REVIEW: ‘Absolute Green Lantern’ Issue 6

Absolute Green Lantern Issue 6 is published by DC Comics, written by Al Ewing, art and colors by Jahnoy Lindsay, and letters by Lucas Gattoni.

Jo and Hal have breached the Green Lantern and discovered a new universe, with John Stewart still alive.

This series had needed expansion and movement for a while, and boy, does it expand in Absolute Green Lantern Issue 6. Through the giant Green Lantern symbol is a whole other world, with so many figures that we thought were obliterated by Abin Sur. It started to become clear, or at least suggested, what the truth was a few chapters ago, but the revelation is unexpected. To see a cross-legged John Stewart, wearing an all-yellow uniform, is a surprise. From here, more of the mythos starts to shine.

The spectrum of colors is an important factor, as it is in the main universe, but it is slightly altered. It becomes about layers of enlightenment, at least that’s how John explains it. Is anything, like an MLM, like Scientology, or any other form of creepy cult with levels of entrance. It’s not easy to understand, not even the main characters can really comprehend what’s going on. However, it feels overwhelming and contagious, and we’re left unsure whether this force is for good or ill.

As Absolute Green Lantern Issue 6 progresses, however, there is something else that starts to become clear and resonate. Actions have consequences, and energy always goes somewhere. Jo may decide to save her friend, but that leads to major problems that wash downstream and become dangerous. It’s not just her actions, as the death of Abin Sur has led to something dark. It makes the ending very exciting and engrossing.

Absolute Green Lantern Issue 6 reshuffles many famous characters. In the main universe, most of the good guys are Green Lanterns. Hal Jordan, Jo, Guy Gardner, John Stewart, and others have all worn the green ring. In this world, however, they’re spread across the spectrum. At its peak, John is yellow. He stands as something similar to a messiah, or at least a prophet. When he talks, like with Hal and others, there’s an ancient language there, too. There are bits of John still in there, but he speaks like someone converted, touched by this immense cosmic power.

Ewing really tries to explain what this new mythos is, and the basics are starting to make sense. However, the rules and names can be challenging to comprehend fully. That is where Jo shines. She doesn’t understand it either and gets pretty freaked out by it all. It sounds creepy and culty. Her blunt attitude grounds Absolute Green Lantern Issue 6 because she works on instinct and what feels right. Now, that isn’t always the right thing to do, but it gives a time and actual action to a comic that can feel so abstract, with so many concepts that are hard to grasp. Her desire to do anything to rescue her friends says a great deal about her personality.

The art has a lot of static conversation to try and work with, and Lindsay channels and tries to explain so much of this concept. The layers of light are succinctly captured on one page, using landscapes to denote the tone. This is also conveyed through facial expressions, which tell a significant part of the story. Hal looks angry and frightened. Guy looks pretty chilled out and restrained, Jo is bewildered, and John just looks serene. He is authoritative but welcoming. The detail of the faces within the light is fantastic.

One of the most prominent and recurring features in this series is the black liquid that originates from the Black Hand, which appears after Abin Sur’s death. It’s more solid than the light, an entirely different state of matter. It does like a river, but can also develop tendrils and intelligence. It’s like ink, oil, and shadows all at once.

The colors are not only stunning, but brilliantly categorized in Absolute Green Lantern Issue 6. There are only four colors included so far in this mythos (as opposed to the seven rainbow shades plus black and white in the main universe). Black, red, green, and yellow, and in that order. They no longer represent what they were before; instead, they stand as levels of enlightenment.

The brighter colors beautifully enshroud their users, with a terrific texture difference to each. Some are like flames, while others are seen like shadows. And for a few pages, as the characters speak, they appear on the page in that order. This is the best way of highlighting that hierarchy. The lettering avoids using different colored word balloons for each character, which makes it easier to read. The only exception is Hal’s, which highlights his distinctiveness and potential danger compared to the others.

Absolute Green Lantern Issue 6 creates a mesmerizing new mythos. There’s a new approach to how the colors work, and the initial explanation is fascinating. In the main universe, it can be envisioned as a sideways spectrum, whereas in the Absolute Universe, it seems more like vertical layers. The book is visually phenomenal, and the dialogue has great gravitas. But you can get to the end of the issue and still not really understand what’s going on, because the characters don’t either.

Absolute Green Lantern Issue 6 is available where comics are sold.