Green Lantern Dark #1 Comic Review

• Written by: Tate Brombal

• Art by: Werther Dell'Edera

• Colors by: Giovanna Niro

• Letters by: Tom Napolitano

• Cover art by: Werther Dell'Edera (cover A)

• Cover price: $4.99

• Release date: October 23, 2024

Green Lantern Dark #1, by DC Comics on 10/23/24, imagines an Elseworld future where all heroes are dead, the Sun's rays are dwindling, and Solomon Grundy-controlled zombies overrun the world.

---

Is Green Lantern Dark #1 Good?

On the first pass, I'm not sure what to make of this issue. Writer Tate Brombal, mostly known for House of Slaughter comics from BOOM!, brings his horror-centric sensibilities to a post-apocalyptic world where the only hero left is an urban legend, and the remaining humans live in constant fear of Grundy's zombies. The central premise certainly sounds different, but you have to wade through a LOT of yapping to get to the heart of the story.

Green Lantern Dark #1 begins with a narrated montage explaining how a Great Darkness descended on the Earth years ago. All superheroes joined the fight to stave off distinction, sacrificing their lives in the process. In the darkened years that followed, monsters rose to feast on the remaining humans, but the last hero, the Green Lantern, pushed the monsters back. The worst of the monsters, Solomon Grundy, raised the dead into an army to destroy all life.

Well, that's a lot. Tate Brombal gives readers the highlights of how we get from here to there, but the highlights leave out more than a trivial amount of detail. At best, you know the world is in a bad place, but the rest is confusingly vague.

The story begins with young Lunette, who is a firm believer in the legend of the Green Lantern, her cynical older brother Kain, and their mother, Andi, who is also the town's mayor. After a night of storytelling in the town square to keep spirits up, the mother and children enter the local diner for some food and light conversation.

During the meal, one of Grundy's zombie scouts enters the diner and attacks. Andi fights the zombie with a knife, but the zombie is too strong. Suddenly, the fabled Green Lantern, who happens to be drinking a beer in a quiet corner, leaps into action and destroys the zombie.

Brombal's scenes to establish Lunette, her family, and the Green Lantern work well enough in execution, but the setup comes off as too coincidental. What did the zombie enter that specific diner at that specific time when the only Green Lantern happened to be there? The setup works, but you have to work to suspend some disbelief.

Lunette is thrilled to get confirmation that her faith in the legend is real. Unfortunately, the Green Lantern is not interested in helping people or making friends. Through a vague series of conversations, we learn Grundy has a vague reason to kill the Green Lantern to return to his final rest because the current Green Lantern's predecessor was responsible for his recent resurrection. It's not clear why Grundy couldn't return to his rest or how he obtained the power to raise the dead, but Grundy's core motivation somehow involves killing the Green Lantern... maybe.

The issue concludes with Grundy's zombies swarming the town, Lunette lending the Green Lantern her will, and one town down with six more to go.

What's great about Green Lantern Dark #1?

The highlight of this issue is the central premise. As vague and loosely conveyed as it is, Brombal's idea about the last Green Lantern holding back everlasting darkness filled with supernatural monsters is a weird kind of twist on the classic superhero theme that Elseworld is made for.

As a plus, the design of the Green Lantern's design is the most original take on a ringslinger I've seen in a while.

What's not great about Green Lantern Dark #1?

The highlight of this issue is the central premise. As vague and loosely conveyed as it is, Brombal's idea about the last Green Lantern holding back everlasting darkness filled with supernatural monsters is a weird kind of twist on the classic superhero theme that Elseworld is made for.

As a plus, the design of the Green Lantern's design is the most original take on a ringslinger I've seen in a while.

How's the Art?

Werther Dell'Edera would seem to be the right artist choice for a post-apocalyptic horror comic that's mostly swathed in darkness. However, Deel'Edera's scratchy, low-fidelity, indie style looks like it belongs in a BOOM! comic, so DC readers may find the style below par for what you would find in any other Green Lantern comic. In other words, you may like the art or hate it, depending on your tolerance for something that looks VERY different than what you're used to from DC.



About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Final Thoughts

Green Lantern Dark #1 creates a future Earth on the edge of distinction where the last Green Lantern travels the dark roads to stave off supernatural monsters. Tate Brombal's core concept sounds cool, but the execution is too dialog-heavy and too vague to really hook you. Plus, the art fits the supernatural theme, but it's better suited for indie books well outside the typical DC quality.

6/10

---

We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media: 

Connect With Us Here: Weird Science DC Comics / Weird Science Marvel Comics

If you're interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.

Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com

---

As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support. 

Superman #19 Comic Review

 

• Written by: Joshua Williamson

• Art by: Dan Mora

• Colors by: Alejandro Sánchez

• Letters by: Arian Maher

• Cover art by: Dan Mora (cover A)

• Cover price: $4.99

• Release date: October 23, 2024

Superman #19, by DC Comics on 10/23/24, finds Lois Lane and Clark Kent teaming up to thwart threats as Superwoman and Superman, but when Superman's toughest foe arrives, he receives a surprising visit from a messenger.

---

Is Superman #19 Good?

File this one under "blink and you'll miss it" because Superman #19 reads super-quick and gives you just what you need to get going. Writer Joshua Williamson's post-Absolute Power adventure plants the seeds of multiple mysteries, including how Lois became Superwoman, but the last page twist is a doozy.

Superman #19 begins with a typically hectic day at the Daily Planet. Jimmy updates Lois on assorted photo assignments as she speed-walks from one bullpen to the next for updates. Suddenly, the normal hustle and bustle of the morning is disrupted by a strange explosion several blocks away, prompting Lois to hastily excuse herself and dash off to join Superman to address the trouble.

All things considered, Joshua Williamson restarts the Superman franchise after the lopsided Absolute Power event by giving readers a super-quick (*heh*) status quo on Metropolis and its super denizens. Williamson sprints out of the gate with quick dialog and high energy.

Superman and Superwoman reach the heart of the explosion to find Atomic Skull making trouble with his pair of atomic-headed zoo animals. After a quick scuffle, the semi-reformed villain and his new pets are in custody.

Before Lois spends too much time getting used to the wonder of flight, the husband and wife hear cries for help from another corner of the city. This time, the threat is much worse. Superman and Superwoman arrive to find Doomsday tearing through the streets with a pair of Hellhounds.

Superman prepares for the fight of his life when the entire scene freezes around him. Time Trapper has arrived to warn Superman that something horrific is about to happen that will change the course of history. Time Trapper now needs Superman's help, and to prove his desperation, he removes his hood to reveal his current form is... Doomsday from a distant future.

What's great about Superman #19?

Joshua Williamson gets back to basics, which is probably a good thing considering his track record with events, for a Superman story that hits hard and fast and focuses on at least one big idea. In this case, you get a whopper of a big idea and a few smaller ones as icing on the cake, including the mystery behind how Lois got her powers.

What's not great about Superman #19?

This is a rare instance where there isn't much to criticize except for a miniscule nitpick or two. The plot is clear, the mysteries are intriguing, and the cliffhanger is solid. You could argue the comic goes so fast as to seem rushed, but that might be a matter of personal preference.

How's the Art?

Joshua Williamson is exceptionally fortunate to steal Dan Mora away from Mark Waid for this title because I might not be rating this issue as high if not for Mora's art. Dan Mora meets the high bar for one of the best superhero artists around, so to have him in this comic is a feather in the cap of Superman fans everywhere.

About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Final Thoughts

Superman #19 is a quick, simple, yet effective start for a Superman tale about a visitor from the future who arrives with a dire warning. Williamson's script stays laser-focused on setting a rock-solid foundation for what comes next, and Dan Mora's art is unbeatable.

8.8/10

---

We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media: 

Connect With Us Here: Weird Science DC Comics / Weird Science Marvel Comics

If you're interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.

Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com

---

As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support. 

Absolute Wonder Woman #1 Comic Review

• Written by: Kelly Thompson

• Art by: Hayden Sherman

• Colors by: Jordie Bellaire

• Letters by: Becca Carey

• Cover art by: Hayden Sherman, Jordie Bellaire (cover A)

• Cover price: $4.99

• Release date: October 23, 2024

Absolute Wonder Woman #1, by DC Comics on 10/23/24, introduces the world to Diana, the last Amazon, raised in Hell by Circe and the latest protector of Elseworld.

---

Is Absolute Wonder Woman #1 Good?

I'll say this for writer Kelly Thompson. She understood the homework assignment. Absolute Wonder Woman #1 is a stark contrast from the Wonder Woman you thought you knew in a world spawned from Darkseid energy. At the very least, Absolute Wonder Woman hits the mark for the Absolute imprint much better than Absolute Batman, and that's saying something.

Absolute Wonder Woman #1 begins with a brief prologue in Gateway City, California. A massive, inverted pyramid appears, hovering above the coastline. Within moments of the appearance, a swarm of flying reptiles swarm outward from the pyramid to attack anyone within reach.

Writer Kelly Thompson begins the tale with a large-scale attack that feels otherworldly and mystical, like a scene from a fantasy novel. The creatures and the reason for their attack aren't given much setup (more on that later), but it's an energetic start.

Suddenly, a woman wearing armor, carrying a large sword, and riding on a skeletal Pegasus swoops in to attack the swarm. She first uses her sword to separate heads and limbs from bodies. Then, she lands on the shore and casts a spell that stuns the swarm, sending the flock crashing to the ground.

Absolute Wonder Woman's entrance is as dramatic as you can get without having a giant orchestral theme song playing in the background. You'll get the impression that Diana's first appearance borrows some inspiration from Wonder Woman's entrance on the battlefield in BvS, but if the inspiration is coincidental, it's amazingly coincidental.

The comic then flashes back to some unknown point in the distant past to show Diana's upbringing. Circe is the sole resident of the Wild Isle as punishment for some transgression against the gods. Apollo arrives one day with a baby, ordering Circe to take custody of the baby to be her warden. Diana of Themyscira was taken from the Amazons by Zeus as "punishment for their crimes against the gods," and the gods have decreed that Circe will be Diana's warden in Hell for eternity.

Well, that's quite a mouthful. Based on the narration and the characters involved, the phrasing makes it clear that the reader isn't getting the full story and that the narrators are unreliable. Apollo tells rather than shows how Diana came to be in Hell, which is a minor letdown (more on that later).

Over several pages, we see how Circe was initially fine with letting beasts, monsters, and demons attempt to kill the child since she had no desire for a daughter. However, the baby had the instinctive strength and charm to tame any casual attacker. As the years passed, Circe eventually came to love Diana, educating her in the ways of history and magic.

If you're going to come up with a credible way for Circe and Diana to be in a loving relationship, Thompson nails it. Circe's sparse cave evolves into a home over the years, partly due to Diana's influence, so you get a believable sense of how the two could grow and bond with each other.

Now, Diana tells nearby military men to evacuate anyone within a mile radius as the flying reptiles she calls Harbingers are only stunned, not killed. The situation escalates when the inverted pyramid opens to unleash a massive demon called Harbinger Prime to attack Diana and clear the way for something much worse.

The issue concludes with Harbinger Prime giving as much damage as it takes, Diana learning to say a word forbidden to be spoken by Circe, and Absolute Wonder Woman drawing a line in the sand (literally and figuratively).

What's great about Absolute Wonder Woman #1?

Kelly Thompson's central premise delivers on the idea of an Elseworld version of Diana in a universe spawned by Darkseid energy. There are familiar aspects to Diana's origin, but everything after her birth is dark and twisted enough to explain a rougher, tougher Wonder Woman accustomed to demons and dark magic.

In a lot of ways, Thompson's Absolute Wonder Woman does a better job of presenting a character that feels different enough from the original to stand on her own while still presenting as Wonder Woman. I wish Absolute Batman had gone this far.

What's not great about Absolute Wonder Woman #1?

There are two weak points in this first issue, one with the story and the other with the art.

Regarding the story, a lot of interesting stuff happens without any context or setup. What did the Amazons do to get on Zeus's bad side? Why is Circe in Hell? Where did a giant, inverted pyramid come from? Where did Diana and her skeletal Pegasus come from? Epic-sounding and looking events pop in out of nowhere. To be fair, the flow of the narrative is good enough that you can simply accept what is and move on, but the world-building is a little lacking.

How's the Art?

I'm not a fan. This was a moment for DC to shine with gritty, grimy, nasty art that practically pummels your eyes with the visual equivalent of raw electric guitar riffs and explosive bass notes. Instead, we get squiggly line art that looks like what you'd expect from an indie comic. 

In kindness to Hayden Sherman, this art style would not be a problem in any other context, but this is the moment that art needs to smash you in the face and knock your socks off. On that count, Sherman's style falls short.

About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Final Thoughts

Absolute Wonder Woman #1 presents a rougher, darker, mystical Wonder Woman, fit to fight all comers in a universe spawned by Darkseid energy. Despite the mildly annoying lack of setup in a few spots, Kelly Thompson nailed the assignment to create a Wonder Woman who's recognizable but stands wholly apart from her Earth Prime counterpart. Sadly, the material needed art with a harder, sharper edge, so the visuals don't live up to the script.

8.5/10

---

We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media: 

Connect With Us Here: Weird Science DC Comics / Weird Science Marvel Comics

If you're interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.

Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com

---

As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support. 

 

Nightwing #119 Comic Review

• Written by: Dan Watters

• Art by: Dexter Soy

• Colors by: Veronica Gandini

• Letters by: Wes Abbott

• Cover art by: Dexter Soy

• Cover price: $4.99

• Release date: October 23, 2024

Nightwing #119, by DC Comics on 10/23/24, finds Dick Grayson coming to grips with rising crime in Bludhaven when the mayor accepts an offer from an arms company to upgrade.

---

Is Nightwing #119 Good?

Overall, Nightwing #119 is pretty decent and a far sight better than Tom Taylor's dramatically flaccid run. I had doubts about Dan Watters coming onto the title after botching the Destro miniseries at Skybound and spending too much of his DC work mimicking Ram V's style, but this issue turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

In Nightwing #119, we begin with a masked individual dressed like the puppet version of a harlequin. The character in question, who we later learn is a member of the Cirque Du Sin, knows Nightwing's secret identity and has a keen interest in reshaping Nightwing's life.

Meanwhile, the heads of Bludhaven's leading crime gangs meet to discuss a truce and mutually beneficial arrangement, divvying up Bludhaven's rackets. Nightwing crashes the meeting to take all the leaders to jail, but before his task is complete, someone sets off a bomb that kills all the gang leaders. Nightwing escapes the explosion.

Right off, Dan Watters starts his Nightwing run with a bang, which is a blessed relief after Tom Taylor's kinder, gentler, borderline pacifist Nightwing, who accomplished next to nothing. In a scant few pages, we understand the current status of Bludhaven, Nightwing's place in the city, and the deadly force of a new player.

Later, Dick visits his sister, Mayor Melinda Grayson (formerly Zucco), to discuss the bombing. Unfortunately, Dick interrupts a meeting between the mayor and Olivia Pearce, head of Spheric Solutions and weapons manufacturer. After Pearce leaves, the mayor explains she's accepted an offer to upgrade her police force with Spheric gear to combat the rising crime wave. 

Here, Watters puts Dick in the middle of a gray area concerning his personal ethics, which presents an interesting and unsolvable problem. Nightwing can't be everywhere to stop every crime, and crime is on the rise, so he can be unhappy about doing business with Spheric, but he can't expect the police to remain defenseless. I'm curious to see what Watters does with this dilemma.

That night, Nightwing spreads the word that the leaderless gangs do not have free licenses to spread chaos throughout the city. Instead, he offers to settle disputes if the gangs choose to keep to their respective territories. 

Dick isn't happy about the city doing business with a weapons company, so he decides to visit the Spheric Solutions facility. The storage area contains weapons better suited for guerilla warfare instead of typical street crime. Suddenly, he's attacked by a security drone.

The issue ends with Nightwing's fight, observed by Olivia Pearce and the leader of Cirque Du Sin.

What's great about Nightwing #119?

Dan Watters hits the ground running with action, a clear purpose to find the new player in town, and willingness to punch people in the face. As a plus, the mysterious nature and motivations of Cirque Du Sin are intriguing since the members have a possible connection to Dick's past.

What's not great about Nightwing #119?

Story-wise, there are two oddities that are minor but noticeable.

First, Dick is almost reckless in his disregard for maintaining the balance with his secret identity. He barges into the mayor's office unannounced and talks to Oracle on his earpiece while he strolls down the street in civilian clothes and more. A little more effort in maintaining his secret is warranted.

Second, everyone is fully aware that Bludhaven is the new home of the Titans, but Nightwing proceeds as if he has to protect the city by himself, which is a nasty side effect of Taylor's run. Is crime really on the rise when a whole team of superheroes lives on the former site of Bludhaven prison? It doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Yes, sure, you can't have the Titans become a permanent fixture in the Nightwing comic, but maybe Tom Taylor and DC Editorial should have anticipated that problem.

How's the Art?

Nightwing #119 welcomes Dexter Soy to the comic, so of course, it's going to look amazing. Soy has a grounded, moody richness that far exceeds the prior art team's output. If there's one area that could use a tweak, Veronica Candini's coloring application is a tad smudged and rough. The palette selection is excellent but not cleanly applied.

About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Final Thoughts

Nightwing #119 is another strong start in a week of strong starts for DC Comics. Dan Watters takes the criticism of Taylor's run to heart by starting the arc with action, intrigue, and impactful drama. Further, the new art team brings heaps of mood and energy to the story. This week's All In offerings are turning out to be (mostly) All Good.

8/10

---

We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media: 

Connect With Us Here: Weird Science DC Comics / Weird Science Marvel Comics

If you're interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.

Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com

---

As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support. 

Green Arrow #17 Comic Review

• Written by: Joshua Williamson, Chris Condon

• Art by: Amancay Nahuelpan,Montos

• Colors by: Romulo Fajardo Jr.,Adriano Lucas

• Letters by: Troy Peteri, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

• Cover art by: Taurin Clarke

• Cover price: $3.99

• Release date: October 23, 2024

Green Arrow #17, by DC Comics on 10/23/24, gives readers two stories for the price of one. Ollie ties up loose ends resulting from his place in the Absolute Power event, and he soon finds himself on the trail of a revenge killer who murders corrupt executives.

---

Is Green Arrow #17 Good?



Given the transitional nature of Green Arrow #17, this issue ain't half bad. The two-part anthology gives Joshua Williamson a space to say goodbye to his run with a cleanup story while Chris Condon steps into the title to tease what he has planned for the Emerald Archer. While not perfect, Green Arrow fans will have a lot to like in this issue.

Trial By Justice

Oliver Queen cycles through a series of vignettes in the aftermath of Absolute Power to tie up loose ends, face the consequences of his actions, and figure out what he needs to do next.

First, Ollie hunts down the Peacemakers to ensure they don't skirt justice for their participation in Amanda Waller's schemes. After Ollie drops the pair off in jail, he visits Waller to remind her that she won't get away with any notions of payback.

Second, heads to the new Watchtower to face the music for betraying everyone while he goes deep undercover. After a rousing "I did what needed to be done" speech, the JL welcomes Ollie back without complaint. The JL may not completely trust Ollie, but they understand.

Last, Ollie pays a quick visit to Inter-Meds (likely a subsidiary of Bruno Manheim's InterGang) to put an end to their scheme to gouge medical patients who need life-saving medicines.

In all, Joshua Williamson's cleanup story ties up the loose ends and clarifies Ollie's status quo after Absolute Power. Ollie's return to the Justice League feels a little too easy, but the story gets the job done.

But of course, Williamson couldn't leave the title without making one more continuity blip. When Ollie pays Waller a visit in prison, she has full memory of Green Arrow's identity and his family. At the end of Absolute Power, Dreamer blocks Waller's memories to prevent her from knowing any superhero's true identity. C'est la vie.

A Change Of Scenery

Ollie settles into a partner for some time and space away from his family to get his head together after Absolute Power. When he enters his new digs, Ollie finds a box containing a new costume made by Dinah. The deliverer of the box? Batman. Ollie and Batman exchange cordial but tense words over Ollie's temporary betrayal, ending with Batman's promise to keep an eye on Ollie until he earns his trust back.

Meanwhile, a wealthy executive returns to his apartment to find a small box waiting. The box contains incriminating evidence about a dumping site he authorized. Suddenly, he's knocked out from a blow to the head. When the executive wakes up, he's force-fed contaminated water from the dumping site by a masked individual.

The short ends with Ollie mocking Batman's speech while trying out his new suit and a dead executive.

Chris Conrad's entry into the Big 2 shows promise with a grounded, back-to-basics thriller. The nature of the crime is very Batman-esque and basic in nature, so the big question is whether or not Condon gets Ollie's voice correct. Thankfully, he does. I'm looking forward to seeing what Condon does with Ollie.

About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Final Thoughts

Green Arrow #17 gives readers two stories for the price of one when Joshua Williamson cleans up his loose ends before departing the tile, and Chris Condon teases what's to come as the new writer. Both stories capture the heart of what makes Ollie unique, and Condon's prelude story appears very promising.

8/10

---

We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media: 

Connect With Us Here: Weird Science DC Comics / Weird Science Marvel Comics

If you're interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.

Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com

---

As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.