Review: Green Lantern #14
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writers: Jeremy Adams and Marc Guggenheim
Art: Fernando Pasarin, Oclair Albert and Darick Robertson
Colors: Romulo Fajardo, Jr. and Diego Rodriguez
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd
Summary
Hal must escape his imprisonment while Alan Scott and Carol Ferris ponder their roles in Absolute Power. Plus, how did the Shadow Lanterns come to be?
Positives
The biggest takeaway from Green Lantern #14 is that Jeremy Adams does his darndest to keep his story going despite the intrusion of DC’s big crossover event. Crossovers like this are tough because one’s ongoing story can easily be sidelined. Adams doesn’t let the reader forget about Nathan and his “sorrow,” nor the larger story with the Durlans and the United Planets. On top of that, Carol’s journey takes a step to the side as she’s recruited by the Justice Society of America (mostly) to help against Amanda Waller. (Presumably, this gives her character some direction to set her on the path of joining the Justice LEAGUE after the events of Absolute Power if you’ve seen October’s solicits). Adams is touching on a lot of storylines in this issue and he does it well, moving them all forward even if just a bit.
Hal’s storyline is an actioner that shows he has some resources besides his ring, and his willpower can be relied on just as a mindset to get things done. Fernando Pasarin draws an enjoyable issue in terms of action as well as the emotion he communicates on his faces. It’s a clean style that fits well with the superhero genre with a classic look.
Marc Guggenheim’s back up tale examines the personal story of one of the Shadow Lanterns who are enforcing for Lord Thaaros. It’s a nice character focused story that delivers a poignant, emotional through line as it reveals how the Shadow Lanterns were chosen. This fleshes out aspects of the ongoing main story Adams has been telling for over a year.
Negatives
It will probably be this way for a while as this creative team is so strong- the negatives are the unneeded incursion of the Absolute Power crossover. Despite Adams executing this aspect of Green Lantern #14 well, they detract from the story Adams has been developing. It’s clearest in this issue when Carol Ferris is shown with the JSA in the Tower of Fate. That story is told in Absolute Power: Task Force VII #3. It’s a leap from where we left off last issue, but there is an editor’s note to direct readers where to go. Adams is writes that issue as well, so it makes sense that it connects what’s going on. As much as Adams tries, if you’re not really into the crossover, it’s a bit disappointing to feel like you should’ve bought AB:TF VII #3 so you’ll understand what’s going on. You can’t criticize Adams’ craft though, he gets the big ideas as well as the details right as demonstrated by the Kite-Man (what a wretched character) connection between the issues.
Verdict
Green Lantern #14 is a balancing act between two main stories with a number of subplots thrown in for good measure. While it would be nice to have more space devoted to Adams’ ongoing Green Lantern story, he executes the crossover assignment extremely well. If you’re enjoying Absolute Power, this book is probably even better.
