Ion #6 (Review and SPOILERS)

[BeastieRunner]

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I'm loving this Ion right now and can't wait to see what happens. So here goes nothing . . .

It begins on Oa. Torquemada is happy to see Garmin Vid better finally. Garmin thanks him then Ion shows up and everybody knows he's there. Kyle apologizes to them and tells them it was actually not him that attacked them but Alex Nero. Garmin Vid is happy to officially meet and be welcomed by Kyle. Kilowog also expresses his gratitude and happiness in Hal finding Kyle. Ion goes to talk to the Guardians next.

Kyle breaks it down for the Guardians and they're willing to acquiesce his request. Since he's proven himself to them they explain how he came to be and why he must always remain the Torch Bearer. The combination of the energies of Oa with the Starheart from Jade have allowed the Guardians to put their very essence within him so if the Corps ever dies again, he can bring it back. They reveal Nero was made by some unseen force in Kyle's image to sap the power of Ion to basically become him. Nero goes boom and Ion saves the day. Since Ion stopped the bomb (Nero) from going off, the Guardians take him for questioning and examination. They tell Kyle when he is needed again, they will call.

Meanwhile as Kyle goes to take care of some personal duties, the majority of the Corps has gathered to pay homage to Ion. He thanks them all and sets off for Earth while we see a mysterious purple hand watching him in a globe or monitor of some sorts. Kyle gets back to Earth just in time to save the mute girl from the Thangarian bounty hunter that tried to nab Kyle way back in issue #2. He sends her packing, Ion-style, and tries to talk to the woman. She still doesn't so Kyle heads back to the cabin. Just as he's all set to start painting again, the mysterious purple hand comes from behind and says, "Kyle Rayner . . . you're supposed to be DEAD!" And that's how we end the issue.

I really liked Kyle banter this issue and it's nice to start getting more answers now. It also is beginning to look like Kyle might have to give up his life on Earth to be Ion. 4 Green Lantern rings out of 5!

[Cody H]

I'm glad that Kyle is getting some much deserved respect from all this. I half expected the Guardians to have some sort of dubious hidden agenda going into this issue. It was nice to see them give credit where credit is due with respect to Kyle's role in their recreation.

So know that we know Kyle's role, I can't wait to see what's in store for him.

Any ideas on the mysterious purple hand? I've got no idea, but I'm fairly new to the Green Lantern universe.

[BeastieRunner]

As long as it's not Mongul, I'll be happy.

[DMike]

I haven't read the mini, but I'm assuming that the big purple hand was the Monitor since he's one of the five people they're watching and they've already given the "you're supposed to be dead" spiel to Donna Troy.

[Armless Penguin]

I haven't read the mini, but I'm assuming that the big purple hand was the Monitor since he's one of the five people they're watching and they've already given the "you're supposed to be dead" spiel to Donna Troy.

Yup, pretty sure it's the Monitor.

This issue was really enjoyable, and it's nice to finally know the plan for Kyle, even if it isn't exactly surprising.

[DWEarhart]

This series continues to play hot potatoe with my head. The pacing was infuriating me until issue 4, where it finally picked up after finishing a snail marathon, and I chose to stay on board, then, issue 5 came out, and it was back to going nowhere. Issue 6 comes out and pulls me back into wanting to keep this series.

Kyle's future looks interesting, and it's a treat to see him getting some due, some love. It just took him becoming one of the most powerful entities in the DCU to do it.

[Jack Zodiac]

I love this book, and I think Marz is definitely the only person who should be writing it. Despite the circumstances of Kyle's introduction into the Green Lantern mythos, it was Ron who created him and designated him "the torch bearer," even if he wasn't the one who orchestrated the rebirth of the Guardians and the Corps.

Now that we're halfway done with the series, I supposed the rest of it is going to be centered around solving the mystery of who was behind Alexander Nero's return and empowerment. Last we saw him, he was sucked into The Qward after nearly killing them all in the battle with Kyle for the original Ion power. Fitting he returned when he did.

And the hand is definitely a Monitor. You can see his blocky brow in his arm on the final page. They're finally getting to this whole background story about how certain characters survived the Crisis when they shouldn't have. We've already seen one approach Donna, and Marv will no doubt be behind the meeting between Nightwing and whatever Monitor is watching him. Very interesting.

[We R. Venom]

I'm glad that Kyle is getting some much deserved respect from all this. I half expected the Guardians to have some sort of dubious hidden agenda going into this issue. It was nice to see them give credit where credit is due with respect to Kyle's role in their recreation.

So know that we know Kyle's role, I can't wait to see what's in store for him.

Any ideas on the mysterious purple hand? I've got no idea, but I'm fairly new to the Green Lantern universe.

Damn right, respect is exactly what I wanted to see come out of this mini, or maxi or whatever it is. I love this story so far.

However I would like to know whether Kyle is still a Lantern, maybe im confused. Ion is awesome but what about his ring?:confused:

[Jack]

Damn right, respect is exactly what I wanted to see come out of this mini, or maxi or whatever it is. I love this story so far.

However I would like to know whether Kyle is still a Lantern, maybe im confused. Ion is awesome but what about his ring?:confused:
He's internalised his ring. And they said in this issue that he is a GL - he's just the prototype for what the Guardians want the Lanterns to eventually become. So he's like a GL 1.5

[We R. Venom]

He's internalised his ring. And they said in this issue that he is a GL - he's just the prototype for what the Guardians want the Lanterns to eventually become. So he's like a GL 1.5

Oh wow...thats pretty tight!:D But does he still take orders? Have a sector? etc

[Spamotron]

Kyle doesn't have a sector apparently he's to be the Gaurdian's emergency troubleshooter. He goes wherever there's a problem a conventional Green Lantern can't handle. In other words he's the reserve big gun.

[Matt]

I find myself very unsure about this series, for some reason it just isn't clicking with me.

The art seems somewhat sketchy to me and I do not think it matches the tone of the writing all that well. It would be more suited, for example, to a Vertigo style story where things are a bit weird and unconventional - not a space adventure tale.

Kyle's role ... It seems almost tacked on in a way. In issue six I got a vibe from the Guardians which was almost "Yes, yes. You're important but just go away and do something for a while. Go away, kid, you're bothering me...". Kyle's role almost seems redundant in that as a troubleshooter, well ... Guy has that pretty much covered over in the GLC title.

Perhaps it is a lack of definition, a lack of foreshadowing, a lack of purpose - but Kyle doesn't really seem to fit in all that well as things stand.

I'm getting the distinct feeling they should have left him as a normal GL and had him based on Oa as a partner to Guy, Kilowog or even Salaak.

[Jack Zodiac]

I'd rather they see him as they saw John in Mosaic- almost a Guardian. He's obviously way, way more powerful than normal Lanterns. If he does wind up living back on Earth (which hasn't been the case in years thanks to Winick and Raab), I think he could work in the role of a Green Lantern who's only called upon to deal with ridiculously cosmic threats.

[Armless Penguin]

I'd rather they see him as they saw John in Mosaic- almost a Guardian. He's obviously way, way more powerful than normal Lanterns. If he does wind up living back on Earth (which hasn't been the case in years thanks to Winick and Raab), I think he could work in the role of a Green Lantern who's only called upon to deal with ridiculously cosmic threats.

That's the direct I assume they're going in, but I guess you never know.

And about the art: it was pretty crazy in the first few issues, but it's definitely been progressing lately. And it doesn't bother me as much as that of, say, Flash.

[Ender]

I like the idea of Kyle becoming like the Ethan Hunt or James Bond of the corp. Being sent to places where the Guardians normaly don't allow GL's to go . Like a kind of Cosmic Black Ops type thing, but maybe without the killing. Now he only needs a costume redesign.

[Jack Zodiac]

I sort of like the starry "Eternity" look he has going now. The costume itself could use a bit of rearranging, but nothing too drastic. He's a Nineties comic book artist at heart, so you know it's going to be a little embellished when it comes to bells and whistles (or zippers and latches or whatever :p).

[Count Vertigo]

So the general consesus is that people like it? Would anyone recommend it to someone who just got into the sci-fi stuff recently? (Mystery in Space being my first "space" title)

[BeastieRunner]

So the general consesus is that people like it? Would anyone recommend it to someone who just got into the sci-fi stuff recently? (Mystery in Space being my first "space" title)

Yes, way less confusing to read that Captain Comet but not as good art. The art has gotten better now though with the new inker and the story is wonderful. Slow at first but now it's up to amazing-ness. Good introduction into some Green Lantern mythos.

[DWEarhart]

So the general consesus is that people like it? Would anyone recommend it to someone who just got into the sci-fi stuff recently? (Mystery in Space being my first "space" title)

There's alot of backstory that needs knowing, but most of it seems to have been touched upon during Ion's run, so far. I'd recommend it for a space adventure title. But, there's only six issues left, and the first tpb is being offered in the new Previews, so one could easily catch up.

[Count Vertigo]

Thanks for the feedback! Even to those who msg'ed me. I think I'll buy an issue tomorrow and see where it takes me from there.