Final Crisis Rage Of The Red Lanterns #1

I want to say up front that I loved this issue. The story was exceptional and the art was fantastic (I really like that it looked very similar to any Reis/Van Scriver issue). It wasn't as jam-packed with Holy &%$! moments like the Sinestro Corps special was, but I can't really fault it for that. And it did have a few. This seems like its shaping up to be a pretty awesome story in it's own right and not just a prelude to Blackest Night/War of Light.

I'm also amazed at the epic-ness in scope that this entire run is encompassing. I just reread John's whole GL run to date, from Rebirth through Secret Origin, and from issues 1-20, (and some of Rebirth) there are subtle hints and plot threads leading up to the Sinestro Corps War. We found out Parallax is a fear entity bug thing in Rebirth. Cyborg Superman and the Manhunters show up in the first story arc of the regular series, Arkillo gets drafted in issue #10, Superboy-Prime reemerges in issue #13, Amon Sur appears in #14, Batman gets his Sinestro ring in #17, and then there's some Star Sapphire stuff in #18-20.

Most of those plot details came together with the Sinestro Corps War, except for the Star Sapphire stuff, which pretty much tells you right at the end of the arc they're going to be another "Color Corps." But there are a couple issues very early on that have yet to be fully explained. Black Hand loses his hand at the beginning of Rebirth but there's a few issues (#4-6) where he's messing with the dead and hanging out with German speaking aliens. And Hector Hammond is also involved. It didn't make much sense to me at the time, but we know Black Hand (and probably those Germanic aliens) are involved with Blackest Night. I still don't know what's going on with Hammond, but I'm guessing he's the "other voice" in this issues scene where the Controllers are going after the Orange power source.

The whole thing just makes me wonder what else I've missed throughout those issues, or just read straight over it because I didn't realize the significance of it. If you have all the issues or all the trades, I'd strongly recommend rereading them all when you've got a day with nothing to do. I think you'll be amazed at how everything seems to be coming together.