Two more comic books last night, where several characters are trying to find out what’s going on in their lives. Today – Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps 2 and New Super-Man 2!
New Super-Man 2
Written by Gene Luen Yang
Pencils by Viktor Bogdanovic
Inks by Richard Friend
For the record, the people who currently wear an S-shield in DC Comics: pre-Flashpoint Superman and his son Jonathan, Lex Luthor, Steel, the Eradicator, Krypto, Supergirl (she’ll be back next month), New 52 Lois Lane and Lana Lang (see yesterday’s Subway Shorts), Cyborg Superman and now Kenan Kong, a Chinese teenager that – like Lois and Lana – were imbued with New 52 Superman’s powers when he died.
So, the DC Comics universe has no shortage of Super-people. Although Kenan Kong, the new Super-Man of China is the only one with a somewhat tenuous connection to the real Superman. He’s also easily the most unlikable – and I’m including two noted super villains on that list. Kong is established in the first issue as not being a particularly nice kid, bullying a classmate and basically being a jerk.
After getting the powers of Superman in the first issue, Kong is captured and brought to the Ministry of Self-Reliance, within the Oriental Pearl Tower, where he is to train with the new abilities, which seem to be in flux. Kong also gets to meet the Bat-Man and Wonder-Woman of China and go on a mission with them to save a woman and her kid. Kong does not get along well with his new teammates. Although they seem to have established a grudging respect by the end of the story.
Kong is not a likable character in the slightest, even more annoying than the Kon-El version of Superboy ever was. We’ll surely get to see him grow, especially as he will likely have to go against his own father, who we see meeting with others who oppose the Ministry of Self Reliance. And since this is not Clark Kent, can we move away from the LLs? Kong once again tries to impress a reporter named Laney Lan. It’s too cutesy by half, I think.
I’m not sure what they’re going for here, and I’m honestly not sure I’m interested to read where it’s going for too much longer, unless they manage to make SOMEONE in the cast of characters more likable.
Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps 2
Written by Robert Venditti
Pencils by Rafa Sandoval
Inks by Jordi Tarragona
So, as we stand right now, we have three separate stories running through the book: Hal is looking for answers about the Corps; the Corps are back in the proper universe and seek the way home; and Sinestro and HIS Corps look to continue to maintain order through fear as replacements for the GLC.
As we hit the second issue, the last two story arcs are converging, as Hal runs into a couple of members of the Sinestro Corps and interrogates them for information they don’t have. Upon discovering that two of his number have encountered his former protege, Sinestro – who has been trying to bond with his daughter on WarWorld – orders a large contingent of his Corps to attack Jordan en masse.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the galaxy, GL John Stewart tells Guy Gardner to go on a recon mission to gather intel. I can only assume that the next issue will give Hal some backup as he goes up against a whole lot of enemies.
Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps, so far, has been a better book than the Green Lanterns book that stars two rookie Lanterns, but I really am left wanting SOMETHING, ANYTHING to happen sometime soon. Venditti is dragging out the story way too long, in my opinion, and it really kills the pace of the story.