Far Sector #6 was my most anticipated comic of the week on the AIPT Comics Podcast because of its political and acutely poignant story given the state of the world today. Green Lantern is attempting to keep the peace on an alien world at the edges of our galaxy where emotions are illegal. In a previous issue, the people took to the streets to gain back their rights to feel emotion and were met with shots from the police. As issue #6 opens, Jo awaits the government’s decision to allow emotions once again or continue to take them away.
As the cover and preview suggest, this issue is about Councilor Marth making a romantic advance on Jo, who has indicated that he likes her romantically in the past. Obviously it’s somewhat out of line for Jo to accept since she’s supposed to stay impartial with the government’s actions, but she’s only human. That’s the key to this issue, as writer N.K. Jemisin explores what it’s like to be the only person on a planet who can legally feel emotions.
The biggest win of this issue is how it makes you believe Marth is genuine, though he’s feeling emotion and acting much different than he would with is emotion controller active. It’s making the already complex nature of Jo’s job even more so, as well as letting us see Jo in an intimate way. The next best thing about this book is how it sets up another conflict by the end of the issue. It’s becoming clear there’s more at work here than what we know, and things are going to heat up fast.
Cool door.
Credit: DC Comics
The art by Jamal Campbell continues to be out of this world, both literally and figuratively. The alien environments and interiors are stunning. You will believe these places exist because they are so well rendered and thought out. In the opening page, which serves as a kind of recap, Campbell casts Jo and Marth in a fuzzy sort of light as if they are soap opera stars on an old tube TV. It’s a cool effect that makes it clear it’s not happening for real. I’m always appreciative of great extreme close-up shots of Jo’s eyes and mouth which enhance the emotional resonance of a scene.
Unfortunately, the focus on Jo and Marth takes up much of the issue, forcing the bigger plot of the government’s decision to keep emotions illegal and the people protesting to the background. More with these elements would have made the book progress more and feel more satisfying.
This is a good issue, although it certainly sits on its hands a bit when it comes to the bigger plot. The journey Jo is going through is an incredible one and I can’t wait to see how her actions as a cop on Earth and doing her best as a Green Lantern play out.
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