Green Lantern #40

by Kalem Lalonde on March 08, 2015

Writer: Robert Venditti
Artist: Billy Tan 

Green Lantern has reached a high point in recent months with Godhead and the conclusion to Hal Jordan’s first major character arc in issue #40. Robert Venditti’s stories always have strong scope and good ideas surrounding them. Sometimes so much so that I feel like we don’t have enough low-key moments with the characters that he writes quite well. Thankfully he might have noticed this so he gave us this issue.

 Green Lantern #40 is a comic that ignores any plot or story and just lets the character of Hal Jordan lead the way. Hal is my favourite Green Lantern and one of my favourite DC heroes and this issue is a prime example why. He’s always willing to take the punch for everyone else. He’s the type of kid that would stand up to a bully for someone else even if it resulted in a beating. Here, Hal takes the punch for the corps in one of the most satisfying character moments in this entire run. This issue is focused around a momentous decision for Hal Jordan and everything that Venditti wrote felt so perfect for what Hal has gone through. Come June, this is going to be a very different book and I’m completely on board with whatever Robert Venditti has planned.

With this sort of story, we need an artist who can convey emotions quite well. Billy Tan has had his ups and downs on this series. Most of the downs have been rushed characters so I understand why one would be worried about his art in this issue. But he knocks it out of the park. His Kilowog being the standout design because he was able to demonstrate his rage so powerfully throughout this issue.

Green Lantern #40 wrapped up Hal Jordan’s major character arc in the most satisfying way possible. Robert Venditti has made his mark on the Green Lantern universe and with this issue, he’s made his mark on Hal Jordan. I’m beyond excited to see where this story is headed in June as Venditti has set-up an incredible new status-quo that feels true to his protagonist while opening the doors for so many great stories.
 

Our Score:

9/10

A Look Inside