[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers.]
Writer: Sam Humphries
Artist: Eduardo Pansica
Inker: Julio Ferreira
Summary
When we last left our Green Lantern pals, we were cleaning up Rami, the rogue Guardian and the Dominators. In the last issue, we met Frank Laminski. He wants to be a Green Lantern. He is a loser. A bad dude called Volthoom, the first Lantern, shows up and he and Frank head off to get the Phantom Ring, the worst invention in the universe. All caught up? Good. Rami, Jessica and Simon decide that since they cannot reach Hal and John, they need to go into hiding. They are all set to head off to Portland, where the freaks can blend in when Frank and Volthoom show up and all hell breaks loose.
Positives
The artist this week is Eduardo Pansica. He along with Julio Ferreira with coloring help from Blond have their hands full this week. The Phantom Ring has all emotions mixed into it. Each emotion projects a new ring/color/costume. The art team holds all this together and makes it make perfect sense. Honestly, I did a bad job explaining it. Take a look at what happens to Simon when he puts it on.
Pretty amazing right? See? So good.
Sam Humphries has all of this dialed in. I am on the edge of my seat with each passing page. Every time I think I have these characters figured out, he throws me a curve ball or he brings in some new, strange and wonderful idea. The Phantom Ring is totally inspired. I cannot imagine having to write this book. I mean, space cops who can stop anything that is not yellow. Look around. How many things are yellow in your house? Still looking? Me too. Hardly anything is yellow. So, what is the big challenge? How about about Dominators? They are yellow. How about a Phantom Ring that can be anything you need it to be depending on the emotions around you? Oh yeah, anyone can wear it too. What a genius idea.
Negatives
I am not sure what to say here. The art is so good. The story telling is well done and well thought out. The art. Oh right, I said that already. Hmmm. I guess the only negative is that this is not an old school Green Lantern tale. There is weakness. There is anxiety. There are issues at work that no other GL has ever had to deal with. That is a negative for those who want old fashioned space coppery.
Verdict
This is the best issue so far. There is a painful, really honest moment when Frank and Simon’s brother, Nazir, come face to face. It broke my heart and it will break yours too. I am from Michigan so I get it. I understand the story that Humphries is telling. Pay attention to this book. I will not be shocked when it starts to win awards.
