Review: Green Lantern #15
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writers: Jeremy Adams and Phillip Kennedy Jonson
Art: Fernando Pasarin & Oclair Albert and Montos
Colors: Romulo Fajardo, Jr. and Adriano Lucas
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd
Summary
Hal and Wall (The Flash) West are on a mission from Nightwing. Carol Ferris comes face to face with the Sorrow Lantern and Alan Scott’s words reach the robot soul of Jadestone.
Positives
Green Lantern #15 does a great job of giving the reader some fun de-powered Hal Jordan action. It doesn’t really matter why Hal’s ring isn’t working for the majority of the issue, it’s just fun, fast-paced and action oriented. It does demonstrate Hal’s resourcefulness, but it also shows the risk-taking aspect of Hal’s character. This is one of the elements that informs Hal’s effectiveness as a Green Lantern and this issue indicates that he call also use these attributes to be a hero even without his ring.
Additionally, it’s enjoyable to see Hal and Wally working together. Adams gives a nuanced take on Wally as he experiences things, speed especially, very differently without his powers. It provides a little bit of humor as well as an opportunity to touch on the long history and connection these two characters have.
Positives Cont’d
Green Lantern #15 has three plot thread going, and the one with Star Sapphrire and the Sorrow Lantern produces the strongest emotional beats of the story. Carol, a novice at the notion of being a hero is portrayed in learning mode, both in terms of what’s happened to Nate Broome as well as getting some insight into Hal’s life as a Green Lantern. There’s a lot to unpack, but Carol taps into the Love of the emotional spectrum to help defend her from Nate’s attack. Carol is written with a lot of subtlety that plays one her history and history with Hal and her previous encounters with the Star Sapphires.
Most interesting is the inference that this is the first time Carol has been under the influence of the Star Sapphire powers but still retains her own mind and will. She’s not being controlled, she can be held accountable for he actions. In turn, this experience helps her understand what Hal’s life has been like as a Green Lantern with the responsibility of being a member of the Corps. This comes together nicely in the final pages as he and Carol “team up” to save the universe” together. While this is probably the most intriguing aspect of this issue, and far more engaging than the main Absolute Power plotline, the Alan Scott plotline in this issue also has some merit.
Positives Cont’d
While the premise of Absolute Power remains underwhelming and suffers greatly from a massive lack of set up, Alan Scott’s ability to influence Jadestone’s actions is a compelling idea. Is Alan influencing Jadestone because he’s able to exert his will over the power of the Starheart that Jadestone has absorbed, or is Jadestone taking on the morality of the individual whose power he’s taken? If it’s the latter it seems like an easy path to victory for the heroes.
I’ve not kept up with Green Lantern: War Journal, but the Epilogue that is this issue’s back up is highlighted by some great art by Montos. It’s hard not to be drawn in by the way he draws John Stewart’s face and emotional changes. In the main story, Fernando Pasarin and Oclair Albert continue to imbue their characters with a similar life and emotion that enhances Adams script. Carol has some real swings in this issue, from pain to anger, compassion and surprise that are all communicated superbly.
Negatives
The weakest part of Green Lantern #15 is its tie in to Absolute Power. It’s just not an engaging premise on almost any level. What Jeremy Adams does with it in this issue is great. Adams makes better use of this event than some of the other storyline interrupting that has come with some of DC’s other unwanted and mediocre events of late.
Verdict
Green Lantern #15 has three storylines that are all connected in some fashion and rely on a strong focus on character. Be it the established relationships, or the core elements, character comes first and it far surpasses the premise of Absolute Power. I don’t know that as a lead in to “All In” Absolute Power will really be effective. Conversely, this comic, perhaps, more than any other DC book right now, demonstrates that it’s not events or universe shaking catastrophes that make the best comics, it’s simply great character driven stories.
