L.E.G.I.O.N. '93 #57

L.E.G.I.O.N. '93 #57 (August 1993)

title: "Trinity, Part 3: Police Action"

coplotters: Barry Kitson & Mark Waid

writer: Mark Waid

penciler: Barry Kitson

inker: John Stokes & Robin Smith
colors: Gene D'Angelo

letters: Gasper Saladino

editor: Dan Raspler

cover: Barry Kitson

reviewer: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Recap: Several planets have come under attack by mysterious powerful beings. After Green Lantern encounters one, he returns to Oa and explains to the Guardians what happened. They recognize the name of Quarra and are terrified that it means the return of the Triarch. They send Hal to the Book of Oa where he learns that the Triarch were a race of Gods from Maltus, the same homeworld as the Guardians, but they preexisted the Guardians and other ancient races. They had slain their own father, Daalon, and in their guilt fled to the stars. The three were named Quarra the Creator, Archor the Sustainer, and Tzodar the Destroyer. The promised to return one day to lay waste to Maltus and then the universe would be made anew.

On the planet Elyrion, the Darkstars battled Archor the Sustainer and suffered several casualties. Meanwhile, the L.E.G.I.O.N. were setting up a new base on Maltus when they come under attack Tzodar the Destroyer. Green Lantern arrived to help but does not fair well and Lobo rescued Hal by pulling him out of the battle. When Hal awakened, he found a very angry Vril Dox awaiting him.

Hal is furious that Dox is not doing more to stop the destruction of Maltus, but Dox assures him that he has things under control.

Although Dox had ordered Lobo to subdue Jordan, he escapes and Dox orders Comet to make capturing Jordan his first priority. He decides that his own top priority is to prevent the Green Lantern from attacking the Triarch, and their worshippers notice that Dox appears to be protecting it.

Comet confronts Hal Jordan, but before they can talk, Lobo rides through on his bike and pushes Jordan into space. Meanwhile, Dox orders Lady Quark to battle the Dieties while he investigates his suspiciouns about what is going on.

Dox notices that the path of destruction by the Dieties is not random, but has a very specific pattern, and is leading to a specific point. He informs Bek that he is taking some of the team on a special mission, and Beck inquires with Amon on the status of the Triarch.

Lady Quark seems able to hold her own against Tzodar by throwing his destructive bolts back at him. At the same time, Comet interrupts Lobo's battle with Hal Jordan because they received new orders and he is to leave Green Lantern to the Darkstars.

This is an issue that succeeds as an installment of a crossover but fails for the most part as a standalone issue. And yes, its part of a crossover so maybe I should not even take the time to judge it as an individual comic, but this came out in 1993 when this could very well be someone's first issue they picked up off the stand. If so, they would have been pretty confused.

It was a fast moving comic as far as plot, but I think anyone not familiar with the Trinity crossover would be confused. And even for readers of the crossover, it does not advance the storyline very far. The main characters who appear are playing their parts by-the-numbers for the most part. Comet's prominence over the last two issues does suggest he had some significant developments coming, but otherwise, everything is par-for-the course.  For the most part, it rehashes the conflict that we have seen before with nothing new thrown in. I do still feel somewhat engaged in this crossover and its premise but at the same time, I can't say that I feel excited either. We will see if it picks up steam again or not, so please check back with me next week!