GL 2411

Following the incredible Sinestro Corps War this issue once again revisits the origin of Hal Jordan. Much of it is rehashed background from the recent series and seems repetitive. The issue can't escape the feel that it is nothing more then filler from one major storyline to the next, but there are some compelling aspects of Hal's origin that are fleshed out. The impact of how Hal's decision to run away and join the air force affected his family is very well done. One can see how Hal goes from here to the down and out boozer of "Emerald Dawn". As expected from Geoff Johns, issue #29 is extremely well written and Ivan Reis penciling is exciting and realistic. The story concludes with a powerful scene featuring Abin Sur. Very little has been done to showcase this legendary character and the brutality and force he displays are previously unseen. The conclusion foreshadows the beginning of what appears to be another fantastic arc in the Green Lantern universe.

What has impressed me most about the current run of Green Lantern Corps is that the various GL's, human and alien, are all being written with distinctive personalities. Past incarnations of GLC have always had a tendency to lump the "aliens" into three categories; weird, awestruck, or angry.

GLC #24 is an excellent example of the new direction DC is taking the Corps. While continuing the very entertaining Mongul story, writer Peter Tomasi fills the issue with dialogue between Rayner and Gardner’s team that details their various personalities and beliefs, while demonstrating the commitment they all have to team and Corp.

In a few panels of banter Tomasi shows the fierce loyalty of the Earth GL's, the ethical debate on killing between the principled Natu and the warriors Isamot and Vath, and even the fussy royal bearing of princess Iolande. In a cut away scene, Tomasi uses 2-3 panels to deftly show the toughness and attitude of the Oan warden Voz, as he "walks" the sciencell prison yard. These are not generic alien GL's that fill the background while the humans do the heavy lifting; they are equal teammates and partners with their own experiences and baggage.

Tomasi interjects humorous asides and quips that cleverly portray cops on the beat who have seen much and simply want to get the job done without casualty. GLC would be well served to make sure that the alien GL's do not get lost in this series, as there is great potential for a well fleshed out character book like the X-Men or Legion series.

As good as the writing has been I have never been a fan of Patrick Gleason's artwork, finding his pencils to be too busy and at times sloppy. However he does convey emotion well and his depiction of the passive revolt of the imprisoned Sinestro Corps is chilling. Gleason makes excellent use of one panel page and one a splash page to demonstrate the level of power and control a defiant Sinestro still wields over his people.

GLC has been a great book, and the level of detail and planning that reportedly has gone into the next two years of GL is evident in this series.