Green Lantern (2019) #4 Review
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Liam Sharpe
Publisher: DC
I believe that DC has been missing something lately. Maybe it’s the spark of genius from a creative team, maybe it’s a “too much, too fast” double shipping problem. Or maybe we’re just witnessing a massive legacy try and work itself out for the modern consumer. Well, whatever it is, Morrison and Sharpe’s Green Lantern is the answer to it.
This run so far can only be described as a modern classic, but not just because of how good it is (and it is really, really good), but because Morrison has managed to capture a tone that somehow harkens back to an earlier, more over-the-top sci-fi era that came out of old Borough’s or Frank Herbert novels, while also inserting a detective angle that we haven’t really seen in a franchise with a cast of characters described as “space cops”. Hard to believe that it’s a rather untouched concept for a Green Lantern title, but here we are. So we have both that old, satisfying planetary-sorcery genre itch scratched, and a brand new take on Hal and his pals. Morrison is made for this kind of thing, and if his name alone doesn’t sell the book for you, let me tell you that here and now that we are looking at a definitive run on the character. As long as they keep him on it, of course…
This issue specifically is a continuation in detailing the early stages of conflict with the group known as the Blackstars. It also deals with the ramifications of Hal’s execution of a slaver in issue #3. A bit of brilliance in this issue resides in its frame story of a cowboy-esque alien sitting at a table trading stories of Hal Jordan with a Blackstar member, while seemingly in hopes to join their ranks. Without giving anything away, this all plays out in a classic western fashion that was a joy to watch. Morrison’s dialogue is spot on for the character of Hal and it’s a far more determined Hal that we haven’t really seen since Johns’ left the book. The story is flowing nicely and ends appropriately, and being a monthly title, I think we’re seeing DC at its highest quality. Hopefully, this encourages them to follow this model with more premier creators on major, monthly books.
Sharpe’s style was made for this. I’m sure that I’m not the only one getting that classic, Alien vibe here mixed with a sci-fi style from the Amazing Stories magazine of old. While I always found Sharpe’s art to be impressive, nothing has fit it more than this run of Green Lantern. The wacky alien designs, the detailed backdrops, everything fits together to a really tight aesthetic here.
I’ll say it again: as long as Morrison and Sharpe stay on and finish their run in a cohesive fashion, we’re looking at a definitive run on the character, or at least an incredibly memorable Green Lantern series.
Artist: Liam Sharpe
Publisher: DC
I believe that DC has been missing something lately. Maybe it’s the spark of genius from a creative team, maybe it’s a “too much, too fast” double shipping problem. Or maybe we’re just witnessing a massive legacy try and work itself out for the modern consumer. Well, whatever it is, Morrison and Sharpe’s Green Lantern is the answer to it.
This run so far can only be described as a modern classic, but not just because of how good it is (and it is really, really good), but because Morrison has managed to capture a tone that somehow harkens back to an earlier, more over-the-top sci-fi era that came out of old Borough’s or Frank Herbert novels, while also inserting a detective angle that we haven’t really seen in a franchise with a cast of characters described as “space cops”. Hard to believe that it’s a rather untouched concept for a Green Lantern title, but here we are. So we have both that old, satisfying planetary-sorcery genre itch scratched, and a brand new take on Hal and his pals. Morrison is made for this kind of thing, and if his name alone doesn’t sell the book for you, let me tell you that here and now that we are looking at a definitive run on the character. As long as they keep him on it, of course…
This issue specifically is a continuation in detailing the early stages of conflict with the group known as the Blackstars. It also deals with the ramifications of Hal’s execution of a slaver in issue #3. A bit of brilliance in this issue resides in its frame story of a cowboy-esque alien sitting at a table trading stories of Hal Jordan with a Blackstar member, while seemingly in hopes to join their ranks. Without giving anything away, this all plays out in a classic western fashion that was a joy to watch. Morrison’s dialogue is spot on for the character of Hal and it’s a far more determined Hal that we haven’t really seen since Johns’ left the book. The story is flowing nicely and ends appropriately, and being a monthly title, I think we’re seeing DC at its highest quality. Hopefully, this encourages them to follow this model with more premier creators on major, monthly books.
Sharpe’s style was made for this. I’m sure that I’m not the only one getting that classic, Alien vibe here mixed with a sci-fi style from the Amazing Stories magazine of old. While I always found Sharpe’s art to be impressive, nothing has fit it more than this run of Green Lantern. The wacky alien designs, the detailed backdrops, everything fits together to a really tight aesthetic here.
I’ll say it again: as long as Morrison and Sharpe stay on and finish their run in a cohesive fashion, we’re looking at a definitive run on the character, or at least an incredibly memorable Green Lantern series.
A Look Inside
