Even though "Rise of the Third Army" was a somewhat weak arc, Peter J. Tomasi was able to bring it to a solid, exciting conclusion; however, that effort is reduced to crumbles with two single panels during the first chapter of "Wrath of the First Lantern." What was intended to be a menace deadlier than the Black Lanterns, is turned to ashes in almost a footnote; a move that feels very much like an editorial mandate to wrap things up.

Phil Jimenez pencils the opening sequence of the issue, that in plot and art is an intentional nod to "Crisis on Infinite Earths," signaling the approach of something big for the DCnU. Simon Baz is again the highlight of the book, thanks to his introspection, his encounter with Black Hand, and his eventual fate inside the black ring. Everything involving Volthoom, the First Lantern, does not fare as well, and actually comes off looking a lot like Parallax in "Zero Hour." Not the best issue of this run.