It was one of the craziest moments in their history. Hal Jordan kills Krona, a guardian, to stop his plot to destroy the green lantern corps and John Stewart must kill Mogo, the green lantern who was a living planet. This occurred mostly because of the guardians’ hubris. They believe that because they have lived for so long they know all the answers and must never be questioned. However, Hal Jordan or any human for that matter who has wielded the ring, never went on blind trust. As a result they make the hardest of choices. The mythology goes the ring chooses someone not because they are devoid of fear but their ability to overcome it. That may be why Hal Jordan is perceived as the guardians biggest threat. He understands what it takes to use the ring and not be used by it. In “War of the Green Lanterns: Aftermath†Jordan is nowhere to be found. Essentially the guardians have banished him. What’s more every lantern is suffering from an onset of post-traumatic stress on a massive scale. And no one knows what to do with Sinestro. A ring chose him and now it won’t come off. But this “aftermath†is a solid foundation and jumping off point for “Rebirth: Green Lanterns†which begs the question – what does it take now to be a green lantern?
For Baz he believes that he should be a lantern. In issue one of DC’s reboot of their universe Baz, a rookie who is in sore need of training at least has the fear thing handled. His arrogance will see him through. Then there’s Jessica who has been agoraphobic for three years doesn’t comprehend why she was chosen. She believes that she is the embodiment of everything opposite of what the corps stands for. Imagine being perfectly content being in your apartment for years, then having to venture out into the world, in a non-breathable, emerald green and black uniform. What is she supposed to do with that? To top it off Hal Jordan fuses their lanterns which forces them to work together. Two people who have absolutely no idea how to use their abilities. It makes for great storytelling.
Together they must stand against a new threat – rage. The red lanterns are coming, another residual of the war between the lanterns, where the universe found out that there are a near rainbow of corps who have their own rings. For the red lanterns earth is the perfect place to spread their anger.
Geoff Johns and Sam Humphries are furthering the Green Lantern narrative with the sort of multilayered complexity that fuels epic storylines. In the beginning of issue one we see a guardian flying for his life and an unknown narrator who wants what that particular blue man has. Who is this malevolent force and why is this guardian on the run? And that’s on the first three pages of issue one. Then there’s the artwork. It is eye-popping and attention is paid to the smallest of details from the cover of issue one where in swirling emerald green Jessica and Baz face off in a way you don’t see coming. Then there’s the cover of issue two which shows a red lantern in total control. Things don’t bode well for these two.
Overall longtime fans of Green Lantern will understand that the “Rebirth†of this comic is not trying to rewrite its history. Instead makes room for multilayered, intimate stories that should bring in new readers as well as retain the longstanding lover of Hal Jordan and the rest of the corps.
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