Comic Book Review: Green Lantern #55

Book Information
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke
Inked by Christian Alamy
Colored by Randy Mayor
Lettered by Nick J. Napolitano
Cover by Doug Mahnke

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion
Ok, I’ll admit it; Green Lantern #55 was good, even if Lobo was a major character in it. Geoff Johns was able to make it all work like clock work, especially in how he used this diversion as way of pushing into Brightest Day. Because that’s all this issue is, a diversion from the real plot. And sometimes that’s exactly what the doctor ordered. Sometimes a distraction to hold the readers attention in the wrong place is the right thing to do.

Let’s be honest, Lobo sucks as a character, at least in the way he’s been portrayed in the past. He has a lot of potential, but DC crafted him in a way that was appealing only during his debut months, now he’s just annoying. Johns however did create a clever set of dialogue that toggled back and forth from character to character very well. The one thing I have to say about Lobo that is great (and it’s the only great thing mind you) is his unintimidating persona. But even here, confronted by yellow, green, red, and violet sources of power Lobo is thrown a little off his game. And he nailed it on the head with his comment, “Feetal’s Gizz! Ya can’t swing a dead cat without hitting someone wearin’ a power ring anymore!” But with his continual push through the power of the rings, he basically showed Jordan and company that he doesn’t care. (I can only imagine what immediate thoughts popped into fellow male’s heads were when they read those two words, Feetal’s Gizz.)

I was almost ready to give up on this issue of Green Lantern until the end came along. I guess Atrocitus has a little more up his sleeve than anticipated; hiring Lobo of all people to put on a show is quite the plot thickener as he and Hal have personal vendettas against each other and would be happy to see the other die a painful death.

What can I say about Doug Mahnke that hasn’t already been said by…well…everyone? While there are times when I find his work a little childish, most of the times it’s so complex and detailed that I can’t help but be in a state of awe. He’ll never be an Ed Benes or Frank Quietly, but he’s definitely one of the best.

Now, let’s dive into the origin story of Dex-Starr, the Red Lantern feline whose cult following seems to be growing ever so quickly. It’s a little corny but fun to read as it gives us a back story on the cat and allows us to sympathize with Dex-Starr and not think of him as simply a crazy kitty. It was equally interesting to learn that this is no alien cat; he grew up and was nurtured here on Earth. Very creative on the part of Geoff Johns.

My Profoundly Climactic Conclusion
So it was a pleasant surprised to have Lobo actually ADD to the storyline rather than bring it down. I never understood why writers use Lobo since he is such a terrible character. I guess it takes the right type of writer to correctly use a villain such as Lobo in a story.

Ratings
Writing: 10
Themes: 9
Art: 9
Overall: 9.33 out of 10