Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100 Page Super Spectacular is published by DC Comics, written by James Tynion IV, Peter J. Tomasi, Geoff Johns, Charlotte (Fullerton) McDuffie, Chriscross, Cullen Bunn, Robert Venditti, Denis O’Neil, Marino Tamaki, Ron Marz, and Sina Grace, with art by Gary Frank, Fernando Pasarin, Ivan Reis, Doug Mahnke, Rafa Sandoval, Mike Grell, Mirka Andolfo, Darryl Banks and Ramon Villalobos, inks by Wade Von Grawbadger, Oclair Albert and Jordi Tarragona, and colors by Steve Oliff, Gabe Eltaeb, Alex Sinclair, Luis Guerrero, David Baron, Ivan Plascencia, Lovern Kindzierski, Arif Prianto, Hi-Fi, and Rico Renzi, letters by Tom Napolitano, Rob Leigh, Steve Wands, Carlos M. Mangual, Dave Sharpe, Clem Robbins, Gabriela Downie, Josh Reed, and AndWorld Design.
While Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100 Page Super Spectacular shares the same naming convention as previous DC 80th Anniversary issue’s I’ve reviewed (see Joker, Catwoman) this book feels significantly different than those other tributes to some of comics most enduring characters. This is for an obvious reason. Green Lantern is not one single individual. Since it is a title carried by many, this book looks to shine a light on many of the characters that have born the mantle. And while the vast majority of the book focuses on the humans who bare the name, it does take a few moments to look at some of the others who have too. Such as everyone’s favorite interplanetary drill instructor, and the Lantern who fell from grace.
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The stories told throughout Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100 Page Super Spectacular cover events past, present, and future for our titular heroes. Each story does a great job of driving home the focus of its character. Whether it be Kyle Rayner’s role as the “torchbearer” of the Corps, Jessica Cruz’s struggle with anxiety, or Simon Baz’s frustration with racism and prejudice aimed against himself and others, each story doesn’t shy away from its point. And while these solo stories are all wonderful dives into their characters, my favorite piece in Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100 Page Super Spectacular’s anthology is a story simply titled “Four”.
In this peek into the future we see that Kyle, Hal, John, and Guy have taken up the habit of getting together at a particular bar every year to reunite, share stories, and just be with those they have fought beside. It was a touching story for me. Venditti does a great job writing these characters. It flows smoothly, with the natural feeling of familiarity you would expect of this group. Gentle ribbing and tearful moments are given homage as these men reminisce about days gone by.
The visual presentation for Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100 Page Super Spectacular is top-notch. With lots of different art styles, each complimenting its stories well. The colors are vibrant, with the expected emphasis on green throughout these stories. The lettering also does its job well. All the stories flow smoothly and play harmoniously with the rest of the visuals.
Another area where Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100 Page Super Spectacular diverges from the previous 80ths that DC has released is in its extra insert images. Rather than highlight iconic covers from through the years, this book features the original art of numerous Lanterns. From Alan Scott, all the way to new Lantern Mullein, these pinup style images all look great.
Wrapping up this package is a plethora of Green Lantern files giving backgrounds on numerous corps members from across the universe. Some of these were members I’d forgotten long ago, while others were completely new to me. It’s always great to see just how varied the design of the many life forms that make up the Green Lanterns can be.
Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100 Page Super Spectacular is a true celebration of its characters and their history. No matter what era of their stories you came in at, whether it be the golden age with Alan Scott, the nineties with Kyle Rayner, or even if your first encounter was with John Stewart on the old Justice League cartoon show, there is a space in this anthology you will appreciate. And that’s pretty impressive, given just how many lanterns there are keeping the DC Universe bright.
Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100 Page Super Spectacular is available June 23rd wherever comics are sold.
’Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100 Page Super Spectacular’
TL;DR
Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100 Page Super Spectacular is a true celebration of its characters and their history. No matter what era of their stories you came in at, whether it be the golden age with Alan Scott, the nineties with Kyle Rayner, or even if your first encounter was with John Stewart on the old Justice League cartoon show, there is a space in this anthology you will appreciate. And that’s pretty impressive, given just how many lanterns there are keeping the DC Universe bright.
