Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » DC Comics » REVIEW: ‘Green Lantern: War Journal,’ Issue #1

REVIEW: ‘Green Lantern: War Journal,’ Issue #1

William TuckerBy William Tucker09/19/20234 Mins Read
Green Lantern: War Journal #1
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Green Lantern: War Journal #1 is published by DC Comics, written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, art by Montos, colors by Adriano Lucas, and letters by Dave Sharpe, spinning out of the pages of Green Lantern. John Stewart’s retirement is about to end due to threats from other Earths and universes.

Not exactly a fresh start, but the plot of this extensive space saga now has room to stretch its legs. And what it turns into is an insidious cosmic horror. After being vanquished by the John Stewart of one universe, the Revenant Queen has simply made her way into this one. The opening is frightening, displaying how the Queen’s power takes hold and what it can do after that. From there, the story returns to this universe’s John Stewart, at home with his aging mother and generally enjoying being at home. Concurrently, Guy Gardner has also entered the universe with the mission to find John. And with every passing page comes a growing sense of urgency,

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

With the introduction of each character comes a different element of fear, manipulating the current unknown quantity of the Green Lantern Corps to sow confusion. This issue balances its emotions beautifully. Really sad scenes have a poignant happiness to them that the issue can then turn into a frenzied horrific onslaught. Everything that comes from space in Green Lantern: War Journal #1 is sinister. The pacing for almost all of the book is exceptional, but the ending appeared just too soon. From the flow of the plot, it felt like there was going to be another scene, but instead, Johnson chose to end at the fastest and most frantic moment.

This issue may involve Earth, the same as the other Green Lantern issue, but it contains much more of the Green Lantern lore than just Hal Jordan. And what is amazing is how John Stewart is presented as even more powerful and important in this fight than Hal. It is John who is identified as the saviour against what the Revenant Queen is planning. By the end of the issue, the reasons become clear.

John’s humanity and kindness towards his mother is witnessed frequently, showing a softness to the old soldier. But he will also defend his family and his home to the hilt when it is encroached upon. And that is where those glimpses of his true, unmatched power are shown. The dialogue is purposefully repetitive at multiple moments in this issue, which makes the story even more tragic. The Radiant Dead are terrifying, ruled by an intensely chilling queen.

The art is sensational, able to beautifully blend normality with cosmic horror. The first scene is a frantic explosion of energy and chaos, and the panic of the moment is alarming. The effects of the Revenant Queen are phenomenally designed, ripping the flesh of those who make contact with her ring. What is left behind is haunting. Then, instantly, Earth is illustrated perfectly. John is living in almost complete isolation, a cabin out of the way of everything else, but that doesn’t seem to bother him. This serves as the baseline before anyone arrives, bringing the wonders and weirdness of space with them. The detail on every single panel, whether a kitchen or a space station, helps the book’s relationship with both life and death.

The colors are awesome. The vibrancy of the green that appears from Green Lantern rings and elsewhere is exceptionally striking, as is the purple of the Revenant Queen’s first examples of power. It presents the horror with as much detail and clarity as possible. The green actually has a brighter centre that darkens around the edges, adding dimension to constructs that can often lack depth. The lettering is flawless and easy to read from start to finish.

Green Lantern: War Journal #1 expands the story into something much bigger. With this tale starting as a backup story, it was compressed and unable to make strides. But now Johnson and the amazing art team have a whole book to try and pull John Stewart out of his hiatus. The book is intensely creepy and atmospheric, with the overriding feeling that something awful is about to happen. The respect given to John cements him as not just one of the greatest Green Lanterns ever but one of the greatest heroes in general. The book feels like the last moments of peace for John before bringing him into the action, and with that comes a somber tone.

Green Lantern: War Journal #1 is available where comics are sold.

Green Lantern: War Journal #1
4.5

TL;DR

Green Lantern: War Journal #1 expands the story into something much bigger. The book is intensely creepy and atmospheric, with the overriding feeling that something awful is about to happen. This feels like the last moments of peace for John before bringing him into the action.

  • Read Now on ComiXology with Our Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Wonder Woman,’ Issue #1
Next Article INTERVIEW: Zeno Robinson On Discovering Akira’s Voice For ‘Zom 100’
William Tucker

William is a screenwriter with a love of comics and movies. Once referred to Wuthering Heights as "the one with the Rabbits."

Related Posts

Absolute Batman Issue 12 cover

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Batman’ Issue 12

09/10/2025
Red Hood Issue 1 cover

REVIEW: ‘Red Hood’ Issue 1

09/10/2025
Cover of Absolute Green Lantern Issue 6

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Green Lantern’ Issue 6

09/03/2025
Cover of Absolute Superman Issue 11 that features an image of Brainiac

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Superman’ Issue 11

09/03/2025
Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 11

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Wonder Woman’ Issue 11

08/27/2025
Justice League Unlimited Issue 10

REVIEW: ‘Justice League Unlimited’ Issue 10

08/27/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Gojo Jujutsu Kaisen - But Why Tho (2) Features

Everything To Know About Satoru Gojo

By Kate Sánchez09/07/2023Updated:02/16/2025

Satoru Gojo is the heart of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 — now, heading into Cour 2, here is everything you need to know about the character.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here