By Cat Wyatt
First off, let’s talk about issue #35’s title: “Oh Bolphunga Where Art Thou? Part 1” (in case you were wondering, yet I had to check the spelling on that one). I don’t know about you, but this title made me crack up, perhaps it’s just my sense of humor. Anyway, we can clearly get an idea of the events that are about to occur in this issue.
Everything starts off pretty normal, despite the zany name; cue Jess sitting in a cramped restaurant office trying to convince her manager to move her out of the kitchen and onto the floor (remember, he had originally put her in the kitchens because he was concerned about her anxiety). Naturally, because Jess gained the confidence to talk to her manager, that means the universe felt now was the perfect time to send Bolphunga her way. Not only did he interrupt a very important meeting, but he in all likelihood outted Jess at the same time (screaming for the “Green Lantern” in a restaurant is going to turn some heads). I’ll admit I’m curious to see how that one pans out with her boss.
As predicted, Bolphunga is a pretty funny character. Though clearly, he doesn’t think so (I’m sure he thinks he’s all tough and amazing), but when somebody throws quotes around about peeing on Mogo…well…I’m going to laugh, ok? While fighting Jess, he claims that she isn’t nearly the challenge of others he’s fought, including other Green Lanterns. I’d say he probably could have gotten more creative in his insults, but I’m not sure he has it in him.
Meanwhile out in space (aka at the Green Lantern base in orbit around Earth), Simon is waking up next to a woman (one that has not been introduced previously in this series). Apparently some genius created a dating app for superheroes (yes, you read the correctly) and this is the outcome of Simon’s use of it. Unfortunately it sounds like Night Pilot doesn’t have any interest in this becoming a long-term relationship (poor Simon). Still, as far as excuses go this probably isn’t a bad one for being late to the fight.
Simon briefly mentioned Liseth (the girl from Ungara), which cues a quick glimpse over to see what’s happening there. It appears a murder has occurred, and it was either done by a Molite or (more likely in my opinion) arranged to look like a Molite did it. Unfortunately that’s all we’re given for now, but I’m positive that this is setting up for something big (why else would they have bothered?).
Back to Simon and Jess; it appears they have a bit of a mystery forming on their hands. Jess is convinced there’s more to Bolphunga and this fight than he’s letting on, thinking his heart isn’t in it (a fact I can’t really argue with, his quips are very lackluster). The big guy may or may not be here seeking refuge and help from the Green Lanterns (I say maybe because Jon Stewart certainly doesn’t buy the story). According to Bolphunga he got in over his head while in prison, where he received help from Singularity Jain to get out of prison before he got himself killed. The problem is he can’t seem to meet her demands for payment (killing a as of yet unnamed character – can’t wait to see who it was supposed to be!). Requesting help from the Green Lanterns doesn’t go as planned, as like I mentioned Jon Stewart doesn’t really believe his story (normally I’d be suspicious of the guy in charge being corrupt here…but I just don’t see that happening with Jon).
I’m not sure where the Bolphunga plot is leading us, but clearly Tim Seeley is very talented at setting up longer-term plots. It’s possible the two plots (Bolphunga and the Ungara murder) started here are related, or it could simply be that the authors want us to think that, to throw us off. Either way I’m curious about how they’ll be moving forward. I enjoyed the way Bolphunga’s story was revealed (I didn’t cover all the details, as I highly recommend you read them for yourself; it’ll come off better that way) and the reasons for why he sought out Earth and the Lanterns in the first place (clearly he has trust issues with some of the Lanterns, like Guy and Jon).
On the whole I really liked artists work. The shading was a bit odd at times, especially when they were showing us more ‘ordinary’ scenes like Jess at work (though it’s possible this was intentionally done – split the character’s world into neat divisions). Additionally there are times where the faces characters make are quite humorous, and I don’t think that was intentional. All that being said there was a lot to enjoy here; the bright and distinct color palette is exactly what I would want for a Green Lantern comic, and the way artists portrayed movement through lines and debris flying was superb.
Score: 4/5
Green Lanterns #35
Publisher: DC Comics