Of all of the title spinning out of the events of Infinite Crisis, this is the one that sparked my interest the least. The name alone strikes me as being unimaginative and unrelated to the character concept, and the cosmic adventures of some kind of Super Green Lantern seems a bit redundant when a new Green Lantern Corps series is waiting just around the bend. Marz doesn't meet those expectations; he disregards them and tells an unusual but surprisingly personal story that never lets the human artist get lost in the cosmic demigod. The loose artwork by Greg (Thor: Son of Asgard) Tocchini brings an light, dreamy quality to the book that's in keeping with the two-pronged approach to the plot.
At a secluded artists' retreat, Kyle Rayner focuses on his passion: his art. He paints, he reflects and he confers with Schuyler, the retreat's keeper and adviser. Kyle also encounters an alluring and mysterious young woman, another artist who's come to the retreat and who doesn't seem to speak. Meanwhile, on the other side of the universe, a man who also seems to be Kyle Rayner is being driven insane by his newfound, uncontrollable levels of Oan power, and two other members of the Green Lantern Corps try to serve as his saviors but may end up as his victims instead.
At first, I thought Tocchini's loose style wouldn't fit the need for sleek, crisp cosmic elements, but it does suit the story. There's a surreal tone to it that's in keeping with the weird tone of the deep-space setting and an airy but down-to-earth quality for the scenes at the retreat. The art strikes me as being a cross between the styles of Neal Adams and Gene Colan. The art-within-the-art elements could have been tricky, but Tocchini pulls it off nicely. I also love the design for Green Lantern Torquemada. The ghoulish-looking GL breaks out of the usual Lantern design.
Marz wisely touches upon the fact that Kyle's girlfriends keep ending up dead. If there's one thing that defines the character, other than his art, it's the disastrous nature of his relationships with women. Marz introduces a potential new female counterpart, though I suspect she's more of a symbol to allow Kyle to deal with his issues. I hope that this story ultimately proves not to be about the weight of the cosmos and the complexity of his mission resting on the hero's shoulders but the fact that he's been denied one of the simplest but most important needs a human being has: a partner.
Is Kyle going insane in deep space, attacking allies for no apparent reason? Or is he reconnecting with his art and finding peace in a serene, secluded place back home? Is the retreat actually a psychological one, or are Ion and Kyle now separate beings of some description? I found I was honestly intrigued by these questions. Marz brings an air of mystery to the book, and it's a solid hook to get his audience coming back, looking for answers. 7/10
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
