Archive for the ‘Blogs’ Category

My name is Jim Remolde.  I have been an active comic book fan for about 5 years.  I will be writing reviews of the comic book series ‘The Darkstars’ from the 1990’s.  Why, you might ask?  I am so glad you asked that question.

I said I was not active in comics, what I should have said was that I was not active in superhero comics.  Growing up in the 1980’s, I read ‘Star Trek’ by DC Comics, ‘Star Wars’, and ‘G. I. Joe’; both licensed comics published by Marvel.  I also fell in love with the little cartoon from the 70’s into the early 80’s called the Super Friends.  My favorite season being the Challenge of the Superfriends which pitted eleven of DC Comics heroes including the then big four of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman along with Robin with other heroes like Flash, Hawkman, and the Green Lantern, notably Hal Jordan.  I, of course not reading comics, never heard of the characters of Guy Gardner and John Stewart, who were both Green Lanterns in the printed book, against the thirteen (that number might mean something, I’ll have to ponder that) of the most fearsome villains of the galaxy including a yellow ring slinging villain called Sinestro.

I fell in love with Green Lantern, but I thought there was only one, like Superman or Batman. I also had no concept of the Multiverse either. I had a lot to learn.

Sure I watched other shows and movies as the time moved on, I learned about Hal going mad with power and a new Green Lantern coming along, Kyle Rayner.  I watched the Superman animated series where Superman meets Kyle, not much of a memory of that show or episode and even then the Bruce Timm universe took a more expansive approach.

I found that in the 2000’s a new team up show, The Justice League was starting and I watched Batman and Superman begrudgingly teaming up.  I like a little dissension in their ranks but I still hold that, at the end of the day, they will have each others backs.  They both teamed up to free the alien J’onn J’onzz from a government installation and in the escape other heroes were called in telepathically by J’onn; Wonder Woman, Flash (Wally West), Hawkgirl and Green Lantern.  I knew of Wally and that he was not Barry Allen who I thought was the first Flash (sorry Jay) and of course I knew the two women, but the Green Lantern surprised me.  I was thinking that the Lantern would be Kyle, he was not.  I had just been introduced to John Stewart.

I wanted to do some research and through Comixology I got into the Green Lantern comics starting with ‘Rebirth’ and moving into ‘Blackest Night’ and I was hooked.  Of course I read about Hal and Kyle and Guy Gardner (who I first met on the show Batman:  The Brave and the Bold) but also John Stewart.  Green Lantern became my gateway drug to the rest of the DC Universe and I discovered the Multiverse as a result. So Alan Scott, Jay Garrick, Helena Wayne; pleased to meet you all!

By listening to podcasts and getting into the “older” (I use that term loosely as I am in my 40’s now) comics I learned more about the back stories of characters like John.  I read ‘Green Lantern:  Mosaic’ which highlighted John as the main character.  I learned about the tragedy of Xanshi and John’s own military and architectural background.  I also learned about another cosmic force which John would eventually join that also included Donna Troy from Marv Wolfman’s run of the ‘New Teen Titans’, called the Darkstars.  A group that was led by a group of aliens related to the Guardians of the Universe called the Controllers.

In my posts I will be reviewing ‘The Darkstars’ series including their crossovers with ‘Green Lantern’. I’ve found that both Hal and Kyle had dealings with them, the ‘Teen Titans’, ‘Damage’, and ‘L.E.G.I.O.N.’.  I will be examining the Controllers and hopefully get at their motivations and why they split from the Guardians.  My thanks to Chad and Mark for allowing me to document my journey on the Lanterncast.com and I hope you will enjoy this journey as I will in taking it.  Your comments and questions, as always, are more than welcome.

Now let’s get this journey started as we travel back to a time after a reality altering Crisis where Barry died and nothing else is really known and a time before a Kryptonian died and a vigilante in a gothic city was broken by a hulking drug addict…

Cover dated in July of 1940 (meaning an on sale date of May-ish) ‘All-American Comics’ #16 featured the very first appearance of Alan Scott, the Golden Age Green Lantern. That means that it’s been a full 75 years since the concept of Green Lantern was created by Martin Nodell.

So we here at the LanternCast are coordinating a massive crossover with several of the dedicated Green Lantern related blogs, websites and podcasts across the internet. 

A few of the more notable participants in this crossover are as follows:

The Brightest Day, The Blackest Night

Flodo’s Page Blog

Green Bloggers Site

Blog of Oa

As we celebrate one of the greatest characters in modern American mythology, be sure to use the hashtag #GL75th across various social media sites to celebrate with us! If you’d like to join in the fun, please email us at lanterncast@gmail.com! And while we’re at it, here are a few images you can use across the internet during the months of June and July (and the rest of the year if you feel up to it!).

 

 

 

And lastly, here’s the OFFICIAL image from DC comics celebrating the anniversary.

 

We can’t wait to show you what we’ve got in store!

When you play the “Game of New York Comic Con Tickets,” you may win and still die from the time and energy exerted. Let Mark fill you in on what you missed if you didn’t experience the madness that occurred on 5/13/15 or even if you did, re-live the adventure!

It is being reported currently by ComicBook.com and the PopCorn Talk youtube channel that John Stewart is being cast in the upcoming DC Comics/Warner Bros ‘Green Lantern’ movie (tentative release of 2020). While the ComicBook.com headline states that John Stewart is the “lead” in the feature, it seems like this is, as yet, not the case. The rumor is that they’re looking to “cast” John Stewart, not that they’re looking to “cast John Stewart as the LEAD”.

 

At this point, all of this is RUMOR. So the whole thing could prove to be false or 100% true, lead character and all.

 

The source video is posted below for those interested (Green Lantern talk starts at 21:35):

 

 

Co-Host Chad Bokelman took to twitter with his thoughts on the news:

 

(cont.) THAT BEING SAID: It makes sense if #JohnStewart IS the lead #GreenLantern. Especially with the darker #DCComics movie universe.

— The LanternCast (@lanterncast) April 17, 2015

#JohnStewart isn’t who I personally wanted for the 2020 #GreenLantern movie, but I’m not AGAINST it either. -Chad — The LanternCast (@lanterncast) April 17, 2015

Honestly, what I think or expect from #johnstewart as #GreenLantern will rest MOSTLY on how the #DCMU shapes up in the comics years films.

— The LanternCast (@lanterncast) April 17, 2015

If #BatmanvSuperman sucks, #SuicideSquad sucks, etc. then yeah. I’ll expect this #johnstewart #greenlantern to not garner my excitement. — The LanternCast (@lanterncast) April 17, 2015

But SOLEY in concept form, not taking into consideration present concerns about the #DCcomics movies, I like the idea of #johnstewart as GL.

— The LanternCast (@lanterncast) April 17, 2015

 

Co-Host Mark Marble, movie buff extraordinaire, had this to say:  

 

Until the #JohnStewart rumors are confirmed, to me, this is just more of the endless speculation we’ve heard about #GL. – Mark — The LanternCast (@lanterncast) April 17, 2015

And #JohnStewart could just be one of many GLs in the movie to begin with. Just make a decision and announcement, #WB, #DCcomics– Mark

— The LanternCast (@lanterncast) April 17, 2015

 

 

 

Kyle Rayner’s time as “The Last of the Green Lanterns” is captured in this limited edition bust and ring prop. Limited to only 1200 pieces, this great piece is part of the four bust series that also featured Alan Scott, Hal Jordan and Sinestro!

Death has its day as the Black Lantern Power Battery/Ring Prop is up next! This battery is the darkest to date (in many ways). Does this battery impress, or is it another post-Blackest Night letdown?? Take a look and find out!

Rage preempts Death as the Red Lantern Power Battery/Ring Prop gets the Ringcyclopedia treatment first! You won’t need to vomit Napalm to show your appreciation for this latest addition to the Power Battery collection.

Filler issues have ARRIVED! Are they the death knell signaling the foretold cancellation of the 3 lantern titles? Or are they actually pretty good? Well Chad’s drinking wine so…that’s not a good sign. Or are the guys toasting their excellence? One things sure, your favorite Lanternologists are here to tell you what’s what in their latest episode! All of this and LISTENER FEEDBACK! Be sure to chime in on our voice-mail at 708-LANTERN!

Download the episode HERE!

Our Ringcyclopedia takes a look at the brand new BatJeepster Sinestro Corps Movie Ring! Gold-plated brass, with some translucent resin thrown in, makes for a very nice piece in our ring collection!

Thanks right folks! The LanternCast is throwing a CONTEST. Mark and Chad are still thrilled to be your co-hosts and want to know how thrilled YOU are too! So this is your chance to TELL them!

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR: It’s pretty simple really. Find some unique and creative way to showcase your love for The LanternCast! Are you an artist? Draw the hosts up to some recording or GL related shenanigans! Come up with some awesome art for us to use as header images across social media. Into video recording or editing? Come up with some awesome YouTube concoction for the world to see! Audio engineer? Simple! Come up with some amazing edited audio showcasing the show at it’s best, worst or funniest! Writer? Post a stellar in-depth review somewhere on the net! The possibilities are ENDLESS!

NOT SURE WHAT COUNTS?: It’s a pretty vague request, we know it might be confusing. But if you have an idea but aren’t sure it works, EMAIL US at lanterncast@gmail.com and let us know what you’re thinking! Chances are it’ll work.

WHEN IS THE CUT OFF?: December 31st, 2014 at 11:59pm PST.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?: Valid only in the US and Canada.

WHAT’S THE PRIZE?: Oh you sneaky person you. You just want goodies don’t you? Well fear not! We’re able to DELIVER! The prize includes a set of plastic Lantern rings (as passed out during ‘Blackest Night’), a soft cover copy of the novel ‘Green Lantern: Heros Quest’ by Denny O’Neil, and a ‘Green Lantern: Rebirth Collectors Set’!

WAIT, DON’T YOU GUYS SUCK WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING PRIZES OUT?: Mark and Chad, if reports can be agreed upon, have been doing pretty fantastic with the show thus far. Let’s give them a shot to deliver on contests.

ALRIGHT THEN, WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO WHEN MY SUBMISSION IS READY?: Well it’s actually very simple. Send us an email with the necessary attachment and/or link to your submission at lanterncast@gmail.com

HOW WILL A WINNER BE SELECTED?: Easy enough. Mark and Chad will choose the five entries they find the best and draw from a hat. Should we receive less than five (come on guys, we’re counting on you) we’ll just select our favorite!

That about covers it! Any other questions let us know! It’s our first contest and we’re pretty stoked and we hope you are too! So get to work and let us know what you think of The LanternCast in your own special and creative way!!!