IDW Publishing/DC Comics 2016
Written by Mike Johnson
Illustrated by Angel Hernandez
Coloured by Alejandro Sanchez
Lettered by Andworld Design
The Black Lantern Nekron conquered the universe. Thanks to Ganthet, the last surviving Guardian of the Universe, a small group of survivors escaped to an alternate reality. Here, the survivors of the various Lantern Corps encountered Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise. Nekron followed them, intent on conquering this reality. The combined might of the Enterprise Crew and the surviving Lanterns succeeded in destroying Nekron once and for all. But Sinestro, the last of the Yellow Lanterns, escaped to continue his own quest for power….
Well it’s going to take a lot if this is going live up to and surpass the original series. However I have faith in Mike after his last outing, not to mention his ongoing tales of the Enterprise Crew. Also with Angel back on interiors I knew that this was going to be a strong book. I have to admit the idea that the Lanterns are stuck in this universe is intriguing and it has both advantages and complications so it’s going to be fun to see where these six issues are going to go.
Well what are Green Lanterns Guy Gardner, John Stewart and Kilowog supposed to do in this strange new universe? They hook up with Starfleet on Earth and talk to cadets. The characterisation here is utterly spectacular and it’s gives us our first clue to what the Lanterns are capable of here. Without power batteries their rings are losing function. This raises more questions about how capable they can be now. It’s an interesting dilemma really though with Saint Walker still around recharging a ring in his proximity shouldn’t be much of an issue but he’s off on his search.
Angel and Alejandro do some incredible work on the interiors here. The use of page layouts through angles, perspective and use of backgrounds here really make this such a joy to read. Plus the use of colouring with the ring effects can’t be beat. The faces, facial expressions and body language here do wonders to help with characterisation that words alone can’t do. Also that they can nail the difference in the regular people of Starfleet compared to the body of these superheroes are wonderful.
I like that there are circumstances presenting themselves here that leave a lot for the characters to pursue. There’s a discovery that could change the lives of the ring bearers in this universe and a race will be underway. The similarities and differences in both Jordan and Kirk are wonderfully brought to life here. While it doesn’t have the grandeur of say the Spectrum War it does continue to explore and expand this new universe incredibly well. There’s potential here for this merger that has it’s own excitement and I can’t wait to see it explored more.