In this corner of the DC Universe, very little has changed as a result of Flashpoint. However, the recent War of the Green Lanterns is in full effect, with Sinestro serving the Corps using Hal Jordan’s ring.
General Information
Title: Green Lantern #1
Author: Geoff Johns
Illustrator(s): Doug Mahnke (pencils), Christian Alamy with Tom Nguyen (inks) and David Baron (colours)
Cover Date: November 2011
Cover Price: $2.99
Buy the digital edition.
Premise
In the wake of the War of the Green Lanterns, which had severe negative impacts on the corps and their guardians, as well as their members, Hal Jordan was fired and Sinestro was given back a green ring. The Guardians clearly have a plan, but that stands unrevealed. What is known for sure is that neither Hal Jordan nor Thaal Sinestro like their current lots in life.
High Point
Sinestro is one of the best villains in comicdom. He honestly believes every decision he’s ever made was the right decision for the universe, and he won’t back down.
Low Point
There’s something about Mahnke’s art that I don’t care for. It’s hard to put my finger on exactly why, but his characters feel stiff, almost as if he draws action figures rather than people.
The Scores
This is an original status quo for the series. I’ve read every issue from Hal Jordan’s first appearance in Showcase until now, and I’ve never seen a status quo like it. It’s a new direction that feels like Green Lantern, despite the changes. I give it 5 out of 6.
The artwork is my only real complaint. Mahnke’s style makes the spines appear completely rigid from the base of the skull to the tailbone. As a result, it looks like the heads pivot at the tops of the necks and the arms and legs are attached to inflexible torsos. It really looks like Mahnke uses action figures like some artists use models for photoreference. I give it 3 out of 6.
The story is as well written as the rest of Geoff Johns’ run on Green Lantern. If you haven’t been reading it already, start now. This is a unique issue, too, in the sense that it feels like the next natural chapter in Johns’ Green Lantern saga, yet it’s at a stage in which the characters are likely to debate past events, and do so naturally enough to bring new readers up to speed without alienating the existing fans. It’s a tough line to walk. I give it 5 out of 6.
The characterization of Hal, Sinestro, Ganthet, the Guardians and Carol Ferris all comes through clearly. It’s going to be an interesting ride for the next few months at least. I give it 5 out of 6.
The emotional response is great. I’m very interested to see where all of this is heading. I give it 6 out of 6.
The flow is smooth and natural, flipping back and forth between Sinestro and Hal until that inevitable last page. I give it 6 out of 6.
Overall, it’s a strong relaunch of my favorite DC franchise. I give it 5 out of 6.
In total, Green Lantern receives 35 out of 42.
The New 52
Here are handy links for the reviews of all 52 new #1 issues:
- Action Comics
- All-Star Western
- Animal Man
- Aquaman
- Batgirl
- Batman
- Batman and Robin
- Batman: The Dark Knight
- Batwing
- Batwoman
- Birds of Prey
- Blackhawks
- Blue Beetle
- Captain Atom
- Catwoman
- DC Universe Presents
- Deathstroke
- Demon Knights
- Detective Comics
- The Flash
- Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.
- The Fury of Firestorm
- Green Arrow
- Green Lantern
- Green Lantern Corps
- Green Lantern: New Guardians
- Grifter
- Hawk and Dove
- I, Vampire
- Justice League
- Justice League Dark
- Justice League International
- Legion Lost
- Legion of Super-Heroes
- Men of War
- Mister Terrific
- Nightwing
- O.M.A.C.
- Red Hood and the Outlaws
- Red Lanterns
- Resurrection Man
- The Savage Hawkman
- Static Shock
- Stormwatch
- Suicide Squad
- Superboy
- Supergirl
- Superman
- Swamp Thing
- Teen Titans
- Voodoo
- Wonder Woman