This October, the DC Universe must prepare for the Rise of the Third Army.
The publisher's next major crossover event, following in the steps of June's Batman-based"Night of the Owls" storyline which spanned virtually all of the Bat-related titles will take place in the Green Lantern titles. "Rise of Third Army" features the Guardians' latest attempt at bringing law and order to the universe, and their first objective is to eliminate Lanterns of any color. The crossover, announced this morning on DC's blog The Source, features four interlocking covers by current "Aquaman" artist Ivan Reis. Interestingly enough, while the mysterious new Green Lantern is featured front and center along with all the major players from throughout the Corps, neither Hal Jordan nor Sinestro are anywhere to be found.
Longtime Green Lantern architect Geoff Johns told the Source, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely--and the Guardians time is finally here. The Lantern titles spent the first year of DC Comics - The New 52 re-establishing themselves, but it all comes back together with year 2 starting with 'Green Lantern' #0 and leading into October's #13's - which share an amazing cover by Ivan Reis. In October, the Guardians' Third Army rises to replace the Green Lantern Corps - but how is horrifying and why will change the Guardians and their ancient mission forever. As we discover what the Third Army actually means, our strongest Lanterns are targeted for absolute destruction. From Atrocitus to Guy Gardner to our newest Green Lantern from Earth - who may have been wrongly chosen - all their darkest secrets and failures will come to light. What is Sinestro's ultimate fate? Who is this new Green Lantern and why was he chosen? What is the Third Army? What with Atrocitus sacrifice to take on the Guardians? What will Larfleeze give up to find the one thing he wants? What happens to Guy Gardner when he's targeted after Hal Jordan? And, most importantly, who is the First Lantern?"
"The Guardians and the Third Army want to break the Green Lantern Corps -- and they've now got their sights on Guy Gardner and John Stewart," "Green Lantern Corps" writer Peter Tomasi added. The question is not IF the Guardians can accomplish their mission, but how horribly will they shatter our ringslingers’ lives!"
Meanwhile, "Green Lantern: The New Guardians" writer Tony Bedard filled in the Source on what awaits Kyle Rayner and his multi-hued allies. "Kyle Rayner has gathered a team of Lanterns from all seven colors of the spectrum. As the Third Army strikes, Kyle must combine all seven shades of power within himself. A bigger and badder lineup of New Guardians will push Kyle to become our secret weapon against the onslaught of the Third Army."
And "Red Lanterns" writer Peter Milligan assures fans that Atrocitus and his crimson minions will be stepping into the mix in a major way as well. "The Red Lanterns are continuing their mission to bring bloody vengeance to an unjust world when they run into (or are run into) a mysterious enemy with no mouth and a curious resistance to death. One Red Lantern succumbs to this new adversary, while Atrocitus finds a way to fight back – which entails returning to a place of great pain and associating with an ancient nemesis."
"Rise of the Third Army" kicks off October 3 in "Green Lantern" #13.