Sinestro is dead. So too is Hal Jordan. This is the aftermath of Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps first Rebirth storyline Sinestro’s Law. But with any good comic series, heroes and villains can always return from the afterlife. This is one of the storylines from Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps second story arc titled, Bottled Light. Bottled Light occurs in issues 8 through 12 and begins with the end of Sinestro’s reign and the beginnings of an unprecedented new alliance between the green and yellow, the Green Lantern Corps and the Sinestro Corps. Handshaking on an unlikely truce, the two teams fly off to save an ailing planet but are really falling into a trap – one set by DC classic otherworldly villain, Brainiac.
All the while, on the other side of the galaxy, there is a search going on for Hal Jordan. He is in the netherworld, surrounded by all the past Green Lanterns. It’s peaceful. There’s nice company. But he is still needed and can only be found in the afterlife by none other than the White Lantern, Kyle Rayner.
Penned by Robert Venditti, Bottled Light is a solid follow up to Sinestro’s Law. However, coming off the heels of such an excellent opening story arc, Bottled Light has a hard time keeping the pace started by Sinestro’s Law (see my review for more). While the action is intense and the storyline following the reconnection with Hal Jordan is interesting, Bottled Light has lost a slight step. Now, in storylines as in life, there is always an ebb and flow. Not everything can be off-the-charts at all times.
This is one of those times.
That being said, Bottled Light does a good job not only progressing the storyline, but also ties back into the Green Lantern fold one Kyle Rayner. He is a welcome addition to the plot as is Brainiac. In fact, the use of Brainiac gives the storyline a certain grounding. It brings forth another well-known nemesis, one that both casual and diehard fans can both recognize and enjoy.
Artists Ethan Van Sciver, Rafa Sandoval, and Ed Benes add their illustrating touches to Bottled Light. For personal preference, using multiple artists can be a distraction for one story arc. One artist offers more continuity. While there wasn’t a cataclysmic issue with the illustrations in Bottled Light, moving between artists in a five issue mini-series does have an impact on the reader’s enjoyment. You may prefer one artist over another. For this reviewer, Rafa Sandoval works best. His action sequences are terrific – well laid out and explosive. And his hero shots have a definite iconic flair.
So, is Bottled Light worth picking up? Yes. It is not only a worthwhile storyline but also one that, should you be enjoying Venditti’s tenure with Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps, progresses this new Rebirth era. It also brings in a few intriguing questions pertaining to the reintroduction of Kyle Raynor and a certain search for hope.
But that will be a discussion for the next Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps story arc.
