“GODHEAD” Act 1, Part 1: Highfather, leader of the New Gods, has long studied the infinite and infinitely mysterious Source Wall which surrounds the universe. Now, he has learned that during “Green Lantern: Lights Out,” the ring-wielders broke through the Wall and stole secrets of cosmic importance. Determined to breach the Source Wall himself, Highfather must gain one of each colored ring in the emotional spectrum. But even mighty Highfather doesn’t know all, and the forces he’s about to unleash will have transformative effects on the whole DC Universe! Cosmic mystery, overwhelming odds, familiar and brand-new New Gods – This one’s got it all! This issue also includes a special fold-out that will take you to the Source Wall like never before!
Summary
In his millennia long battle with his brother Darkseid All Father of the New Gods has been searching for the life equation. Metron at the source wall reveals to all father that a white lantern created from fusing all the colored spectrums together has breached the wall. Armed with this info he dispatches his warriors to recover a single ring of each spectrum. Upon their success he unites them in a single weapon and triues to use their power to create gods out of the very worst of the universe. Unsuccessful he laments that the rings are too dangerous for the lower life forms and his army should kill all ring bearers or strip them of their power. He also makes plans to use the white lantern as his ultimate weapon against Darkseid.
What I thought
As far as opening salvos go this one was pretty good. It had good art from start to finish and we have a clear focus and direction unlike marvel’s AXIS. All Father seems to be a little too overzealous in his campaign but it’s enough of a grey area that one can argue for and against his methods. Even among his army some of his tactics are called into question. Their was family tension between high father and his son Orion and even a bit of rivalry between Orion and metron while Orion’s personality was the most pronounced of the bunch. We also saw glimpses of what has been going on in the Green Lantern line since we last followed it in earnest up to the War of the Green Lanterns. Sinestro also came across as perhaps the most capable of the Lanterns as he should be. Black heroes John Stewart and I also dig the cover art; it shows the all father of the new gods holding a cube which can house one ring from each of the various lantern corps. It is highly reminiscent of Thanos the mad titan from Marvel comics holding the infinity gauntlet. It also doesn’t hurt that Hal Jordan looks like a simpering girl at the bottom either. Overall this was a pretty good issue and we give it 4/5 stars
“GODHEAD” Act 1, Part 2: That shudder you felt was the New Gods declaring their intentions against all ring-wielders! Having staked their claim to the emotional spectrum, the New Gods set about redefining the universe in their image, starting with Metron, who’s determined to steal the secrets of the Corps’ Citadel. But Hal and the Corps have something to say about that. Good luck trying to make yourself heard when you’re talking to a god!
Summary
Metron continues to analyze the sourcewall and the Green Lantern ring taken from Mogo. Hal Jordan and company track the ring to the sourcewall and have their asses handed to them by Orion and the Royal Guard. Elsewhere Mogo is silent and dieing without his ring and the Sinestro Corps prepare to attack.
What I thought
I liked the pacing and the battle that unfolded between the new gods and the lanterns. It was nice to have Hal Jordan kicked around for a change instead of the normal hero worship that occurred while Geoff Johns was writing the character. I also liked the cover and art. The action however was the main selling point of this issue. Overall I give this issue 3/5 stars
“GODHEAD” Act 1, Part 3: The New Gods are on the march, and the war against the ring-wielders has begun. John Stewart summons a strike team of Green Lanterns to go into battle against the fiercest of the New Gods, Uggha and his deadly warriors. But what good is the most powerful weapon in the universe when the Lanterns face the gods of the entire multiverse?!
Summary
On the changed Planet John Stewart leads a contingent of lanterns in to check the planet for survivors. What they find is a ravaged and changed planet thanks to All Father tampering. They engage with Uggha and his band who have come to give the changed inhabitants a merciful death. They overpower the lanterns who flee. On the verge of defeat the Lanterns are rescued by the leader of the Indigo Tribe. At the Green Lantern base Killowog and the remaining lanterns make plans to find cover with the Yellow Lanterns’. Metron also locates Kyle Rayner the White Lantern.
What I thought
I enjoyed this issue immensely. The action ramped up the art was the best so far and John Stewart, our planet destroying Green Lantern may have held his own the best against one of the gods so far in the Godhead series. The New gods in light of the marvel cinematic universe can draw parallels to the Asguardians who police the universe and try to keep the peace. The New Gods however see themselves as far above all other life forms and think their version of morality is right always. It’s a nice touch that makes them a real tangible and frightening threat. We also realize that a war fought in our universe between them and the denizens of Apocalypse would leave the universe destroyed. This is literally being caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. We give this issue 4/5 stars
“GODHEAD,” Act 1 Part 4: Kyle Rayner’s experience beyond the Source Wall has left him slowly losing his grip on reality, and the Guardians are gravely concerned. When help arrives in the form of Highfather, the Guardians know the All-Father is not to be trusted, but desperation can lead to bad decisions. Kyle’s walking into a trap, and he has more to lose than he can imagine!
Summary
Kyle Ranyer/the white lanterns is told by the new guardians that the New Gods are after the power within him after returning from beyond the source wall, the life equation. He decides to go out and aid the lantern corps that has been attacked but in fear they try to tear the equation from him to prevent its access by the gods. Carol intervenes and his powers go out of control. The universe starts to change around him. All father appears and beckon Kyle manages to calm him and help him temporarily control his powers. High fathers tells Kyle to Join him on New Genesis so he can help him further. Kyle agrees and after kissing Carol they jump through the boom tube
What I thought
This is the weakest art thus far in this series but still decent. I enjoyed seeing Kyle one of my all time favourite characters on the pages once more. I dropped the New Guardians book after the war of the green lanterns because Fatality exited the book and my pull list was just too damn long. Seeing Kyle again filled me with loads of nostalgia. Even as reality altered around him and Alex reappeared before even reading he words my heart leapt at the possibility of Alex his very first love who was murdered and stuffed in his fridge returning to life. This was also an emotional moment as long time Rayner fans know that this was the catalyst which made Kyle truly take his Green Lantern mantle seriously and lead to the atsrt of his tragic life where his girlfriends always end up dead. I also found it rather telling that the new guardians rescued during the Green lantern war turned out to behave and think much like their predecessors. I guess you really can’t teach some dogs any tricks not tied into their genetic code. I am not a fan of Kyle shacking up with Carol Farris since she is after all Hal Jordan’s sloppy seconds but I’ll bear with it for the purpose of the story. High Father also managed to convince Kyle to come with him despite his ulterior motives. I can’t wait to see what happens next. Overall a very enjoyable and action backed book tinged with emotion and nostalgia. We give this 4/5 stars
“GODHEAD,” Act 1 Part 5: Guy Gardner’s at his lowest point in he horrific aftermath of “The Atrocitus War,” consumed with rage towards himself for the many lives lost, and he’s taking it out on whomever he can! His actions have caught the attention of Earth’s sole Green Lantern, Simon Baz! Unfortunately, Earth itself has caught the attention of the New God, Malhedron!? But unlike his green compatriot, Guy’s on a rage-filled suicide mission, and he’s just looking for a target!
Summary
On earth Guy Gardner the Red Lantern attacks Qurac and its leader they are intercepted by Malehedron and his new god cadre. They quickly subdue the Qurac leader and on the verge of killing Gardner Simon Baz enters the fray. He wants them to flee but Guy refuses. Malehedron is about to kill them when he is called back to New Genisis by High Father.
What I thought
This issue was filler in all honesty. It served the purpose of letting us know that Malehedron the new god is also a black hero. DC so needs more of that right now. This issue had action and average art but as I said it did nothing really to further the overall plot. Plus Simon Baz is still a gimmick character that has nothing to differentiate him from or add to the tapestry of diversity in comics. We give this issue a 2.5/5 stars
“GODHEAD,” Act 1 Part 6: The Green Lantern Corps is on it’s last legs – which means it’s Sinestro and the Sinestro Corps to the rescue. But is bringing their sworn enemies to the heart of their stronghold a good move? Sinestro’s actions and motivations are often two different things, and not all is as it seems. Or, to put it more directly, pay close attention to a very…interesting conversation Sinestro has with his greatest nemesis, Hal Jordan!
Summary
On Nok the home world of the indigo tribe the green lanterns have taken refuge. Unfortunately for them it is being attacked by general Bekka and her fiercely loyal warriors. Sinetro who had stashed Despotalis (the living virus) in the ring she stole manages to gain allot of info on her and decides to aid his fellow lanterns. On the planet’s surface his corps manages to hold their own briefly before he has them grab who they can and self destructs those left. He strikes a critical first wound to the new gods in the war and Bekka vows vengeance.
What I thought
This was a great issue. Sinetro has always been a fascinating character and this series has him front and center doing what he does best. This issue was packed with machinations, action, great art a dazzling cover. Sinestro’s fascination with Bekka has all the makings of either a future romance or future rivalry or even both. I can dig it. Sinestro may also be one of the very best tacticians in the galaxy as he manages to use his pawns to great effect and may very well have killed the first new gods in this open season war on all lantern corps. We give this issue 4/5 stars