GREEN LANTERN #43 Review & Spoilers [Archive]

Sean Walsh

07-08-2009, 09:16 AM

It's basically the origin of the Black Hand. His obsession with death throughout the years - from being the son of a funeral director, watching dad embalm corpses - to his first encounter with the Green Lantern (the bit where Hal and Sinestro fought Atroticus) - to the more recent developments under Johns' hand (losing his hand to Hal-Spectre, getting it rebuilt, with the "touch of death," by Evil Star).

And all throughout, we see a voice speaking to him.

A voice that calls back to him in the present day, giving him visions of both the dead (Ralph, Sue, Max, Ted, Firestorm, Dr. Light, J'onn) and the previously dead * (Superman! Hal! Ollie! Conner! Bart! Barry!) * OMG, I totally called it!

A voice that urges him to become its first Black Lantern.

A voice that tells him to kills his family......

...and a voice that tells him to kill himself. Which he does.

So if you wondering why he looks dead in those Blackest Night promos, now you know.

Let the Blackest Night............BEGIN. :biggrin:

Iron-boy

07-08-2009, 09:56 AM

Wow, although I gave up on GL/GLC. I might simply get Blackest Night along GL.

Karl O'Neill

07-08-2009, 10:49 AM

SevereTireDamage

07-08-2009, 11:15 AM

I am on my way to the LCBS to pick this up, hopefully they still have a variant laying around. The cover is bad ass.

Bevbos

07-08-2009, 12:13 PM

Wow, but, here's the crazy part (to me anyways):

Scar implies that Black Hand IS the BL entity... just like Ion, Parallax, and "Predator" (for the Star Sapphires!!! whoa...). I had thought Black Hand was more like Sinestro, Atrocitus, etc...

Well, in any event, I thought this issue kind of raised more questions than it answered - for instance, what is BH stepping on in that one panel? - but yes: let the Blackest Night begin.

ShaggyB

07-08-2009, 12:39 PM

Sean Walsh

07-08-2009, 01:02 PM

Sean. You magificent bastard!

I hate when you get to read all this stuff before me!

So you enjoyed it?

Can we merge this with the preview thread as plenty of peoples comments in that thread would be revelent to this issue?:smile:

I actually looked for the preview thread (or at least another review thread) and it was at least 3 pages behind us.

I quite enjoyed it. It's been a while since an origin story really reeled me in, but Black Hand's worked very well. The sequence at the end - with William and his family, and his inevitable fate, is amazing. As I read the first page I remembered the days when Mahnke's art........didn't really do it for me (when he was on MAN OF STEEL), and how those days are long gone now. Mahnke, Reis and a back-on-his-stride Gleason (with folks like Ordway, Rags and Van Sciver here and there too) are gonna make this one great lookin' event....

I almost did a giant leap of joy when I got to the page with the previously-dead people. Any sort of BL connection to previously-dead-yet-now-alive people, and my belief that Hal will be every single Lantern by the end of this event, are the only 2 things I called ahead of time. 1 down, 1 to go. :biggrin:

Karl O'Neill

07-08-2009, 01:06 PM

I almost did a giant leap of joy when I got to the page with the previously-dead people. Any sort of BL connection to previously-dead-yet-now-alive people, and my belief that Hal will be every single Lantern by the end of this event, are the only 2 things I called ahead of time. 1 down, 1 to go. :biggrin:

Gives me an idea for a prediction/vault THREAD that people can put theories and other predictions in?

Interested?

CMBMOOL

07-08-2009, 02:12 PM

Wow, I did not see an ending like this coming, this Blackest Night event is going to rule the DCU. :tongue:

ShaggyB

07-08-2009, 02:14 PM

I almost did a giant leap of joy when I got to the page with the previously-dead people. Any sort of BL connection to previously-dead-yet-now-alive people, and my belief that Hal will be every single Lantern by the end of this event, are the only 2 things I called ahead of time. 1 down, 1 to go. :biggrin:

Im thinking Sinestro will be redeemed in this..... but yeah Hal as the White Lantern is another good prediction..... could be Sinestro and Hal become the White Lantern....

Karl O'Neill

07-08-2009, 02:21 PM

So Evil star is the leader of the gremlins?

Didn't they capture him in 52?

I might like this developement if we get to see evil star launch his own attack on the corp. Just for a big space battle.

bongoes

07-08-2009, 02:21 PM

Gives me an idea for a prediction/vault THREAD that people can put theories and other predictions in?

Interested?
I like it. My prediction is that the Guardians (Not Ganthet and Sayd though)are going to die again.

gryhpon

07-08-2009, 02:24 PM

I like it. My prediction is that the Guardians (Not Ganthet and Sayd though)are going to die again.

didnt atrocitus foretell hal overthrowing them?

Karl O'Neill

07-08-2009, 02:29 PM

didnt atrocitus foretell hal overthrowing them?

No.

Just him going ROGUE again against the remaining Gaurdians. Not Ganthet or sayd.

We don't know yet what context that panel is in.

JurassicParkIsAnAwesomeMovie

07-08-2009, 02:38 PM

Sweet issue especially the end...the Blackest Night is here!!!:biggrin:

gryhpon

07-08-2009, 02:43 PM

No.

Just him going ROGUE again against the remaining Gaurdians. Not Ganthet or sayd.

We don't know yet what context that panel is in.
ah ok, i havent read the issues yet, im waiting for the collection to arrive from amazon

KiFF86

07-08-2009, 02:57 PM

The two pages of just the Black Hand's face were just epic.

BTW does anyone find the "Love Predator" or the "Predator of Love" is just a little weird.

gryhpon

07-08-2009, 03:22 PM

will nekron play any role in blackest night? johns teased it on his blog a while back

galactica

07-08-2009, 03:25 PM

The two pages of just the Black Hand's face were just epic.

BTW does anyone find the "Love Predator" or the "Predator of Love" is just a little weird.

Dark side of love.

Green Griffin

07-08-2009, 03:32 PM

I Kinda got Creeped out by Black Hand. The ending kinda shocked me but it was awesome. I hope Doug Mahnke stays on as artist even after Blackest Night ends.

Karl O'Neill

07-08-2009, 03:41 PM

Doug is the artist on GL for the forseeable future.

I see it as a reward for all his quick, effortless final crisis helpout art.

Ex_

07-08-2009, 03:46 PM

There should be more Predator speculation in here!

Karl O'Neill

07-08-2009, 03:48 PM

There should be more Predator speculation in here!

I believe it is related to a star shappire story involving carol ferris from years ago.

I assumeJOHNS is retooling it to fit his bigger picture of his run.

Did carol give birth to predator or something years ago?

PatchMadripoor

07-08-2009, 03:54 PM

Besides who the Black voice wants, does the Black Voice want people who have cheated death by using the Lazarus pits?

Will we see living villains team up with living heroes, too?

Green Griffin

07-08-2009, 03:58 PM

There should be more Predator speculation in here!

I don't think it's a good thing. It seems like it Caged up for a reason. What can it do? It's the monster of Love, Love doesn't hurt.

Thok

07-08-2009, 04:04 PM

Did carol give birth to predator or something years ago?

The original version had it being Carol's masculine side, and it was later retconned to a parasite that was older than the Guardians. In any event, the Predator is male.

I think it might be used as the in-canon explanation for the lack of male Violet Lanterns.

Hullababy

07-08-2009, 04:06 PM

The last page with zombie Black hand's face had awesome awesome art. That was totally epic. Mahnke's artwork is really looking good. This issue was creepy but in an awesome way. Let the blackest night begin !

Karl O'Neill

07-08-2009, 04:10 PM

I know doug hates drawing capes a la superman.

GL's don't have capes.

I hope he finds his groove on this book :)

Green Griffin

07-08-2009, 04:16 PM

I know doug hates drawing capes a la superman.

GL's don't have capes.

I hope he finds his groove on this book :)

I See Great Things coming from him, this issue was just amazing. Does he have anything else on his plate or is GL the only thing?

Name Already Taken

07-08-2009, 05:01 PM

Scar puking up the ring was excellent, same with BH suicide. Creepy, disturbed, and well done.

Other than that, reread the whole GL run from 1 - 42 a few days back. What caught me rereading those was the mention of "Blackest Night" that I missed from very early on. We're literally seeing years of seeds sprouting for this (in this case, a bunch of dead guys). When an author can manage to do that on a series, and do it well cosistently from month to month, an extra round is deserved.

bongoes

07-08-2009, 05:29 PM

Besides who the Black voice wants, does the Black Voice want people who have cheated death by using the Lazarus pits?

Yeah, maybe the Lazarus pits have something to do with the Black Voice... Was there ever an explanation for how the Lazarus pits came about?

Ex_

07-08-2009, 05:41 PM

PatchMadripoor

07-08-2009, 05:45 PM

Yeah, maybe the Lazarus pits have something to do with the Black Voice... Was there ever an explanation for how the Lazarus pits came about?

Ra's Al ghul had a dream during his exile out in the desert.

IIRC DCAU Batman's Ra's had to contend with an ancient Egyptian queen who had mastered the pits to an almost spirital level. How they do what they do with the DEAD is a good question and interesting mystery. Something to explore through the Batman titles later on.

Karl O'Neill

07-08-2009, 05:48 PM

What I'm excited to see is what happens with Solomon Grundy. He's been dead for years, and he's resurrected weekly! What with his miniseries coming to a close soon, he HAS to play at part in Blackest Night, right?

Oh yeah. His mini series is an unofficial tie in to the blackest night. It more or less says so in the first issue.

And I reckon it will feed into the main blackest night event seamlessly.

Karl O'Neill

07-08-2009, 06:00 PM

Got this scan off of one of the posters on comic bloc of the predator.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/SacredFireman/scan0001a.jpg

bongoes

07-08-2009, 06:05 PM

Can someone explain the Predators backstory?(If it has any) I can't find it on Wikipedia.

PatchMadripoor

07-08-2009, 06:06 PM

I don't think it's a good thing. It seems like it Caged up for a reason. What can it do? It's the monster of Love, Love doesn't hurt.

On a tangent from this idea....

I remember the BBC series Jekyll, explaining what Mr. Hyde really was. Everything that was repressed and corrupted and loud and vicious about Mr. Hyde. When the main female protagonist asked the scientist what Jekyll was, she asked in return "When did you first know in your heart you could kill?"
The heroine responded with "When my children were born. When ever anything would threaten them."
And the scientist responded that Mr. Hyde was the incarnation of all of that emotion.

Love.

Pure, unaltered, unrestrained, wild and ferally aggressive absolute love. With no social, moral or psychological restraints to keep it from harming others.

I think along these lines this is what the Predator is.

Scott Taylor

07-08-2009, 06:06 PM

Yikes, this looked really good. Sounds really good.

gryhpon

07-08-2009, 06:08 PM

so will nekron be involved in blackest night?

Karl O'Neill

07-08-2009, 06:12 PM

Here's what Wikipedia says about Predator:

"When Carol Ferris was cured of her evil Star Sapphire persona, she developed a third subconscious identity, the male "Predator". Deprived of Hal Jordan's love at the time, Carol found everything she wanted from a man in the Predator - masculinity, strength, and care. Physically separated from Carol's body, the Predator repeatedly appeared as a mysterious figure, protecting Carol's beloved company Ferris Aircraft from the threats of Eclipso, the Demolition Team and Jason Bloch. He also established the company Intercontinental Petroleum (Con-Trol) to let her regain control of Ferris Aircraft. Finally, the Predator started to court Carol (who did not know that the Predator was a part of herself) and battled Hal Jordan for her love. Hal defeated the Predator and witnessed him merging with Carol into Star Sapphire.

Later, the Predator reappeared and revealed that he was actually an ancient parasite from the planet Maltus. With Jordan powerless, the Predator transformed Carol into a totally evil incarnation of Star Sapphire (who eventually murdered Katma Tui), and he impregnated Star Sapphire with a demonic entity.

Still later, Carol became the administrator of Extreme Justice's Mount Thunder facility.[1] Soon, both the Predator and Star Sapphire were completely separated from Carol, and Star Sapphire actually gave birth to the child. It was revealed that Carol Ferris and Star Sapphire are two separate beings, and Sapphire was not Carol transformed as had previously been believed, but some sort of energy-based being who inhabited Carol's body. Shortly afterwards, the parents (Predator and Star Sapphire) were killed by Neron, who departed with their baby in his arms. (Extreme Justice #10-11)"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Ferris#Predator
http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Carol_Ferri...arth)#Predator
http://www.comicvine.com/predator/29-12675/
http://www.comicbookdb.com/character.php?ID=6851

These links should provide you with some information on the Predator's previous appearances. This is the first issue that reveals his true nature.

Karl O'Neill

07-08-2009, 06:14 PM

so will nekron be involved in blackest night?

Pretty much the internet has guessed that he is the bigger bad, after SCAR and BLACK HAND.

But next week we will truely find out with Blackest night #1.

Peace

Kiryu

07-08-2009, 06:29 PM

I didn't really like this one much. Glad it's out of the way as I will be giving Blackest Night a fair shake. Lets hope Johns can reach Sinestro Corps levels of awesomeness. once more.

CMBMOOL

07-08-2009, 06:48 PM

If Hal does go rogue against the Guardians of the Universe again, then it will be their fault.

Because they deserve it due to their strict rules of subpressing emotions. :frown:

Sean Walsh

07-08-2009, 07:07 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Ferris#Predator
http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Carol_Ferri...arth)#Predator
http://www.comicvine.com/predator/29-12675/
http://www.comicbookdb.com/character.php?ID=6851

These links should provide you with some information on the Predator's previous appearances. This is the first issue that reveals his true nature.

I'd be interested to see how the Predator's more recent appearances are explained (or ignored/retconned), given developments with the Star Sapphire since the days of EXTREME (shudder) JUSTICE.

Name Already Taken

07-08-2009, 07:25 PM

If Hal does go rogue against the Guardians of the Universe again, then it will be their fault.

Because they deserve it due to their strict rules of subpressing emotions. :frown:

In a strange way, using the emotional spectrum as a potential medium to express backlash for the Guardians suppressing their own for eons seems fitting. By bottling their own for so long, it leads to a spectacular meltdown of their own undoing. It would be no small irony if the moral of the story was that suppressing emotion of any kind, not just the bad ones, when death looms large as the ultimate resting place, means that life in all its flavors, is too short to not cherish. *pukes* Sorry for that tripe.
Whatever happens, the Guardians realize the War of Light and BL was their fault to begin with and have to swallow a bitter pill and leave the GLC behind as a result of their own inaction, leaving the Corps to govern its own without Guardian interference. Ganthet and Sayd are spared of course, since they embraced it instead of staying neutral like the rest of the Guardians who exile themselves.

Johns has a pretty circular writing style, but that is just my best guess for the resolution. Sure its simple, nothing mind blowing or profound that hasn't been done before in other media, but I'm calling it now.

F1uke

07-08-2009, 07:35 PM

Excellent issue..I'm really looking forward to Blackest Night starting :smile:

KiFF86

07-08-2009, 07:39 PM

Did anyone think of Arnold a little. Love is and "ugly son of a bitch."

Samuraixsithlord

07-08-2009, 07:51 PM

My theory on the Predator.

Sometime in Blackest Night, the Star Lanterns will pick a single male to join their corps, and he'll be the Avatar of the Predator. Like Sodam Yat was the avatar of Ion.

Matt K

07-08-2009, 08:12 PM

My theory on the Predator.

Sometime in Blackest Night, the Star Lanterns will pick a single male to join their corps, and he'll be the Avatar of the Predator. Like Sodam Yat was the avatar of Ion.

Perhaps that's what John is being chosen for?

I kind of hope not but since they're not doing much with him...

Lusus420

07-08-2009, 08:44 PM

malephoenix

07-08-2009, 09:32 PM

Hey, someone asked a while back, but there wasn't any response on it, but...

I'm pretty sure it was just a literal Easter egg. Not really a spoiler, as it doesn't seem to have any actual bearing on the story. (Maybe it will later. Or maybe it does now, and I'm just not familar enough with GL.)

Hawkman

07-08-2009, 09:44 PM

He stepped on an egg to symbolize that Hawkman (and possibly Hawkgirl) is going to die in Blackest Night #1 next week.:smile: Not really, but I do expect Hawkman to bite it next week, all the same. Wanting to reclaim those who've come back to life only further convinces me that Hawkman's to be the first casualty of the event.

daveageallen

07-08-2009, 09:44 PM

this was my first GL comic ever, and while it was a littl hard to follow the back story of the phallax and predator stuff ... i loved this. it was dark and twisted and blew me away. nice work!

i gotta learn alot of older stories i think toget the full effect but it seems worth it. my second DC title ever and so far both were great but had the same problem.

art was alright, i enjoy more cartooney or original style art(mike allred should draw everything for life) DC is for sure turing around for me.

Evil Eleanor

07-08-2009, 09:45 PM

Eh. Okay issue, I guess.

Aside from the bit where Johns referred to Wonder Woman as Diana Prince. Between that and his insistence that "Diana Prince" set Barry Allen up with his cover story, Johns is getting on my nerves a little. Wonder Woman's had that (awful) identity for, like, two months DC time, and Johns has her being a master at spying, and has cosmic beings referring to her by that false name as if it's her true name.

Just... no. Annoys the heck out of me.

Green Griffin

07-08-2009, 09:52 PM

bongoes

07-08-2009, 09:57 PM

Here's what Wikipedia says about Predator:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Ferris#Predator
http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Carol_Ferri...arth)#Predator
http://www.comicvine.com/predator/29-12675/
http://www.comicbookdb.com/character.php?ID=6851

These links should provide you with some information on the Predator's previous appearances. This is the first issue that reveals his true nature.

Thanks, that will definitely help.

Evil Eleanor

07-08-2009, 10:01 PM

That's your beef with the issue?

I don't really HAVE a beef with the issue. I have a beef with how Johns handles Wonder Woman, and gritted my teeth as I saw another instance of it in this issue.

The issue itself... meh. 'Salright, I suppose, but it didn't do much for me. Black Hand is creepy, but I've seen WAY creepier. The obsession with death was a pretty pedestrian obsession with death. He's no Thanos or Judge Death. It lacked "wow" for me.

Green Griffin

07-08-2009, 10:13 PM

I don't really HAVE a beef with the issue. I have a beef with how Johns handles Wonder Woman, and gritted my teeth as I saw another instance of it in this issue.

The issue itself... meh. 'Salright, I suppose, but it didn't do much for me. Black Hand is creepy, but I've seen WAY creepier. The obsession with death was a pretty pedestrian obsession with death. He's no Thanos or Judge Death. It lacked "wow" for me.

How he handled Wonder Woman, it was just a cameo. did you notice that the Black Void also called Superman Clark Kent. Did that grind your gears also?

wolvie616

07-08-2009, 10:18 PM

so we have half of the avatars of light....i am really loving this series right now

on this theory of the white lantern, i know everyone thinks its hal(probably is), but i am also thinking they could revamp alan scott(the old school green lantern for all you poozers) as the white lantern. i would enjoy that a lot

Evil Eleanor

07-08-2009, 10:27 PM

How he handled Wonder Woman, it was just a cameo. did you notice that the Black Void also called Superman Clark Kent. Did that grind your gears also?

No, because Superman was actually raised as Clark Kent, it's not a name Green Lantern and Flash made up for him a couple months ago.

Not much of a Wonder Woman reader, are you?

NickFury90

07-08-2009, 10:37 PM

Not much of a Wonder Woman reader, are you?

Like the vast majority of comic fans.

Anyway, I enjoyed the issue quite a bit, and that Mahnke artwork is really good here, particurly those last 5 or so pages.

And Mahnke drew capes just fine in Final Crisis #7. Hell, he drew hundreds of them in that issue alone.

wolvie616

07-08-2009, 10:39 PM

Like the vast majority of comic fans.

Anyway, I enjoyed the issue quite a bit, and that Mahnke artwork is really good here, particurly those last 5 or so pages.

And Mahnke drew capes just fine in Final Crisis #7. Hell, he drew hundreds of them in that issue alone.

wonder woman is simultaneously underrated and overrated

Joe Acro

07-08-2009, 10:40 PM

This is a terrible issue.

But I am too seething with anger at it to adequate express why.

NickFury90

07-08-2009, 10:42 PM

This is a terrible issue.

But I am too seething with anger at it to adequate express why.

Green Lantern comics: SERIOUS BUSINESS

wolvie616

07-08-2009, 10:43 PM

This is a terrible issue.

But I am too seething with anger at it to adequate express why.

i loved/loathed it

i loved the drama, the puking of the ring, it just cliked with me

on the other hand, i think the issue tried too hard.

NickFury90

07-08-2009, 10:44 PM

^Underated/overated; loved/loathed?

Make up your mind, man! :biggrin:

Joe Acro

07-08-2009, 10:46 PM

Green Lantern comics: SERIOUS BUSINESS
It's just that this comic is everything a mainstream, well-known, widely accessible title shouldn't be.

wolvie616

07-08-2009, 10:47 PM

^Underated/overated; loved/loathed?

Make up your mind, man! :biggrin:

shes underrated as in no one takes her seriously, and overrated as she shouldnt be in the big 3

NickFury90

07-08-2009, 10:49 PM

It's just that this comic is everything a mainstream, well-known, widely accessible title shouldn't be.

Elaborate; I don't think this was God's gift to Earth, but as a guy who actually hasn't been paying attention to GL for the past few years at all, I didn't have any problem keeping up with, and I found it pretty entertaining, enough to want me to see how Blackest Night plays out proper.

Joe Acro

07-08-2009, 10:59 PM

Elaborate; I don't think this was God's gift to Earth, but as a guy who actually hasn't been paying attention to GL for the past few years at all, I didn't have any problem keeping up with, and I found it pretty entertaining, enough to want me to see how Blackest Night plays out proper.Green Lantern, like many superhero books, is something I pick up with certain expectations regarding content.

Those do not include necrophilia, (implied) live taxidermy, and gory suicide.

This comic didn't have the Code's authority, and rightfully so. But this comic was less tasteful than House of Mystery (which included a better suicide sequence), which receives a mature readers tag. And yet, this receives nothing. This could wind up on the stands at a bookstore next to Tiny Titans.

On top of that, it's almost a complete waste. It's a story detailing Black Hand's disturbing background. Not really relevant to Blackest Night, nor needed to understand Black Hand himself. He has an obsession with Death. We get it. The only thing of consequence that occurs is that he becomes a Black Lantern.

Green Griffin

07-08-2009, 11:21 PM

Green Lantern, like many superhero books, is something I pick up with certain expectations regarding content.

Those do not include necrophilia, (implied) live taxidermy, and gory suicide.

This comic didn't have the Code's authority, and rightfully so. But this comic was less tasteful than House of Mystery (which included a better suicide sequence), which receives a mature readers tag. And yet, this receives nothing. This could wind up on the stands at a bookstore next to Tiny Titans.

On top of that, it's almost a complete waste. It's a story detailing Black Hand's disturbing background. Not really relevant to Blackest Night, nor needed to understand Black Hand himself. He has an obsession with Death. We get it. The only thing of consequence that occurs is that he becomes a Black Lantern.

Yes, The very first Black Lantern, It showed the Origin of the Black Lanterns and how it started with Black Hand. He's pretty much All Four Horsemen for the DC Universe at the moment.

Joe Acro

07-08-2009, 11:25 PM

Yes, The very first Black Lantern, It showed the Origin of the Black Lanterns and how it started with Black Hand. He's pretty much All Four Horsemen for the DC Universe at the moment.Well, no, it didn't show how it all started. Someone other than the Black Hand trapped the Anti-Monitor's corpse in a giant Black Lantern and is dealing with those two Corpsmen in Green Lantern Corps.

But it did give us the first Black Lantern. The only important, necessary thing to happen in the whole issue.

Jake V

07-08-2009, 11:27 PM

I haven't been following Green Lantern that closely until now, but can someone explain why the Guardian that got scarred is puking up black lantern rings now?

Green Griffin

07-08-2009, 11:28 PM

Well, no, it didn't show how it all started. Someone other than the Black Hand trapped the Anti-Monitor's corpse in a giant Black Lantern and is dealing with those two Corpsmen in Green Lantern Corps.

But it did give us the first Black Lantern. The only important, necessary thing to happen in the whole issue.

Plus the way Doug Mahnke drew him blowing out his brains, it was so classy so beautiful how it was drawn. The Cover it self forshadows what inside the comic is like. (Hand Humping Waynes Grave.)

Jake V

07-08-2009, 11:30 PM

Plus the way Doug Mahnke drew him blowing out his brains, it was so classy so beautiful how it was drawn. The Cover it self forshadows what inside the comic is like. (Hand Humping Waynes Grave.)

Must be some other Bruce Wayne, because the guy who was Batman is in an unmarked grave.

Joe Acro

07-08-2009, 11:31 PM

I haven't been following Green Lantern that closely until now, but can someone explain why the Guardian that got scarred is puking up black lantern rings now?It wasn't explained.

Plus the way Doug Mahnke drew him blowing out his brains, it was so classy so beautiful how it was drawn. The Cover it self forshadows what inside the comic is like. (Hand Humping Waynes Grave.)It may have been well-drawn, but I don't think it should've been drawn at all.

And the cover doesn't detail the comic at all! Wayne's grave has nothing to do with the issue, and the cover makes no mention about the "origin of the Black Hand" or "the first Black Lantern" or any points relevant to the whole issue.

Green Griffin

07-08-2009, 11:33 PM

Must be some other Bruce Wayne, because the guy who was Batman is in an unmarked grave.

Nope it's Wayne's Grave. Black Hand Followed Barry Allen and Hal to it in Blackest Night #0. Hell, He using Batman's Skull to make the Black Rings and keeps licking it.

Jake V

07-08-2009, 11:34 PM

Nope it's Wayne's Grave. Black Hand Followed Barry Allen and Hal to it in Blackest Night #0. Hell, He using Batman's Skull to make the Black Rings and keeps licking it.

A. That's not Batman's corpse, because he's not dead.

B. As shown in Blackest Night #0, the tombstone to the grave they buried the fake corpse in isn't marked.

Green Griffin

07-08-2009, 11:39 PM

A. That's not Batman's corpse, because he's not dead.

B. As shown in Blackest Night #0, the tombstone to the grave they buried the fake corpse in isn't marked.

Then i don't know what to tell you then because every picture of Black Hand for Blackest Night, he's holding a Skull that has the Bat Ears on it.

Green Griffin

07-08-2009, 11:39 PM

It wasn't explained.

It may have been well-drawn, but I don't think it should've been drawn at all.

And the cover doesn't detail the comic at all! Wayne's grave has nothing to do with the issue, and the cover makes no mention about the "origin of the Black Hand" or "the first Black Lantern" or any points relevant to the whole issue.

Why should'nt have been drawn then?

Joe Acro

07-08-2009, 11:39 PM

Then i don't know what to tell oyu then because every picture of Black Hand for Blackest Night, he's holding a Skull that has the Bat Ears on it.Can you provide an example?

Kiryu

07-08-2009, 11:41 PM

My main beef is a common thread I find when Geoff decides to do Flashbacks, in that every single element of the flashback is completely 100% relevant to his main story. Which y'know, can be fine, but the way Geoff does it here and in Secret Origins turns me off. I just dislike retroactively going into the past and writing stories in an attempt to make the present narrative more weighty. It bothered me what every major character from Blackest Night was hanging around Ferris Airfields. It bothered me with the implication that Braniac blew up Krypton.

I mean..the Black Hand symbol was the sign, window, logo for his family, on their customized emblazoned body bags from the morgue? Really?

It reminded me a bit of Rob Zombie's Halloween and in my opinion removed some of the weirdness from Black Hand. Something are better left implied then spelled out phonetically...

It's a personal gripe, for the most part I still hold Johns in high esteem. It's just this particular aspect of his storytelling has come to turn me off. I'll likely be along for the ride, just in the hopes Blackest Night can achieve Sinestro Corps levels of awesome, something I don't think Johns has been able to do with any of his follow up work.

Anyway, at least Blackest Night is here and we can for ourselves.

@JoeAcro He's holding Batman's skull in the Blackest Night Promo pic that was in nearly every DC Comic the last two weeks. There are others as well. The DC Direct figure comes with Batman's skull as well. I'll add examples if I find any.

EDIT: Oh, and he pulls Batman's skull out of the ground in Blackest Night 0 I think.

Jake V

07-08-2009, 11:41 PM

Then i don't know what to tell you then because every picture of Black Hand for Blackest Night, he's holding a Skull that has the Bat Ears on it.

Maybe he thinks the skull is special because the Bat-Corpse is the only one he can't resurrect.

Either way, it's not Bruce Wayne's skull.

Green Griffin

07-08-2009, 11:41 PM

Can you provide an example?

Blackest Night #2 Cover, In Black Hand's Hand is a Skull with the Bat Ears on it.

Melfice

07-08-2009, 11:44 PM

Ok I read Green Lantern #43 and it was interesting to say the least. But, it makes me REALLY wish I knew more about the DCU and these chars they listed in the book. All the chars who died I have almost no idea who they are, and I did not know Wonder Wonder kills people lol That was cool seeing her twist Maxwell Lord's neck! Also, it was very cool seeing the list of chars who "escaped death" because I did not know Kilowog died at some point (that char is very cool in GLC). AND I did not know Wonder Woman died too! See, how I lack soo much information in the DCU (just started reading comics about 4 months ago).

The panels where Black Hand "visits" his family was pretty twisted and the ending I must admit I did not see coming. The end was awesome and next month should be great! The art was perfect, because the book did feel disturbing, twisted and did set the tune for the series I think. I like how Scar pukes the ring for Black Hand haha. After reading the Agent Orange arc, this book is like night and day compared to it. A huge change of pace and does not take place in outerspace at all.

Over all it was a good book with the origin of Black Hand and his obsession with Death. Its also does not have the Code's authority and this really should be labeled as a mature book. Some of the events are not kid friendly btw haha. I liked it, but I would not say it was amazing tho. This issue reminds me of Blackest Night #0 where it was a cool read just to get the hype rolling. This is how I felt about Green Lantern #43, and I already miss Larfleeze! Joking around and stuff, but I do miss him /grin The book is a lot A LOT better than Blackest Night #0 tho, and the end is epic on all levels. The art just OWNS, but it does feel like an one shot setup instead of a GL book. Which is not a bad thing at all

Scar covering the prophecy of The Blackest Night was sweet. The text at the end should be a blast to see next month! All I know is, the book has me hyped for a great summer event with tons of good stories to come.

The Blackest Night is here

Jake V

07-08-2009, 11:50 PM

Did anyone find it weird that years after Black Hand went off on his own to be a supervillain, he comes to his old home and his entire family is still there?

Damo

07-08-2009, 11:50 PM

How he handled Wonder Woman, it was just a cameo. did you notice that the Black Void also called Superman Clark Kent. Did that grind your gears also?

The difference is that for most of her post-Crisis history, Diana emphatically did not have a secret identity. In a sense, it would make more sense for Black Hand to say "Matches Malone" when referring to Batman than for him to say "Diana Prince" when referring to Wonder Woman.

As for the rest of the issue? William was too alien to relate to, while not alien enough to be very interesting. Not one of Johns' better issues.

Still, very clever use of The Predator.

I'm still psyched, of course. Just a slow prelude.

Like the vast majority of comic fans.

Low blow! Foul!

Thok

07-08-2009, 11:54 PM

But it did give us the first Black Lantern. The only important, necessary thing to happen in the whole issue.

It also told us that the leader of the Black Lanterns knows the secret identities of every DC character that's ever died, and wants to kill everything (well extinguish all light.) That's not nothing.

The difference is that for most of her post-Crisis history, Diana emphatically did not have a secret identity. In a sense, it would make more sense for Black Hand to say "Matches Malone" when referring to Batman than for him to say "Diana Prince" when referring to Wonder Woman.

She's used the Diana Prince identity for undercover work post CoIE and pre Infinite Crisis, according to Wikipedia. That probably involves maybe 3 or 4 issues total (about on the level that Batman has used Matches Malone), but it's still there and she hasn't used any other secret identity.

BloodOps

07-09-2009, 12:14 AM

I'll be honest I'm not still completely understanding him possibly hearing "Bruce Wayne" or anything like that. We all know he is alive and of course no one in the DC Universe thinks or knows he's alive other than Tim Drake really. Is it because of the corpse? And when they try to bring Bruce back from the dead and he doesn't come back will that hint the rest of the DC Universe?

Damo

07-09-2009, 12:14 AM

She's used the Diana Prince identity for undercover work post CoIE and pre Infinite Crisis, according to Wikipedia. That probably involves maybe 3 or 4 issues total (about on the level that Batman has used Matches Malone), but it's still there and she hasn't used any other secret identity.

I don't recall any "undercover work," where the name was used, but it's possible. I'd wager Malone was used much more (in fact, I'm sure of it. Malone's been used frequently). Thing is, like Malone, it's a lie. Clark and Bruce were raised as Clark and Bruce. When some cosmic force goes "you know who's dead? Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne" it makes sense. Those are their names. If Tim Drake and Babs Gordon were to drop dead, I wouldn't expect a cosmic force to say "Alvin Draper and Amy Beddoes have died." That's not their names, just fake aliases they made up.

Jake V

07-09-2009, 12:23 AM

I don't recall any "undercover work," where the name was used, but it's possible. I'd wager Malone was used much more. Thing is, like Malone, it's a lie. Clark and Bruce were raised as Clark and Bruce. When some cosmic force goes "you know who's dead? Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne" it makes sense. Those are their names. If Tim Drake and Babs Gordon were to drop dead, I wouldn't expect a cosmic force to say "Alvin Draper and Amy Beddoes have died." That's not their names, just fake aliases they made up.

Isn't Clark Kent basically an alias as well? Why is the voice refering to him by that name instead of Kal-El, the one he was born with?

Damo

07-09-2009, 12:29 AM

Isn't Clark Kent basically an alias as well?

It's the name he's known most of his life. It's what his parents think of him as (well, I suppose Pa Kent doesn't any more). When you've spent most of your life thinking of yourself as "Clark Kent" with absolutely no idea that you might have another name, I think it's fair to say any cosmic forces should feel free to consider "Clark Kent" as your real name.

Kal-El... well, I don't think it's what Superman would consider his real name, but if we're dealing with a cosmic force that might coldly consider "the name you got first" to be your real name, then maybe.

But if that's the case, then it REALLY shouldn't be calling Wonder Woman "Diana Prince".

Jake V

07-09-2009, 12:38 AM

It's the name he's known most of his life. It's what his parents think of him as (well, I suppose Pa Kent doesn't any more). When you've spent most of your life thinking of yourself as "Clark Kent" with absolutely no idea that you might have another name, I think it's fair to say any cosmic forces should feel free to consider "Clark Kent" as your real name.

Kal-El... well, I don't think it's what Superman would consider his real name, but if we're dealing with a cosmic force that might coldly consider "the name you got first" to be your real name, then maybe.

But if that's the case, then it REALLY shouldn't be calling Wonder Woman "Diana Prince".

So we're assuming that the voice isn't some kind of cosmic presense at all?

Damo

07-09-2009, 01:05 AM

So we're assuming that the voice isn't some kind of cosmic presense at all?

It's a "cosmic presence"... written by Geoff Johns. Thus it's a cosmic presence calling everyone by what Geoff Johns considers their real names.

Geoff's got an agenda when it comes to Wonder Woman. Before she got the secret identity, he told readers that she wasn't really human without one, and since she got one we've seen him try to drive the point home that she's much more human with one. This is an escalation of that trend, with Geoff apparently so enamored with the idea that he's ignoring what's going on in other books (including her own book), to say "Diana Prince is the real Wonder Woman. I'll even have a cosmic presence confirm it!"

Ian J.N.

07-09-2009, 01:33 AM

Nope it's Wayne's Grave. Black Hand Followed Barry Allen and Hal to it in Blackest Night #0. Hell, He using Batman's Skull to make the Black Rings and keeps licking it.
Opening caption: "These events take place before Blackest Night #0."

Arksy

07-09-2009, 02:06 AM

Ok aside from everyone WAAHHH NITPICKING!!! I'd like to ask a question.

What's the device that the black hand is using? The one that looks like a dildo that apparantly absorbs power?

lakers420

07-09-2009, 02:27 AM

I don't think it's a good thing. It seems like it Caged up for a reason. What can it do? It's the monster of Love, Love doesn't hurt.

You've obviously never been in love then:evilsmile:

lakers420

07-09-2009, 02:39 AM

Hey, someone asked a while back, but there wasn't any response on it, but

spoiler:

what did the Black Hand step on in the graveyard?

The curiousity is killing me!

Like everyone is saying, this issue just raises the excitement level again. I can't wait for each issue. I can't remember being this psyched for a story...

I think what that panel was showing was dead ground from Black Hands foot. So Black hand kills everything he touches leaving a trail of death

Bevbos

07-09-2009, 05:33 AM

Some great touches in here, but that's what you'd expect from any given Johns GL book.

Since everyone is complaining, I guess I'll add that my only beef with the issue, and Blackest Night in general, is that Johns' Black Hand really doesn't resemble the classic Black Hand at all; BH was a shrewd inventor, not really a meglomaniac of any sort, just out to make some cash, and a cool villain in that regard - not a world conqueror, just a very saavy high-tech criminal. The new Black Hand is, of course, a necrophiliac weirdo. A bit one-note.

But, [/complaint]. Some very interesting issues raised. Even though Scar referred to Black Hand on the same level as Ion, Parallax, and the Predator (in itself a big reveal), I would think that still is the Anti-Monitor (which makes a lot of sense) with Black Hand being in the Hal/Sinestro/Carol Ferris role, and Scar as the Guardian, of course.

The big question remains as to who is talking to scar/built the black lantern/attacked Ash and the other GL an issue back. That seems to be the "huge reveal".

I really sort of hope it ISN'T Nekron, like everyone is saying, because Nekron hasn't appeared in GL or GLC under Johns, Tomasi et al, at all, not once. Unless I'm seriously blind, and I've reread every issue several times. Now, I know who he is through wikipediaing, of course, but still, I'd be a little disappointed, potentially, since there's been no build-up to him in the main title.

KRONA on the other hand... that would rock. But then, I know who Krona is, don't I? So maybe Nekron would rock just as hard.

Or maybe it's something entirely different.

Anyways: loved the shout out to Evil Star and his Gremlins... that was an awesome twist going all the way back to "No Fear". Hopefully we'll see a bit more of Evil Star's motives in terms of rebuilding Black Hand later on.

daveageallen

07-09-2009, 06:30 AM

seemed a little familiar to me..

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/4/45626/869155-green_lantern___dc_v4__43___page_1_large.jpg (http://www.comicvine.com/green_lantern___dc_v4__43___page_1/105-869155/)

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/0/754/91325-18170-106466-1-spider-man-reign_large.jpg (http://www.comicvine.com/18170-106466-1-spider-man-reign/105-91325/)

so. when he grabs the grass it all died, so now when he touches stuff, it dies?

Sean Walsh

07-09-2009, 06:55 AM

Must be some other Bruce Wayne, because the guy who was Batman is in an unmarked grave.

The cover's probably for dramatic effect. I mean, hugging a grave with the name "Roger Hayden" or "Tula" on it won't pique the interest of people scanning the comic shelves as much as "Bruce Wayne" would.

What is Bruce Wayne's status in the DCU currently? As of the most recent Hush vs. Catwoman story (the 2 parter in both Batbooks just before Gaiman's story), Hush was using his name to travel the globe and enjoy Bruce's wealth while (inadvertedly?) propagating the idea that Bruce is still alive and well.

Joe Acro

07-09-2009, 07:06 AM

Blackest Night #2 Cover, In Black Hand's Hand is a Skull with the Bat Ears on it.I'm not convinced the covers are indicative of the story.

Just look at this issue after all.

Did anyone find it weird that years after Black Hand went off on his own to be a supervillain, he comes to his old home and his entire family is still there?Yes, that was weird. And he's supposedly the middle child, yet both his brothers are home. Did his older brother never move out?

It also told us that the leader of the Black Lanterns knows the secret identities of every DC character that's ever died, and wants to kill everything (well extinguish all light.) That's not nothing.
I suppose that's true.

Still, nothing regarding the Black Lanterns was particularly surprising. We all knew Black Hand would somehow be involved in the Black Lanterns. I kinda figured the identities would be known, since nearly all of those mentioned were presumably buried with their identities revealed.

Knives122

07-09-2009, 07:43 AM

I think what that panel was showing was dead ground from Black Hands foot. So Black hand kills everything he touches leaving a trail of death

He steps on an egg, in the very next panel there's a sign that says "Happy Easter", the egg just happens to be black.....

Awesome issue, just three more emotion entities.

IvCNuB4

07-09-2009, 08:04 AM

I'm pretty sure it was just a literal Easter egg. Not really a spoiler, as it doesn't seem to have any actual bearing on the story. (Maybe it will later. Or maybe it does now, and I'm just not familar enough with GL.)

I agree with the poster above me. There is a "krnnch" noise just as he steps on it, then the next panel shows a "Happy Easter" sign at the mortuary.

I haven't been following Green Lantern that closely until now, but can someone explain why the Guardian that got scarred is puking up black lantern rings now?

She's been writing in the Black Book ar whatever with her black tears so maybe bodily fluids is how she manifests that black power ? Kind of like how the Red Lanterns power is puked up/spewed out also.

aut0matic

07-09-2009, 08:22 AM

.

Yes, that was weird. And he's supposedly the middle child, yet both his brothers are home. Did his older brother never move out?

as everyone's been saying, it's easter. is it that far-fetched to believe his whole family would come together and celebrate easter at one location?

also, easter is celebrated as the day that christ rose from the dead...

xnef1025

07-09-2009, 08:35 AM

Very awesome issue. This is going to be some dark creepy stuff for Blackest Night.

As for the Wonder Woman/Diana Prince debate: she's used that alter ego off and on since 1942, and was Diana Prince full time for quite a while during her powerless phase in the 60's. While it was all mostly pre-Crisis, Infinite Crisis and 52 reopened up those old stories as being pseudo in-continuity again, so it's a perfectly valid ID for WW.

Vic Vega

07-09-2009, 09:20 AM

Ok aside from everyone WAAHHH NITPICKING!!! I'd like to ask a question.

What's the device that the black hand is using? The one that looks like a dildo that apparantly absorbs power?

I forget the name of it, but it's a power absorber. It can suck up latent energy and redirect it. Black Hand got it from Atroticus(or whatever the heck his name is).

malephoenix

07-09-2009, 11:01 AM

Did anyone find it weird that years after Black Hand went off on his own to be a supervillain, he comes to his old home and his entire family is still there?

They were visiting for Easter, right?

I don't think that everything in a comic needs to be expressly stated - and I think most people can see why I thought the brothers were visiting for Easter. But at the same time, I can see why a lot of people might not have got that. (Not trying to sound like a snob.)

Jimmy'sFriend

07-09-2009, 11:16 AM

Here's my review of Green Lantern #43...
Blackest Night is just around the corner and Geoff Johns gives us our final preparation with this prologue. Both Lantern titles have been preparing for this major DC event, but this origin story of William Hand, the embodiment of the Black Lantern Corps, is the strongest of all preludes.

Geoff Johns, writing at the top of his game, creates an eerie tale that is richly diabolical. William Hand was a young boy obsessed with death. His dad’s profession of mortician was an early fascination for William; so were dead animals. Johns traces William’s history from his first incarnation as the Black Hand, a laughable B-list villain, to his dark rebirth as the leader of the soon-to-be-established Black Lanterns. The plot is artfully paced and tightly woven from scene to scene. Each moment captures the emotions necessary and makes its point well, without filler or gaps. The foreshadowing for Blackest Night, who will raise and who are those that cheated death, makes you jump out of your seat! Bring on the fight.

Doug Mahnke matches John’s fantastic story with some fancy penciling. His character’s powerfully emotive faces drive home the horror of this story and the impact of Hand’s decent into darkness. Mahnke makes commanding use of perspectives, allowing the reader to see events through William Hand’s eyes, i.e. Hand cowering by a tombstone the Green Lanterns battle Atrocitus. The close-ups of Hand are downright scary; his bloodshot eyes and blank stare are entrancing. The panels of Hand’s suicide are boldly detailed and surprising for a mainstream DC comic. Overall, the art is superb.

After reading this, I felt like I just saw a preview for the most kickass movie of the summer. I can’t wait for the night to turn black!

5 out of 5

Karl O'Neill

07-09-2009, 11:19 AM

Just read this iissue.

It was perfectly creepy and dark. Not my favourite issue of his entire run by any means like some people are saying it is that damn good. I liked it.

Blackest night is here!

Jkid099

07-09-2009, 12:43 PM

Amazing issue, and a great start to the epic that will be Blackest Night. Johns still manages to have a knack for establishing interesting backgrounds and depths to characters ... no matter how disturbing Black Hand's was, it definitely was a bit gripping.

I also enjoyed the symbolism of this issue occurring on Easter. A plot regarding the resurrection of individuals (including Black Hand) occurring on the Christian holiday regarding Jesus Christ's resurrection - interesting choice.

Slyfer

07-09-2009, 12:47 PM

This is hands down one of the creepiest moments in comics I have seen in a long time since forever. Mahkne made me wonder what kinda theraphy he's on. Seriously this was dark , when Black hand killed himself, i must have read that page about 4 times before i went on, it looked so surreal , like cold hearted and empty, but with meaning behind , I don't know if it's the way Doug draws it but it just looked really surreal , scary and fucked up all in one go

Slyfer

07-09-2009, 12:50 PM

The close-ups of Hand are downright scary; his bloodshot eyes and blank stare are entrancing. The panels of Hand’s suicide are boldly detailed and surprising for a mainstream DC comic. Overall, the art is superb.

5 out of 5

I think what you said literally summed up how i felt, for a mainstream DC title is that even allowed, it was so Graphic and detailed, reminds me of Frank Quietly when he gets gritty with his death scenes, but this was backed by emotions, literally, it looked awesomely disturbing

mosdef

07-09-2009, 12:51 PM

Is Mahkne the artist for Blackest Night? His style is perfect for this.

Jkid099

07-09-2009, 12:52 PM

Ivan Reis will be the artist for the Blackest Night mini-series, the Green Lantern tie-in issues will be done by Mahnke.

Karl O'Neill

07-09-2009, 01:05 PM

5 star review.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=1192

Seraku

07-09-2009, 01:11 PM

it's odd, I knew all BL were dead, and all pictures of BH had him wearing a BL ring.

so why didn't I forsee what he did this issue?

Seraku

07-09-2009, 01:14 PM

oh and friend made this on another forum and I just had to share

http://i30.tinypic.com/121vln6.png

Mike Smash!

07-09-2009, 01:17 PM

oh and friend made this on another forum and I just had to share

http://i30.tinypic.com/121vln6.pngTough love?

Karl O'Neill

07-09-2009, 01:23 PM

I forget the name of it, but it's a power absorber. It can suck up latent energy and redirect it. Black Hand got it from Atroticus(or whatever the heck his name is).

It is called the COSMIC DIVING ROD.

Black hand always had one. ALl johns done was retroactively fitted into his green lantern run as a weapon that ATROCITUS of the five inversions built on earth and dropped it during his fight with SINESTRO AND HAL JORDAN.

Black hand recovered it and now uses it as blaster weapon and storer of energy.

Karl O'Neill

07-09-2009, 01:24 PM

I forget the name of it, but it's a power absorber. It can suck up latent energy and redirect it. Black Hand got it from Atroticus(or whatever the heck his name is).

It is called the COSMIC DIVINING ROD.

Black hand always had one. ALl johns done was retroactively fitted into his green lantern run as a weapon that ATROCITUS of the five inversions built on earth and dropped it during his fight with SINESTRO AND HAL JORDAN.

Black hand recovered it and now uses it as blaster weapon and storer of energy.

SlightlyMad

07-09-2009, 01:29 PM

I have to admit that I'm not really a big Green Lantern fan & only picked this up due to the (symbolic) Bruce Wayne grave image, but was blown away by it & may end up following this story after all. Doug Mahnke as always delivers on the artwork (I became a fan of his through JLA/JLE) he really is one of the best in the business.

My problem is that I now have to track down Blackest Night #0.

Karl O'Neill

07-09-2009, 01:33 PM

My problem is that I now have to track down Blackest Night #0.

It was free. You should have nabbed a copy while they were free dude.

They are selling on ebay. have a look around and find a price that suits ya. I believe they will collect #0 in the eventual HC when it is over.

daveageallen

07-09-2009, 04:44 PM

It was free. You should have nabbed a copy while they were free dude.

They are selling on ebay. have a look around and find a price that suits ya. I believe they will collect #0 in the eventual HC when it is over.

maybe your LCS has some more in stock? mine was super busy that day and still has a ton of each marvel and dc title.

Joe Acro

07-09-2009, 05:46 PM

as everyone's been saying, it's easter. is it that far-fetched to believe his whole family would come together and celebrate easter at one location?

also, easter is celebrated as the day that christ rose from the dead...
Where did it say it was Easter?

And, if so, that really only makes thing worse. Not in a disgusting way, but more of a non-clever, trying-too-hard way.

KiFF86

07-09-2009, 06:36 PM

Where did it say it was Easter?

And, if so, that really only makes thing worse. Not in a disgusting way, but more of a non-clever, trying-too-hard way.

Their is a Happy Easter sign out in front of the house.

Joe Acro

07-09-2009, 08:07 PM

Their is a Happy Easter sign out in front of the house.
Yes, so I've just noticed.

A shame.

hYPE

07-09-2009, 08:11 PM

Awesome.... totally ready for this event... Green Lantern is amazing.

I know right! I'm so ready for Blackest Night! It's gonna be so awesome! Is it just me or is the Black Hand a really cool character!

hYPE

07-09-2009, 08:16 PM

Im thinking Sinestro will be redeemed in this..... but yeah Hal as the White Lantern is another good prediction..... could be Sinestro and Hal become the White Lantern....

Yeah, with that one panel in issue #43 I believe with Sinestro seems like a dead give away that he will be redeemed. If Hal became a some sort of White Lantern, that would be dope!!! How would that happen though?

hYPE

07-09-2009, 08:55 PM

It was free. You should have nabbed a copy while they were free dude.

They are selling on ebay. have a look around and find a price that suits ya. I believe they will collect #0 in the eventual HC when it is over.

I didn't go to free Comic Book Day but my friend who runs this comic store near where I lived hooked me up. It's a good read for sure!!!

stealthwise

07-09-2009, 11:20 PM

I enjoyed the issue enough for what it was, which is a single story that Johns slapped together to move Black Hand from a one-dimensional character to a two-dimensional character in time for the big crossover. I'm not sure why the one reviewer on CBR gave it five stars when it's a three, at best. Looking forward to the crossover as a whole though.

Den

07-09-2009, 11:30 PM

My review
"Ahhh.."
"ewww"
"urk?"
"EEEEK"
"Ewww again"
"When's the next one?"

;)

Crowforge

07-10-2009, 12:36 AM

I'm hoping that black hand symbol / family crest window-thing was just a bit of long term manipulation by whatever the voice is.

xnef1025

07-10-2009, 06:06 AM

I'm hoping that black hand symbol / family crest window-thing was just a bit of long term manipulation by whatever the voice is.
I just chalk that up to the big old wheel of coincidence that is prophecy for now. There may be a better explanation given eventually, but until then, fate is as good a reason as any.

asdlkgh

07-10-2009, 06:19 AM

Green Lantern is way too good. Everything about this issue was so fucking awesome. Black Hand is the creepiest bad guy I have seen in a while.. his suit is made from a body bag? Eww.. and it reminds him of his first kiss??? EWWW

Joe Acro

07-10-2009, 09:00 AM

My review
"Ahhh.."
"ewww"
"urk?"
"EEEEK"
"Ewww again"
"When's the next one?"

;)

Green Lantern is way too good. Everything about this issue was so fucking awesome. Black Hand is the creepiest bad guy I have seen in a while.. his suit is made from a body bag? Eww.. and it reminds him of his first kiss??? EWWW
Data: Ooooh, I hate this! It is revolting!
Guinan: More?
Data: Please!

Retro315

07-10-2009, 09:51 AM

Data: Ooooh, I hate this! It is revolting!
Guinan: More?
Data: Please!

Twenty points for the Generations reference!

Sean Walsh

07-10-2009, 11:57 AM

It is called the COSMIC DIVINING ROD.

My girlfriend has a dildo too, and calls that her "cosmic diving rod."

ZA-ZING!

........oh wait, that's sad because it means I'm not good enough.

No wait, I don't have a girlfriend. Ha. I feel better.

.......no I don't......... :tongue:

Sean Walsh

07-10-2009, 12:00 PM

it's odd, I knew all BL were dead, and all pictures of BH had him wearing a BL ring.

so why didn't I forsee what he did this issue?

I thought the SAME exact thing, man.

I figured, since he already had a considerably-close connection to the dead, that this would be enough to qualify him for BL (or rather, the field commander of the BLs) status.

Although I'll take it one step beyond: I kept seeing that BN #2 cover and wondering "Why does he look dead?"

Whoops. :tongue:

Tequilamokinbrd

07-11-2009, 07:54 AM

No, because Superman was actually raised as Clark Kent, it's not a name Green Lantern and Flash made up for him a couple months ago.

Not much of a Wonder Woman reader, are you?

To be fair, the same thing could be said of "Conner Kent", I can't remember what his name was in his first solo series, but it wasn't Conner Kent. That ID was made up not all that long before Infinite Crisis. So he's been Conner Kent for let's say 2 years of his life(much of which he was actually dead for), and Diana's name is invalid because her's is only 7 months?

Where's the cutoff? Year minimum? To me it makes more sense that the dark voice was only referring to the names these beings self identify as, no matter the length of time.

Technically, by your logic the dark voice should have called him Superboy which was his first, and for awhile his only name.

Tequilamokinbrd

07-11-2009, 08:03 AM

Oh, and about the issue? Amazing.

You know you have a unique comic book on your hands when on of the most compelling and (dare I say it) beautiful panels is a full page super villian suicide.

Fat Cobra

07-11-2009, 08:28 AM

This is a terrible issue.

But I am too seething with anger at it to adequate express why.

I didn't like it much either. It seemed like a waste space (and Doug Mahnke) and focused far too much on Black Hand.

SeritoNiN

07-11-2009, 11:45 AM

I thought this was a great book. 10/10. It was an awesome way to bring Black Hand into the spotlight and out of the d-lister status, told his origin, and also set up blackest night.

Johns is known for origin stories that redefine characters, but this did so much more than that, it was great build up. The only origin story Johns wrote that I feel beats this is Flash #212: Origin of Mirror Master.

Great set-up, loved the art, can't wait till next week.

Lupek

07-11-2009, 12:33 PM

also, easter is celebrated as the day that christ rose from the dead...

Also...I believe an egg is seen as a symbol of life in some cultures. And spring itself is seen as a rebirth. I thought it was a nice touch by Johns.

Very good issue.

My comic store is giving away Black Lantern rings to everyone buying Blackest Night next week. And I am just the kind of nerd to get there early to get mine :wink:

Bored at 3:00AM

07-11-2009, 12:43 PM

I've always loved Black Hand, even back when he was pretending to be Spiro Agnu for some reason. But Johns has just brought him up to the big leagues.

I really can't wait to see what Johns has in store for Sonar and his creepy backwoods Eastern European homeland. Clearly, he's got plans for all these characters rattling around in his head. He's already linked the new Tattooed Man to Sonar's home country.

bongoes

07-11-2009, 01:03 PM

My comic store is giving away Black Lantern rings to everyone buying Blackest Night next week. And I am just the kind of nerd to get there early to get mine :wink:
Ha Ha, mine too. :biggrin:

Go Go

07-12-2009, 11:15 AM

When did Tora/Ice come back to life? I thought she failed to be brought back from the dead in the Formerly Known as the Justice League mini. Has she been brought back since then? If so, poor thing is going to be dead again. Also, wasn't the new Terra series sorting out Terra Markov's deaths/rebirths/whatever. I thought it was making it sound like Terra from the Teen Titans days was dead, and this new Terra was a genetic match.

Oh well. I love Green Lantern now and I loved this issue. All the questions (who was the hero that got punched through the face by Black Adam (?) who died along with the other Freedom Fighters (Black Condor, Phantom Lady, and Human Bomb)?) are so worth it.

Thank you all for the clarification on Predator. I thought Predator looked more Indigo-ish and not Sapphire-ish

Sean Walsh

07-12-2009, 11:36 AM

When did Tora/Ice come back to life? I thought she failed to be brought back from the dead in the Formerly Known as the Justice League mini. Has she been brought back since then?

Gail Simone brought her back in BIRDS OF PREY, in the storyarc with BOP vs. the Secret 6.

If so, poor thing is going to be dead again.

I don't think so. What I believe is that the BL's may have some sort of control over the living who've been dead before.

All the questions (who was the hero that got punched through the face by Black Adam (?) who died along with the other Freedom Fighters (Black Condor, Phantom Lady, and Human Bomb)?) are so worth it.

That was Psycho Pirate. Black Adam punched him thru the head right in the last ish of INFINITE CRISIS.

JET ACE LOGAN

07-12-2009, 01:04 PM

I have really just dived into the Green Lantern stories no real back round check so too speak.............

Just read issue 42 and 43 ,(read 41 a week back, it was ok ish) am no Green Lantern fan i even have trouble understanding what the fuss is all about Geoff Johns for......

Well no more !!!!

Holy feck ! these are good, truely EPIC

I take it Geoff Johns is big GL fan ? he seems as a writer to put his all in to this, what else is good please?i have read the Teen Titans first two Trades I liked them.............

Five minutes ago i finished the Hard cover of Wanted: Hal Jordan, loved the end of it, seen a hard cover for the Red Lanterns, should i get?

Or should i wait for my comic Sinestro wars vol 1 and 2 to arrive at my comic shop ? Don't know if i can wait..............:wink:

Karl O'Neill

07-12-2009, 01:50 PM

Sinestro corps war is his big epic for the green lantern books.

Get all his Flash trades. About 9 of them.

3 vols of hawkman.

5 of teen titans.

5 of superman.

JET ACE LOGAN

07-12-2009, 07:26 PM

what hawkman he do ?

and Flash for that matter please ?

G. Wayne

07-12-2009, 10:08 PM

Green Lantern, like many superhero books, is something I pick up with certain expectations regarding content.

Those do not include necrophilia, (implied) live taxidermy, and gory suicide.

This comic didn't have the Code's authority, and rightfully so. But this comic was less tasteful than House of Mystery (which included a better suicide sequence), which receives a mature readers tag. And yet, this receives nothing. This could wind up on the stands at a bookstore next to Tiny Titans.

On top of that, it's almost a complete waste. It's a story detailing Black Hand's disturbing background. Not really relevant to Blackest Night...

Do you work at DC? Blackest Night proper is just getting started, if you work there I'll give you credit for knowing what's going to happen in the rest of the series. Otherwise, you don't know what's relevant to it. None of us do.

JurassicParkIsAnAwesomeMovie

07-12-2009, 11:39 PM

Karl O'Neill

07-13-2009, 09:33 AM

I think this issue was very relevent for Blackest night. Considering that the Black hand is one of the major villains of the series.

Crowforge

07-13-2009, 10:06 AM

IvCNuB4

07-13-2009, 10:16 AM

I think this issue was very relevent for Blackest night. Considering that the Black hand is one of the major villains of the series.

And it explained why Black Hand is destined to become the avatar for the Black Lanterns. Apparently Joe Acro skipped right over those pages with the Scar and William scene also :rolleyes: ...

Karl O'Neill

07-13-2009, 10:16 AM

There are some highs and lows... also some questiions

Highs
The art man that's some good stuff
Patching up his origin

Lows
Implied Necrophilia
Killing his family

???
Why did he hjave to kill his family? Seemed cliche.
Did Atrocitus spen time with Black Hand or is it a continuity error that he crashes into the house and in the next panel is outside with Black Hand once the GL's show up?

He crashed into the funneral home(In GL secret origin by johns) where black hand was looking at a body. then GL and sinestro turned up to arrest him.

I don't think any writer handles the origins of a villain as deftly as johns. The implied necrophilia and killing his own family fit perfectly into the MO and personality of the villain.

He is obessed with death, so for him, why not sleep with the dead? Killing his family was a very close intimate evil thing to do, and then the bigger twist, he kills himself to become the ultimate avatar of the black lanterns.

Crowforge

07-13-2009, 10:24 AM

Because sex is life.

Joe Acro

07-13-2009, 03:54 PM

Do you work at DC? Blackest Night proper is just getting started, if you work there I'll give you credit for knowing what's going to happen in the rest of the series. Otherwise, you don't know what's relevant to it. None of us do.I don't work at DC. But Black Hand's family hasn't been mentioned at all, in solicitations, interviews, etc. And the details of his past only help people see that he's pretty much always been this way, which doesn't really help one understand the character better.

So, it's an assumption, yes, and I'll be surprised if I'm wrong.

midnight138

07-16-2009, 08:30 AM

I suppose I wasn't the only one to notice the opposite page of the Black Hand suicide closeup was an ad for Wednesday comics with the words "Mind Blowing" in big letters splashed across the page. Do you suppose that was a horrible coincidence or someone's idea of a joke?

I just read all 11 pages of this and can't believe no one mentioned that yet.

C.O. Jones

07-16-2009, 07:00 PM

I know that there's been a big buzz about Johns and this series for a while now, yet I thought, way too many issues have gone by to catch up to all that's happened---I've bought #1, #25, & a few others. I haven't even read them but I finally cracked open #43 today and it was so good I had to take a break in between pages just to let it all soak in. I'll probably pull a hamstring trying to hop up on the GL bandwagon, but I am so there. I've even got a bead on a Blackest Night #0 copy. Mahnke and that Hellraiser-style vibe of his is gonna be great for this title.