DC Comics is redefining its characters and legacies, with Absolute Green Lantern experiencing the most significant shift of all. Al Ewing aims to further redefine Absolute Green Lantern with issue #7, out today, as the series takes us to space. Mainly set on Earth so far, the latest issue shows a war is taking place on other planets light-years away. That war heavily involves the Blackstar and its world, Mogo, who seek to kill all other Lanterns. And kill they do, with multiple deaths taking place in issue #7!
The opening page of Absolute Green Lantern #7 features the different Lantern lights. First yellow, then green, red, and finally black. We then cut to Mogo, headed towards a green planet where plant people are freaking out at its arrival. Soon, three Green Lanterns head to space to confront it, and a familiar and famous Green Lantern is revealed to be a Blackstar! Count that as yet another Absolute Universe reveal that feels big.
This issue heavily focuses on the conflict between different Lanterns and showcases their abilities in this new universe. Blackstar has an almost zombie-like quality, with incredible powers and eyes emerging from their limbs. Meanwhile, the Green Lanterns are almost like Jedi here, acting all zen about themselves with their ability to go into a spirit mode. Ewing and artists Riley Rossmo and Jason Howard demonstrate how these different powers interact with deadly consequences.
Cool look at all the different colors.
Credit: DC Comics
Howard draws the first half of the issue, with much of the fighting taking place in his portion. Howard has an edginess that suits the outer space fight, with Blackstar particularly coming off as scary and brutal. The use of color in these scenes helps set it apart, with Inaki Azpiazu making space feel colorful and trippy.
It’s an exciting battle that leads to an even more dramatic turn for the people training Green Lanterns. What sets this apart from a fight comic between Black and Green Lanterns is the inclusion of a surprise character midway through. Rossmo takes over on art here, with some rather dramatic results. The bottom line seems to be that there is all-out war between the different Lanterns with little mercy. That includes shipping a Blackstar back to the leader of them all, adding up to a climactic and exciting cliffhanger reveal.
With plotting and action set at a high bar, Ewing leans heavily into space lingo, sometimes to confusing effect. Typically, you can figure out what is meant when things like “cagecraft” are dropped into the dialogue. The final bit of captions rambles a bit, although once you reach the cliffhanger, it becomes clear why. All in all, the strange alien worlds explored here feel alien thanks to the writing, sometimes pulling you out of the narrative ever so slightly if you’re not hyper-focused on what is being said.
Absolute Green Lantern #7 catapults the series into full-blown cosmic warfare, balancing high-stakes battles with major reveals that push the Absolute Universe forward. Though its jargon-heavy dialogue occasionally gets in the way, the striking visuals, brutal Blackstar menace, and shocking twists make this a standout chapter.
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