The Green Lantern Corps #210

Yes, you read that number and title correctly. I'm back to reading through my long boxes again, and THIS particular book just stands out as one of my very favorites. In fact this whole run of issues by Steve Englehart and Joe Staton were just amazing really. They may be old, but darn it if they haven't stood the test of time remarkably well. In my humble opinion anyway.

THIS is the issue where Guy Gardner has gone running off to Russia to confront Kilowog, who is now working for the "commies"! At least in Guy's fevered mind anyway. President Reagan is involved not to mention Gorbechov. Guy has absolutely NO authority for what he is doing, but when has he ever let that sort of thing get in the way of defending Mom and Apple Pie?

So, while the governments of the U.S and the U.S.S.R. watch, Kilowog and Guy are having the time of their lives, brawling in the air over the Russian steppes. There is a lot of trash talking, and an interesting use of constructs, but mostly they are just bashing each other. And...in a strange sort of way, I think that they are enjoying themselves. Until the Rocket Reds decide to interfere that is. Guy is simply OUTRAGED, and even Kilowog is surprised. Guy decides he's had enough and take them ALL out...including Kilowog with surprising ease.

The Rocket Reds try to bargain for their freedom, by offering up John and Katma...who are being held by the government, and are supposed to be killed. Kilowog didn't know anything about this, so he's VERY upset.

Meanwhile the rest of the the Corps is back in good old America, playing tennis and talking on an enormous mobile phone. I'm sure at the time, this was the very height of technological sophistication, but it does look a little silly nowadays. Anyway, they find out that Guy fooled Kari Limbo completely. IN the previous issue she had tried to psyche him out of going to Russia with a little bit of reverse psychology...which naturally didn't work at ALL on Guy.

Haw!

Back in Russia, Guy and Kilowog are tearing the place apart looking for John and katma. Kilowog is upset,but Guy is having a ball. Naturally. Then somebody gets antsy and pushes the little red button, and all the rest of the Green Lanterns are greeted by a whole LOT of missiles! It's a touchy situation, they have to contain the missiles without letting the West know what is going on, and in turn firing THEIR missiles! It's a good thing they know what they are doing.

Kilowog ends up fighting his good friend in the Rocket Reds. Josef doesn't want to fight him, but he is a patriot and a good soldier and he does as he's ordered. Unfortunately he simply won't surrender and is killed, and Kilowog is just torn up about it all.

It is rather poignant at the end. Hal and the others have destroyed the missiles and kept World War III from breaking out. Guy isn't impressed by stopping the missiles, since it isn't "man-to-man stuff!" According to Guy, there's no glory in that at all. Hal patiently explains that glory isn't what they're there for and that war really IS hell. It's a rather nice moment, since you can see the different attitudes of the Lanterns to the situation.

For Guy it all started as a lark, really, he's really just there to have a good time, and he does so with considerable zest. He's rather startled when it all goes sideways. He may be crazy, but he's actually rather...innocent really. Poor Kilowog is the one that I feel the most sorry for. He was just looking for a way to experience a bit of how he felt on his home world of Bolovax, which had been destroyed by Sinestro. Kilowog is an innocent in all of this as well. Even Hal isn't being a jerk for once.

It's really a great story, and if you don't have it, it is one that you should go out and find. If you DO have it, then find it and read it again!