Green Lantern #17 Review

The Revolution always looks forward to the newest issue of Green Lantern. Johns and Reis are an incredibly talented team and it shows in the fact that every month Green Lantern is a good read. There is no doubt in my mind that Green Lantern #17 is going to be yet another fantastic read. Let’s hit the review.

Creative Team
Writer: Geoff Johns
Penciler: Ivan Reis
Inker: Oclair Albert

Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10

Synopsis: We begin with Batman out on patrol at night in Gotham. Suddenly, a yellow power ring flies onto Batman’s finger. The power ring tells Batman that he has been chosen to represent Space Sector 2814 for the Sinestro Corps. That Batman has the ability to instill great fear. Then the power ring begins to try and “re-write” Batman’s mind. The ring comments that Batman’s willpower is too strong. The ring then leaves to find another recipient for the power ring.

We cut to Amon Sur and Hunger Dog with Hal as their powerless captive. Amon Sur tells Hal that his father left their home before he knew that Amon’s mother was pregnant. Then Abin Sur died on that mission. It too years for the Green Lantern Corps to finally sense someone to notify them of Abin Sur’s death. And it wasn’t even Abin Sur’s replacement who did the duty.

Amon Sur recounts his attempt to forge his own name when he joined the Black Circle crime syndicate. That during a confrontation with Kyle Rayner, Amon’s head got blown off. Luckily, Amon’s species is not susceptible to cranial injuries like terrestrials.

They arrive at the location in the desert where Hal buried Abin Sur’s body. Amon Sur uses his laser gun to blast away the rock and reveal Abin Sur’s skeleton. Amon Sur holds the skeleton and curses the Green Lantern Corps for taking his father from him. That he had to grow up without a dad. That what Amon Sur has become is the Green Lantern Corps’ fault.

Hal laughs at that comment and says that Amon Sur doesn’t get a free pass just because his father wasn’t’ there. Amon Sur’s assistant urges Amon to go ahead and kill Hal. Hal tells Amon to go ahead and kill him. That this whole thing is a big test. TO prove that Amon is as fearless as his father. Hal then calls Amon a coward. That Amon didn’t step out of the shadows until Hunger Dog beat Hal down and took his power ring. That Amon still has Hunger Dog with them just incase Hal fights back.

Amon snaps and hits Hal. Amon then fires his gun at Hal. Suddenly, Hunger Dog blocks the laser and saves Hal. Hunger Dog comments that Hal was supposed to give him a sign before starting trouble.

Hunger Dog then drops his disguise and it is none other than John Stewart! Two months ago, John went undercover to find out who put a price on Hal’s head. John captured the real Hunger Dog and took his place. That Hal put his life and Cowgirl’s life in John’s hands back in Russia.

Hal then tells John that Amon Sur is his to fight. Hal and Amon engage in a good old fashioned slugfest. Suddenly, the yellow power ring that Batman rejected appears on the scene. The power ring flies onto Amon Sur’s finger and tells him that he has the ability to instill great fear and has been selected for the Sinestro Corp.

Amon Sur then uses the yellow power ring to attack Hal and John. The yellow power ring then tells Amon that he will now be subjected to psychological and physical reconditioning. The power ring then transports Amon away. John then tells Hal that they better notify Salakk.

We cut to Green Lantern on Ungara at Abin Sur’s gravestone. Hal apologizes to Abin. That Hal should have brought him home a long time ago. Abin’s tombstone says “Hero of Ungara.” Hal uses his power ring to engrave “And Father.”

We shift back to Edwards Air Force Base. The justice League of America is on the scene helping to clean up the mess from Amon Sur’s attack. Hal is in Cowgirl’s hospital room on the Air Force Base. Hal feels that he should have been here to help defend the base. Cowgirl tells Hal that he can’t be everywhere at once. Cowgirl then mentions that they should talk about them kissing. But, Hal has a vacant look on his face as he stares out the window.

We cut to Northern California about 5 miles from Ferris Air. Star Sapphire lands on the ground and says that she knows which body that he chosen mate desires. End of issue.

Comments
The Good: Johns and Reis do it yet again! Green Lantern #17 was another excellent read. It is just amazing how they continually crank out one incredible read after another. Johns serves up a nicely paced story. He eases off the throttle at the beginning of this issue and then cranks up the pacing at the climactic battle between Hal and Amon. Then Johns slows down the story once again in order to wrap up this story arc and lay the foundation for the next story arc.

What is incredible is how phenomenally well plotted Green Lantern has been. Johns has such an impressive long term vision for this title. Johns is focused and is adept at plotting not just the current story arc, but also being able to mix in the foundation for future story arcs. This enables Johns to shift from major story arc to major story arc without having to burn an issue or two between major story arcs in order to lay the foundation for the next story arc.

Johns has done a great job mixing in the Sinestro Corp plotline and the Star Sapphire plotline into this current story arc with Amon Sur. Plus, Johns does an excellent job folding the Amon Sur story arc neatly into the Sinestro Corp plotline. It is so satisfying to read a comic book like Green Lantern where all the various plotlines all fit together. That the various plotlines all have some connection with each other. It gives this title a nice cohesive read.

I like how Johns handled Amon Sur in this issue. Amon is definitely a nasty villain, but Johns gives him a sympathetic side. The reader can understand why Amon is the angry person that he is today. The reader can sympathize with Amon’s loss and pain. However, at the same time, Amon is a truly despicable and weak character for allowing his loss to control him and cause him to choose the path of violence and destruction.

I absolutely dig the choice of Amon Sur as a member of the Sinestro Corp. Amon Sur’s connection to the Green Lantern Corp and Hal Jordan makes him being a part of the Sinestro Corp that much more juicy and entertaining. It definitely provides for some good drama.

The Sinestro Corp plotline has tons of potential. I am really interested to learn more about them. I loved that Batman was the first choice for the Sinestro Corp. This was a neat move by Johns to play up the fact that Batman is not your typical hero. That Batman isn’t a source of hope and optimism like most heroes like Flash, Wonder Woman and Superman.

Batman is a source of fear. Batman is emotionally scarred. But, Batman is the ultimate loner. If it weren’t for Batman’s overriding willpower to not be a servant to any man or organization then he would be the best choice for a group like the Sinestro Corp. Johns shows that Batman is just the other side of the coin of the villains that he fights.

It was fantastic to see John Stewart make an appearance in this issue. And what a dramatic entrance when John drops his Hunger Dog disguise! I definitely didn’t see that coming. That was a great plot twist. Plus, it re-enforces the fact that the Green Lantern Corps is not just a group of super heroes. They are an intergalactic police force. And when one cop is threatened, other cops go deep undercover in order to bust the bad guys.

Johns puts a nice bow on the end of this story arc and then hits the reader with a nice hook ending that gets the reader excited about the upcoming Star Sapphire story arc. I have always liked Star Sapphire and this should prove to be a rather entertaining story arc.

Johns also crafts his usual strong dialogue. I really dig Johns’ Hal Jordan. Johns clearly likes Hal’s character and Johns has a great feel for Hal’s personality. Hal’s no bullshit attitude shines through when he refuses to give Amon Sur a free pass for all he has done just because he didn’t have a father. Hal is the kind of man who firmly believes that each individual controls their own actions and their destiny. That you don’t blame other people for your failures.

Reis’s artwork is as gorgeous as ever. You know that you are always guaranteed a couple of impressive one or two page splash shots in every issue of Green Lantern. Reis does an excellent job brining Johns’ exciting story to life.

The Bad: I have no complaints with this issue.

Overall: Green Lantern #17 was another awesome read. Johns and Reis are an incredible team and then just continue to kick ass on this title each and every month. I am exited about the future plotlines in the Sinestro Corp and Star Sapphire. There is a lot to look forward to with this title. I definitely recommend giving Green Lantern a try. It is well worth your money.