Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #28

Writer: Robert Venditti

Artist: Rafa Sandoval

Inker: Jordi Tarragona

Colourist: Tomeu Morey

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

This is the kind of issue that I'd love to see more of. A kind of issue that just pleases me with its simple storytelling coupled with its great execution.

I've been praising Robert Venditti lately, especially with the conclusion of the last arc, but here he reaches levels of emotion he hasn't necessarily tapped into. He delves into Hal Jordan, which by now is something we've all come to know and act tired of, but this is truly the first time in the series that Venditti focuses strictly on Hal's past and the event that lead to Hal becoming the man he is. Of course, I'm being coy, as I don't want to spoil anything since it was a pleasant surprise to me.

What this issue best functions as is a break in the action, since the past two issues have been bombastically paced. Here the name of the game is simple character work, which works really well with the nice premise of the issue; Hal must catch up to Lightray, the speedster of the New Gods, and must find a way to do it. It feels connected to the overall Orion/New Gods story but also strikingly separate from it, making it feel like a standalone story.

What truly elevates this issue is also the art. Rafa Sandoval has been delivering some of the best art of his career in this arc, but the simple character moments between Hal and this figure from his past, as well as between Lightray and Highfather, are brought to live with great shading and excellent expressions. And of course, this is all accentuated with the great work by inker Jordi Tarragona and colourist Tomeu Morey.

Get this issue. It doesn't matter if you've been reading this series; just pick it up. It mostly explains what's been happening. If you're any kind of Green Lantern fan, you'll enjoy it. The art is stunning and the story is great.