As John Stewart travels to Metropolis to meet with Steelworks, the Radiant Dead have claimed their first victim on Earth-0 and are ravenously hunting for John. Stripped of his ring and unaware of the danger he’s in, John is caught completely unprepared to face this otherworldly horror…and to unravel the shocking identity of the Revenant Queen! Green Lantern: War Journal #2 delivers a story that feels rather grounded in family and emotional while also delivering superhero action.

I loved the debut issue of Green Lantern: War Journal. I honestly think it’s one of the best debuts of the year and delivered an emotional gut punch. Green Lantern: War Journal #2 would have to pull of a hell of a move to live up to that issue. And, not shockingly, it doesn’t. But, what it does is continue the beginnings focus on John Stewart the man as he attempts to figure out his path forward while balancing family.

Writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson continues an impressive run so far. The issue nails what made the first work so well. As much as we want to see sci-fi adventure, the comic’s focus is more on Stewart’s homelife. Here he needs to figure out his employment as Steelworks comes calling. But, he also needs to take care of his mother who needs care and help. Johnson taps into an experience so many individuals experience every day and lays out the difficult decisions and choices that have to be made. But, what it also does is shows off the many sides of Stewart making him such an interesting character.

In the issue we get to see his creativity, his brilliance, his caring, and the soldier within. The comic delivers action as he’s hunted down by a mysterious foe with some past interactions with him. That aspect is interesting as it’s presented as much with horror vibes as it does superhero aspects. There’s something about the “stalking” that adds to the pressure and decisions John must make in his civilian life. Horror movies often have some underlying theme or something it’s trying to say and this issue feels like it’s doing much of the same.

That’s helped by the art of Montos whose style emphasizes the horror aspects of the comic without diving completely in. There’s a decay aspect to these villains that remind us of the decay of life and our loved ones around us. That’s helped by Alex Guimarães‘ colors that add an almost ghostlike ethereal aspect to everything. Dave Sharpe‘s lettering creates an emotional punch to it all. The visuals of the comic are interesting overall as it feels like they build throughout going from the clear danger of the start to the more benign middle and then the end. A rollercoaster where visually things feel safe in ways and you don’t quite know where evil will strike. All of that’s helped by Montos’ interactions between Stewart and his mother that come off as caring and playfull.

Green Lantern: War Journal #2 is a solid second issue. We got through the emotional hit of the first issue and this second does an excellent job of building off of what Johnson is focusing on. There’s some interesting underlying themes and concepts here that’ll hopefully get readers to think but the issue emphasizes experiences many comic readers are going through and can relate. It reminds us that these godlike heroes are just people in the end and despite their grand adventures, they do have to deal with life, much like us.

Story: Phillip Kennedy Johnson Art: Montos
Color: Alex Guimarães Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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