Review: The Green Lantern: Season Two #2
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer:Â Grant Morrison
Art:Â Liam Sharp
Colors:Â Steve Oliff
Letters:Â Tom Orzechowski
Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd
Summary
Hal Jordan and Eve Doremus have stumbled onto an ancient avian race that is enslaving her father. Not only that, but they have their sights set on the entirety of the planet!
Positives
What stands out initially about The Green Lantern: Season Two #2 is Liam Sharp’s art. I know in the first few issues of The Green Lantern (Season One?) I commented on Sharp’s ability to channel some classic EC Comics’ artists styles, but the first few pages of this comic are a clear and wonderful homage to the legendary Wally Wood. For those unfamiliar with Wally Wood, I recommend doing some research and buying reprints of his work on Weird Fantasy and Weird Science.
Morrison also seems to be paying homage to the EC Science Fiction comics of the 1950’s with some very dense dialogue. It also appears that he’s trying a similar plot twist with the reveal at the end of the story. It’s not unlike the kind of stories that would appear in EC’s Science Fiction titles. There’s definitely a lot of story for your money here. So much so, you’ll really want to slow down and take your time in order to fully appreciate not only what’s going on, but the extent to which Morrison and Sharp are nearly recreating an EC style comic. The idea of a Green Lantern comic by Wally Wood in the EC style is positively mouthwatering!
Negatives
Morrison’s penchant for dropping readers into a story and letting the narrative unfold and slowly explaining what’s going on is often truly exciting. However, The Green Lantern: Season Two: #2 is a not quite as effective as other examples. It’s a similar situation with The Green Lantern #7. While it also fits the style of an EC story from the ’50’s, with the Green Lantern character, there is a larger narrative that is transpiring. This in medias re technique doesn’t always work. In this case, it distracts and disorients the reader making it harder to find a footing.
Morrison doesn’t really do any favors for Hal Jordan’s character. He leans a bit too hard into the “philandering cad,” eschewing the “lovable rogue seeking redemption” motif. I know it’s more about personal preference, but I’d rather see Hal trying to make it right with Carol (Ferris) instead of just turning to Eve for empty companionship and an open bed. It doesn’t say a whole lot of positive things about either of their characters. It makes them both less likable.
Verdict
Season Two seems to be off to a slow start, although, this issue is much more enjoyable on a second reading. Dropping the reader right into the drama is too disorienting. It works sometimes, but not as much as it needs to in this case. However, the art by Liam Sharp in his “full Wally Wood” style is supremely enjoyable. We all know this series is worth sticking with, remember, Season One took a few issues to really get going as well. Perhaps, Hal next step will be the one that gets the larger story going.
