Showcase: Azrael

Azrael is one of my personal favorites when it comes to superheroes. This comics offers a controversial story line revolving around the Catholic religion. This is a more mature comics series and would be most appropriate for older readers. This story is exhilarating and dark a great mix of good and evil, the main character is intriguing and even with wielding the power of judgement still connects with the readers.

Azreal is actually Michael Lane an ex-police man who was chosen by the Order of Purity to regain the mantle of power as the protector of their religion, after the previous Azrael was driven to madness and led a slaughter of innocent people. 

Azrael is granted two swords of fire and ice that can either absolve a person or punish them for their sins. With these he wears a suit of armor called the Suit of Sorrows this suit allows him to hear the cries of people's sins and is the direct reason the previous Azrael went insane. Knowing the risks of this task Lane accepts his destiny to be the protector of innocent souls and a warrior for God. 

Below is the cover art for the current comic series of Azrael:

Cover of Azrael #1
Copied from
http://comics.wikia.com/wiki/Azrael
Copyright (c) 2009 DC Comics

If your looking for a more mature and serious comic series this is a great choice to invest in. I would highly suggest giving Azrael a chance because it has an amazing story, a complex hero, spectacular writing, and visually stunning artwork. 

New Movie Prequels Coming Out in May

DC Comics has decide to make new comics showcasing the characters in the upcoming movie 
According to the DC website there will be five new comic book prequels to the movie coming out in May 2011. These prequels will cover some of the main characters in the movie.

The characters to be covered as of now will be the following:

• Hal Jordan
• Sinestro
• Abin Sur
• Kilowog
• Tomar-Re

These prequels will be written by the "creative talents behind the blockbuster motion picture" (dccomic, n.d.a). These will be one-shot comics covering each character and what they where doing prior to the events that will occur in the movie. Writer of the current Green Lantern comics Geoff Johns will be helping in the creation of these comics as well as a few others. 

The following is a list according to dccomic.com of writers and artists that will participate in making these new upcoming comics:

• Screenwriter Michael Goldenberg
• Producer/Screenwriter Greg Berlanti
• Producer Donald De Line
• Screenwriter of Superman and Batman Michael Green
• Screenwriter of Justice Society of America Marc Guggenheim
• Artist Fernando Dagnino (dccomic, n.d.d)
• Artist Joe Bennett (dccomic, n.d.c)
• Artist Cliff Richards (dccomic, n.d.e)
• Artist Karl Kerschl (dccomic, n.d.a)
• Artist Fabrizio Fiorentino (dccomic, n.d.c)  

The comics will be released starting May 4th with the prequel covering Hal Jordan set to be released on May 25th. No cover art is currently available for these comics.

After I conclude this blog I would strongly suggest reading these prequels to clear up any remaining questions you may have over the characters before you see the movie. I personally will be buying all of these as soon as they are released.

The release dates have been published by dccomic.com:

• Hal Jordan - May 25th, 2011
• Sinestro - May 4th, 2011
• Abin Sur - May 11th, 2011
• Kilowog - May 11th, 2011
• Tomar-Re - May 18th, 2011

For now only these five have been cleared for release if more are coming that is currently unknown.

Sources Cited

dccomics. (n.d.a). Green Lantern Movie Prequel: Abin Sur. Retrieved from http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?cm=17810 


dccomics. (n.d.b). Green Lantern Movie Prequel: Hal Jordan. Retrieved from http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?cm=17811


dccomics. (n.d.c). Green Lantern Movie Prequel: Kilowog. Retrieved from http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?cm=17805


dccomics. (n.d.d). Green Lantern Movie Prequel: Sinestro. Retrieved from http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?cm=17799


dccomics. (n.d.e). Green Lantern Movie Prequel: Tomar-Re. Retrieved from http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?cm=17806

Interview with a Newbie

This interview is with as we nerds like to say a newbie, this newbie just happens to be my sister. As a mother and lawyer my sister like many others has little time to read comic books. I hope this interview is a clear example of how my blog can be informative and helpful for anyone wanting and willing to learn more about the Green Lantern.

Interview

Question 1. Have you ever read a comic book?

Answer - No, I have never read a comic book before.

Question 2. What are the reasons you never read a comic or never held an interest in them?

Answer - I always though they were more of a guy hobby when I was younger and never really took the time to venture into reading them. However now that I am a mother of two boys comics have become a part of my life, and I have found a new interest in them that I never knew i had.

Question 3. Do you know who the Green Lantern is?

Answer -  The only Green Lantern I know of is the one in my children's comics. I know he is a superhero and he wears a green suit.

Note - With this question my sister was actually referring to John Stewart which is part of the Green Lantern Corps and appears in this particular comic. She had no idea that there were multiple Green Lanterns and that I was talking about the main one Hal Jordan. I clarified this for the upcoming questions.

Question 4. Do you know anything about the Green Lantern, like his powers, or his secret identity?

Answer - I know he glows green and can fly but other than that I am drawing a blank.

Question 5. What do you know about the Green Lantern movie coming out this summer?

Answer - Ryan Reynolds is playing the Green Lantern and he is super hot.                                                         -insert laughter-
Also that my three year old boy wants to see it so that means I will be seeing it too.

Question 6. What do you think superheroes represent?

Answer - I think they are suppose to represent the good parts of mankind, a protector of justice that is out there watching over us. However, in reality I think they are just a fantasy of everything we wish as ordinary people we could do.

Question 7. Do you think that the reason the movie industry is making so many superhero movies is because they want to send a message of good triumphing over evil or simply to make a profit?

Answer - I would have to say it is both, not only do these stories make for a good movie they also immerse us in something that is bigger than ourselves and gives us a sense of purpose for those few hours in the theater. Plus, it's better than watching Saw 24.

Note - Making fun of the ridiculous number or Saw movies they have come out with, seriously it's over.

Question 8. Do you feel that you are lacking the information needed to fully understand this movie when you go see it?

Answer - I know there have been multiple times I have left a movie feeling lost and confused because I hadn't read the book or in this case comic books that the move was adapted after. In that way yes, I feel I am lacking the proper knowledge and I wish I knew more before going in so that the movie is not only clearer but more enjoyable.

Question 9. Have you read any of my posts so far? If so do you this they will serve the purpose of solving the problem you outlined in the previous question?

Answer - Yes, I have read them and I do think they will serve to help prepare people to see the Green Lantern movie.

Where to Start

So far we have covered the background of the Green Lantern and several of the main characters that will be showing up in the movie. The next step for readers interested in reading this story for themselves is to find a smart place to begin this epic journey. That's where I come in handy. This next list is an optional order to read these comics, however it is my personal opinion that this order will best serve someone just starting out and looking to get a grasp of the whole story.

Step 1. Secret Origin Green Lantern is a great place to begin by reading the start of Hal Jordan in this trade which covers his background and how he met Sinestro. As well as some of the background to the following comics in this list.

Cover of Secret Origin Green Lantern
Copied from
http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/graphic_novels/?gn=10386
Copyright (c) 2008 DC Comics

Step 2. Green Lantern Rebirth offers a look at Hal Jordan's past, some of his mistakes, and his infection by the entity of fear know as Parallax. This character is said to be showing up in the upcoming movie and was also covered by me in an earlier post. Understanding who Parallax is in the comics may add clarity to the movie's adaptation of this character making this a great choice for your second step in this list.

Cover of Green Lantern Rebirth
Copied from
http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/graphic_novels/?gn=4154
Copyright (c) 2005 DC Comics

Step 3. Green Lantern Rage of the Red Lanterns skips forward and includes Green Lantern #26 - 28,  36 - 38, and Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns. These comics cover the prelude to the Blackest Night story.

Cover of Green Lantern Rage of the Red Lanterns
Copied from
http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/graphic_novels/?gn=14996
Copyright (c) 2009 DC Comics

Step 4. The next step is Green Lantern Agent Orange, which continues where the previous trade (step 3) left off with the comics leading up to the Blackest Night story. This trade includes Green Lantern #39 - 42.

Cover of Green Lantern Agent Orange
Copied from
http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/graphic_novels/?gn=15822
Copyright (c) 2009 DC Comics

Step 5. This trade, Green Lantern Blackest Night covers the story of one of Hal Jordan's most challenging battles to save the world. Besides being one of the most amazing stories I have ever read, this story will definitely add some clarity to the characters and what they have been through before you see them on the big screen.

Cover of Green Lantern Blackest Night
Copied from
http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/graphic_novels/?gn=14592
Copyright (c) 2010 DC Comics

Step 6. Green Lantern Brightest Day begins here in issue #53 this story covers what happens to the Green Lantern after the Blackest Night.

Cover of Green Lantern #53 Brightest Day
Copied fromhttp://comicmegastore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_102&products_id=1162
Copyright (c) 2010 DC Comics 

Step 7. Continue reading the Green Lantern Brightest Day series as it will lead into the exclusive movie preview. The preview begins in Green Lantern #59 which is shown below.

Cover of Green Lantern #59 Brightest Day
Copied from
http://www.mycomicnetwork.com/v2/gallery/2010/11/18/brightest-day-green-lantern-59/
Copyright (c) 2010 DC Comics

This concludes my list of where to start your journey in the Green Lantern comics. To be clear all of the trades in this list can be bought in the original single issue form or in the trade versions shown. The option is up to the readers preference, however the trades do make collection of these comics much simpler. Another fact to point out is that this list does not cover every issue in the Green Lantern comic series, only those in relation to the upcoming movie. Collection of the issues missing between these trades is again optional. 

Thaal Sinestro - The Yellow Lantern

Image of Thaal Sinestro - The Yellow Lantern
Copied from
http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Thaal_Sinestro_(New_Earth)

Abilities

• Power of fear
• Shape energy into physical constructs
• Force fields
• Flight
• Teleportation

Oath

Beware your fears made into light

Let those who try to stop what's right

Burn like my power, Sinestro's might!
(Johns, & Van Sciver, 2007)

History

Sinestro was the Green Lantern of Space Sector 1417, and was the student of Abin Sur. As stated in the previous biography on Hal Jordan, Abin Sur was the one who gave his ring to Jordan before passing away. Abin Sur's last words to Jordan led him into meeting Sinestro and ultimately becoming Sinestro's student. Sinestro helps Jordan master the abilities and limitations of his ring, this is covered in Secret Origin Green Lantern.

When Sinestro finds Jordan flying in his plane he makes an unforgettable entrance, blowing up Jordan's plane and then re-building it right before his eyes. Introducing himself to Jordan, Sinestro shows his overflowing self-confidence, "Sector 1417. The most orderly sector in all the universe. And I am the greatest Green Lantern," (Johns & Reis, 2008). Taken under Sinestro's wing when Jordan shows promise at becoming a great student Sinestro tells him that he will be evaluating his progress and will be taking Jordan to his home.

Jordan eventually visits Sinestro's home planet of Korugar and learns exactly how Sinestro ended up having the world's most orderly sector in the universe. Sinestro is found guilty of abusing his power and setting himself up as dictator of his planet. Sinestro was banished to the anti-matter universe to the planet of Qward and stripped of all his power (Kirk, n.d.a).

Sinestro formed an alliance with the natives of the planet, and they fashioned him a yellow ring of power. Taking this power for himself, Sinestro started a new league of yellow lanterns which he names the Sinestro Corps. Sinestro had one mission in mind to destroy the Green Lantern that led to his banishment, Hal Jordan. Sinestro has become one of Hal’s greatest enemies. However, Hal and Sinestro’s relationship is complex and is not clearly based on hate for each other.

This would be seen as odd in most stories, but Sinestro is and always will be Abin Sur’s best friend.

Parallax - The Entity of Fear

Image of Parallax - The Entity of Fear
Copied from
http://www.awesomevillage.com/?p=2543

History

Parallax is the embodiment of living fear and the ruler of the yellow light. Parallax feeds on the fears of others consuming entire civilizations by infecting them with fear (Kirk, n.d.b). It is the power of fear that resides in Parallax that powers the Sinestro Corps. Harnessing the yellow light is what makes Sinestro one of the greatest adversaries the Green Lantern Corps will ever have.

In the comics, Parallax escapes with the help of Sinestro and takes over Hal Jordan. Using him to spread fear across the planet of Earth, Parallax controls Jordan's actions and ultimately causes Jordan to ignite a war against fellow superheroes including Superman. Eventually, after causing massive damage to Earth and its inhabitants Parallax leads Jordan back to the planet of Oa, where the Guardians of the Universe live. 

There Parallax fights against the Guardians who have kept the power of fear imprisoned for centuries, in the end Parallax is defeated and taken prisoner again. Parallax is also seen in the Blackest Night Green Lantern series.

In the upcoming Green Lantern movie there has been some debate about how Parallax will be represented. Comic fans are asking whether the movie version of Parallax will live up to and accurately represent the character in the comics.

So far, according to the synopsis of the movie Green Lantern, Hal Jordan will be fighting against Parallax. This leaves a very unnerving question how will Hal Jordan fight himself?

Sources Cited

Johns, G, & Van Sciver, E. (2007). Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special #1. Dc Comics.


Beatty, S, Greenburger, R & Wallace, D. (2008). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The definitive guide to the characters of the dc universe. DK Pub.


Johns, G, Van, E & Rollins, P. (2007). Green Lantern: Rebirth. Dc Comics.


Johns, G & Reis, I. (2008). Green Lantern: Secret Origin. Dc Comics.


Kirk, J. (n.d.a). The Unofficial Sinestro Biography. Retrieved from 
http://www.dcuguide.com/glcorps/profile.php?name=sinestro

Kirk, J. (n.d.b). The Unofficial Parallax Biography. Retrieved from
http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=parallax

Hal Jordan - The Green Lantern

Image of Hal Jordan - The Green Lantern
Copied from
http://www.popcrunch.com/10-superheroes-named-while-their-creators-were-high/

Abilities

• Shape a form of emerald energy to form physical constructs (Kirk, n.d)
• Flight
• Light beams
• Force fields
• Time travel
• Teleportation

Oath

In brightest day, In blackest night

No evil shall escape my sight

Let those who worship evil’s might

Beware my power, Green Lantern’s Light!

(Beatty, Greenburger, & Wallace, 2008) 

History

Introduced in DC’s Showcase 22^nd issue, Hal Jordan’s story begins at Ferris Aircraft in Coast City, California where his father was a pilot. Jordan was in love with the idea of being just like his father.

In the trade - trade is a phrase use in the comic industry that means a certain series of comics consolidated into a book - Secret Origin Green Lantern, Jordan states that “Before I was given the greatest weapon in the universe, before I journeyed to the stars—My dad gave me the power to do anything” (Johns, & Reis, 2008).

After witnessing his father die in a crash due to an untested plane, Jordan spiraled down into a life of teenage rebellion. Mostly this consisted of sneaking out to different airfields to watch the planes, something his mother did not approve of after her husband’s death. On his eighteenth birthday Jordan enlisted himself in the U.S. Air Force, a career that was short lived due to his mother’s death a few years later.

With his parents gone and his family disassembled Jordan has nothing left except for his love for flying. Working as a mechanic due to an ended career as pilot because of poor behavior and a reputation for not following the rules, Jordan waits for life to pass by unknowing that it is about to change forever. While sitting in his father’s old plane a green light begins to envelop him and suddenly lifts him straight into the sky. Landing him in front of some sort of alien ship, where he meets Abin Sur.

Abin Sur is Hal Jordan’s predecessor he leaves Jordan his ring as his final act of life. Jordan is the first human in the history of the Green Lantern Corps to receive a ring of willpower. Sur’s last words to Jordan include his astonishment at this fact. “An earthman, I never thought I’d live to see the day” (Johns, & Reis, 2008).


Humans where never meant to be a part of the intergalactic police force that is the Green Lantern Corps. This was because they were believed to be too unstable and easily corruptible. Jordan while not perfect in his career as the Green Lantern becomes the greatest Green Lantern of all time.


Hal Jordan is now the protector of Sector 2814.

Sources Cited


Beatty, S, Greenburger, R & Wallace, D. (2008). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The definitive guide to the characters of the dc universe. Dk Pub.


Johns, G, Van, E & Rollins, P. (2007). Green Lantern: Rebirth. Dc Comics.


Johns, G, & Reis, I. (2008). Green Lantern: Secret Origin. Dc Comics.


Johns, G, Mahnke, D & Alamy, C. (2010). Green Lantern: Brightest Day #53. Dc Comics.

Kirk, J. (n.d). The Unofficial Green Lantern Biography. Retrieved from

http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=greenlantern2

Press Release - Calling all Comic Fans

This is just a short post about my blog. I wanted to say my blog is out there! I can't wait for more people to read up on the awesomeness that is the Green Lantern. I hope to inform fellow comic readers and anyone who has a interest in the upcoming movie about the background of this amazing character.

More than that my main goal is to spark an interest in comics to people who have never given them a second glance. So to anyone or everyone who is reading my blog tell your friends, tell strangers, tell that guy in the grocery store get the word out there that this outstanding blog is here.

I appreciate and thank everyone who finds this blog useful and hope to reach my goal of making comic books come out of the shadows and inspire, entertain, and teach. Just as they have for me, I hope comics will bring joy to someone who never thought something so simple could do so much.

So remember tell anyone, tell everyone, Comics & Movies: The Green Lantern blog is here!!!