Green Lantern #2 review

Back on Earth after years as a sky-rider of the spaceways, Green Lantern Hal Jordan is trying to rebuild his life on Earth. First and foremost, that means he needs a paying job. He’s sold toys, he’s pushed insurance, even driven a truck, but flying is where Hal’s heart is. And so he’s back at Ferris Aircraft, where he made his name as a test pilot – but a decades-old reputation doesn’t count for much if you can’t safely handle the latest tech. After trashing a drone due to his fearless ways, Hal is tossed down to the mailroom by boss – and former lady love – Carol Ferris. Luckily Hal has a friend staying at his caravan to lift his spirits.

It’s Kilowog, another longtime member of the Green Lantern Corps. Currently, both Hal and Kilowog have quit the Corps, the mercurial Guardians of the Universe having been replaced by the newly formed United Planets. Being cut off from the Corps meant giving us his power ring but a recent encounter with a wannabe supervillain gave him the means to create a new one. So once again, Green Lantern is flying free…

Oops.

The UP has quarantined Earth. Rude.

Writer Jeremy Adams and artist Xermanico follow their fantastic first issue with a superb second issue. Like last time, the story is split between ‘today’ and ‘one month ago’. As well as the discovery of the barrier preventing Hal from leaving Earth, the flashback brings the return of some old foes.

The Demolition Team! It’s been a while. Hal beats them in a way that manages to be joyful, while nodding to one of the weirdest times in his history. It gives Xermanico and colourist Romulo Fajardo Jr a chance to really show off, and I leave you to discover what I mean.

Hal is less showy, but equally impressive, as he presents a masterclass in ‘How to get out of the mailroom and pilot a jet in one day’.

Unfortunately, his worst instincts emerge as he acts as co-pilot for Carol’s private plane, causing physical and emotional turbulence as he traps Carol’s fiancé Nathan in the loo.

That’s actually pretty toxic, and disappointing. Prior to this scene Hal hasn’t put a foot wrong, but here he is playing to the widespread fan perception that he’s a bit of a dick. Carol and Hal have chemistry, they have history, but as she wants to move on (again – she’s been married previously) he should give her space. And not of the outer variety.

The art is once again a treat, I especially love how Xermanico and Fajardo present that lovable hunk of pink muscle, Kilowog. He’s monstrous yet very human. And Hal looks very good in his new uniform. But what’s going on with Carol’s hair? Last time it was her usual raven, here it’s brown.

The action scenes are eye popping, with my favourite scene being Hal swooping above the city. Fajardo really shines when he’s toning the skies.

The lettering by Dave Sharpe is splendid, crisp and accurate, an asset to the book.

The story ends with a lead-in to a two-month DC line-wide event, which is disappointing. I’d rather books weren’t forced to take part, but I’m sure Adams will move Hal’s story forward as much as he can within the bounds of the Knight Terrors business.

The John Stewart back-up continues in much the same mode as last month’s opening chapter. After a scene-setting ‘Another universe, another time’ caption showing an awe-inspiring space structure we get a lovely homely scene featuring demobbed John and his mother on Earth Zero, the regular DCU world.

Then it’s back to a deeply cosmic, trippy battle between a Green Lantern named Shepherd and a nightmare naming herself the Revenant Queen.

She really hates John Stewart, the legendary Lantern who inspires Shepherd to fight on in the face of apparently insurmountable odds, but he’s long gone. Or is he…

Visually, this is very impressive, illustrator Montos and colour artist Adriano Lucas dazzle the eyes with, by turns, quietly pastoral and intensely fizzing images. The letters of Dave Sharpe add to the drama. I don’t think I’m going to truly appreciate Kennedy’s story until John’s strip breaks out into his upcoming new series – eight pages is too short for something this ambitious.

How about Xermanico’s slice-of-superhero-life cover? I love it.

All in all, Green Lantern #2 is an excellent package starring DC’s two best-known GLs. Let’s see how the nightmares turn out.