Okay we all know how I've been feeling about this series so far. I also know..... a lot of people are confused. All I was complaining about was that Geoff Johns seems to be taking the wrong approach of writing a story, or as I say the Secret Invasion take. The big moments or the 'holy shit' stuff seems to be focused and the story seems to be put on hold. I mean if you want to see the real story, so far you had to go to the Green Lantern (proper) title to see the actual story. This is the first time I really think that Johns has moved the story forward in a positive way. Now it feels like there is something happening but he's still giving us some 'holy shit' moments to keep other fans happy.

I've always felt Barry Allen felt a bit out of place in this, cause he never really had a proper place again the Black Lanterns like Hal should be. But this issue really shows me Barry is just as important to the overall story then I realized. Him and Jordan just talking to each other is just great and Johns really knows how to make anything interesting happen with those two together. They, sort of, solved the issue of the rings trying to convert them; and Sinestro has some good character moments with Barry. Then you have the stuff with Mera/Palmer, which was filler in the GL book last month, but actually made me enjoy their involvement. I still think Mera is a bit out of place with this entire event, but her going up against Wonder Woman was pretty cool.

Then you have the end of the issue, or should I say the second half of the comic. Which......I did enjoy it but I have a bit of a problem with it. The idea of getting these other Corps members is a cool idea and hearing Lex Luthor say 'mine' is definitely kicks ass. My problem with it is that I think Johns didn't need to focus an entire second half of a comic to show us this. We didn't need to see Luthor fight off the dead, or Scarecrow* torture someone, or Wonder Woman struggle with the ring. Those, to me and I'm sure people will disagree, was a waste of panels. You could just show Luthor and Scarecrow turn into their respective lanterns without wasting a page or two. I mean Palmer and Mera are only giving a panel or two, why not do the same with the rest? I know it is a bit confusing but there could be more story to tell in this if Johns just trimmed the script a bit more. It isn't a huge dealbreaker with me on this issue but it still is the main problem I have with this entire event so far.

Ivan Reis has stayed the constant in this entire series. His work is just so damn good, it's really hard to think of new things to say. The two splash pages are very damn impressive in this. I'm gald Johns brings back the John Stewart ending of GL last month, either way Reis just puts so many bodies in that one splash page it has to be a record of some kind. Then you have the final page which warrents a bit of a giggle; but seeing Barry as a Blue lantern.....that's just gravy.

So overall this was an improvement on all levels. I think Johns still could've focused the issue on the story a tiny bit more in the end; but still I enjoyed it. I really hope Johns just keeps this type of pace going for the last two issues. Yes show the fighting and the 'holy shit' moments, but also do what you did here. Just have the story move forward and try to entertain us the same way. Not my pick of the week but I will say it is the most surprising book of the week.

*I'm gald we didn't bet on it but PraxJarvin was right. Crane is a factor in this event and I was wrong. Kudos for him to believing in Johns and not me.