it to a 4.

[Richard Dominguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Alpha War - Green Lantern Corps Vol 2" by Peter J. Tomasi is a great read. Not having been a regular reader of the Green Lantern for many years, this held a few surprises for me. The story revolves around Earth's Green Lantern John Steward being tried for murder by the Alpha Lanterns and Guy Gardner's attempt to break prove Steward innocent (which he isn't).
There are a few twist and turns as we learn that the Guardians may be behind the accusations and in the mist of nefarious plans against their own Green Lantern Corps.
Lots of action and the dialog is stimulating as well as intriguing. For me there is a lot that is new and the book held my attention from start to finish.
Well worth the read, the artwork and coloring are fabulous to say the least.

[Rick Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my review of Green Lantern Corps, Vol. 1: Fearsome, I stated that I liked Peter J. Tomasi's writing so far and wanted to read some more of his work. Since then, I've read the first 2 volumes of his run on New 52 Batman and Robin and this book. I'm growing even more fond of his writing. I don't think that this volume was quite as good as the previous volume, but it is still pretty damn good. I love the direction all of these Green Lantern books are taking and can't wait to see what happens in the next volume of each.

I still don't like John Stewart, but this is becoming my favorite Green Lantern title. Peter J. Tomasi's writing is the main reason for that. I love how he has written Guy Gardner in this series. The best part of the book for me was seeing Guy's origin in issue #0.The Alpha Lanterns were also a nice addition to the story. Since the Green Lantern Corps is basically the police force of the universe, the Alpha Lanterns are Internal Affairs. They police the police. Seeing their justifications for their actions and the reactions of the Green Lanterns are what really kept this story going. Tomasi's writing gets 4.5 stars.

Fernando Pasarin provided most of the art for volume 1 and returns as the only artist for this volume. His artwork is pretty average. He is capable of some really good art as illustrated by some of the closeups of the main characters. These closeups are nicely detailed. Some of the other panels have little to no detail if they are are viewing subjects from a distance. As a whole, Pasarin does a better job with the alien characters than he does with the humans. Torek and Boodikka were my two favorite characters because of how they looked. The way Pasarin stages the fight scenes looks good, but the followthrough is weak. He gets some good help from the colorist for the lighting effects during these battles, but character faces and clothing suffer during the fight scenes. The art for this book could be much better. Art gets 3 stars.

A 4.5 star writing score and a 3 star art score average out to a 3.75 overall score. that is almost right on the average score of all voters here on Goodreads. This book has really great writing, but would be one of the top books in the New 52 with a better artist on board. It is still well worth chcking out if a Green Lantern fan.

[Mike O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just picked this one up the other day. I highly recommend this book. Tomasi is a brilliant writer and the art is fantastic. Its a courtroom drama, with the backstory of the Guardians further descent into madness and trying to destroy the Corps. It chronicles their orchestration of the rise and fall of Guy Gardner, and the beginning of the Rise of the Third Army. 5/5.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tomasi continues to be on a roll with the Green Lantern Corps series. This dramatic and action-packed volume brings the long-running story of the volatile and emotionless Alpha Lanterns to a head. This pseudo-internal affairs division of the Corps has been an uncomfortable presence in the Green Lantern stories for a while. But now, they've arrested John Stewart after discovering his tragic but necessary actions in the last volume.

There's tons of action but the coolest part of the book is the focus on the moral questions and difficult choices that a soldier must always deal with. There's also an awesome zero issue focusing on Guy Garner's past and two final issues that are better read as part of the Green Lantern: Rise of the Third Army crossover paperback. While the way that Pasarin's art renders action is still a bit shaky and sometimes hard to follow, it's still a great read.

[Joshua Adam Bain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this series has found it's feet!

I enjoyed the first volume of this title, but it still paled in comparison to the other Green Lantern titles I was reading at the time. This book steps out on its own whilst also playing a vital part of the 'Rise of the Third Army' story arc. It kicks off right after the last book finishes. John Stewart is feeling the guilts after killing a fellow Lantern just before they were to betray the corps. Guy Gardner is given a promotion from the mysteriously malevolent guardians, who are up too no good again. Tomasi builds the story brilliantly as we get to see more of what the guardians are planning. I'm loving where this Lantern crossover is moving too, lots of mystery and intrigue. We get to read Guy's #0 issue in this collection as well which was cool to see. Looking forward to seeing John's origin story at some point in the next book. The end of the book slams you with a cliff hanger and I can't wait to see what happens!

Another great volume for yet another awesome GL series!

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Alpha War story is very typical for modern Green Lantern. It's super big picture with huge stakes and huge fights. The result is OK ... but the whole schtick has gotten a little old, which makes me think that the powers-that-be were right in bringing in a whole new team of writers following Johns' departure. I also have some issues with yet-another Alpha Lantern story, especially since it doesn't seem to really pay attention to what has gone before.

The Guy Gardener Zero Issue is terrific. It sheds great light on his character.

I opted not to read the Rise of the Third Army stories because they'll be collected in the Rise of the Third Army collection. I'm not sure why DC opted to include them here too, but their constantly overlapping event collections since the Nu52 haven't made a lot of sense, unfortunately ...

[Chris Aylott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, Guardians of Oa. Why does anyone let you run ANYTHING? Time and time again you have proved yourself to be the Green Lantern Corps' worst enemy, and here we go again with another plot to undermine, torment and kill your faithful minions . I assume this will eventually end with you little blue meanies being squished and deposed yet again, and not a moment too soon.

I'm enjoying this latest version of a familiar song, though. The action gets a little chaotic, but the trial of John Stewart is a cracking legal thriller, while John and Guy are still getting some of the best character writing I've seen for them. Plus you've got to love any space opera story that includes a mission like, "The planet Mogo is putting itself back together; go help it."

[Fluffyroundabout · Rating 3 out of 5]

A much better volume than the first. Strong story where things happen that actually matter and actually affect the GL Corps. Due to this, I feel like this GL series is well worth the read, in spite of the first volume. Art is fantastic as usual too. Seriously if you've read the first volume you need to read this one.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alpha War continues off where Fearsome ended, only this time we are presented with a bigger story arc that seems to be one the rest of the series will continue with. Guy and John find themselves in new predicaments, Guy receiving an unexpected promotion and John going onto to face trial with the Alpha Lanterns for the murder of a fellow Lantern. This of course, leads to much controversy within the Corp as many members prepare for a schism that's about to take place. Each chapter goes into further realization among other Lanterns that something the Elders are hiding could lead to further civil war, and unfortunately leaves off on a cliffhanger.

I am mildly surprised that the second volume had managed to keep my interest as strong as the first, at least compared to the other DC comic I am still pushing through, but there is improvement in pacing with the story this time and the art apparently better than the first as well. Another plus was providing an origin issue for how Guy joined the team, as he was the only one I was unfamiliar in background. Also, I heard Jordan mentioned a few times and even appearing in a flashback, so my hopes of him making a more prominent appearance sounds likely too. Though, I feel like I'm growing on these two guys much more already. Here's to seeing how things are playing out for the two leads in volume 3 now!

[Will Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oof. This one didn't age well did it? An internal affairs organization for the Green Lantern Corp has always been a fascinating idea (even if the Alpha Corp hasn't ever been utilized well). With the corruption of the Guardians becoming more apparent this *could* have been an interesting time to actually use the Alphas in a meaningful way. Instead, internal affairs is framed as a useless faction that makes things more difficult than they need to be. I understand that the Alpha Corp had to be removed for certain plot things to make sense in future stories but this was sloppy and disrespectful, especially now that corruption and excessive force is more apparent in the US' police force now more than ever. I couldn't wait to be done with this and it's really made me dread what comes next in Green Lantern.

[The Spooky Jedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fast paced and great art and dialogue

[Matt Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Green Lantern Corps is very much like a typical crime drama but in space. Exhibit A would be the underused (and rightfully so) Alpha Lanterns. Basically the Internal Affairs of the GL's, who have arrested John Stewart for killing another member despite having a good reason. So naturally, the entire galaxy helps to break him free and dismantle Internal Affa--I mean the Alpha Lanterns! Yes, totally different.

I joke, but this was actually very good. John Stewart has some great moments in the last volume, and it just keeps going in this one. His guilt manifests so well on the page and in his interactions with friends and families, all of whom project their own perception of the event in question in all sorts of extremes. I remember hoping they'd explore that here and they did it better than I expected.

Guy Gardner also feels different. He's got a thankless promotion (part of the guardian's Third Army plan), and that may factor in, but I think it's more. His discussions with John are very honest, and his attempts to help him are guided by a simple right and wrong view of the problem. We still get his frat boy persona, but in smaller doses.

Later, we get to read #0, probably one of the best GL universe issues in a while. It humanizes Guy Gardner and gives him a depth that's basically been denied to him since he was invented. It was hard to for me to hate him after that one. His father is a jerk, and his siblings have success that he'll never achieve. There's this underlying jealousy he has towards them, but he's still loyal to his family despite not feeling belonged. It only made the final issue more of a gut punch. Although John is regaining trust in the Corps, Guy has lost it at the worst time and it opens some family wounds.

They really like to use cliffhangers in this series, and that's fine. It kind of works for me in this one, and I enjoyed the pace. I try to ignore the whole "the stakes of never been higher" set up that these comics tend to have because, well, they say it all the time. Keeping that out of my mind, this one felt important in terms of character development. I just hope volume three doesn't get bogged down in crossover Hell. This could really become something great.

[Wing Kee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inevitable end to a grand mistake.

So yes this arc is all about the Alpha Lanterns which have been a problem since their creation in the old GLC series. So how do I feel about this arc which is the culmination of that group in the GLU?

World: The art is good, it's been the case for the GL books for a while, it's just colorful, full of motion and emotion it's a wonderful book to look at. The world building here is also strong. It's not so much world building but rather using pieces of the GLU that have been put together for a while and leading it to it's inevitable confrontation. The pieces have been sitting in the world for a while and you knew eventually that things would lead to this and wow was it good.

Story: The story on it's face is wonderful and leads to discussion, which is great. The start of the conflict and the linchpin on the other hand was not. I'm so tired of seeing Jon on trail can he have no story except of him making a tough choice and someone not agreeing with it, is that the extent of his personality and his character? But other than that the story was great. The Alphas have been annoying and tragic for a while and this was great how the story ended. It leads to further world changing events but it also felt natural and emotional. I read these character before they were Alpha Lanterns and the end is truly tragic and topical. However the highlight of this trade has got to be the #0 for Guy, that story was great. One issue and we are able to get the full Guy story in a compact and emotional shot and it is absolutely wonderful. I love that he's no longer just the Bro lantern and he truly is a fully fleshed out character now.

Characters: There was a hell a lot of character development in this arc, a lot. So many characters going through stuff from John to Guy to the Alpha Lanterns this was just full of interaction, great dialog and characterization. It's a testament to the writing team and the richness of the world that a book this action packed and fast paced can have so much emotions and character moments in it, it's great.

I love this universe it's dense it's real (for what it is) and the characters are wonderful.

Onward to the next book!

[Lissibith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think Green Lantern Corps. got anything good out of the reboot the DC universe did a while back (And they could definitely drop the "New" out of their "New 52" any day now - it's kinda old news at this point guys...)

This volume is... okay. It's nice to see that post-reboot they haven't fallen back into the trap of writing Guy Gardener as his caricature-y JLI self - something I generally trust Tomasi to do very well, but with the reboot who knows what edicts might have come down.

It starts out with the bad kind of self-sacrificing hero. I won't say it was a bad choice, because it's utterly in character for John, when faced with a murder charge for carrying out his duty, is willing to take the punishment in order to make a point. But it is the sort of self-sacrifice that makes me roll ym eyes with the noble stupidity of it all. I like john, but if he'd let himself be killed out of principle, I wouldn't have been able to mourn it.

As a Guy Gardner fan, it was nice to get a focus on him in the second half. A revamped backstory leaves me a little confused, since I was under the impression GL continuity was more or less untouched. That one's gonna be a bit confusing to folks going back to older books. :) Still, it's pretty much the same old Guy.

[Nash Bork · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a Goodreads giveaway.

Peter J. Tomasi brings a new depth to the Green Lantern Corps. This story is a hybrid of soft sci-fi, fantasy and superheroes. The focus of this collection is Guy Gardner who has finally been written as a realistic, well rounded character instead of just a one dimensional jerk. Tomasi also gives the Corps a complexity it has rarely had. There are a lot of twist and turns here which make it an engaging read. The art is also fantastic. Fernando Pasarin is an excellent artist and a great story teller. There have been many fine artists contributing to DC's New 52, but many of them have been flashy and not really supported the story i.e. Jim Lee on the Justice League. Pasarin's art can be big and amazing, but it always works in support of the story. I have not read any type of Green Lantern book in probably about ten years, but I had no problem getting up to speed with the GL universe in this story. The best book I've read in the New 52. Looking forward to the follow up.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this. There were a few slow moments while John and Guy waxed philosophical about what it means to be this or that... But I would rather some slow exposition in a comic book than a bunch of random, disconnected action sequences any day.

The storyline in this volume was very compelling as the stakes are set very high for John Stewart. Life or death stakes, in fact. And it actually feels like life or death because the pacing is just right and the tension is written fairly thick. On top of it all, we have the Guardians acting extra sinister and aloof while the Alpha Lanterns go all Big Brother on the GLC.

Of all the GL titles, this volume captures the current political state of the the GL universe the best. It deals with a lot of the main story arch's complications head-on, and I would consider this volume essential reading.

4/5

[Arturo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't quite put my finger on it, what it is that makes this book so forgettable, what it is that is wrong with it. I'm not sure if I'm just tired of the corp. or what.
The writing is good, the art is great, the action is awesome, it just feels like the same ol' same ol'. I did keep putting off finishing the book, because of how dark (which is ironic considering how colorful it is), bleak and serious in can be. Any Corp member could die in any issue and many do die. They did.
Die that is. It's heavy emphasis on Corps. Because it's about wars and battles and strategies... and death. Well to give you an idea, how forgettable it is, I will copy and paste this unto the next volumes review.
So although I don't really recommend this.
It's something you have to be in the mood for, and I'm always in the mood for star wa... No wait, not that, .. battles in space!

[Eskana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot Overview: This volume mostly deals with fallout from the previous volume. John Stewart is accused of murdering another Lantern (which he did in the previous volume, although there was context) and stands trial. Guy is promoted and takes on a new role. We also get Guy's backstory in one issue, and then the plot continues into the upcoming event about the Third Army and the Guardians' plot to get rid of the Green Lantern Corps.

Review: Overall, this was another solid volume. I think we got a good idea of both Guy and John, this time working together, although overall there was probably more focus on Guy, and John was pretty much just given the "strong, stoic, and law-abiding" personality trait. The art was good, if sometimes confusing during action scenes, but I still enjoy that it highlights the dangerous nature of the Corps, who are, after all, pretty much a military organization.
This volume definitely still felt like a good way to get to know the Corps.

I didn't really like Guy's backstory... it felt a little contrived and not very original, but it served its purpose. I am familiar with his original backstory, but I definitely think this fits better with the newer, less mach/misogynistic version of Guy we see in modern stories.


Issue Overview:
First 4 issues In the previous volume, we saw how John Stewart and a few other Lanterns had been captured and were tortured for information about the Corps. This information woudl have allowed the villains to kill thousands/millions or people. Breaking free from his bonds, John managed to kill another Lantern who was about to reveal the information because he reached his breaking point. On returning to the Corps, both John and the other witness hid this fact.
In this volume, it is revealed by the Alpha Lanterns, an elite group of Lanterns formed by the Guardians of Oa specifically to serve as some kind of internal investigations for the Lanterns. They are supposed to work independently of the Guardians and the Lanterns, and they even have their own oath. Anyway, they try John for the crime of killing another Lantern, and despite character references, he is sentenced to death.
Many Lanterns are shocked by this sentence, but especially Guy Gardner. Guy was recently given a new rank that lets him serve as a troubleshooter to issues that come up among the Lanterns, but even this doesn't help. So he and several other Lanterns break John out of prison. The other Lanterns are arrested by the Alphas, but John and Guy get away, hiding in the caverns of Oa where the rejected projects of the Guardians are.
They are able to cobble together a working fighting force out of the robots there and attack the Alphas in an attempt to free the other Lanterns. At the same time, Salaak summons the rest of the Lanterns to attack the Alphas, who now feel they are justified in killing Lanterns beacuse they are "treasonous." However, one Alpha (Varix) changes sides and attacks the Alphas, and they are able to be defeated and killed by John and Guy. Varix then kills himself out of a sense of justice for wrongdoing.
The Guardians, who have been secretly plotting to get rid of the Lanterns in favor of their new "Third Army" and are trying to get rid of the major and powerful Lanterns as part of this plan, are pleased with this outcome. However, Guy voices a suspicion about maybe being the next of the Guardian's rejected projects.

#0 (Zero Issue) After a year of New 52, all titles were given "zero issues" to explain character backstories. This one focuses on Guy's. In this case, Guy is the middle child of a family of police: older sibling Gerard is a detective; younger sister Gloria is just graduating the academy. Guy was apparently thrown off the force for "getting innocents killed." However, he is able to save his brother when he is under fire, and right at that moment is found by a GL ring, becoming a new Green Lantern. He graduates GL training, meets Hal, and begins his new job.

Last two issues Thanks to his actions in the first volume and previous issues, Guy is rewarded with the rank of "Sentinel Lantern," which seems to be some kind of advisor. Unbeknownst to him, his recent promotions have more to do with the Guardians' secret plot and less to do with recognition. He is put on an escort mission for ambassadors on their way to negotiating peace when he receives word that a violent criminal with a grudge against him has somehow broken free of the Guardians' jail. Afraid for his family, Guy takes half the Lanterns on his mission with him to Earth to protect his family from any attacks, assuming that the ambassadors will be fine. Unfortunately, the Guardians send the criminal instead to take out the ambassadors and the remaining Lanterns. On his way to Earth, Guy and his Lanterns are attacked by the new Third Army, alien creatures whose minds are directly linked to the Guardians, allowing them more direct control. The creatures take over all the Lanterns' minds and they become new Third Army, except for Guy, who is able to flee. He secures his family with the Justice League on Earth, and then returns to Oa. The Guardians upbraid him for his conduct, and pressure him to resign. He does so, and is returned to Earth.
Meanwhile, John was sent on a special mission to restore Mogo, but runs into a Star Sapphire member named Fatality.
Meanwhile meanwhile, Salaak and Kilowogg start putting the dots together about the Guardians' plot, realizing that recruits are low because rings are not being sent out, but are instead kept in the forge, which is not on Salaak's records. He also reveals that he figured out that the Guardians' are the ones who sent the footage of John murdering the other Lantern to the Alphas, resulting in great division in the Corps.

[Cale · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Green Lantern books, more than any other area of the DC Universe, suffer from event fatigue. It seems like there's always some massive crossover event between its books that makes them hard to jump into. And the corp or the universe always seems to be at stake. And honestly, it gets boring. The Alpha War is an example of that - there's a jury trial that doesn't really feel very developed, and then there's lots of multi-page splash images of lanterns fighting Alpha Lanterns. I get where it comes from, but it just doesn't inspire excitement. The artwork is well done, but the story just never clicks. Everything is epic, but it's also a prelude to an even bigger epic. That just gets tiring.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stewart faces trial for murder. Have the Alpha corp got too much power? This is an enjoyable book that looks at character, and ethics. It is part of a bigger storyline but you dont need to have read it to enjoy this. If you like the lesser well known GLs from Earth then this book is for you. A good read.

[Fizzgig76 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reprints Green Lantern Corps (3) #0, 8-14 (June 2012-January 2013). John Stewart has been an upstanding member of the Green Lantern Corps for years. When he is accused of murder by the newly appointed Alpha Corps, the Green Lantern Corps much choose sides…but it could be just what the Guardians want. Something is brewing in the universe, and the Third Army is rising!

Written by Peter J. Tomasi, Green Lantern Corps Volume 2: Alpha Wars is part of the New 52 relaunch of the DC Universe. Following Green Lantern Corps Volume 1: Fearsome, the collection features art by Fernando Pasarin and Cafu. Green Lantern Corps #13-14 were also included in Green Lantern: Rise of the Third Army.

Green Lantern has always been one of my favorite DC heroes. The Hal Jordan Green Lantern was a nice gateway to the other Green Lanterns and a strange network of space “police officers” that could come in any size or shape. Of course, two Americans really lead to Corps in this volume, but the fun still comes.

Green Lantern Corps isn’t a revolutionary comic. The storyline is rather basic comic book fodder, but the series is heavily tied to Geoff Johns run on Green Lantern which essentially just continued the story of before Flashpoint. This means that this volume also contains a lot of conspiracies and questionable actions by the Guardians of the Universe…which is a step above many comics.

The Alpha Guardians (and even Guy’s special designation) seems like a bad idea from the get-go. The Guardians have a history of making bad decisions and I would think that more of the Green Lanterns might recognize this as a questionable idea to give a certain among of the Corps even more power. You would think the characters were err on the side of caution, but the Guardians actions seem to be largely unexplored by their “employees”.

The storyline involved in the second part of the collection is a bit odd. The collection contains Guy’s adventures as he became a Green Lantern to set-up Xar and tweak Guy’s origin while introducing his family, but the story largely ties into the next storyline. It does provide a good cliffhanger in this sense, but it also feels like an incomplete story. It feels like it isn’t part of the collection.

Green Lantern Corps might not be groundbreaking, but it doesn’t mean that it isn’t fun. With so many character options, I wish they’d branch away from Guy and John a bit and dip back into the ideas of the Tales of the Green Lantern Corps. The Rise of the Third Army proves to be a big moment for the Green Lantern Corps…bring it on! Green Lantern Corps 2: Alpha Wars is followed by Green Lantern Corps 3: Willpower.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Green Lantern Corps, Vol. 2: Alpha War sees Guy Gardner, John and the rest of the Green Lantern Corps pitching themselves against the Alpha Lanterns who have gone off the rails! The action is gripping as the Alpha Lanterns become a law onto themselves and become obbssed with obedience! This pitches the Alpha Corps against the Green Lanterns! This provides great tension and action! Beneath all of this the Guardians are manipulating events to their advantage as they are busily trying to replace The Green Lantern Corps! Old plotlines are dealt with and new ones are created as well! Green Lantern Corps, Vol. 2: Alpha War will keep you guessing at every stage with plots that don't seem to connect but will take you by surprise! Green Lantern Corps, Vol. 2: Alpha War brilliantly keeps the action and character development going right from the start! This makes for a great combination as each character directly impacts on each other! The Action is thick and fast on an epic level! At the same time the Guardians plans are sinister and you can really feel the Green Lanterns are having a shake up!

The art marries up perfectly with the script! Green Lantern Corps, Vol. 2: Alpha War zings alongs from the beginning with the stakes on an epic level! You never know which way things are going to go! john being dragged out be his heels, their total irreverence to the Guradians etc all add humour to the tones of action, adventure etc in the book!

Green Lantern Corps, Vol. 2: Alpha War is a blast from the start! It will keep you up seeing what happens! Green Lantern Corps, Vol. 2: Alpha War is full of daring do as the Lanterns unknowillingly take on the Guardians, World building as we zip around Earth, the Galaxy etc, Everything on an epic scale as we get to see more of the Guardians construction activities, what is going on Earth, what is happening at The Watchtower etc, past plot points are addressed and new ones created, adventure as the sides clash and attempt to outsmart each other and action! Brilliant Crisp High Five! Highly Recommended! Get it when you can! :D

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The Guardian's mistrust is front and center here, really building off of what was worked up in the the other GL books. Guy and Jon Stewart stay in the foreground and we see just how much the Corps means to them. They go to great lengths to fulfill their duty and Tomasi's writing makes me give a care about them. Refresh yourself with Issue #7 to pluck your heart strings, then dive into this one for an action-dense story of judgment.


In the grander scheme, the Guardians are not to be relied upon, as they devise the death of the GL Corps. Taken in conjunction with the attacks on the other Corps in GL: New Guardians, and what we read in the Green Lantern Volume 2 (these three books are deeply linked) about Abin Sur knowing that there would be an "End of the Corps", it makes me wonder what the long play is. The First Lantern leading the Third Army, wiping out thousands of Lantern across the galaxy. The Green Lanterns are the largest of the Corps; surely there will be frustration in the cosmos for such a betrayal... Then again the The Guardians of the Universe don't care about your feelings. They're playing an interesting game...


4/5 for the length: these individual issues are just too short, sometimes only being 15 or 16 pages of meaningful content.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Green Lantern action meets "Law and Order"-style drama. Plus Guardians' machinations. Plus lots of Guy Gardner just being Guy Gardner. It's hard to say which part of the book was more interesting: The first half, which focused on John Stewart's trial, death sentence (WHAT?!?!?), and breakout. Or the second part, which gave us a glimpse into Guy's past and then connected that with the Guardians manipulating him and the rest of the Corps... and forcing Guy to resign? (Again... WHAT?!?!?!) However.... as eager as I am for the next volume, I'm going to wait to read it. The more GL I read, the more I realize... I want the whole story. I don't want to just read some here, and some there. I want to start and then run, full steam ahead into this space odyssey! So, I'm going to remember where I left off... and go back and read GL in as much of an order as I can manage. I'm going to start in the early '80s ("Tales of the Green Lantern Corps") and then keep moving forward. I'm enjoying these characters, and I want to do them justice. (Obviously, there will be times when I'll encounter a book I've already read, so I'll just skip that. My memory's pretty good.) If anyone is curious, I'm using this list on my reading journey: https://www.comicbookherald.com/readi....

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa! A tiny origin story of Guy Gardener hides in here. I’ve seen him enough with no real clue how he got there. In much the same way I know how only one of the Robins came under Batman’s wing, the rest just have shown up enough times. Haha!

I just want to satisfy a Green Lantern kick I’ve been having. Don’t care about continuity, not too bothered with unfamiliar faces. I feel like Green Lantern is a comic I can open up and find the quintessential ingredient of western comics. With Alpha War I’m not disappointed.

I don’t really care to express too much about my feelings. A lot happens in this comic without spreading itself too thin. The pacing and plot are handled quite well (I picked up on what's happening no problem). The art doesn’t get in the way either, it’s better in action than trying to be emotive with facial expressions or revealing sprawling environments. It’s good enough. I always admire artists that can draw and color for a Green Lantern comics when my eyes still feel normal after the reading. It’s an impressive quality, believe me!

I’m itching for more. Feed. Me. More. No comic escapes the Bradley! On to the next!

[Ronan The Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m enjoying this series so far. The writing can be corny every now and then, but it’s entertaining and I’m actually interested in what happens to the characters and the overarching plot. I’m not sure why I wasn’t as high on the art in my review for the first volume, but it’s really good. The splash pages are detailed, and balancing the distinct look of all the aliens is impressive. And with as much of the book needing to be green, it always looks vibrant and keeps you engaged. I didn’t start the series knowing much about Guy or John, but I like them individually, and as buddy-space-cops.

The variance in the GL’s power is odd to me. At times, they can move mountains, and other times they struggle beating up a normal alien. It feels a bit convenient that the rings are just as strong as they need to be in a given moment. It’s a minor gripe but just something I thought about.

I look forward to reading on.