Last Week’s Comics – 7/20/2011
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Green Lantern #67
(DC – writer: Geoff Johns; art: Doug Mahnke)
War of the Green Lanterns comes to an epic close! The Lanterns have to battle the entities that now inhabit the bodies of the Guardians and save their friends from the dreaded Book of the Black, a prison of sorts created by the black rings. As with all of Geoff Johns’ stories, this has a phenomenal conclusion, but it’s one that supersedes a lot of his other work. The last five pages are incredible, and the climax of the story is brilliantly executed. I don’t think anyone could have predicted this.
[pullquote]Green Lantern artists have the hardest job in comics[/pullquote]
First off, Doug Mahnke needs to be commended for his art. I think Green Lantern artists have the hardest job in comics because they have to illustrate a cast of thousands, and they constantly have to illustrate these grand splash pages – especially since Johns has been writing. This issue has two splash pages and three full-page drawings. As usual, they’re colorful, lavish and impressive.
Two great things happen at the end of this issue, and I warn you that if you don’t want to know, don’t read. First off, Sinestro becomes a Green Lantern again. Much like Darth Vader redeeming himself while
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saving his son from the Emperor’s hand-lightning, Sinestro attacks Krona to save Hal Jordan’s life because he realizes Hal would die for the Green Lantern Corps, and according to Sinestro, “So would I.” At that point, a green ring flies across the page and announces, “Thaal Sinestro of Korugar. You have the ability to overcome great fear. You have been chosen.” And then in monumental, full-page fashion, we see the ring return to a shocked Sinestro, his old costume appearing again and the ring declaring “Welcome to the Green Lantern Corps.”
Epic.
The second big moment happens at the end of the issue when the Guardians declare Hal Jordan the most dangerous Green Lantern of all. Then they discharge and dismiss him, strip him of his ring and toss his sorry ass back to Earth. Jordan is left standing on a deserted highway looking at his naked hand and saying, “This isn’t how it’s supposed to end.”
Again: Epic.
I’m a fan of grand conclusions and climaxes, and maybe that’s why Geoff Johns appeals to me so much. I didn’t expect this ending, and I was pleasantly surprised to see it. While I have no doubt Hal will regain his ring, I’m more curious to see how Sinestro deals with being a Green Lantern again.
While he looks confused, he doesn’t look too upset to be donning the green again. And to be honest, I’m not sorry to see him wear it either.
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