Green Lantern #1 picks right back up where Green Lantern #67 left off before the New 52 reboot. Yes, that means Hal Jordan has just been fired as a GL, even though in Justice League #1 we see Hal in all his green glory with Batman, and no, the answers as to why are not answered in this issue. But, continuity contradictions aside, GL #1 is still a good issue.
Green Lantern #1
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Doug Mahnke
Inks: Christian Alamy with Tom Nguyen
Colors: David Baron
Letters: Sal Cipriano
Editor: Brian Cunningham
The theme of this issue is readjustment. Hal Jordan, with no job, finds himself under a pile of debt. But even his landlord yelling at him over rent doesn’t stop Hal from being the hot-headed hero we all know him to be. Carol is also back on Earth, and without a ring, but merely by choice. They find that their less-terrestrial relationship can possibly find a new beginning, which leads to a pretty funny moment later on. Sinestro is also readjusting to his new role as a Green Lantern, which has his Sinestro Corps members now questioning his loyalty to fear.
It’s nice to see Hal in such a vulnerable and human state, though he hasn’t lost an ounce of bravado with losing his ring. The issue never came off as cheesy or silly, but I almost felt like I was watching the first episode in the new season of the Green Lantern sit-com, and it ended with a ton of questions I want answers to, and a final page that insured that I’ll absolutely be picking up issue #2.
I dare say Doug Mahnke was at his finest with this issue. His work has never been a favorite of mine, but he really shines with an amount of detail and emotion I always thought was lacking from his art. Though there is something about the way his cheek bones and forehead wrinkles standout so much that bothers me.
I’m glad Geoff Johns didn’t completely hit the reset button on this book and give us a new origin and make us sit through Sinestro’s slow turn from a Green Lantern to the master of fear. Seeing Hal’s life after being a GL is a story I want to read, but I can’t help but be bothered by the time differences in the New 52’s continuity. That doesn’t stop GL #1 from being a great jumping on point, and the beginning of what has potential to be a really great story in the lives of Hal Jordan and Sinestro.
Andrew Hurst
andrewhurst@comicattack.net
@andrewEhurst
Really liked this issue and poor Ganthet he just can’t catch a break now can he? But if things continue like this my favorite former Yellow Lantern just might become one of my favorite Green Lanterns.