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Green Lantern (2011)
Green Lantern, Volume 1: Sinestro
A New York Times Bestseller
As part of the DC Comics—The New 52, the first six issues of the star-spanning series from superstar writer Geoff Johns and artist Doug Mahnke are collected here in hardcover!
In the aftermath of a deadly showdown between the Green Lantern Corps and a mysterious foe from the past, Hal Jordan has been stripped of his ring. Left standing is an unexpected new Green Lantern in town: Sinestro! And now, this renegade GL has set a course for Korugar with one purpose: To free his homeworld from the scourge of his own Sinestro Corps, with the not-so-willing help of Hal Jordan!
Collecting: Green Lantern 1-6
As part of the DC Comics—The New 52, the first six issues of the star-spanning series from superstar writer Geoff Johns and artist Doug Mahnke are collected here in hardcover!
In the aftermath of a deadly showdown between the Green Lantern Corps and a mysterious foe from the past, Hal Jordan has been stripped of his ring. Left standing is an unexpected new Green Lantern in town: Sinestro! And now, this renegade GL has set a course for Korugar with one purpose: To free his homeworld from the scourge of his own Sinestro Corps, with the not-so-willing help of Hal Jordan!
Collecting: Green Lantern 1-6
160 pages, Hardcover
First published May 22, 2012
70 people are currently reading
1794 people want to read
About the author
Geoff Johns
2,718 books2,410 followersGeoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s in search of work within the film industry. Through perseverance, Geoff ended up as the assistant to Richard Donner, working on Conspiracy Theory and Lethal Weapon 4. During that time, he also began his comics career writing Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and JSA (co-written with David S. Goyer) for DC Comics. He worked with Richard Donner for four years, leaving the company to pursue writing full-time.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
December 9, 2015
Very good story, but I probably should have read Green Lantern: War of the Green Lanterns first.
Yeah, as it turns out, I missed a huge chunk of important back story, so if you're thinking of just skipping ahead to the re-boot stuff....don't.
Any guesses as to what I'll be reading next?
Even without knowing how Sinestro ended up as a Green Lantern, and Hal ended up needing Carol to co-sign a loan for him, this was a lot of fun to read.
Recommended for fans of the Lanterns.
Yeah, as it turns out, I missed a huge chunk of important back story, so if you're thinking of just skipping ahead to the re-boot stuff....don't.
Any guesses as to what I'll be reading next?
Even without knowing how Sinestro ended up as a Green Lantern, and Hal ended up needing Carol to co-sign a loan for him, this was a lot of fun to read.
Recommended for fans of the Lanterns.
February 1, 2019
So, I saw the movie of Green Lantern and I enjoyed it. Still, I really don’t know a whole lot about Green Lantern accept it’s some sort of space force type situation and the ring makes these energy constructs. This feels like it picks up in the middle of a long story. Hal Jordan is no longer a Green Lantern and it has something to do with Sinestro who used to be an evil doer and now is a Green Lantern.
Well, this was a fun read. I enjoyed this one. Geoff Johns told this story and he is such a talent. I don’t know what DC would do without him. He gave a good start to several stories in this New 52. There are lots of new people. Hal is trying to make his relationship with his girl Carol work. There are some Yellow Lantern aliens that seem pretty evil that the 2 Green lanterns now have to defeat. I guess there are more than one color and each one means something. Hyperkinetic and entertaining. Sign me up for more.
Well, this was a fun read. I enjoyed this one. Geoff Johns told this story and he is such a talent. I don’t know what DC would do without him. He gave a good start to several stories in this New 52. There are lots of new people. Hal is trying to make his relationship with his girl Carol work. There are some Yellow Lantern aliens that seem pretty evil that the 2 Green lanterns now have to defeat. I guess there are more than one color and each one means something. Hyperkinetic and entertaining. Sign me up for more.
August 3, 2015
Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths Reviews
I've never been a diehard Green Lantern fan. Honestly, Hal Jordan wasn't my favorite GL. I preferred Kyle Rayner back in the day, But with this New 52 Green Lantern, I'm learning to appreciate Hal for what he is and, even more startling, Sinestro!
Listen, I know that last bit might sound silly to longtime GL fans, but for an on-again off-again GL reader like me, Sinestro was never more than the red guy who Hal Jordan always found a way to beat. Honestly, I never viewed him in the same light as Joker, Lex Luthor, or other DC villains, but Geoff Johns has really turned Sinestro into a multi-faceted character in this volume.
What is particularly startling to me is how much I empathize with this dude. I mean, I'm suppose to hate him right? And I do, because he constantly hurts anyone or anything that stands in his way, but Johns has made it very easy to put myself in his shoes and see how easy it would be to go down Sinestro's road. A spectacular piece of writing if there ever was one.
Coupled to Johns great writing is outstanding art by Doug Manhke. I really can't say enough about it, because I love this guys work in this series. Even simple panels like below are amazing in their ability to show animation so effortlessly. Outstanding stuff!
Now, I am not quite ready to say Green Lantern is my favorite New 52 comic (Aquaman still holds a slight lead there.), but I can say that I am quickly turning into a GL fan as well as an even bigger fan of Geoff Johns and Doug Manhke.
I've never been a diehard Green Lantern fan. Honestly, Hal Jordan wasn't my favorite GL. I preferred Kyle Rayner back in the day, But with this New 52 Green Lantern, I'm learning to appreciate Hal for what he is and, even more startling, Sinestro!
Listen, I know that last bit might sound silly to longtime GL fans, but for an on-again off-again GL reader like me, Sinestro was never more than the red guy who Hal Jordan always found a way to beat. Honestly, I never viewed him in the same light as Joker, Lex Luthor, or other DC villains, but Geoff Johns has really turned Sinestro into a multi-faceted character in this volume.
What is particularly startling to me is how much I empathize with this dude. I mean, I'm suppose to hate him right? And I do, because he constantly hurts anyone or anything that stands in his way, but Johns has made it very easy to put myself in his shoes and see how easy it would be to go down Sinestro's road. A spectacular piece of writing if there ever was one.
Coupled to Johns great writing is outstanding art by Doug Manhke. I really can't say enough about it, because I love this guys work in this series. Even simple panels like below are amazing in their ability to show animation so effortlessly. Outstanding stuff!
Now, I am not quite ready to say Green Lantern is my favorite New 52 comic (Aquaman still holds a slight lead there.), but I can say that I am quickly turning into a GL fan as well as an even bigger fan of Geoff Johns and Doug Manhke.
May 18, 2016
I'm only familiar with Green Lantern from other series he's been in. I've never tried reading his comics nor have I seen the movie. So, it was kind of annoying to find out that this isn't really a new start for the series, like the rest of the New 52 titles. Apparently I was supposed to read War of the Green Lanterns first. I guess that's why it felt like I was joining the story near the end. I mean, Green Lantern isn't even a Green Lantern anymore. Not the best start for this series, for me.
The art isn't the worst I've seen, (like in Talon Vol. 2: The Fall of The Owls) but I'm not loving it. Hal is supposed to be attractive, right?
"Um ... I, uh ... have a thing to do ... yeah so ... BYE."
The art isn't the worst I've seen, (like in Talon Vol. 2: The Fall of The Owls) but I'm not loving it. Hal is supposed to be attractive, right?
"Um ... I, uh ... have a thing to do ... yeah so ... BYE."
August 14, 2017
Maybe not best volume to start my GL readings and my knowledge of Hal/Sinestro "relationship" was based mainly on Injustice series, but I really enjoied the story and the artworks were just awesome.
First volume of many ones to come in my library, I guess.
July 13, 2021
The New 52 can be a hit-or-miss proposition. I grabbed this not because of Hal Jordan but because of Sinestro. He is an awesome character and one of my favorite DC characters. So this is the umpteenth "reboot" of the Green Lantern.
In this New 52 version, Hal is back on Earth being a bum after being booted from the GLC. Sinstero, for some reason, is back in Green and freed by the Guardians (who have a nefarious plan). Sinestro finds Hal and makes him a ring (didn't know this was possible outside of the Guardians but ok) and then they decide to go fight the Yellow Lanterns who have taken over Korrugar.
This could have been really good if they'd just limited the Hal on Earth with Carol. Ugh. The Sinestro-Yellow Lantern conflict and him "training" Hal was awesome. The art is quite good. Some of the things like the creation of the rings via Sinestro's ring is different and not necessarily good. I am rather curious to see what the Guardians are up too, but on the whole this series isn't likely to send me scrambling to get part two. Come on Johns I know you can do better.
In this New 52 version, Hal is back on Earth being a bum after being booted from the GLC. Sinstero, for some reason, is back in Green and freed by the Guardians (who have a nefarious plan). Sinestro finds Hal and makes him a ring (didn't know this was possible outside of the Guardians but ok) and then they decide to go fight the Yellow Lanterns who have taken over Korrugar.
This could have been really good if they'd just limited the Hal on Earth with Carol. Ugh. The Sinestro-Yellow Lantern conflict and him "training" Hal was awesome. The art is quite good. Some of the things like the creation of the rings via Sinestro's ring is different and not necessarily good. I am rather curious to see what the Guardians are up too, but on the whole this series isn't likely to send me scrambling to get part two. Come on Johns I know you can do better.
January 6, 2021
This one was really good! We have Sinestro becoming the GL again and dealing with the fallout of the war with Krona, Sinestro is going about his duties when we see him return to Korugar or rather observing it from farther and he sees his former corps controlling it and thus he gets the aid of Hal by giving him a duplicate ring. Hal is on a date with Carol but manages to screw up again and things go sideways again but then both team up to free Korugar and as they do, they have to overcome trials and challenges, being thrown in prison, his formers corps repelling him and people they are trapped in prison wanna hurting Sinestro but Hal has to find a way to convince them not to do so and somehow find a way to fight back for Korugar and they do and the way they do is good but then again more things are coming, Sinestro teams with Starscream to find Lyssa drak and he learns of the First lantern and the third army and he needs Hal Jordan's help again! This book was good and shows Hal's arch-nemesis in a new light and explores the threats from new angle and kinda redeeming him but also dropping hints of things to come and thus is epic that way, I liked the slow pacing of it all and next arc: Black Hand!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2014
Bad plotting, bad dialogue, but good story ideas. Couldn't Johns just do outlines and hand over the creative duties to people with talent? Johns is writing Jordan like he's twelve - not just a broken *man*, but one who's ridiculously arrested. If I sat him down with a psychologist they might well diagnose him as retarded, as well as Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
Johns also still hasn't learned the art of conveying information without a shovel. Mansplaining in the grossest terms - like two pages he uses for the Guardians to explain to themselves what they'll do to replace the Corps. Why? Does he really not understand how stilted it looks for the actors to explain to the audience what they're doing and why? Couldn't he at least introduce an outsider to the circle so he's explaining to the character and not to thin air?
Or worse, a key plot point that makes no sense is half-explained (badly) and then ignored. How hard is this job, Geoff?
Oh god, the monologuing! The horror! And the emoting - like a kitten trying to fight off a wolf, this is painful to read how poorly he delivers an emotionally believable transition.
The best part of this book is how many times Hal Jordan gets his ass - and his arrogance - handed to him by Sinestro. I can't tell you how satisfying it is to see that smug confidence kicked in the nads again. I'm not revealing anything surprising when I say that's a meal I would eat every night, and wipe my mouth with the shards of their shattered ego. (Please ignore the crippled visual metaphor.)
Oh goody. Johns gives us a complete 180 turnaround in Jordan's motivations, thinking this is a satisfying development - like it's something Johns or Jordan has earned. Wow is he deluded.
Art's not much better. Half the time Sinestro looks constipated and I want to give him an Ex-Lax so he can loosen up and be really fulfilled as a Lawful Neutral dude.
On a scale of 1-10, where 1 is slight itch and 10 is so-painful-just-kill-me-now, this was about a 6. Which should send me running. But instead, even acknowledging how awful the writing is, I'm curious to see where to story is headed (Guardians vs GLs), and whether Johns can stop himself from throwing Sinestro on the trash heap of "heel turn" like in WWE.
Johns also still hasn't learned the art of conveying information without a shovel. Mansplaining in the grossest terms - like two pages he uses for the Guardians to explain to themselves what they'll do to replace the Corps. Why? Does he really not understand how stilted it looks for the actors to explain to the audience what they're doing and why? Couldn't he at least introduce an outsider to the circle so he's explaining to the character and not to thin air?
Or worse, a key plot point that makes no sense is half-explained (badly) and then ignored. How hard is this job, Geoff?
Oh god, the monologuing! The horror! And the emoting - like a kitten trying to fight off a wolf, this is painful to read how poorly he delivers an emotionally believable transition.
The best part of this book is how many times Hal Jordan gets his ass - and his arrogance - handed to him by Sinestro. I can't tell you how satisfying it is to see that smug confidence kicked in the nads again. I'm not revealing anything surprising when I say that's a meal I would eat every night, and wipe my mouth with the shards of their shattered ego. (Please ignore the crippled visual metaphor.)
Oh goody. Johns gives us a complete 180 turnaround in Jordan's motivations, thinking this is a satisfying development - like it's something Johns or Jordan has earned. Wow is he deluded.
Art's not much better. Half the time Sinestro looks constipated and I want to give him an Ex-Lax so he can loosen up and be really fulfilled as a Lawful Neutral dude.
On a scale of 1-10, where 1 is slight itch and 10 is so-painful-just-kill-me-now, this was about a 6. Which should send me running. But instead, even acknowledging how awful the writing is, I'm curious to see where to story is headed (Guardians vs GLs), and whether Johns can stop himself from throwing Sinestro on the trash heap of "heel turn" like in WWE.
November 28, 2014
So I read Blackest Night and Brightest Day awhile back, but then got distracted by other comics that aren't fucking stupid. Admittedly, I would pretty much buy every book Doug Mahnke has ever drawn if it weren't for the fact that I like to save my money for comics that are less fucking stupid -- but a friend loaned me this one, so what the hell.
And despite missing some backstory between volumes, I thought this was a pretty enjoyable read. It's not quite as fraught with the feeling that Geoff Johns is sitting on the floor in his corner office, drooling on himself and playing with his Green Lantern action figures while an intern copies down everything he says aloud and turns it into a script. There's actually some plot here beyond just introducing a bunch of characters and having them punch each other in the nuts for 200 pages.
Granted, toward the end of this book one of the lines of dialogue was something like "Soon we will release the First Lantern to lead the Third Army and he will destroy the Green Lantern Corps" or some other thing that obviously a fourth grader wrote, seriously Geoff Johns you are kidding me with this stupid shit.
And the last issue in this volume was drawn by someone who isn't Doug Mahnke so I basically skipped it, because fuck you if you're drawing Green Lantern and you're not Doug Mahnke, swear to god.
And despite missing some backstory between volumes, I thought this was a pretty enjoyable read. It's not quite as fraught with the feeling that Geoff Johns is sitting on the floor in his corner office, drooling on himself and playing with his Green Lantern action figures while an intern copies down everything he says aloud and turns it into a script. There's actually some plot here beyond just introducing a bunch of characters and having them punch each other in the nuts for 200 pages.
Granted, toward the end of this book one of the lines of dialogue was something like "Soon we will release the First Lantern to lead the Third Army and he will destroy the Green Lantern Corps" or some other thing that obviously a fourth grader wrote, seriously Geoff Johns you are kidding me with this stupid shit.
And the last issue in this volume was drawn by someone who isn't Doug Mahnke so I basically skipped it, because fuck you if you're drawing Green Lantern and you're not Doug Mahnke, swear to god.
October 8, 2015
Sinestro has just forcibly become part of the Green Lantern Corps again after being their enemy for an extended period, taking the opportunity to rid his homeworld Korugar of the Yellow Lantern army he created. But to do that, he needs to enlist the help of one man he barely tolerates yet secretly respects: Hal Jordan, who has left the GLC and is happily living a normal life and resuming his attempt at a relationship with Carol Ferris. Meanwhile, the Guardians of the Universe, creators of the GLC, have apparently gone a bit nuts and are stirring things up in the background.
This volume starts at the tail end of another story arc that I missed (War of the Green Lanterns) but is very understandable on its own; the only information really needed is that Sinestro was previously leader of the Yellow Lanterns and Hal was once the greatest of the Green Lanterns, and they've both fallen from their lofty positions. It eventually ended up as the best kind of buddy cop movie, with a different dynamic that I really enjoyed. Instead of "by-the-book elder tolerates and then befriends the chaotic young hotshot", Sinestro is a ruthless, control freak elder being led around by his emotions and Hal is the moral underdog trying to assert what little power he can muster. It's a rough road for the two of them, but thrilling to see them butt heads and then work together almost by accident. There are some surprisingly heartfelt moments here for both characters as they both strive toward different forms of redemption. This may be one of my favorite portrayals of the two characters; Sinestro is given more depth and humanity than I've ever seen him have, and Hal comes off more sympathetic than usual as his ego is toned down to realistic levels and he gets beat up from every angle. By the end, things have gotten a lot more complicated and Sinestro can't help pulling a Godfather III on Hal again. He thought he was out...
I think this is my first experience with Doug Mahnke's art, and it was so good and fits the GL world so well that I think half my enjoyment of the volume was looking at his work.
This volume starts at the tail end of another story arc that I missed (War of the Green Lanterns) but is very understandable on its own; the only information really needed is that Sinestro was previously leader of the Yellow Lanterns and Hal was once the greatest of the Green Lanterns, and they've both fallen from their lofty positions. It eventually ended up as the best kind of buddy cop movie, with a different dynamic that I really enjoyed. Instead of "by-the-book elder tolerates and then befriends the chaotic young hotshot", Sinestro is a ruthless, control freak elder being led around by his emotions and Hal is the moral underdog trying to assert what little power he can muster. It's a rough road for the two of them, but thrilling to see them butt heads and then work together almost by accident. There are some surprisingly heartfelt moments here for both characters as they both strive toward different forms of redemption. This may be one of my favorite portrayals of the two characters; Sinestro is given more depth and humanity than I've ever seen him have, and Hal comes off more sympathetic than usual as his ego is toned down to realistic levels and he gets beat up from every angle. By the end, things have gotten a lot more complicated and Sinestro can't help pulling a Godfather III on Hal again. He thought he was out...
I think this is my first experience with Doug Mahnke's art, and it was so good and fits the GL world so well that I think half my enjoyment of the volume was looking at his work.
May 20, 2013
Is it just me? Or did the New 52 reboot have no effect on the Green Lantern continuity? It seems that this series picks up right where it left off pre-Flashpoint. Which I am totally cool with because, of all the story-arcs since Final Crisis, the Green Lantern story-arcs were some of the best, and there was a lot of development in that universe that I would have hated to see disappear overnight.
Geoff Johns writes another great, character-driven story for GL with this volume, "Sinestro". After defeating the guardian, Kronos, Hal Jordon has his green ring stripped from him and seems to hit rock-bottom... and I mean down-and-out-- even having to ask his off-again/off-off-again girlfriend to co-sign a loan for him. We see a struggling side to Jordan that we have not seen before, a Hal Jordan that is utterly dependent on others! A great new way to explore this character.
The star of this collection, however, is Sinestro, who, after playing a role in the defeat of Kronos, has now been "promoted" to Green Lantern status again. Though donning the mantle of hero causes Sinestro some ethical consternation, he does seem focused on correcting the errors he made on his home world (where he had enslaved his people when he created his fear-based Yellow Lantern Corps), even if his methods of doing so are debatable as heroic.
The artwork is brilliant in this collection, especially on Sinestro. Sometimes it's as if you can read his mind just by looking at him, Mahnke does such a good job depicting the thoughtfulness and debate going on inside of this clearly conflicted villain.
There is a lot of build-up with the guardians as well as they get ready to implement a new leviathan in their on-going attempt to eradicate emotional chaos from the universe.
Exciting stuff! I genuinely look forward to seeing where this series is heading., especially if these characters continue to grow in such unexpected ways.
4/5
Geoff Johns writes another great, character-driven story for GL with this volume, "Sinestro". After defeating the guardian, Kronos, Hal Jordon has his green ring stripped from him and seems to hit rock-bottom... and I mean down-and-out-- even having to ask his off-again/off-off-again girlfriend to co-sign a loan for him. We see a struggling side to Jordan that we have not seen before, a Hal Jordan that is utterly dependent on others! A great new way to explore this character.
The star of this collection, however, is Sinestro, who, after playing a role in the defeat of Kronos, has now been "promoted" to Green Lantern status again. Though donning the mantle of hero causes Sinestro some ethical consternation, he does seem focused on correcting the errors he made on his home world (where he had enslaved his people when he created his fear-based Yellow Lantern Corps), even if his methods of doing so are debatable as heroic.
The artwork is brilliant in this collection, especially on Sinestro. Sometimes it's as if you can read his mind just by looking at him, Mahnke does such a good job depicting the thoughtfulness and debate going on inside of this clearly conflicted villain.
There is a lot of build-up with the guardians as well as they get ready to implement a new leviathan in their on-going attempt to eradicate emotional chaos from the universe.
Exciting stuff! I genuinely look forward to seeing where this series is heading., especially if these characters continue to grow in such unexpected ways.
4/5
October 5, 2013
I'll write a full review when I have the time, but for now here's...
DAVE'S FINAL JUDGMENT -
THE DEFENSE
- Sinestro shines in the spotlight and is given more depth
- Hal and Sinestro's buddy-cop routine is fun to read
- Action sequences are well done
THE PROSECUTION
- Overall story is rather simplistic and lacks originality
- Hal Jordan is a tad annoying this time around (actually, more than a tad)
- Some characters feel shoe-horned in and contribute very little (I'm looking at you, Carol Ferris)
- Last chapter is particularly weak
THE VERDICT
While "Sinestro" is not Geoff Johns's finest Green Lantern work (or even his second-finest), Hal and Sinestro's chemistry is entertaining enough to make this adventure worth reading.
DAVE'S FINAL JUDGMENT -
THE DEFENSE
- Sinestro shines in the spotlight and is given more depth
- Hal and Sinestro's buddy-cop routine is fun to read
- Action sequences are well done
THE PROSECUTION
- Overall story is rather simplistic and lacks originality
- Hal Jordan is a tad annoying this time around (actually, more than a tad)
- Some characters feel shoe-horned in and contribute very little (I'm looking at you, Carol Ferris)
- Last chapter is particularly weak
THE VERDICT
While "Sinestro" is not Geoff Johns's finest Green Lantern work (or even his second-finest), Hal and Sinestro's chemistry is entertaining enough to make this adventure worth reading.
September 25, 2021
WOW what a great story, filled with lots of action and more importantly dialog that adds as well as carries the story forward.
I grew up thinking of of Sinestro as the villain and after all these years I can see him in another light. Tasking himself with freeing his people from the tyranny of the Corp he left behind to protect them, Sinestro goes for help to the one person in the universe that would never help him and at the moment has no choice but to help him.
Well written from start to finish this is a great read, that includes excellent visuals as the artwork is superb.
I grew up thinking of of Sinestro as the villain and after all these years I can see him in another light. Tasking himself with freeing his people from the tyranny of the Corp he left behind to protect them, Sinestro goes for help to the one person in the universe that would never help him and at the moment has no choice but to help him.
Well written from start to finish this is a great read, that includes excellent visuals as the artwork is superb.
May 23, 2012
When I first heard of the New 52 retcon of DC last year, I feared for the worst.
That is, most of us will have to bear with origin retelling of the stories that we have been glued to and following for the past 5 years, or in most cases for the past decade, including major DC events like Inifinite Crisis, Final Crisis, the earth shattering and successful crisis of Blackest Night and the subsequent Brightest Day and
not to mention the much polarized Flashpoint.
But good thing for us Lantern readers, the New 52 GL not only takes on a surprising twist but mainly follows events after the most recent GL crisis which was War of the Green Lanterns and the subsequent sequel called Aftermath.
For most readers who have been following Geoff Johns’ (winning) writing streak and take on our Emerald crusader, Sinestro now seems to be the main torchbearer of the GL Corps after the Guardians disowned and fired Hal Jordan following his actions on War of the Green Lanterns.
Having gone back to Earth and in search of a normal life, Hal Jordan can’t seem to make ends meet and mend the relationship that he so wants to have with Carol Ferris, who at this time has shelved her Star Sapphire status and current Reign as Queen of the Corps on the planet Zamaron. Hal for the better part of the Compiled 6 issues of the New 52 GL, is a displaced and aimless Lantern wanting to relive his purpose as a member of the Corps and one who feels that he can effect change from that standpoint rather than an ordinary citizen of Earth.
Of course, this doesn’t stop him at an early point in the first issue, from jumping through the window of the next door building after witnessing a woman being attacked by a odd looking skinhead that had veins protruding thru his arms and weird tatoo shapes on his head. He simply does this in a beat only to find himself in the middle of a movie shoot and later had to be bailed out by Carol herself.
Nothing seems right up until Sinestro arrives for a surprise visit and asks him to do everything he says if he wants to have his ring back. As proof, Sinestro wills and contructs an extension of his own ring which naturally finds its way to Hal’s fingers, and transforms him back to the Emerald Warrior we know. But true to his crafty nature, Sinestro has built specific failsafe precautions into the ring, so much so that Hal’s blast directed at Sinestro the moment he receives the ring is proved futile and inert as the Korugarian reveals that the ring cannot turn against its maker. And that Sinestro can easily take the ring and its power away as he easilly as he gives it.
It seems that Sinestro has need of Jordan’s help to wipe out the members of the Sinestro Corp harnessing the Yellow Power of Fear on his home planet of Korugar. Naturally, Sinestro still feels that he is the sole savior of his home planet and thus proves to be an effective villain, as one other review said, for he is a bad guy who doesn’t seem to know he is the bad guy. Yup, talk about ultra righteous thinking.
Sinestro then gives Jordan a tempting offer that he can’t refuse. Help him get rid Of the Sinestro Corps on Korugar and he gets to keep the ring.
At the same time this “deal” is being forged, another one is being re-written and wraught on OA, as Ganthet, the former Guardian and once leader of the Blue Lantern Corps that channels Hope and later self-inducted Green Lantern of Sector Zero, has been taken by the remaining Guardians and stripped off his emotions.
Ironically, the once champion of conscience and emotion for our Emerald heroes now has become as closed minded as his brethren and is in agreement that inspite of the Green Lantern Corps embodying the sentient emotion of Will, they are not without fault. Hal Jordan, they deem is the example of all drive and without foresight and Sinestro its extreme polarity of all drive but without a shred of altruism. And on top of the past debacle with the Manhunters and the recent
Manipulation of Krona in the recent GL War, the Guardians surprised us all that it is time for the creation of the 3rd army and that the Green Lantern Corps needs to be replaced.
That line has just left me in awe and shaking my head in disgust with the Guardians and by the time I got to issue #6, another wave of change can be felt as the original drawings of Doug Mahnke have been taken over by guest artist Mike Choi who continues the task of softening the look of our favorite GL and aptly making him look younger in his drawings as Hal and Carol seem to have, this time around, officially dated again and are enjoying each others company when she brings him to the Aeronautical Museum of Coast City. This both serves as a good chance for the two star crossed lovers to bond once more as Sinestro flies off to the planet Ogoro in Sector 1417, following the defeat of the Yellow Sinestro Corps on Korugar.
As it is, I’ve neglected to detail how this was accomplished and would hopefully serve as enough incentive to either read or better yet collect, the first volume of the new 52 GL which is aptly entitled Sinestro. On that planet, Sinestro finds the means of locating his once keeper of the Book of Parallax, Lyssa Drax, who now is enthralled by the Book of the Black. He manages to subdue her but not after ripping out a page of the “accursed” book and getting a glimpse of the future, with the Guardians being true to their word of bringing back the 1st Lantern to lead the Third Army against the Green lantern Corps. As part of that image gruelling visage, he also sees his own death along with Hal Jordan's.
This thus brings more questions to the fore as to who the first Lantern is and who are the 3rd army that the Guardians speak of. With a Guardian holding up the White Ring on the panel depicting Sinestro's vision, could the White Lantern Corps be the Army they are referring to and how much of it as well will affect other members of the DC universe should this come to pass?
The compilation ends once more with Thaal Sinestro coming back to Earth, powering up Hal’s ring and summoning him to another mission, just after Hal has finally accepted the state of normalcy that has to happen in his life in order to have that normal life with Carol.
After reading another brilliant and layered compilation effectively brought to us by Geoff Johns, I am so half-tempted to pick up the loose issues that follow. As of this writing, the current issue is #9 and I would have to wait till next year to get on track with Vol 2 of this edition. But patience will always be the value cultivate when collecting hardcover graphic novels and with Geoff Johns we know we are always taken cared of and very much rewarded.
That is, most of us will have to bear with origin retelling of the stories that we have been glued to and following for the past 5 years, or in most cases for the past decade, including major DC events like Inifinite Crisis, Final Crisis, the earth shattering and successful crisis of Blackest Night and the subsequent Brightest Day and
not to mention the much polarized Flashpoint.
But good thing for us Lantern readers, the New 52 GL not only takes on a surprising twist but mainly follows events after the most recent GL crisis which was War of the Green Lanterns and the subsequent sequel called Aftermath.
For most readers who have been following Geoff Johns’ (winning) writing streak and take on our Emerald crusader, Sinestro now seems to be the main torchbearer of the GL Corps after the Guardians disowned and fired Hal Jordan following his actions on War of the Green Lanterns.
Having gone back to Earth and in search of a normal life, Hal Jordan can’t seem to make ends meet and mend the relationship that he so wants to have with Carol Ferris, who at this time has shelved her Star Sapphire status and current Reign as Queen of the Corps on the planet Zamaron. Hal for the better part of the Compiled 6 issues of the New 52 GL, is a displaced and aimless Lantern wanting to relive his purpose as a member of the Corps and one who feels that he can effect change from that standpoint rather than an ordinary citizen of Earth.
Of course, this doesn’t stop him at an early point in the first issue, from jumping through the window of the next door building after witnessing a woman being attacked by a odd looking skinhead that had veins protruding thru his arms and weird tatoo shapes on his head. He simply does this in a beat only to find himself in the middle of a movie shoot and later had to be bailed out by Carol herself.
Nothing seems right up until Sinestro arrives for a surprise visit and asks him to do everything he says if he wants to have his ring back. As proof, Sinestro wills and contructs an extension of his own ring which naturally finds its way to Hal’s fingers, and transforms him back to the Emerald Warrior we know. But true to his crafty nature, Sinestro has built specific failsafe precautions into the ring, so much so that Hal’s blast directed at Sinestro the moment he receives the ring is proved futile and inert as the Korugarian reveals that the ring cannot turn against its maker. And that Sinestro can easily take the ring and its power away as he easilly as he gives it.
It seems that Sinestro has need of Jordan’s help to wipe out the members of the Sinestro Corp harnessing the Yellow Power of Fear on his home planet of Korugar. Naturally, Sinestro still feels that he is the sole savior of his home planet and thus proves to be an effective villain, as one other review said, for he is a bad guy who doesn’t seem to know he is the bad guy. Yup, talk about ultra righteous thinking.
Sinestro then gives Jordan a tempting offer that he can’t refuse. Help him get rid Of the Sinestro Corps on Korugar and he gets to keep the ring.
At the same time this “deal” is being forged, another one is being re-written and wraught on OA, as Ganthet, the former Guardian and once leader of the Blue Lantern Corps that channels Hope and later self-inducted Green Lantern of Sector Zero, has been taken by the remaining Guardians and stripped off his emotions.
Ironically, the once champion of conscience and emotion for our Emerald heroes now has become as closed minded as his brethren and is in agreement that inspite of the Green Lantern Corps embodying the sentient emotion of Will, they are not without fault. Hal Jordan, they deem is the example of all drive and without foresight and Sinestro its extreme polarity of all drive but without a shred of altruism. And on top of the past debacle with the Manhunters and the recent
Manipulation of Krona in the recent GL War, the Guardians surprised us all that it is time for the creation of the 3rd army and that the Green Lantern Corps needs to be replaced.
That line has just left me in awe and shaking my head in disgust with the Guardians and by the time I got to issue #6, another wave of change can be felt as the original drawings of Doug Mahnke have been taken over by guest artist Mike Choi who continues the task of softening the look of our favorite GL and aptly making him look younger in his drawings as Hal and Carol seem to have, this time around, officially dated again and are enjoying each others company when she brings him to the Aeronautical Museum of Coast City. This both serves as a good chance for the two star crossed lovers to bond once more as Sinestro flies off to the planet Ogoro in Sector 1417, following the defeat of the Yellow Sinestro Corps on Korugar.
As it is, I’ve neglected to detail how this was accomplished and would hopefully serve as enough incentive to either read or better yet collect, the first volume of the new 52 GL which is aptly entitled Sinestro. On that planet, Sinestro finds the means of locating his once keeper of the Book of Parallax, Lyssa Drax, who now is enthralled by the Book of the Black. He manages to subdue her but not after ripping out a page of the “accursed” book and getting a glimpse of the future, with the Guardians being true to their word of bringing back the 1st Lantern to lead the Third Army against the Green lantern Corps. As part of that image gruelling visage, he also sees his own death along with Hal Jordan's.
This thus brings more questions to the fore as to who the first Lantern is and who are the 3rd army that the Guardians speak of. With a Guardian holding up the White Ring on the panel depicting Sinestro's vision, could the White Lantern Corps be the Army they are referring to and how much of it as well will affect other members of the DC universe should this come to pass?
The compilation ends once more with Thaal Sinestro coming back to Earth, powering up Hal’s ring and summoning him to another mission, just after Hal has finally accepted the state of normalcy that has to happen in his life in order to have that normal life with Carol.
After reading another brilliant and layered compilation effectively brought to us by Geoff Johns, I am so half-tempted to pick up the loose issues that follow. As of this writing, the current issue is #9 and I would have to wait till next year to get on track with Vol 2 of this edition. But patience will always be the value cultivate when collecting hardcover graphic novels and with Geoff Johns we know we are always taken cared of and very much rewarded.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2017
To me reading this was like catching up with a friend I haven't seen since elementary school . . . probably because I haven't picked up a GL solo adventure since I was in elementary school.
It went a little overboard in portraying Hal Jordan as a screw-up, but the humor worked for the most part. As far as Sinestro goes I can't wait for that pompous / arrogant @#$% to receive some sort of comeuppance. (It's his story as much as Jordan's, and only a few pages in I found his character to be very grating.) Lastly, there is a scene where a trapped / possibly doomed Jordan has a temp ring with only enough power for one last construct. What he chooses to generate was the best page of the book.
It went a little overboard in portraying Hal Jordan as a screw-up, but the humor worked for the most part. As far as Sinestro goes I can't wait for that pompous / arrogant @#$% to receive some sort of comeuppance. (It's his story as much as Jordan's, and only a few pages in I found his character to be very grating.) Lastly, there is a scene where a trapped / possibly doomed Jordan has a temp ring with only enough power for one last construct. What he chooses to generate was the best page of the book.
March 2, 2013
Not exactly a reboot but lots of fun nonetheless - good stuff from Geoff Johns! Full review here!
July 28, 2015
Review originally posted here.
Why I Read It: After reading and enjoying Batman vol 1: The Court of Owls, I decided to try to read as many of the New 52 titles as possible (though I'm kind of aiming for them all, if I can.) Back when I read comics on a regular basis, Green Lantern was one of my favourites, so I decided to read it next. I will be divulging minor spoilers here, so read with caution if that bothers you. :D
I felt a little let-down by this title, but I'm not entirely sure why. I've narrowed it down to a few things:
1) It's been a few years since I've read Green Lantern with any regularity, so maybe I'm just not as into GL as I used to be.
2) Maybe I was never THAT crazy about Hal Jordan (which this particular Green Lantern title follows -- there are others who follow the other Green Lantern officers from Earth) to begin with. Kyle Rayner has always been my favourite, so maybe I'll like his comic more.
3) Maybe this was a case of "actually, it IS you" and this just wasn't very good.
I'm not really sure, but I DO know that I didn't care a whole lot for Hal Jordan. I liked that his life was presented as grim and more realistic: no more recklessly crashing super expensive planes for our careless hero. No, here, Jordan is nothing but a washed up has-been, though when I put it THAT way, it sounds a lot more trite and overdone, which it largely was; I was just glad to see Jordan be put in his place.
The story itself was fine, but it didn't do much for me either way: I didn't think it was particularly, but it wasn't BAD either. It kind of just WAS, and for that I was disappointed. The conclusion to the story was also pretty gag-inducing; WHY Carole was suddenly okay with Hal, just because he said he conjured up an image of HER when he only had enough juice in his ring for one more construct?? It doesn't change that he's a shitty boyfriend, and her suddenly changing her mind didn't feel genuine. I wasn't at all invested in their relationship.
The art was fine for the first 2/3 of the volume. It's has your typical American comic "look", though I'm not crazy about that style to begin with. It was nice and colourful though. The last part of the volume though suddenly changed styles and I didn't like it AT ALL. It was just ugly ugly ugly and I hated it. I hope to god they don't do anymore of the series in that style.
Final Verdict: I feel like I've been overly harsh in this review, because all in all, this volume was all right. I just wasn't in LOVE with it like I used to love Green Lantern, which is too bad, because GL is what got me into superhero comics in the first place. The story was all right and a fine place to start fresh (though I wish I had some more context for what was going on with Hal losing his ring and Sinestro's getting his back -- but that's what you get when you don't follow comic titles for awhile), but it didn't really grab me. The art was also pretty decent, though the last issue or two were illustrated by someone else and I didn't like them at all. I'll still keep going with the series because I'm curious to see where it goes, but I didn't like it nearly as much as Batman.
May 24, 2012
Graphic Novel Review by Kole for Book Sake
Let me start of by saying Green Lantern is my favorite superhero by far. But this book has the same issue as with all of The New 52’s. It's still pretty much a continuation of an old series or storyline. It starts off with Green Lantern being exiled from the corps, and Sinestro had been reinstated, but it never showed this happening, probably because it happened in another book (that some people may not have read). Obviously I'll continue to read it (because I love Green Lantern) and understand it, but it still frustrates me that they don’t give anything an actual fresh start. They just slap on the words "The New 52" and continue selling the same stuff. As a fan, yeah, it’s a good book. I feel like if I review anything by DC that's labeled "The New 52" I’m going to be complaining about this.
Book Rating: 4/5
Graphic Novel Review by Chris for Book Sake
This is the 5th of DC’s New 52 re-launched novels I’ve read and I've got to say it’s been a really soft re-launch. I know who Green Lantern is, I used to watch the Justice League cartoon when I was a kid and I saw the new movie, but I had no idea what was going on in this book.
I was thinking the book was about Hal Jordan (aka Ryan Reynolds) but it seemed more about Sinestro. By the way Sinestro is a good guy. Oh yeah, Green Lantern isn’t a Green Lantern anymore. I’m not spoiling anything, that’s how the book starts off.
I am sure this book is a decent continuation of the Blackest Night and Brightest Day stories, but since I didn’t read those I feel like I am starting on book 3 of 3 part story. Even worse, I may be starting on book 100.
It isn’t really all bad. It is a superhero story after all, what’s to really know? Big bad, big good, big muscles, and big fights. The art was average superhero fare. Current readers will dig it, new readers will have to ingest some back story to even figure out why some events matter, let alone care about them.
Book Rating: 2/5
Reviewed for Book Sake.
Let me start of by saying Green Lantern is my favorite superhero by far. But this book has the same issue as with all of The New 52’s. It's still pretty much a continuation of an old series or storyline. It starts off with Green Lantern being exiled from the corps, and Sinestro had been reinstated, but it never showed this happening, probably because it happened in another book (that some people may not have read). Obviously I'll continue to read it (because I love Green Lantern) and understand it, but it still frustrates me that they don’t give anything an actual fresh start. They just slap on the words "The New 52" and continue selling the same stuff. As a fan, yeah, it’s a good book. I feel like if I review anything by DC that's labeled "The New 52" I’m going to be complaining about this.
Book Rating: 4/5
Graphic Novel Review by Chris for Book Sake
This is the 5th of DC’s New 52 re-launched novels I’ve read and I've got to say it’s been a really soft re-launch. I know who Green Lantern is, I used to watch the Justice League cartoon when I was a kid and I saw the new movie, but I had no idea what was going on in this book.
I was thinking the book was about Hal Jordan (aka Ryan Reynolds) but it seemed more about Sinestro. By the way Sinestro is a good guy. Oh yeah, Green Lantern isn’t a Green Lantern anymore. I’m not spoiling anything, that’s how the book starts off.
I am sure this book is a decent continuation of the Blackest Night and Brightest Day stories, but since I didn’t read those I feel like I am starting on book 3 of 3 part story. Even worse, I may be starting on book 100.
It isn’t really all bad. It is a superhero story after all, what’s to really know? Big bad, big good, big muscles, and big fights. The art was average superhero fare. Current readers will dig it, new readers will have to ingest some back story to even figure out why some events matter, let alone care about them.
Book Rating: 2/5
Reviewed for Book Sake.
November 8, 2012
Okay, this is not a 'Volume One,' in fact you probably need to read at least Green Lantern, Vol. 6: Secret Origin, Blackest Night, Blackest Night: Green Lantern, Blackest Night: Green Lantern Corps, Green Lantern, Vol 9. Brightest Day, Green Lantern Corps, Vol. 8: The Weaponer, and Green Lantern: War of the Green Lanterns to understand how Sinestro Hal and Carol got to this point. This book is all about the mistakes the three characters have made and how they feel they should go about fixing them. In that respect this comic succeeds fantastically. It is a well written drama about the characters' struggles. However, the only thing that seems to have disappeared in the New 52 world is Cowgirl which is very disappointing because she deserved more than being written out. Also, I found it a bit strange that none of the other lanterns comes to check on Hal in this series, but I guess they had better things to do.
February 5, 2013
Be warned: even though it's a New 52 title, you really need to have read the prior Green Lantern event, War of the Green Lanterns. It seems DC chickened out of rebooting the entire line and allowed the Green Lantern books to continue on as though nothing had happened. Sure, you could tackle it anyways, but don't expect anything to be explained, or for this to be an origin story. That said, it can be a fun read.
Hal Jordan is now without a ring, and Sinestro is a Green Lantern again. This leads, in fairly short order, to Sinestro drafting Hal to help him free his homeworld by giving him a ring that he can (partially control). I liked how Johns handled Hal's return to Earth (he had been a superhero for a long time, after all) and his early interactions with Carol Ferris. I also liked how the people of Korugar reacted to Sinestro showing up again. Considering the history, it made sense for them to be less than welcoming and sceptical of his motives. And there is some interesting set up here for what is likely the next big Green Lantern event.
The art, on the other hand, I did not particularly care for. The artist seemed to have a hard time with any facial expressions other than blank, and result, particularly on Hal, particularly when he's meant to be smiling, is uncanny valley at best and grotesque at worst. The art isn't bad overall, I just felt that the artist needs to work on realistic expressions that don't look vaguely demented.
Hal Jordan is now without a ring, and Sinestro is a Green Lantern again. This leads, in fairly short order, to Sinestro drafting Hal to help him free his homeworld by giving him a ring that he can (partially control). I liked how Johns handled Hal's return to Earth (he had been a superhero for a long time, after all) and his early interactions with Carol Ferris. I also liked how the people of Korugar reacted to Sinestro showing up again. Considering the history, it made sense for them to be less than welcoming and sceptical of his motives. And there is some interesting set up here for what is likely the next big Green Lantern event.
The art, on the other hand, I did not particularly care for. The artist seemed to have a hard time with any facial expressions other than blank, and result, particularly on Hal, particularly when he's meant to be smiling, is uncanny valley at best and grotesque at worst. The art isn't bad overall, I just felt that the artist needs to work on realistic expressions that don't look vaguely demented.
April 18, 2013
An interesting reboot, Hal Jordan is a bit of a doofus/fuck up here. I don't read enough GL to know if that's the usual way he is or not. Sinestro comes across as the one with his shit together. It's also a great idea to team them up like a buddy cop movie, except one where they don't really bond at all. I think it for sure adds something to the mix. I look forward to more of this book, especially the Sinestro character and the dynamic. Well done yet again Geoff Johns.
June 29, 2015
Good start.
July 3, 2015
Quite good. Hope Hal becomes a Green Lantern again. Glad to learn more about Sinestro. Glad they were able to stop the Sinestro Corps. Can't wait for the next one!!!
June 5, 2023
My habit of picking DC titles at random just because they're available and look vaguely intriguing continues. Again, I don't know DC well other than through cultural osmosis.
It's obvious in this volume that there is a TON of Green Lantern backstory I have no idea of, but I think the overall story did alright in trying to settle Sinestro and Hal Jordan in a place that sort of makes sense. Their antagonistic relationship makes sense, Hal's loser era makes sense, Sinestro makes sense.
The only thing that really kept this from being enjoyable for me was the actual writing - I kept being smacked in the face over and over and over with "Hal and Sinestro hate each other and Sinestro thinks he's doing the Right Thing and Hal thinks he's the worst guy ever and Hal is a loser and and and--"
It's so overwrought and gives the audience NO chances whatsoever to come to any emotional conclusions on their own. The very definition of telling and not showing. Every character explains their every feeling and motivation on page for us to see. It sucks, because the set up for the story itself is intriguing.
The art is...something, I guess. If you ignore everyone's constipated faces and the fact that this artist will only draw complicated line art for the males and aliens but completely smooth, featureless faces for any female-presenting character...it's fine. Even cool, when taking the larger panels and action oriented pages in. The faces, though. Yuck.
I wish this had been better.
It's obvious in this volume that there is a TON of Green Lantern backstory I have no idea of, but I think the overall story did alright in trying to settle Sinestro and Hal Jordan in a place that sort of makes sense. Their antagonistic relationship makes sense, Hal's loser era makes sense, Sinestro makes sense.
The only thing that really kept this from being enjoyable for me was the actual writing - I kept being smacked in the face over and over and over with "Hal and Sinestro hate each other and Sinestro thinks he's doing the Right Thing and Hal thinks he's the worst guy ever and Hal is a loser and and and--"
It's so overwrought and gives the audience NO chances whatsoever to come to any emotional conclusions on their own. The very definition of telling and not showing. Every character explains their every feeling and motivation on page for us to see. It sucks, because the set up for the story itself is intriguing.
The art is...something, I guess. If you ignore everyone's constipated faces and the fact that this artist will only draw complicated line art for the males and aliens but completely smooth, featureless faces for any female-presenting character...it's fine. Even cool, when taking the larger panels and action oriented pages in. The faces, though. Yuck.
I wish this had been better.
July 23, 2023
I got a cheap lot of Green Lantern books from Shopgoodwill. This was one of the books.
Overall, I dug it. Ivan Reiss draws a great Green Lantern. Sinestro in the driver seat made for an interesting story, especially with Hal Jordan and a shitty ring doing his bidding. I still maintain that the various color Lantern Corps dilute the Green Lantern property though and I'm not really on board with whatever this third army business is. Lastly, ever since Nibble on Futurama first spoke, I can't imagine the Guardians of the Universe sounding any other way. Three out of five stars.
Overall, I dug it. Ivan Reiss draws a great Green Lantern. Sinestro in the driver seat made for an interesting story, especially with Hal Jordan and a shitty ring doing his bidding. I still maintain that the various color Lantern Corps dilute the Green Lantern property though and I'm not really on board with whatever this third army business is. Lastly, ever since Nibble on Futurama first spoke, I can't imagine the Guardians of the Universe sounding any other way. Three out of five stars.
May 17, 2014
Of all the DC hero stories, I think that Green Lantern has to have the deepest in terms of lore and scope. I mean, Hal is a galactic cop whose sector, one of thousands, has just him--a single being equipped to protect and serve everybody. In this case, Sinestro takes center stage, and as the New 52 reboots around Hal, this one doesn't offer the fresh start that the others titles do and while lots of exciting and appropriately large-scale things happen, this first volume of Green Lantern seems a middle-of-the-pack read when compared to its other New 52 counterparts.
The insertion of Sinestro into the leading role of a book that promised a traditional good-guy hero (introduced with the rest in JUSTICE LEAGUE V.1) took me a while to process. Hal is really a down-on-his luck guy in this telling, and while that might have made for a nice rags-to-riches sort of story, Sinestro's concerns really override anything with Hal and his role in the Green Lantern Corps, and whose chief concern through all six issues of this volume is his girlfriend Carol Ferris. So I find myself spending as much time wondering when Hal gets to take center stage again, fighting space injustices and monsters, as I do considering this story, which seems principally concerned with wrapping up old pre-Flashpoint storylines. If, by the end of GL V.2, that can reset itself, then this will have served its purpose in being a transitional volume for more experienced and invested readers--a group among which I do not count myself--and a New 52 restart for Hal a dozen or so issues into the movement. Geoff Johns as the writer here, as well as for the most rebooty of the New 52 reboots, definitely seems to know what he's doing, as the contrast between the rawness of the heroes in JL V.1 and the world-weariness of Hal Jordan in GL V.1 seems rather pronounced for one writer.
The art communicated the development of this section of the universe just as the storytelling did. Sinestro gets his own hardened version of the GL suit and the Sinestro Corps with their sickly yellow suits and suit-like emblems all took advantage of the range of options available for imagining the vastness of the galaxy and its threats. I especially enjoyed the betentacled creature that came after Sinestro and Hal in the first half of the book, a sort of combination of the Sarlacc and Boba Fett that looked as vile as anything this volume showed. The pronouncement of the violence in certain scenes really raised the bar as well, with bodies detonating and more than a little gore spattering the environments at times. If space is an unfriendly place where even the good guys are plotting nefarious things, art that echoes that hardness is not unwelcome.
On the whole, though I felt a little more lost with the context than I would have liked for a first-volume story in a broad and rebooted universe, I can continue reading with a knowledge of what is necessary as the plot develops into this next stage of DC's long game. While GL V.1 definitely continues a story that is older than its numbering would suggest, it does tell its own narrative and in a few months when the status quo of the New 52 GL is more familiar to readers joining or rejoining the story, it'll be that much better.
The insertion of Sinestro into the leading role of a book that promised a traditional good-guy hero (introduced with the rest in JUSTICE LEAGUE V.1) took me a while to process. Hal is really a down-on-his luck guy in this telling, and while that might have made for a nice rags-to-riches sort of story, Sinestro's concerns really override anything with Hal and his role in the Green Lantern Corps, and whose chief concern through all six issues of this volume is his girlfriend Carol Ferris. So I find myself spending as much time wondering when Hal gets to take center stage again, fighting space injustices and monsters, as I do considering this story, which seems principally concerned with wrapping up old pre-Flashpoint storylines. If, by the end of GL V.2, that can reset itself, then this will have served its purpose in being a transitional volume for more experienced and invested readers--a group among which I do not count myself--and a New 52 restart for Hal a dozen or so issues into the movement. Geoff Johns as the writer here, as well as for the most rebooty of the New 52 reboots, definitely seems to know what he's doing, as the contrast between the rawness of the heroes in JL V.1 and the world-weariness of Hal Jordan in GL V.1 seems rather pronounced for one writer.
The art communicated the development of this section of the universe just as the storytelling did. Sinestro gets his own hardened version of the GL suit and the Sinestro Corps with their sickly yellow suits and suit-like emblems all took advantage of the range of options available for imagining the vastness of the galaxy and its threats. I especially enjoyed the betentacled creature that came after Sinestro and Hal in the first half of the book, a sort of combination of the Sarlacc and Boba Fett that looked as vile as anything this volume showed. The pronouncement of the violence in certain scenes really raised the bar as well, with bodies detonating and more than a little gore spattering the environments at times. If space is an unfriendly place where even the good guys are plotting nefarious things, art that echoes that hardness is not unwelcome.
On the whole, though I felt a little more lost with the context than I would have liked for a first-volume story in a broad and rebooted universe, I can continue reading with a knowledge of what is necessary as the plot develops into this next stage of DC's long game. While GL V.1 definitely continues a story that is older than its numbering would suggest, it does tell its own narrative and in a few months when the status quo of the New 52 GL is more familiar to readers joining or rejoining the story, it'll be that much better.
June 7, 2016
A pretty fantastic start to the New52, but it's not really a reboot.
So when they announced the New52 one of the things they made sure fans knew was that GL was not changing and that it's story would continue so in essence this is not a reboot at all and just a continuation just with another label tagged to the series. How does this read? Pretty fantastic.
World: The art is good, Mahnke is good at portraying the colors and shadows and power of the ring and it done well here. He also really has a talent for drawing Sinestro which is good cause he is clearly the focus of this first arc. The world building is great, it's taking the series where I did not see it going. I don't know how long this status quo change will stick but it is fun at the moment. The pieces of the world that Johns picks from and also creates continues to further expand the already really expansive GL universe, good stuff!
Story: This was not expect by me at all and with the status quo change after 'War of the Green Lanterns' I did not know what to expect. Well this first arc certainly was fun and different. I like the dynamic between Sinestro and Hal and also a deeper look at both characters. Johns knows how to write Sinestro and makes him such a force that Hal runs up against that it's wonderful. He's made him into someone we can relate to even if he's completely mental. The pacing is great, the writing and dialog is wonderful and really fast, just like the GL series as it has been this reads like an action movie and it's just simply fun.
Characters: So this was different for me, a deep look at Sinestro above all else and it actually works. Sinestro has gone through a lot of change over the years and this new 'space Hitler' version is one of my favorites, he's not hokey, he's not lame he's simply a force of nature and he's also somewhat relatable which makes him all the more scary and a better character. His journey this arc is wonderful with their visit to Korugar. Hal is also great, dealing with his personal identity and relationship with Carol I think this is something that was missing in the GL series as it was just simply non stop space action and barely any time for Hal to breath. It's good both of these characters are getting heavy doses of status quo change which results in some wonderful character development.
I like this arc, I know things will change back to the way they were soon but this is a nice little look at the characters and how they would interact and react to a changing status and world.
Onward to the next book!
So when they announced the New52 one of the things they made sure fans knew was that GL was not changing and that it's story would continue so in essence this is not a reboot at all and just a continuation just with another label tagged to the series. How does this read? Pretty fantastic.
World: The art is good, Mahnke is good at portraying the colors and shadows and power of the ring and it done well here. He also really has a talent for drawing Sinestro which is good cause he is clearly the focus of this first arc. The world building is great, it's taking the series where I did not see it going. I don't know how long this status quo change will stick but it is fun at the moment. The pieces of the world that Johns picks from and also creates continues to further expand the already really expansive GL universe, good stuff!
Story: This was not expect by me at all and with the status quo change after 'War of the Green Lanterns' I did not know what to expect. Well this first arc certainly was fun and different. I like the dynamic between Sinestro and Hal and also a deeper look at both characters. Johns knows how to write Sinestro and makes him such a force that Hal runs up against that it's wonderful. He's made him into someone we can relate to even if he's completely mental. The pacing is great, the writing and dialog is wonderful and really fast, just like the GL series as it has been this reads like an action movie and it's just simply fun.
Characters: So this was different for me, a deep look at Sinestro above all else and it actually works. Sinestro has gone through a lot of change over the years and this new 'space Hitler' version is one of my favorites, he's not hokey, he's not lame he's simply a force of nature and he's also somewhat relatable which makes him all the more scary and a better character. His journey this arc is wonderful with their visit to Korugar. Hal is also great, dealing with his personal identity and relationship with Carol I think this is something that was missing in the GL series as it was just simply non stop space action and barely any time for Hal to breath. It's good both of these characters are getting heavy doses of status quo change which results in some wonderful character development.
I like this arc, I know things will change back to the way they were soon but this is a nice little look at the characters and how they would interact and react to a changing status and world.
Onward to the next book!
December 31, 2014
This is a review for the Geoff Johns New 52 Green Lantern run, which spans three volumes.
To give perspective to my experience of these issues, I have to preface my review with the statement that this was my first experience with Green Lantern.
Although the "messages" of Green Lantern, as well as the "emotional spectrum" can be somewhat cheesy, at least written by Johns (since that's what my experience is limited to), I find them immensely appealing. In a genre dominated by millionaires (e.g. Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark, geniuses (e.g. Bruce Banner and Peter Parker), and people with innate superpowers (e.g. Superman and mutants), I like the fact that there are multiple Lanterns, especially the idea that it's possible for all of us to channel our passions to accomplish great good, or, if we become overcome by obsession, cause great destruction. Green Lantern resonates with me, because it's a given in the mythology that Lanterns are flawed individuals,and that improving oneself and redemption are common threads through the stories. I applaud Johns's bold and successful choice to center this new Green Lantern run around the villain Sinestro, the relationship between Sinestro and Hal, and Hal's struggle to have faith in Sinestro's redemption. Green Lanterns, in particular, appeal to me, and probably to many others, because their power comes from will, courage, and creativity.
The theme in this three-volume run, that the way to hell paved with good intentions, parallels the theme of flawed individuals being chosen to save the universe, as does the idea find throughout the story, especially in Vol 3 that there must be a balance, that emotion and free will are responsible for beauty and richness of the universe as well as for chaos.
I enjoyed Geoff Johns's run immensely, although the writing was heavy-handed at times (but some if this is just due to the Green Lantern universe itself being kind of cheesy). The art was solid, if "standard," New 52 pencilling, color and layouts. Notable is Adrian Syaf and Mark Irwin's wonderfully moody send emotive black and white work for the Chamber of Shadows interludes. I found the art generally information- and detail-dense at times, and between this and the flashbacks (and the fact that Green Lantern) was new to me, I sometimes find the story confusing.
P.S. I like Baz as a not very stereotypical "brown" Green Lantern from a Muslim family.
To give perspective to my experience of these issues, I have to preface my review with the statement that this was my first experience with Green Lantern.
Although the "messages" of Green Lantern, as well as the "emotional spectrum" can be somewhat cheesy, at least written by Johns (since that's what my experience is limited to), I find them immensely appealing. In a genre dominated by millionaires (e.g. Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark, geniuses (e.g. Bruce Banner and Peter Parker), and people with innate superpowers (e.g. Superman and mutants), I like the fact that there are multiple Lanterns, especially the idea that it's possible for all of us to channel our passions to accomplish great good, or, if we become overcome by obsession, cause great destruction. Green Lantern resonates with me, because it's a given in the mythology that Lanterns are flawed individuals,and that improving oneself and redemption are common threads through the stories. I applaud Johns's bold and successful choice to center this new Green Lantern run around the villain Sinestro, the relationship between Sinestro and Hal, and Hal's struggle to have faith in Sinestro's redemption. Green Lanterns, in particular, appeal to me, and probably to many others, because their power comes from will, courage, and creativity.
The theme in this three-volume run, that the way to hell paved with good intentions, parallels the theme of flawed individuals being chosen to save the universe, as does the idea find throughout the story, especially in Vol 3 that there must be a balance, that emotion and free will are responsible for beauty and richness of the universe as well as for chaos.
I enjoyed Geoff Johns's run immensely, although the writing was heavy-handed at times (but some if this is just due to the Green Lantern universe itself being kind of cheesy). The art was solid, if "standard," New 52 pencilling, color and layouts. Notable is Adrian Syaf and Mark Irwin's wonderfully moody send emotive black and white work for the Chamber of Shadows interludes. I found the art generally information- and detail-dense at times, and between this and the flashbacks (and the fact that Green Lantern) was new to me, I sometimes find the story confusing.
P.S. I like Baz as a not very stereotypical "brown" Green Lantern from a Muslim family.
September 12, 2012
The worst decision DC editors have made in the last 20 years- and yes, there have been too, too many- is to allow the use of lethal force in the Green Lantern Corps. DC Comics seemed to have always been able to pride itself on the fact that their heroes refused to kill their enemies. Where the villains would be the killers, the heroes would never resort to lethal force. At least in the core character titles like Superman, Green Lantern, Batman, etc. It separated them from Marvel in the 80's and Image in the 90's. They just couldn't keep it up, though, and to compete, sometimes these heroes resorted to murder.
Sinestro returns to the Green Lantern Corps and Johns has made him trigger happy. It's like reading a "What If... the Punisher Was a Green Lantern?" It's frustrating because it takes most of the fun and ingenuity behind the ring constructs away. Some of the other writers of the reboot seem to have wanted to utilize Gold and Silver Age elements in their books to kick off the Nu52. Not so much with Johns. It seems like he felt he had too much invested in the GL books prior to the reboot and would just continue on that path anyway. Which I applaud. I just wish that the riings wouldn't authorize lethal action because it is seriously detracting from my enjoyment of what is otherwise a brilliant beginning of a new series.
Sinestro has always been one of my favorite DC villains. He's like Hal Jordan's Lex Luthor. A diabolical, misguided sociopath with little regard or sympathy for the lives around him, but also driven by a goal to create order in chaos. Johns' characterization of Sinestro is dead-on. I could cry, it's so beautiful. Coupled with a broke-dick Hal Jordan, this book is probably the most interesting read of the Nu52 thus far (and I've read them all except Captain Atom). Sinestro pulling everyone's strings? Fabulous. Hal Jordan at the mercy and whim of Sinestro because the Guardians won't give him a ring again? This just makes for so much fun, I could hardly believe my eyes. Get on this book. Now.
Sinestro returns to the Green Lantern Corps and Johns has made him trigger happy. It's like reading a "What If... the Punisher Was a Green Lantern?" It's frustrating because it takes most of the fun and ingenuity behind the ring constructs away. Some of the other writers of the reboot seem to have wanted to utilize Gold and Silver Age elements in their books to kick off the Nu52. Not so much with Johns. It seems like he felt he had too much invested in the GL books prior to the reboot and would just continue on that path anyway. Which I applaud. I just wish that the riings wouldn't authorize lethal action because it is seriously detracting from my enjoyment of what is otherwise a brilliant beginning of a new series.
Sinestro has always been one of my favorite DC villains. He's like Hal Jordan's Lex Luthor. A diabolical, misguided sociopath with little regard or sympathy for the lives around him, but also driven by a goal to create order in chaos. Johns' characterization of Sinestro is dead-on. I could cry, it's so beautiful. Coupled with a broke-dick Hal Jordan, this book is probably the most interesting read of the Nu52 thus far (and I've read them all except Captain Atom). Sinestro pulling everyone's strings? Fabulous. Hal Jordan at the mercy and whim of Sinestro because the Guardians won't give him a ring again? This just makes for so much fun, I could hardly believe my eyes. Get on this book. Now.
October 20, 2014
The art was better than a good bit of the New 52 stuff that I have read so far. It's not at the top with Ardian Syaf's or Ed Benes' work on Batgirl, but it is in the top half of the art I've seen coming out of DC in the last few years. Doug Mahnke's characters all have good looking faces and are easily distinguished from each other. Of course, there aren't a lot of human characters in the volume, but even the Guardians have their own uniquely individual faces. All of the weird alien creatures look cool. The full body shots of characters and backgrounds do too. Overall I give the art 3.5 stars.
As for the story, I've never had a lot of experience with Geoff Johns, but I am enjoying his writing so far. Prior to this volume, the only things I'd ever read by Johns were a couple of the volumes of Blackest night that a friend of mine had. Hal Jordan is my favorite DC hero and Barbara Gordon as Batgirl is a close second. Since Babs had not been Batgirl in Dc since 1989 and all of the mess with Jordan becoming Parallax and DC shoving Kyle Rayner down our throats in the 1990's, I had not bought anything by DC in a long time other than picking up a stand alone graphic every few years. I had been hearing good things about Geoff's work for several years. After reading this volume, I can understand what the fuss was all about. I want to go back and pick up everything Lantern related that he has done since GL: Rebirth and considering how well the story in this volume was handled, I plan on picking up each new volume of this series as well. Writing gets 4.5 stars.
4 stars overall for this volume of Green Lantern. The only other New 52 series that I'm enjoying this much are Batgirl and Batman. If this story keeps being as well written, this one might soon become my favorite out of the three.
As for the story, I've never had a lot of experience with Geoff Johns, but I am enjoying his writing so far. Prior to this volume, the only things I'd ever read by Johns were a couple of the volumes of Blackest night that a friend of mine had. Hal Jordan is my favorite DC hero and Barbara Gordon as Batgirl is a close second. Since Babs had not been Batgirl in Dc since 1989 and all of the mess with Jordan becoming Parallax and DC shoving Kyle Rayner down our throats in the 1990's, I had not bought anything by DC in a long time other than picking up a stand alone graphic every few years. I had been hearing good things about Geoff's work for several years. After reading this volume, I can understand what the fuss was all about. I want to go back and pick up everything Lantern related that he has done since GL: Rebirth and considering how well the story in this volume was handled, I plan on picking up each new volume of this series as well. Writing gets 4.5 stars.
4 stars overall for this volume of Green Lantern. The only other New 52 series that I'm enjoying this much are Batgirl and Batman. If this story keeps being as well written, this one might soon become my favorite out of the three.
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