Broken Frontier

The explosive rebirth of Hal Jordan continues to play itself out like a Shakespearean tragedy filled with Rage…and Revelations!

I have always liked Hal Jordan as the Green Lantern of Sector 2814. His swagger and bombastic nature lend credibility to the character and to the Green Lantern mythos overall. It’s not that I have anything against the likes of John Stewart, Guy Gardner or Kyle Rayner, but that trio pale in comparison to Hal’s heroic feats. I mean after all he is the one true Green Lantern and was unjustly killed off in the early 90’s, so when DC comics announced they were bringing Hal Jordan back, I couldn’t have been any happier.

The fourth issue of six hit the stands last week with as much regard as the previous three did. Both Green Arrow and Kyle Rayner are faced with the daunting task of taking down Sinestro after the big reveal at the end of the last issue. The confrontation between them plays itself out with so much drama and intrigue, especially after we learn the truth behind Sinestro’s connection to Parallax. Kyle is the first to go down and hard, leaving Ollie to square off with Hal’s greatest villain. From there, the issue flips to Coast City where Ganthet confronts Parallax in a struggle that draws both John Stewart and Guy Gardner into the heat of the battle. The conflict only increase after the JLA, JSA and Teen Titans show up in support, so needless to say this issue is loaded with confrontations from start to finish.   

Once again, the story is well crafted and fine-tuned with each and every page. Writer Geoff Johns weaves the action on several fronts with the subtleness of a surgeon’s incision, and it shows with each of the character interactions. I especially liked the exchange between Green Arrow and Sinestro, since it’s written with the kind of immediacy lacking in modern comics. It’s obvious the writer’s passion for previous continuity and his commitment to quality storytelling shines through with this issue. I am more than certain the next issue will continue with this trend, bringing the tale of Hal Jordan’s resurrection to a most satisfying conclusion.

I should also point out that the greatness of this issue couldn’t be complete without the superb craftsmanship of artist Ethan Van Scriver. His work is expertly detailed with every panel, and it only lends to give the story greater importance, underlining the impending doom about to befall the DCU with Parallax’s return. Ethan really has a feel for the characters, and it shows with every confrontation. The tension and high drama between Ollie, Kyle and Sinestro is deftly illustrated, and there are several close-ups revealing the pain of survival. The art here is a vainglorious display of bold emotions and passionate drama, and on par with the writing.

So, if you’re a fan of Hal Jordan and enjoy dramatic story telling at its finest, then I suggest you pick up a copy of this issue. Comics like these are a rarity in the medium, especially in the superhero genre, so this one shouldn’t be missed!

- Kenneth Gallant