Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100-Page Spectacular

Alan Scott in “Dark Things Cannot Stand the Light”
James Tynion IV – Writer
Gary Frank – Artist
Steve Oliff – Colorist
Tom Napolitano – Letterer
Review by Kenneth Bowden

James Tynion IV and Gary Frank tackle the original (and best!) Green Lantern in a sultry tale that shines some light on the origins of Alan Scott’s now legendary oath. In the modern era especially when it comes to Green Lantern we’ve seen writers like Geoff Johns and Rob Venditti turn over just about every rock that builds the Green Lantern mythos so while this does follow suit it takes a different angle. This story doesn’t lean hard on science fiction or mysticism instead it delves into the human experience and how heroes and “everyday people” process grief. Like all the best retcons this story changes things subtly but in a meaningful way while not disrupting or disregarding the past. By the end of it reading Tynion’s stoic and stern portrayal of Alan and Gary Frank’s expected but still exceptional art you’ll be clamoring for an Alan Scott series from the pair. When you want to pay homage to a legacy as beloved and enduring as the one started in All-American Comics #16 this is how you open things up.

Hal Jordan in “Last Will”
Geoff Johns – Writer
Ivan Reis – Penciller
Oclair Albert – Inker
Alex Sinclair – Colorist
Rob Leigh – Letterer
Review by Cody White

Geoff Johns’ work during his tenure with Green Lantern will long be remembered. Taking a throwaway reference from an Alan Moore backup story and spinning it into a multi-year, universe spanning saga that forever altered Lantern Corps lore was quite the feat. What that series was not particularly known for, however, was the intricate character work featured in other Johns works like JSA and The Flash. Reuniting here with superstar artist Ivan Reis (Blackest Night), Johns takes the time give Hal an incredibly character driven short story with an ending you’ll have to see to believe!

Sinestro in “The Meaning of Fear”
Cullen Bunn – Writer
Doug Mahnke – Artist
David Baron – Colorist
Carlos M. Mangual – Letterer

Green Lantern and Green Arrow in “Time Alone”
Dennis O’Neil – Writer
Mike Grell – Artist
Lovern Kindzierski – Colorist
Clem Robins – Letterer
Review by Cody White

Check out my extended review and final farewell to a legend here.

https://comic-watch.com/news/things-do-not-change-we-change-a-final-farewell-to-denny-oneil

Kyle Rayner in “Legacy”
Ron Marz – Writer
Darryl Banks – Artist
HI-FI – Colorist
Josh Reed – Letterer
Review by Two-Fisted Editor Matt Meyer

Green Lantern heavyweights Ron Marz and Darryl Banks reteam to bring a sentimental, but never cloying look at their creation Kyle Rayner, the one-time sole Lantern left in the cosmos. For many years, Kyle was the lone carrier of the torch, and had to learn how to become a hero – and what his legacy as a Green Lantern – meant without the benefit of Oa or the rest of the Corps or the Guardians. More than any other GL, Kyle had to learn the ropes without the benefit of a safety net. He’s struggled a bit to find his place in the DCU since Hal Jordan returned to the role in 2004, but Kyle has always remained the heart and conscience of Earth’s (many) Green Lanterns.

Marz’ tale is a very literal trip down memory lane, as Kyle is sent to retrieve warehoused items from Guy Gardner’s defunct superhero-themed bar, Warriors. One of the items turns out to be a not-so-dormant alien war suit, and superhero shenanigans ensue. But that’s beside the point – what this story is really about is Kyle not just reliving his past, but making peace with where he’s been, and what his place in the GL pantheon is now. It’s bittersweet, in a sense, but it’s also empowering and shows that just because Kyle has been somewhat relegated to “GL we can’t figure out what to do with” in recent years, he’ll always have a special place in the character’s storied history.

Guy Gardner and Kilowog in “Heart of the Corps”
Peter J. Tomasi – Writer
Fernando Pasarin – Penciller
Wade von Grawbadger – Inker
Gabe Eltaeb – Colorist
Rob Leigh – Letterer
Review by Ethan Comey

Tomasi pulls on our heartstrings with this 8-page emotionally uplifting tale featuring two fan favourites with tremendous art from the team to back it up.

Guy Gardner and a sulking Kilowog are sent on a mission together to save fellow Lanterns only for it to be a ruse to surprise Kilowog on his birthday having Mogo terraform into his former home planet Bolovax Vic which was lost along with his race on the same day in his past. Kilowog explains he never celebrates his birthday as it reminds him of that terrible day but the gesture brings him to the realisation that as long as he lives his family and the planet lives through him along with his new family the fellow corps members!

A great addition here from Tomasi with this heart-warming narrative flexing his skills as amazing as his past work with the corps.

John Stewart in “Reverse the Polarity”
Charlotte (Fullerton) McDuffie and ChrisCross – Storytellers
Jordi Tarragona – Inker
Luis Guerrero – Colorist
Steve Wands – Letterer
Review by The Immortal Jimmy Hayes

“Reverse the Polarity” is probably the most powerful story in this Green Lantern special. Focusing on John Stewart & Hawkgirl, it’s an episode of the animated series that you never knew you wanted. Charlotte (Fullerton) McDuffie and CrissCross pay homage to the brilliant talent that was taken from us way too soon, Dwayne McDuffie. While the story is just flat out good, it’s also very meaningful, especially today. McDuffie & CrissCross deliver a message that it universal: Keep fighting. You have in the past, you are right now, and you will in the future, but if you keep fighting, eventually you will win. I’’s rare that a comic story inspires one to actually take action, but this one does. Somewhere up there, I think Dwayne’s got a smile on his face.

Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and Kyle Rayner in “Four”
Robert Venditti – Writer
Rafa Sandoval – Penciller
Jordi Tarragona – Inker
Ivan Plascencia – Colorist
Dave Sharpe – Letterer
Review by John Jack

The Four Corpsmen reunite years down the line, WOOOOO! (Venditti knows what I’m talkin’ bout!) Reminiscing about everyone’s favorite (but mysteriously late) redheaded Lantern via GORGEOUS art from Sandoval, Tarragona and Plascencia. This short story gives a touch of what made Robert Venditti’s Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps series great (nude Guy Gardner, honestly?!) and a lot of what made it amazing—heart! Great Story.

Jessica Cruz in “The Voice”
Mariko Tamaki – Writer
Mirka Andolfo – Artist
Arif Prianto – Colorists
Gabriela Downie – Letterer
Review by Brian Arbizo

Anxiety comes in many forms. It can become crippling to the point where normal life is too much. Jessica had a traumatic event happen in her life that left her with  PTSD and survivor’s guilt. Jessica learns to cope with having anxiety and becomes a Green Lantern. There is no cure for anxiety but there are coping skills. Often throughout her story we see her dealing with being a Lantern and having anxiety. Mariko Tamaki and the team did a beautiful job of capturing her origin story and showing how far she has come. Also accompanied by a very special guest star, Simon Baz, telling her how far she has come, really made me love this story. I love that it showcases someone with mental illness. Mental illness is no stranger in comics but often times it is one extreme to the next. I.E you are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety than schizophrenia, but often times you will see someone with schizophrenia rather than anxiety. Not saying all, just in my reading experience.  This story shows that yes there is no cure, but can use coping skills to progress and learn to live again.  This is easily a 10 out of 10 and the art is fantastic.

Simon Baz in “Homegrown Hero”
Sina Grace – Writer
Ramon Villalobos – Artist
Rico Renzi – Colorist
ANDworld Design – Letterer
Review by Nic Osborn

Last but certainly not least, Simon Baz finishes the Green Lantern 80th anniversary issue with a story from Sina Grace that punctuates not only his importance in the DC Universe but also in his own community, showing exactly why Baz truly holds a special place in the Green Lantern Corp. Confronting bigotry is a theme that gets right to the core of what this character represents and this story brings it to the forefront in the form of a white terrorist. Simon Baz’s reunion with his family sets the stage for a celebration that turns evil, and the conflict between Baz and this horrible man strikes an emotional chord that really resonates by utilizing the best aspects of the character such as his faith and resilience.

The focus on community in this short story really comes through in the artwork as well. The character expressions and welcoming aesthetic helps to flesh out some of the more nuanced themes, but it’s also not likely to blow you away. It’s a solid execution that works well with the story. I would have liked to see a more grand approach visually to capitalize on the heartfelt story, but it’s still good.

Simon Baz is arguably one of the most underdeveloped Lanterns in the group from Earth at this point. I’m happy to see the emotional power come through in this short story and that alone makes it more than worthwhile!