Verdict Read Full Review

This is one of the best single issues of a monthly book that I've read in a long time. If anybody has any doubts as to why Geoff Johns has the fanbase and respect that he does, I submit Green Lantern #43 as Exhibit A. Also, in regards to fanbase and respect, let's talk about the skills of one Mr. Doug Mahnke for a minute. As far as working professionals in DC's stable of artists, this guy should be regarded as one of (if not the) best in the lineup. It's not an accident that he was the go to guy when Final Crisis needed help and he is absolutely fantastic on every page of this book. There's a bit of ret-conning going on here but it's used in a way that adds huge amounts of depth to a character most of us have probably never looked at twice. After a bit of stagnation with the prelude issues for Blackest Night, Black Hand's new origin and birth as the first Black Lantern will have you bouncing off the walls for Blackest Night to officially explode. There's no question as to the grade of Read Full Review

Before this event really kicks off I'd like to make a statement. If Black Hand's eventual defeat comes from Hal wearing all thedifferentrings from across the emotional spectrum and utilizing their collective power, then I will never be asdisappointed in any form of literature as I will be with that possible development. For now, I'll put mysuspicionsaside and just behappythat a great GL book is finally back on the stands. Read Full Review

Green Lantern has remained one of DC's best books despite the past few months of relatively lackluster installments. But with Blackest Night here and Mahnke on board, I'm hopeful those days are over. Unless you allow this issue's cover to shape your expectations, I can't imagine readers walking away disappointed. Read Full Review

Yes, this may be the darkest comic that Johns has ever produced, but it is also the perfect introduction to an event that may be the high-water mark for DC over this past decade. Read Full Review

Doug Mahnke makes his debut as the regular penciler of this book and I am at a loss of words. I cannot fully explain why his artwork takes my breath away. Where most artists will struggle with things like drawing children, Mahnke excels at flawlessly rendering a young William with simple yet prominent detail. The large head and lowered facial features is a testament to the man’s skill. He truly has honed his craft over the years and it is horrifying to think that there is still room for improvement. DC has truly found a worthy successor for Ivan Reis and when you combine him with Geoff Johns it is hard to believe that they will create anything less than spectacular. Read Full Review

It's effective, it's beautiful and it's very disturbing from front to back. Read Full Review

It's safe to say that this series will be landing at the top of the "read now" pile for the next few months. Read Full Review

I'm going to have a tough time waiting for Blackest Night #1 to arrive after reading this comic... I want to read Blackest Night #1 now!!! Read Full Review

I really haven't kept up with the Green Lantern titles these last six months. I have the issues sitting in a pile waiting to be read, and my interest in the series had started to wane. Thankfully Green Lantern #43, with the tight writing of Geoff Johns and fantastic art by Doug Manke has me giddy all over again. Of all the issues that arrived at the Major Spoilers Manor this week, Green Lantern #43 was second on the list of must reads. If you want to get on board Blackest Night, Green Lantern #43 is the place to start and earns 4.5 out of 5 Stars. Read Full Review

While I didn't get as much out of this issue as I'd hope, it is still a very good issue that tells you everything you could ever want to know about Black Hand while simultaneously kicking off Blackest Night with a literal bang. Read Full Review

When you look at the number of books he was writing during Infinite Crisis, I think it can be argued that it must have had an effect on the final products. I am hoping this series will not suffer the same fate--mainly because I'm really enjoying Green Lantern right now. Read Full Review

This issue is the tip of the iceberg, ladies and gentlemen, so stay on your toes for more exciting developments next week. Any Green Lantern fan will love this book, and everyone who has been anticipating "Blackest Night" should go out and get this prologue. Read Full Review

Green Lantern #43 was a serviceable read that did its primary job of establishing the Black Lantern Corps and setting forth their mission directive for Blackest Night. I suspect that readers who enjoyed the Red Lantern story arc and the Agent Orange story arc will also enjoy this issue. Green Lantern is important for readers unfamiliar with Black Hand and his role in the Green Lantern mythos. Also, this issue is a definite direct prologue into Blackest Night and it serves as a nice bridge from Green Lantern into Blackest Night #0. Despite my criticisms with this issue, I would still recommend getting Green Lantern #43 if you have decided to jump aboard Blackest Night. Read Full Review

If you liked this review, be sure to check out more of the authors work at Monster In Your Veins Read Full Review

It occurred to me today that "Blackest Night" isn't just the latest super-hero event to hit the stands. Johns is blending genres here, and therein lies the success of the concept. He's creating an amalgam of the super-hero epic and a zombie apocalypse. It's a wonderfully simple and natural merging. Both factions of fantastic fiction are enjoying a surge in popularity in the public consciousness, and bringing them together looks as though it's going to be entertaining for readers and lucrative for those presenting it to them. Read Full Review

Johns did a complete retcon on Black Hand, and it worked like a charm