The Green Lantern franchise underwent perhaps the greatest shift in concept of any superhero comic from the Golden Age to the Silver Age. The first ring-bearer, Alan Scott, was inspired by the legend of Aladdin, with a magic lamp and magic ring. This gave way to the advanced technology of the Guardians of the Universe in keeping with the shift to a sci-fi focus that defined the Silver Age. The first issue of Absolute Green Lantern, conversely, restores a sense of mystery to the idea, forcing Hal Jordan to confront forces he does not understand.
The story opens on a desert highway, with Hal Jordan in a dazed and confused state. A collectibles dealer by trade, Hal doesn’t remember much, just meeting someone named Abin Sur and a voice telling him not to be afraid.
After an encounter with a highway patrol officer, Hal gets to a roadside diner. However, an emergency news broadcast raises more questions than answers. What happened in his hometown of Evergreen that the reporters were forced to stop covering? What happened to his friends John Stewart and Jo Mullein? And most importantly, why is Hal so scared of what’s on his hand?
Absolute Green Lantern is alien in the classic sense
Over the past century, the word ‘alien’ has come to be firmly associated with science fiction. However, the word used to refer to anything unfamiliar and disturbing. Alien beings could come from other dimensions just as easily as outer space. In this, Absolute Green Lantern #1 unexpectedly skews to the classic definition of alien.
Al Ewing‘s script for Absolute Green Lantern #1 evokes the spirit of H.P. Lovecraft. There is more horror than awe to the weird power that seems to have chosen Hal Jordan. The general tone is far closer to a Junji Ito manga than E. E. “Doc” Smith’s space opera.
This tone is captured explicitly by the artwork of Jahnoy Lindsay. There is a light sketchiness to the pencils which contrasts against the earthy tones of the color palette. This makes the sudden introduction of bright greens and solid linework as the unknown manifests feel powerful.
The only real flaw in Absolute Green Lantern #1 lies in its marketing. The story builds to a shocking twist that would be far more shocking if it weren’t telegraphed by most of the variant covers. Go in blind, however, and you may see the light and enjoy a new view on a classic concept.
Grade: 8/10
Absolute Green Lantern #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on April 2, 2025.
