As they recount what it was that happened back in Evergreen. Hal Jordan & Sojourner ‘Jo’ Mullein try to figure out what exactly is setting off Hal Jordan’s Blackened Arm. Find out in the Pages of Absolute Green Lantern #2.
Absolute Green Lantern #2
Writer: Al Ewing
Art and Main Cover: Jahnoy Lindsay
Variant Covers: JULIET NNEKA, TAURIN CLARKE, JEFF SPOKES, RYAN BENJAMIN, ALEX ECKMAN-LAWN
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: May 7, 2025
This review contains spoilers
Absolute Green Lantern #2 picks up from where the first issue left off, Jo has been picked out as someone that exists at the Green Level of Light. Which to me is a completely revitalised interpretation of the Green Lantern mythos and I’m all for it. Though I do feel that writer Al Ewing has opted for the drip feed approach to this story.
That’s not to say that this is a bad thing. I just hope that in the midst of filling in the blanks from the previous issue, we don’t lose too much in the way of pacing and the action that we were treated to so well in the first issue.
Jo can’t explain to Hal the reason for her appearing like how ‘Abin Sur’ did back in Evergreen, washed with a Green Glow. Though she does stipulate that she was drawn to Hal’s location and upon seeing the destruction he caused during the end of the last issue, Jo begins to question what exactly the Blackened Arm has done. Hal tries to explain that he ‘willed’ with all his might, not to let the destruction happen but it didn’t seem to phase whatever it is that has taken hold of Hal’s arm. At this point I began to wonder, are we setting up the Fear element to the Green Lantern mythos? Could Hal Jordan be this world’s Sinestro?
A flashback scene happens next where we get the details on what it was that went on in Evergreen. The police have caused a blockade and are seen to be conversing with Abin Sur. Guy Gardener in this telling of Green Lantern is a Cop and one in a senior position at that. Residents of Evergreen have also congregated in the street to get a glimpse of the other worldly visitor.
Abin Sur begins a Judgement process. This is similar to that of the original mythos where the ring would go off and find a replacement for a fallen member of the corps and asses their Willpower. Though, this is a little more extreme, alright, I’d say this is actually a very extreme way of going through that process.
As Abin Sur starts the Judgements. Guy Gardner tries to find out the true reason for Abin Sur’s arrival on Earth. Abin Sur gives no clue to Guy here. With no clue as to why he is here, the police do what the police always seem to do when we see an Alien craft land in movies or TV. They get hostile and open fire. This then leads to the horrific slaughter of those in attendance at the landing site. I really liked the action sequence here and the use of the panels to imply a pretty horrific death. I really liked this creative touch and hadn’t seen it done before. Hats off to whichever creative made that call!
Once the situation had escalated, Hal finds himself with a gun pointed at Abin Sur, and the Judgement process begins on Hal. Though John Stewart steps forward and inserts himself between Abin Sur and Hal Jordan, begging him to rethink what it is he’s doing. This somewhat brave and fearless stunt then shifts the Judgement process from Hal Jordan to John Stewart. Abin Sur then tells John Stewart that he is operating at the Green Level of light, and flies away.
Fast forward a little time and Jo, John & Hal are at a diner recounting the scenes they’ve just seen been witness to and try to make sense of it. John Stewart then in the set up for the next issue, lets Jo and Hal know that he has an idea on how to deal with the Alien problem that they are currently living through.
Wrapping up, it’s great to finally have the next installment of the Absolute Green Lantern. The way in which Ewing is unfolding this story is gripping with the right amount of action to keep even the most adrenaline fuelled amongst us happy.
Upon the first read of Absolute Green Lantern #2, I did feel like it was going to be a slow one with holes being filled in, but a couple of turns of the page quickly changed my mind on that. There are still many holes that need to be filled in my eyes, but I must just remember to be patient and hopefully all my questions are answered in the issues to come. My biggest one so far though is, what’s happened to John Stewart?
Not touched on the art much in Absolute Green Lantern #2 as I was well and truly captivated by the story. It goes without saying though, that the art in this issue compliments everything that’s going on so well and helps tell the story too just as it should. The use of closeups in order to initiate flashback sequences and accentuate facial expression is lovely. Again the use of many different perspectives throughout the issue really add to the pacing of the Action Sequence flashback. The larger panels and full page art is beautiful as well giving Lindsay the chance to express himself and make his mark on another wonderful issue.
Absolutely cannot wait for the next issue, as I said, some questions answered, though many remain, but that’s what I love about it, the suspense is being built into something spectacular. Can’t wait to see how this arc unfolds.
