A complete listing of Blackest Night titles can be found on our Blackest Night page.  

Review by Paul Steven Brown

“Tales of the Blue Lantern: Saint Walker”

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist: Jerry Ordway

Color: Hi-Fi

Letterer: Steve Wands

“Tales of the Sinestro Corps Mongul: For Your Love”

Writer: Peter J. Tomasi

Artist: Chris Samnee

Colorist: John Kalisz

Letterer: Sal Cipriano

“Tales of the Indigo Tribe”

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist: Rags Morales

Colorist: Nei Ruffino

Letterers: Steve Wands

Additional Art: Doug Manke

Editor: Adam Schlagman

Published by DC Comics

One would think that the two years between The Sinestro Corps War and Blackest Night would allow more than enough time to provide context for some of the major new ring slingers for the various corps across the spectrum. Now that the next major chapter in the tapestry of Green Lantern Corps stories has finally arrived, there are still some unanswered questions. With the first issue of Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #1, writers Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi begin to deliver a few more answers on some new faces in the DC Universe.

The first story is a compelling origin tale for the first Blue Lantern, Saint Walker. Johns does an excellent job exploring the depths of Walker’s faith and in doing so, cuts to the core of what the Blue Lanterns and their mission of hope is all about. It doesn’t hurt that the legendary Jerry Ordway provides the art for this story. Despite Walker and his family’s alien faces, Ordway brings a high level of emotion and expression to them.

Mongul’s story doesn’t really provide much more context to the character than what has already been supplied in the past. This is not to say that Tomasi has crafted a poor story, but the other two in this issue cast lights on unknown characters and Mongul is more than established. Chris Samnee’s art is right at home with the subject matter and evokes an almost Jack Kirby feel.

The final installment of Tales of the Corps #1 was the most anticipated one as far as I’m concerned, because we finally get to meet the Indigo Tribe. This is the final of the seven armies of light, and until now, it has remained a mystery. Unfortunately, not much is revealed in this short story. This is further complicated by the fact that the Indigo Corps speak in a language untranslatable by Green Lantern or Sinestro Corps rings. We are allowed to witness two demonstrations of their compassion fueled powers, but it all feels a bit too vague. Hopefully, there will be more revealed about this mysterious tribe as this mini-series progresses.

As far as background material on the various corps, Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps is going to be a must for die hard Green Lantern fans. Luckily, it is being steered by the two men currently plotting the courses of Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps. This series may eventually prove helpful to the uninitiated as they try to suss out the various players during the Blackest Night event.

Rating: 7 out of 10 (Above Average)

Update on Friday, September 25, 2009 at 12:17AM by Corwin

Spoilers!

Important Notes:

• The Indigo Tribe make their first appearance and can use the powers of the other Corps!