Rating:  -
do you really want to read a book that has Superman say "Go ahead, lovers of evil,"??? because I don't, but I did...regretfully. I know that writers are allowed to write poorly, so this isn't an attack at O'Neil, he just seemed uncomfortable writing about the character. So, bottom line, the story is really bad, the only reason I gave it 2 stars is because the last paragraph is one of the best paragraphs I'd ever read
Rating: -
Like others, I felt compelled to write a review of this book. Many others have taken offense at how this book changes the origin story of Kyle Rayner. However, it was easier for me, because I was not familiar with his origin before reading this book. Yet, I can understand how changing the foundation of a beloved character is disturbing. I was simply looking for a good story about the green lantern, so I was open to giving the author creative license to create a good tale.
Unfortunately, I found it very hard to like Kyle Rayner or even accept him as a believable character. Kyle is loaded with personal problems which is evident in his extreme difficulty accepting the role of the green lantern. However, he does not come across as the young adult who is the troubled loner or the misunderstood nerd that we come to love through the narration of the book. His unlikeable traits are not balanced out with anything that would lead me to be connected with Kyle in his journey, or even feel empathy for his strange and juvenile behavior. Specifically, Kyle is a bad communicator even when he communicates an idea well to the reader--he fails to communicate the idea to the other characters in the book. Additionally, he is a slow thinker that often has to retreat from hours to days to consider a problem. He also fails to notice the obvious. For example,if I was somehow changed into some superhero with unknown powers, wouldn't it be natural to see if I had the power to fly? You'll be surprised how long it takes Kyle. And, Rayner throughout most of the book just can't seem to have a sliver of fun with the ring. I just find it hard to connect with someone who's idea of fun after receiving a super powerful ring is to make a comfortable chair to brood.
The problem of not connecting with Kyle Rayner is exacerbated by the fact that he is the narrator, so there is no escape from his bad jokes, poor thinking and bad behavior throughout the entire book. So I am left feeling that I just don't like much about Kyle even when he starts to shed his slacker ways.
I read "about the author" at the end of the book. I was shocked to find out that Dennis O'Neil is not only a veteran comic book writer but actually gives writing workshops. I can only assume that this novel must be an anomaly, and that his work elsewhere is much better because he has celebrated success for many years at both Marvel and DC.
Rating:  -
This one became interestingly philosophical. A nice thing to do, given how the Lanterns work, plus, it had Hal and Kyle, a neat trick. This does show the origin of Kyle Rayner as Green Lantern, and how hopeless he is to start with. He picks it up though, and later on he ends up in a thought construct with Hal Jordan, and another representation of a hero, which involves some more in depth discussion of being a GL.
Rating: -
I give this book 4 of 5 because I read it in under 2 days...so that means i was hooked. the beginning was a little shaky, its written from Kyle's point of view. like a memoir or a biography. very strange and it takes some time getting used too. but the plot and characters are strong and well as the setting and the overall theme. i would have preferred that the book be about the bestest green lantern: Hal Jordan, alas it was about Kyle Raynor and its rocky beginning as the new Green Lantern. but, its still good. if the book actually follows the real beginning of Kyle Raynor... I have no idea. I never read his comics. but like I said, I was hooked and loved the fact that I got to see the beginning of Kyle's career. That's also why I loved Helltown, that's about the beginning of The Question. also very cool!
Rating:  -
1. O'Neil should know this character, and the DCU, a lot better than he seems to. Instead, he intentionally veers wildly off from DCU continuity -- not little fanboy stickling, but major pieces of the character and the world vary significantly from the "canon." Why?
2. The best part of the book, as noted elsewhere, is the beginning, where Kyle is learning how to actually use the ring.
3. The weakest part (aside from #1) is the endless Cosmic Stuff -- which, as also noted, takes up much of the book and works far less well in print than it might have with pictures. Or maybe not.
4. Kyle's characterization is solid and entertaining. Everyone else (in the JLA, the Oans, Hal Jordan, etc.) are cardboard cut-outs.
Not a bad book. Just, disappointingly, not a good one.
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