Green Lantern: War Journal #9 – Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Writer; Montos, Artist; Adriano Lucas, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: This fascinating series works as a perfect companion to Jeremy Adams’ more straightforward Green Lantern run, with the power vacuum left by the fall of the Corps playing nicely into John’s mission. With John trapped in another dimension, it’s fallen to Lantern Shepherd to find him—and the strange book that Guy Gardner left behind isn’t being very helpful. While it has no references to the Revenant Queen or the Radiant dead, it is informative about the history of the Darkstars, who seem to have ties to this current threat. This team of proto-Lanterns has had several famous faces among it—including John Stewart at one point—but its legacy seems to go back further and be more dangerous than we knew. And it’s reaching far and wide now, including to the home where John’s ill mother and his “little sister” live—and the being known as Ellie finds herself alone against a sinister force preying on both of them.
But the starring role in this issue goes to John himself, as he settles into his role as a reluctant general in this bizarre realm where a war against ancient supernatural forces seems to be the only constant. Not only are there constant attacks, but this issue reveals that there’s a zombie-like element to the threat. If this endless battle sounds a little like a nightmarish afterlife—well, that’s exactly what some residents are speculating. John is by nature a warrior and a soldier, and that element of his character isn’t explored in depth too much. That makes this issue particularly interesting as the intensity builds. One thing I really like here is that the story delves into some of the stranger periods of John’s life, including his time with the Darkstars and his evolution into a God in the previous run. There are only three issues left, but this is one of the best stories the character has had in a long time.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
