Smallville: Lantern #5 Review

Written by: Bryan Q. Miller
Art by: Marcio Takara
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: April 11, 2014

Oh Oh Here They Come, They're the Manhunters

Last week was the first issue of Smallville I went away from felling let down.  I love the Smallville comic, especially the miniseries we've been getting recently.  My main gripe was the feeling of deja vu the issue gave me from the previous one, especially the Manhunters cliff hanger.  Well, it's a new week, a new issue and a new feeling.  Actually, it's an old feeling.  The feeling of loving every page Bryan Q. Miller gives readers and wanting more when it ended.  I like old feelings.

Lex has been a bad boy.  He's been trying to get information about the Russian crash site by hacking the DEO's system.  Diana and Steve Trevor contact Lois Lane and Oliver so they can make sure the Watchtower stays secure.  They also show a surveillance image to the two.  It's Prometheus looking pretty badass.  They authorize Oliver's "alter-ego" to join the D.E.O. task force on it's way to see what's what on this mysterious threat and the tech he's stolen.

Meanwhile, Superman and John Stewart are battling the Manhunters.  We've waited two issues and it's worth it.  There are missiles, explosions, space ships and a giant green hammer.  Yet, through it all, our heroes can't make a dent in the Manhunter army and violate a treaty in the process. The reason they can't damage the robot army is great and then how Superman takes care of them is even better.  Moments like these are why I love this comic.

Another big reason is Lex Luthor.  He never sits still and the issue ends with him visiting an old woman for a late night tea.  I won't say who she is (though I will tell you her name is appropriately misspelled), but she is a woman who has some knowledge that Lex wants.  She also has a kick ass memorabilia collection.  This is not so much a cliffhanger, but a "Please don't do it" moment.  I loved it.

I can't say I loved Marcio Takara's art, but I will say I like it a bunch.  Takara's pencils are best served in big action scenes and he gets to strut his stuff this week.  

Bits and Pieces:

Smallville: Lantern #5 gets the series back on track after a bit of a letdown last week.  Bryan Q, Miller gives us three branching plots that are all heading for a collision course.  Marcio Takara's art is good and really gives the action some pop.  The old feeling of loving this book is back.

9.2/10