Written by Geoff Johns.
Art by Doug Mahnke; Christian Alamy; Keith Champagne; Mark Irwin; Tom Nguyen; Shawn Moll; Randy Mayor; Gabe Eltaeb; Carrie Strachan; & Rod Reis.
‘Tales of the Red Lantern Corps: Dex-Starr’ Art by Shawn Davis; Jamie Grant; Nick J. Napolitano; & Steve Wands.
Collection Cover Art by Doug Mahnke & Randy Mayor.
SUMMARY:
First released by DC Comics in 2011, this 288-page hardcover compiles 2010-2011’s Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) # 53-62.
In the wake of Blackest Night, Green Lantern’s sequel is the ten-part “New Guardians” from the Brightest Day storyline. Rudely interrupting Carol Ferris & Hal Jordan’s latest wary flirtation on Earth, Sinestro convinces them to a tentative truce investigating the mysterious ‘White Lantern.’ They soon discover that none of them can move it, though their combined effort unleashes an ominous plea. It’s up to them (along with a reluctant Larfleeze and Atrocitus) to locate six Entities roaming Earth. Each of these emotional spectrum-based entities are seeking to channel themselves in human form.
Meanwhile, an unknown third party seeks to intercede by manipulating an imprisoned Hector Hammond’s long-standing lust for Carol Ferris. Also, in a tease towards “War of the Green Lanterns,” An off-planet Guy Gardner evidently picks his side in an upcoming conflict that will include Hal Jordan among his adversaries. On Oa, the Guardians grow increasingly concerned about Hal’s rebellious nature; specifically, he is hiding his current mission from them.
Mortal casualties mount, as Hal, Carol, Sinestro, Larfleeze, Sinestro, and Atrocitus seek out these elusive Entities in multiple locales on Earth and in deep space. Having dispatched the Predator in Las Vegas, Carol finds her potential destiny now resides on planet Zamaron. Facing off against Atrocitus, Lobo, and even a Parallax-possessed Flash, among others, an exhausted Hal pushes his willpower to the limits. Yet, the cosmic foe awaiting him may prove unstoppable.
Defying both the Green Lantern Corps and the Justice League, Hal’s choice of allies: Saint Walker, Larfleeze, Atrocitus, & Iroque (Indigo-1), conveys that he is evidently sparing his closest friends from certain death. To rescue the Entities and their captive human channels, representatives of at least five different Lantern Corps must invade the bleak ‘Lost Sector.’
Guest stars include Crispus Allen’s Spectre; Lobo; Barry Allen’s Flash; Renee Montoya’s Question; Lex Luthor; Dex-Starr; Batman; & Superman. A six-page Tales of the Red Lanterns Corps back-up tale depicts feline Dex-Starr’s tragic origin becoming a Red Lantern.
Notes: This title is also available digitally and in a trade paperback format. Guy Gardner makes a cameo appearance, but Kyle Rayner doesn’t appear in this volume.
REVIEW:
This seemingly endless arc evokes grim irony given its Brightest Day banner. Its actual substance seems far more in tone with Blackest Night than anything one might construe as bright and cheery. While writer Geoff Johns keeps his ongoing story twists percolating in a coherent manner, it’s an ambitious read meant for the franchise’s hardcore fans. Casual readers, however, may find the plotting too convoluted to keep up with Johns for the long haul.
Johns’ multiple sub-plots supply ample depth to Larfleeze (note: a little Larfleeze goes a long way), Sinestro, Atrocitus, and especially Carol Ferris/Star Sapphire. Hal Jordan, at the plot’s center, is in vintage form, particularly in a showdown against a Parallax-infected Flash. The same applies to Hal’s interactions with Carol Ferris. Carol’s own insightful heroism is another promising element. It makes sense why DC would finally elevate her to the Justice League in 2024.
Amplifying Johns’ storyline with high-quality visuals is this reliable art team. Led by Doug Mahnke’s solid penciling, this art squad surpasses the challenge of bringing Johns’ vivid imagination to life. Assuredly, it’s no easy task.
Still, given its surplus of disturbing inferences (i.e. a child abduction; multiple grisly deaths), the content of Green Lantern: Brightest Day should be restricted to older teens and up. In spite of neglecting an appropriate parental advisory, DC Comics compensates with a fantastic page count. Though Green Lantern: Brightest Day isn’t a must-have purchase, curious fans should at least consider seeking out this Geoff Johns epic at the library. For Hal Jordan’s fans, it’s definitely worth the read.
Still, for any purchase of this Brightest Day tie-in, it makes practical sense to also acquire Green Lantern’s Blackest Night. That way, this full twenty-issue saga can be read together.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Each full-page cover precedes its story. These primary cover artists are:
- Issue # 53 (artists: Doug Mahnke & Randy Mayor) – Note: It’s the collection cover.
- Issue # 54 (artist: Shane Davis; Sandra Hope; & Barbara Ciardo) – image: Atrocitus in the New York City subway.
- Issue # 55 (artists: Mahnke; Christian Alamy; & Mayor) – image: Hal Jordan, Lobo, & Atrocitus.
- Issue # 56 (artists: Mahnke & Hi-Fi) – image: Hal Jordan & Sinestro.
- Issue # 57 (artists: Mahnke & Hi-Fi) – image: Carol Ferris’ Star Sapphire vs. Predator.
- Issue # 58 (artists: Mahnke, Alamy, & Mayor) – image: the lead characters kneel to Adara.
- Issue # 59 (artists: Mahnke, Alamy & Mayor) – image: Hal Jordan & the Flash in battle.
- Issue # 60 (artists: Gary Frank & Nathan Eyring) – image: Hal Jordan vs. a Parallax-possessed Flash.
- Issue # 61 (artists: Frank & Mayor) – image: Hal Jordan vs. Atrocitus & the ‘Red Lantern’ Butcher.
- Issue # 62 (artists: Ardian Syaf; Vicente Cifuentes; & Mayor) – image: The Justice League (including Hal Jordan), Atrocitus, Sinestro, & Larfleeze.
Full-page variant covers are collected as a gallery. Specifically, they consist of:
- Issue # 53 (artist: Ryan Sook) – image: shared possession of the White Lantern.
- Issue # 54 (artist Alex Garner) – image: Hal Jordan, the Entities, and the White Lantern.
- Issue # 55 (artists: Mahnke & Mayor) – image: Lobo.
- Issue # 56 (artist: Art Germ) – image: Blue Walker.
- Issue # 57 (artists: Ryan Sook; Fernando Pasarin; Joel Gomez; Mayor; & Carrie Strachan) – image: White Lantern Deadman.
- Issue # 58 (artist: Gene Ha) – image: Hal Jordan.
- Issue # 59 (artist: Ha) – image: Hal Jordan, Black Hand, & Iroque (Indigo-1).
- Issue # 60 (artist: Frank Quitely) – image: Hal Jordan vs. Sinestro.
- Issue # 61 (artist: Garner) – image: Spectre & Hal Jordan team up vs. the Red Lantern ‘Butcher.’
- Issue # 62 (artists: Mahnke; Alamy; Mayor; & Alex Sinclair) – image: Hal Jordan.
A five-page preview teases Hal Jordan’s next arc: “War of the Green Lanterns,” as the Green Lantern Corps seemingly implode into civil war. The last page presents multi-paragraph Johns and Mahnke biographies, which are then duplicated on the back inside cover.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
