With Rebirth, DC Comics is taking their dual Green Lantern storylines in different directions. On one path, you have Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps. This bi-weekly comic travels into the deep recesses of space, pitting the Green Lantern Corps versus the Sinestro Corps. On the other, the Green Lantern storyline is continued on Earth with two new rookie Lanterns.
The latter plotline begins in Green Lanterns Rebirth #1.
Far off in space, a guardian is being chased by hideous creatures. The guardian carries a box filled with a mysterious ring of untold power. In a fit of desperation, he opens the box and a power is unleashed – an energy so powerful, it will be coveted by both good and evil. A turn of the page moves readers from this deep space setting to Dearborn, Michigan. There, Simon Biaz is dealing with the remains of fear and judgement spray painted on his sister’s house. Two and half pages later, we travel to Portland, Oregon. There, Jessica Cruz (our second rookie Lantern) is trying to revive her life when she’s called by ring and taken to Arizona where she runs into Biaz. There, the two Green Lanterns are tested by one of the galaxy’s finest – Hal Jordan.
The infusion of Hal Jordan and his work with the rookies gives Green Lanterns Rebirth #1 a solid push in the right direction. Jordan is the quintessential Green Lantern. He’s the most well-known Earthling to ever brandish the green ring. In Green Lanterns Rebirth #1, Jordan plays the role of mentor. And in doing so, not only does he bring the two Green Lanterns together, his appearance gives the comic a certain credibility.
Green Lanterns Rebirth #1 is written by Geoff Johns and Sam Humphries. Johns is a titan in the comic book industry. Coupled with the fact he’s now essentially heading the DC Cinematic Universe, Johns is a welcomed addition to this Rebirth comic.
Yet, even with Johns, the one drawback from the comic is the relationship between Biaz and Cruz. It’s too obviously combative. Sure, that leads to conflict which leads to interesting storylines, but it’s pretty predictable. There’s the overconfident Biaz thinking he is the only Green Lantern for Earth. Then, on the flip side, Cruz has self-esteem issues, and questions her worth as a Green Lantern. These characters fit too tightly in stereotypical boxes. Perhaps that will change as the storyline progresses. But for right now, it holds the story back.
Green Lanterns Rebirth #1 was illustrated by another team – Ethan Van Sciver and Ed Benes. The artwork is one of comic’s highlights. .
As the final panels of this comic conclude, the narrator is revealed and he’s as menacing as one would hope. Times will be rocky for our Green Lanterns of Sector 2814. As set up in Green Lanterns Rebirth #1, they’ll have to work together in order to survive.
