Review: Green Lantern #1

Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Doug Mahnke

Based from the past interviews and statements from DC, only the Batman and Green Lantern books are left unchanged in "The New 52." As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

This first issue is a direct continuation of Johns' recent "Green Lantern" run. The status quo is all the same. It really feels like it should have been "Green Lantern" #68, but instead we get a #1 issue with a fresh start from all the chaotic madness from the recent stories.

The issue starts where "Green Lantern" #67 left off. Sinestro is in Oa's citadel with the Guardians, trying to persuade the blue people to get rid of his green ring. Now, new readers may be confused as to why Sinestro is wearing the green ring, and not Hal Jordan. But thanks to the recent live-action movie, that might not come as a surprise.

Hal Jordan takes a backseat, with him dealing with all his human problems (and Carol Ferris) while he was away doing his Green Lantern duties. Johns explores the human side of Hal, and I think that's a plus. It's been a long time since we've seen Hal Jordan be Hal Jordan. He is now broke, down on his rent, doesn't have a job and a car. Johns even uses Carol Ferris as a plot device to further accentuate that Hal is nothing without his ring.

It's nice to see Doug Mahnke's art again. He draws some pretty good aliens that really look like aliens, with scary pointy teeth! In the scene where Hal was in jail, I already felt that Hal Jordan misses his ring just by looking at the art of Mahnke.

Those familiar with Geoff Johns' writing style definitely knows he writes for the big picture. He has already planted the seeds through different subplots here, and we can expect to see them in the coming issues. That said, the issue feels more like an epilogue that sets up things for another Green Lantern event in the future.

Rating: 3/5