Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #48 Review

Writer: Robert Venditti / Artist: Rafa Sandoval / DC Comics Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps is sailing into the final act of the war against the vicious Darkstars. I thought there was going to be a bit more exposition and setup for the final battle, but I’m happy to report this issue gets right down to business. The book is mainly a slugfest and a welcome one to boot. Sure, there’s a little bit of plotting and bantering, but Venditti wastes no time getting down to the summer blockbuster level throwdown we’ve been waiting for over the past three or four issues. The thing I love about Venditti’s script is that there are so many characters in any given plot line but he balances them out so well to where everyone seems to get an equal piece of the action. Hal doesn’t overshadow John and Kyle doesn’t upstage Guy or Kilowog. If you have a favorite Lantern, they probably get plenty of spotlight throughout the arc. Art-wise, it would simply be a tragedy to have a giant sprawling throwdown like this without Rafa Sandoval’s genius pencils on the track.

Sandoval is easily the best artist this series could ask for, particularly when it comes to the high action ring-slinging with some of the most gorgeous, detailed constructs this book has seen. Watching Guy barrel through a horde of Darkstars in a green monster truck is almost enough on its own to justify the four bucks this book costs. Bottom Line: When it comes down to a good old-fashioned throwdown, it’s hard to beat Venditt…