Going to get this right off my chest:

The fact that Johns recycled the moment from Brightest Day #1 in this is VERY annoying. You can tell me all you want on why it was a good thing or whatever. The fact that for some insane reason, Johns took out panels from this issue and placed it in Brightest Day #1 doesn’t make a lick of sense. I swear if I read that ‘Sword in the Stone’ joke one more time I will go crazy.

Rant aside, this was still a good issue. For a lot of reasons really. Atrocitus is really turning into an intriguing character. Trying to be a good guy but still doing horrible things is a lot of fun to read. Plus we have the return of Dex-Star! Hooray! We get more interesting developments with the White Lantern (Although why it’s not covered in Brightest Day….no! End of ranting!), and then a big reveal at the end. Although we knew where this arc was going, I still was a bit surprised Johns is bringing this character in for some strange reason. Also a good amount of jokes in here too, I don’t know why but Sinestro bickering at Hal is still funny and great to read.

Mahnke is still delivering the goods with this series. His style is just perfect for the insane and action packed moments Johns will dish out. Although I did find some of the faces in this a bit ‘off’.  Maybe its just me but, did Mahnke have this many inkers before? There’s like four of them here (including Mahnke) and it explains the iffy issues here. Still a good looking book even with the problems. The small moment with Hal and Dex-Star is enough for me to recommend the book.

Johns is still frustrating me with how Hal and the other Guardians play with Brightest Day. Are they in both titles or just this? Either way he is making the mystery more interesting by the issue. Whoever this mystery villian(?) is I cannot wait to see what his plan is. With the reveal at the end of this all I know is one thing. A lot of frakkin blood is going to be spilled.