Being the oldest grandchild on both sides of my family comes with some advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are that most of my cousins usually give me more respect than my children some days. The disadvantages are I get to suffer the signs of aging way before they do. One of the few things that I do relish is the gift of memories.

I’m old enough to remember all of my grandparents’ stories including their memories of growing up during World War II. I heard from them the horrors that they endured from the Japanese soldiers that came to the Philippines. As a student of history, I often wondered why it took America so long to enter the war and for what reasons. In the ninth issue of Green Lantern: Mosaic, we find Jon in the middle of a galactic conflict about to erupt in the Mosaic world.

We find Jon, as he holds court with The Guardians, imploring to them the complexity of the challenges he faces on a daily basis. As he finally resolves to break down and give them a tour of the realm, he was assigned by them to protect, where he explains the intricacies and eccentricities of each species living the Mosaic, and how it has led to more cooperation than dissolution. Of course, just as he was making his point a conflict breaks out between two races, which as John always does, diffuses. By the issue’s end, the Guardians succumb to John’s point of view, a door which has opened the door to some possibilities according to some Lanterns looking on.

Overall, an idyllic issue that revels in the Green Lantern mythology while giving readers a front-row seat to why so many of us love this book.  The story by Gerard Jones is entertaining. The art by the creative team is superb. Altogether, an issue that plays on the book’s strengths and further embeds the reader in the genius of the book’s premise.

Story: Gerard Jones Art: Cully Hamner and Danny Panosian
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy