Back in March, the solicit for June's OMEGA MEN #1 revealed a pretty shocking fact about Kyle Rayner's role in the DC Universe. If you've somehow managed to avoid it since then, it could be considered a bit of a spoiler.
The Omega Men are back in an all-new series! They’ve murdered White Lantern Kyle Rayner and now, the universe wants them to pay! Who are these intergalactic criminals – and is there more to their actions than meets the eye?
Kyle Rayner murdered?
At first that seemed like a pretty big piece of information to reveal in a solicitation three months before the issue goes on sale. The fact that it was in the past tense would indicate the act would either happen at the very beginning of the issue or before the release. DC did reveal there would be 8-page back up previews in the May Convergence tie in issues.
In the preview for THE OMEGA MEN, we see Kyle Rayner has apparently been captured. He's dragged to a chair in what appears to be a live feed. (You can get a digital version of the preview HERE or on the DC app).
The guy talking, Primus, goes on and on about their religious beliefs and how they've bled for years trying to keep their ideals while others have tried to take them away. It sounds a little like a speech he gave way back in 1983's OMEGA MEN #1. You can see Primus' hair was more flowing back then.
It seems Kyle, in his role as the White Lantern, was trying to negotiate a pact between the opposing factions. It didn't quite go as he had hoped.
Primus eventually finishes his speech and places the blame on those watching. Kyle manages to say a few words to Carol Ferris before Tigorr comes on screen.
It looks like that's the end of Kyle. Really? Would DC really kill a characters that's been around for over twenty-one years in a free preview comic? Would they really reveal the death months early in a solicitation without any bells or whistles? Maybe it's because death for Kyle Rayner isn't something new. He did "die" in 2010's GREEN LANTERN CORPS #42 and was recently believed to be dead after fighting Relic in the Lights Out story arc. Would he really try to fake his death again?
We just find it hard to believe this is the end for Kyle. In the same preview, at the beginning, why would Broot show Kyle so much concern for his comfort?
Maybe it's because Broot, in the past depiction, was from a more spiritual race and he wan't too keen on violence (until his son was murdered).
Looking at the "transmission," I do wonder what's up with the glitches during the "video"? It happens at the beginning, right before Kyle's death, and then that's how it cuts out. Maybe these spacefaring aliens didn't have the most advanced video recording or transmitting technology.
The solicitation for THE OMEGA MEN #2 just states the team is on the run after everyone's witnessed the murder of the White Lantern. What else would they expect?
Series writer, Tom King, has stated despite this murder, he's not sure if the Omega Men are good guys or bad guys. He's also said Kyle's story is not over.
What seems more likely is Kyle is working with the Omega Men. Perhaps the Omega Men need to put on the appearance of being cold ruthless murderers. If Kyle is working with them in creating this villainous image, it could be they need to enter some dark and seedy areas in the Universe. Being seen as killers could be their way to sit at the grown-ups' table among the universe's most wanted. If the Omega Men aren't necessarily good or bad guys, it could be they're willing to go to extreme measures to accomplish their goals. Pretending to be killers and intimidating others could be one possible tactic.
Or maybe they really did kill poor Kyle.
Obviously we'll have to wait until June to find if he's going undercover, working with them. NEW GUARDIANS did come to an end in March. If he's not, he has returned from the dead before. Let's hope there's still a place for Kyle in the DCU.
What do you think really happened in the OMEGA MEN preview?