All aboard the Soule train!

Red Lanterns Vol 4: Blood Brothers marks the first arc that has Charles Soule (Swamp Thing, Superman/Wonder Woman, She-Hulk, everything else you know and love) as writer. Soule didn’t come alone either, bringing everyone’s favorite second-tier angry Green Lantern, Guy Gardner. While I understand that Guy has been elsewhere in the New 52, but the last time I saw him was the cancelled too soon Justice League International, so it’s been awhile.

For those unaware, Red Lanterns are the ones who have red rings and tend to be extremely angry. Entering issue #21, the leader of the Red Lantern is the ever “lovable” Atrocitus. The Red Lanterns consider themselves vastly superior to the Green Lanterns, which makes the Green Lanterns weary of them. Hal Jordan (now running the Green Lantern Corps) approaches Guy Gardner about going undercover as a Red Lantern to spy for Hal. Clearly, this is not going to end well. It doesn’t help that if you take off a red ring, you die, so its not exactly joining your run-of-the-mill social club. It also doesn’t help that the red ring can change a person.

Meanwhile (at the legion of doom), the Red Lanterns seek out new members to replenish their depleted numbers. It’s quickly apparent that Atrocitus runs the Red Lanterns and that it’s not exactly a democracy. Although it’s not like the Red Lanterns consider each other friends, which also becomes quickly apparent. Darwinism at it’s finest in the Red Lantern Corps. Guy pays the Lanterns a social visit and ends up fighting Atrocitus, eventually defeating him. It’s no more Mr. nice Guy (see what I did there?) as he gets to become the leader of self-serving angry psychopaths.

Guy Gardner finds himself the leader of an interesting group of individuals. Rankorr, Zilius Zox, Bleez, Skallox, and Ratchet make for some great supporting characters. It’s interesting watch Guy Gardner lead such a vastly different team from his days in Justice League International and watching his actions as a Red Lantern. One of the most interesting dynamics of Blood Brothers is wondering whether the red ring is changing Guy or was the type of person he’s becoming as a red lantern simply there all along. Of course, in the background remains Atrocitus plotting his revenge against Guy.

Guy’s enemy list is a continually growing one, also having to deal with Relic, an individual who destroyed the Blue Lanterns.

Red Lanterns under Soule is a comic firing on all cylinders. The story is fresh, has a number of interesting dynamics, and also has some great art. I can’t say enough good things about the art, especially the covers for this comic. I collect over 30+ comics a month and Red Lanterns always is able to find itself within my top five consistently. There’s been a couple times where it’s been my favorite book of the month. Whether you like lanterns and the history surrounding it or not, pick up this volume. Volume 4 of Red Lanterns is the beginning of a comic that stands out from the others in the New 52 because of how wonderfully different it is.

Red Lanterns Vol 4: Blood Brothers hits comic stands this Wednesday, May 28.

Author’s Note: Follow the blog on Twitter @pcguesstimate for updates on future reviews.