Green Lantern: Tales of the Sinestro Corps

Green Lantern (2005) (Collected Editions)

by Geoff Johns, Ron Marz, Alan Burnett

The action of The Sinestro Corps War story spills over into this volume collecting Green Lantern #18-20 (plus backup stories), Green Lantern Sinestro Corps Special #1 ( (plus backup stories), Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Ion, Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Parallax, Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Cyborg Superman, Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Anti-Monitor, and Green Lantern Sinestro Corps Secret Files! Parallax, Anti-Monitor, and the Cyborg Superman are some of the most feared members of the brutal Sinestro Corps, an army assembled with one goal: to spread fear across the galaxy! In this hardcover volume, the layers of these complex villains are stripped away as readers learn why they joined the Sinestro Corps and what drives them to eradicate the Green Lantern Corps.

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

200 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

Geoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s in search of work within the film industry. Through perseverance, Geoff ended up as the assistant to Richard Donner, working on Conspiracy Theory and Lethal Weapon 4. During that time, he also began his comics career writing Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and JSA (co-written with David S. Goyer) for DC Comics. He worked with Richard Donner for four years, leaving the company to pursue writing full-time.

His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.

Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.

Reviews

[Alejandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sinestro Corps War thickens!


This harcover TPB edition contains “Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Parallax” #1, “Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Cyborg Superman” #1, “Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Superman-Prime” #1, “Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Ion” #1, “Green Lantern/Sinestro Corps: Secret Files” #1 and excerpts from “Green Lantern” #18-20 & “Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special” #1. Featuring the third volume of the “Sinestro Corps War” event.


Creative Team:

Writers: Geoff Johns, Ron Marz, Alan Burnett & Sterling Gates

Illustrators: Dave Gibbons, Adriana Melo, Patrick Blaine, Pete Woods, Jerry Ordway, Michel Lacombe & Joe Prado


LYSSA DRAK PRESENTS

Lyssa Drak is the custodian of the journals featuring the “Tales of the Sinestro Corps”, and in this third volume about the Sinestro Corps War, she tells us the creepy adventures of some of the most fearsome members of the Sinestro Corps like the deadly Despotellis, which is a sentient virus that was already responsible of killing entire civilizations way before of getting his Yellow Power Ring...

...and there will be other creepy member of the Sinestro Corps and their tales of how they became worthy of their own Yellow Power Rings, instilling great fear in the galaxy!

Also, you’ll find the private stories of some of the most powerful allies of Sinestro, whom lead the Sinestro Corps, along with the Manhunters, so you’ll know about the sad desire of Cyborg Superman of just dying, along with the insane desire of Superman-Prime of geting back his own world.


SECRET FILES

Also, and easily the coolest part of this third volume is the “Secret Files” of the Green Lantern Corps and the Sinestro Corps, where you’ll find a massively comprehensive list of all members, active and deceased of both Corps, along with all the elements related.

Just for that awesome section, you’ll love to get this third volume of the comic book event.

[The Lion's Share · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this. It's a bit geeky. It's like those power trump cards you had as a kid. It gives you a who's who of the Sinestro corps and why they're selected.

Some good stories in here, especially distipollis the virus that killed over 8 billion people.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sinestro is back and things are told from his point of view so look out, Green Lantern lovers. Sure, Hal Jordan and other Green Lanterns make appearances but they're in the background.

This is Sinestro's tale and even if he's a bad guy most of the time the universe needs him. He'll explain why in this book or have his PR people handle the matter.

Good artwork that nails some of the Green Lantern stuff nicely.

Questions?

OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly a collection of 'filler' stories, but I enjoyed them all the same. Also, a list of who's-who in the back, if you're into that kind of thing. New readers be warned: The list is mostly made up of veeery secondary characters that you can easily live your entire life without ever knowing about.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some background tales of Sinestro Corps members and a few Green Lantern ones too. I really liked the first part of this but the last half seemed kinda filler, as it was Green Lantern Corps stuff and then files on different things involving this story. Still a great read.

[Malum · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I like villains, and I like all of the various lantern corps, so I was destined to like this at least a little bit.
The direct tie-ins to the Sinestro Corps War story line were hit or miss. Ion and Parallax, for example, were kind of lame because they both have the emotional depth and personality of tissue paper. Cyborg Superman and Superman Prime, however, were actually really good. They let you see the story through the villain's point of view, and the heroes really do come across as bullies and jerks. Cyborg Superman, in particular, was a villain that Johns really humanized in the Sinestro Corps War. He went from a villain that I didn't really care about to one of my favorites of this arc.

Where this volume really shines for me, however, are the tales of the lesser known Corps members. The way the stories are presented reminded me of how they used to do the Green Lantern Corps stories at the end of the early Green Lantern Comics (and knowing how much Johns loves nostalgia, that is probably what he was going for).

When you get to have a story that is just about a villain and you can really let them cut loose and not have to worry about them killing any A-list heroes, then the writer can really have some fun. Here, we get such gems as a virus Yellow Lantern that wipes out whole planets. It's a lot of deliciously evil fun!

[Pablo Fern�ndez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal. Simplemente, brutal. Soy un die hard Green Lantern Fan, por supuestísimo. Y... este cómic me ha emocionado terriblemente.

[Rylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really liked this it gives more of an in depth look into some of the big players in the sinestro corps war i didn’t know much about some of these characters like cyborg superman so it was nice to learn more about them

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy book that is more of a filler, but it's still a great read.

[Eric Burton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has some great little stories that fill in details for many members of the Sinestro Corps, along with events before, during, and after the Sinestro Corps War. I would give the stories 4/5 stars, but the collection is getting 3/5 because there is no indication anywhere in the book of the chronological order of events. That was all they needed to not make this a confusing read, but trying to figure out when to read each issue in congruence with SCW was a headache. And even Google and Reddit didn't have the right information.

[Matt Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I shouldn't give this five stars, but I'm usually a generous person when it comes to these ratings. I also loved it a lot, even though these stories have nothing to do with the main events. I would only suggest you read this if you really want some more information, rather than a complete story. But that was fine with me. I had more than enough story already.

It's basically just a closer look at the Sinestro Corps and the people in it. There's also some needless character bios (I don't why I read them all, but I did) and a semi-wrap up of the story between Kyle and Guy. Seriously, are those two a thing? I got a serious vibe that the bromance was something more. Guy is always picking on him, and then these tender moments? But I digress.

Some of the stories genuinely terrified me. Like the backstory of Karu-Sil EATING PEOPLE?! And Kryb was creepy as well. When I read the billion+ character bio list, it said no one's sure what Kryb does with the babies she steals. Are they alive? Is she eating them? It kept me awake at night I'm not gonna lie. I would have liked more time with Amon Sur in his fear chamber, without Lyssa Drak, but that's a small annoyance. It's still a great chaser after all the Sinestro Corps War excitement, so I was very happy with it.

[Fugo Feedback · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pongo la misma reseña para ambos tomos y el especial de los "Sinestro Tales" porque los leí en revistas separadas y ni sé dónde arranca cada uno, pero en conjunto van narrando todos más o menos lo mismo. Se trata de un "Evento" comiquero con muchos pochoclos de colores, una historia con una premisa interesante no muy bien llevada y altibajos constantes. Los dibujo se mantienen en un nivel bastante bueno pero no así los guiones, que oscilan entre partes entretenidas y estremecedoras y otras ridículas y aburridas como ellas solas. La verdad que no es el tipo de comic de superhéroes que a mí me gusta pero tampoco me pareció malo, y al haberlo leído sin muchas expectativas, no me decepcionó, y eso que ni Johns ni Gibbons (como guionista) son santos de mi devoción. Cuando tenga tiempo me pondré a leer la más ultrapochoclera y colorinche "Blackest Night", que preveo que tendrá altibajos similares a esta saga, que no es más que un gran preludio.

[Joel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ★ - 24/11/21

A fun collection of tales from one of the Green Lanterns most famous and feared foes, Sinestro and his Sinestro Corps. Once the most decorated of the Green Lanterns, Sinestro was banished for ruling his assigned sector of the universe with fear, not willpower. After being exiled to the antimatter universe planet of Qward, Sinestro forged a yellow power ring powered by said fear. This novel follows tales of Sinestro, his followers (evening providing origins for some of the key members) and the fear entity known as Parallax throughout history.

This wasn't a book I was intending on reading, however, after picking it up on a whim I can say I did very much enjoy it. I would not recommend this for anyone who wasn't already interested in the Green Lantern or the Sinestro Corps beforehand, but for those who are it is a fun read.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seriously, is Johns even capable of writing non-bombastic dialogue? I ask because the first couple of chapters of this book are just horrible - stilted, theatrical (in the high school musical sense) and tone-deaf. It's imaginative sure - but a "bio virus"? How's that different from a virus - which is by its nature biological? Each of the mini-tales seems like something from 70's comics, and if it's an homage then bravo. But it doesn't mean I enjoy it any more than I enjoy reading that ancient text.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was mostly background information for the Sinestro Corps War, but still very interesting. We get to see background stories providing motivation for Cyborg Superman and Superboy Prime as well as stories showing what Kyle Rayner was going through while possessed by Parallax and finally a story featuring the new Ion once the war is over. Great art and entertaining stories, and a great companion piece to the Sinestro Corps War.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Green Lantern: Tales of the Sinestro Corps
Author: Geoff Johns and Ron Marz
Publisher: DC Comics
Publishing Date: 2008
Pgs: 200 pages
Dewey: YA 741.5973 GRE v2
Disposition: Irving Public Library - South Campus - Irving, TX
=======================================
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Summary:
Parallax! Anti-Monitor! Cyborg Superman! These are some of the most feared members of the brutal Sinestro Corps, an army assembled with one goal: to spread fear across the galaxy! In this hardcover volume, the layers of these complex villains are stripped away as readers learn why they joined the Sinestro Corps and what drives them to eradicate the Green Lantern Corps
_________________________________________
Genre:
Graphic Novel
Trade Paperback
Superhero
Science Fiction


Why this book:
Always loved Sinestro. He’s a favorite villain.
_________________________________________
Favorite Character:
Sinestro was always a favorite villain. I prefer him as a standalone rather than having a Corps all his own. He was always badass enough that he didn't need a Corps of his own. Force of will, charisma, he was able to stand off, standdown the whole GLC all on his own. And give the Guardians a run for their money too, in certain instances.

Least Favorite Character:
Superboy/man-Prime is my least favorite character in comics...like ever.

Favorite Quote:
“You better hope our dog is okay, or we're going to hurt you." -Supergirl to Superboy-Prime when he attacks Krypto.

Favorite Concept:
Despotellis is a sentient virus, a plague, with a yellow Sinestro Corps ring. That's a frigging awesome concept. And horrible.

The Three Musketeers pastiche with Hal, John, Guy, and Kyle is pretty cool. I like a mellowed Guy who is still who he is but is still a good friend. John as an elder statesman of Earth's superhero community. Hal remains a cipher. Kyle after the years where he was the only torchbearer is a Swiss Army knife. And unfortunately, he falls into the Hal slot where they don't know what to do with him. And heck today, they've added Simon, Jess, Teen Lantern, and the LSH Gold Lantern. The Lantern Corps branch on Earth is crowded.

The Yellow Lantern Slushh is basically a humanoid Gelatinous Cube. Excellent.

Hmm Moments:
Power Girl threatening to turn Superboy-Prime into Supergirl-Prime if he doesn't chill out. Greatness.

Meh / PFFT Moments:
The stories are disconnected. I believe they even come from different "events" in the DCU.

Parallax and the battery entities of the Emotional Spectrum are always meh to me. I prefer the batteries to be harvesting the "Force" like powers of the psyche of the universe/multiverse rather than there be a dragon at the heart of each power source. I’d be cool with someone coming back and retconning the battery entities into being some kind of multiversal parasites that are eating the battery power instead of being the source of that power.

Missed Opportunity:
A missed opportunity that the focus of the Hank Henshaw story was on his being the Cyborg Superman instead of being on The Four. The Four was a great Fantastic Four pastiche. And would have made an awesome villain team to pit against Superman and others for many years to come. The over-focus on Cyborg Superman as the only survivor robs comics, fans, and creators from the could've been. The Incorporeal Woman, The Human Plasma, The Wreckage, Mr. Excalibur, I know, the names fit with their obvious homage origin and power sets. Have Terri Henshaw, the Incorporeal Woman, return from whatever dimension she fell into, Bgtzl, maybe, and go on a rampage against Superman and his friends sorta like what Hank did...over and over. Like I said missed opportunity.

Missed opportunity that Arisia was never made Ion. She'd have been a better choice than Kyle or Sodam Yat. More interesting anyway. As Sodam was basically a cipher and Kyle as Ion was just adding Mary Sue on top of Mary Sue. Not that I think Kyle is a Mary Sue, but his role as Torchbearer during a time when the Corps didn't exist is discounted too much and disrespected in story way too much. Not story in particular, but story in general.

Course I always thought it was a missed opportunity that Arisia didn't show back up at some point with a litter of half-human children who all call Hal daddy. And she apologizes cause she thought at the 2000-year-old part of her life cycle that she couldn't get pregnant anymore. And if her people had like 16 kids in a litter. Like I said missed opportunities...especially having a close-up of Guy's faces when they find out...and realize that they are going to spend the rest of their lives busting Hal's balls about being super-daddy, and Kyle and John's face when they realize that they are going to have to listen to Guy bust Hal's balls for the rest of their lives.
_________________________________________
Conclusions I’ve Drawn:
There wasn't an "oh wow" moment in the entire book. The Sinestro Corps is interesting, but not the whole book of backstories and no real knockdown, drag-out fights interesting, but still be interesting good.
=======================================

[Russell Pearce of Sector 2814 · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I love this book because it is perfect for a person wanting to steep further in the lore of the GLC. Kinda has no placement because the stories are about how certain characters got their rings or came to be part of the Sinestro Corp. Portions of it are different perspectives of prior events ranging from origin stories to as recent as the Sinestro Corp War.

It ranks as a 4 out of 5 for me because the last 20 or so pages arent an actual issue of story but rather a series of small expository snippits about character or location next to their picture sort of like a guide or encyclopedia. This is really good for someone who might not know much about the characters but seems out of place as it is at the end of a supplemental book in a major storyline that wouldve required previous familiarity.

All in all despite its general lack of necessity for the overall story and its general unimportance it is still totally worth the read to get yourself further read for the following major storylines.

[Vishualee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't help rooting for Superman Prime, what with all the "good and noble" heroes bullying him. His Earth was lost forever. His Parents and childhood friend + girlfriend vanished for eternity. He saved an Earth to see it corrupt. Sacrifices to nothing.

This showed me different perspective to the good vs. evil stories . It isn't difficult to differentiate a good person from a bad one. But when it all comes to agendas and convenience, one can certainly portray as good and fight against anyone who stands in his way. The definition of "Good vs. Bad" gets blurred in this storyline. I can say the same about Cyborg-Superman. The latter's origins is similar to Fantastic Four, except it ends in tragedy.

This volume includes a mini encyclopedia about the Lantern Universe. I got my introduction to Ion, the ultimate Green Lantern. I also liked the reunion of all 4 Earth Green Lanterns in a frame.

[Adam Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first skippable portion of Johns's run on Green Lantern/Green Lantern Corps. It's not by any means bad, it's just a collection of filler stories to flesh out some of the characters involved in the Sinestro Corps War. And while it starts out focused on members of the Sinestro Corps, eventually it, like all Green Lantern books, ends up being about Kyle Rainer, Hal Jordan, John Stewart, and Guy Gardener.

There are some helpful backstories for those completely unfamiliar with Lantern lore, but none of it is necessary, nor did it add to my enjoyment of the larger series.

[Nick Sokol · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sinestro Corps is in full throttle! A ragtag group of individuals from throughout the galaxy. Some evil, some morally grey, and some good, but all are terrifying.

It’s an exciting book with a lot of “whoa” moments. If you enjoy reading yellow lantern stories this is for you. The stuff with Kryb made me sad and angry at the same time.

This is a great story to read in the aftermath of Sinestro Corps War.

[Ben Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little mini stories detailing various members of the Sinestro Corp. Some are origin stories and some are real time fights, both are great in terms of quick storytelling and action, each art style really showcasing the intensity of the various Sinestro Corp members.
A fun read that you’ll find coming back to time and time again.

I would read this after finishing Sinestro Corp War Volume 2, since the last storyline takes place after those events and can spoil that storyline.

[Noah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collection of one shots weren’t very exciting, the rest of Sinestro Corps is an absolute blast and on a re-read I think I would skip this book(tales of the sinestro corps) I’m glad I read it once but it’s not worth a re-read especially when the rest of Sinestro War is some of the best ever written matieral I’ve ever read. Period.

[Chuck Ventura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The one shots and side stories that supplement the main Sinestro Corps War story.

Cool insights into the supporting characters of this story; lots of myth-building; and an epilogue to SCW that reestablishes the new status quo of the Earth GLs.

[Thedefarted · Rating 4 out of 5]

The timelines of these stories are scattered across the length of the event. Probably a much better experience reading this with the main story. A few of these really explain some shit I would have liked to know earlier.


but yah overall nice companion piece with art on par with the main series!

[Reg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very hand-hold-y. Kicked it up a star for the crack at Ann Coulter.

[Ben Zubrzycki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great graphic novel

[Tracy Dickens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I hadn't read far enough back to get some of the backstories, it was nice getting a look at pieces of them.

[Kai Charles(Fiction State Of Mind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collected volume of stories that tie into the main events of the Sinestro War and setting the scene for future battles.

[Jesse Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic collection of GL stories to curl up to around Halloween!

[James Fichera · Rating 4 out of 5]

God I wish they made books like this for each of the corps. I would read short stories about background characters for dayyyyyys