Review: Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #24

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Robert Venditti

Artist: Ethan Van Sciver

Colorist: Jason Wright

Summary

John Stewart has seen Tomar-Tu’s actions as viewed by the Vuldarian spy imp.  Tomar-Tu assassinates Romat-Ru after he surrenders.  Albeit, with the attitude that it won’t be long before he escapes and kills more children.  Hal doesn’t believe it, despite Tomar-Tu’s confession.  John Stewart understands what’s at stake on multiple levels.  He has to try and curtail the potential dissolution of the alliance between the Sinestro and Green Lantern Corps as well as punish Bolphunga for his crimes and prevent retribution against Tomar-Tu.

Hal stays with Tomar-Tu and promises his fealty.  John makes a play against Bolphunga that is truly inventive as he puts him between a rock and a hard place while never betraying his own integrity.

Meanwhile, Soranik confronts Kyle with what she’s learned about the truth of Sarko’s identity.  She is desperate to know why Kyle didn’t tell her this truth.  Her anger turns into a use of fear as it appears that there’s no going back to the Green Lantern Corps for Soranik.  It finally seems like Kyle’s sensitive artist portrayal has come back to haunt him.

Finally, John makes an announcement to the Universe of Tomar-Tu’s transgression.  And, while John is clearly trying to be forthright and preserve the alliance between the Corps, not all the Yellow’s get that, and Hal is left to preserve Tomar-Tu’s life, alone…

Positives

There’s no beating around the bush as this issue of Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps jumps right in to the heart of the conflict of this story arc: Did Tomar-Tu kill Romat-Ru, and will it dissolve the alliance of the Yellow and Green.  It’s bad enough that John Stewart has to deal with Tomar-Tu’s crime, but Kyle’s betrayal of Soranik in her eyes is just as bad.  This double pronged betrayal between the Corps seems insurmountable.  It’s the high stakes nature of the situation which defines this current arc.

John is commendable for finding a way to maintain his integrity while still sticking it to Bolphonga. And is it wrong to want to feel more for Soranik than Kyle?

Hal Jordan really stands out in this issue as the epitome of a bygone era.  He’s committed to Tomar-Tu and prepared to stand beside him, no matter what.  Till the end.  There’s something about that loyalty which is commendable, but at the same time Hal still seems like he’s in denial, despite Tomar-Tu’s confession.

Perhaps, the most significant aspect of this story arc and thus, this issue, is the moral quandary raised by Tomar-Tu’s actions and John’s response.  If Romat-Ru is a known child killer and his insolent attitude drove Tomar-Tu to his action, is it or is it not morally justifiable?  At the same time, John Stewart has to find a way to bring a killer (Tomar-Tu) to justice, but at the same time maintain the integrity of the Green Lantern Corps and hopefully the alliance with the Sinestro Corps.

Negatives

Fear.  Fear that the Yellow and Green will separate and once again be at odds.  It’s been such a treat and drastic change to the status quo for these two Corps to be allied that to turn it around again is really disappointing.  However, it may be the personal betrayal between Kyle and Soranik that does it, not Tomar-Tu’s murder of Romat-Ru.

Verdict

How can you not like this book?  Even if the Green Lantern concept is not to your liking, the complexity of the plot and realism of the emotions is all one can ask for in a narrative.  The incidentals of the story are secondary to the quality of the storytelling.  If you were wondering about this book, wonder no longer, buy it and see for yourself how well it’s being produced.