After reading Green Lantern Dark #1, there didn’t seem to be much room for a follow-up. This epic double-sized issue featured a fairly self-contained story that could have been left open-ended. Before this issue arose, I felt strongly that that was the way it was supposed to be. The very act of following up felt redundant and surprisingly limiting. Luckily, DC doesn’t make decisions based on my thoughts.
Tate Brombal, Werther dell’Edera, Giovanna Nyro, and Tom Napolitano have teamed up to create another great issue. Last issue introduced us to the hell Grundy has brought to this not-so-pleasant world, and next issue will provide a little more insight into this reality. While the original made it clear that Grundy was the universe’s biggest problem, Green Lantern Dark #2 reintroduced the idea of multiple beasts plaguing humanity. The Last Green Lantern features not just one Grundy, but many villains.
It’s refreshing to see this world grow, and its scale is worth exploring. It will be fun to see how the various characters evolve to become the monsters here. Grundy was a great introduction to this world, but Green Lantern Dark #2 is poised to offer even more, having already introduced the arrival of a new and surprising villain.
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These changes are not the only major changes. There’s nothing traditional about the art style in this book. Featuring imperfect line drawings and poignant colors, it is a mix of horror and hope. It’s a mess. Of course, all of that is consistent with the book’s subtitle. Green Lantern Dark #2 is forever dark, just like its predecessor. The character designs are incredible, and every monster looks like something out of a Bill Sienkiewicz book. Considering Sienkiewicz’s excellent reputation, there could be no higher compliment.
The coloring is also unique. As with other Green Lantern comics, color is paramount. Rather than using a realistic array of colors, shades of green, purple, and red define all panels and pages. Two of the colors represent enemy marks, and it’s fun to see Niro play with a unique palette that you don’t get in other comics. As is to be expected for a manga with “dark” in the title, there is also quite a bit of black help.
Despite being stumbled by multiple slow starts in the world of Green Lantern: Dark, Bromval certainly manages to maintain a sense of terror and scale. This issue offered readers a glimpse into the wider world and revealed even more horrors to be unearthed. Unlike previous issues, Green Lantern Dark #2 manages to include a hook at the end of this issue to keep readers coming back for more. There seemed to be little need for follow-up in the last issue, but this is certainly a huge improvement.
As with any book, you’ll find some serious flaws. No matter how sweet her character is meant to be, Lunette doesn’t always come off as a completely fun character. She’s a pretty cliche character. She tries to serve as a wellspring of hope, but instead comes across as a way to shriek out whatever moral the issue is trying to convey at any given moment. Her eternal companion, Kane, is similarly one-dimensional. These two are standard hope and despair archetypes, and neither is as convincing as Lina.
Like the original Green Lantern Dark issue, Lina is a great character. It’s fascinating to see a Green Lantern without the charisma of Hal Jordan or the gruffness of Guy Gardner. Melancholy and stubborn, Lina feels like a true reflection of the times, and is something new for Lantern. Rather than letting her will light the way, she sees her own will as just stubborn. This is clever writing, making her a truly unique portrayal of classical heritage.
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Unfortunately, when Lina works with Runette, formulaic interactions occur. The final confrontation between the two in this issue certainly lacks originality. Their arguments are contrived and Lunette’s dialogue is certainly uninspiring, but their storylines have played out pretty predictably so far. It would be great to see Brombal throw a wrench into their interactions by subverting the trope in future issues.
As it stands, Green Lantern Dark #2 is far from a perfect comic. It’s predictable and features characters in desperate need of growth. Still, the art alone is engaging enough to make this issue worth reading. Learning more about Rina is just the icing on a great cake. Don’t go into this comic expecting to surprise your readers. However, be prepared for a fun adventure that demands further exploration.
“Green Lantern Dark” #2 Rekindles the Last Lantern’s Fire
Green Lantern Dark #2
As it stands, Green Lantern Dark #2 is far from a perfect comic. It’s predictable and features characters in desperate need of growth. Still, the art alone is engaging enough to make this issue worth reading. Learning more about Rina is just icing on an amazing cake. Don’t go into this comic expecting to surprise your readers. However, be prepared for a fun adventure that demands further exploration.
Incredible art with eerie colors and perfect style.
Lina remains a fascinating new Green Lantern and a fun break from the norm.
This issue provides further insight into a truly dark world.
Lunette is not the main character this book needs.
This issue too often falls into overblown metaphors and clichés.
