Do y’all know the expression “less is more?” Of course you guys do, this is a smart community. It is a story device that I loved when it’s used properly. I’m a reader who doesn’t need something shown and explained what everything means right away. That’s the old school way of writing comics. So what exactly does this have to do with this recent issue of New Guardians? Well let’s just say and old foe “returns” but in a fashion that appears to be a different from their previous incarnation. The cover basically tells you who it is, but that’s where the fun can truly begin. So let’s open up this bad boy up.
The issue opens up ominously with Guardian Quaros on the planet Scrtara, as he witnesses the locals being abducted by unknown assailants. The opening prays on the fears of UFO abductions. Even having the camera behind Quaros enhances that feelings, even though you can’t see exactly what he sees. It gives the aura of mystery to this new threat, and while that feeling will eventually disappear it’s nice to see a different approach to introducing a villain. The facial expression by Quaros tells the story in the last page of this opening scene.
Jordan cuts back to Carol and the Guardians, and here is where Carol goes a bit overboard. I get that Carol has just opened herself up to Kyle emotionally but her nearly screaming at the Guardians about finding Kyle over them looking for their brother. It makes Carol seem like a teenager rather than the level headed woman she is known to be.
After learning that their brother is indeed danger, Jordan shows the status of Quaros and it is horrific. It almost appears that Walker drew inspiration from Saw. Having the back round in pure black leaving the readers imagination run wild adding to the horror feeling of this scene. The scene ending with Quaros losing his arm. The tone just got a tad dark if I might be so bold.
Switch back to Carol and the Guardians flying towards Quaros location at breakneck speed. What they find is a huge ship simply floating unsettling in space. This is the best piece of art in this issue, it sheer spectacle is striking but it still fits with the unsettling tone the book established earlier. The ship itself (and soon inside) reminds the reviewer of the Collector ship from Mass Effect 2.
The issue itself concludes with the crew venturing inside the ship itself, before entering though Carol does call out the Guardians not thinking logically but rather more on emotion and in this situation that could get them all killed. Which is ironic when you take into account how she was acting at the beginning of the issue.
As the team dives deeper and deeper the horrors begin to pop out and oh boy this book delivers on the nightmare fuel. Walker delivers on the grotesque creatures that begin to pop up all over the place, The issue does end with Kyle returning out of the blue with a smirk on his face as he see’s Carol for the first time since they kissed.
While this issue was a dramatic tone shift for New Guardians it was a well done one. Walker’s art was on fire as usual but it was cool to see his art style fit around this particular story. The suspense for the next issue is killing me inside!
Green Lantern: New Guardians #32 earns a 4/5
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