REVIEW: ‘Absolute Green Lantern’ Issue 5

Absolute Green Lantern Issue 5 is published by DC Comics and written by Al Ewing, with art and colors by Jahnoy Lindsay, and letters by Lucas Gattoni.

The Green Lantern and the Black Hand fight to the death as a nefarious figure watches from afar.

This issue is pushing the fight to its extreme. Jo and Hal are freezing the zenith of their respective abilities, unleashing the celestial powers that have taken them over. This is the central part of Absolute Green Lantern Issue 5. But there are other elements starting to creep in. Hector Hammond is watching, waiting to pick up the scraps like a seagull. There’s a sickly, horror feeling to the coming already due to how disturbing Hal is, but the main concern is around what Hammond has in store.

Ewing’s structure around the storytelling had been fascinating. The comic jumps to the past to again show what happens to Abin Sur, the alien responsible for so much destruction and chaos. But this time, the tables have turned in the wake of destruction. It’s frightening, horrific, and pitch black in tone. But as much as there is excitement and audience, there are parts of Absolute Green Lantern Issue 5 that can feel tedious and repetitive.

This is a continuation of the same confrontation in the same town with the same two people, and it can be tiresome. There are new revelations and progressions, but the pacing is slow. The ending breaks that with a sudden change that opens up a brand new part of the universe.

The characters are intriguing because while there’s still not much known about them, their personalities are clear. It’s not just the characters themselves in Absolute Green Lantern Issue 5, but what’s within them as well. Especially Hal. As the comic progresses, it becomes clearer that there’s another being inside him, talking through him. That voice is sinister and haunting, dark and menacing. It means that even as these old friends speak, there are these ancient and celestial forces using them as vessels.

With Jo, the ring is becoming an important theme. Not just because of its connection to the Green Lantern mythos, but also because of what it symbolizes. Ewing makes sure we can gather a lot of information and subtext from little, showing the strength of the dialogue when it’s at its best.

The art remains glorious, even if the location is starting to feel stale. The fight itself still looks fantastic, always transforming and escalating into something bigger and more dangerous. Jo is glowing, but Hal is morphing. He’s turning into something, evolving and losing the last human parts of himself.

It’s frightening and unsettling. And as this happens, it’s brilliant to see the effect it has on the world around them. Hector Hammond is suave but insidious, and he watches with a giddy fascination. As the battle reaches its crescendo, something that has been in the town the whole time starts to move. And Lindsay captures the sense of cosmic power perfectly.

The colors are phenomenal. Jo is encased in the green light that looks like flickering flames. The effects of the Lantern light in Absolute Green Lantern Issue 5 is closer to Alan Scott’s in the main universe, rather than any light from Oa. It’s also translucent, which contrasts with Hal. Hal is being impressed in a solid black substance, utterly devoid of color or light. This makes the time even darker. The lettering is fantastic. Hal’s word balloon adds a vicious tone, trying as hard as possible to highlight its danger to the reader.

Absolute Green Lantern Issue 5 is caught between being stuck and moving on. It is reaching that point where new elements are landing around the town. The outside influences are intriguing, and the mythical parts of the comic are mesmerizing. More is being found out about the universe and the characters, but it’s taking its time. The fact that one fight has taken five issues is a little tiresome, uncommon, but in this Western format. It’s found more and works more effectively in manga. Hopefully, the end of the issue signals a shift forward.

Absolute Green Lantern Issue 5 is available where comics are sold.