Green Lantern: The Animated Series #0 (2012)

Green Lantern: The Animated Series #0 (January, 2012)
“True Colors”
Writers – Art Baltazar & Franco
Illustrator – Dario Brizuela
Colorist – Gabe Eltaeb
Letterer – Saida Temofonte
Editor – Kristy Quinn
Cover Price: $2.99


I don’t have much of an intro today… your humble blog-host is fumblin’ stumbling and rumblin’ through something that might be a lesser-migraine, or a terrible sinus headache… so, we’re gonna just jump right in.


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We open with some narration from Hal Jordan that introduces some of the concepts of the Green Lantern Corps.  In the distance, there is a green light floating in space.  Hal and Kilowog decide to deboard their spacecraft (which they call Aya) to investigate.

They head ever closer and are shocked to learn that it is a Green Lantern ring.  Upon closer investigation, Hal notices that the symbol engraved on it is not quite right.

Moments later, the ring changes to it’s real color… red!  Before they know it, Hal and Kilowog find themselves surrounded by several Red Lanterns.

A fight breaks out, despite Hal’s suggestion that they try and discuss things (like civilized beings).  Outmanned, Hal suggests they beat a hasty retreat… and so, he heads back to Aya.  He doesn’t even look back to see Kilowog’s capture.  Whatta pal!

Onboard Aya, Hal learns that his oversized buddy didn’t make it back.  Hal orders Aya head back, despite her thoughts to the contrary.  She feels the odds of him rescuing ‘Wog are too slim to pursue… but, orders is orders.

Aya offers that she is detecting a strange secondary signal… and Hal is cool with the pit-stop.  They soon arrive at a site where they find a Quantum Refractor…. which is like a “darker than black” cube, that has the ability to bend light around objects.  This is how the Reds lured our boys in with the phony-colored ring.  This also gives Hal reason to believe Kilowog might still be alive.

Speaking of Kilowog… moments later Hal is able to locate him.  That’s pretty convenient, but we’ll allow it.  ‘Wog is surrounded by about a half-dozen Red Lanterns… and is shackled at a sort of alter.

Hal considers his options, as a head-on assault would likely not work in his favor.  He runs a few scenarios past Aya… and concludes that his new Quantum Refractor could be of use… and so, he uses it to bend light around Kilowog, rendering him invisible!

The Reds are taken by surprise, and after getting in a few good punches, Kilowog and Hal retreat… that is, until Aya informs them that there are actually two energy sources coming from the Quantum Refractor… and it would be best if they retrieve it.  Why Hal dropped it in the first place, I’ll never know!

Kilowog runs a distraction, willing up a giant hammer… and Hal slides in for the nyoink.

They return to Aya, and Hal pries the box open… inside it they find a Particle Feeder… a little critter that feeds off of itty bitty ions and atoms.  At this point it’s so pale it’s almost transparent… however, mere moments later it’s back to it’s bright and vibrant form.

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Eh.  I think I’d mentioned when we discussed Superman Family Adventures #1 a few months ago that the concept of “All Ages” or in this case “Rated E” books is kind of lost on me.  Maybe that’s my “1980’s privilege” talking, but it’s still definitely something that hinders my ability to fully enjoy a book such as this.  The distillation of characters down to catch-phrases and the keyest of character traits really doesn’t help.


I mean, I get it.  Just not the way I was introduced to the characters… and my current attitude toward the comics industry makes it so I’m quite annoyed that my kids won’t have the same introduction to some of my favorites.  Instead, they will get the “animated series” version, or the “adventures” version.  I dunno… something about that just bugs me.


For the story itself… it serves as a perfectly fine introduction to Hal Jordan (and Kilowog).  I suppose if this series really wants to emphasize the Corps, it’s easier to launch it by having them face off with a whole ‘nother Corps rather than a villain like Sinestro.  Perhaps his story will come later… and will include his betrayal to the Green Lanterns.  I dunno.


The art here was fine… although, man Hal’s got himself some humongous shoulders!  I mean, dude must have to get his shirts custom made.  Wasn’t too keen on the fact that Hal wasn’t portrayed as being especially smaller than Kilowog.  I mean, ‘Wog is clearly larger… but not by as much as I’d have wanted.  Overall, the artwork inside the book was nice… colors were bright and poppy.  The cover however, looked a bit cheap.  I can’t really put it into words, but it’s got this sorta digital look… that you’d see in commercials for a local “Technical Institute”.  There’s a genericness to it.  Dunno, don’t dig it.


So yeah, not for me.  Hindsight tells me it was probably quite unfair to subject a book of this sort to my brand of analysis… but, here we are.  Kids will probably dig it, and comic fans less anal than me should as well.  I suppose I can best sum it up by saying “It’s not you book, it’s me.”  If you think this book might be for you, it is available digitally.


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