It’s been a while since I read a Green Lantern comic. The various shifts in focus and tone turned me off and I tuned out. With “Future State” refocusing DC’s line and the expansive omniverse on the horizon, I was interested to see where this series would go. Green Lantern #1 lays out those seeds. The United Planets is forming and have convened on Oa to discuss the future order of DC’s cosmos. It’s an action-packed debut with a political focus and its results are a bit mixed.

Geoffrey Thorne puts on the ring to guide the series and its various members to the future. Green Lantern #1 is an interesting comic that has to balance a lot and does so well. It’s just what it balances is a bit mixed. The United Planets is forming to figure out the new order for the various worlds of the DC cosmos. They have convened on Oa to discuss how things will work and if Oa should become a member. It’s an interesting question that I hadn’t thought of.

Unfortunately, Thorne rushes through things skipping over what could be a very interesting debate. Oa, and the Guardians, have been the center of so many issues that have plagued the universe. It’s a legacy that’s touched upon with a few speeches but isn’t debated enough. It’s a great concept that’s only an inch deep. It also has hampered by delivery and setup that’s a bit too Star Wars prequel. Even how the various groups are set up screams the Galactic Senate. It’s an odd visual that distracts and takes what could be a very interesting direction and makes it feel a bit short in how it’s been thought out.

There’s also some hints around those against Oa joining the organization. There’s something about “freeing a heart” and what amounts to a terrorist attack but that too feels all a bit odd. It’s like there was an idea of an attack but not really how it’d play out and some quick ideas were thrown out. There’s the “science cells” which we assume are filled but instead of just freeing a bunch of criminals, the terrorist attack frees an odd being that’s soon defeated. It all fills like something had to just get filled in instead of again being fleshed out.

What really works in Tween Lantern. Thorne’s writing of this relatively new character is great and the mystery surrounding her is great. She gives a spunk and energy to the comic which otherwise might play things a bit too straight and serious. This is a breakout character who deserves the spotlight (and a solo series).

The art by Dexter Soy and Marco Santucci is good. They’re joined by Alex Sinclair on color and Rob Leigh on lettering. The look of the characters is good and there’s a lot packed in. But again, things feel a bit short. The comic has so many worlds and alien races all on Oa but the art doesn’t feel like it takes advantage. It’s also too focused at times and falls short of the “cosmopolitan” feel it should.

Green Lantern #1 has some great concepts. There’s a lot of them. But, the details don’t feel fleshed out enough. They also feel a bit rushed. The debate about Oa joining this new order feels a bit short in debate. There should be far more discussion as to whether it should happen. There’s little doubt it would. The terrorist attack and action sequences too feel a bit too neatly wrapped up. This is a comic though could easily have been two or three issues worth of material. Instead, Green Lantern #1 is a start that has great ideas but not a great execution to go along with it.

Story: Geoffrey Thorne Art: Dexter Soy, Marco Santucci
Color: Alex Sinclair Letterer: Rob Leigh
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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