Green Lantern #16 from writer Jeremy Adams and artist Xermanico continues the intense action of the Green Lantern Militia Special and delivers part two of this thrilling story arc. This issue ups the drama and excitement, delivering the payoff fans have been waiting for in both the main Green Lantern series and Green Lantern: War Journal. Adams and Xermanico waste no time, starting things off in the aftermath of a planet-sized collision, setting the stage for an even bigger threat. As the Green Lanterns reunite and DC’s “All In” initiative goes into full swing, how will they deal with the impending danger posed by the United Planets under Darlan’s control? Let’s break it down.
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In the Green Lantern series, we have seen Lord Saaros demonstrate the ability to control the Lantern and manipulate its powers and colors across the emotional spectrum. His use of this power reached a dramatic climax at the end of the Civil Corps Special, in the run-up to Red Lantern Mogo. Green Lantern #16 picks up the pace from there, opening with the shocking destruction of the planet Thanagar. Artist Xermanico shines here, providing powerful visuals of lifeless figures floating through space. Author Jeremy Adams skillfully lets the art speak for itself, avoiding unnecessary narration and letting the reader feel the weight of the tragedy. The opening scene, which focuses on the haunting gaze of a Thanagarian soldier, emphasizes the gravity of these events.
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The rest of this issue provides what has been missing for a long time. It’s Hal Jordan and John Steward teaming up as the Lanterns. While I appreciate the expansion of the Green Lantern series, some of the series can be cumbersome in terms of story and lore. When the New 52 started, we were lucky enough to have a few Lantern series, but they couldn’t maintain that momentum after the creative team changed. With the Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps series, we were lucky to have multiple Lanterns working together. Adams uses that to show us that we care about certain ring-bearers because of their personalities.
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I appreciate that Jeremy Adams tries to portray that in this volume by creating a threat that requires a crazy number of Earth Lanterns to unite. Proof of that was Adams and Xermanico showing us Guy Gardner’s side mission to help the Lanterns escape and the banter between him and Joe Mullane. Carol is not a Green Lantern, but the story of her journey invests her character and makes her valuable in this confusion of the emotional spectrum. Even Valon, the star shroud of Philip Kennedy Johnson’s War Diary, does a good job of shaping the story’s fatality. It would be great to see these story parts from the two series come together and create more character interactions. If the momentum from Parts 1 and 2 continues, Part 3 will be a highlight!
The war continues to progress as the private army battles intensify! With Thanagar gone, the heroes are in a predicament. Hal and John team up to show readers why they make a great team. Carol begins to blend her skills and powers as she advances on her path. While the characters grow and flourish, villains and threats continue to emerge. Additionally, another character will return to the series, and they could be a key to success. Jeremy Adams delivers character and drama, while Xermanico packs action and style.
“Green Lantern” #16 Review
Green Lantern #16
The war continues to progress as the private army battles intensify! With Thanagar gone, the heroes are in a predicament. Hal and John team up to show readers why they make a great team. Carol begins to blend her skills and powers as she advances on her path. While the characters grow and flourish, villains and threats continue to emerge. Additionally, another character will return to the series, and they could be a key to success. Jeremy Adams delivers character and drama, while Xermanico packs action and style.
Some characters have grown from other series, but this issue gives us a reason to understand why they’re such a big threat.
Hal Jordan and Jon Stewart are back in action… together! Green Lantern is more than just a hero, he’s also a title, and Adams reminds us why they make such a great teammate.
Xermanico broaches the subject in a calm tone, but then shifts the emotion from the character’s action moments to moments that give the character more depth.
We get to see more of the lanterns in action, albeit briefly, and it’s great to see so many of them.
It would have been nice to actually see Mogo attack instead of the cliffhanger from Part 1 to Part 2’s fallout.
