When DC launched the New 52, while some books got pretty extensive overhauls, others were more or less left alone (an odd, arbitrary decision for a “reboot”, but whatever). Green Lantern and its respective universe is one of those elements that went untouched, and who can blame DC for doing that? Good things were happening there. Interesting things were going on there. And quite frankly, why mess with a good thing? In Green Lantern #11, things are definitely getting interesting as Black Hand has escaped from the Indigo tribe, and even as Sinestro and Hal Jordon try to figure out what the Guardians are up to in their plan to replace the Green Lantern Corp, now they also have to deal with the herald of one of the most devastating events in recent years: the Blackest Night. Could anything be worse than that? Sinestro certainly seems to think the worst is yet to come.
One of the interesting changes made right around the time of the infamous “reboot” was Hal getting kicked out of the Green Lantern Corp and Sinestro being chose to take his place. Sinestro, however, really had no interest in being a Green Lantern again, and so enlisted Hal’s help for a few tasks with the promise of having him reinstated. It’s a pretty cool setup as these guys have a lot of history and a great dynamic, and that’s been at the core of what’s made this book so good ever since the start of the New 52. Of course, a lot’s been going on and events are barreling along in some very interesting directions, but none of that would be quite as enjoyable without the interaction between Hal and Sinestro.
A big part of that dynamic is the question of whether or not Sinestro, traditionally a villain and still someone who’s very much interested in his own interests, can be redeemed from his past and viewed once again in a heroic light as a member of the Green Lanterns. Sinestro himself has stated that he really has no interest in that, but Hal continues to believe that no one’s beyond redemption. Even in the face of the Guardians rejecting the Green Lantern Corp in favor of the mysterious Third Army, he believes the same even about them. If anything, his time among the Indigo tribe has reinforced that belief. Is there anyone beyond redemption, beyond saving? God certainly doesn’t think so. No matter what you’ve done, he still loves you and wants to redeem and save you. I’ve known some who have felt they’ve done far too many really bad things and therefore aren’t worthy of being saved, but that’s exactly the point; “good” people don’t need redemption and salvation, it’s the bad who do; which is all of us. Everyone is worthy of redemption and is worthy of being saved in God’s eyes, which is exactly why, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
So who is the greater threat; a newly returned Black Hand or the Guardians with their plans to wipe out the Green Lanterns? What does Black Hand have to do with the Guardians’ plan? Will Hal’s plan to use the power of the Indigo rings be enough to stop dire events coming into existence? There are a lot of exciting questions left to be answered as this arc rolls right along. There’s already been some big reveals, twists and surprises, and I have a feeling there will be plenty more to come. Yes, despite the inconsistency of leaving the Green Lantern universe intact in the midst of the New 52 reboot, I think it was definitely the right decision. There’s just too much juicy goodness going on here to mess with.
Score: 5 of 7
A BIG thanks to Astro-Zombies for providing the material for this review. Learn more about them at astrozombies.com.
