Green Lantern Corps #34

Well boy howdy, was this one a doozy!



That's Mongul fighting with Arkillo of course, and I swear to God, it looks as though Arkillo is jamming his finger into Mongul's empty eye socket. Ouch! That's ok though, the actual fight is even more visceral.

Firstly though, we have a nice scene with Sodam Yat, Arisia and Sodam's Mother. Whom he is NOT particularly delighted to see, rather to Arisia's surprise. You thought that Guy had a bit of a problem with HIS parents? That's nothing compared to the way the Sodam feels about HIS! Since Mongul has invaded and rather easily conquered the planet of Daxam, Mrs. Yat came running to Oa for some help. This doesn't sit particularly well with Sodam,since everyone on the planet of Daxam is a miserable bigoted xenophobe, and he figures they pretty much got what they deserved.

At first I was a bit startled by the depth of Sodam's bitterness, but the more that he explains it, the more you begin to realize that his parents really ARE a pair of jerks, and I began to lose my sympathy for old mum when she decides to slug him. Actually, the one that I'm feeling sorry for, is Arisia. It's never comfortable being the odd person out,when other people start airing their dirty laundry right in front of you. Then of course, I remembered that she used to hang out with Hal, so she's probably used to this sort of thing.

With a GREAT deal of reluctance, Sodam Yat decides that he'd better mosey on over to Daxam and see what he can do, sending him dear old mum off to Oa, in a protective bubble. I can't wait to see how she reacts when she arrives.

But, anyway, back to the Mongul/Arikillo dust-up. There's not a lot of dialogue other than some grunting and growling, but boy, it's sure intense. The two of them manage to perpetrate an enormous amount of damage, both on each other and the surroundings. When the dust finally settles...literally, it seems as though Arkillo is the victor, and the various Sinestro Corp members begin to cheer...except that appearances can be deceiving, as Arkillo keels over, and Mongul rises from dust...and rips out his tongue.

Urrk!

That Mongul. Such a showoff.

We then switch to a much more pleasing image, that of a bare-chested Kyle and underwear-clad Soranik. They...they've been DOING IT,and Soranik is still breathing! Woohoo! So they talk and smooch for a bit, but Soranik has to get back to Korugar and try to explain just what happened with Sinestro. Won't THAT be fun?

We then have a brief vision of a particular planet in Sector 3599, which is Kryb's...er...crib, and the horrifying sight of all the children she's snatched. This probably won't end well. We also stop in for a moment of Zamaron, where the Queen is also eavesdropping on Kryb's abandoned children, and Kryb's reaction. Apparently she's pleased with Kryb's conversion to love.

But where is Guy, you may ask? Why he's over at the Sciencells, dropping off a new prisoner, none other than Vice, from the Red Lanterns. It takes Guy, Kilowog, Salaak AND Voz together to get him into his specially adapted cell. Kilowog then spends some time bringing the rest of them up to speed on what happened with Sinestro's botched execution, and the existance of the Red Lanterns and the Blue Lanterns.

Guy is a bit bemused by all the new corps showing up, and naturally has some of the best dialogue. Guy ALWAYS has the best dialogue.

"...Ya gotta be kidding me...green, yellow, red, blue, violet...it's like Walt Disney threw up. What the hell's going on out there?"

Kilowog agrees with him completely.

They are all about to go upstairs, have a cold one, and discuss all the rather surprising ramifications, when Scar the evil Guardian decides that now is the perfect time to start meddling.

And boy, does she know how to meddle!

The art is firstrate as usual, the dialogue flows along, and there is a whole lot going on here, without seeming too frenetic. But it is fastpaced, and leaves you on the edge of your seat and wanting more.