Green Lantern: The Animated Series “Scarred” Preview

Green Lantern: The Animated Series – “Scarred”
Airs Saturday, March 2nd, 2013
10:00 a.m. ET/PT on Cartoon Network
Synopsis: Back on Oa, the crew of The Interceptor follow a series of clues which span across the galaxy, uncovering information about the mysterious “Science Director”, Aya’s secret origin, and how to put a stop to her destruction.

CLASSIC COMICS : Green Lantern Vol 2 #129 "The Attack Of The Star Sapphire!"

Green Lantern Vol 2 #129
June, 1980
Executive Editor: Joe Orlando
Cover Artists: Jim Starlin

"The Attack Of The Star Sapphire!"
Writers: Dennis O'Neil
Pencilers: Joe Staton
Inkers: Frank McLaughlin
Colourists: Anthony Tollin
Letterers: Todd Klein
Editors: Jack C. Harris


Appearing in "The Attack Of The Star Sapphire!"
Featured Characters: Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
Villains: Star Sapphire
General Fabrikant
Other Characters: Tom Kalmaku
Rance Rideout
Locations: Coast City
Ferris Aircraft
Coast City Police Museum
Ferris Mansion
Items: Green Lantern Ring
Green Lantern Power Battery
Star Sapphire Gem

Synopsis for "The Attack Of The Star Sapphire!"
General Fabrikant gains mental control of Carol Ferris, forces her to change into Star Sapphire, and assigns her first to kill Hal Jordan, then Green Lantern.

Review from Expertscolumn.com
In this issue of Green Lantern, released in June 1980 from DC Comics, entitled “Attack of the Star Sapphire” it was written by Denny O’Neil, penciled by Joe Staton, inked by Frank McLaughlin, colored by Anthony Tollin, lettered by Todd Klein, and Jack C. Harris was the editor.

First of all, the way female characters, especially since potential love interests were written back in the day were rather interesting and different. They acted rather hostile and quite…well like a certain word that rhymes with “witch” that starts with a “b” for lack of a better term. If they acted like a fraction of that, the comic book fans on the Internet would tear them down and call for their violent and bloodshed death.

Carol Ferris always tended to be an interesting character and obviously when you run a business, you’re going to be a bit high strung and perhaps prone to fits of insanity. But there are times where she rails on poor Hal Jordan just for simply being the Green Lantern and perhaps just existing.

Of course her villainous alter ego, the Star Sapphire, back before the Star Sapphires got expanded on, is very normal person gets twisted by a psychotic alter ego. And the villain in this issue mind controlling her to kill Hal Jordan and then the Green Lantern.

The cover was interesting with Hal Jordan and Green Lantern side by side, but even more so, when it is expanded on in the issue. And the way he defeated General Fabrikant worked well. Plus the end with Hal and Carol proved that perhaps some healing could occur with their friendship (or maybe more). Perhaps, maybe, you never know.

Overall another good Green Lantern read.

“Green Lantern: The Animated Series” Episode Details For March 2013

Green Lantern: The Animated Series
Saturday, March 2nd, 2013 at 10:00am (ET/PT) – “Scarred”
The heroes cross the galaxy in search of secret information regarding Aya’s origin, in the hopes of stopping her destruction.

Green Lantern: The Animated Series
Saturday, March 9th, 2013 at 10:00am (ET/PT) – “Ranx”
The Aya Monitor orders a massive army of Mahunters to retrieve a secret weapon on the deserted planet Ranx. The Green Lantern Corps, led by Guy Gardner, launch a simultaneous attack to beat her to it.

Green Lantern: The Animated Series
Saturday, March 16th, 2013 at 10:00am (ET/PT) – “Dark Matter”
The entire Green Lantern Corp makes a final attempt to defeat the Aya Monitor before she erases all organic life from existence.

March 16th, 2013 marks the series finale of both Young Justice: Invasion and Green Lantern: The Animated Series.

Superman Vs. Sinestro - Injustice Battle Arena - Week 4

Welcome to Week 4 of Injustice Battle Arena! This is our final week of preliminaries, and we're going out big. And it doesn't get much bigger than Superman! In the first of our match-ups, the Man of Steel looks fear in the face as he takes on Sinestro. Then in match-up numero dos, Green Arrow Week comes to the Battle Arena as the Emerald Archer sets his sights on bringing down the high-flying Hawkgirl.

Watch this video for a glimpse of this week's fighters in action, as well as some thoughts on the match-ups from fans and this week's guest celebrity expert, George Newbern. Then head on over to the Injustice Battle Arena website to vote on who you think will win: http://injustice.dccomics.com.

Will Green Arrow Week end on a disappointingly painful note for Ollie? Will it be Sinestro who's running scared by the end of his fight? Only you can decide!

Update: Winner Superman

VENDITTI & FIALKOV GO GREEN (LANTERN) FOR DC COMICS

From CBR.com

A nearly 10-year run on the series blunted fan surprise somewhat when DC Comics announced that superstar writer Geoff Johns was leaving "Green Lantern." However, collective jaw drops were evoked by the further news that all four New 52 Green Lantern titles -- "Green Lantern," "Green Lanterns Corps," "Green Lantern: New Guardians" and "Red Lanterns" -- are getting new creative teams this June, once the current "Wrath of the First Lantern" crossover comes to a close.

Robert Venditti ("X-O Manowar ") is now flying co-pilot on Hal Jordan's adventures in "Green Lantern" with Billy Tan on art while Joshua Hale Fialkov ("I, Vampire") is writing "Green Lantern Corps" with art from Bernard Chang ("DC Universe Presents: Deadman") and "Red Lanterns" with artist Alessandro Vitti ("Captain America and Hawkeye").

Also joining the Green Lantern Corps for Space Sector 2814 is Justin Jordan ("Team 7") and Brad Walker on "Green Lantern: New Guardians" and Keith Giffen and Scott Kolins on "Larfleeze," as a series spinning out of the pages of "Threshold."

CBR News spoke with Venditti and Fialkov about the enormous task ahead of them as the writers spoke openly and excitedly about the opportunity to take over the reins on three titles of one of DC Comics' most important franchises.


CBR News: Josh, after the announcement, you were tweeting photos of Green Lantern action figures. Are you a long-time fan of the character or is this a newfound love?

Joshua Hale Fialkov: I have a storage unit where I keep all of my comics -- it's filled with comics. When I first got the job, I called my two best friends and said, "Hey, I need to go to storage and pull some books for reference." We got to storage -- and I have like 60 or 70 long boxes roughly in there -- and we start looking and my buddy is like, "It's so weird. Do you even like Green Lantern that much?"

And I was like, "Yes, I do." It's a thing I've liked since I was a kid. And when we got to the "G" section of comic long boxes, we found an entire long box of old "Green Lantern" comics -- and I thought there was more! We go into the next box, and there was a lot more "Green Lantern." And then we go to a third long box and there is a ton more.

So to answer your question, yes, I love Green Lantern. "Green Lantern" was one of the comics that I read when I was 11 or 12-years old. Specifically, I loved the Ron Marz stuff and I love the GLC stuff. I love the anthology nature of the old, original "Green Lantern Corps" series, where they're literally telling different stories of the Green Lantern Corps.

CBR News: How about you, Robert?

Robert Venditti: I didn't start reading comics until later in life. I think I picked up my first comic when I was 26. That comic was actually "Astro City," Vol. 2, #4, the Confessor story arc, if you're familiar with that storyline. That story made me want to write comics. I didn't read comic books growing up, so I wasn't really that familiar with any of the characters in the DC and Marvel Universes outside of pop culture references like the "Spider-Man" TV show.

While I wasn't all that familiar with Green Lantern from the comics, I did know who he was from the pop culture stuff, but I didn't know the mythology or the history of the character. So once DC reached out to me about pitching for the series, I went and read about 200 issues of "Green Lantern." [Laughs] I've read all of Geoff Johns' run, plus a bunch of other stuff because I really wanted to know what made the character tick.

It was a similar situation to what happened at Valiant. I didn't really know too much about "X-O Manowar" either, but I went in and read up on the character and based a lot of my concepts and what I wanted to do with the character using that approach.

CBR News: Geoff has been writing "Green Lantern" for nearly a decade, telling bigger and bigger stories every year, which have often crossed over with the other Green Lantern titles. Where do you go from here?

Fialkov: [Laughs] I'm a crime writer. I've been writing crime books for a decade, in one form or another, usually with a horror bent. But at the end of the day, they are all pure crime -- "I, Vampire" aside. For me, the attraction was that I wanted to tell a crime story on a galactic level. That was my pitch to DC. Geoff and all of the other guys have done such an amazing job, prior to us, of telling those big, giant space operas. Now it's time to narrow it down. Let's do stories that almost fall into a different genre while still being in the Green Lantern universe.

Venditti: I try to do something different with every new project I take on. "Surrogates" was cyberpunk sci-fi, then I did "The Homeland Directive," which was more political thriller. I adapted the "Percy Jackson" novels, which was more of an all-ages thing. I try do something different every time, so when DC came to me and asked about pitching for "Green Lantern," I was excited because it is so unlike anything that I've done before -- the police in space aspect of the book, but also the size and the scope and the grandeur of the mythology. There are so many characters and so many Lanterns in the Corps, it's just really huge and really well fleshed out universe within the DC Universe. I've never worked on anything with that sort of scale before and I thought it would be great challenge to see if I could take something like that on and do it successfully. I guess that's what I try to do with every project; I try to push myself outside my comfort zone and maybe learn to be a better writer in the process.

CBR News: Josh mentioned he wants to focus on the crime element of his books. Can you sum up your approach to "Green Lantern?"

Venditti: One of things that really impressed me about Geoff's run was the wonder and imagination he brought to the title. I do want to try and retain that and I also want to take the book to what I think is the logical conclusion of what would come out of the end of Geoff's run. I want to look at a lot of the things he's done to the characters and think about how it would affect not only the book but the DC Universe as a whole. I guess, deal with the aftermath of what happens not only in " Wrath of the First Lantern" but all of the great "Green Lantern" stories and large events and crossovers that have come before and, I hope, stay true and faithful to that and not contradict any of it but expand on it and take it new directions.

Fialkov: One of the great things that Rob's doing is exploring a lot of the stuff that we take for granted as being part of the Green Lantern mythology. He's actually looking at it, examining it and redefining it in much the same way that Geoff did during his run. He's coming at it from this point of view of, "There are questions that have never been asked. Why haven't they ever been asked?" And that's something we all get to play with as part of the overarching story for all of the books.

Venditti: What Josh said. [Laughs] Josh will be fielding all of my questions now.

Filakov: [Laughs] I'm just complimenting you.

Venditti: [Laughs] You're doing a better job than I am.

CBR News: Josh, when we talked a few weeks back about "I, Vampire," you teased that DC was letting you do something with two titles that you've always wanted to do and that it's really ambitious. I assume it's safe to say that you were talking about "Green Lantern Corps" and "Red Lanterns."

Fialkov: Yes, this is it! I love "Red Lanterns," but I feel like the book -- up until now -- has been outside the rest of the universe. It really feels like its own little corner, and the fact is, it shouldn't be. The Red Lanterns are one of the biggest threats in the DC Universe. They are insane, incredibly powerful and they believe they are on a holy mission. Those are three incredibly dangerous things. [Laughs]

In terms of what I'm doing in "Corps" and "Red Lanterns," it's really about that. While the Green Lantern Corps has to police the universe, there is also their opposite number, who are, when it comes down to it, not necessarily wrong. Their methodology might be screwed up, but at the end of the day, what they stand for is justice -- their idea of justice, which is to intercede before the fact, as opposed to the Green Lantern Corps, which is always kind of after the fact.

Venditti: Josh has come up with a really great idea for how he's going to connect those two books. I think his first issue is really going to turn a lot of heads. What he's going to bring to the book is very clearly defined. No other writer could write these books.

CBR News: Robert, Geoff has obviously focused his run on "Green Lantern" on the re-birthed Hal Jordan. Will Hal continue to be the star of your run, because since the launch of the New 52, both Sinestro and now Baz, the new Green Lantern, have shared the spotlight?

Venditti: Hal Jordan is going to be the driver of "Green Lantern." That's borne out of, more than anything else, [the fact that] he's the natural leader coming out of some of the things that are going to close out Geoff's run. That's the idea.

CBR News: What about you, Josh? During Peter Tomasi's run, "Green Lantern Corps" has featured Guy Gardner, John Stewart and Kilowog. Will we see more of the same or a whole new direction?

Fialkov: We're keeping most of the same characters -- and then we're all introducing a ton of new characters. We really want to help expand the universe to really help tell the story. And you know, Geoff and company have really killed a lot of Green Lanterns. [Laughs] That makes one of our missions to start repopulating.

This is a group of people who have come to trust each other and rely on each other, and who's left standing at the end is very much our core unit. So, what does that mean? In terms of, now we need to rebuild, now we need to learn to trust again when everything they've ever trusted has just crashed.

I know that's something that Justin is exploring in "New Guardans," too. Robert and I are both really excited about. We talk about it a lot.

Venditti: There is definitely going to be a bunch of new characters, new villains –- a lot of things that we're introducing, plus new concepts. Working with Josh and Justin and sitting down and talking to them about what they're doing is great. I've been a fan of their work for a long time. Not just to tell them what I'm thinking, but also to listen to what they're saying and let it improve what I'm thinking.

We've got a lot of things that we want to do. Definitely the things Josh was mentioning, and a lot of other things.

CBR News: It sounds like you guys are talking lots and are really on the same page. Are these titles going to remain tight in terms of storytelling, or will they follow your own paths?

Venditti: It's a little bit of both. We're all going to have our own stories that we're telling with our own lead characters and the conflicts that they're coming up against are going to be unique to each of them, but in conjunction with that, there will be events that take place, by necessity, that affect everybody as a whole.

Fialkov: That's why it's been great. As we've been talking about what the events are going to be and what these big things are, because we all know each other and know what each other are doing, there is a nice kind of dovetailing that's happening. It's not like something happens in "Green Lantern" and therefore "Green Lantern Corps" has to react to it. If something happens in the universe, it affects all of the books. There is a very nice feeling of brotherhood between all three of us. It's a big opportunity for all of us, and it's something that all three of us are excited about and passionate about, so we're doing everything we can to make the most cohesive unit of books possible. Of course, we want people to buy all four books, but we want to make them so awesome and meaningful to each other that you want to read all four of them. Or all five of them, with "Larfleeze."

Venditti: If we are doing our job right, it would be to write books that would stand on their own and each be individual stories that everybody can enjoy. But also if you read the Green Lantern books as a whole, you're going to augment that and have the fun of connecting a lot of the dots.

CBR News: Josh, you've been writing "I, Vampire" for the past year and a half, a series which features a leading man that is now, ostensibly, the book's villain. You'll be doing that again with "Red Lanterns." Is that difficult to do?

Fialkov: Have you read "I, Vampire?" That's what I do. Bad guys are not bad. Every bad guy thinks he is doing the right thing. Lex Luthor is not like, "I am a crazy dude who is trying to destroy the world." He thinks: "I am trying to stop this alien threat that nobody else cares about. Everyone else thinks he's great. What they don't realize is that he is a walking atomic bomb." For me, villains have to be the heroes of their own story. In their mind, they're always the hero. I've been really lucky because I've been able to do a lot of that over the past three or four years. Exploring what it means to be twisted in that way, to see a problem that nobody else sees and be obsessed with correcting it is such engaging material.

And it's a blast. Writing "Red Lanterns" is so much fun. At the end of the day, they're not wrong. Horrible things happen every day and the Green Lanterns only hear about it afterwards. The Red Lanterns can sense it. They can actually step in and stop it. That's a great power to have. Does that make them villains if they do it and over react?

Venditti: Writing sympathetic villains is key to any kind of story that you're going to write. Josh is great at that and Justin is great at that, as well. Sympathetic doesn't mean you have to cheer for them but it allows you to understand their point and where they're coming from -- otherwise the whole story breaks down.

CBR News: Having said that, let's leave you with a tough one, Rob: Is Sinestro going to become a sympathetic villain during your run on "Green Lantern?"

Venditti: Umm. I know the answer to that -- but I can't talk about it! [Laughs]

Red Lanterns #17 Preview

GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES -- "LARFLEEZE" Review

From CosmicBookNews.com

Larfleeze, the most selfish and egotistical Orange Lantern-- in fact, the only Orange Lantern-- makes a spectacular computer animated debut in this self-titled episode of Green Lantern: The Animated Series.

Hal & Co.are, of course, still reeling from their loss, in a manner of speaking, of both a crew member and their spaceship's A.I.: both in the form of Aya.

A frustratingly hateful Guardian helps out with the latter, and the Interceptor heads into the outer cosmos to either rescue or stop the former.

What follows is a hysterical search for Larfleeze's battery and a lesson for Orange Lantern Hal as he is taught the lesson of avarice.

Larfleeze, like his fellow Lanterns, is characterized perfectly in this piece, almost seeming, as he does in the comic, part fearful, part pathetic. And no, you are not the only one who has compared Larfleeze to Golem of The Rings Trilogy.

It is indeed sad this cosmic gem is coming to an end. Often there have been weeks when the animated offering was more pleasing than the week's comic book offering. Sad.

Larfleeze is off to a title all his own in June's New 52. But don't miss his first appearance here, if you get the chance.

2014 DVD package anyone?

CHARACTER CLOSE-UP : Effigy

Effigy is a DC Comics supervillain who fought against Green Lantern Kyle Rayner using the flame powers gained from the Controllers.

Fictional character biography
Origins
Raised in Seattle, Washington, by his alcoholic father after his mother had died, Martyn Van Wyck was a bitter and resentful man. Constantly in conflict with authority figures, he aspired to a career as a musician, but could not obtain even menial work in the music industry.
Outside Seattle, Van Wyck was abducted by aliens: Controllers, an alien race that had originated on Maltus and had split from the Guardians of the Universe some three billion years ago. Van Wyck only retained vague memories of being in a room with figures standing over him. Six days later, Van Wyck was found in the middle of the road, naked and confused. He was taken to the nearest emergency room, where the doctors found nothing wrong with him except that his eyes had changed from blue to a flame-like flickering orange.
Meeting with his friends, Van Wyck told them all he knew about his condition. When the owner of the coffee shop they were sitting in asked them to leave, Van Wyck responded with a beast made out of flame. He realized he could do anything he wanted with his newfound powers. Outside the coffee shop, an argument with a driver was quickly won by Van Wyck when he torched the man's car. In his anger, Van Wyck had transformed. His skin had turned white, while his hair turned to flame and he was dressed in a red costume. He also found that he was able to fly. It was later revealed the Controllers were attempting to create superhuman beings to replace their Darkstars.
Talking with his girlfriend, Trace, Van Wyck explained how he was sick of being "pushed around" by others and things would change now that he had powers. Trace described the images he made in the flames as burning effigies, an image or copy. Van Wyck liked the word, and took the name Effigy. He decided to leave Seattle and Trace behind. As far as he was concerned, his life as Martyn Van Wyck was over; he was now only Effigy.
Van Wyck traveled to Hollywood, California, where he promptly set out to get attention by causing destruction, just because he could. Burning the famous "Hollywood" sign caught the attention of the media, which in turn caught the attention of Green Lantern Kyle Rayner. Effigy relished the chance to take on a member of the Justice League and quickly attacked.
Effigy and Green Lantern battled across Hollywood and down to the coastline. Finally, it appeared Green Lantern had overcome the new villain. Suddenly, a bright light appeared above the two combatants. It was the Controllers and they had returned to reclaim Effigy. They had released him thinking their experiments were a failure. Green Lantern attempted to stop them from taking Van Wyck but they were too powerful for the ring wielder. Effigy was taken aboard the ship, which left Earth. Inside, the Controllers continued their experimentation, simply because they could.

Pawn of the Controllers
Rayner next encountered Effigy on his way to confront the Controllers about their psychic tampering with his mind. Before Rayner could enter their ship, The Controllers dispatched Effigy, whom they had apparently made into their obedient servant but in doing so had removed much of his individuality, rendering him a nearly mindless drone. Effigy, sans imagination and willpower, was no match for a Green Lantern, and Rayner easily defeated him. Rayner left Effigy drifting in space while he dealt with the Controllers, reasoning that Effigy's powers would protect him.

Return to Earth
Effigy somehow made his way back to Earth, where he had a brief affair/adventure with the second Killer Frost. During this time, they attracted Green Lantern Kyle Rayner, whom the new couple quickly immobilized. Afterwards, Killer Frost began to lecture Effigy on his poor performance, and insisted that during battle he defer to her expertise and experience when dealing with superheroes. Effigy took offense to this and began to have second thoughts about their relationship.
Rayner eventually caught up with Effigy and Killer Frost. This time, however, he buried Killer Frost under a mountain of ice she had created, thus interrupting her heat absorbing powers. Effigy was about to dig her out when suddenly he decided to save himself and ditch Killer Frost. He ignited a passing car to distract the Green Lantern and flew away thinking "the only thing worse than a know-it-all superhero is a know-it-all supervillain."

Breakdown
Prior to Kyle Rayner's transformation to Ion, Effigy was discovered by Jade, having apparently suffered a psychotic breakdown. His schizophrenia had manifested through his powers, with the creation of three independent pyrokinetic characters calling themselves Torch, Blaze and Ember. Jade and Rayner defeated the three aspects and Effigy agreed to return to prison.
Afterward, he was not seen until appearing among the ranks of the Society, working with other fiery villains such as Heat Wave.

One Year Later
One Year Later Effigy was once again set against Kyle Rayner (going again by the name of Ion) by a mysterious enemy, bent on the Guardians' destruction, after the failure of Alex Nero. Defeated, was unable to remember the name of his contractor, his orders have been given in a subliminal way and later expunged from his mind.
On the cover of Justice League of America #13 (Vol.2), it shows Effigy as a member of the new Injustice League.
Effigy is also one of the exiled villains featured in Salvation Run.
In Final Crisis #1 he can be seen as the member of Libra's Secret Society of Super Villains, where he aided in the death of the Martian Manhunter. In Final Crisis: Revelations #1, Effigy is killed by the Spectre, who melts him into lamp oil, yet still keeping him consciously alive, and places him in a lantern resembling a Green Lantern ring's power battery where he then burns him to death.

Powers and abilities
Effigy could create flame-based constructs including battle-armor, weaponry, fiery creatures, and anything else he could imagine. His powers allowed him to fly, fire flame blasts, and could apparently protect him from the vacuum of space.
His powers had several advantages and disadvantages compared to the rings wielded by members of the Green Lantern Corps. He did not need to recharge his powers and he could affect any substance (although he himself was vulnerable to water). However, he could not translate other languages, search for energy signatures, manipulate sub-atomic particles, or have access to a database from which to draw information. Also, he did not possess the raw willpower and focus that Green Lanterns do and could be easily distracted.

SATURDAY SHOWCASE : Cool Green Lantern Art

VENDITTI To Balance New With Existing GREEN LANTERN Concepts

From Newsarama.com

It's like a high wire balancing act, trying to create a smooth transition from Geoff Johns' long run on Green Lantern while also taking the comic in a new, exciting direction.

But Robert Venditti's standing ready to walk the wire, maybe even pulling out a few surprises to thrill audiences along the way.

In June, all the Green Lantern titles will get new creative teams, and Venditti will handle the flagship title with artist Billy Tan doing interiors.

According to Venditti, they're already working on designs for new characters and concepts — including new villains — for a story that will affect not only the current New 52 universe, but the greater cosmic universe as well.

Venditti was previously best known for his work with Top Shelf, including his comic-turned-film The Surrogates. And since last year, he's been helping Valiant revive its characters by writing the X-O Manowar comic.

But the writer has obviously also impressed DC editors since he took over the Demon Knights title a couple months ago, because that part-time gig has turned into a permanent job for Venditti, with DC subsequently handing him the keys to its top-selling Green Lantern book.

Newsarama talked to Venditti to find out more about what he's hoping to bring to Green Lantern, what it's like working with Billy Tan, and which Corps member he's going to focus upon in the title.

Newsarama: Robert, the last time we talked, you were stepping away from Constantine, a book you were originally supposed to launch, because you said you were too busy with other project. Is the job on Green Lantern why you had to step away from Constantine?

Robert Venditti: Yeah, what happened was that I had been asked to do a limited run on Demon Knights, and then I was going to move off and do Constantine while I was doing X-O Manowar. But when DC started reading the scripts from Demon Knights, they decided they wanted to try to keep me on the book longer.

So because I was already doing that, and I was already working with all the other people involved with that project -- and I had pitched Green Lantern during that time period as well -- it became a situation where it was an opportunity for me to do all those books.

But I didn't feel comfortable doing four books a month. I mean, it's possible I could have made it work, but I didn't want to find out by not being able to do it. You know?

So we all sat down and decided that Constantine would be the best choice for me to move off, especially since Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes were already in a pretty good position to come onto that book. Those guys are obviously very talented in their own right. So yeah, Constantine made the most sense for me to back away from.

Nrama: Well let's talk about Green Lantern. Having pitched it, I'm sure you have a description of your overall vision for the type of stories you want to tell. Is it a departure from what Geoff's been doing on the title, or are you utilizing what he's done to move it forward?

Venditti: I very much want to use a lot of the continuity and the great mythology that Geoff Johns put together during his run. But I want to take that to what I see as being the next logical conclusion of it, looking at the various corps and the high concepts he brought to the series. I'm just taking that and looking at what impact that would have, not just to the universe, meaning the New 52 universe, but the wider universe at large.

Nrama: Right now, Simon Baz is starring in Green Lantern, and before that, Sinestro was the lead character, sharing the spotlight with Hal Jordan. Who's the star of the book as you take over?

Venditti: Hal's going to be the focus of the book.

Nrama: At the risk of perhaps spoiling the "First Lantern" event and the possible outcome for the other characters, why is Hal the focus?

Venditti: Knowing what the events are that lead up to the end of Geoff's run, and then when Billy and I step on, it makes the most sense that Hal would be the character that would be in a position to transition out of some of these things, to open up the new chapter for the story.

It will be Hal's book, and it will be looking at the aspects of Hal's character that make him unique from every other character in comics. We'll highlight that uniqueness, how he deals with them in a good way, or how he deals with them in a bad way.

Nrama: OK, since you're focusing on Hal in this book, can you describe how you see that character? You said he's got qualities that make him "unique." Can you say what some of those things are, as you're writing him?

Venditti: The thing that I like about him, that I find really compelling, is that he's a character that does not want to be a leader. He wants to be the kind of guy that cuts his own path. He's a fighter pilot who flies alone in the cockpit. So he's very much the kind of guy who wants to do his own thing.

But people are just naturally drawn to him as a leader anyway. And so, I think that's a nice dichotomy to have in his character. At some point, if people are following you, you're going to have to lead them whether you want to or not, just out of responsibility to the people around you.

So I think that's a nice thing to play off with the character, and it's something I want to hone in on as we start our run.

And as you said, we're also coming out of some of these large events, and things are going to unfold in this "Wrath of the First Lantern" storyline.

Nrama: Will the beginning of your run focus in on him more personally, as opposed to being a big, epic storyline?

Venditti: Ideally, I will do both. What I'm trying to do is a large, overarching story that's going to have very profound effects, not just for the New 52, but the wider cosmic universe as well, and use that as a way to focus in on a character who's at the center of this entire thing.

Ideally, it's not an either/or. I think you can focus in very strongly on this character while also having this very large, sort of sweeping, epic story. And that's definitely what we're trying to go for.

Nrama: For the last several months and into the next few issues, all the Green Lantern titles are tied very closely together. Will that continue going forward, or are the creators on the Lantern titles going to do their own thing for awhile?

Venditti: They're each going to have their own individual stories. Josh has come up with some great ideas for what he's going to do on Green Lantern Corps and Red Lanterns. And Justin has some really cool ideas for what he's going to do on New Guardians. And so all the books are going to stay on their own in the sense that I think you would get a complete reading experience if you just picked up one of them in any given month.

But there are also going to be ties that bind them together, because there are going to be these commonalities between them, in terms of the Corps and the characters involved.

I think if we execute the way we want to, it will be the type of situation where the books stand on their own and are complete, but also, if you read them all together, you get this enhanced reading experience of all these things that are going on and working together, if that makes sense.

Nrama: Are you guys designing some new characters and concepts for the Green Lantern title? Have you been working with Billy on that?

Venditti: Yeah, we're introducing some new characters and villains over the next several months after we're starting on the title. We're pretty early in the process, but we have seen a pretty good amount of pages from Billy, as well as some character designs and concepts and things. He's really been surprising me. You'd think I'd be able to expect what he's sending in, since I wrote this stuff. But he has this great capacity to take the script that I wrote and then turn around and send me pages, and when I read them, I'm surprised. I mean, that's the best compliment, because it's a pretty difficult thing for an artist to do to a writer. It's almost like when I see his pages, I'm seeing the story for the first time as well. So it's really exciting to work with him. He's a super nice guy and obviously very talented. I'm really excited to see what he's going to bring to the book, and we're very excited to get the stuff out there so everybody can see it.

Nrama: Then to finish up, is there anything else you want to tell readers about what you're hoping to do with Green Lantern?

Venditti: I just want to say that I understand the scale and the scope of this undertaking. But I'm excited about it, and I don't take it lightly. I know it's a huge responsibility, not just in terms of what the character means to comics, but also to all the fans. I recognize all the great stuff that Geoff was able to bring to the comic and what he was able to do. But it's my intent to capture that imagination and give readers the sort of things they're used to seeing in the book, but also surprise them and catch them off guard, and maybe make it even more fun for them.

Mark Strong On Sinestro And What Went Wrong With 'Green Lantern'

From MTV

With "Man of Steel" soaring into theaters this year and a "Justice League" movie in the works, it seems like the DC Cinematic Universe is finally ready to compete with Marvel Studios. But it's equally likely that DC's previously-established properties won't be connected to the "Justice League" film in any way; speaking, of course, about Christopher Nolan's "Dark Knight" trilogy and the box office flop that was "Green Lantern."

"I really like 'Green Lantern,'" says Mark Strong (who played Sinestro) in a recent interview with MTV Splash Page. "I don’t have a problem with it at all. But it just didn’t seem to do anything at the box office or it didn’t do what they were hoping it would do at the box office. I think that more than anything, economics, dictates whether or not they make another one."

"I think it’s a real shame," Strong continues. "I loved making 'Green Lantern' and I loved playing Sinestro and I was really excited about the direction that he was going to take in the second one."

For those of you who don't remember or have never seen the film, during the end credits of "Green Lantern," Sinestro happens upon a yellow power ring which quite obviously sets up the beginnings of a Sinestro Corps story-arc for the sequel.

"A lot of people seemed to be confused by him putting on the ring at the end of the movie," ponders Strong on the reasons for "Green Lantern's" failure to perform at the box office. "They felt that it came out of nowhere. All it was, during the credits, there was a sequence which was a nod to where the trilogy was intending to head to. It wasn’t ever meant to be part of the story of the first film."

In the comic books, Sinestro (who was once one of the greatest members of the Green Lantern Corps and Hal Jordan's mentor) eventually dons a yellow power ring forged by the Weaponers of Qward after being banished to an antimatter universe by the Green Lantern Guardians. Sinestro is now the most prominent enemy of the entire Green Lantern Corps and has since created his very own Sinestro Corps comprised of the most feared beings in the entire universe.

"I would be surprised if they made a second one because I’ve heard nothing about it in quite a while now," Strong explains. "What that standalone moment was intended to relate to was where the movies were headed and that, for me, would have been very exciting because the putting on of the ring and the whole suit turning yellow would have been great fun."

Scott Clark Passes At 43

It was confirmed last night that DC and Wildstorm artist Scott Clark had passed away.

Notable for runs on Stormwatch and Brightest Day, he was recently working on Batman Inc, Grifter, and an upcoming Martian Manhunter strip with Matthew Kindt for the new Justice League Of America, the first to appear in next month’s issue.

The industry has been quick to share their thoughts and memories.


Cully Hamner 
Just heard the news about Wildstorm alum Scott Clark. So, so sad. Heartfelt condolences to all his people...

Joshua Hale Fialkov
Heartbroken over Scott Clark passing. Super sweet guy and a massive talent.

Colleen Doran
Oh, man, the sad news: cartoonist Scott Clark has passed away. Very young! This is terrible.


Sterling Gates
Just read that the wonderful comic artist Scott Clark has passed away. Very shocking and sad news, my condolences to his family and friends.


Yildiray Cinar 
So sad to see Scott Clark news...


Frank Tieri
Wow, Scott Clark died? Didnt really know him well but remember him being sick while we were on Grifter. No idea he was THAT sick. Shame. RIP

Peter V Nguyen 

I too am too am sadden by scott Clark's passing, all the interactions we had were very pleasant and he seemed like a great guy , rip Scott

                                                                                                    

Norm Rapmund 

RIP Scott Clark. Very sad day in comics. You will be missed.

JamesDRobinson

Oh no. I just learned Scott Clark died. Saw him in Vegas not that long ago when I was there for a signing. Super nice guy. Really sad.

CLASSIC COMICS : Green Lantern Vol 2 #87 "Beware My Power!"

"Man, that's pretty corny... except for the part that says, "Beware my power!" Mmm-hmm... I do dig those words!" - John Stewart, on the Green Lantern Oath.

Green Lantern Vol 2 #87

December, 1971

Executive Editor: Carmine Infantino

Cover Artists: Neal Adams

"Beware My Power!"

Writers: Dennis O'Neil

Pencilers: Neal Adams

Inkers: Dick Giordano

Editors: Julius Schwartz

"What Can One Man Do?"

Writers: Elliot S. Maggin

Pencilers: Neal Adams

Inkers: Dick Giordano

"Earth's First Green Lantern"

Writers: John Broome

Pencilers: Gil Kane

Inkers: Murphy Anderson

Appearing in "Beware My Power!"

Featured Characters: Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) 

Supporting Characters: Green Lantern (John Stewart)  (First appearance)

Villains: Jeremiah Clutcher (Single appearance)

Other Characters: Guy Gardner 

Suzy Delancy

Guardians of the Universe

Locations: California

Items: Green Lantern Ring

Green Lantern Power Battery

Guy Gardner hit by a bus.

Synopsis for "Beware My Power!"

Guy Gardner is injured in an accident, and the Guardians have Green Lantern choose another emergency substitute for himself--who happens to be black.

Appearing in "What Can One Man Do?"

Featured Characters: Green Arrow 

Supporting Characters: Black Canary

Villains: Rioting

Other Characters: Bruce Wayne

Hal Jordan

Clark Kent 

Kevin McManus

John Mayor

Locations: Star City

Items: Trick Arrows

Synopsis for "What Can One Man Do?"

Mayor Jack Major wishes to step down as head of Star City’s government. Mayoral aide Kevin McManus phones up Oliver Queen and asks him to run for the office. Queen phones some of his Justice League friends to talk over the offer, and gets mixed advice. But, shortly after, Green Arrow is embroiled in a race riot in which a young boy is shot, and, despite GA’s and a team of doctors’ best efforts, he dies. Moved to tears by the incident, Green Arrow goes to see Dinah Lance, and tells her he has decided to run for mayor.

Appearing in "Earth's First Green Lantern"

Featured Characters: Green Lantern (Abin Sur)

Supporting Characters: Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)

Other Characters: Pieface

Locations:Items: Green Lantern Ring

Green Lantern Power Battery

Synopsis for "Earth's First Green Lantern"

This story is reprinted from Green Lantern (Volume 2) #16. 

Notes

First appearance of John Stewart. He appears next in Justice League of America #110.

Guy Gardner appeared last in Green Lantern (Volume 2) #59, this is his second appearance. He appears next in Green Lantern (Volume 2) #116.

Interview: Keith Giffen And Scott Kolins On 'Larfleeze'

From MTV Geek

Larfleeze is one of the most cult-favorite characters of the Green Lantern universe. Now the powerhouse team of Keith Giffen and Scott Kolins are going to bring you the continuing adventures of the Orange Lantern. MTV Geek chatted with the duo about their new book:

Keith Giffen Interview:

GEEK: You've written a number of Green Lantern titles. What's it like working on "Larfleeze"?

KEITH GIFFEN: Like a breath of fresh air. Larfleeze is, at his most basic, a kinda, sorta absurd character. Being able to play up that absurdity while everyone else trawling the DCU else gets so serious and precious about their books / characters... it's liberating.

GEEK: There is a certain comedic aspect to Larfleeze, and you have been known for writing several well-known books with a comedic tone. What can we expect from Larfleeze?

KG: Good, solid stories and a whole plethora of new characters, concepts and environs. Just because a book has a sense of humor, doesn't mean it can't traffic in cosmic spectacle. As for injecting humor into most of my work... they are called COMIC books, you know.

GEEK: Will any of the lother major Lanterns make appearances in this book?

KG: No! No, no, no, no! I'm only taking Larfleeze and his, beset upon, butler Stargrave with me. The rest will all be new. I'm sick of living in the comicbook echo chamber.

GEEK: What is it like working with Scott Kolins on this project?

KG: Scott's a maniac and that's just what I need. Actually, Scott's kind of a rarity in the comics biz these days. On time, knows how to tell a story, outstanding concept design, draws like nobody's business... What's not to love?

GEEK: Can you tease any surprising developments to come in this comic?

KG: Depends. How much is it worth to you? How about six new, cosmic villains in the first twelve months? Stories that actually... gasp... end!? Great art courtesy of a creator at his peak (Sorry, Scott, it's all downhill from here) and stories chock full of sense of wonder from the second crankiest man in comics (Hi, Greg!). Hell... I might even buy it!

Scott Kolins Interview:

GEEK: You've just come off of illustrating the New Guardians annual. What is it like jumping into the world of Green Lantern again?

SCOTT KOLINS: Actually this is very different from GL – it’s Larfleeze, the Orange Lantern – and there’s no one like him. He’s a greedy bastard who could be a villain if he cared to, but fate usually steps in. It’s like giving ultimate power to the Grinch. He’s an outstanding character and we’re gonna make the best DC book in 2013.

GEEK: You're also collaborating again with Keith Giffen. Describe the working process between the two of you.

SK: We both grumble a lot and at the end there are these pages that make us proud. We’re both pros who know what to do – but this does feel like the right time and the right place for something special.

GEEK: Is Larfleeze fun to draw?

SK: Very. He’s a great design with great personality. He’s an alien – but very relatable. I know he’s very popular; I’m just surprised DC waited this long to give him his own book.

GEEK: What else is on the comics horizon for you?

SK: I’ve finished a drawing bunch of Legion of Super-heroes and I’m writing and drawing a 2-part Batman story in Legends of the Dark Knight, plus a few other things you’ll hear about soon.

Interview: Joshua Hale Fialkov And Bernard Chang On 'Green Lantern Corps'

From MTV Geek

Soon, Joshua Hale Fialkov and Bernard Chang will embark on a whole new era for "Green Lantern Corps." The two chat with MTV Geek about what we can expect from their run on the title:

Joshua Hale Fialkov Interview:

GEEK: What is it like to jump from vampires to aliens?

JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV: I don't really think about my characters that way, to be honest. I want to tell compelling stories that get to the core of who a character is, and, more importantly, how that relates to my own emotional experience. In other words, I'm a selfish jerk. I think a lot of the issues that surround these characters are pretty similar though. With great power, and all of that, so you get to really explore the consequences and long term effects of that.

Also, far less cannibalism.

GEEK: Were you a Green Lantern fan growing up?

FIALKOV: When I was first hired, I went to my storage unit with a couple of friends, to pull out my old GL comics. We searched through the stacks, and then foudn a box. I stared at it and said, "That's not all of them." So we found another box. And another box. So, yeah, it turns out, I was crazy for GL when I was a kid. I always especially loved Corps, so, getting a chance to write it is making eight year old me pretty excited.

GEEK: What Corps members can we expect to see featured in this title?

FIALKOV: I'm partial to a lot of the classic Corps members, but, in the spirit of the amazing, progressive, and universe altering stories told by our predecessors, I'm planning on creating as many new Lanterns as I possibly can. So, you'll get a great mix of old and new.

GEEK: Can you tease any interesting developments fans can look forward to in the issues to come?

FIALKOV: Y'know, I've been trying desperately to hold in my excitement for what this book is about for so long, it's hard not to let things slip out. For me, the thing that really excited me, was that I come from a hard crime background. If you go back and look at my creator owned series, there's always a true crime style backbone to the stories, and, I'm getting the opportunity with GLC to do that very same thing.

GEEK: What's your experience been like working with Bernard Chang?

FIALKOV: Bernard is a genius. And not just in the way that we all say everyone we work with is a genius. He has ideas about storytelling that are lightyears ahead of what the rest of us dumb mooks can ever dream of. He wants to reinvent what is possible in the comics medium, and I couldn't be happier to be along for the ride.

Bernard Chang Interview:

GEEK: You've worked on a Green Lantern book before, "Emerald Warriors". What is it like coming back to this world?

BERNARD CHANG: the green lantern universe has a long history of amazing artists and writers, so to be handed the torch, or "ring", is not only an honor, but a tremendous challenge. it will be somewhat different than drawing "Demon Knights" this past year, as I switch gears from horses and swords to spaceships and alien weapons, but I'm definitely excited and ready to step up to the plate.

GEEK: Who is your favorite GL member to draw?

CHANG: There is a huge list of Corps members, but Guy Gardner has always been a favorite character of mine. When I was first showing my portfolio around at conventions looking to break in as a comic book artist, my samples included a story with guy in them. So it will definitely have a personal connection. In addition, Joshua has promised a smorgasbord of new characters, so the intent is that we will also get to put our own stamp in Green Lantern lore.

GEEK: Can you explain the process of collaborating with Joshua?

CHANG: I can coax anything from Joshua with pie... haha. I'm just kidding around. I've been looking for the opportunity to work with Joshua for a while. DC Comics has some of the most passionate and creative writers in the industry, and Joshua is certainly one of the shining stars. we both share an enthusiasm to be innovative with our storytelling, to challenge the readers, and set high expectations for ourselves. It's also a plus that we both live in Los Angeles, so we get to meet in person to discuss each story and direction, we throw ideas back and forth, and then I bring in the pie to seal the deal.

GEEK: What sort of influences are you bringing to this book? From where do you derive your inspiration?

CHANG: There are a few different levels of inspiration and expectations entering a new project. my first thoughts focus on emotional connections. The power of the rings are all derived from emotions, so I'm looking to infuse the same drive in the storytelling. Tempo, pacing. anyone can tell a fast story. I want to tell stories that will make you feel, think, and inspire. Another challenge is design. The storyline takes us to alien worlds and each new setting would require its own unique visual development, their costumes and technologies would need to reflect their own cultures. The Pratt Institute architecture graduate in me forces me to think "out-of-the-box" and look for new solutions and possibilities. And then, it's all about going out there and executing the gameplan.

Interview: Robert Venditti And Billy Tan On 'Green Lantern'

From MTV Geek

As we reported earlier today, "Green Lantern" has a brand-new creative team: Robert Venditti and Billy Tan. MTV Geek chatted with the two about filling in the mighty big shoes of previous GL team Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke -- and what fans can look forward to in the future!

Robert Venditti Interview:

GEEK: Have you always been a big Green Lantern fan?

ROBERT VENDITTI: I came to comics later in life—I didn’t start reading them until 2000—so I didn’t really grow up a fan of any characters or universes. I used to worry that would be a detriment to me, but I’ve come to discover that it allows me to bring a different perspective to a character.

Of course, after DC reached out to me about pitching for Green Lantern, I went back and read all of Geoff’s run—and I can’t count how many other issues of comics—and I was struck by the wonder and imagination he brought to the series. The tremendous depth of his characters and the scope of his stories. Larfleeze writing a Christmas list for Santa has to be one of the best comic book moments—Green Lantern or otherwise—I’ve ever read. So I’m definitely a fan now.

GEEK: How much of the previous Geoff Johns continuity will you be carrying through in the new book?

VENDITTI: Geoff introduced so many great high concepts, and we’ll definitely be building on that continuity. We’ll also be taking things in our own direction, though, examining those concepts and exploring what they mean for the universe as a whole. Talking with the editors and the rest of the Green Lantern team, we’ve laid out a stretch of story arcs I really can’t wait to get on the shelves.

GEEK: What is your unique "take" on Green Lantern?

VENDITTI: Green Lantern will continue to be Hal Jordan’s book, but he’s going to be facing challenges he hasn’t really faced before. Hal is a character unlike any other in all of comics, so it’s really just about tapping into the aspects that make him unique, then putting him up against conflicts that will highlight them—either through his success or his failure. There are a ton of status quo changes coming down the line, and new characters, too.

GEEK: What is it like working with Billy Tan?

VENDITTI: Billy is a brilliant artist. There’s no other way to say it. When I saw the first promo piece he worked up, I couldn’t help but smile. The singular vision he brings to his pages and character designs is a tremendous asset to the book. He’s the kind of artist whose stories surprise you even when you’re the one who wrote them.

GEEK: Can you tease any intriguing bits we can look forward to in your run?

VENDITTI: The opening scene of our first issue will set the stage for a new threat on the horizon, and everything will build toward that. We’ll be establishing several plotlines—some of them immediately apparent, others not—and they’re all set to converge in the near future. If we execute the story the way we hope to, it’ll tie together every Lantern of every Corps who has ever appeared in any comic book. Ever. We’re going all in.


Billy Tan Interview:

GEEK: "Green Lantern" is a pretty high-profile book. What are your feelings about getting the gig?

BILLY TAN: When Jim Lee emailed me and said he has a project for me if I'm interested, I really didn't know what to expect. I was thinking since he contacted me personally, it should be a good project but I didn't expect my first DC work would be one of the flagship tittle. More than anything else, I was very excited to be chosen as the penciler for the book. The only problem is that I have not read any GL book before. So I instantly went online to learn about Green Lantern and watched the movie the same night. Needless to say, this is a huge shoe to fill. I'll need to step it up and do the best work I could.

GEEK: Do you enjoy drawing "cosmic" comic book stories: alien worlds and space scenes?

TAN: Yes I do enjoy drawing alien worlds and space scenes. This subject is easier to draw than the scenes taking place on earth due to its fantasy nature. This means you could draw a strange looking building and it still would be all right. I think things become less static and you can pretty much make up anything here. The sky or should I say the Universe is the limit here.

GEEK: Who is your favorite Green Lantern to draw?

TAN: This may be a bit too early to tell as there will be hundreds of characters for me to explore. Perhaps I'll decide this in couple of years.

GEEK: Can you speak to the collaborative process with Robert Venditti?

TAN: Right now, the first script is done and handed to me ready for the visual process. I designed a couple of new GL characters and were approved rather quickly but we are still working on the design for the main villain. Everything is looking good and smooth sailing. Oh did I mention the first script is pretty bad ass?

Interview: Joshua Hale Fialkov And Allessandro Vitti On 'Red Lanterns'

From MTV Geek

Joshua Hale Fialkov is doing double-duty in the Green Lantern universe, with his newly-announced runs on "Green Lantern Corps" and "Red Lanterns." Joining him is hot up-and-coming artist Alessandro Vitti. Hear from both about what we can expect from everybody's favorite rage-filled Lanterns!

Joshua Hale Fialkov Interview:

GEEK: What is the essence of the Red Lanterns, in your opinion? Are they fun to write?

JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV: Y'know, for me, what I love about them is that they aren't wrong. Their methodology might be repugnant, but, they get results in a way that the GLC can't. They're, for lack of a better word, proactive. They're getting out there and actually saving people AND meting out justice in their own way. That's a lot of what's going on in our version of the book. And, yeah, they're so much fun to write, because they're amorality comes in the form of one of the most dangerous weapons on earth. What could be better?

GEEK: You're also the new writer of Green Lantern Corps. Is it hard to switch gears between the two books?

FIALKOV: I look at both books as flip sides of the same coin. I mentioned proactivity before, the other word I like to use (much to DC chagrin, I'm sure) is Prophylactic. The RL's prevent atrocities, while the GLC serves as an analgesic, treating the after effects. And, there's a lot to be said for both sides of the argument, right? The RL's are reactive... hell, they're OVER-reactive, in a way that the GLC is UNDER-reactive, but the concept of justice is much more in the GLC's court.

GEEK: Will we see crossovers and/or a more integrated continuity between RL and GLC?

FIALKOV: You will. My original pitch was to tell one story from two sides. My focus in both books is going to be on how these two groups co-exist, and how each one creates problems for the others. And, coming right out of the gate, we're doing a story that weaves it's way tightly through both books.

GEEK: Who is your favorite RL?

FIALKOV: I mean, obviously, it's Dex-Starr, right? Well, of the pre-existing ones. We've got a brand new Red Lantern coming aboard that's going to upset a LOT of people. Can't wait to dig into it.

GEEK: Are there any surprises in store for Red Lanterns that you can tease for fans?

FIALKOV: Well, our protaganist is NOT Atrocitus, and I'm going to be getting rid of a lot of the, shall we say, disadvantages that the RL's have when you compare them to the GLC. It's going to be a whole new book, and I can not WAIT to see what people think.

Allessandro Vitti Interview:

GEEK: Have you ever been a fan of the Green Lantern books?

ALLESSANDRO VITTI: I am a fan of the World of Green Lantern, I'm following in Italy and it's great to for me to get on board this team! I also have a favourite Green Lantern!
But, I prefer I don’t say it now!

GEEK: You draw the Red Lantern "anger vomit" strange, or have you gotten used to it?

VITTI: This is strange and repulsive, but it's genius as a methodology for the way they act to change things. Graphically I hope to give a good solution to stuff.

GEEK: Who is your favorite Red Lantern to draw?

VITTI: I love Atrocitus, whose helmet reminds me of that of Greek soldiers and Spartans. In my mind, He is a gladiator or a greek warrior that wants to change the world with his extreme method. He’s extreme, but I’d like to see him positive.

GEEK: Describe the process of working relationship with Joshua.

VITTI: Working with Joshua will be exciting, and I hope not to disappoint his expectations and those of readers. Joshua is doing a great job on both the books and it will be interesting for me to be his artistic support for his prose.

Interview: Justin Jordan And Brad Walker On 'New Guardians'

From MTV Geek

As we reported this morning, up-and-comers Justin Jordan and Brad Walker will be the new team on the Green Lantern spinoff book "New Guardians." We caught up with Jordan and Walker to get the scoop on this new phase of the popular comic book.

Justin Jordan Interview:

GEEK: You're currently working with the adventures of Superboy, and now you're making the leap deep into space; how do you make that transition as your write?

JUSTIN JORDAN: With some difficulty. Heh. There is a mental gear shift I need to do. "Superboy" is a pretty big book, in terms of the action and the kind of things we can do - it's good book to take advantage of the idea that comics have no budget, so I can have Superboy batting a character into outerspace using a skyscraper as a bat.

"New Guardians" is like that too, only waaaaay more so. The books are, obviously, taking place on this titanic scale, with an operatic feel to it. So, you know, BIG. So getting my head in the right space for that is a mental adjustment. It's miles away from, say, "Team 7" or "Luther Strode". Looking at a lot of old school space opera helps. This isn't quite that, but it gets me in the right ball park, brainwise.

GEEK: How much of the previous tone and continuity will you retain on this title; or are you going off on an unique new direction?

JORDAN: Continuitywise, everything that happened stays having happened. Wait, does that make sense? No retcons or such. But in the wake of the events in Geoff's final issues of "Green Lantern," things have changed, so we are taking the book in a new direction. Lots of changes there. For one thing, the title has just become a lot more literal.

GEEK: Were you a fan of the Green Lantern comics?

JORDAN: Sort of? I liked (and like) the books, but I go in and out of reading them. The idea behind it, of these people given the most powerful weapon in the universe and having to save it from itself, I really like. And I like the idea of stories that are unfolding on this giant scale, with consequences that are universe wide.

GEEK: Talk to me about artist Brad Walker: what is working with him like?

JORDAN: It's early days, yet, but I really like Brad's work, and I hope I can write something that gives him fun stuff to do. Be a shame to waste all that talent.

GEEK: I know you can't give away any spoilers, but is there going to be any surprises we might see in your "New Guardians" run?

JORDAN: A few, I hope! One of the big ones is what exactly Kyle's role in the GL corner is going to be after the First Lantern arc. But I've got a few things up my sleeve.

Brad Walker Interview:

GEEK: You have a bit of experience drawing "cosmic" comic books...do you have a preference between "street level" and "galactic" stories?

BRAD WALKER: I love doing cosmic stuff. Growing up, I was probably more of a street level fan, but what I think I loved about that was the connection to humanity, which you can still do in cosmic stories, and it almost plays better because of the contrast. And I love drawing the expansive scale and depth of outer space stories. Your imagination gets to run wild in terms of setting and FX. It's fantastic!

GEEK: What of your own personal style do you think you bring to "New Guardians," in terms of design?

WALKER: The design of the GL universe is already really strong. It's one of the reasons I feel privileged to have landed this particular job. The characters retain their classic simplicity and grace in appearance that goes back to the original Hal Jordan design. That's one of the best, ever. I draw plenty of detail and realistic elements, so I'm able to do that without getting bogged down in complicated, busy costumes that slow down the flow of the story or confuse the eye. And, as far as everything around the characters, the limit goes far beyond the sky, you know?

GEEK: What is it like working with Justin? Do you two have a collaborative relationship on this title?

WALKER: Well, we're just getting started so, fingers crossed, yeah, we can fall into a real collaborative groove. I'd love to be able to bring everything I can to the book and contribute beyond just transcribing the script; because that's when I think comics are at their best, when a couple people are all really working together and feeding off what each other are doing.

GEEK: Who is your favorite "New Guardian" to draw?

WALKER: This book has a strong cast. I tend to fall into one character in a series that I identify with, as a reader and an artist, putting myself in their place. I like Kyle Rayner. I was always a die hard Hal fan, but I could never help liking Kyle, even when he took Hal's place. I think he has that perfect everyman element to ground a science fiction story. You can see the bizarre and fantastic through his eyes and understand its scope, even though he's no longer a rookie. So, hopefully we'll pull that off!

BEDARD Spills GL: FIRST LANTERN Secrets As He Ends His Run

From Newsarama.com

As long-time Green Lantern writer Tony Bedard wraps up his run on Green Lantern: New Guardians, Kyle Rayner's quest for mastery of the emotional spectrum has also come to an end.

But there's still a lot more story coming for Bedard and the character, including a very personal attack for Kyle and the rest of the Corps at the hands of the First Lantern.

As we outlined last time we talked to Bedard, Kyle has been on an almost spiritual journey as he's worked through the emotions that lie in his own psyche — and at the heart the Green Lantern universe.


In January's #16, Kyle mastered the last color of the spectrum, but Bedard said that doesn't mean Kyle's story arc is finished. Becoming one of the most powerful weapons in the universe, he's got quite a bit of work to do in the next few issues, dealing with the Guardians, the Third Army and the First Lantern.

The story arc so far in Green Lantern New Guardians has already given Bedard the opportunity to explore why Kyle is such a unique part of the Green Lantern Corps, and we'll see even more explorations of the character's persona in upcoming issues. As Green Lantern: New Guardians #17 comes out this week, we talked to Bedard about how he views Kyle's story so far, why the character's relationship with Ganthet played such an important role, and where the story goes as Bedard finishes up his run in May.

Newsarama: Tony, as you finish up your run on Green Lantern: New Guardians, I'd like to take a look back at the story arc you've created for Kyle Rayner in the New 52. What is the significance to Kyle's story of his mastery of the emotion spectrum, now that he's achieved the status of White Lantern?

Bedard: It's something he's been on the road towards ever since we launched Green Lantern: New Guardians, the ultimate expression of why Kyle was the one to unify all the different ring corps. Kyle's status as a Green Lantern has always been different from anyone else's since he was handpicked for the Corps by Ganthet, rather than being selected by the power ring itself.

At first it seemed kind of random that Ganthet should choose a rather unremarkable cartoonist to carry on the Green Lantern tradition at a time when the rest of the corps had been decimated, but Ganthet saw in Kyle the potential to one day achieve a kind of greatness no one else could match. Kyle's an artist because he is so emotionally open, and because he can see things from all angles and create works that speak directly to one's emotional core. He may never match Hal Jordan's indomitable willpower, and he's certainly not as naturally fearless as the other Green Lanterns, but Kyle is different in that he could've been selected for any of the seven ring corps.

And now that he's learned each shade of the emotional spectrum from the inside out, he's able to combine that full spectrum of powers in a way no one else can. It makes him the nexus of all ring corps. It also makes him our secret weapon against the Guardians of the Universe, the Third Army, and most fearsome of all, the First Lantern.

Nrama: Why did you decide to make Ganthet such a central character in this part of Kyle's journey -- the story dealing with the emotion "love?"

Bedard: From the start, I wanted this series to be about Kyle and Ganthet. I anted to reinforce how central Ganthet is to Kyle's life and how the little guy was a sort of surrogate father to Kyle. It's why New Guardians #1 starts with Ganthet and then retells his first meeting with Kyle. It's why Ganthet's "girlfriend" Sayd chose Kyle to save her beloved from the clutches of the Guardians Gone Bad. And all of it paid off with Kyle's unspoken love for Ganthet becoming the key to unlock the violet power of love.

Nrama: It's been quite a battle, though, and has provided the opportunity for you to really explore the character's personality and past. In issue #16, he dealt with an emotional block he's been carrying around pretty much since childhood. Does his mastery of violet in #16 mean Kyle has gotten beyond his emotional block for good, or is this something that's just part of the character?

Bedard: I think we all ebb and flow emotionally. Some days we let our loved ones know exactly how we feel about them and some days we're too wrapped up in our own personal crap to properly process our feelings. So while I think Kyle had a real breakthrough in accessing the Violet Light, he'll still have his ups and downs to come. Emotions may be a powerful force in our lives, but if we had constant control of them we'd all be robots.

Nrama: It's obvious that Kyle becoming the White Lantern will be a turning point in the battle with the Third Army, but what does the mastery of the emotions mean for Kyle as a character — personally?

Bedard: A lot of the long-term implications remain to be seen. We've seen Kyle play unique roles before, such as when he was the "torch bearer" for the Green Lantern Corps, and when he hosted the power of Ion. Now he has the potential to unite all the Corps into one very powerful force, but he's still human and capable of dropping the ball. Stay tuned to see how he handles this.

Nrama: We talked about the importance of Ganthet to this story. But you also had a major character die recently, which played a huge part in the story. How would you describe the importance of Sayd's death to your run?

Bedard: Sayd put all this New Guardians business into motion when she sent all those rings of many colors to Kyle back in issue #1. And it was her sacrifice that allowed Kyle and company to escape the First Army's clutches.

Now Kyle is driven to make sure her death wasn't in vain, that Ganthet be restored to his old self. She was both a blessing and a curse in this series, but ultimately she was driven by love and now Kyle has to find some way to make sure Ganthet emerges from this as his old self, even though it may break his Ganthet's heart to realize what was lost in order to save him from himself.

Nrama: It was difficult to see Kyle believe so strongly in Ganthet. But is that belief in someone at their worst just the nature of love?

Bedard: I've always been fascinated by the relationship between Love and Forgiveness. It's a central theme in Christianity and a very powerful notion: that you turn the other cheek to your enemy, that even the worst person can find redemption. In the original draft, I even had Kyle telling Ganthet "I forgive you, for you know not what you do." It's the hardest and yet the deepest aspect of love. I've had friends who forgave their spouses for infidelity, and on a shallow level one might think it's weak to take someone back after they cheat on you, but I'm in awe of someone who can do that — to see past your own pain and still open your heart. Maybe a comic isn't the best place to fully explore that, but that's what I was going for.

Nrama: I think that's what came across, both in the words and the art. You've been working with Aaron Kuder — what's that collaboration been like?

Bedard: Aaron and I have a real collaboration going. He often has great notes and ideas that I'm only too happy to incorporate. He also changes certain things up from what I put in the script, which I actually like because the end result is really more of a joint effort. Aaron may seem like a new face to some, but he's smart and seasoned and I'm lucky to have him as a creative partner.

Nrama: You recently had the opportunity to highlight some key moments from Kyle's past, and the approach appears to have confused some fans about his New 52 origin, since Sayd was around when Kyle was a new Lantern. "Emerald Twilight" did happen, right? And Kyle still got his ring from Ganthet in the alley, as you said in #16?

Bedard: Part of the fun of New 52 was the opportunity to tweak continuity. I'd say "Emerald Twilight" did happen, and we saw Ganthet give Kyle the ring in the alley in New Guardians #1. But the timeline for all this stuff has been truncated. Kyle's only been a Green Lantern for about two years, so in my mind, the restoration of Oa and the return of the Guardians and the Corps happened quicker than it seemed pre-relaunch.

I just figure that the Guardians were decimated when Hal went rogue back in the day and became Parallax. When the Guardians were restored, Sayd was among them. Does that make it seem any clearer? I wonder if it would be less confusing if Kyle was in his Darryl Banks-era uniform rather than a rookie uniform in that flashback. Maybe some better writer than I will make sense of it some day.

Nrama: Yeah, that makes it clearer, and the rookie uniform might be a little nitpicky, but I guess that's what internet fans are for. But as long as we're confirming things.... can I just bluntly ask if Soranik Natu even exists anymore, or whether that relationship took place in Kyle's past?

Bedard: Soranik does exist. I think it's an open question whether that relationship happened, though. So much of Kyle's love life is in question now that Jade and Donna Troy are off the table, so to speak. I wish I had a more definitive answer for you, but part of the nature of a reboot is leaving yourself some room to maneuver.

I had originally intended to have the Guardians dispatch Soranik to hunt down Kyle, leading to emotional conflict since they had been lovers. Now, I tend to think they were never together. But that's all in the back of my head for now. We'll only know for sure when it's finally dealt with on the printed page.

Nrama: I guess we'll find out eventually for with the next batch of Green Lantern writers. But before you go, Kyle has to deal with the villains in place now. Kyle can obviously decimate the Third Army, so what's the challenge going forward for him and the New Guardians?

Bedard: Just because he handled the Third Army forces on Zamaron doesn't automatically mean he can zap them all with a wave of his hand. And it doesn't mean he can easily take on the combined might of the Guardians, either. But, honestly, the biggest challenge is going to be the First Lantern, a very cool new villain that's just about to make life hell for everyone from the Guardians on down.

Nrama: We've seen in solicitations that the First Lantern sets his sights on Carol Ferris and the other New Guardians. Can you tease for us what the First Lantern's threat means to each of the members of the New Guardians?

Bedard: Geoff has invented a really different villain in the First Lantern and I don't want to reveal too much too soon. Suffice to say he has a way of hitting people where it hurts the most, and Green Lantern fans' heads will explode when they find out just how he's tied in to the very origins of the Guardians and their mission to bring order to the universe. This isn't one of those threats where we have cosmic armies clashing and 200 characters on each page. The First Lantern's attack is much more personal and it strikes at the emotional core of each character.

Writing the issues for "Wrath of the First Lantern" is turning out to be a joy because the First Lantern knows what makes you tick, and he goes straight after that. He's a truly scary adversary and his stories go deep rather than wide. I think anyone with "event fatigue" is in for a pleasant surprise when they realize the nature of this next Green Lantern event. And by the time it's over, the Green Lantern Universe will change in ways that will really shock you.

Nrama: Issue #19's solicitation teases, "Who is the White Lantern?" I don't suppose you can give any clues about that one?

Bedard: Yeah, I don't want to ruin the fun of opening that gatefold cover and finding out for yourself. But isn't it cool enough that we get a Kyle/Sinestro rematch?

Nrama: Is the White Lantern one of the New Guardians?

Bedard: The eightball says, "Ask again later."

Nrama: Well... you mentioned Sinestro, and he has been a White Lantern before.... just sayin'... But since you can't talk about the White Lantern, can you just tell us what it's like writing Sinestro?

Bedard: Yeah, the all-time greatest Green Lantern villain will plague Kyle "Alley Rat" Rayner once again, though both of them may be more concerned with the First Lantern than each other. I adore Sinestro and really look forward to sinking my teeth into that issue.

Nrama: As you wrap up your run on Green Lantern New Guardians, and as the series goes forward into 2013 beyond your run, how would you describe the direction for the series and what's coming for the characters?

Bedard: Can't say too much without tipping the outcome of "Wrath of the First Lantern," but readers can look forward to further explorations of the Lantern-verse and power rings of every color. It's a great big universe out there, and Kyle Rayner will see it all.