Hal Jordan Is Not Your Enemy

Green Lantern #2 (DC, December 2011, $2.99)
"Sinestro, Part Two" Writer: Geoff Johns, Pencils: Doug Mahnke, Inks: Christian Alamy and Keith Champagne, Colors: David Baron, Letters: Sal Cipriano.

Hal Jordan is understandably upset because his ring has chosen Sinestro as its next wearer. Sinestro suggests that Jordan, while given the opportunity to change the world for the better, has squandered his chances. Regardless, he grants Jordan another ring—a ring slaved to his own. After demonstrating how Lanterns can use their rings to save the many rather than the few (p. 15 is very cool), Sinestro is attacked by Gorgor of Korugar, there to kill Sinestro and "win the right to control the Corps!"



Sinestro slays the would-be leader and asks Jordan for help: "The army I build has enslaved my homeworld, Jordan. And you're going to help me destroy them." The issue ends with a five-page "special sneak preview" of Batman: Noel.


Green Lantern #12 (DC, October 2012, $2.99)
"The Revenge of Black Hand, Part Two" Writer: Geoff Johns, Artists: Renato Guedes and Jim Calafiore, Colors: Alex Sinclair, Letters: Sal Cipriano.

The Book of the Black says that "Hal Jordan Is Not Your Enemy," and Black Hand is confused. Jordan knocks him out, and he and Sinestro strategize—deciding that they need Star Sapphire's help to defeat the gathered undead.



While Black Hand is unconscious, they remain still, but as soon as he wakes, they attack. Now, the Book of the Black says something else: "Hal Jordan will be the greatest Black Lantern." Whoah. This issue is very, very cool. Guedes's artwork is awesome given the dark focus of the issue.

Green Lantern #21 (DC, August 2013, $2.99)
"Dark Days Ahead" Writer: Robert Venditti, Penciller: Billy Tan, Inker: Richard Friend, Colorists: Alex Sinclair and Tony Avina, Letterer: Dave Sharpe.

The Green Lantern Corps is under attack, and their rings' power levels are falling—as are Lanterns themselves. "Scanning Sector 3276 for replacement sentient." Bad news: The Central Power Battery is dead.



Just a little earlier, Star Sapphire and Hal Jordan were having relationship worries, separated and feeling the strain. Jordan is called to Oa, where the Guardians name him leader of the Corps. His first action is to release the rings of the fallen—to recruit new Lanterns. It's a smart move, and sure to result in an influx of the inexperienced. "We want to go home."

He's just in time, too, because Larfleeze attacks.

Availability: #2 was collected in Green Lantern, Vol. 1: Sinestro. #12 was collected in Green Lantern Vol. 2: The Revenge of Black Hand. And #21 was collected in Green Lantern Vol. 4: Dark Days.