Comic Book Review: the Green Lantern #2
/The second issue of the Green Lantern follows the trend of outrageous ideas and jaw-dropping artwork, expanding on the vision of Grant Morrison, Liam Sharp, and Steve Oliff. In fact, this issue plays with the expectations of readers, presenting an intense interrogation and the return of an old villain, and then promptly flipping the script.
The opening of this issue is amazing, going full-tilt into a very Morrison-like view of perception through sound. We’re taken through a pitch-black prison sprinkled with swirling colors, a haunting narration carrying the reader through. Morrison’s ability to manipulate prose is exceptional, using Rot Lop Fan as an introspective mouthpiece. And then, pandemonium in the deep.
Next we’re taken to Oa, a rendition that is as stunning as it is alien. Liam Sharp’s and Steve Oliff’s vision of the center of the universe is immaculate, immense and grand in scope, yet meticulously detailed. Their panel is one of the crowning achievements of this young series, and gives the idea of Oa as a vast alien precinct perfect form.
One of the best parts of this issue is that Hal is disgusted by the physical appearance of the spider pirate, but the pirate is even more disgusted with Hal’s humanoid form: Hal is sweaty, his confidence visibly overrun by nausea as he tries to glean answers on the case. The pirate is also visibly sickened, and tries desperately to keep from vomiting. It’s comical, and portrayed with aplomb by Sharp and Oliff.
Scenes with Evil Star, however, provide the real meat of this issue. His past sins are revealed to be horrendous, and just when the reader thinks he’s about to be put into a position to extinguish millions more the script is flipped. In fact, the scene where Hal finally speaks to Star is incredibly powerful, as we see the depths of Evil Star’s tar-black soul emerge.
This is a visually gorgeous book from start to finish: Liam Sharp’s take on alien architecture is vast and detailed at the same time, created a remarkable stage on which our main characters tread. Similarly alien and detailed are Morrison’s words, haunting and powerful. This second issue does not drop the ball, and keeps the momentum going from the nearly perfect first issue.
