The Green Lantern mythos has changed immensely over the past few decades. The Corps has been created and expanded, the Earth’s protectors have changed their rings for new colors and then changed them back, and new faces have proudly wielded Green Lantern’s light. For Alan Scott, that endless change has been true to an even greater extent. Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #1 shows exactly why that is.
In Alan Scott, Tim Sheridan, Cian Tormey, Matt Herms, and Lucas Gattoni pick up where DC Pride: Through the Years #1 left off and bring the classic hero back into the — quite literal — limelight. In a story set in the post-World War II landscape, Alan encounters prejudice, mysteries, and haunting reminders of his tragic past.
It’s always fun to see classic heroes lead modern comics, and this is a great example of a comic embracing a classic character and accepting every absurd element. Alan’s costume remains an eyesore to modern viewers, but it holds an odd charm. Every clashing color only emphasizes the ridiculousness of Alan’s so-prevalent seriousness. It’s a great contrast that really emphasizes how truly comic book-y this character is.
DC Comics
The art and coloring have the same effect, as they seem to mimic the style of classic books. Bright primary and secondary colors combine with a fuzzy atmosphere that separates the modern sections of the book from the past. Many books struggle to differentiate timelines without adding a hazy effect, but Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #1 uses old styles to set itself apart. It’s a great visual cue that offers a subconscious aid to any confused reader.
Every detail is also incredibly well-seeded. The first page opens on a newspaper and, where other books might have used a classic “lorem ipsum” to fill space, Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #1 instead fills every line with the in-universe text. It adds to the realism of the book and takes away a potential vehicle for distraction.
On an out-of-universe positive note, it shouldn’t be ignored that this book is coming out in October. DC easily could have chosen to save a release for next year’s pride month, but it instead chose to continue celebrating its LGBTQ+ characters throughout the year. It’s a note that shows the company’s genuine effort to diversify its cast for more than just a once-a-year celebration. The issue also focuses on real-world issues like homophobia, which makes Alan’s fears and experiences more palpable and relatable.
Of course, it should also be noted that DC Pride: Through the Years is essential reading to understand this book. Anyone looking to read it should understand that going in blind will lead to a completely confusing experience. Before buying Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #1, pick up Through the Years. If not, it will make less sense than the color scheme of Alan’s costume.
DC Comics
As for Alan, this book gets him right. Instead of focusing on Alan Scott, The Superhero, it instead focuses on Alan Scott, the engineer. Both the flashbacks and the modern scenes emphasize that fact. It’s a clever way to ground a superhero story into something that can really resonate with real-world readers.
If there’s any flaw in Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #1, it’s that it tells a story that doesn’t offer much of anything new for the character. Yes, it modernizes him and really digs deep into Alan’s sexuality, but that has been done for the past decade. The surprising twist at the end is somewhat cliche, but it at least seems to be opening the door for a more compelling insight into his character. If not for the fact that so much of this book was just a recap, it would have easily been a 10/10. Still, every comic is someone’s first, so it’s worth at least a summary.
To describe this issue in one word is to describe potential. If this book can continue on this trajectory, it could easily become a seminal work that redefines a classic hero for the modern age — though it’s set in a not-so-modern time. Alan is a brilliant character, and it’s great to see him get some much-needed attention. Dawn of DC may be all about letting DC’s existing stars shine, but Alan Scott has been shining since 1940, and it’s about time for him to shed his light over dark evil once again.
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