Writer: Jeremy Adams
Art: Xermánico, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Dave Sharpe
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $4.99
Release Date: May 9th, 2023
Spinning out of the events of Dark Crisis, the Guardians of Oa at the heart of the Green Lantern Corps have quarantined Sector 2814, home of the planet Earth—and its champion along with it as Green Lantern #1 by Jeremy Adams kicks off! A heartbreaking defeat has sent Hal reeling, returning home to rediscover his roots…and find the man responsible for ruining his life: Sinestro. From the visionary team of Jeremy Adams and Xermánico comes a tale of redemption, loss, and finding out that maybe…just maybe…you can go home again.
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the Green Lantern #1 Review.
THE DISPATCH
Jeremy Adams throws fans back into the story of Hal Jordan rather quickly. So we know what he’s been up to? No. However, we know where he wants to be and what he wants to do. Additionally, readers quickly discover the current lay of the land making Green Lantern #1 the perfect jumping-on point for fans interested in jumping back in. So much so, that Adams gives fans Hal’s reasoning for coming back to Earth, motivation, and groundwork for the series.
Moreover, Adams has a knack for witty characters. He just provided the same slightly humorous tones in the Flash with Wally West… and now he’s doing the very same with Hal Jordan. It’s the perfect character type of Adams. Plus, just like Wally, he also is a rock star at redirecting, reforming, and rebuilding characters. Adams understood what the fans wanted from Wally and gave us exactly what we wanted and needed. Now, I bring all that up for the very same reason with Hal Jordan. Granted, Hal wasn’t as messed up as Wally was, however, Hal Jordan hasn’t quite been himself for years either.
Adams spent the majority of Green Lantern #1 bringing Hal back to his roots. His wit, charm, job, career, personality, and even a few of his supporting cast are back. I mean just take a moment to think about the last time we had a Hal Jordan book with him on Earth and not flying through space. Additionally, when was the last time we saw Hal crack a joke? Readers, Green Lantern #1 takes me way back… and I absolutely love it! Heck, we even get some Top Gun feels making this a top-notch choice for old-school Hal Jordan fans as well as anyone looking to dip their toe in without reservation.
Lastly, the backup by Phillip Kennedy Johnson involved John Stewart in a light we haven’t seen for years as well. The backup began in a rather touching way with a conversation between John and his mother. What made it so emotional was the way his mother addressed him mixed with the time he’s been away. Seeing a mother who’s had to share her baby with the universe had to be tough. And Johnson made that perfectly clear in a quick, emotional way. Yet, the backup rapidly changes directions as we skip to future events with an individual who resembles something straight from D & D. Individuals who loved the Dark Crisis – Worlds Without a Justice League: Green Lantern #1 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson will get locked on this backup instantly.
ART
Xermánico, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Dave Sharpe make Green Lantern #1 look identical to the DC Animated Movies. So much so in fact, that it felt almost like live-action in certain moments and panels. The colors popped, the illustrations were stunning, and the design was realistic. Moreover, the lettering wasn’t pushy and overdone causing each panel to look wide open and inspiring making this opening installment easy to read. Lastly, my favorite scenes were the panels and pages involving the planes showcasing just how amazing this art team is at providing movement to the story. The linework mixed with the panel progression made the speed of each plane leap off the page.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Adams uses Green Lantern #1 as a vessel to get Hal’s life back in order again, which fans haven’t seen in ages. For fans who have felt disconnected from their favorite Lantern, be prepared to jump back in the cockpit alongside ol’ Highball and fall in love with the character all over again. Moreover, as stated above, fans new to Adams as well as Hal will get to see both of their sensibility, wit, and zany characteristics that have made the character so dang special.
Yet as exciting as Green Lantern #1 was to see Hal back on Earth and regaining his footing, Xermánico, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Dave Sharpe provide a sensational pop to this story that makes it incredibly easy on the eyes. Altogether, Green Lantern #1 is a home run out of the gate that everyone needs to take notice of right now. Just snag the issue, add it to your pull list, and thank me later. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless!