Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Review: Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #17

By Philip Schweier
March 22, 2017 - 04:24

I had a bit of a challenge with this week’s reviews, deciding where to begin reading – Action Comics or Hal Jordan. One first promised the conclusion of “Superman Reborn.” The other seemed to offer a reunion of sorts of the major Green Lanterns. With a cover by long-time GL artist Ethan Van Sciver, I chose the latest issue of Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps.

The story itself is relatively simple, serving as an epilogue to recent events, and foreshadowing things to come (possibly). Guy Gardner is laid up in the infirmary, recovering from his one-on-one battle with Yellow Lantern Arkillo. It is suggested the two of them may end up partners, perhaps in a “Lethal Weapon” sort of way.

Meanwhile, Kyle Rayner, the White Lantern, is summoned by the Guardians of the Universe because – as the White Lantern – he has the ability to control all the colors of the emotional spectrum. But what they intend to do about that remains to be seen.

Personally, I’ve never cared much for Kyle Rayner as a Green Lantern. Not because he is a “pretender to the throne,” but because he lacks confidence. He seems way to willing to argue he has no place among the Green Lanterns, and yet he remains. Despite all his adventures and battles, he’s never believed in his right to stand alongside Hal Jordan, John Stewart or even Guy Gardner. If he doesn’t believe it, why should we?

However, Hal gives him a pep talk that may change that. I certainly hope so.

This issue has a loose tie-in to the mysterious figure known as Oz, who seems to be the mastermind behind the various Rebirth events. It is my hope that the Rebirth event is coming to a boil, and soon all will be revealed. I realize it’s taken a while to align the various pieces of the DC Universe on the board. Perhaps too long, but that’s hardly surprising. DC LOVES its events. Regretfully, they rarely live up to the hype, and I believe the publisher would be better served to tell consistently good stories on a smaller scale.

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12