The Green Lantern Corps isn’t the same without its cocksure leader, and his return to prominence was a major component of Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 1. While it was certainly the goal, the big question is whether they managed to deliver.
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Slight spoilers incoming for Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 1 “Sinestro’s Might”, so you’ve been warned.
Geoff John’s Green Lantern Rebirth brought Hal back into the mainline DC Universe, but in recent years the character had drifted in several different directions, as had the Green Lantern Corps itself. Things weren’t bad mind you, but it was time to get back to what made the character and the Corps thrive in the past.
The good news is that writer Robert Venditti and artists Ethan Van Sciver and Rafa Sandoval understand those elements instinctively, and they manage to hook you from the first page. Why is Sinestro so old? What happened to Hal Jordan, and where is the rest of the Green Lantern Corps. So many questions to discover the answers to and these questions are one’s that will entice fans both old and new.
One of the best aspects of the book is how it interweaves the New 52 history to great effect, while not forgetting that some fans got off at the station before that story took place. You’re brought up to speed relatively quickly, and it doesn’t take long for new elements to make their way into the story. It’s the ultimate underdog story, and you can’t help but feel giddy when the Corps shows up for the first time.
Venditti’s grasp over these classic characters is admirable, with a Guy Gardner and Sinestro sequence that is easily one of the best in the character’s history. The same goes for Hal Jordan, who’s personality has finally been defined in this volume. For years people knew of Hal Jordan, but they didn’t understand why they should care. Sinestro’s Law brings that fully into view, and while the corps has never been more full of personality, it now has the character development to back it up.
It doesn’t hurt that this volume is absolutely gorgeous, with stellar art from both Van Sciver and Sandoval. While Van Sciver will always be considered the preeminent Green Lantern artist, Sandoval makes a more than compelling case to be included in that upper echelon.
It isn’t often that a book speaks to all fans, but Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 1 certainly does. Whether you’re a longtime fan or picking up a Green Lantern book for the first time, this series has something worthy of your attention.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars.
Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 1 “Sinestro’s Law” is in stores now.
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