Green Lantern #20 review

Erastus the blacksmith is having a very bad day on Alteon-X.

A client fleeces him, his wife taunts him and a gang of youths bully him. He’s had enough.

The red mist that descends becomes literal as his emotions tap into the rage energy of the Red Lantern Corps, untethered with the destruction of its Central Power Battery. Luckily, Green Lantern Hal Jordan is on the case.

At the Source Wall, fellow Lantern Kyle Rayner and new partners Superboy and new character Odyssey are trying to track down an energy orb that could help the Corps build a new Central Power Battery. It’s a serious business, but that doesn’t mean fun can’t be had.

I enjoyed last issue, the first of a Bold New Direction. I loved this issue, as the set-up’s been done and writer Jeremy Adams can really let loose. I mean, when was the last time Kyle wasn’t dripping in angst? Here he’s actively having a good time – mind, he does seem to have a case of ‘wait for Uncle Hal’ on first arriving at the Source Wall.

Of course, he will remember that Hal was a crazed supervillain for a while, retcon or no retcon. If anything, though, it’s Hal who may be trying to be more Kyle… I mean, a green sumo wrestler? And that’s followed by an even more playful construct.

Superboy and Odyssey also get to show what they can do, proving perfect partners for Kyle.

Jack Herbert isn’t an artist who pops up much at DC Comics, but when he does it’s a real treat. His work here is, as always, exemplary – the compositions muscular, the finishes lush. And the character work is simply brilliant – I hope Herbert does more fill-ins, as his Hal is fantastic.. especially in the glowing cosplay kit he makes for himself here.

My favourite page in the book isn’t one of the flashy, fun affairs, it’s a somber, silent study of what it can mean to live in a world where wild energy can change your life in a second.

Romulo Fajardo Jr captures the Cosmic with his colours, every person, from wherever in the universe they hail, is toned with real care.

And Dave Sharpe amps up the drama throughout with his attractive lettering.

The only thing I don’t like about the visuals is the return of Hal’s floating chest symbol; it’s terribly fussy and an awful waste of Lantern’s light.

Ariel Colón’s cover is terrific, apparently made to be used on either this book or the new Green Lantern Corps sister title. Hopefully we’ll soon get story-specific cover illoes, because stories this great deserve cover images.