The Revolution rarely enjoys origin stories. And the last issue of Green Lantern was no exception. Johns is giving us the second installment of the “Secret Origin” story with Green Lantern #30. The fact is that most origin stories are a bit boring as the writer rarely gives anything new for long time readers to enjoy. Johns is basically just taking several issues off in order to catch his breath for the next story arc. I’m sure that Green Lantern #30 will be another average read. Let’s go ahead and do this review.
Creative Team
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Ivan Reis
Inkers: Oclair Albert
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Story Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Synopsis: We begin with Abin Sur piloting a small ship to Earth. Abin Sur has Atrocitus captive in an energy filed with him on the ship. Abin Sur talks to Sinestro via his power ring. Abin Sur tells Sinestro that it is his destiny to go to Earth. That he will learn more about the Blackest Night prophecy. That Earth is the birthplace of the black and that Atrocitus will lead him to the place on Earth that will give birth to the black. Abin Sur comments that he is using a ship to get to Earth because it has been foretold that his power ring will fail him when he most needs it.
Sinestro tells Abin Sur that he is a fool to believe in the prophecy. However, Sinestro says that if Abin Sur needs any help to please call him. That nobody, not even the Guardians, would prevent Sinestro from arriving in Abin Sur’s sector to help him.
We cut to Hal working as an airplane mechanic for Arden Air. Arden used to be in the Air Force with Hal’s dad and that is the reason that Arden hired Hal. The test pilot for Arden Air is Laminksi; a blonde jerk who insults the Asian mechanic who works with Hal.
Hal goes to meet with Arden and tells him that he needs to get back into the air. Hal wants Arden to let him be a test pilot. Arden says that Hal is too reckless. Also that Arden has already agreed to sell Arden Air to Ferris. Hal is stunned. Then right on cue, Carol Ferris walks into the office.
Carol is dismissive of Hal as she comments how she used to be a test pilot but now has more important things to do like running Ferris Air for her father. Hal storms out of the office. Carol tells Arden that Hal is a problem. Arden counters that Ferris agreed to keep Hal on. Carol responds that her father is not going to like this. We see Hal outside sitting in one of the wrecked airplanes in the mechanic’s hangar. Hal curses himself.
We shift back to Abin Sur’s ship. Atrocitus tells Abin Sur that his faith in his powers is weakening. That Abin Sur is afraid. And that weakness in his willpower and power ring carries through to his constructs. Atrocitus then breaks out of the green energy sphere that Abin Sur had him captive in.
Atrocitus says that the irony of it all is that in the moment of death that Abin Sur’s ring did not fail him. That Abin Sur failed his ring. Atrocitus then guts Abin Sur. The ship then enters the Earth’s atmosphere. Atrocitus then jumps from the ship. Abin Sur then crash lands his ship in a remote area of the desert.
The ship crashes to the ground. Abin Sur tells his power ring to file information and send it to Sinestro so that Sinestro can finish his mission. The power ring begins to search for a replacement sentient. We see Hal still sitting in the wrecked ship. A green energy beam grabs Hal and whisks him through the air. The power ring tells Hal that he has been chosen.
Hal arrives at the wrecked space ship where Abin Sur hands him the power ring. The last word Abin Sur says is “Sinestro.” The power ring then slides onto Hal’s finger. A Green Lantern Corps outfit, but no mask, materializes on Hal and he blasts off into the air. Hal is in absolute heaven as he races through the sky.
Hal races by a new plane that Laminski is testing. Laminski sees Hal and freaks out. This causes Laminski to lose control of the plane. Hal then comments that if a pilot loses their cool while in the air then they pay the price. Hal says a pilot must have no fear. Hal then grabs the plane and lands it at Arden Air.
A fire squad, the mechanics, Arden and Carol Ferris all rush to the scene. The power ring immediately makes a mask for Hal to protect his identity. They ask Hal who he is. Hal’s power ring answers “Green Lantern of Space Sector 2814.” Carol asks “What is a Green Lantern.” Carol then trips over some of the debris from the plane that Hal just helped to land. Carol conveniently falls into Hal’s arms. Suddenly, Hector Hammond appears on the scene and asks if Green Lantern is trying to steal his girlfriend. End of issue.
Comments
The Good: Green Lantern #30 was a solid Secret Origin issue. The story was not anything that exciting, but it continues Johns’ effort of gently freshening up and updating Jordan’s origin to better mesh with what Johns has been doing on this title. Johns understands that this Secret Origin story arc is an important tool in getting new readers to hop onto this title and then getting them properly educated and updated so that the newer readers can fully appreciate and understand the upcoming Blackest Night story arc. For the Blackest Night story arc to post monster sales numbers, it is incumbent upon Johns to make sure that he pulls in newer readers and brings them up to speed on the Green Lantern mythos.
Green Lantern #30 is well paced as the reader gets a good balance of action and drama. Johns constructs a nicely plotted story that moves with a purpose. My favorite parts of this issue would be the scenes with Abin Sur. I loves the irony in Abin Sur fulfilling the prophecy of his fall as he himself is the source of his own doom.
It was interesting to see Johns fleshing out the Blackest Night prophecy and ingraining it into the Green Lantern mythos as a vital aspect of their mythology. I liked seeing Sinestro playing the role as a good guy and loyal friend. Sinestro’s fall from grace simply makes him that much more of an intriguing character.
I enjoyed the ending with the appearance of a classic Green Lantern villain in Hector Hammond. Johns pulls off a neat little retcon of having Hector apparently Carol’s boyfriend. Whether he truly is or not remains to be seen. At any rate, it is cool that Johns is further meshing the backgrounds of Hector and Hal together.
We get plenty of enjoyable artwork by Reis and Oclair. I dig how in the beginning Abin Sur’s eyes glow with the Green Lantern Corps symbol in them, but at the moment before Atrocitus breaks free and kills Abin Sur his eyes glow with the Sinestro Corps symbol. That was a cool touch.
The Bad: Even though I’m a Hal Jordan fan, I just did not find the scenes with Hal all that interesting. Those scenes just had a tired and lifeless feel to them. There was a total lack of energy. Green Lantern #30 in general was a bit of a flat read. This Secret Origin story arc is by far the weakest point of Johns’ superlative run on Green Lantern. However, the weakest part of Johns’ run on Green Lantern is still better than your average comic book currently on the market.
I do get the feeling that Johns is phoning it in with this story arc. And I can’t blame him. Johns has poured so much energy into this title up to this point and he still has a huge event to handle with the upcoming Blackest Night story. So, I won’t begrudge Johns for wanting to take a little break.
Overall: Green Lantern #30 is a better than average read that does carries out its purpose well. This Secret Origin story arc is a great jumping on point for new readers. This story arc will give you enough background information to fully enjoy what is sure to be an awesome big event in the Blackest Night. However, long time readers might find this Secret Origin story arc a bit boring.