Red Lanterns Vol. 1: Blood and Rage (The New 52) Paperback – June 12, 2012

I will not profess to know as much as many Green Lantern fans about the complex, confusing, and expanding multiverse shepherded over by the Guardians of OA. But I can say in all sincerity that this graphic novel was thoroughly entertaining in my opinion for many reasons. I am a fan first and foremost of the artwork in this book. It is a feast for the eyes to behold and makes the stories told within all the more compelling. I also believe the Red Lanterns have the smartest uniforms and the best looking rings of the entire Lantern spectrum--am I right GL fans? While the story was slow to unravel in the beginning, there was much character development throughout and by the end of the novel the reader is shown the direction the Red Lantern series is going. I like how the previously two dimensional Red Lanterns are finally fleshed out and developed individually. At long last, we are given the impression that Atrocitus (the leader and founder of the Red Lanterns) now has a sense of purpose and will finally lead his Lanterns any way he sees fit...Rage, retribution, and revenge is what the Red Lanterns are all about now, and this is fitting. I look forward to reading the next graphic novel installment and am excited since I feel the Red Lanterns Corps, more than any other spectrum of Lanterns, has the best potential to develop and entertain us for many years to come. EXCELLENT work Peter Milligan & Ed Benes!

I liked this more than when the series first came out. A good story that adds new layers to the characters with great art.

Red Lanterns Volume 1 is an absolute must-have for any fans of the Red Lantern Corps, or anyone even vaguely interested in their story. It serves as a fantastic introduction to the Red Lanterns and what they're all about, with excellent character writing in Atrocitus, and fascinating expansion with characters like Bleez, Zillious Zox, Skallox, and Ratchet. Several rules of the Corps that I personally wasn't a fan of were rescended, making the rules of the Corps more similar to their other colored counterparts.A great great read, Peter Milligan succeeds at setting up intrigue and creating a really cool cast of characters to play with in Red Lanterns Volume 1!

-- NEW 52 --The New 52 is DC's 2011 relaunch, so it functions as a perfectly good starting point for learning about the Reds. Previous knowledge of Lanterns in general and particularly "War of the Green Lanterns" helps.-- SUBJECT MATTER --The series is a collective origins story for the Red Lanterns, a bunch of rogues from all over the universe, the only thing binding them all being extraordinary levels of rage. The focus is largely on Atrocitus for the first volume, and you intermittently discover the pasts of other Reds. It reveals their motivations, conflicts, powers and abilities, and relation to the rest of the Lantern spectrum. It's extremely violent in general and has a more adult tone than most DC offerings.-- WRITING --The first half of the entire series was written by Milligan; the second half mostly by Soule. Both writers did a really excellent job and I didn't notice any disconnect between their styles during the transition. Characters and events are explained with more than sufficient depth. The series relies more heavily on it's writing than perhaps you'd think, given the super angry group of folks it deals with.-- ART --The series toggles between different artists, in my opinion going back and forth a bit between excellent and pretty good art. None of it is poor work. I'll attach a few examples from throughout the series. Volume 1--the one you're looking at--has particularly good art.-- PLOT [SPOILERS] --Volume 1 focuses on why Atrocitus became so obssessed with hatred and anger, why he founded the Red Lantern Corps, and then how the Reds under his control gain their sentience. Sprinkled throughout are encounters with various enemies and explanations of the Reds' powers. The plot later deepens into the mission of the Reds, extended backstories, attempts to kill them, and a civil war between them.

So recently I've been trying to dabble into reading comic books, here and there, a little of DC and some of Marvel. I wasn't sure as to which characters I should direct my attention to, but I thought I'd give the Red Lanterns a try. To my previous knowledge they are villains who find strength in their own rage and hate. After reading this book I was not at all disappointed and wow, what an interesting storyline. After reading I was able to get a taste of the multi-dimensional character of Atrocitus leader of the Red Lanterns. Once I thought he was a villain, but no longer, and in some ways I found myself supporting him despite his brutal methods of enforcing justice. The artwork is amazing, and the story is very compelling. This is only an introduction, but by the end of the volume I was stuck longing for volume 2. Great Book!

We all knew Atrocitus is probably the greatest embodiment of, not evil, but pure anger in the universe of DC. Therefore it comes to a surprise how Milligan came up with such a perfect use for the villain, and gave such a depth of the Red Lantern Corps that you sympathize with him. This volume is so well crafted, and also so climactic you suddenly find that you are reading something totally different than what you're used to in the Green Lantern canon.I don't want to give any spoilers, nor do I wish to hold anything back in this review. I'm just asking for the reader to have an open mind and to enjoy the blood, fire and gore that comes with retribution.

My earlier review was in error. I had an issue with another book in the same collection, so no concerns whatsoever with this order. But I was very happy to see the book arrive earlier than expected.

Artwork in comics is what gets it the high score. No weird colors or styles just what you expect from a good DC comic. The story however is a bit up and down. It was slow at the start reading the main guys inner monologue, then we get to learn more about the other characters which I liked. It leaves on a cliff hanger though.

Ich habe den Red-Lantern-Band mal probehalber für meinen Kindle runtergeladen (natürlich nach dem Kauf;) ) um zu sehen ob man einen solchen Comic auch vernünftig auf dem Kindle lesen kann.Ich muss sagen das ich positiv überrascht wurde, durch die Bild für Bild Anzeige ist das lesen intensiver als beim Comicbuch.Die Story selbst ist gut erzählt und die Zeichnungen sind auch in der Schwarz/Weiss-Wiedergabe des Kindle beeindruckend.Ich werde mir also noch einige andere Titel kaufen.5 von 5 Sternen weil Zeichnungen, Story, Text und Kindleversion gut sind.

As always I enjoy the Green Lantern adventures, excellent story and graphics.

Absolutely LOVED this story! This made me root for Atrocitus so much. Great read!