Review: Green Lantern #31

LOOK OUT SPOILERS!!!!

This is another addition to the Secret Origin storyline. I will first take a moment to address the criticisms that I’ve heard about this storyline. I have really been enjoying this arc. Granted, it shouldn’t be taking place when and where it is. This should have been either the first arc of the series, or it should have been a mini-series while Geoff Johns continued the current story of Hal in the GL series. I don’t know why Geoff Johns wrote this story in the place that it is, but it is still a great story. Just because it is delaying an interesting new story, doesn’t mean that this is a bad arc. I just had to through in my two cents. Now onto the issue, it begins in a charming fashion with Hal staring into the eyes of Carol Ferris. Hector Hammond is also present and we get a quick viewing of his character pre big head. Hal then flies to the Abin Sur crash site and discovers his power battery. It takes him to Oa for training and we get a great splash page of a bunch of Gl that looks fantastic. Ivan Reis is in top form. We even get to see and hear a few lines from Ch’p yay! Hal encounters Kilowog who acts like a jerk and Hal fights back. Kilowog then remarks about how he has found “somebody ta make an example outta!”. Back on earth the military and Dr. Hammond discover Abin Sur’s ship. They investigate and a big scary monster from sector 666 greets them with a “RRAAAARRRR!”. Back at Oa Kilowog is picking on Hal and he discovers that Hal has incredible willpower but can’t dodge the crappy yellow weakness! Ouch! The rest of the issue is Hal completing his training with of course a cool reciting of the oath that features the Gls nicely. Geoff ends the issue with an explanation of why Ganthet has a name and the others don’t(finally!) and of course the reveal that Sinestro is about to become Hal’s partner. Simple story telling indeed but it is the glorious art, the personal moments with almost every single character, and the definite feeling that Geoff Johns really cares about these characters are a few virtues that make this story unique. This is comics at its best in my opinion. I only wish the story wasn’t shadowed by the feeling that the story is out of place.

3 and a half stars out of four

Tags: DC Comics, Geoff Johns, Green Lantern, Ivan Reis