DC K.O.: Green Lantern – Galactic Slam #1
Writer: Jeremy Adams
Artist: Cian Tormey
Colorist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letterer: Buddy Beaudoin
Initial Thoughts
SPOILERS AHEAD!
DC K.O. is hitting the home stretch, as we only have two issues before we find out who is taking on King Omega. Before the end, we need to figure out where Kyle Rayner went and who exactly Omega-Bam-Bam is. In DC K.O.: Green Lantern Galactic Slam, this single-issue tie-in to the main DC K.O. title, we will find out who the W.A.M. Multiversal champion is.
DC K.O.: Green Lantern Galactic Slam is a fun, exciting comic book issue that merges the worlds of superheroes and professional wrestling. While entertaining, this issue ultimately does not add anything new or essential to the story of DC K.O. at large. However, with all of that being said, if you are a fan of professional wrestling and of quirky comic book storylines, DC K.O.: Green Lantern Galactic Slam is an issue you need to read. This issue continues the partnership between DC Comics and professional wrestling (namely AEW), as the two are often one and the same. So even if you do not have to read it to gain any new information, though there is one tiny tidbit that is somewhat essential, DC K.O.: Green Lantern Galactic Slam is still a consequence-free fun read.
What’s the Story?
During a fierce battle between the heroes not in the K.O. tournament and the Parademons, the heroes look to give those in the tournament more time. After turning into the White Lantern, Kyle Rayner is Boom Tubed to a different planet. This is a planet that will soon explode because of the massive W.A.M. wrestling match taking place. That is where Rayner meets the multiversal champion of the world, Omega-Bam-Bam.
After defeating Noxious Ned, OBB takes Rayner behind the scenes of W.A.M. This is an interdimensional location that travels between different galaxies and time periods to put on some of the best wrestling matches anyone has ever seen. We find out about the origin story of OBB and why the death of his hero, Bromega, is the reason why he has not lost his title in hundreds of wrestling matches.
In a twist no one saw coming, Bromega is actually working with Darkseid to help bring an end to the universe as we know it. OBB and Green Lantern team up to stop Bromega and the rest of the heels from W.A.M. to help save themselves and Earth.
How does this affect DC K.O.?
Earth now has its communication with the rest of the universe up and running again, thanks to Kyle Rayner and Omega-Bam-Bam. With communications fully open, the heroes of Earth can now call for help from the rest of the universe. Rann, OA, the Omega Men, and the Tamarans are all on their way to Earth to help buy those in the K.O. tournament some more time. Rayner and Omega-Bam-Bam now look to join the fight against Darkseid and the rest of the Parademons, which is coming just in the nick of time.
What Worked in this Issue?
The amalgamation of wrestling and the DC universe has been in the works for quite a while now, and DC K.O.: Green Lantern Galactic Slam is another excellent chapter in that newfound partnership. The subtle and not so subtle nods to famous wrestlers, alongside the over-the-top characters and dialogue, are great. The entire Bromega, Omega-Bam-Bam, and W.A.M. storylines are so pro wrestling and fun. Kyle Rayner, being the Green Lantern who was boom tubed with the wrestlers, is perfect. Rayner is the most out-of-place Lantern they could have picked, so the juxtaposition between him and Omega-Bam-Bam made for a great partnership.
The origin story of Omega-Bam-Bam sounds so similar to how actual professional wrestlers fell in love with the sport and wanted to follow in the footsteps of their favorite wrestlers. However, the more impressive part of the arc for his character is how he went from fighting for his mentor (who he thought had died) to fighting for himself, with or without the title. This is great character development. Writer Jeremy Adams made it seem as though we might be getting more of Omega-Bam-Bam later in DC K.O. If that happens, it will make me very happy.
In a comic world that is on the brink of extinction, it is good to know that not everything is bleak. Some of the characters in this world are still having fun. It is good escapism.
What Could have been better?
Just like in Aquaman #13, sometimes it is okay if the tie-in storyline does not insert itself and get shoehorned into the bigger storyline. A single, one-off story that can be spun off the main title can sometimes be good enough. The plot point that Bromega, through the leadership of Darkseid, jammed the communication lines between Earth and the rest of the universe seemed like a ham-fisted way to tie this issue directly to the bigger story.
It is a nitpick; however, this issue and story would have worked without that little detail. If it were a major part of the story, then it would have been added to the main title. It is okay for these tie-ins to tell adjacent stories without having an essential tie-in plot point. Honestly, though, there is so much more good than bad in this issue. There are so many good threads left that could be brought back in the future.
The Art
Cian Tormey’s art in DC K.O.: Green Lantern Galactic Slam is great. The character designs are flawless, and what makes them so much fun is the attention to detail. Mr. Scuzz looks like a mix of Rick Rude and Goro from Mortal Kombat. Bromega looks like an alien Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Omega-Bam-Bam looks like an intergalactic "Macho Man" Randy Savage. The wrestling scenes in this book are very dynamic, and there is never a dull moment of action.
The Luchador-inspired Green Lantern costume is so much fun and is excellently drawn. It makes me want an entire series where the Green Lantern of Kyle Rayner travels with W.A.M. to try and stop the intergalactic bad guys in the promotion and around the galaxy. I cannot wait to see a Luchador come out to this outfit in AEW or CMLL. My money is on Bandido or Mistico. Also, there is a very nicely drawn Shawn Michaels pose on Rayner in his Lucha outfit, which was not lost on me.
Romulo Fajardo Jr.’s coloring adds an element of 1980s extraterrestrial wrestling that fits the narrative so well. Wrestling is supposed to be campy, so it makes sense that alien wrestlers are purple and green-skinned with bright, real neon tights. Everyone on the creative team for this book loves wrestling, and it shows in the book. It comes to life in a very unique way.
The Final Verdict
DC K.O.: Green Lantern Galactic Slam is a world-merging, well-drawn single-issue comic book that is a must-read for any comic/wrestling fans. While not entirely necessary to the DC K.O., it's always great to see heroes who aren't entirely involved in the main story on their own side missions. Writer Jeremy Adams, artist Cian Tormey, and colorist Romulus Fajardo are true wrestling fans whose passion for the sport comes through on the page. They leave you wanting more of these characters and of this world. While one of the major plot points wasn't entirely necessary, the issue does more good than bad, which ultimately makes it a fun read.