[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Robert Venditti
Artist: Ethan Van Sciver
Colorist: Jason Wright
Summary
The Green Lantern mythos has always had a wealth of great characters. It should should come as no surprise that Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps is a book that is able to navigate through these characters and find how to use them effectively. With the detente between the Sinestro Corps and the Green Lantern Corps, the title has essentially doubled the cast. This doesn’t mean that it’s losing sight of John, Guy, Hal and Kyle. It just means that it allows these fan favorites to interact in new and different ways with the new additions.
John and Soranik are pairing up Yellows with Greens and sending them out on missions to retrieve the rogue Yellow Lanterns in hopes of bringing them into the fold or jailing them if they refuse. Â They try to pair them in a logical way, a way in which will hopefully lessen potential animosity.
Speaking of hope, Hal and Kyle are attempting to free Saint Walker and end up getting caught by the same entity holding Walker. Â Not surprisingly they escape and take Walker with them back to Mogo. Â After sending the Lantern pairs out, John realizes that he’s got to deal with the missing Guy Gardner. Â Space Cabbie caves and reveals that Guy has gone ringless to try and bring in Arkillo. Â If that doesn’t bring you back next issue nothing will!
Positives
Ethan Van Sciver’s work always looks great and this is no exception. There are a couple really nice poster worthy shots of Hal in this issue alone. Â Additionally, he never seems to have trouble with the large cast and making them identifiable. Character continues to be the strongest element of the story. We have conflict, sure, but it is always influenced and driven by the cast of characters. It is always a joy to see how the characters will react to any given situation. It goes beyond even this though as there is the underlying theme of redemption for the Yellow Lanterns.
Negatives
If you don’t like the Green Lantern concept or good comics you should stay away.
Verdict
Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps continues to prove that the Green Lantern books are one of the best of the Rebirth era. With focus on character driven stories and the ability to reach beyond to a grander theme, this comic is nearly perfect.
