Writer: Peter Milligan
Penciller: Ed Benes
Inker: Rob Hunter
Colorist: Nathan Eyring
I was first introduced to the Red Lanterns while I read through the Blackest Night series back in 2009 (has it really been that long?!). Apparently, the first appearance of Red Lanterns was back in 2008 during the Green Lantern Sinestro Wars story arc. I always thought that the emotional spectrum of lanterns was thought up during Blackest Night... See http://www.dccomics.com/sites/greenlantern/
Anyway...
Okay so this comic delves into a little more detail about the Red Lanterns and Atroticus, the first member of the Red Lantern Corps. The comic gives some detail about how the Manhunters, controlled by Krona (a Guardian of the Universe), killed Atroticus' family along with his entire race. The Manhunters were the Guardians first form of a galactic police force before creating the Green Lantern Corps (i.e. Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan). Anyway, this left Atroticus in a deep rage that spawned the birth of the Red Lantern Corps.
As the leader of the Red Lanterns, Atroticus knows that he has to keep a certain level of toughness and rage in order to command obedience. He senses that some of his followers seem to be questioning his "manliness" and abilities to lead. Lead to what end..? I guess they are vigilantes for people that want justice/revenge...? I'm not quite sure yet...
For a first time reader: a lot of information... kind of confusing if you don't know anything about the Guardians, Green Lantern Corps, etc.
Of course, you most likely wouldn't buy this comic book unless you had some sort of familiarity with Green Lantern...
Anyway, I thought the story was just okay. Kind of a slow start since most of the comic was spent as an introduction... The art got a little better towards the end. I might get issue #2 just to see how the story plays out, but not quite sure if I'll stick with this series.
Writing: 7/10
Art: 7/10
Storytelling: 6/10
Overall score: 6.67 (that's kind of interesting if you know the sector number of Ysmault)
