Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn II #4 (1991)

Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn II #4 (July, 1991)

"90 Days, Part IV: The Will to Power"

Writers - Keith Giffen & Gerard Jones

Pencils - M.D. Bright

Inks - Romeo Tanghal

Letters - Albert De Guzman

Colors - Anthony Tollin

Assistant Editor - Kevin Dooley

Editor - Andy Helfer

Cover Price: $1.00

Still chugging along through Emerald Dawn II.

If you need to catch up, you can do so here, here, and here!

--

As we ended the last chapter, Hal and Sinestro had made it to Korugar where Sinestro was expecting the hero's welcome... they were both rather surprised to find that rather than having rose petals dropped at their feet, they've got laser beams aimed at their heads!

We're not the only ones observing this scene.  From behind a monitor we see that Katma-Tui is also looking on, and she is joined by one of the alien leaders Hal and Sin ran into during chapter two's summit.  We get the impression that the Korugarians don't quite see Sinestro as a god... but, more as a tyrant.

Hal and Sinestro hold their own pretty well against the Korugarian forces until something inside Sinestro appears to snap.  He believes that his people must be under some sort of mind-control or have been corrupted by chaos, and completely loses his cool!

Hal is taken aback at Sinestro's ruthless assault on his own people and attempts to restrain him from causing any mortal damage.  The two bicker back and forth, Sinestro blaming Hal for what's going down.  He believes if his focus wasn't on training the rookie Lantern, he would have been their to save his people from the chaos corruption.

With Sinestro appropriately restrained, Hal tells him he'd summoned other Corps members to help subdue the Korugarian riot.  Well, this is absolutely not what Sinestro wanted to hear.  He bursts free from his restraints and redoubles his offense, now completely focused on Hal.

Sinestro manages to get the upper hand, and puts Hal in a devastating choke.

Luckily for Hal, Sinestro's head isn't quite in the game.  He is able to break free and pop Sin with a ring-blast.  This causes Sinestro to believe himself as a victim of chaos corruption, and as such... does a little twirl and an Ole pose?

Ole!

In all seriousness, Hal is able to take Sinestro down and talk some sense into him.  Sinestro pleads with Hal that they must leave Korugar at once.  Without truly thinking it through, Hal agrees.  We see that he almost immediately regrets his decision as it only makes the pair look guilty... as sin.

Back on Earth, Gentleman Will is recuperating from his recent shivving.  He is joined by Guy Gardner, who is trying to get him to spill the beans on his attacker(s).  Will knows what happens to stoolies in the joint, and remains silent.  Guy gives a disappointed "whattayagonnado?" shrug and takes his leave. 

Back on Korugar, Katma-Tui is addressing the masses.  They are cheering the end of tyrannical Green Lantern rule on their planet.  It's becoming more and more clear that these folks only held Sinestro up as a deity because they feared what he would do if they didn't.

During her address, the rest of the Green Lantern Corps arrives on the scene.

After a brief skirmish, Lantern Tomar-Re is able to convince Katma that they mean the Korugarians no harm... in fact, they're there to help them.  The Lanterns see the Sinestro shrines-a'plenty, and express concern that he just might have overstepped his authority.

Before we wrap up, we check in with the zzzzzzz.... Guardians.  They are not happy with the events of the day, and decide they must track down the pair of errant Green Lanterns... Sinestro and Hal Jordan.  To do so, they call in the (Guy Gardner uniform bedecked) Fists of the Guardians!

--

Well, we're four issues in and I have mixed thoughts on this one.  First, it's a space story... and in my last review, I discussed my relative disinterest in space stories.  That having been said, it was an engaging space story.  I enjoyed it for the most part, however, I'm still a bit conflicted.

A lot went down this issue, and it still kinda felt like it dragged.  I really can't explain it... it's certainly not decompressed... so it's not that.  Maybe I'm just comparing it to the issues that came before.  But, again... I did like it.

I'm interested to see what's up with these Fists of the Guardians.  Their armor having the design of the (now) classic Guy Gardner Lantern uniform is intriguing.  I gotta wonder if we're gonna get Guy in green by the end of this series.

We also find out that... shock of shocks, a man named Sinestro (as in sin and sinister) isn't all that great a guy.  They should really put spoiler alerts in super villain names!  Sinestro's a great bad guy, so I can't complain... I just wonder how the all-knowing Guardians would ever think he'd be one of the good guys.  I really like that Hal is portrayed as headstrong, yet a bit naive.  He knows he shouldn't be following Sinestro off Korugar... yet does anyway.  I enjoy a conflicted Hal Jordan.

As with the past three issues, words and art are top notch.  I received a comment earlier today about how the covers of these issue don't do proper justice to the interior art, and I totally have to agree.  I think the covers for the first and fourth issues are amazing, striking, and memorable... but the second and third are a bit ehhh.  Interiors always deliver, however... this is such a fun book to both read and look at!

Really enjoying this series.  We're going to return to our discussion and review of it this weekend.  Tomorrow we're got a special.  We're gonna be staying green... but there won't be a Lantern in sight...

--

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Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn II #3 (1991)

Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn II #3 (June, 1991)

"90 Days, Part III: Power Play"

Writers - Keith Giffen & Gerard Jones

Pencils - M.D. Bright

Inks - Romeo Tanghal

Letters - Albert De Guzman

Colors - Anthony Tollin

Assistant Editor - Kevin Dooley

Editor - Andy Helfer

Cover Price: $1.00

Another day, another chapter of Emerald Dawn II.

If you need to catch up, you can do so here and here!

--

Picking up right where we left off, Hal is reentering his prison cell in direct view of his new cellmate Willie.  The poor gent begins to panic, and Hal quiets him down with an emerald muzzle.  When he finally settles down, Hal comes clean about his dual identity... I honestly wasn't expecting that to happen so soon.  I really thought, from the final image in the previous chapter, that Willie had hurt his head in the fall, and Hal would be able to talk his way out of spilling the beans.

Hal seems more than willing to share his story with his new bunkmate, and appears to even look somewhat relieved that he's been "outed"... like, he's happy he has someone "on Earth" who he can confide in.  Anyways... after giving Willie the news, Hal tries to fall asleep.  Sadly after having spent his entire night out, he barely closes his eyes before the morning alarms go off.  In his brief moment of shut-eye, however, we observe Willie admiring Hal's ring...

We join our hoosegow pair getting their eats at the mess hall.  It would appear that our Willie is something of a prison legend.  A revolving door jailbird who is referred to as Gentleman Will.  He may be a gentleman, but he's also something of a klutz... he accidentally spills the entire contents of his tray onto a rather unsavory (yet sorta-kinda familiar) convict. 

I suppose it goes without saying that this con ain't all that pleased having the... well, pink goop Willie was carrying splattered all over his clean jail-togs.  He gets up and, very calmly, very rationally, punches Willie in the face.  He continues slapping the poor little dude around, until...

Our hero Hal intervenes.  He tells the creep that he's made his point, and that he'd best sit down.  Before their altercation devolves into a brawl, the prison guards (where have they been, anyway?) get involved and attempt to haul them both off for disciplinary action.  Lucky for Hal that his plucky caseworker, Guy Gardner arrives on the scene just in time to save his bacon.

As the guards drag the bully away, he notices Hal's ring... and makes the connection.  As it turns out, this goon was one of the bank robbers Hal wrangled back in the first issue.  Guy wants some one-on-one time with Hal so they can discuss his situation... however, Willie inserts himself by comically stealing (and returning) most of Guy's personal effects.

That night, back in the cell Sinestro comes a'calling.  He eyeballs Willie, and immediately attempts to give him the ol' mindwipe.  Much to his (and I would assume several readers') annoyance, Hal stops him before he can.

The next several pages is a montage of the coming weeks.  Hal is, by all accounts working a double-shift, and burning the candle at both ends.  He's awake all day as prisoner Hal Jordan, and training all night as Green Lantern... we see him taking part in chess matches and football games, while attempting to learn better control over his ring-wielding prowess.

One day, while mopping up the floor, Gentleman Will is approached by the goon he spilled his food on those several weeks (and pages) earlier.  They share some brief yet contentious repartee before the goon pulls a shiv.

Next we are treated to some hot showerin' action with our pal Hal.  A guard frantically enters the communal showers and informs him that his cellmate has just been shanked... still alive, but not in good shape. 

As Hal is heading out to see his fallen friend, Sinestro makes his nightly appearance.  He informs his trainee that time is of the essence... there's no time to check on Willie.  Hal begrudgingly suits up, and the two fly off... to Korugar.

Hal is shocked to see the regard in which Sinestro is viewed on his home planet... less like a hero, more like a god.  He is also rather confused that the planet appears to be completely empty... that is, of course, before the Lanterns are attacked by an armed uprising!

--

Okay... another great issue!  I must admit that I feared this would be like 95% space battles to 5% Hal in jail... which would have bored me, quite honestly.  I, having started with Green Lantern during the 1990's became more accustomed to a more terrestrial/Earth-bound Green Lantern.  Every time he went into space, I kinda glazed over.  Even to this day... although I've softened somewhat to the space stories, I'd much prefer Hal (or whoever) be on Earth.

This issue was mostly Hal as Hal... on Earth, and it was a great, fun read.  Gentleman Will is an interesting addition to the cast, and, while I get the feeling he could (have) become rather annoying, managed to win me over.  His appearances were well placed, and well spaced... that is to say, I don't feel as though he overstayed his welcome.  Of course, if I find out in the next issue that he didn't survive the shank... I think I'll be a bit bummed.

Staying on Willie for a moment longer.  I really liked that Hal had somebody he could speak with about his dual lives.  Emerald Dawn has made Hal a more well-rounded character, in giving him flaws... and making him "less cool".  I don't mean cool like Fonzie, mind you... I mean cool as in totally collected, all the time.  His need to have an outlet with whom he could decompress after a night out with Sinestro really helps to humanize him.  Dare I say, make him relateable...

As for the creative side... I gushed during the first issue... and my gushes still stand.  This is one helluva creative team, and definitely among my favorite Green Lantern architects (are we still calling comic creators that, or has Marvel found another way to avoid labeling them as "comic book creators"?).

We're halfway through, and I'm still quite pleased.  Definitely recommended.

--


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Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn II #2 (1991)

Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn II #2 (May, 1991)
"90 Days, Part II: Balance of Power"
Plot - Keith Giffen
Dialogue - Gerard Jones
Pencils - M.D. Bright
Inks - Romeo Tanghal
Letters - Albert De Guzman
Colors - Anthony Tollin
Edits - Kevin Dooley & Andrew Helfer
Cover Price: $1.00

Having enjoyed my sinful indulgence so much yesterday, I figure why not continue down the Emerald trail... 

Let's see if the second chapter continues the high quality of the first...

--

When last we left our hero he was visited by his fellow Lantern, and new trainer, Sinestro.  As we open, a prison guard who just happens to be passing by can't help but to notice the emerald light spilling out of inmate Jordan's cell.  As he approaches, Hal convinces Sinestro to make himself scarce.

After nearly being caught, Sinestro tells Hal that it's time to split.  He finally convinces him by whipping up a Hal Jordan shaped construct in his bunk... and does so without leaving a glowing green residue.  At this point in his ring-slinging career, Hal cannot perform such a feat.

The two Lanterns-in-arms leave the prison.  Sinestro attempts to instill in Hal that he must trust his ring to get him through tricky predicaments... such as weaving through a meteor storm.  The theme is harmony, and Sinestro intends to show Hal how a true Green Lantern handles things harmoniously.

In a skyscraper on a far-off planet in Sector 0131, representatives of various alien races, including the Khunds, the Citadel and the Dominators are discussing forming a mutually beneficial alliance.  They intend to pool their vast resources and strengthen their intergalactic influence.

Shortly, the Lanterns arrive at the high-rise.  After having the situation explained to him, Hal is shocked... and appears to be ready for a fight.  Sinestro tells him to settle down... he's just there to watch.  This situation must be handled with diplomacy.

Inside the office, Sinestro pleads his/the Guardians' case.  He encourages the faction heads to "find an alternative solution" and offers that if they do not, the Green Lantern Corps may find themselves having no choice but to intervene.  The heads ain't impressed, and as such chuck a desk in Sinestro's direction.

This causes Hal to step in, and start throwing ring-construct-fists.  Sinestro is shocked... and annoyed at Hal's impetuousness, which, quite honestly is fun to see.  

Sinestro throws up a protective barrier around the alien leaders while Hal... blows the roof off the place, sending many an alien flying... right into some conveniently placed construct-spoons.

At this point, all hopes at a diplomatic resolution are lost... and a battle rages.  Hal manages to save Sinestro (who he calls "Sin", much to his trainer's disgust) from an attack from behind.  Ultimately, Sinestro impresses upon the alien goons that if just one Lantern can bring such fury... imagine what would happen should the entire Corps come down on them.  

The aliens decide perhaps putting off their alliance would be best for all involved... until the Lanterns are comfortably outside the sound of their voices, at which point it's made crystal clear that on this day the Lanterns have made some dangerous enemies.

Back at the prison, a "Gentleman Thief" called Willie is being escorted to his new digs... he's going to be Hal Jordan's new cellmate (hopefully he fares better than the last one...)

As li'l Willie attempts to climb up to his bunk, he accidentally steps on... and through his cellmate('s humanoid construct), and falls flatly on his back.

Moments later after parting company with Sinestro, the real-deal Hal Jordan pops back into the cell in full Green Lantern glow.  Hand on his head, poor polite Willie is shocked!

--

Another fun issue of Hal Jordan's early days.  Having come into my Green Lantern reading during the early-mid Kyle Rayner years, I really didn't have much of a frame of reference for Sinestro.  All I knew was that the power-mad Hal Jordan broke the poor guy's neck during Emerald Twilight.  I feel as though this issue gives a really good primer on who this guy is/was and what makes/made him tick.

Having Sinestro actively holding Hal back... encouraging him to think things through, and act diplomatically rather than fists-first was a real treat... and not something I expected.  Hal being headstrong to the point of actually being dangerous really works in the pre-Green Lantern: Rebirth landscape, and almost makes his shift into Parallax feel (at least somewhat) organic.

Great issue, great fun... great cliffhanger.  This issue even made the random DC Comics alien goon squad seem interesting... which, for me is big.  The lame, and in-my-mind interchangeable alien races of the DC Universe have always bored me to tears... this issue made them work.

What more can I say?  Giffen, Jones, and Bright continue to bring the goods in this underrated little tale.  Worth a look!

--

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