The covers: What a cover! The Main frontpiece to this issue is by Brad Walker, Drew Hennessy, and Jason Wright. It features all the members, or a good portion, of the Sinestro Corps standing practically up to their knees in green lantern rings. They look as though they’re screaming in anger and joy at what lies at their feet, as their leader looks down at the reader and says, “Fear our might!” Spectacular image that shows the power of this villain and his team. Incredible detail on all the characters and the coloring is amazing, considering all the shine that Wright had to put into all the costumes and rings. The Variant cover has the title character participating in an unexpected Bombshells cover! A poster on a brick wall proclaims that if one fears the dance floor, one should “See the Frighteningly Fierce Sinestro Perform His Jumpin’ Jives!” In small print it states “Warm-Up Acts Include: The White Lantern Corps, Atrocitus, and Mongul.” The very bottom states “The Parallax Ballroom*The Planet Qward*This Saturday*Don’t Be Late!” The image is a gorgeous vision of the yellow ring master wearing a yellow zoot suit by Emanuela Lupacchino and Tomeu Morey. This is a must own cover for any fan of Sinestro, but don’t let him see you with it or you’re dead! Overall grades: Both A+
The story: “Indoctrination” by Cullen Bunn is the perfect leap in point for anyone that’s considered checking this series out but didn’t know when to get in: that point would be now. On a barren world in Sector 1438, a bug eyed grey alien sits pondering the stars, his broken spaceship partially buried in the ground. A burst of yellow is followed by “Nax of the Naidroth Collective. You have the ability to instill great fear.” He stands and is bathed in yellow as the ring goes onto his finger. His clothes transform into the familiar togs of the Sinestro Corps and he begins to fly. He speaks to the his ring as he soars about his world and asks it what the Sinestro Corps is. That’s when Sinestro appears, telling him he has “been chosen for a greater purpose…To sow fear across the universe…and with it order. And you have been blessed.” The master of the yellow light has chosen to personally teach him, which gives him a momentary moment of reflection. The issue has Nax meet the rest of the corps by seeing them in action and going to their homeworld, which once belonged to another DC villain. On Pages 12 and 13 it’s revealed how Sinestro plans to have his corps police the universe since the Green Lanterns have vanished; it foreshadows future troubles. 18 brings another lantern forward, this one to assist Nax, and together learn about an individual’s death. It’s on Page 20 that Nax reveals why he was chosen by the yellow ring, and it’s grotesque and terrifying. The final page shows the leader of this lantern observing his flock and it’s not pretty. An outstanding read for new and old fans that shows the title character’s ideology in action. Overall grade: A+
The art: Stunning isn’t a strong enough word for what penciller Robson Rocha and inker Jonathan Glapion bring to this book. I admit to thinking that this was not going to be a visually interesting issue because of the design of Nax: he’s the stereotypical grey that hunts people in the backwoods of Earth. But oh, what a ruse this was! He looks frail and seems completely unsuitable for the ring until the full-paged splash on 20 — Wow! What a shocker that was! Pages 2 and 3 show the magic that all individuals feel when a ring chooses them, but the superb arrival of Sinestro on 4 is a like a slap to the face as his arrogance and malevolence just oozes out of him. I especially like all the tight close-ups on his face, with the reader having to look up at him; these instantly make him superior. Pages 6 and 7 are a partial double-paged splash that’s meant to be looked at vertically. It shows several members of the corps doing battle and it’s beautiful and sad as they kill their opponents. The reveal on 12 and 13 is great, and seeing these characters in action a few pages later was awesome. I’m glad they’re back, but worried about what they’ll most likely be doing soon. The final page is like peeking upon a god in his off hours, and it’s creepy. This was an amazing job by this art team who I would welcome back in a heartbeat. Overall grade: A+
The colors: The colors emanating from all the lanterns, especially Sinestro, make them so powerful looking. Jason Wright is responsible for providing all the colors to this book, and yellow is the stand-out shade. It’s everywhere: rings, constructs, energy blasts, and costumes. It consumes every page, just as it consumes the wearer of the rings. The pink skin of Sinestro is also strong, being sensationally shaded as he looks down upon characters and the reader. On 13 a batch of new/old characters are revealed and their coloring is mustard to show how they’re somewhat diluted with the yellow energy, and also giving setting them apart from those in the corps. Page 20 is the “wow” moment for Wright, as his colors make the imagery all the more unsettling: reds, pinks, and ivories look just gross! Wright is rocking this book. Overall grade: A+
The letters: Legendary Lantern letterer Dave Sharpe provides scene settings, ring speak, dialogue, robotic voices, a yell, the issue’s story title, and credits. All are great, with that brief robotic dialogue foreshadowing so much doom. Overall grade: A+
The final line: This is the issue to begin if you’ve not tried Sinestro. Readers are indoctrinated into the Sinestro Corps along with a new character and escorted around this group by their leader himself. The story is great and the visuals fantastic. I fear your fate should pass on this. Overall grade: A+
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