Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #4

by John White on September 14, 2016

Written by: Robert Venditti
Art by: Ethan Van Sciver
Colored by: Jason Wright
           
           Sinestro’s plan is coming together and the Universe shudders in fear. The only thing standing in his way is a betrayal from within his inner court and some Guy. Issue #4 of Robert Venditti’s Hal Jordan and The Green Lantern Corps may be the best yet, and it is no coincidence that it also has a cast larger than any of the previous issues. Although mostly taking place on Warworld, this issue feels larger than its predecessors, with multiple characters and story arcs given the time they need to develop but at the same time there are no sacrifices to pace or entertainment. Amidst a dazzling array of color and action is the kind of character depth and grand storytelling that is the hallmark of any great Lantern story.
           
           Starting in Sinestro’s court, we find the pink skinned despot eagerly awaiting his prized Green Lantern captive, only to be disappointed when – SPOILER ALERT- he is presented not with his rival of many years, Hal Jordan, but instead with the class clown of the Green Lantern Corps, Guy Gardner. While this quickly enrages that Korugarian, it proves to be nothing but a delight for the reader as we a re quickly reminded why Guy Gardner deserves a spot among earth’s Green Lanterns. While not the typical hero that Jordan is, or the righteous soldier like Jon Stewart, or even the empathetic and perhaps omnipotent soul that Kyle Rayner is, Guy Gardner is the wise cracking tough guy that is the glue that holds any team book together. As soon as he called the leader of the Yellow Lanterns “Sindy” I knew this would be a great issue. His wisecracking juxtaposed with the quiet menacing of the Sacrament’s Administer Lash is truly the highlight of this issue and something that will carry over through the rest of this arc. As this is going on, Hal Jordan receives help from a surprising friend and Jon Stewart and the rest of the Green Lanterns are left wondering what their next moves should be a whether or not it is worth it to risk the entire Corps for one lost member. Without giving too much away, let me say that this is an issue that any fan will be glad to pick up and any who do not will regret it.
           
         Robert Venditti is at the top of his game in this issue, as is the art by Ethan Van Sciver. The combination of larger than life stories combined with awe inspiring art of galactic wonders and terrors continues to make this one of the best books currently put out by DC. As the action continues to rise in this arc, it is hard to not get excited about what is yet to come as it builds towards it’s eventual climax. Much like the Green Lantern Corps itself, this series is getting stronger in every issue I cannot wait to see what happens next.
 

Our Score:

9/10

A Look Inside