The Green Lantern Season Two #6
Recap
The Anti-Matter Lantern Corps has invaded our universe! And as we saw in The Green Lantern Season One, just one Anti-Matter Lantern tore through several Green Lanterns - so imagine what a horde of them will do! It's an all-out "Assault on Sector General" - but how will the Corps survive?
Review
Morrison has been following a familiar narrative template in The Green Lantern: a short, establishing scene, several pages of wild action, and a twist cliffhanger ending. Issue #6 does exactly that, and showcases exactly why this template works so well when a team is in the groove.
The issue begins with Hal Jordan in recovery at Sector General, a medical space station. He and his ring were severely injured in their fight last issue, and need time to recover.
Which doesn’t happen, as Sector General is attacked by Anti-Matter Lanterns.
What follows showcases what Morrison and his collaborators excel at: high-intensity action scenes sprinkled with neat little bits of characterization, all rendered amazingly by Sharp and Oliff. The talents of these two are part of the why the book works so well: Sharp’s linework is wonderfully versatile, with detailed backgrounds, great storytelling, and brutal action. A space hospital is a great excuse to just draw lots of weird and interesting stuff, and Sharp makes it worthwhile. He packs each panel with cool stuff, and Oliff’s retro-minded colors call to mind the best of 80’s comics.
Steve Wands’ letters deserve a mention here as well—letterers don’t get enough recognition for their work. The paradox of good lettering is this: when done well, it’s unnoticeable. They’re a big part of the effectiveness of the “flow” of a comic. Wands here contributes to that flow, providing dialog, captions, and SFX in a way that not only doesn’t get in the way, but enhances the overall feel of the book. The Anti-Matter Lanterns usage of backwards letters is a small but distinctive thing.
As the Green Lanterns fight back and lose, Jordan works hard to get his ring back to join the fight. It’s here that Morrison gives everyone something to do, and does it in a way that tailors each beat to everyone. Ryk, the sentient crystal Lantern, is blown apart and seemingly killed, but reforms at the end of the issue to give everyone time to escape. Tru is nearly killed before being saved by comic relief character Crassius Qwipe-6, but only after a dramatic scene of her reciting the Oath in the face of defeat.
It ends with Jordan making a final stand to ensure the patients’ escape, and the cliffhanger (always with the cliffhangers) reveals that Jordan did indeed make a final stand, as evidenced by his death. After another rollicking and unpredictable issue, Morrison still manages to surprise.
After a slightly bumpy start, The Green Lantern Season 2 has definitely hit its stride, dropping issue after issue of pulpy action and great character work. Here’s hoping the second half is as wild as the first.
Final Thoughts
The Green Lantern Season 2 #6 raises the stakes ever higher. It feels breathless and exciting, building on the pacing Morrison has established in the series.
The Green Lantern Season Two #6: The Stakes Just Get Higher
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 9/109/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 9/109/10