Main Feature Written by Len Wein. Main Feature Art by Dave Gibbons; Mike DeCarlo; Ben Oda; & Anthony Tollin.
“Green Magic” Back-Up Feature Written by Todd Klein. “Green Magic” Back-Up Feature Art by Dave Gibbons; Anthony Tollin; & Todd Klein.
Cover Art by Dave Gibbons.
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Aftermath!,” DC Comics released this issue for September 1984. Green Lantern Hal Jordan helps contain the catastrophic damage at Ferris Aircraft following the Demolition Team’s mercenary attack.
With scientist Clay Kendall suffering life-altering injuries, a devastated Carol Ferris erupts on Hal Jordan for choosing his off-world duties as Green Lantern over her own needs. In addition to the mystery of the Predator’s identity, others are scheming to take advantage of the precarious situation Carol’s company is now in.
Guilt-ridden, Hal seeks solace from Green Arrow, Barry Allen’s Flash, and Superman over Carol’s emotional ultimatum about any future they might still have together. Hal’s shocking decision begins an 18-month arc where John Stewart ascends to the franchise’s title role.
REVIEW:
Two thumbs up! Teaming with a top-flight art squad, writer Len Wein depicts a pivotal change in Hal Jordan’s status quo. Impressively, Wein concocts a scenario where Hal’s troubled conscience surpasses his trademark bravado and power ring heroics, as far as re-evaluating life’s priorities. Enhanced by worthwhile appearances from Green Arrow and Superman (the Flash’s scene is negligible), Green Lantern # 180 is a mid-80’s DC relic well worth re-discovery.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Under the banner of Tales of the Green Lantern Corps Presents: Green Magic, this six-page back-up tale is entitled “Enemy Lines, Part Two.” On planet Rhoon, Green Lantern Hollika Rahn and her allies discover deception amidst the ongoing conflict pitting the world’s sorcerer faction vs. its scientists.
The story’s finish is inconclusive, suggesting that Hollika’s tale will resume in a later issue. Enjoying an original plot and terrific artwork, this obscure tale would be reprinted decades later in the Tales of the Green Lantern Corps, Volume 2 trade paperback.
Included with Dick Giordano’s “Meanwhile …” column is a spotlight article quoting Alan Moore’s cryptic prose from The Saga of the Swamp Thing series. Separating Hal’s main feature from Hollika’s adventure is a single-page “Letters by Lantern’s Light” letters-and-answers column.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
