So, Final Crisis: Revelations has recently hit the shelves and I have to say this is probably one of the best tie ins so far I have read. If you can imagine, the Spectre finally delivered the long over due justice/revenge on Dr. Light. The Spectre judges Dr Light (who is in the middle of a mock superhero rape orgy with various women dressed as Teen Titans), and burns him to death by turning him into a candle and using his head for the wick. The Spectre, in his characteristically ironic fashion, chose this punishment because of Light’s abuse of his ability to manipulate light. It didn’t stop there, long time Kyle Rayner villain, and an old favorite of mine, Effigy also suffered the Spectre’s wrath. Effigy is killed by The Spectre, who melts him down and traps him in a lantern resembling a Green Lantern ring’s power battery. The problem is, we don’t know if Effigy is truly dead or the fact he could return. Oh well, remember The Blackest Night is coming. I can see Martin getting a Black Lantern Ring. However, Libra is apparently more powerful then the Spectre and threatens to destroy them, but the Spectre uses its powers to escape. Although Allan swears that he will no longer do as god says and attempts to revoke his status as the Spectre, he finds himself called by god to enact vengeance on his former partner Renee Montoya for her sins. So, it’s going to be interesting to see if the Question can escape the Spectre or if Crispus will finally give Libra what he deserves.

August is here and that means that we are heading to the end of 2008 and lots of stuff coming up for Green Lantern. First of all, I want to reveal that October will be Batman month. The Dark Knight has been problematic with Green Lantern for years from ally to enemy. So, you can bet I have a lot of Batman moments to talk about and I’ll even have a week completely dedicated to The Long Halloween series. Oh, you are going to love that week. The Red Lanterns will be taking over the Spotlight through the month of November. I’ll talk not only about the early days of the Empire of Tears but of course deal with profiles and even talk about what makes a Red Lantern. Going to be cool stuff. Expect August and September to be focused on regular talk about the GL Universe from the upcoming War of Light and “Who Will be a Black Lantern?” I’m also hoping to start getting some interviews and debates going with fellow Green Lantern fans and web site moderators. I want the Green Lantern Spotlight to start standing in it’s own light and dealing with related books. Hope you continue to stick around.

The biggest news this past weekend is that the creative team behind Green Lantern: Rebirth are bringing us Flash: Rebirth. As Barry Allen the Silver Age Flash returns during Final Crisis and finds himself back in Central City and back into his old life. But the world has changed since Barry was last around. From the cops to the Rogues to his old friends and family. Read the interview to learn more.

I decided to do a quick post on a former Green Lantern and Flash Rogue, Goldface. I barely remembered this guy from the early days until he showed up leading the Keystone City Union during Geoff Johns’ run on the Flash. He’s a pretty cool character and I’m hoping we see him next month in Rogues’ Revenge. So, here’s the story on Goldface “Don’t mess with the Union.”

Keith Kenyon is a criminal scientist. He drinks a gold-based serum he has been working on. This grants him superhuman strength and invulnerability. He also exhibits a golden glow.
Gold being yellow gives him a great advantage over the superhero Green Lantern, as his powers do not work on that color. However, he is defeated while trying to steal sunken gold needed for his endeavors.
Goldface creates gold-plated armor and a ‘gold-gun’ which sprays liquid gold. After many clashes with Green Lantern, Kenyon decides to change his motif and ruthlessly began taking over criminal empires.
He eventually moves to Central City and becomes a foe of the Flash II (Barry Allen). After serving time, he moves to Keystone City and, following in his father’s footsteps, became an honest Commissioner of Union 242. Over time, his elixir has slowly turned his skin into an organic gold flesh. He was most recently a supporting character in the stories of Wally West, the previous Flash, prominently featured in a story arc that had his ex-wife, Blacksmith and her rogues taking over Keystone and Central City.

DC Comics has released it’s previews for Green Lantern and Final Crisis related books for October 2008. The War of Light is about to begin, here comes the Red Lantern Corps, the Star Sapphire Corps and the Orange Lantern Corps.

FINAL CRISIS: RAGE OF THE RED LANTERNS

Written by Geoff Johns; Art and covers by Shane Davis and Sandra Hope

The prelude to “The Blackest Night” begins here! They come from a place of great anger and hatred. They are
the Red Lanterns and they will have their revenge against the greatest Green Lantern – Sinestro. That is, unless the Guardians have theirs first.

DC Universe | 40pg. | Color | $3.99 US

On Sale October 15, 2008

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #29

Written by Peter J. Tomasi; Art and Cover by Pat Gleason and Drew Geraci

The lead-in to “Blackest Night” begins with “The Sins of the Star Sapphire.” Catch a glimpse into the beginning of the latest Corps being formed and what it will mean to the Green Lanterns. Plus, Ice proposes to Guy Gardner!

DC Universe | 32pg. | Color | $2.99 US

On Sale October 8, 2008

GREEN LANTERN #36

Written by Geoff Johns; Art by Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy; Cover by Shane Davi

The prelude to “The Blackest Night” continues, building off of FINAL CRISIS: RAGE OF THE RED LANTERNS! Hal and the Green Lanterns venture to the prison planet Ysmault to face the full fury of Atrocitus and the Red Lantern Corps. Meanwhile, the war lights ignite across the universe as the Controllers seek out the Orange Lanterns.

DC Universe | 32pg. | Color | $2.99 US

On Sale October 29, 2008

FINAL CRISIS #5 (OF 7)

Written by Grant Morrison; Art and covers by J.G. Jones, Carlos Pacheco and Jesus Merino

Humanity enslaved! Time shattered and bleeding! Anti-Life triumphant! Can Earth’s demoralized, beaten heroes rally their scattered forces for the ultimate super-battle against the nightmare armies of Apokolips when the forces of good meet the forces of evil on the bridge to Blüdhaven? As Darkseid’s presence causes reality itself to sicken and the lights to go out across the universe, as even the Guardians fall, the true power of the evil gods finally reveals itself, and a major character returns for a shocking conclusion.

Does the secret of humankind’s salvation lie in a mysterious cave painting and a bolt of lightning? Or has the Last Day come for us all?

DC Universe | 40pg. | Color | $3.99 US

On Sale October 29, 2008

FINAL CRISIS: SUBMIT

Written by Grant Morrison; Art by Matthew Clark and Norm Rapmund; Covers by Matthew Clark and Rodolfo Migilari

In a world overrun by Darkseid’s Anti-Life Equation and his relentless storm troopers, do you choose to SUBMIT? As the lines between Super Hero and Super-Villain become blurred, the ultimate odd couple of Black Lightning and Tattoo Man, in what could be their final adventure, battle against the odds to save a family from the great darkness.

DC Universe | 40pg. | Color | $3.99 US

On Sale October 1, 2008

FINAL CRISIS: REVELATIONS #3 (OF 5)

Written by Greg Rucka; Art by Philip Tan, Jeff de los Santos and Jonathan Glapion; Covers by Philip Tan

The Anti-Life Equation has infected Gotham City, turning friend, foe and family into mindless slaves of Darkseid, and the might of the Spear of Destiny has left The Spectre powerless. Can The Question find the answer to restoring hope inside the one being capable of saving the world?

DC Universe | 40pg. | Color | $3.99 US

On Sale October 8, 2008

FINAL CRISIS: RESIST

Written by Greg Rucka and Eric Trautmann; Art by Ryan Sook; Covers by Ryan Sook and Rodolfo Migliari

In a world overrun by Darkseid’s Anti-Life Equation and his relentless storm troopers, do you choose to RESIST? The world’s only hope for survival depends on one-time JLA mascot Snapper Carr, Mr. Terrific, and Checkmate. With the aid of the villainous Cheetah, Snapper must rally the various factions of Checkmate and awaken an evil from a Crisis past. Could this actually be the end?

DC Universe | 40pg. | Color | $3.99 US

FINAL CRISIS: LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #3 (OF 5)

Written by Geoff Johns; Art by George Pérez and Scott Koblish; Covers by George Pérez

The Legion of Super-Heroes call in the reinforcements against Superboy Prime and the Legion of Super-Villains
as the Crisis of the 31st Century continues. While Superboy Prime comes face-to-face with the last of the Green Lanterns, Brainiac 5 and XS attempt to ignite an electrical storm using the lightning rod, which is destined to turn the tide of the war. And what are Polar Boy, Dawnstar and Wildfire up to in the 20th Century?

DC Universe | 40pg. | Color | $3.99 US

On Sale October 22, 2008

At long last, Rage of the Red Lanterns begins, we see the last Green Lanterns of the 31st Century cut lose on Superman-Prime and the Star Sapphire Corps is unleashed. Now looking at Green Lantern Corps, interesting that Ice is proposing to Guy and that Kyle and Natu are shown together. I can’t wait for these issues and the lead in to The Blackest Night begins as the War of Light starts.

So, I went to Rosemont this past weekend with my brother, Trevor for Wizard World Chicago. Which is the yearly comic book convention that is held in Rosemont every year. We missed last year due to lack of funds and it was too close to the Iowa trip last year. Well, we stayed at my uncle and aunt’s in Des Plains, which was only 10 minutes from the convention center. Friday we got in early since we were advanced ticket holders and well… it was like seeing an old friend. We hit up the DC and Marvel Comics booths and looked around for deals and old friends that usually attend. We took out a bunch of our books by the time the evening hours rolled in and had a great time at the DC vs. Marvel panel with Geoff Johns and Brian Michael Bendis and friends.
After some Dunkin Donuts on Saturday, we learned early on that artist, Michael Turner had passed away after a long battle with cancer. It was like a lot of the heart was taken out of the convention. Several creators left due to sad event and others cancelled. We pretty much went around, standing in line and talking to others about Turner’s passing. Our bright spot of the day was meeting Jennifer “Phoenix” Wildstrom from American Gladiators and getting several trade paper back deals. After a wonderful dinner we got things packed up before our last day on Sunday. Sadly, my shampoo and Trevor’s contact solution were left behind. We have to wait for my family to return home from vacation before we get them back in the next week or two. We pretty much hit up sketches from various artists and then attended the fan panels for DC and Marvel. Both which we were quoted in the interviews there.
The two of us were meant to meet up with my friend Vicky after the convention but her purse had been pick pocketed and she had to cancel. We headed back towards Sycamore but stopped in St. Charles. I was hoping to pick up my deposit from my tux but the store had closed a half an hour before. We ate at Olive Garden and then headed home. It was a great time and we spent a lot of money but it was worth it. I’m back to work tomorrow and I’m just hoping to enjoy the 4th this week and hopefully ace my interview at the hospital for the new job.

Here’s some unused pages from the Sinesto Corps hard cover. As it shows, not only is Kyle Rayner possessed by Parallax but so are John Stewart and Guy Gardner. Now, this brings up the Parallax Corps. We know that Parallax can split himself up and “infect” others with his powers. Now, there is a possibility we could see this come up during “The Blackest Night” or even more, the Sinestro Corps might at some time evolve into the Parallax Corps. Just like when Kyle became Ion again, it was the next step in the Green Lantern evolutions, where Ion spit his powers into all Green Lanterns. Allowing them not use their rings and have direct power from the Central Battery of the green power spectrum. I could see this happening with Parallax, not to mention Parallax has been split into four pieces and imprisoned in each of the Earth Green Lanterns. Makes for an interesting topic.

I’ve been wanting to get to this for some time but I thought I would wait until a little bit more light was shed (no pun intended) on the Red Lanterns. However, with Final Crisis going now and Rage of the Red Lanterns only a couple months away. I thought I would finally do the profile on Laira. Since her return, I’ve felt there was more going on with her. After the Sinestro Corps War, I felt and from what Ganthlet said, that rage would fuel the Red Lantern. I put it together with Laira. She has felt such betrayal and seen those she loved destroyed in front of her. It was only a matter of time before her rage got the better of her. To quote Star Wars again: “Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate… leads to suffering.” That’s what has happened to Laira. She felt fear when she was originally left for dead by Hal Jordan when he was taken over by Parallax. Then her anger started to build from that and then she started to hate when Ke’Haan was murdered in front of her and to pour salt in the wound. See his his family dead before her by another Sinestro Corps member. The fact she is now a Red Lantern shows just how far she has fallen but like Darth Vader, will she see the light again?

Laira was born on the planet Jayd in space sector 112. She was trained by her father Kentor Omoto to take over his role as a soldier of the Guardians of the Universe as Green Lantern of her sector. Her training was also one strict with tradition and honor. During her training she became exceptionally adept at her native martial arts. Throughout his time with his daughter he never hid the fact that the ruling council of his planet were not doing things the way he would, he saw their rule as weak and disreputable. After the disappearance of her father during the Crisis on Infinite Earths and the proclamation by the Guardians that he was dead, she was considered for the post of ring bearer and Green Lantern of her sector. Her instructor turned out to be Ke’Haan of Varva, Kilowog’s second in command. Most would have thought her doomed to fail as Ke’Haan was renowned for his tough as nails training. More green lantern recruits flunked out or quit under him than anyone else. Eager to please and finding a kindred spirit of honor within her teacher, she became his prized pupil. To complete her training she was sent to the city of X’ol on her home planet. Her mission was to put an end to one who had become known as the ‘Golden Dragon’. When she used her formidable skill to infiltrate his Castle, she made a startling discovery. Upon coming face to face with the villain, he was revealed to be her previously thought dead father, Kentor Omoto. Discovering that her father had become a tyrant in X’ol, she was shocked and hesitated to attack him. He explained to her his return from the crisis and to his home planet, where the years of sitting idly by had finally broken him. He was disgusted by the behavior of the people of X’ol and had crossed the same ethical line as Sinestro, using his ring to influence the people’s behavior as well as that of the ruling council. When the guardians discovered his actions, he was charged with political interference and was stripped of his power ring and returned to Jayd. Once he was back home, the ruling council exiled him. Having lost everything he created the identity of the Golden Dragon so that he could remake X’ol in his image. Her father pled with her to forget the guardians and the things he had taught her about honor. Realizing her father endangered not just X’ol but all of Jayd she engaged him in battle and through her skills, coupled with the teachings of her mentor Ke’haan, she bested the fallen Lantern. Omoto defeated by his daughter asked her to kill him, as honor demanded his blood for what he had done. She however refused and he instead committed Hara Kiri.

Her mission completed, Laira returned to Oa angry at the guardians for hiding the true nature of her mission from her. The guardians impressed with her loyalty and skill, awarded her the title of Green Lantern of her sector and inducted her into the Green Lantern Corps, she had passed their test. She was known as one of the Corps’ fiercest warriors, and her martial arts skills were second to none. She is noted as never looking at her target, so that every attack is a surprise. Due to the amount of time she spent with Ke’Haan, many in the Corps thought that they had a relationship separate and apart from teacher and pupil despite the fact that Ke’Haan had a family.When word that Hal Jordan had gone rogue reached the guardians on Oa, they quickly sent word to their fiercest warriors. Laira and her mentor, Ke’Haan, engaged Hal Jordan but fell to his increased power and near psychotic rage. She and Ke’Haan were both stripped of their power rings and left for dead.
She was later discovered by a reformed Hal Jordan and Guy Gardner to be held captive by the Manhunters, along with the other “Lost Lanterns,” including Kreon, and Tomar-Tu, who had recently escaped to kill Jordan in revenge for his rampage. She, her mentor, and the others, with the help of Jordan and Gardner, put an end to the manhunter planet of Biot and returned to Oa where she resumed her duties as Green Lantern of her sector. Nevertheless, they could often be found together on Green Lantern Corps missions.

During the Sinestro Corps war, Laira and the Lost Lanterns came to Hal Jordan’s aid on Qward. the group then split up, with Laira, Ke’Haan and Boodikka searching for Ion, and Hal, Graf Toren, and Tomar-Tu looking for John Stewart and Guy Gardner. Laira’s group would then run into the Anti-Monitor, who slaughtered Ke’Haan, but they were able to recover Ion and return to Oa.
After preventing the invasion of Coast City by the Sinestro Corps, Laira visited the Crypt of the Green Lanterns to mourn Ke’Haan’s death. Hannu reveals to Boodikka that the two had been attracted for some time, but that Ke’Haan had refused her because he had a family on his home planet. Laira and the Lost Lanterns set out to his homeworld to deliver news of his death, only to find that his family has been murdered by Sinestro Corps member Amon Sur. Enraged by this act, Laira ignores Sur’s requests that he be taken into custody (to which he had willingly submitted), and the Lantern murders him. Afterwards, Laira is held in custody on Oa, while her fellow Lanterns who were with her at Amon Sur’s death all testified that she murdered him. She was placed in the custody of the newly founded Alpha Lanterns, and then tried by the Guardians, who found her guilty and stripped her of her power ring.
After her trial, Laira was supposed too be transported back to her homeworld Jayd by Hannu, until a red power ring attacked their ship and chose Laira as its bearer, making her the second person to become a Red Lantern.

The Green Lantern who gave into her hate, like Sinestro gave into his fear. They are more alike then either one of them want to believe. We’ll find out more as Atrocitus and the origin of the Red Power Lantern unfolds in the next couple of months.