Review: Green Lantern #1

The Green Light of Willpower continues to shine in the galaxy.

To counter the lukewarm debut of Red Lanterns, Green Lantern #1 hit shelves this week, launching the latest chapter in the history of the intergalactic police force.  Like a handful of other DCnU #1s, GL#1 picks up exactly where the final issue of the previous volume left off.  In the wake of War of the Green Lanterns, Hal Jordan has been stripped of his ring, Sinestro is reinstated as Lantern of Sector 1417, and Ganthet is still telling the Guardians where they can shove it. 

Hal is back on Earth, unsuccessfully readjusting to life as a normal human.  However, the hero in him refuses to go quietly, and after some failed heroics, he ends up in jail…again.  He then looks to Carol Ferris for help, but even after the passionate moments they shared in the recent past, Hal manages to screw things up with her...again.  Meanwhile, Sinestro, like the rest of the Corps, is pretty miffed that he once again has a green ring on his finger, and, for some reason, he can't get it off.  To make matters worse, he learns that his own band of miscreants, the Sinestro Corps, has defied his orders to protect his home planet of Korugar in his absence.  Instead, they are enslaving the population.  In a stunning display of pissed off brutality, Sinestro kills one of his own Corpsmen and promptly destroys the fleeing ring.  Back on Oa, Ganthet, the only Guardian with a pair, bitches out the other Smurfs for allowing Sinestro to keep his newly acquired ring.  They, in turn, make a vague statement about how they must all be "united in opinion and thought" for their "new mission."  These three unfolding storylines have already captured my attention (as Geoff Johns tends to do), and have me excited to see where it all goes.  The last page alone has me chomping at the bit for #2.

Geoff Johns continues his successful run as writer for Green Lantern, once again pairing with artist Doug Mahnke, who joined the GL creative team during Blackest Night.  Johns can do no wrong in my opinion.  That’s all I can really say about that.  Mahnke, who I only saw as “Ivan Reis’s replacement” for a while, has definitely grown on me since Blackest Night.  He has perfected the upward angle perspective shot, showcasing a pissed off Sinestro. 

Green Lantern #2 cannot come fast enough.  Will our favorite Guardian be forced to undergo some Oan reeducation?  How will Sinestro deal with his insubordinate Corps?  Where are the other Green Lanterns of Sector 1417?  And most important of all, what does the future hold for Hal Jordan?  With Green Lantern Corps #1 and Green Lantern: New Guardians #1 due in the next two weeks, we will certainly be getting more from the emerald space cops, but they will be hard-pressed to match the quality of Green Lantern #1.

Green Lantern Trailer Hits Theaters

The Green Lantern trailer hit the web on Tuesday, but it made it's debut in theaters Thursday night in front of Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows, Part 1.  Take a look.

From what they're showing, the film is shaping up to be a faithful telling of Hal Jordan's origin and exploits.  Viewers are treated to first looks at Corps members, Sinestro, Abin Sur, Kilowog, and Tomar Rae, Hal Jordan's friend, Tom Kalmaku, and the film's villain, Hector Hammond, imbued with the malevolent yellow power of Parallax.  Sharp-eyed fans may catch a goodie or two, such as the Star Sapphire symbol on the side of Carol Ferris's flight helmet, the inclusion of Hal's call sign, "Highball" on his locker, or quick flashes of Amanda Waller and Carl Ferris.

With the trailer now permeating the internet, there is no doubt that criticism about the CG GL uniform will begin.  It's not terrible, but it looks like they could give it at least one more pass with the effects wizardry at Sony Imageworks.  But if that's our final product, I can live with it.

In short, I'm an excited fan.  My favorite comic character is finally coming to the big screen and it looks like it'll be done right.

Green Lantern hits theaters on June 17th, 2011.

They Come From A Land Down Under

While Marvel continues to dangle potential casting calls in front of the fans, DC steps up and delivers some facts. 

Kiwi actors Taika Waititi and Temuera Morrison have joined the cast of Green Lantern, a film that is very dear to this fan's heart.  That's right folks, Jango Fett is in Green Lantern.  

According to SuperHeroHype.com, Waititi will be playing "the best friend of Hal Jordan."  Now, I'm no expert...... but based on that vague description, I can surmise that Waititi will be playing Tom "Pieface" Kalmaku, the Inuit engineer employed by Ferris Aircraft.  In the comics, he is a friend to Hal Jordan, and is one of the few people who knows that he is Green Lantern.  Not a crucial character, but at least the writers are including established faces from the GL mythos.

Temuera Morrison, however, has a much more pivotal role to play in the film.  He has been given the all-important task of passing the power ring onto Mr. Jordan.  That's right, fans!  Morrsion will play Abin Sur, Hal's doomed predecessor.  Can't wait to see the makeup job Morrison goes through to turn him into Space Sector 2814's previous lawman.

With shooting to begin this week in New Orleans, it looks like all the major players are set and ready to go.

Green Lantern is directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale, The Mask of Zorro) and is due in theaters on June 17, 2011.