Written by Judd Winick.
Art by Pat Quinn; Dale Eaglesham; John Lowe; Rodney Ramos; Moose Baumann; & Kurt Hathaway.
Cover Art by Jim Lee; Scott Williams; & Alex Sinclair.
SUMMARY:
For July 2002, DC Comics released this 40-page milestone entitled “Beginning’s End.” In deep space, now the virtually omnipotent Ion, Kyle Rayner contemplates Earth’s Green Lanterns that have preceded him: Alan Scott, Hal Jordan, John Stewart, and Guy Gardner — each his mentor in their own way. Considering benevolent changes to the universe, Kyle ironically receives a warning from Jordan (now the ghostly Spectre) to leave reality well enough alone.
Nonetheless, having used his cosmic powers to search beyond even the JLA’s databases, Kyle locates his long-lost father in Texas for some definitive answers. Though he knows his father is not being completely honest, at least Kyle finds out why a slovenly Aaron Rayner abandoned his wife and young son years before.
Kyle poignantly decides his destiny as Ion and the future of the Guardians of the Universe. Before updating his Green Lantern uniform, Kyle confides what he has done to his girlfriend, Jennifer-Lynn “Jade” Hayden.
REVIEW:
Matched by the art team’s excellent visuals (i.e., the iconic cover), writer Judd Winick delivers an ideal homage to Kyle Rayner’s Green Lantern. Technically, it is Rayner’s 100th issue headlining the franchise.
The only detriment in Winick’s storytelling is the unnecessary revelation of what occupation Kyle’s father once had. Suffice to say, it replicates Marvel’s ridiculous choice that everyman Peter Parker’s late parents really were glamorous CIA spies. Had Winick depicted Kyle’s father as a down-on-his-luck loser (vs. merely posing as one), it would have offered a welcome element of reality.
Still, for the most part, Winick’s scripting (including tributes to Kyle’s four predecessors) fulfills exactly what it needs to. Green Lantern # 150, in that sense, heralds Kyle’s peak relevancy celebrating his first decade in the DC Universe.
Note: The issue’s title is prophetic. Hal Jordan’s return as DC’s primary Green Lantern wasn’t far off, as of October 2004’s Green Lantern: Rebirth # 1. This stellar mini-series immediately began after the cancellation of Kyle’s monthly title with Issue # 181.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There is a single-page “Ringside” letters-and-answers column.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
