Green Lantern #41 (DC – Johns / Tan / Glapion )

“Prelude to BLACKEST NIGHT! In “Agent Orange” part 3, the truth behind the eternally corrupt Vega System is finally revealed and the Green Lantern Corps will pay dearly for uncovering the secret. Meanwhile, the greed of Agent Orange knows no bounds as his demand for the universe explodes. Plus, Hal continues to struggle with the abilities of his new power ring.”

I know I was late joining the Green Lantern Fan Club, but I’m now a proud member. The past two years I have been reading have been some of the best stories I’ve come across in the sense of drama, action, and over all goose-bumpy cool moments. So why am I now getting bored with the whole thing? I think it’s because we’ve spent the past year in a prelude to a story that seems like it’s never going to happen… even though I get Diamond’s Previews and can see that it is coming.

I am an unabashed fan of Goeff Johns work and still believe that he’s a huge talent in the world of entertainment.  What is getting me is that both the Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps comics have taken to drawing out there stories to a huge extent, and I believe I know why.  DC and Johns have endeavored to make their “War of the Rings” as huge as it can be.  They have created numerous Corps that have hundreds, if not thousands, of members each.  That’s a whole lot of storytelling! In fact, it’s over a years worth of storytelling that is taking place in two books and a few one-shots.  It’s a whole lot of story telling that I wish we would finally get to the climax of.  To me, the Green Lantern books are starting to feel like the first two seasons of the televisions show LOST.  Everyone was utterly captivated, but still wanting to get some answers that move the story forward. But what did we get? Some huge “Holy Crap!” moments and lots more questions.  You could see where the story might be headed, but the journey to that point was starting to become daunting.  That’s what the Green Lantern books are to me right now.  I still love them, but we need to get to some big stuff soon.

As for this issue, it seems like the whole thing takes place in the span of ten minutes. We get a better sense of the deal made by the Guardians and Larfleeze, but just a sense.  Larfleeze had a box that the Guardians wanted, and in exchange they gave him the Vega System.  I wonder what was in the box? Oh, and Hal gets his left hand chopped off, but I’m sure he’ll get it back.

Grade: B