Green Lantern Volume 3 The End Review

With the Guardians of the Universe having unleased their Third Army like a plague across the cosmos, two of the greatest lanterns Hal Jordan and Sinestro have disappeared. Their power ring has gone in search of a new recruit, the wrongly accused Simon Baz. This newcomer has joined the Corps in a time of great turmoil. He seeks to clear his own name and discovers was happened to the ring’s former wielders Hal and Sinestro as the Third Army rages across the galaxy. The third and final volume by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke in their 2011 Green Lantern series, collects Green Lantern #0 and 13-20.

The Green Lantern series is hands down one of the best DC comics series in publication, in 2005 writer Geoff Johns launched the series, having resurrected fan favourite and most popular Green Lantern Corps members Hal Jordan, making him once again the greatest Green Lantern and turning the series into the epic space opera it is today.

Rise of the Third Army is crossover event across several Green Lantern related titles. The collection opens with issue #0 “The New Normal” released after Green Lantern Annual #1 in which the epilogue of the story depicts the beginning of the Third Army. Issue #0 tells the origin of latest lantern recruit Simon Baz, growing up he faced much percussion after the events of 9-11 due to this ethnicity. In his adult years he lost his job during the financial crisis and later got involved with street racing and car theft. One night he had stolen a van which he soon discovered was carrying a bomb, he drove to van to an abandoned location to avoid civilian casualties. His heroic deed was short lived as Simon was taken in by the FBI as a terrorist suspect. While most of the other zero issues are serving to reflect on the past of its titular characters, Green Lantern #0 is instead looked to the future. Introducing fans to the mysterious new Green Lantern of earth in a modern socio-political climate. He becomes the latest recruit of the ring, inadvertently escaping imprisonment much to the attention of the Government and Justice League. On the run and wanting to clear his name and find those responsible, it’s a modern political thriller told within within the pages of a comic about a cosmic police force becomes an engrossing thriller. It makes for a great and diverse story arc. The zombie like plague continues without much interference to Simon Baz’s own story,all the while getting a little teases at a time to the fate of missing Sinestro and Hal Jordan, somehow having survived their ordeal since we saw them last. With the conclusion of the first story arc, the Simon Baz story makes for a refreshing and fantastic debut story that’s intense, compelling and at times emotive and funny. 

The second arc of the book and crossover event; Wrath of the First Lantern, with the Guardians misplaying their hand, the mysterious entity has escaped his prison and wishes to rewrite the history of the Universe. While the story to this point has had its newest Green Lantern as the lead, the mystery of Hal Jordan and Sinestro is about to be uncovered since their disappearance at the end of Green Lantern Volume 2 Revenge of Black Hand, they retake the spotlight as the main characters for this final chapter of John’s Green Lantern story. Issue #20 marks the conclusion of the arc and as well as the final issue of the series writer Geoff Johns nine year run on the title. The 64 page special final issue packs a lot for this big story making it a thrilling and epic, a satisfying end to his Green Lantern saga. An instant classic, bringing his whole run full circle with epic moments. The finale of his run is one of the best comics you will ever read, it embodies so much that made John’s run so memorable, acting as a love letter to long-time fans of the series. 

One of the most exciting aspects of this final issue is how it’s presented, the framing device of the Bookkeeper of Oa telling the story to of Hal Jordan a young new recruit. Chronicling Jordan’s time as a member of the Green Lantern Corps before the story returns to the main narrative. This look back reminds us of the stellar nine year run of John’s time on the title. A lot happens in this final issue with the current conflict with some surprises and ends in a fantastic way. When most creative teams pass the torch on a series they set up a tease for the new team to take on, Johns end his differently and in a vastly more satisfying way. Rarely in comic series do we get a definitive ending, but it feels right since this writer has had such immense run on Green Lantern creating many new characters for the mythos. He gives each of main characters an eventual fate and it’s great to see and gives the title that necessary to allow the book to end with a special quality. With all corps of the emotional spectrum on the front line for the final battle, the reader’s emotions are very much at the forefront of this amazing and unforgettable story. The final issue is one part final battle against the First Lantern while the latter gives the series its big finale send off to an epic series. The collection includes a special retrospective on Geoff Johns’ run on Green Lantern, it all gives for a strong sense of closure to Johns’ epic saga.

Sinestro’s complicated backstory is put to good use and there are solid character moments for both he and Hal in the amazing final issue as the story reaches its conclusion. Johns’ run on Green Lantern was as much about Hal Jordan as it is about his arch nemesis, Sinestro. Their relationship became more fascinating in it’s the final chapter. During the events of the story the two understood each other like never before that produces a very poignant moment as a perfect endnote to one of the most complex relationships between the hero and a villain in comics.

Artist Doug Mahnke carries out brilliant art throughout the book. His costume design of Green Lantern Simon Baz has a real standout quality to it. The excellent art carries throughout the story with many excellent moments. Early on I particularly liked the scenes in where Simon Baz’s ring erupts with energy as Sinestro and Hal Jordan’s message tries to free itself form the ring. The imagery of their heads wrapped around heads is amazing. Mahnke does solid work in the book while artists Ardian Syaf and Szymon Kudranski take over for two issues with the latter doing a great segment in the dark of the Dead Zone. His dark monochromatic art style is fantastic and if you’ve read Penguin Pain and Prejudice you’ll know what I mean. Overall the art is excellent with a few guest artists on the special finale issue.

I was initially concerned with that the collection featured two crossover stories that can make for an incomplete story. Thankfully there was only one instance where that was felt and it was minor so it doesn’t affect the enjoyment of the stories. For a book consisting of two crossovers, very little is missed. The final run by John’s is excellent is what long-time fans of his series would be extremely happy with. The introduction of a new Green Lantern whilst tying up and bring a conclusion to many elements of his amazing nine year tenure on this revolutionary series. All great things come to an end and the finale of this series is a great conclusion that could have been hoped for, an epic hit. After nearly a decade, Geoff Johns bids farewell to the character and concept he redefined for a new generation, creating one of the definitive superhero sagas of this era. 

The End is an apt title for the collection, providing a conclusion to nine years’ worth of storytelling and redefining Green Lantern for this decade. Johns’ final chapter created the newest human recruit and while giving a satisfying end to all of the major characters that existed in his Green Lantern universe. The series still continues with a new creative team, although what Johns gave us seemed like a series finale of the series that he redefined for years to come. Johns ends his Green Lantern masterpiece with a stellar blockbuster. Amazing, after a nine year run, comprising over one hundred issues, he had taken a somewhat cheesy character and turned it into one of the most consistently thrilling, compelling and outright enjoyable heroes in comics. He made Hal Jordan one of the greatest heroes in comics and along the way writer Geoff Johns became a hero to all Green Lantern and comic book fans.

My Collection: DC Universe Classics Wave 20 Green Lantern All Star Action Figure Review.

When I first saw this figure a few years ago I thought it was really cool. At the time I wasn’t a big Green Lantern but in the last two years I become more and more a Hal Jordan fan. It was Justice League books that I had gotten me more and more interested in Hal Jordan as a Green Lantern, especially the New 52 Justice League series. Hal Jordan is one to the most important characters in the DC Universe. Possibly like most people I was introduced to the Green Lanterns thorough the Justice League animated series. In the series John Stewart was earth’s Green Lantern. The stern straight laced militaristic Stewart did not instantly appeal to me. It wasn’t until I was first discovered Hal Jordan in the DC Animated Original Movie - Green Lantern: First Flight and later animated movies where I became more liking of the character. I really enjoyed the 2011 live action movie which I thought was great fun and gave another great introduction of the character and his universe. I hugely enjoyed the complex and the complex and dynamic relationship with Thaal Sinestro and along with the animated series which was great also, I felt like I got to know enough about the character and his surroundings to get into the books. 

Hal Jordan as Green Lantern became a growing favorite and his characterization in Geoff John's New 52 Justice League series really won me over and I began getting into the best of the pre-New 52 Green Lantern graphic novels from the 2005 series also by Johns. His departure from the team in the Villain’s Journey story arc and the how big a role the character played in Justice graphic novel by Jim Kruger and Alex Ross really influenced me to start getting into his books. Starting with Green Lantern:Secret Origin, the updated origin story which covered familiar ground and later got into John’s big Green Lantern trilogy; Rebirth, The Sinestro Corps War and Blackest Night miniseries. I'm currently reading and enjoying the continuation of Geoff John's run on Green Lantern of as part of the New 52.

Hal Jordan made his comic book debut in Showcase #22 October 1959. This new Silver Age Green Lantern was created by John Broome and Gil Kane in a revamp of characters away from the magic and supernatural based stories of the Golden Age and replaced them with the science fiction based superhero stories.The Green Lantern of the Golden Age whose powers were derived from magic was named Alan Scott. Hal Jordan was the first human inducted into the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic police force. This new Green Lantern along with along with re-imagining of other DC heroes such as the Atom, the Flash and Hawkman marked the beginning of the Silver Age of DC Comics.

While training in a flight simulator, test pilot Hal Jordan was suddenly transported to the crash site of an alien spacecraft. The injured pilot named Abin Sur - Green Lantern of Sector 2814 passed on to Jordan his green power ring. Hal Jordan was chosen by the ring to become a member of the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic police force. The ring allowed him to make real anything that he could imagine, one of the most powerful weapons in the Universe. Hal Jordan is the most well-known Green Lantern and was the first earth man ever inducted into the Green Lantern Corps and has been heralded as possibly the greatest Green Lantern of all time. He fights evil across the Universe with a ring that grants him a variety of extraordinary powers. Hal is also a founding member of the Justice League of America. Hal’s been through some pretty dark times. He’s responsible for nearly decimating the entire Green Lantern Corps while possessed by Parallax, the evil yellow entity of fear. But since that event - and the subsequent redemption attempt during Final Night story line where he died trying to save Earth. Hal was later revived in the stellar 2005 miniseries Green Lantern: Rebirth by Geoff Johns making him a Green Lantern once more, representing the model Green Lantern and one of the greatest heroes in the DC Universe.

Green Lantern Hal Jordan has been released several times in Mattel's DC Universe Classics. As the most popular Green Lantern Hal Jordan first appeared in Wave 3 of the line several times since with various differences all with the stand 21 points of articulation. This final release comes in standard package design for the series since Wave 16. This All Star figure was included as part of Wave 20 of the action figure line. All Star are a series of figure of DC’s most popular characters re-released sometimes with new paint deco for the purchasing by newer collectors. All Star figures does not include collect and connect piece. The Green Lantern is the final Green Lantern by Mattel's DC Universe Classics.


To me this is the best DC Universe Classics Green Lantern figure available, and there has been quite a few. The new shiny metallic Green Lantern figure is great, the paint job speaks for itself. It’s a modern rendition of the same Wave 3 sculpt that was released in 2007 that featured his classic and best know look but now this 2012 release feature an improved figure featuring the modern look of Hal Jordan as Green Lantern. The new look is ditches the small over shorts look thus begins the iteration of the modern Green Lantern look, the green parts of the costume stops pointed above the waist, the look that Hal Jordan has wore since his return in the Rebirth story arc and is still retained this look since the New 52 reboot whereas most of the characters has their costumes had changed and updated. The change is style to his costume and the metallic paint application helps the costume looks more modernized. As well as making the costume appear like it is energy based uniform that would be part on an intergalactic police force. It is the only Green Lantern action figure to be given the metallic paint brings a new shade of green, The first and only of DC Universe Classics Green Lantern figures to get this metallic paint job. Green Lantern is such a big part of the DC Universe that it has its own sub line of figures as part of DC Universe Classics.


Hal Jordan has been released many times in Mattel's series of figures, having more repaints and re-releases than Batman. The character appeared several times as a Green Lantern as well as Yellow, Black and White Lantern action figures. This marks sixth figure release of Hal Jordan as Green Lantern. The initial five releases were the original Wave 3 release the classic look, first appearance with black shoulders that featured a two pack with his predecessor Abin Sur, 90’s Hal Jordan with grey sideburns that appeared in the Green Lantern’s Light 5 pack. Then came the metallic paint variations of the figure. First was the classic look with the metallic green, old fashioned logo and added pupils released in the Hal Jordan VS Sinestro two pack.

The first modern rendition of the figure was released in the Toys R Us exclusive 75 years of Super Powers All Stars release. The figure had the same look but had the metallic green paint only, the rest of the figure had the standard matt black and white along with a pale reddish brown hair colour which didn’t look right. This Wave 20 All-Stars version fixes that snafu and restores the darkness to Hal’s hair, making this figure complete and totally recognizable as the Hal Jordan. This new figure features all over new paint deco, the metallic green and the new glossy black and white that gives the gloves a peralised appearance. The one thing that the previous that figure release did have going for it was that included a lantern accessory. 


In my opinion the best Green lantern figure, this latest release is the best of the lot. The main selling-point of this Green Lantern figure is its shiny metallic paint job and luckily, the paint job turns out to be pretty spectacular. The green used is a nice reflective deep green metallic paint that makes Hal really shines as a cosmic action figure. Exceptionally neatly painted and the logo is clean and crisp on the figure. Photos don’t do the figure justice, it’s a real standout figure. The body is the basic figure mold that has been used on countless figures since but the detailing and focus is that paint job, it adds the necessary layer of depth to what would be otherwise a plain figure. It is what we’ve seen before but better, it looks stunning and is unlike any of the other DC Universe Classics collectors action figures I own.

It's a fitting end for the last of Mattel figure I will more than likely add to my collection. It's an excellent figure and representation of Hal Jordan who is on to the most important characters in the DC Universe. I never thought I would have wanted a Green Lantern figure until I seen this one a over a year ago. Initially I wasn’t a Green Lantern fan at the time but I really appreciated how distinctive this figure was. The more I got into DC comics graphic novels and became more of a fan of Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps. All of the books I’ve read have been by one of the best and modern writers in comics Geoff Johns this brilliant writer who's always able to convey the best qualities in superhero comics and his highly acclaimed nine year run that was one of the main reasons I was such a big fan of Green Lantern Hal Jordan. 

I got this last Mattel DC Universe Classics figure at a great price when I was becoming a bigger fan of Hal Jordan. The final Green Lantern before Mattel DC Universe Classics called in a day in 2014. When I first got into comics, heroes like Batman and Daredevil appealed to me most, the gritty and realistic stories I was interested in. Green Lantern stories is the antithesis of those kind of heroes. Space, aliens, an intergalactic police force and a ring as the most powerful weapons in the universe. All these science fiction elements are of imagination and creativity is the reason superhero comics exist, taking inspiration from the one that stared it all, Superman in 1938.

All in all there is not as much detailing in this figure as other in the DC Universe Classics line and doesn't come with any accessories. The new paint job speaks for itself. Not a lot else to say, it’s the same figure that has came out before but different in one big way that makes up for it. Its modernized look fits in great with my other modern versions of DC heroes; Green Arrow, Superman and Batman. Signalling the time when I became a Green Lantern fan.

In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power... Green Lantern's light!

Green Lantern Volume 1 Sinestro Review

Sinestro, once one of the greatest of the Green Lanterns that were ever was. And in the wake of War of the Green Lanterns he has become a Green Lantern once more. One of the greatest villains in the DC Universe seeks the assistance of long-time adversary and Hal Jordan who is struggling with his own life that he was stripped of his power ring and is no longer a Green Lantern that is until Sinestro makes him an offer to once again become a Green Lantern and rescue the inhabitants of Korugar, the renegade Green Lanterns home world from the his own Sinestro CorpsCollects Green Lantern #1 – 6 by Geoff Johns with artist Douge Mahnke as part of DC Comics the New 52.

When I started getting into comics it just shortly before the DC Comics initiative the New 52, in which DC relaunched all its titles with new #1’s acting as a fresh start to all its titles. On first impression it appeared the Green Lantern title went back to when SInestro was a Green Lantern. The misconception here is that Green Lantern is one of the only titles of DC’s relaunch that remained unchanged by The New 52. The villain becoming a Green Lantern is just the next exciting chapter in long time writer Geoff John’s amazing Green Lantern saga with artist Douge Mahnke.

With conclusion of the previous story arc Hal Jordan is no longer a Green Lantern due to the belief that the Guardians of the Universe deem him to be too dangerous, they discharge him for the Corps taking his ring and sending him back to earth. As Hal tries to pick up the pieces of his life, struggling to live a normal life and mend his relationship with Carol Ferris, Sinestro is on Oa being reluctantly being re-inducted back into the Green Lantern Corps. As he is now reinstated as a Green Lantern the former villain sets out to protect his sector including his home world of Korugar which is under the control of his own Sinestro Corps. He requires help and gives Hal Jordan a chance to be a Green Lantern once more in exchange for his help to free his people. The two have a long history, and this story becomes more of a character driven story with complex rivalry between Hal and Sinestro. Even though the Green Lantern series follows Hal Jordan as its main character, in this story Sinestro becomes more of a main role in the tale. It’s a smaller scale story that follows the event of the massive War of the Green Lanterns story building towards another big Green Lantern epic by Geoff Johns. The best thing about the story is these two characters in a “buddy cop” style, emulating the relationship of the former friends back to their roles in Green Lantern Secret Origin, the origin story for Hal Jordan as Green Lantern and his first meeting of the pair. This story revisits the original relationship between the two characters while not forgetting their long complex history, it reinstates the teacher and student relationship with Sinestro in charge and Hal in the student role with limited power ring. 

It's a smaller scale story that's a bit more intricate than most, the pair have a long history with different methods and views paired together back in a story that makes for a great story with great art with imaginative work by artist Mahnke. The story has an interesting intriguing hook, that turns out to be a great character drama as they seek to rescue mission without being fully trusting of the rouge Green Lantern. The story produces some interesting character work, and after the previous arc of the War of the Green Lanterns, it stays away from galactic sized threats allowing time to build up a new larger scale story. It’s a nice change of pace while foreshadowing bigger threats to come. It’s a joy to read before what’s to come. It’s a more personal story focusing more on the entertaining rivalry of Hal Jordan and Sinestro.

The Flash Volume 5 History Lessons Review

The Flash Volume 5 History Lessons is the final volume in the series by one of the original writer/artists of The New 52 Flash series Brian Buccellato before an all new creative team took over the series with The Flash #30. The main part of the collection is the three part mystery story History Lessons, in which The Flash uncovers a serial killer that was active during the year that his mother was murdered. He investigates if both cases are connected and if he can find his mother’s killer that his father was convicted of. Also collected is standalone stories as the Flash tries to stop a thrill seeking thief and a story that is the first meeting of the Flash and friend Hal Jordan/Green Lantern. Collects The Flash #26 – 29 and The Flash Annual #2 with several guest writers and artists.

The Flash series so far has consisted of multi arc stories. Volume 5 History Lessons is made up of a variety of stories that take the Flash, to an alien planet with Green Lantern, to the skies to stop a thrill seeking sky pirate and investing a murder mystery with a supernatural element. The collection opens with “The Quick and the Green”, bucks the growing trend toward gritty realistic stories, it’s fun and light. It’s a reminder what superhero comics used to be all about. The Flash #26 is a standalone issue where the Flash has to chase down a group of thieves but, their method of transport leaves the Flash figuring out to stop group that travel by the sky. It’s a good straightforward simple story seeing the Flash in action and being tested in a way he hasn’t been before.

History Lessons is the final part of the book and the main story that connects more to the current series although, it’s pretty standalone in ways too. In this excellent mystery story the Flash/Barry Allen uncovers a mass grave that leads him to believe a serial killer had additional unknown victims. Barry believes that this could potentially include his mother Nora. Barry seeks to investigate if the there is a connection between the two cases. His investigation leads to the supernatural with the addition of a well-known guest star to help. I thought the premise of this was excellent and how it connects to Barry’s past and changes what we know. The interesting C.S.I. approach is brings it back to great elements of the series for a supernatural story. History Lessons offers an intriguing change to story of who killed Nora. The Flash T.V. series took it influences for the Flashpoint story and this newest take changes what went on before. Barry’s father had been convicted for the crime years ago and Barry always believed that he was innocent. This case is one he can’t leave alone, one that adds to his family drama. It’s a real good story.

Although thematically the Flash Volume 4: Reverse was more fitting conclusion to the original creators of this 2011 series. Brian Bucellato’s final few issues are good, offering variety to this volume before new creators take over the series. It gives you different elements and types of stories for the Flash while venturing back a bit more into his history and his mother’s death that make for the most compelling and intriguing reading by completing the final collection of issues by one of the original creators that made the New 52 Flash so great. A neat little collection of stories for fans of The Flash.

Green Lantern: Revenge of The Green Lanterns Graphic Novel review.

Green Lantern Revenge of the Green Lanterns is the second collection of Geoff Johns relaunched 2005 Green Lantern series putting Hal Jordan once again back on the forefront of the Green Lantern title. In the this volume Hal teams up with old pal Oliver Queen/Green Arrowand later Batman before the main story of the book, the One Year Later event where Hal discovers the fellow Corps members he left for dead are alive. Collects Green Lantern #7 - 13 with art by Carlos Pacheco, Ethan Van Sciver, Ivan Reis. 

Following Hal from the events of his resurrection and in the Green Lantern mini series Rebirth and the first volume of the series No Fear where Hal re-establishes his life in Coast City and as pilot while facing off with enhanced versions of the Manhunter Androids, Shark and Hector Hammond.

While Volume One: No Fear takes time to establishes Hal Jordan as Green Lantern once again on earth, this follow up dives straight into the action with three different stories. Classic team up of Green Lantern and Green Arrow open the collection for the two part story "A Perfect Life". Crossing over with the events of Infinite Crisis, Hal and Oliver take on the son of world conquer Mongul, here to finish his father's quest of conquering earth and subjects the duo the effects of the Black Mercy, a parasitic vine attaching itself to its victim giving them their vision of a perfect life while slowly killing them. It was a joy to see this concept that was first created for Alan Moore's Superman story, For The Man Who Has Everything in Superman Annual #1 in 1985.

"Branded", the second story is another team up with none other than the Dark Knight himself as the pair track down the hit man with the ability to make his tattoos come to life. Batman calls Hal for assistance while using the opportunity to test him and reconcile their differences. It was a good short story one that was crafted well to bring these two very different heroes together for a villain that they were well matched for while the two mend their relationship.

After those two fun team up stories we get to the real draw of the book, Revenge of the Green Lanterns. With issue #10 as part of DC Comics One Year Later event all titles jumped ahead one year after the events of Infinite Crisis. The story is interesting as Hal must face the consequences of leaving his fellow Lantern's for dead during the events of Emerald Twilight, the mid nineties story arc that led up to Hal's death. In that story Coast City had been destroyed by Cyborg Superman and Mongul. Hal tries to use his powers to rebuild his hometown but the Guardians of the Universe, the leaders and founders of the Green Lantern Corps who reside on the planet Oa forbid the act. Enraged Hal travels to Oa to and is confronted with several fellow Green Lanterns whom he stole the rings from and left for dead in space. Hal later went on to kill other members of the Corps and becoming a villain.

On the discovery that one of the Lanterns he left for dead is survived Hal and Green Lantern Guy Gardner led an a rescue mission to find these Lost Lanterns. Hal deals with the outcome from fellow corps members who hate him for all that he has done, once destroying the Green Lanterns Corps. Hal has a lot to overcome since being reinstated as a member and to make up for past actions he seeks to led the rescue mission to help redeem himself and save those he thought he had killed. Hal has to come face to face with those he's left for dead in the past and no wants to rescue. There's tension in this final story arc of the collection is action packed and exciting with great art by Ivan Reis. At this early stage in the series writer Geoff Johns is building towards the second of what's known as his Green Lantern Trilogy; The Sinestro Corps War. I've read several trades of his run on the series and this volume makes me want to get into more of Green Lantern run.

Revenge of Green Lanterns is an exciting and thrilling follow up to the previous collection No Fear. This includes a better series of stories, but then Green Lantern Volume 1 followed Rebirth which had a lot to live up to. This second volume consists of a central theme of more personal stories as Hal dreams of his perfect life that can never happen and reaching out to Batman on an emotional level. But Hal's biggest challenge is to confront the consequences of his actions of the past, rescuing those he left for dead who can never forgive him, it's hard hitting. I've been really getting more into Green Lantern recently and this book was a great read. I feel that's a great Green Lantern book in-between the massive epics of the John's Green Lantern series. This was great and well worth checking out. It was a book I was very interested and intrigued by about a year ago and it was definitely worth it.

Green Lantern/Green Arrow Collection Graphic Novel Review

Hey readers,

Here is my next review. So after I read the epic Ra's al Ghul origin story by Dennis O' Neil in my previous review I got into the series that the writer is best known for with regular collaborator artist Neal Adams.

Green Lantern/Green Arrow by Dennis O’ Neil and Neal Adams is the famous and highly acclaimed 70’s era stories of Hal Jordan and Oliver Queen as the “Hard Travelling Heroes”. Green Lantern and Green Arrow travel across America encountering and tackling issues thus bringing real relevance to comics for the first time. The mismatched pair dealt with social issues like racism, bigotry, cults, drugs and pollution all combined with the superhero elements of comic book storytelling of the 70’s. Most famous of these was the story of drug addiction, the two part story revealed Green Arrow’s teenage sidekick to be one of the drug addicts in the high point of this series. This new 2012 edition collects the complete run of O’ Neil and Adam landmark run of their trailblazing series. This volume collects Green Lantern #76-87 & 89 and stories from The Flash #217-219 & 226.

Green Lantern and Green Arrow are two of my newly favourited heroes, its great to have both in a single collection of their classic interpretations after I've read the modern renditions of both. Now that I’m up to date on the best graphic novels of Green Lantern and Green Arrow its interesting to get into classic interpretations of the heroes in the series that first set standards in comics excellence.From the first tale, Green Lantern #76 “No Evil Shall Escape My Sight” you realise that this comic book run is unlike anything else from that time whilst still remaining relevant today. In the first story Hal Jordan stops an unruly teen harassing a well dressed business man. The Green Lantern sends the boy off to jail while helping the man and he feels that he has done the right thing. Green Arrow however decrees his handling of the situation pointing out that the business man is a fat cat landlord who owns the apartment building where the teenager lives with and cares for his elderly grandmother. The landlord plans to tear it down to make way and to make more money with a car parking complex. Both heroes take different approaches in trying to convince the the man not to go through with his plans, Green Lantern tries to work within the system while Green Arrow seeks to address the problem head on. O’Neil and Adams re-imagined the archer nearly thirty years after he was created and though Green Lantern is one of the most sci-fi heavy characters in the DC Universe, O'Neil created a way to ground him and tell stories that were socially relevant and held a powerful message. Hal Jordan who often quotes his Green Lantern oath that has new meaning for him as “evil shall escape my sight” now has an altered meaning for him in his ten year comic’s career. No longer black and white but shades of gray. Hal has always worked within the justice system but now learns that sometimes that it is harder and more difficult than before as the law isn't always the best solution to the problems faced, he becomes more socially conscious. This first issue speaks volumes to what kind of tales are expected with this series.

Writer Dennis O'Neil helped usher in a new era of social relevance for mainstream comics in the '70's, an era with far-reaching effects. It was during this period that one of the best known O'Neil and Adams stories appeared, in Green Lantern #85-86, when it was discovered that Green Arrow's ward Speedy was addicted to heroin. This remarkable two part story “Snowbirds Don’t Fly" & "They Say It’ll Kill Me ......But They Don’t Say When”  is a hard hitting realistic interpretation of a serious a issue. There is so much praise for this story that truly lives up the hype and is unlike anything I have ever read. The subject of drugs abuse, addiction and pushers are all covered here, as well as conveying an understanding of the addiction. It is serious storytelling and one that everyone should read, I cannot praise it enough, its the absolute highlight for the entire collection while being a very serious problem that is still relevant today, almost 30 years later. It was the first comic book story line to feature such a hard hitting topic that propelled comics to be taken more seriously and it is clear to see why it was award winning story. Recently I had watched a Green Arrow documentary online where artist Neil Adams discussed how the impact of this story had on how a drug user helped ditch the habit. The drug abuse problem was dramatized in an unusual and unprecedented way by showing Green Arrow's heretofore clean-cut boy companion Speedy turning into the heroin addict. Thus marking a major turning point in comics history while both being a terrific tales in their own right.

The collection is a fair mix of tales, although famous for social relevance and tackling issues some stories are less serious and are typical of the period that Green Lantern and Green Arrow come up against. Stories featuring our duo helping overthrow a tyrant with a army of robots under his control restoring the peaceful aliens to their rightful place, a young girl with physic powers and an attack of mythical creatures. Black Canary/Dinah Lance is featured prominently throughout the series. Another noteworthy and unmentioned aspect of this collection is the introduction of John Stewart as a Green Lantern, DC’s first black superhero. The cocky, stubborn and politically aware Stewart went on not only to break new ground for black superheroes, but who also became an integral part of the DC Universe in his own right and being the first Green Lantern many fans encountered in the Justice League animated series.

Great artwork provided by artist supreme Neal Adams, one of the best in the comic book industry. Showcasing my favorite classic art style his artwork was realistic, making these stories more three dimensional. The artwork, deftly handled by the great Neal Adams is the perfect marriage of theme and form within a graphic story. His realistic, measured and anatomically accurate style highlights the seriousness and rugged reality facing the characters.

Unfortunately the series didn't last as long as it deserved, it was ahead of its time and poor sales possibly down to it not being you typical superhero team up like readers would expect form a comic book title in those days. The series was cancelled but not before the creators gave us a powerful and befitting finale in issue #89, about a man and his ultimate desire to save himself and the world from pollution. Four months after the series was cancelled O'Neill and Adams's team up continued  with Green Lantern and Green Arrow appearing in back up stories of The Flash comics #217-219 and #226, also included here in this collection. A three part story revolving around Oliver dealing with a difficult time and the final of these mini stories is a fun read that brought a welcome smile to my face after the serious, mostly thought provoking and deep series.

This award winning series by Dennis O’ Neil and Neal Adams helped elevate the comic book medium to be taken more seriously. It is sad really that some of the issues from the 70’s which sounds like so long ago still exist today. O’Neil and Adams were commended by mainstream publications for advancing the comic book medium, foreshadowing the massive revolution that was to come in the 80's.

These superheroes went on to tackle issues of real world concerns, yes there is a few fun moments in stories that are a little more out there but the majority is solid reading. The collection begins and ends with powerful stories. Each reader will find some more powerful that others down to their own views. The series is unlike anything found in comics before or really since ,it doesn't get too heavy-handed though and it remains just as relevant today as it did three daces ago. Its the legacy that lives on as a fundamental building block of the modern DC Universe and comics in general. Whichever your preference this is a must for any Hal Jordan or Oliver Queen fan. In a time when many comics were insubstantial, Green Lantern and Green Arrow examined some tough issues in a combination of 70’s politics and finely tuned superhero storytelling.

Thanks for reading. I highly recommend checking out this stellar series. Next I'll be reviewing Flash: Rebirth. Now that its October TV shows of Green Arrow and The Flash aren't far away and I'm really looking forward to that. 

Bye for now

K