New 52 Review – “Green Lantern Corps #1”

This series, as with its previous incarnation, focusses mainly on the “other” Green Lanterns from around the Universe.

General Information

Title: Green Lantern Corps #1

Author: Peter J. Tomasi

Illustrator(s): Fernando Pasarin (art), Scott Hanna (inks) and Gabe Eltaeb (colours)

Cover Date: November 2011

Cover Price: $2.99

Buy the digital edition.

Premise

Guy and John have never used secret identities, and it makes it hard to live a normal life. Before they can even decide if they want their lives to be normal, they are called upon to investigate the murders of four Green Lanterns from sector 3599.

High Point

Guy: “Perfect timing, ’cause now ya got me and Johnny to lead ’em into the hot spot. We’re here to make your life easier, Sally.”
Salaak: “It never seems to work out that way.”

Low Point

It strikes me as being unlike Guy not to be hitting on the interviewer.

The Scores

This doesn’t feel terribly original for a relaunch. It seems to have the same tone and mandate as the previous series. This is certainly not a bad thing by any means, but it feels more like “the next issue” than a new #1, aside from the very natural scenes recapping exactly what the Green Lantern Corps is all abou to make it new reader friendly. I give it 3 out of 6.

The artwork is excellent. Clear characters, actual human proportions on the humans, and some very alien aliens contribute nicely to the book. I give it 5 out of 6.

The story is off to a great start. It’s a worthy space borne foe, and the first introductions of Guy and John naturally introduce new readers to the world while revealing just as much about the characters. I give it 6 out of 6.

The characterization of our two human leads is excellent, with a very efficient setup. The supporting cast have too little time on the page to be well established at this page, but given Tomasi’s history, that’ll probably change quickly in the next few issues. Even so, they are introduced so close to the end in this issue that they don’t feel like they lack any character. I give it 5 out of 6.

The emotional response is excellent. Green Lantern has always been my favorite DC character. (Specifically, the as yet unseen Kyle Rayner takes the top spot, followed closely by others in the Corps.) This series delivers exactly what I love about the property. I give it 6 out of 6.

The flow works well. Pasarin isn’t new to the Corps either, and the team know how to work with these characters and move the story from point to point. I give it 6 out of 6.

Overall, it’s another strong first issue, and probably a better introduction to this corner of the DCU for new readers than the Green Lantern title itself. This is the space cop book I’ve always wanted the property to be. I give it 6 out of 6.

In total, Green Lantern Corps #1 receives 37 out of 42.

The New 52

Here are handy links for the reviews of all 52 new #1 issues:

  1. Action Comics
  2. All-Star Western
  3. Animal Man
  4. Aquaman
  5. Batgirl
  6. Batman
  7. Batman and Robin
  8. Batman: The Dark Knight
  9. Batwing
  10. Batwoman
  11. Birds of Prey
  12. Blackhawks
  13. Blue Beetle
  14. Captain Atom
  15. Catwoman
  16. DC Universe Presents
  17. Deathstroke
  18. Demon Knights
  19. Detective Comics
  20. The Flash
  21. Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.
  22. The Fury of Firestorm
  23. Green Arrow
  24. Green Lantern
  25. Green Lantern Corps
  26. Green Lantern: New Guardians
  27. Grifter
  28. Hawk and Dove
  29. I, Vampire
  30. Justice League
  31. Justice League Dark
  32. Justice League International
  33. Legion Lost
  34. Legion of Super-Heroes
  35. Men of War
  36. Mister Terrific
  37. Nightwing
  38. O.M.A.C.
  39. Red Hood and the Outlaws
  40. Red Lanterns
  41. Resurrection Man
  42. The Savage Hawkman
  43. Static Shock
  44. Stormwatch
  45. Suicide Squad
  46. Superboy
  47. Supergirl
  48. Superman
  49. Swamp Thing
  50. Teen Titans
  51. Voodoo
  52. Wonder Woman