Green Lantern #36 – Jeremy Adams, Writer; Ig Guara, Montos, Artists; Romulo Fajardo Jr, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: This issue, it’s all about Kyle Rayner, as the earth-based Lantern continues to investigate the mysteries of Hollywood. His associate, Odyssey, has seen her career quickly take off as she became the newest face of a director’s movie. But he wanted her to get rid of her signature star, and referred her to Dr. Skin, the best plastic surgeon in Hollywood – who turned out to be an alien in disguise, the one creating skin suits for other aliens and helping them infiltrate the city. This plot is resolved fairly quickly, but it’s also really fun given how creepy the villain is when in his true form. This is the kind of strange sci-fi plot with low stakes that we really don’t see too much in comics anymore, and there are some great visuals. Kyle is forced to tap into a power he rarely uses these days to win the day, and that also leads to the return of one of the most significant characters from Kyle’s previous stints as a solo hero.
That’s right, Jade is back – and Kyle’s most significant love interest is now part of the greater Justice League. She’s mostly here to round up Dr. Skin and secure the twisted alien safely, but it doesn’t take long for her and Kyle to start flirting again – much to Odyssey’s annoyance. As Odyssey’s premiere looms, Kyle and Jade make plans to reconnect at the movie, only to ditch it for a private date. That leads them right into another chaotic plot, as some of Dr. Skin’s clients are now impersonating mascots for Big Belly Burger, and are trying to drive all the competition out of town. I certainly wouldn’t expect fast-food combat as a plot in a title where the battles usually have the fate of the universe at stake, but that’s part of the fun. Slowing down and giving Kyle the spotlight has been paying dividends so far as a great change of pace for a run that’s mostly delivered cosmic action up to this point.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes
