DC Comics
Green Lantern: Larfleeze Christmas Special # 1 (of 1)
By Koppy McFad
December 30, 2010 - 01:49

DC Comics
Writer(s): Geoff Johns
Penciller(s): Brett Booth
Colourist(s): Andrew Dallhouse
Letterer(s): Nick J. Napolitano
Cover Artist(s): Gene Ha/ Brett Booth, Andrew Dallhouse
$3.99 US 32 pages



larfleeze.jpg

Larfleeze, the wielder of the orange power of gluttony, goes in search for Santa Claus.

This Christmas special is largely a joke but with a serious twist in the end. Larfleeze, not knowing that Santa Claus is fictional, tries to find him so he can get all the presents on his lengthy Christmas list. His search leads him to some comedic escapades, an encounter with Green Lantern, Hal Jordan-- and then finally to a strange bit of self-awareness that comes out of nowhere.

The format of the story is a parody of a child's Christmas book with a 'puzzle' and even instructions on making your own Larfleeze Christmas ornament, provided you don't mind ruining your comic book.

Sometimes the jokes get too broad and there is a feeling that DC is making fun of its readers and of Christmas in general.

Fortunately, the creative team realises that having Larfleeze play a one-note idiot could get tiring so they bring in Green Lantern soon enough, to fight and try to reason with the character and to give this quest a happy ending of sorts.

The ending scene with Larfleeze is a bit rushed as all we have ever seen of the character is his greed. But now, they put a new layer to the character-- all in just one page. While this may not be completely convincing, it does add a poignant tone to this comedy special and perhaps sets the stage for different stories about Larfleeze.

The art is a little too serious for such a light-hearted story. You almost expect Larfleeze to go on a killing spree any time he is denied what he wants. Maybe that was the intention.


Rating: 7/10

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