[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Robert Venditti
Pencils: Jack Herbert & Jose Luis
Inks: Herbert, Mick Gray & Cam Smith
Colorist: Jason Wright
Summary
“TWILIGHT OF THE GUARDIANS” finale! In the explosive finale, Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner and Kyle Rayner face down the Controllers to save Ganthet and the other Guardians from extinction. The fate of this battle decides who protects the universe or who controls it!
Positives
There is always a wealth of source material in the history of the DC Universe to be mined and re-introduced, and sometimes it just takes the right writer to find the way in which to utilize these characters and concepts. Robert Venditti continues to do an outstanding job on Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps by figuring out how to use the deep tapestry of characters and concepts in the mythos of the Corps to tell new and exciting stories.
As always, a couple things stand out about the writing- characterization and the individuality of the four Green Lanterns of Earth. The characterization extends to Ganthet in particular this issue. His monologue as the issue opens really gets at his character and how he views himself. It’s a far cry from the aloof and seemingly infallible depiction of the Guardians from their portrayal in the first 10 years of their comic book existence. While Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams gave Ganthet an individual personality in their “Hard Traveling Heroes” stories, this issue makes Ganthet seem nearly human. Venditti is building upon the last 50 plus years of Silver Age Green Lantern stories while making it feel fresh and relevant. Finally, it can’t be understated that Venditti always has some surprise at the end of an arc that entices the reader to come back. In this case as with most, it’s almost always completely unexpected and this issue is no different.
Jack Herbert and Jose Luis really make this book look good. There are a few pages that recall a classic cosmic DC look. This goes a long way in connecting this issue to the visual antecedents that readers may be familiar with.
Negatives
It’s hard to imagine someone finding a negative in this book. Even the staunchest Green Lantern detractor would surely be won over by the consistent and thoughtful characterization that is so prevalent in good story telling.
Verdict
You may not see a Guardian of the Universe cry, but you might believe he’s human! After so many aspersions cast their way by Hal and his friends over the years for being “inhuman,” this issue counters that notion with a heartfelt depiction of Ganthet as he urges his fellow Maltusians to reclaim their roles as Guardians of the Universe and leave a real legacy they can be proud of.
