REVIEW: ‘Green Lantern’ Issue 20

Green Lantern Issue 20 is published by DC Comics. Written by Jeremy Adams, art by Jack Herbert, colors by Romulo Fajardo Jr and letters by Dave Sharpe.

As Hal Jordan investigates an explosion of emotions, Kyler Rayner and his team reach the very edge of the universe.

The plot melds together a spectacular mixture of tones split between the stories. Hal faces a brutal enemy in a location that has been turned into a slaughter. It’s just one example of the carnage caused by the fractured emotional spectrum across the universe. It’s a fast-paced story that only gets darker and more negative as Green Lantern Issue 20 progresses. Whilst intergalactic and incredibly alien, there is a sadness to the story with severe consequences.

At the Source Wall is Kyle, Superboy, and Odyssey, a young team there to perform a heist, retrieving an item that makes a Central Power Battery. This side of the book has a real sense of energy and adventure. It’s fun, flirty and boisterous. These two sides of the plot are perfectly balanced. One is dark and tinged with sadness; the other is much happier. They are also connected, not just going off in their own direction without any connection.

The threat that is coming is affecting the very fabric of the cosmos. And whilst this is still early doors, there are signs of the damage that can be done. The positivity and sense of satisfaction on Kyle’s side of the plot are suddenly shattered once they escape because someone has been waiting for them.

The two sides of Green Lantern Issue 20 have very different chemistry. Hal is alone, except for a maddened alien overtaken by rage. This alien is given a long backstory that explains to the reader what has happened while keeping it a secret from the protagonist. The Lantern never finds the complete truth, and the story ends too soon for Hal Jordan to get an answer. That is part of the tragedy within this chapter.

As for Kyle and his crew, they bounce off each other. They are all silly but lovable buffoons, showing off their skills and powers and having a fun time whilst they raid the Source Wall. It’s one big reference to a certain treasure-hunting archaeologist. The emotional difference in their dialogue and Hal’s captions are not jarring at all, fluctuating brilliantly and staying true to the characters.

The art also understands the assignment of contrasting emotions in the parallel plots. The heavy sci-fi part of Hal’s encounter in the alien village is impossible to avoid. But the horror illustrated by Herbert can still stir a shocked response. It’s a grizzly scene shown with complete honesty, openly revealing what a once innocent man has just done. The alien was a blacksmith, using hammers as his weapons to attack Hal. Overtaken with rage, he can’t help but lash out with frenzied barbarism. It’s always fun to see Hal craft energy constructs. He is one of the more creative Lanterns, displayed in Green Lantern Issue 20.

As for Kyle, Conner, and Odyssey, calm confidence replaces frantic fights. They break into a temple filled with traps and mysteries. Even at the very edge of the universe, the temple looks ancient and meticulously built to lure people into their death. There is terrific energy on both sides of Green Lantern Issue 20, keeping the pace fast and constantly moving all the characters forward. The only time the momentum slows is to focus on a punchline or to mourn.

The colors are yet again at the heart of the comic. The rainbow of colors correlates with an emotion in Green Lantern comics, so specific shades cause instant recognition and reaction. Green is a comfort blanket, embodied by every green Lantern, and represents the willpower of the heroes. But red means rage, often leading to a battle against something furious and snarling. Out of all of the heroes, Green Lantern is the one that needs to be in color most, as it affects the entire mythos of the character. Sharpe has provided the lettering for the entire run and has been consistently perfect.

Green Lantern Issue 20 explores the furthest reaches of the universe. Telling two stories simultaneously shows just how fractured and temperamental the cosmos now are. Any burst of extreme emotion can lead to devastation and destruction. Both stories are exciting and satisfying, looking complete by the end of this single issue. The variety in tone fits the mixing bowl of emotions that now represents the fabric of the DC Universe. Even the happy-go-lucky adventure filled with glorious smiles and thrills ends with a sensation of dread and sorrow.

Green Lantern Issue 20 is available where comics are sold.