The cover really tells you everything you need to know about this issue. Hal and Barry face off against Martian Manhunter as a Black Lantern. There’s a few teases here and there that provide some possible insight as to the nature of the Black Lantern Corps. But mostly, you have an issue-long fight scene between these three characters.
As fight scenes go, it’s a good one. I’m a big fan of Doug Mahnke and he does a great job here. Last issue really played to his strengths. But his work is no less exceptional here.
Last week, I was one of the few people to post a negative review of Blackest Night #1. The fan response was so overwhelmingly positive that I have gone back and re-read BN #1 several times. I stand by all of my criticisms of that issue. However, I am happy to report that most of the problems I had with BN #1 are absent in GL #44.
I’m still not loving the overall premise of Blackest Night. But that’s my cross to bear. Most readers are going to be overjoyed by the mix of action and character moments. While I was blown away by the art, I found the story to be satisfying. And after a few disappointing Blackest Night-related comics, that’s good enough for me.
Speaking of disappointing BN-related comics, I just wanted to say a word about the Tales of the Corps books. I don’t want to do a full write-up on this mini-series. But I do want to say that I have found the first two issues to be the worst kind of filler material imaginable. DC should be ashamed for putting out such a blatant cash grab. I have a hard time imagining anyone feeling like they got their money’s worth out of this book.
So, if you haven’t made it to your comic shop yet, pick up GL 44 but pass on the Tales of the Corps.
I can’t believe that not only is the Blue/Orange war still going on when it could probably be resolved in two panels, but as your solicitations rundown mentioned it will still be going down in October.