DWEarhart
12-03-2006, 09:03 PM
Ron Marz takes us for a ride while joined by two guest artists, Paco Diaz and Yvel Guichet.
Last we left, Kyle was filling in his favorite barista in on his recent adventures. The ending of that fast forwarded to Kyle strapeed to an alien totem with Ariana, the alien warrior girl who tried taking his head off earlier in the series, because of the chaos Alex Nero caused on Ariana's home world when he was posing as Ion.
The opening sequence delves into the Monitors. Yvel Guichet (pre-OYL Aquaman) handles the art chores for this opening sequence. Ron Marz seems to adapt the storytelling to suit his style, which uses details well while cramming in a ton of machinery into some small space. The Monitors are observing Kyle Rayner and the particular one assigned to him still cannot decide of Kyle should live or die.
They fill us in on Kyle's current situation - he's returned to the planet Alytt to make amends for Alex Nero's actions, but was met with a less than hospitable reaction. Apparently, Nero caused a major rift in a time of truce between two warring factions on the planet, and now, Kyle is battling in an arena in Ariana's place in order to fully be forgiven by Ariana's people, and for the two sides to be at truce again. The catch, he has to fight without his powers.
Paco Diaz assumes the artistic reigns as Kyle takes takes control of the tale. Diaz's work has a block look, and is more generous with his shading. He's a bit more rounded out than John McCrea.
Kyleis in a classic arena battle made proud in Start Trek and when Luke battled the Rankor. Kyle's going sword vs axe in a match to the death with a large, walking, swinging piece of ugly.
There's really good character development in this issue, it's great to read Kyle being Kyle, and you wonder where is head's at since he's been granted seemingly limitless powers.
Kyle brings back peace, gets hit on by the hot alien girl only for Guy Gardner to show up and deliver the line of the book. "Hiya. Got a sister? Or a hot aunt?"
He delivers unfavorable news about Kyle's mother, but we don't find out what it is.
Guichet's back on art.
The Guardians at Oa are prying Alex Nero's mind, trying to find out whom he was working for while he was possessed, but there is no trace of the invader in his mind anywhere.
In California we discover that the green lantern from the tangent line which resurfaced at the end of Infinite Crisis is in the possession of a young boy who found it "a year ago." He displays it for his friend, and as they ponder its origins the green flame ignites within the lantern.
The cover for this issue is definitely one of my favorites of the series. This issue went back to a basic sci-fi, Warlord of Mars kind of feel. A stranger in a strange land, fighting aliens, getting the girl, and losing a night with her just as fast. One of my favorite issues for sure. Rond Marz did great taking us inside Kyle's head, and while its odd having two fill-in artists for an issue, and I think they'll be there next issue as well, they're strengths were used accordingly.
The story is more than halfway through, and I've come to accept this maxi-series as a redefinition of Kyle's place in the DCU, both as a hero and as a person, because he's still human. There's probably enough action for some people, or at least action that may not seem consequential, but I think it is all secondary to understanding exactly where Kyle stands, especially since the Monitors are so bloody interested in him.
Last we left, Kyle was filling in his favorite barista in on his recent adventures. The ending of that fast forwarded to Kyle strapeed to an alien totem with Ariana, the alien warrior girl who tried taking his head off earlier in the series, because of the chaos Alex Nero caused on Ariana's home world when he was posing as Ion.
The opening sequence delves into the Monitors. Yvel Guichet (pre-OYL Aquaman) handles the art chores for this opening sequence. Ron Marz seems to adapt the storytelling to suit his style, which uses details well while cramming in a ton of machinery into some small space. The Monitors are observing Kyle Rayner and the particular one assigned to him still cannot decide of Kyle should live or die.
They fill us in on Kyle's current situation - he's returned to the planet Alytt to make amends for Alex Nero's actions, but was met with a less than hospitable reaction. Apparently, Nero caused a major rift in a time of truce between two warring factions on the planet, and now, Kyle is battling in an arena in Ariana's place in order to fully be forgiven by Ariana's people, and for the two sides to be at truce again. The catch, he has to fight without his powers.
Paco Diaz assumes the artistic reigns as Kyle takes takes control of the tale. Diaz's work has a block look, and is more generous with his shading. He's a bit more rounded out than John McCrea.
Kyleis in a classic arena battle made proud in Start Trek and when Luke battled the Rankor. Kyle's going sword vs axe in a match to the death with a large, walking, swinging piece of ugly.
There's really good character development in this issue, it's great to read Kyle being Kyle, and you wonder where is head's at since he's been granted seemingly limitless powers.
Kyle brings back peace, gets hit on by the hot alien girl only for Guy Gardner to show up and deliver the line of the book. "Hiya. Got a sister? Or a hot aunt?"
He delivers unfavorable news about Kyle's mother, but we don't find out what it is.
Guichet's back on art.
The Guardians at Oa are prying Alex Nero's mind, trying to find out whom he was working for while he was possessed, but there is no trace of the invader in his mind anywhere.
In California we discover that the green lantern from the tangent line which resurfaced at the end of Infinite Crisis is in the possession of a young boy who found it "a year ago." He displays it for his friend, and as they ponder its origins the green flame ignites within the lantern.
The cover for this issue is definitely one of my favorites of the series. This issue went back to a basic sci-fi, Warlord of Mars kind of feel. A stranger in a strange land, fighting aliens, getting the girl, and losing a night with her just as fast. One of my favorite issues for sure. Rond Marz did great taking us inside Kyle's head, and while its odd having two fill-in artists for an issue, and I think they'll be there next issue as well, they're strengths were used accordingly.
The story is more than halfway through, and I've come to accept this maxi-series as a redefinition of Kyle's place in the DCU, both as a hero and as a person, because he's still human. There's probably enough action for some people, or at least action that may not seem consequential, but I think it is all secondary to understanding exactly where Kyle stands, especially since the Monitors are so bloody interested in him.