Green Lantern #1 is all about new beginnings and a new status-quo. The series picks up on the events of Dark Crisis with Earth, really Sector 2814, now quarantined and seen as a threat. It’s Lanterns have been reassigned elsewhere with Hal bucking orders and heading home. Without a job, and really a direction, he needs to pick up the pieces of his life and figure out his next steps.
Written by Jeremy Adams, Green Lantern #1 is a solid start, perfect for new and long time fans. It delivers a beginning for Hal, respecting the past but also forging a new future. Fans of the character will appreciate the return to his roots as a hot shot pilot and horrible love interest for Carol Ferris. The comic brings Hal back to some of his basics, Maverick before Top Gun was even a thing. It also leaves a lot of mystery out there too like his being a Green Lantern still and what Sinestro is up to. New readers can easily pick up on where things are at without knowing any of the history and appreciate the ground that’s being laid here. This isn’t just Hal’s story, it’s one of the Green Lantern Corps. as a whole with that focus coming from the backup story written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson.
“Rise of the Revenant Queen” is more focused on John Stewart who is back home also getting back to his roots. But, danger lurks in space where a mysterious villain is battling Guy Gardner and another character I’m not too familiar with. Unlike Adams’ contribution, this one feels like there’s a bit more knowledge needed. From the villain to a new oath, to the talk of “Eternal Watchfire,” this one has more details about the status of the Corps., things I’m unfamiliar with. It’s interesting though and while Adams’ story is the cake, Johnson’s contribution adds some toppings to the already delicious main dish.
The art for both stories is solid. Xermánico‘s art with color from Romulo Fajardo, Jr. is dynamic and exciting. It pops teasing the green glow of it all without overdoing it. There’s some solid panels and pages that bring and exciting visual quality to it all. But, beyond that aspect, there’s also a human touch to it all too. Hal’s failure to woo Carol isn’t about what is said but also his body language which hints at defeat. Compare that to his swagger as a pilot or when he runs towards danger, the visuals tell as much of the story as anything else. Montos‘ art with color by Adrian Lucas is very different creating a clear break between the two stories. Here there’s a roughness to the style that fits the battle and desperation of it all. There’s a scratchiness that works quite well. Dave Sharpe handles the letter for both stories and it stands out especially for the second story and everything from Gardner’s dialogue to the oath to the villain’s speech. The lettering really adds a lot to it all.
Green Lantern #1 is a great start creating a debut that’s easy to dive into. It hints and teases the rich history of the characters while not relying on it to tell its stories. All of that adds to the stories that Adams and Johnson are telling. Combined with great art, this is another top notch release as part of DC’s “Dawn of DC” initiative.
Story: Jeremy Adams, Phillip Kennedy Johnson Art: Xermánico, Montos
Color: Romulo Fajardo, Jr., Adriano Lucas Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
