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Green Lantern Corps (2006)
Green Lantern Corps, Vol. 1: To Be A Lantern
Collecting the first six issues of the series re-establishing the legendary Green Lantern Corps! From the Guardians' citadel on the newly fortified planet Oa, Green Lantern Guy Gardner is assigned — against his will — to a feudal world of shadows and sudden death. And across the galaxy, new Lanterns discover what it truly means to wear the Corps insignia, as their courage and comradeship is tested to the limit.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2007
11 people are currently reading
522 people want to read
About the author
Dave Gibbons
655 books257 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Dave Gibbons is an English comic book artist, writer and sometime letterer. He is best known for his collaborations with writer Alan Moore, which include the miniseries Watchmen and the Superman story "For the Man Who Has Everything". He also was an artist for the UK anthology 2000 AD, for which he contributed a large body of work from its first issue in 1977.
Gibbons broke into British comics by working on horror and action titles for both DC Thomson and IPC. When the science-fiction anthology title 2000 AD was set up in the mid-1970s, Gibbons contributed artwork to the first issue, Prog 01 (February 1977), and went on to draw the first 24 installments of Harlem Heroes, one of the founding (and pre-Judge Dredd) strips. Mid-way through the comic's first year he began illustrating Dan Dare, a cherished project for Gibbons who had been a fan of the original series. Also working on early feature Ro-Busters, Gibbons became one of the most prolific of 2000 AD's earliest creators, contributing artwork to 108 of the first 131 Progs/issues. He returned to the pages of "the Galaxy's Greatest Comic" in the early 1980s to create Rogue Trooper with writer Gerry Finley-Day and produce an acclaimed early run on that feature, before handing it over to a succession of other artists. He also illustrated a handful of Tharg's Future Shocks shorts, primarily with author Alan Moore. Gibbons departed from 2000 AD briefly in the late 1970s/early 1980s to became the lead artist on Doctor Who Weekly/Monthly, for which magazine he drew the main comic strip from issue #1 until #69, missing only four issues during that time.
He is best known in the US for collaborating with Alan Moore on the 12-issue limited series Watchmen, now one of the best-selling graphic novels of all time, and the only one to feature on Time's "Top 100 Novels" list. From the start of the 1990s, Gibbons began to focus as much on writing and inking as on drawing, contributing to a number of different titles and issues from a variety of companies. Particular highlights included, in 1990, Gibbons writing the three-issue World's Finest miniseries for artist Steve Rude and DC, while drawing Give Me Liberty for writer Frank Miller and Dark Horse Comics. He penned the first Batman Vs. Predator crossover for artists Andy and Adam Kubert (Dec 1991 - Feb 1992), and inked Rick Veitch and Stephen R. Bissette for half of Alan Moore's 1963 Image Comics series.
Works other than comics include providing the background art for the 1994 computer game Beneath a Steel Sky and the cover to K, the 1996 debut album by psychedelic rock band Kula Shaker. In 2007, he served as a consultant on the film Watchmen, which was adapted from the book, and released in March 2009. 2009's Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars Director's Cut for the Nintendo DS and Wii platforms featured hand drawn art by Dave Gibbons.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Dave Gibbons is an English comic book artist, writer and sometime letterer. He is best known for his collaborations with writer Alan Moore, which include the miniseries Watchmen and the Superman story "For the Man Who Has Everything". He also was an artist for the UK anthology 2000 AD, for which he contributed a large body of work from its first issue in 1977.
Gibbons broke into British comics by working on horror and action titles for both DC Thomson and IPC. When the science-fiction anthology title 2000 AD was set up in the mid-1970s, Gibbons contributed artwork to the first issue, Prog 01 (February 1977), and went on to draw the first 24 installments of Harlem Heroes, one of the founding (and pre-Judge Dredd) strips. Mid-way through the comic's first year he began illustrating Dan Dare, a cherished project for Gibbons who had been a fan of the original series. Also working on early feature Ro-Busters, Gibbons became one of the most prolific of 2000 AD's earliest creators, contributing artwork to 108 of the first 131 Progs/issues. He returned to the pages of "the Galaxy's Greatest Comic" in the early 1980s to create Rogue Trooper with writer Gerry Finley-Day and produce an acclaimed early run on that feature, before handing it over to a succession of other artists. He also illustrated a handful of Tharg's Future Shocks shorts, primarily with author Alan Moore. Gibbons departed from 2000 AD briefly in the late 1970s/early 1980s to became the lead artist on Doctor Who Weekly/Monthly, for which magazine he drew the main comic strip from issue #1 until #69, missing only four issues during that time.
He is best known in the US for collaborating with Alan Moore on the 12-issue limited series Watchmen, now one of the best-selling graphic novels of all time, and the only one to feature on Time's "Top 100 Novels" list. From the start of the 1990s, Gibbons began to focus as much on writing and inking as on drawing, contributing to a number of different titles and issues from a variety of companies. Particular highlights included, in 1990, Gibbons writing the three-issue World's Finest miniseries for artist Steve Rude and DC, while drawing Give Me Liberty for writer Frank Miller and Dark Horse Comics. He penned the first Batman Vs. Predator crossover for artists Andy and Adam Kubert (Dec 1991 - Feb 1992), and inked Rick Veitch and Stephen R. Bissette for half of Alan Moore's 1963 Image Comics series.
Works other than comics include providing the background art for the 1994 computer game Beneath a Steel Sky and the cover to K, the 1996 debut album by psychedelic rock band Kula Shaker. In 2007, he served as a consultant on the film Watchmen, which was adapted from the book, and released in March 2009. 2009's Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars Director's Cut for the Nintendo DS and Wii platforms featured hand drawn art by Dave Gibbons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
November 29, 2018
This is a decent green lantern story but after reading John's and Humphies runs it's hard to be blown away by this.
So this focuses on the "other" green lanterns. You know, the ones no one really puts on their top 3 (Well except maybe Guy) but that's what this is about. What do the other green lanterns who aren't the "chosen" ones deal with? We get to see how easily you can get killed in space, and this is basically a revenge story wrapped up in Space Cop Drama.
Good: I liked the characters. I always enjoy Guys smart ass, or Natu's anger filled ways. I enjoyed some of the space cop fights as it looks pretty awesome.
Bad: Some of the art was a bit much at times, too much going on in one panel. I thought the storyline, and the whole "trick, gotcha!" thing was kind of lame.
Overall it's a fun little story by itself but nothing special. I think we can do better with this cast. A 2.5 out of 5.
So this focuses on the "other" green lanterns. You know, the ones no one really puts on their top 3 (Well except maybe Guy) but that's what this is about. What do the other green lanterns who aren't the "chosen" ones deal with? We get to see how easily you can get killed in space, and this is basically a revenge story wrapped up in Space Cop Drama.
Good: I liked the characters. I always enjoy Guys smart ass, or Natu's anger filled ways. I enjoyed some of the space cop fights as it looks pretty awesome.
Bad: Some of the art was a bit much at times, too much going on in one panel. I thought the storyline, and the whole "trick, gotcha!" thing was kind of lame.
Overall it's a fun little story by itself but nothing special. I think we can do better with this cast. A 2.5 out of 5.
August 3, 2019
While the main Green Lantern series detailing Hal Jordan's reintroduction to the DC universe was all the rage, this series was giving us stories from the other members of the newly reformed Green Lantern Corps, the intergalactic police force keeping peace in the galaxy. And it was just as awesome. Hal Jordan's book is much more of a standard superhero story but what's great and refreshing about this is that it's less of a superhero book and more of an ensemble space cop serial, about the adventures of regular lanterns working their beat. Think of your favorite cop show and that's basically what this is, featuring characters dealing with new partners, working undercover, clashing with the higher ups, and battling with all kinds of villains across the universe.
This had fun art and featured great stories, tales that are entertaining and fast-paced. In this, following up on the events of Green Lantern Corps: Recharge and the new characters introduced then, we focus on three story arcs, one featuring new recruits Isamot Kol and Vath Sarn as they try to make the best of their reluctant partnership, another arc following Soranik Natu, who is being tormented by her fear of failure, and of course a story following Guy Gardner, who just wants to go on shore leave for some R'n'R but he keeps getting side-tracked, either being targeted by a bounty hunter, or getting stuck on Superboy Prime guard duty.
I can't wait to read more of this series and I wish I read these books while I was reading the main Green Lantern series for the first time. Fun stuff.
This had fun art and featured great stories, tales that are entertaining and fast-paced. In this, following up on the events of Green Lantern Corps: Recharge and the new characters introduced then, we focus on three story arcs, one featuring new recruits Isamot Kol and Vath Sarn as they try to make the best of their reluctant partnership, another arc following Soranik Natu, who is being tormented by her fear of failure, and of course a story following Guy Gardner, who just wants to go on shore leave for some R'n'R but he keeps getting side-tracked, either being targeted by a bounty hunter, or getting stuck on Superboy Prime guard duty.
I can't wait to read more of this series and I wish I read these books while I was reading the main Green Lantern series for the first time. Fun stuff.
February 2, 2012
This book series began with the entire resurgence of Green Lantern, and despite the fact that most spin offs stink, this book was quite enjoyable to read.
September 12, 2023
I was impressed with Dave Gibbons' art. It still holds up, as this was later in his career. Otherwise, this volume has good moments, but a lot is forgettable.
My favorite stuff here was the character development of Sonarik Natu. Guy gets some good moments as well, but I found Vath and Isamot to be kind of annoying so far.
My favorite stuff here was the character development of Sonarik Natu. Guy gets some good moments as well, but I found Vath and Isamot to be kind of annoying so far.
March 25, 2018
Vraiment très sympa ! C'est dommage que je ne puisse pas ajouter la version papier à ma collection, vu que les deux premiers volumes au moins sont épuisés.
February 18, 2025
Solid. Love this cast. Guy is S-tier lantern (Hal is basic). Love Soranik Natu (#crush). Isamot and Vath also rock. Just good to spend time with old friends
July 23, 2019
So in my reviews of Geoff Johns
Green Lantern
I've not been shy about my dislike of the character of Hal Jordan, so much so that when I read the reboot of the Green Lantern Corps called
Recharge
I went out of my way to note how I even liked reading Guy Gardner more than Hal, and that Johns and Dave Gibbons (who is the primary writer of this volume) had effectively used my favorite Green Lantern, Kyle Rayner as an effective foil to Gardner's machismo, which in certain moments we learn is Gardner's way of dealing with the stress of being a Green Lantern. In addition, we are introduced to some of the new recruits, Soratik Natu of Korugar (home planet of Sinestro) as well as Isamot Kol and Vath Sarn, Lanterns who were once foes in the Rann-Thanagar War.
My first disappointment with this book is how Kyle is nowhere to be found. After reading Recharge I assumed that the book would likely focus on Kyle and Guy, as well as the new recruits, whose plot threads had not been closed at the end of Recharge. But Kyle is nowhere to be found and Guy, left to his own devices isn't nearly as endearing when he is interacting with Soratik Natu, who finds his schtick to be misogynistic and demeaning (because it totally is.) In addition, one of the story arcs involves Guy being separated from his ring, but the reasoning behind it is so flimsy that it makes Hal Jordan's not wearing his ring when he flies look sane and reasonable by comparison.
One interesting thing I noticed in this volume is that when Gibbons takes on the penciling duties in that Gardner arc I wasn't thrilled with, his renditions of Gardner mirror those of Rorschach in Watchmen without the freckles. I guess when you draw a ginger haired psycho, they tend to look the same in Gibbons eyes.
I'm hoping the next volume brings Kyle back into the fold, as I felt his presence was needed here to center the book. Guy is an interesting character when he interacts with other characters who don't agree with his personality/methods and Kyle is definitely one of those characters. I think it's important in this context since so much of this book takes place in space...if Guy was earthbound then that might help center this book as well, but that's Hal Jordan's bag, for good or for ill.
My first disappointment with this book is how Kyle is nowhere to be found. After reading Recharge I assumed that the book would likely focus on Kyle and Guy, as well as the new recruits, whose plot threads had not been closed at the end of Recharge. But Kyle is nowhere to be found and Guy, left to his own devices isn't nearly as endearing when he is interacting with Soratik Natu, who finds his schtick to be misogynistic and demeaning (because it totally is.) In addition, one of the story arcs involves Guy being separated from his ring, but the reasoning behind it is so flimsy that it makes Hal Jordan's not wearing his ring when he flies look sane and reasonable by comparison.
One interesting thing I noticed in this volume is that when Gibbons takes on the penciling duties in that Gardner arc I wasn't thrilled with, his renditions of Gardner mirror those of Rorschach in Watchmen without the freckles. I guess when you draw a ginger haired psycho, they tend to look the same in Gibbons eyes.
I'm hoping the next volume brings Kyle back into the fold, as I felt his presence was needed here to center the book. Guy is an interesting character when he interacts with other characters who don't agree with his personality/methods and Kyle is definitely one of those characters. I think it's important in this context since so much of this book takes place in space...if Guy was earthbound then that might help center this book as well, but that's Hal Jordan's bag, for good or for ill.
October 23, 2013
Having read the more recent compilations, I deliberated whether this was a needed read and whether to add to my collection. But having seen it on sale, I figured what the heck and went on and got it. Of course I should, shame on me for claiming to be a huge Green Lantern fan and not have this, right? :)
Now, the whole compilation feels more of a stitching of different back stories of different Lanterns of the Corps and although its more of supplementary reading, it is not really required in order to indoctrinate oneself into the world of the Corps.
I must be honest though and that the main reason I got this was because it featured my fave redneck Lantern, Honor Guard Guy Gardner. I was expecting that most of the stories would center round him but like I said it felt more of a collection of side stories on the different histories of several Lanterns like Lantern Iolande of Betrassus and how she was chosen instead of her Lantern-fanatic brother. There's also the Thanagarian, Lantern Isamot who was torn between love and duty and finally realized that being a Corps member is really a full time, not to mention, lifetime commitment. I'm also glad they included Lantern Soranik Natu, who in the later issues became Lantern Kyle Rayner's girlfriend but not before being kicked out of her homeworld (and Sinestro's) of Korugar because of her unwanted Lantern heritage and every cruelty that Sinestro had inflicted on that planet had tarnished the name of the Lanterns forever.
All of this was a treat but one thing that stood out for me was the scenes where some Lanterns would to Mogo, the Green Lantern who is actually a planet and unburden themselves whenever they are in doubt. The stress level that these "Space Cops" go through is a given and it always is a boon to have a friend to talk to when needed. I have not seen scenes like that in the succeeding issues and hope that the current writers would bring that form on friendship and kinship back. But first, they have to bring Mogo back. And Yes, Mogo does socialize and in fact gives advice to those who need it.
So my advice?
Read it if you like, but no biggie either if you don't.
The Sinestro Corps War Parts 1 and 2 as well as the Blackest Night and Blackest Night: Green Lantern Corps will be the one to do the trick for you if you want all out Lantern ring slinging action. :)
I got hooked that way. :)
Now, the whole compilation feels more of a stitching of different back stories of different Lanterns of the Corps and although its more of supplementary reading, it is not really required in order to indoctrinate oneself into the world of the Corps.
I must be honest though and that the main reason I got this was because it featured my fave redneck Lantern, Honor Guard Guy Gardner. I was expecting that most of the stories would center round him but like I said it felt more of a collection of side stories on the different histories of several Lanterns like Lantern Iolande of Betrassus and how she was chosen instead of her Lantern-fanatic brother. There's also the Thanagarian, Lantern Isamot who was torn between love and duty and finally realized that being a Corps member is really a full time, not to mention, lifetime commitment. I'm also glad they included Lantern Soranik Natu, who in the later issues became Lantern Kyle Rayner's girlfriend but not before being kicked out of her homeworld (and Sinestro's) of Korugar because of her unwanted Lantern heritage and every cruelty that Sinestro had inflicted on that planet had tarnished the name of the Lanterns forever.
All of this was a treat but one thing that stood out for me was the scenes where some Lanterns would to Mogo, the Green Lantern who is actually a planet and unburden themselves whenever they are in doubt. The stress level that these "Space Cops" go through is a given and it always is a boon to have a friend to talk to when needed. I have not seen scenes like that in the succeeding issues and hope that the current writers would bring that form on friendship and kinship back. But first, they have to bring Mogo back. And Yes, Mogo does socialize and in fact gives advice to those who need it.
So my advice?
Read it if you like, but no biggie either if you don't.
The Sinestro Corps War Parts 1 and 2 as well as the Blackest Night and Blackest Night: Green Lantern Corps will be the one to do the trick for you if you want all out Lantern ring slinging action. :)
I got hooked that way. :)
October 4, 2015
Oh you Horta love them space cops, the good with the bad.
Man I loved the Corps book growing up, they had enough space opera and crazy space action to make me smile. I love it when you have weird aliens, different zany worlds and quick and bombastic story telling. This is exactly what you have here with this relaunch, but not all things are rosy, there are a little but if iffy stuff to be found here.
World: The art is fine, it serves it purpose but honestly it's a step down from the main series. Gleason did a good job with Recharge but here the art is just mediocre. Reading this series at the same time as the GL main series, I really see the quality difference. I like the world building though, it's just as crazy, just as ridiculous and just as space opera as ever. It's pretty much space cops and that's great for me.
Story: Pure space opera with heir crazy battles, simple storylines and characters. These 6 issues breezed by, I liked the first 3 issues with it's take on the outside looking at the GL Corps but the second arc was kinda all over the place. Sure the Isamot/Vath things furthers their buddy cop story and the Natu story is good but the Guy stuff just annoys, I'm not really a Guy fan as he's way too bro. An okay start which u hope will pick up steam once all the characters are better established.
Characters: I like the new cast they are interesting and their stories and characters make me interested. What I don't like is the lack of Kyle and the focus on Guy. I'm not really a Guy fan as I've said above but oh well this is a Corps book so there will be Guy stories. This being the case I did not enjoy this trade as much as I would have liked. I find the Natu story interesting but do get a sense that the storytelling was rushed and thus her emotional arc this trade felt contrived and too quick. Yes I know the history of Korugar but I think a little bit more context for not GL readers would have been better. Her jumping around also made for jarring story pacing.
An okay start to a series that I end of loving. The Guy focus was not my thing, I'm hoping for more Kyle in the next arc.
Onward to the next book!
Man I loved the Corps book growing up, they had enough space opera and crazy space action to make me smile. I love it when you have weird aliens, different zany worlds and quick and bombastic story telling. This is exactly what you have here with this relaunch, but not all things are rosy, there are a little but if iffy stuff to be found here.
World: The art is fine, it serves it purpose but honestly it's a step down from the main series. Gleason did a good job with Recharge but here the art is just mediocre. Reading this series at the same time as the GL main series, I really see the quality difference. I like the world building though, it's just as crazy, just as ridiculous and just as space opera as ever. It's pretty much space cops and that's great for me.
Story: Pure space opera with heir crazy battles, simple storylines and characters. These 6 issues breezed by, I liked the first 3 issues with it's take on the outside looking at the GL Corps but the second arc was kinda all over the place. Sure the Isamot/Vath things furthers their buddy cop story and the Natu story is good but the Guy stuff just annoys, I'm not really a Guy fan as he's way too bro. An okay start which u hope will pick up steam once all the characters are better established.
Characters: I like the new cast they are interesting and their stories and characters make me interested. What I don't like is the lack of Kyle and the focus on Guy. I'm not really a Guy fan as I've said above but oh well this is a Corps book so there will be Guy stories. This being the case I did not enjoy this trade as much as I would have liked. I find the Natu story interesting but do get a sense that the storytelling was rushed and thus her emotional arc this trade felt contrived and too quick. Yes I know the history of Korugar but I think a little bit more context for not GL readers would have been better. Her jumping around also made for jarring story pacing.
An okay start to a series that I end of loving. The Guy focus was not my thing, I'm hoping for more Kyle in the next arc.
Onward to the next book!
August 3, 2020
Why is this series not also collected in a series of omnibus!? As far as I'm concerned this is essential reading for Geoff Johns' main series, and I'm not even on the Tomasi portion of the run yet.
I'll say it right now, Soranik Natu might be my favourite Lantern. She's the most interesting character in all of this series. Her story here is engaging, well written and intriguing.
I love that Gibbons uses her character to call out Guy Gardner on his bullshit bravado, and yet simultaneously makes him far more likeable. All in just 6 issues. Really cool start to the Corps' stories.
I'll say it right now, Soranik Natu might be my favourite Lantern. She's the most interesting character in all of this series. Her story here is engaging, well written and intriguing.
I love that Gibbons uses her character to call out Guy Gardner on his bullshit bravado, and yet simultaneously makes him far more likeable. All in just 6 issues. Really cool start to the Corps' stories.
March 27, 2011
Love Green Lantern and I have been reading the current series by the issue, so it was finally time to get some backstory and see how some of the normal characters I know from current issues came to be. This TPB has a really interesting murder mystery, some good Guy Gardener action and the introduction of Soranik Natu.
April 2, 2010
What I learned from this book? That I really, really, really like Guy Gardner. Huh.
July 1, 2019
Sora's story in these early issues is so heartbreaking, I always wished there had been more focus on her and the other new recruits and less on Guy.
July 18, 2024
Well, in my quest to read more about the Green Lantern side of DC, I finally read a book that was definitely not for beginners. Despite being a Volume 1, this book isn't really a place to get to know any specific characters. Based on what I saw in other reviews after the fact, this book was a secondary GL title while the main GL title at the time was dealing with Hal Jordan's return, so this book was focusing on the GL Corps itself and other Lanterns. As a result, we meet a LOT of secondary and tertiary characters that are probably well-known to GL readers, but most of whom I did not know at all. Since many of these characters are obviously part of various ongoing storylines, it was a bit hard to know what was going on, at least for me.
The main stories are:
- Soranik Natu and Guy Gardner: Soranik, the GL who is the daughter of Sinestro (and apparently a brain surgeon?!) leaves her partner in the middle of a mission due to some unnamed past trauma (something that was probably familiar to readers.) When the partner dies, Guy Gardner is sent back with her to figure out what happened. In this series, it seems that Guy is considered a troubleshooter, who is typically sent in to aid other Lanterns when a crisis is going on. Soranik's mission had been to protect members of a royal family, but when she left not only was her partner killed, but one of the royal family members. Guy and Soranik try to solve the mystery of how this happened and who is behind it.
- GL Vath is frustrated because his partner Isamot (who looks like a dinosaur) is never around. Meanwhile, Isamot has to decide between love and duty. And we have a weird panel of two dinosaurs holding hands while hearts glow behind him. Was this supposed to be serious? Not sure.
- Lanterns go to Mogo to get some kind of therapy?
- In the final issues, we see that Guy Gardner finally gets his "shore leave" and has to deal with trouble at the resort without his ring.
Review: Honestly, this was okay, but mostly because I just focused on the main Guy/Soranik storyline. I didn't know the other Lanterns, and they all seemed to be in the middle of dramatic stories that I didn't understand and didn't have any background for. As a result, it didn't really matter to me if Isamot found love or got caught up in some odd dinosaur love triangle. Guy was actually pretty well written here, at least in the story with Soranik (I didn't really enjoy the "shore leave" story.) I haven't read much with Soranik, but I feel like I got a good sense of her character and what makes her tick. The art was fine, and I could feel that there was a lot going on here for GL fans to enjoy. However, since I'm just not that familiar with most of these characters, I found it hard to pay attention.
The main stories are:
- Soranik Natu and Guy Gardner: Soranik, the GL who is the daughter of Sinestro (and apparently a brain surgeon?!) leaves her partner in the middle of a mission due to some unnamed past trauma (something that was probably familiar to readers.) When the partner dies, Guy Gardner is sent back with her to figure out what happened. In this series, it seems that Guy is considered a troubleshooter, who is typically sent in to aid other Lanterns when a crisis is going on. Soranik's mission had been to protect members of a royal family, but when she left not only was her partner killed, but one of the royal family members. Guy and Soranik try to solve the mystery of how this happened and who is behind it.
- GL Vath is frustrated because his partner Isamot (who looks like a dinosaur) is never around. Meanwhile, Isamot has to decide between love and duty. And we have a weird panel of two dinosaurs holding hands while hearts glow behind him. Was this supposed to be serious? Not sure.
- Lanterns go to Mogo to get some kind of therapy?
- In the final issues, we see that Guy Gardner finally gets his "shore leave" and has to deal with trouble at the resort without his ring.
Review: Honestly, this was okay, but mostly because I just focused on the main Guy/Soranik storyline. I didn't know the other Lanterns, and they all seemed to be in the middle of dramatic stories that I didn't understand and didn't have any background for. As a result, it didn't really matter to me if Isamot found love or got caught up in some odd dinosaur love triangle. Guy was actually pretty well written here, at least in the story with Soranik (I didn't really enjoy the "shore leave" story.) I haven't read much with Soranik, but I feel like I got a good sense of her character and what makes her tick. The art was fine, and I could feel that there was a lot going on here for GL fans to enjoy. However, since I'm just not that familiar with most of these characters, I found it hard to pay attention.
December 10, 2018
I'm currently going through the Geoff Johns Green Lantern run and alongside that is a GLC (Green Lantern Corps) run that I've been told helps fill in the blanks and spaces where Johns massive run may have been unable to. They include the first volume titled Recharge.
(BTW for anyone who wants the list I'm working off of it's this https://comicvine.gamespot.com/forums... - massive credit to user jb681131 as it's very detailed and other than some deeper digging and some trade collecting variation what isn't in the omnibus's can be found on comixology though not always in trade form)
So onto the story of this volume. It was alright. Guy is quickly becoming a character I actually like and I enjoy the side cast of these Lanterns and seeing OA. What I don't like is that if you split the storylines into the A story, B story, and C story you have the B and C story not be anywhere near interesting enough for any rereading and makes those segments a bit boring to read through.
Guy Gardener is the most interesting part of this volume, if he's in it it's more interesting. You've also got Doctor Soranik Natu (NOT RED) who's another highlight even if it spins the wheels a bit.
The art by Patrick Gleason is always good, a bit wonky at times but still gets the point across. It's a sharp difference from the art later in the volume by Gibbons himself which is much more sexualized.
Overall not as good or interesting as Recharge but I liked the characters enough to read it all the way through and will continue to read it as I work through the intimidating run.
3 stars it's alright and doesn't excel anywhere except for some of the interiors and making me like Guy Gardener.
(BTW for anyone who wants the list I'm working off of it's this https://comicvine.gamespot.com/forums... - massive credit to user jb681131 as it's very detailed and other than some deeper digging and some trade collecting variation what isn't in the omnibus's can be found on comixology though not always in trade form)
So onto the story of this volume. It was alright. Guy is quickly becoming a character I actually like and I enjoy the side cast of these Lanterns and seeing OA. What I don't like is that if you split the storylines into the A story, B story, and C story you have the B and C story not be anywhere near interesting enough for any rereading and makes those segments a bit boring to read through.
Guy Gardener is the most interesting part of this volume, if he's in it it's more interesting. You've also got Doctor Soranik Natu (NOT RED) who's another highlight even if it spins the wheels a bit.
The art by Patrick Gleason is always good, a bit wonky at times but still gets the point across. It's a sharp difference from the art later in the volume by Gibbons himself which is much more sexualized.
Overall not as good or interesting as Recharge but I liked the characters enough to read it all the way through and will continue to read it as I work through the intimidating run.
3 stars it's alright and doesn't excel anywhere except for some of the interiors and making me like Guy Gardener.
November 12, 2018
An entertaining, if inconsistent first volume moves the spotlight away from Greatest And Most Important Green Lantern Ever Hal Jordan(tm). It focuses instead on a wider cast of Lanterns and what the job of a space cop actually looks like, with all its highs and lows.
While multiple other Lanterns make an appearance, new recruit Dr. Soranik Natu and rowdy rough boy Guy Gardner are the focal characters of most of this volume. The first three issues feature a murder investigation with both intrigue and excellent art. The other three are more of a mixed bag.
Seeing Natu struggle with bearing the damning status of Green Lantern on her homeworld of Korugar after Sinestro’s reign of terror makes sense and is compelling, if occasionally overly melodramatic. Guy is an interesting lead who alternates between some old-fashioned “charm” and displays of genuine care, compassion, and competence. The two issues where he fights a Warhammer 40,000 reject on a resort planet is kind of painful, though. They were probably intended to be humorous issues, but mostly just felt like an awkward, goofy slog, coming off of the three strong and surprisingly dark issues. The last one also has Guy displaying some... problematic police-work. There is also some lizard-love and prejudice.
The six issue volume contains both excitement and wonder at the great, strange universe that is the realm of Green Lanterns. However, its inconsistent tone and flittering between plots of varying quality prevent this from being a truly stand-out book.
While multiple other Lanterns make an appearance, new recruit Dr. Soranik Natu and rowdy rough boy Guy Gardner are the focal characters of most of this volume. The first three issues feature a murder investigation with both intrigue and excellent art. The other three are more of a mixed bag.
Seeing Natu struggle with bearing the damning status of Green Lantern on her homeworld of Korugar after Sinestro’s reign of terror makes sense and is compelling, if occasionally overly melodramatic. Guy is an interesting lead who alternates between some old-fashioned “charm” and displays of genuine care, compassion, and competence. The two issues where he fights a Warhammer 40,000 reject on a resort planet is kind of painful, though. They were probably intended to be humorous issues, but mostly just felt like an awkward, goofy slog, coming off of the three strong and surprisingly dark issues. The last one also has Guy displaying some... problematic police-work. There is also some lizard-love and prejudice.
The six issue volume contains both excitement and wonder at the great, strange universe that is the realm of Green Lanterns. However, its inconsistent tone and flittering between plots of varying quality prevent this from being a truly stand-out book.
February 25, 2023
There is so much unnecessary testosterone in this volume, that I wonder if Gibbons wrote it with his dick. Every character is angry all the time. The plot is just RAWWWWWWWWWR MAD FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT without providing any compelling reasons.
That this was coming out at the same time as Geoff Johns run on Green Lantern: Rebirth only highlights how dated this was even when it came out. There's no nuance to this story, and the violence isn't fun or satirical.
Yea, I know that Guy Gardener is the hothead, misogynist lantern. It should be real easy to tell a story where HE is all unnecessary testosterone while the characters around him are trying to scale him back or else just deal with his behavior. But that's not the path Gibbons takes. Instead, everyone just responds to violence with more violence. I guess, in many ways, this is reflective of the American police force, but I don't give Gibbons credit for thinking that deep about this book. It's unbridled teen male fantasy, and it's a giant leap back from the books being written by his peers.
It's entirely unnecessary in the buildup to Blackest Night.
That this was coming out at the same time as Geoff Johns run on Green Lantern: Rebirth only highlights how dated this was even when it came out. There's no nuance to this story, and the violence isn't fun or satirical.
Yea, I know that Guy Gardener is the hothead, misogynist lantern. It should be real easy to tell a story where HE is all unnecessary testosterone while the characters around him are trying to scale him back or else just deal with his behavior. But that's not the path Gibbons takes. Instead, everyone just responds to violence with more violence. I guess, in many ways, this is reflective of the American police force, but I don't give Gibbons credit for thinking that deep about this book. It's unbridled teen male fantasy, and it's a giant leap back from the books being written by his peers.
It's entirely unnecessary in the buildup to Blackest Night.
February 4, 2021
To be honest, this might be a 2.5 star scaled up for me. It starts off well enough, bringing back the Corps in a casually boot campish way. It's fertile ground for a wealth of stories, but the first few tales of their return (the Recharged mini-series notwithstanding) don't exactly spark the imagination. I haven't quite connected to these folks yet, and the Guy Gardner two-issue arc is a throwback to his glory days. (Which is where he was the most one-note to be honest). As a piece in the wider Gibbons/Johns puzzle, it's a good primer I guess. Will just be keen to get into some of the more substantial stories from here.
NB: Read as part of my Geoff Johns and Beyond Green Lantern Journey: #2
It's a sidebar on my NB: Read as part of my DC Crisis and Beyond Journey.
NB: Read as part of my Geoff Johns and Beyond Green Lantern Journey: #2
It's a sidebar on my NB: Read as part of my DC Crisis and Beyond Journey.
May 22, 2021
This one is so hard to rate cause there is such high points and low points. I go with a 4 but it's likely a 3.5. The narrative is mostly split between three stories. The continuing journey of Natu trying to adjust to being a lantern despite her people still hating them from the the time of Sinestro (the best of the three). The uneasy partnership of Isamot the Lizardkon of Thanagar and Vath the Rannian (weakest story in my opinion). Finally the misadventures of Guy Garner as the newly minted Honor Guardsman. (Varying through the book)
One huge negative I must say with this book is that with the three narratives taking place concurrently the book had a very ADHD feel as it splits from one story to the the other at seemingly random points. It sometimes kills a moment as you're getting very into that aspect of the story.
However, that all being said this is another in the long line of competitionist reads for the Geoff Johns (despite him not being involved with this book) era that culminates is the amazing Sinestro Corp Wars and Blackest Night/Brightest Day storylines.
One huge negative I must say with this book is that with the three narratives taking place concurrently the book had a very ADHD feel as it splits from one story to the the other at seemingly random points. It sometimes kills a moment as you're getting very into that aspect of the story.
However, that all being said this is another in the long line of competitionist reads for the Geoff Johns (despite him not being involved with this book) era that culminates is the amazing Sinestro Corp Wars and Blackest Night/Brightest Day storylines.
Read
June 21, 2022Serie grupal con muchas tramas diferentes, así que es normal que no todas interesen por igual. Las otras no me han llegado a importar tanto, pero todo lo concerniente a Soranik y Guy lo he disfrutado mucho. Soranik se lleva la parte más dramática y seria del tebeo, mientras que Guy tira más por lo descacharrante y la diversión pura y dura (y por eso en parte me está gustando tanto el personaje).
Esta serie también está más alejada de la épica de la serie principal, apostando por un toque más policíaco e ir de caso en caso. Creo que se complementan bastante bien y te dan dos enfoques que sientan de lujo a los Corps. Así que eso, muy contento con el Dave Gibbons guionista aunque su manejo de las tramas sea algo dispar.
Poco puedo decir del dibujo teniendo a Patrick Gleason y al propio Gibbons. Es perfecto para esta serie.
Esta serie también está más alejada de la épica de la serie principal, apostando por un toque más policíaco e ir de caso en caso. Creo que se complementan bastante bien y te dan dos enfoques que sientan de lujo a los Corps. Así que eso, muy contento con el Dave Gibbons guionista aunque su manejo de las tramas sea algo dispar.
Poco puedo decir del dibujo teniendo a Patrick Gleason y al propio Gibbons. Es perfecto para esta serie.
March 15, 2023
The momentum from "Green Lantern Corps: Recharge" did not slow down here in "To Be a Lantern". Even without Johns writing this particular run, Gibbons proves he's more than up to the task. GLC 1 is a true page turner for Green Lantern fans. After the introduction of new Lantern Soranik Natu, fans would only want more from her actively developing story, and watching her slowly accept the role she originally rejected is only one part of what makes this book great. The focuses on other new lanterns and not just veteran members Gardner and Kilowag is a welcome change, especially when two of said new lanterns are of races currently at war with each other - and are forced to partner up. The first official volume of the "Corps" series is a strong and wonderful beginning, and a gladly received spin-off from Hal Jordan's Green Lantern run.
February 19, 2022
Pretty disappointing for a green lantern title. Lots of what I lived about Green Lantern Racharge was stripped away in this book. Almost no Kilowog, No Kyle Rayner, No Hal Jordan, and Guy Gardner was annoying and not in a funny way like usual. They had no central antagonist and all of the antagonists were horrible except Ranx imo. From the end of the book it seems like Ranx will be the central antagonist in the next book, and I hope so because besides the last 2 issues this one was pretty underwhelming. Best part of the book was cementing the fact that Salaak is a true love to hate charchter!
May 18, 2024
Fantastic art and colours, Gibbons illustrated issues not as strong but still good.
Characters seem to have been developed oddly from where they were left after GLC Recharge.
Vath Sarn was the level headed pragmatist one out of them and Isamot Kol, yet when reintroduced here Vath is full of aggression.
Soranik Natu I thought had become a mentally strong and stable individual, but this starts out with Natu in a very similar headspace as when they first became a lantern.
Stories were well written.
Characters seem to have been developed oddly from where they were left after GLC Recharge.
Vath Sarn was the level headed pragmatist one out of them and Isamot Kol, yet when reintroduced here Vath is full of aggression.
Soranik Natu I thought had become a mentally strong and stable individual, but this starts out with Natu in a very similar headspace as when they first became a lantern.
Stories were well written.
March 22, 2020
A decent (even if predictable mystery) + a chance to let Green Lanterns OTHER than Hal Jordan shine + solid humor + tons of Guy Gardner (my personal favorite GL) = A really fun, engaging read. That's not to say it didn't have it's "real" moments, but this was a nice refresher from some more "mainstream" Lantern stories, allowing fans to see what some adventures in the rest of the Corps. And I also enjoyed the gratuitous amount of Guy Gardner. What can I say... he amuses me.
June 16, 2017
In this compilation, we see more of Soranik Natu, facing challenges and standing up to her own kind who call her a traitor to Korugar. Also, the stories feature Guy Gardner teaming up with new recruits and fighting off a menacing planet. There is treason, murder, anger management, relationship failures, and a growing revenge.
April 26, 2021
The Green Lantern comics continuously improve the more I read them. This one, the official start of the Green Lantern Corps comic book series focused heavily on Guy Gardner and his adventures as the traveling leader of the Green Lantern Honor Guard. The depth and detail of this series continues to grow and is easily one of the most fun comics I've read in a while!
July 22, 2023
First volume of an ensemble series featuring some of the new Lanterns introduced in Green Lantern Corps: Recharge. The first storyline, featuring what eventually turns out to be a murder mystery, is more interesting than the second, featuring Guy Gardner and some of Dave Gibbons' co-creations with Alan Moore. But there are some interesting character moments throughout. (B+)
January 10, 2021
I really enjoyed this, it works great alongside Johns’ main Green Lantern series. Soranik is definitely my favorite part of this, she’s such an interesting character and I really like her history I’m interested to see where they take her character.
May 19, 2021
I love everything lantern, and it was interesting to get to see some stories involving lanterns that I haven’t read a lot about before. Overall a solid read, though I guess I might have been hoping for a bit more. I look forward to seeing how this progresses.
December 28, 2021
Pretty fun, if not a little boring at times. Feels like Gibbons is kind of going thru the motions writing all these different lanterns. There's great drama and suspense going on... but the way he writes/depicts it is lackluster and slow-paced.
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