Recalled…….
More than what the plot is for this event and how this issue
impacts it; the ‘wow’ factor is the return of a major secondary character to
the Lantern Corps.
Still, Uprising continues to delight as we move to John’s
extraction of the captured Lanterns (which Hal learnt last issue in Green
Lantern #31).
Chang is at his best here, and complements Jensen very well.
His use of shadows and black-and-white variations make this issue look
different from most of what is on the stands.
Jensen himself has a lot to do. I’ve often complained that
Green Lantern Corps under Peter Tomasi in the New 52 has felt more like the Guy
Gardner or John Stewart show. Jensen has changed thing up, making John still
the pivotal character without denying characters like Jruk and Fresca their
moments.
SPOILERS FOLLOW………………
The Durlans have panicked following their failed
infiltration attack on the Lanterns, and cracks in their alliance with the
Khund are starting to show.
While the Durlans want the prisoners killed, the Khund still
believe useful information can be obtained from them. This is exacerbated by
the fact that the rings are now locating their true hosts given the false
Durlan ones have fallen.
Far below in the cells, a Lantern Xylpth has given up on
rescue and decides to take action. As the guards start to kill the prisoners,
Xylpth and his fellow inmate Shr’ll manage to free and arm themselves. They
free Turytt, but Xylpth is captured.
The rings manage to penetrate the cells and arm the Lantern
prisoners and we see a long forgotten member is among them (and possibly the
one Von Daggle is searching for) – R’amey Holl.
As the Khund and Durlans attack, their ring depletion
weapons prove useless while John’s team reaches the prison planet. They are
able to overpower the guards.
As one Durlan attacks Turytt, Shr’ll goes into a rage and
bashes the Durlan’s face in. But he seems to be wounded and they are surrounded
by the Khund guards, when John drops a ceiling on them.
Xylpth mentions that the Khund have a prisoner whom they’ve
severely tortured locked up below. As John’s team prepares to move, the Durlans
take their ‘enhancements’ and prepare to attack the Lanterns using the Khund as
a diversion.
Feska manages to use her skills as a thief to unlock the
special prison, and two beams emerge that kill two of the Lantern eating pets
of the Durlans.
And it’s Sodam Yat!!!!
As most of those who read Tomasi’s Emerald Warriors, Sodam
Yat is captured during a mission with Guy Gardner, Arisia and Kilowog. He is
put under the thrall of an agent of Krona (who was the main antagonist of War
of the Green Lanterns) and leaves with him. After that, his whereabouts are
unknown.
As Yat states to a relieved Arisia, he was captured and
experimented on by the Khund. Apparently, instead of asking him about the
Corps, they were curious about Daxam.
John realizes that the Durlans aim to use the planet’s
inhabitants as their own personal army and moves to stop them.
Daxam was a plot point during the ‘War of Light’ arc when
Mongul dethroned Sinestro as the leader of the Yellow Lanterns and took that
planet as his home base. But hopefully Vendetti and co will approach this arc
involving Daxam in a different way.
Sodam’s return is done justice. Though I’m not sure exactly
how he can use his heat beams being isolated inside a dark prison, their
ferocity describes his agony very well. It’s a long awaited return for a
beloved character and I hope Jensen uses him well in the future.
As for R’amey, it did feel a little too easy to find her given
I expected Von Daggle (who’s strangely absent this issue) to feature in a
longer search for her, assuming he is searching for ‘her’.
SPOILERS FOLLOW………………
The return of some long absent characters, coupled with
strong character moments and great artwork make this a stellar second issue to
the Uprising arc.
I do have problems with some contrived occurrences, but
except for that, it’s a good read and a pivotal plot point is covered.
So, I give this 8.5 out of 10.
+Some great character moments
+Continues to feel like a Green Lantern ‘Corps’ book
+Great handling of the return of a beloved character
-Some contrived occurrences
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