Led by Rafa Sandoval, Sergio Davila, and Jordi Tarragona’s fantastic art, Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps put their plan into action with a little help from Hector Hammond and a certain Corps leader with an engineering degree. But, was it enough to stop the Darkstars?
Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #49
WRITTEN BY: Robert Venditti
PENCILS BY: Rafa Sandoval and Sergio Davila
INKS: Jordi Tarragona
COLORS: Tomeu Morey
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
HAL AND PALS SPOILERS TOO!
Summary
John’s two-fold plan pays off! Hal and Hector Hammond break the Darkstars psionic link while John manages to somehow stop their teleporting abilities. Leaving the Darkstars vulnerable for a platoon of Green Lanterns, the issue ends with the showdown between the Darkstars and the Green Lantern Corps. Who’s going to win? If I were a betting man, I’d say Hal and Pals.
The Art
By far, the best part of this issue was the fantastic art by Sandoval, Davila, and Tarragona. They are just so dang good at drawing action, fight scenes, and epic battles. The detail these three put into each character, including the background and images far in the distance, is so impressive. Heck, looking at the hulking size of Arkillo standing over the other lanterns or the way they use Morey’s colors to help show the Darkstars teleportation are just two of the many examples of how talented this art team is when working together. I would love to see this art team together after this series ends.
The Meh
Venditti gave readers roughly 17 pages of “stuff” in it, and 4 of the pages were spent recapping the story to this point. Honestly, the last issue ended with readers knowing that Hammond was going to uses his “God Brain” to break the Controllers link to the Darkstars. So, technically if we include the pages that involve Hammond breaking the link, half of Venditti‘s issue is gone, and readers aren’t any further than the last issue.
Next problem, how does John nullify the Darkstars teleportation? All the readers are told is John made something to do it. Readers need more than that Venditti. The biggest solution to this fight took place off-panel, and that’s unacceptable. We need to know where this plan came from and why it works. Venditti‘s writing here felt like he’s moved on to other pastures by this point and it really seems out of character for him.
I know artists and writers work ahead. Maybe Venditti was chugging along until #48, and that’s when he was told the book was ending? So, he had to wrap this bad boy up quick. Who knows?
Should you buy this issue?
I was very unhappy with this issue. I know the series is ending, but this felt like a wasted issue. We got about nine new pages of stuff that readers knew was going to happen anyway. The art was the biggest saving grace. Just looking at this issue alone, I wouldn’t get it. However, if you’ve been reading and collecting since it started, you don’t have much of a choice.
Should you add this to your pull list?
Not anymore. It’s going to be over next issue. So, you either already have it on your pull list or you don’t. Don’t add it now. But, I would keep it on your pull list if you’ve already had it on for one last ride.
What did you guys think of HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #49? Comment below or hit me up on Twitter @dispatchdcu
