Nothing against anyone else, but Jeremy Adams has been writing what I would consider the single best Hal Jordan story since Geoff Johns reinvented the the character in 2004 in DC Comics‘ Green Lantern. And that continues in Green Lantern #15, which has a shocking amount of different stories to juggle — yet delivers them all with the pace of a wild summer blockbuster.
What are those elements? First, you’ve got an Absolute Power tie-in, with Hal now powerless and desperately trying to get his ring back. Then there’s the development of Carol Ferris into a full-on, heroic version of Star Sapphire. And into that mix, you’ve got a brand new villain bubbling in the background, an Amazo robot who may want to be something more coached by Alan Scott and the overarching love story between Hal and Carol.
It’s a lot to deal with, and Adams makes it all rocket forward, perfectly channeling Hal Jordan’s flyboy, give no f**ks attitude. There’s a very specific contrast Adams draws in this issue between Hal’s constant (and sometimes literal) diving into danger, contrasted with the Bat-family’s meticulous approach to fighting evil. And we need more of that in mainstream comics, where most characters become flattened out to slightly stylized versions of each other. As readers, we know Hal will win the day because he’s the hero. But it’s a lot more fun if he’s making enormous mistakes along the way.
One thing Hal isn’t making a mistake about is his love for Carol, and that continues to be one of the best current romances in comics. It might have some very big repercussions for the world of Green Lantern going forward. But for a romance that is decades old at this point, it feels fresh and new in this issue.
Fernando Pasarin’s art is also excellent, as usual. His art is in the hyper-stylized mode that also calls to mind the Geoff Johns era. Though perhaps not quite so heavily penciled as Ivan Reis. There’s brightness here, rather than looming darkness.
That comes through in the backup story as well, which is penciled by Montos and written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson. If you haven’t been reading the (very good) Green Lantern: War Journal… That’s fine. This is a good introduction to John Stewart’s new role in the universe, and Johnson makes sure to boil down his complicated status quo in a few short pages. It also tees up the inevitable joining of these titles and Stewart’s very different place in the DC Universe versus Hal.
Mind you, this is definitely not overall a new-reader-friendly issue. If you’ve been reading the title, Absolute Power, and the spinoffs, you’re going to have a blast. If not, maybe wait until October when DC All In begins for a fresher start to the series. But for more constant fans of Green Lantern, this is a thrilling time to be reading about Hal — and John.
Green Lantern #15 Rating:
Green Lantern #15 Official Synopsis:
HAL JORDAN ENTERS THE DANGER ZONE! ABSOLUTE POWER TIE-IN!
Hal has a problem…He needs to charge his ring, but the entrance to the Power Battery is a continent away. Plus, the skies over Earth are patrolled by Amanda Waller’s modified Amazos, which leaves Hal with one choice…to ride into the Danger Zone! Don’t worry, he totally got permission to use the Batplane for this mission *wink*. Plus, John Stewart’s tale from Green Lantern: War Journal spills out into the battlefield of a new struggle brewing on the horizon…