I had no idea what Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps were up to. It’s been years since I’ve caught up with the Emerald Crusader. As it turns out, the universe has been without Hal Jordan, as well.
Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps: Rebirth was the perfect way to dive back in to the DC Universe. I was able to check a collection of issues #1 through #7 of this one-shot special. Legendary Lantern artist Ethan Van Sciver delivered something new that felt familiar. Writer Robert Venditti and artist Rafa Sandoval round out the team which easily appeals to longtime fans and allows everyone else to drop right into the Rebirth universe.
This universe, however, isn’t great for the GL Corps. They’re gone. Sinestro won and now his yellow-clad warriors reign intergalactic carnage. Luckily, Hal is able to forge a new ring and he’s looking for some old friends. I couldn’t help nodding and smiling while seeing Hal slip on the ring and drop his cosmic catchphrase.
A newly energized Sinestro soon finds out his nemesis is back on the scene and throws his evil Corps at our Green Lantern. The raging, nightmarish, heavyweight goons are wonderfully portrayed on an assortment of alien worlds. Hal is strong, quick with a a quip and equally fast to smash a bad guy, but he’s a solo and looking to put the band back together.
Like a breath of fresh air, the last handful of Green Lantern Corps appear in the far reaches of space. Beaten, bloodied, dying. A fraction of what the powerhouse once was, a lone Lantern is sent out for recon. Not everyone is hip to Sinestro’s tyranny and Hal seems to be the breath of green energy needed to at least start to bring balance back to the galaxy.
As much as old is new in these pages, this is a different Hal Jordan. Evolving. What a place to be in this Rebirth Universe.
Favorite quote: “How long we gonna sit around with our rungs up our butts, John?”
Favorite panel: Sinestro Corps member 563… half-off.
Issues #1-7 and the HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS: REBIRTH one-shot special.
Paperback | ISBN 9781401268008 | PRICE $17.99 (USD)
