Review: The Green Lantern: Season Two #9
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer:Â Grant Morrison
Art:Â Liam Sharp
Colors:Â Liam Sharp with an assist from Steve Oliff
Letters:Â Steve Wands
Reviewed by:Â Matthew B. Lloyd
Summary
After the trial of Hyperman, Hal Jordan takes off to Earth to commit to Carol Ferris only to see “himself” proposing to Carol…What?!?!
Positives
The Green Lantern: Season Two has been a rollercoaster ride, and not from the wackiness, but rather the inconsistent writing. The Green Lantern: Season Two #9 is another trip up the coaster as Morrison leans hard into a character driven issue that makes you fall in love with Hal, Carol and Carol all over again. (Wait- two Carols?) It starts with an interesting look at Hyperman who Hal brought to justice a few issues back. Â
His lawyer is claiming that Hyperman was under the influence of some sort of morality reversing drug. Hal testifies in his belief that Hyperman knew what he was doing and wanted to do it. The sequence pits some interesting ideas against one another that have ramifications for our world. Can one use this sort of defense to mitigate responsibility for a crime?
Afterwards, after an emotional discussion with fellow Lantern Trilla-Tru, Hal finds himself moved to go to Earth and make a commitment to Carol. Upon his arrival he sees “himself” on one knee proposing to Carol (beautifully captured on the cover I might add!). Before he can intervene, he’s snatched away by the Star Sapphire of Earth-11 whom we first met in The Green Lantern #11. One of the interesting things about this other dimensional Carol is the attraction that Hal felt when they first met. Even though they both know they are not each other’s significant other, there is an instant connection between them that has blossomed into a true friendship. It’s played very subtly by Morrison, but works extremely well. This focus on character elevates this issue. You can feel Morrison reaching in and twisting up your own emotional levers.
Positives Cont’d
Over the past couple issues, Liam Sharp has been experimenting with different styles. In The Green Lantern: Season Two #9 he mixes them to evoke different millieux. It works wonderfully as there are not only different planets, but also different universes in this issue. The painterly effect he uses is amazing. It’s quite unforgettable.
Sharp’s cover is absolutely brilliant as well. He perfectly channels a Silver Age feel to the situation depicted, but the colors evoke the same. The fact that this scene happens in the issue as well is a bonus. I know I’ve seen that background color on a Green Lantern comics from the sixities, and Carol’s hair and dress are perfect. Bam!
Negatives
Morrison doesn’t waste space as he makes every page count. There’s nothing notable with which to find fault except perhaps, every issue isn’t like this.
Verdict
As the roller coaster heads up the hill again with The Green Lantern: Season Two #9, one can only hope that there is no crest ahead. We don’t want to come back down to the bottom of the hill. If Morrison continues to work the characters then he should keep the reader on a plateau and perhaps take us a little bit higher by the end of Season Two.
