“As worlds die”

This month is a real treat as prolific artist Ethan Van Sciver takes on guest penciling duties for this issue and knocks it out of the park. On to the action though, we start on a remote distant planet where Black Hand is trying to resurrect the recently dead to no avail. He is quite troubled by his powers not working. His hands are currently stone and he is reduced to weeping at his plight. Van Sciver’s pencils are fantastic here as he actually makes you feel sympathy for this horrible being. (Something I would not think possible) Instead of using his touch to resurrect the dead, it is now inexplicably turning them to beings of stone. Writer Robert Vendetti here, conveys Black Hand as a lost child who is so alone. This is a far cry from the demonic despot he has been portrayed before. This dynamic sucked me in right away. Kudos to you, sir.

We venture across the cosmos to the confines of a lone ship floating in vast nothingness. The crew aboard: a gentle being named Virgo, a ruthless hunter named Trapper and of course the star of the show, former Green Lantern now an army of one: Hal Jordan.

Hal is intent on finding out what happened to his former fellow Green Lantern Corps as well solving the mystery of the stone transformations. He is using his gauntlet and will to create tools to help him construct a special space suit that will allow him to masquerade as a different being to get answers. Again the pencils here just really bring this to life and remind you of why Van Sciver was “the” Green Lantern artist for quite some time. Hal has some touching dialogue as he notes he was always so busy being a Green Lantern first, that he never stopped to see the roses. Little human moments like this show Hal’s non cocky side and they really flesh out his character more.

Hal finishes his suit and orders Virgo that no one touches his stuff but him and to watch over Trapper while he’s on his mission. Hal needs the suit because where he’s going the spectrum of his green energy would be detected and make him an immediate threat.

Here we get my favorite panel of the book in the form of a splash page, showing the giant known as Relic maintaining the mystery artifact that is the Source Wall. Hal manages to get to Relic undetected and is even able to ask a few questions. Relic states it is a positive outcome that the Green Lantern Corps are no more. (C’mon we all know they are still kicking around, they have their own title each month but for this issue we suspend disbelief and roll with it.) Hal not pleased with the comment goes to leave, when Relic informs him that Black Hand was already here. Cue the ominous music, that is not good.

Back on the ship Virgo senses Hal might need some assistance and tries to don the Gauntlet but the energy defenses attack him. This act unwittedly alarms Relic of his presence and Hal hightails it back to the ship. Things have just gotten worse.The rest of the issue shows Hal rushing back to save his friend, arguing with his sarcastic ship Darlene and us being introduced to a new group threat.

Overall: I thought this month’s adventure was far better than the previous and the best installment of the “Renegade” storyline so far. The pacing was great, there were no slow spots and of course wonderful art from Mr. Van Sciver. (They definitely need him back on this title, pronto) I really enjoyed the switch of desperation in Black Hand’s character and Virgo’s attempt to be a hero. We all know the Corps are out there and it’s only a matter of time before they make their presence felt. However if we keep getting issues like this, I’m more than fine with the delay. 30 days seems like sufficient time to recharge the Gauntlet, and I have a feeling Hal and Co. are going to need it. See you across the stars next time readers…

Story: Robert Vendetti Art: Ethan Van Sciver
Story: 8.75 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy