It’s all been building up to this: Yellow Lanterns and Green Lanterns working together in a new way due to Sinestro’s death. Larfleeze is the only thing in their way, but considering how powerful he is and how few Green and Yellow Lanterns there are, can they make it? Is it good?
Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #12 (DC Comics)
So what’s it about? The summary reads:
“BOTTLED LIGHT” part five! Trapped and collected by Larfleeze, the Green Lantern Corps’ only hope is Hal Jordan and White Lantern Kyle Rayner—but can these two heroes save their friends before they all become playthings to the Avatar of Avarice?
Why does this book matter?
Ethan Van Sciver is back on pencils, which means this issue will have jam-packed pages with many characters, big in-your-face action, and crazy detail. Meanwhile, Robert Venditti is writing a story that’s building towards a new future for Green and Yellow Lanterns alike. How Hal will feel about that is intriguing.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Get some!
Like the last issue, John Stewart continues to be the general of the Green Lantern Corps and his strategy continues to be the driving force for them here. That includes giving the Yellow Lanterns orders and it’s clear Venditti is working towards making these two sides no longer enemies. Much of this issue is fighting between them and Larfleeze, which allows Sciver to do his best work and open up the action. Make no mistake, this issue is nearly all action, but it’s fun due to the creative constructs Venditti and Sciver come up with.
Outside of all that fun and good looking action, Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner get a couple of moments that foreshadow big things for them moving forward. It’s clear Venditti is working towards a reorganization of powers for these characters and that shake up is exciting.
It can’t be perfect can it?
Tomar-Tu has an important task in this issue: keeping his mother and their world safe, which leads to a moment late in the issue that doesn’t quite work. The sentiment is heartfelt and connects to Hal’s past, but it feels forced and too heavy handed. That might be due to the heavier use of dialogue, which makes it less visual and somewhat boring.
Which is funny, because much of this issue is action! The action looks good, but it does make this a faster read reducing its value at the end of the day. The focus also reduces any chance for character work.
He might be enjoying this too much.
Is It Good?
A big, action-packed issue is delievered as DC Comics continues to prove this is the blockbuster series of DC Rebirth. It does cheapen the experience a bit as there’s a lack of character work and a heavy-handed emotional moment later in the issue doesn’t quite cut it. Still, the new direction for Green and Yellow Lanterns alike is compelling.
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