In the wake of the fresh formation of DC’s Infinite Frontier, a new beginning dawns for the Green Lantern corps. This new entry in the galactic saga comes hot off the heals of Grant Morrison and Liam Sharp’s mind-bending and divisive run on The Green Lantern. Helmed by Geoffrey Thorne (Future State: Green Lantern, King in Black: Black Panther) and artists Dexter Soy (Red Hood and the Outlaws), Marco Santucci (Generations Forged), and Alex Sinclair (Blackest Night), Green Lantern #1 seeks to set a new tone and course for the book.
As a new #1 following up a loosely canonical run, this debut has a lot of heavy lifting to perform. Thankfully, Thorne handles this with careful attention to detail and respect for the previous material. The story picks up from the Infinite Frontier short with the entirety of the corps returning to Oa for the United Planets conclave. Through this setup, we are able to catch up with the Lanterns we know and love alongside establish their place in the universe. Current fans will be glad to see each of their favorite characters return, as well as introduce new readers to the variety of heroes that make up the corps.
Here, Thorne nails each character’s voice. He captures John Stewart as the introspective leader, Teen Lantern as the spitfire newbie, and even the embittered ego of Sinestro. These are just a few from the host of familiar faces Green Lantern fans will be happy to see back in a mainline book. Thorne also goes on to creatively add to the Lantern mythos in ways that promises striking repercussions in the near future.
DC Comics
Soy and Santucci do a great job here at bringing the world to life. The art balances out the stylized fights with more subdued character moments. With two artists credited, it works to the issue’s credit that there is not a drastic shift in style at any point. Both Soy and Santucci seem to be working together to ensure the work blends both styles effectively. Veteran colorist Sinclair also makes for a welcome addition here. His bombastic and popping colors suit action beats and give the book a distinct flair.
DC Comics
The issue also carries over a thread from Thorne’s Future State entry. He continues to show that it is not the power ring that makes the hero, but the individuals themselves. This remains a unique perspective to be sure, though it potentially could become mundane to see Green Lanterns solving every issue without their power rings. While worth repeating for those who may have skipped out on Future State, it may start to wear thin for some.
Altogether, this issue does a good job at establishing the tone and perspective the fresh creative team brings to the book. Thorne builds a promising start with his character work and world building, which is only further enhanced by the artistic talent behind the book. This debut delivers a great coalescing of the Lanterns for the beginning of a new era that respects what has come before while pointing towards the changes to come.
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