Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #47 – Robert Venditti, Writer; Fernando Pasarin, Penciller; Oclair Albert, Eber Ferreira, Inkers; Jason Wright, Colorist
Ratings:
Ray – 8.5/10
Corrina: Hammond: “Psyche!”
WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW
Ray: As Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps enters the final act of its last major arc, the four core Green Lanterns are split across the cosmos as they make one last desperate stand against the Darkstars. John Stewart is actually absent this issue, as he brokered peace with General Zod and his family the last issue and is likely busy with planning. The other three’s missions have not gone nearly as well, and the action flashes between them. Kyle has the most straightforward adventure – he’s been captured, along with Space Cabby, in an attempt to get the help of the New Gods for the fight. What’s more, they’ve impounded Space Cabby’s Cab in the process, as it uses Mother Box technology. They’d be doomed, if it wasn’t for the help of Orion giving them an out thanks to his gratitude over Kyle saving his life a few arcs back. These versions of the New Gods still feel rather flat compared to what Tom King is doing in Mister Miracle, but it’s still entertaining.
That’s nothing compared to the trials Hal and Guy are going through, though. Guy gave himself over to the Darkstars to figure out exactly how they work, but it’s had the side effect of sending him on an unstoppable mission of rage against the father who abused him. I like what this story is doing when it comes to childhood trauma and repressed rage, but I wasn’t sure about using Arkillo as the voice of Guy’s conscience. I enjoy the odd bromance these two have, but this subplot falls into “saved by the power of love” tropes sometimes, which just feels a bit absurd with this pairing. The best segment was Hal Jordan and Hector Hammond, which finds Hal with his mind wiped, at Hector’s mercy, with his ring in the back of his mind struggling to get through to him. It turns out to be an elaborate game, and I’m enjoying this new take on Hector Hammond. It almost feels like a puzzle box of a horror movie at times. There’s a big final battle with the Darkstars coming, so this more character driven issue was very welcome.
Corrina: So much of this issue is used up with Hector Hammond pulling a fast one on Hal for his own good. Oh-Kay. Not really a way to prove yourself trustworthy, Hector, but Hal isn’t so bright and takes it as a test he can pass. Hal does Hal, as always but his segment bogged down the pacing of the story.
It’s been unclear this entire arc if the Darkstars pull people over to their side or if they’re manipulating people. This issue finally seems to indicate that the Darkstar programming is brainwashing people. Sorta. Because if Guy could overcome the program–in whatever weird way he does–then that sure doesn’t speak well for the rest of the Darkstars not overcoming their programming, does it?
Which makes me wonder what the GL Corps is going to do with the Darkstars once this arc is over. They’re obviously all guilty of murder. But to kill them would be to become them. Perhaps they’ll self-destruct.
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Disclaimer: GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
