A perfect life isn’t given. You have to go get it.
Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #31 Review
Written by: Robert Venditti
Cover by: Ethan Van Sciver
Art by: Patrick Zircher
Publisher: DC Comics
What You Need to Know
Kidnapped by Kroloteans, Hector Hammond telepathically calls Hal Jordan, begging for help. Unfortunately for the short-statured aliens, Hal just happens to be hanging out with Superman today.
What You’ll Find Out
The Krolotean’s stand no chance in a physical fight against two of Earth’s most powerful heroes. So they get in their heads with telepathy.
Hal is surprised with a hallucination of home, his family, and the love of his life, Carol Ferris. He embraces her, admitting everything here is perfect, but he’s too smart to be fooled. He asked what the real Carol would say and she replied. “A life like this isn’t given to you. You have to go get it.” He told her he loves her and she replied. “Then go get me.”
Hal commanded his ring to take out the Krolotean to snap him out of the illusion, before snapping Superman out as well. Together, the two made quick work of the tiny aliens. Enraged, Superman grabbed one, asking if it had parents. Asking if it could know what it was like to have their memories toyed with. Hal tried to calm him down, but the aliens head was telekinetically crushed by Hammond.
With his deformities, Hammond admitted he could never know love and happiness. Real love and happiness. He could only pretend through the memories of others.
Hammond buried his voice inside of Superman’s mind. Superman’s eyes involuntarily began to glow blood red. And Hammond forced the Kryptonian to take aim. The target: Hector Hammond himself. Clark tried to hold back his heat vision and failed. But Hal created a shield in front of Superman’s eyes, redirecting the beams into the telepath’s shoulder. He survived. But he was no longer a threat.
The Green Lantern asks Superman if he thinks killing villains every once in a while might lower the amount of ticking time bombs lose in the world. After a moment of silence, they both come up with the same answer. “No.”
Afterward, Superman invites Hal to dinner with his family, but Hal realized earlier there’s someone he needs to see. He arrives at the home of Carol Ferris. Flowers in hand. Hal practices what he’s going to say, knowing he could never be prepared, so he decides to do what he does best. Improvise. But Just as he prepares to knock, John Stewart calls his ring, urging him to travel to sector 1103 for an emergency. He hesitates. Drops the flowers. And flies off to duty.
What Just Happened
When I heard Green Lantern and Superman would be teaming up, I wondered who could challenge them. Sinestro, Parallax, or perhaps, Metallo? No, the tiny non-physically threatening Kroloteans. I was surprised there wasn’t going to be a massive fight, but it was a nice change of pace from the all-action, no emotion crossovers I’m used to.
I was impressed that Hal immediately saw through the illusion, but not surprised. He’s been put in this situation so many times, he’s kind of comfortable hallucinating at this point.
It’s heartbreaking for this Hal Jordan fan that he knows his life is not only far from perfect, but despite being known for his confidence, he isn’t sure he’ll ever make it a reality.
Rating 8/10
Final Thoughts: An interesting, tense climax and an emotionally satisfying ending make this issue a great read for new and longtime GL fans.