[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Robert Venditti
Breakdowns: Tom Derenick
Penciller & Inker: Jack Herbert
Colorist: Jason Wright
Summary
In an unknown sector on an unknown world, a former Guardian of the Universe is hunted down and assaulted by an unseen being. The Guardian knows his attacker and calls him “Kellic.”
On Mogo, the newest Green Lantern recruit, the Xudarian Somar-Le, is being observed by Ganthet and Sayd. Somar is in the very earliest stages of training and just now learning to use her ring for flight. Ganthet and Sayd find the usually elusive feeling of hope as they observe the youthful exuberance in Somar. In another sector, Hal and Kyle are on a rescue mission and in their conversation, Kyle reveals that he’s looking for something more in life. He doesn’t want this to be all there is. His fleeting relationship with Soranik has unleashed desires for a family life.
Their mission is interrupted by a distress call from John back on Mogo – Somar-Le has escaped an attack by the Controllers who’ve captured Sayd and Ganthet and taken them off world!
Positives
Kyle and Hal’s conversation is a very real-life moment. This could be any two co-workers in any field that know each other well enough to tell when something’s wrong. It’s not only the unique qualities of the different characters that make this book work so well in Venditti’s hands, but also these real-life moments that come alive. Hal’s realization that he’s been suppressing similar feelings for Carol (as seen a few issues back) is suggested briefly just before the distress call.
The hope felt by Ganthet and Sayd is always welcome, and this bodes well for the future of this title, despite the dire situation in which the find themselves at the end of the issue.
The art team of Tom Derenick and Jack Herbert worked very well. There are some nice textures in Herbert’s finishes and close-ups in Derenick’s layouts that make their pairing this issue remarkable.
Negatives
Ah, what is there to say, this issue lacks for nothing.
Verdict
After last issue’s sideways move into the Metal tie-in, issue #33 gets back on track as the themes that have been building in recent issues get some attention as the larger story moves the Green Lanterns and Guardians into the next phase as they face an old foe in the Controllers who appear to be making trouble for several issues.
