Absolute Green Lantern #13: On the Planet of Rann

While Tomar Re and Jo Mullien have their fated meeting on Earth, across the universe malicious forces are beginning to take notice. On the planet Rann, a seemingly thought buried rebellion has opened the door to entities even more dangerous than the Darkstars.

After the second arc ended with the meeting of Jo and Re, the third throws us across the galaxy to the newly subjugated planet Rann. This was a good move as it helps give the readers more of a glimpse into the wider reaches of this new universe. This issue primarily focuses on this version of the Darkstars, specifically Rac Shade (AKA Shade,The Changing Man). Whereas on the main earth, the Darkstars are an alternative offshoot of the GL Corps (think of them as more similar to Marvel’s Nova Corps) with a little bit more edge to them they are little more than a footnote in DC’s cosmic history. Here they are given much more prominence, their more hard-nosed enforcement of justice having warped into an authoritarian-fascist organization bent on forcing their views on justice across the cosmos and quelling any rebellion with laser-guided lobotomies.They even seem to have a version of the Phantom Zone at their disposal to dispense their “justice” but that is hiding secrets that even they don’t know about.

Al Ewing continues to build out the cosmic sector of the Absolute Universe to great effect. While on the Prime Earth, space is treated as this wondrous, uncharted frontier despite all the dangers, but in the Absolute Universe the darkness is more than just an appearance, it informs the personality of the unknown as well making it something much more foreign and at times horrific. Ewing deftly illustrates this through his use of the Darkstars highlighting just how cruel and oppressive they are by what they do to this universe’s versions of Siddarth and Alanna (the father-in-law and wife respectively of Adam Strange). We don’t yet know what has become of Adam Strange in this universe, but judging on the trend thus far it can’t be anything good. We are also introduced to Emily Hawke (who appears to be an original character, but her appearance suggests that she might be Hawkgirl/Woman) who leaves quite an impression despite her all too brief page time.

Eleonora Carlina and Ivan Planscenia take over and coloring duties respectively from Jahnoy Lindsay, and the pair make for a very good team, making this issue stand out as one of the best so far visually. Rann is rendered as uniquely alien and the moments where Shade uses his transformation abilities are horrific and grotesque in the best way. The action scene after Emily Hawke escapes the Meta-Zone is very fast-paced and exciting to follow, pulling you into danger with her.