Justice is blind.
We welcome the newest entrant to the Red Lantern Corps,
while Guy tries to figure out a plan of action against Atrocitus.
Since the start of the New 52, the Reds have gained 4 new
members (that is, still alive). Each have had their past thoroughly explained,
whether it be a new character like Rankorr or pre-existing heroes like Guy and
Kara. While Atrocitus’ new pet is yet to get a backstory, the new one ‘the
Judge’ does.
Side note: Whenever I think of ‘the Judge’, I remember the
BTAS episode (SPOILERS for BTAS) with Two Face as the vigilante hero.
Soule integrates some existing problems in the social
structure into her origin without trying to get to deep into it, thus avoiding
problems of over-explanation or making this a #0 issue for another character.
This issue also tries to clearly differentiate between the
origin story and the main plot with Atrocitus’ return in the art department.
While Vitti handles the first part, Calafiore is given the bulk of the book and
he handles it admirably, with some great visuals.
SPOILERS FOLLOW……………….
We are first introduced to the ‘Judge’, Sheko of Primeen.
She is inducted into the legislature at a young age. Soule explains the
mechanics of the ‘Water Court’
(in which she presides) and then takes us quickly through time to see a
world-weary elderly Sheko.
All the enthusiasm from her youth is lost as she comes to
know the corrupt nature of the law which prevents her from carrying out her
duties. With one last case, that of the murderous and self-serving Prince of
the land, she hoped to finally close her life having given proper judgment to a
momentous occasion.
But she is robbed of even that as her guard shoots her as
soon as she sentences the Prince to death on orders of the King. As she falls into
the water reflecting upon a failed life, all she feels is rage…………….
Enter a red ring!
On Ysmalt, Guy tries to restrain a badly injured Bleez from
leaving to save Rankorr. He’s still unsure of the power Atrocitus has in his
arsenal, and so it’s a wait-and-watch situation for now. This is a very
different Guy from the one I used to know. He’s not running in half-cocked
anymore.
This situation is further worsened by the fact that now Dex
Starr, and most probably Atrocitus himself, have taken Rankorr’s blood and are
able to form constructs.
On Primeen, Sheko the Judge slaughters first the guard and
the Prince, before turning her sights on the audience. While on Ysmalt, Skallox
starts to harbour doubts about Guy and asks Zilius whether it would be unwise
to abandon a sinking sink.
Zilius rebukes him first for being afraid and then masking
it with treachery. As the scan for the Red energy completes, they locate an
enormous discharge on Primeen.
Guy takes the entire team in hope of securing the services of
a big hitter, but as we see, Atrocitus has already beaten them to it.
Sheko’s introduction was very well handled, and made me
actually care for the character. Her fight against corruption and its influence
in tilting the balances of good and evil was relatable and made her
sympathetic. As for Guy’s side, Bleez was surprisingly humane in her approach.
It’s apparent she does have feelings for Rankorr as was evident when she tried
to talk Guy into going into battle right then.
Guy on the other hand comes off as a sensible leader. He’s
mellowed and it shows. Zilius’ honesty and Skallox’s fearful attitude are also
played well. They really bounce excellently off each other and it makes for
great reading.
SPOILERS END……………….
With some excellent character work, from the new entrant to
the existing Reds, Soule delivers again.
Calafiore is a revelation as he juggles emotions and faces
expertly while Vitti suffers a little by comparison, but is good in his own
right.
So, I give it 9.0 out of 10.
+A good and brief origin story for the new Red
+Excellent artwork, especially by Calafiore
+Some good character work
-The two artists don’t mesh well enough
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