GREEN LANTERN #33 (DC COMICS)

It is time for a celebration!

For the 600th legacy issue of DC’s Emerald Warrior, a passing of the torch is unfolding. Hal Jordan hasn’t been the same since discovering secrets in the Book of Oa. Jordan has elected to leave Sector 2814 in search of the truth. This means someone has to step into those shoes and handle all evil that doesn’t escape their sight.

That person is no stranger to handling the role. It’s been far too long since he’s been back in the saddle on Earth. Now is the RISE of KYLE RAYNER!

GREEN LANTERN #33 by Jeremy Adams, Xermánico, Romulo Fajardo Jr., V. Ken Marion, Veronica Gandini, Dan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund, Adriano Lucas, Ron Marz,
Darryl Banks, Chris Sotomayor & Dave Sharpe launches into a new phase of the Lantern mythos with this oversized anniversary issue.

Let’s take a closer look as the torch gets passed yet again!

GREEN LANTERN #33 by Jeremy Adams, Xermánico, Romulo Fajardo Jr., V. Ken Marion, Veronica Gandini, Dan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund, Adriano Lucas, Ron Marz,
Darryl Banks, Chris Sotomayor & Dave Sharpe (DC COMICS)

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

The issue is a compilation of four stories. Due to the amount, the overview of each tale will be shorter than usual reviews. Adams and Sharpe are involved with all 4 stories.

“I Love LA” by Adams, Xermánico, Fajardo Jr & Sharpepicks up where Kyle’s current story wrapped up with. Odyssey has joined him on Earth to search for some fugitives. Their banter is very friendly. It sets up the old friends to talk about their pasts before this new future*. From here, Adams brings in another friend to properly welcome Rayner back. Readers watch as the trio becomes acclimated into the City of Angels. This leads to a startling discovery. Fans waiting for some action don’t wait very long. This builds up to a steady launching point for what’s next in its’ wake. The epilogue wraps up Jordan’s direction and next avenue of adventure. Overall a great story to start off this new stat quo on.

The art is highlighted by the interactions between all three key players. Rayner’s reactions to Odyssey’s wonder add a fresh take into their current crisis. This only amplifies when the third wheel joins in. Readers will love the interactions until the conflict kicks in. A strong full page thrusts this aspect into the spotlight. There’s no shortage of great action panels moving this into its crowning moment. Fans watch a two page splash cap off events to settle in for the finish. The closing pages carry a similar vibe of hope for the future. A great showcase to witness indeed.

“City Of Angels: The Origin of Kyle Rayner”* by Adams, Marion, Gandini & Sharpe gives a quick run-back on Rayner’s life leading into accepting his power ring. The mood is very light-hearted as Rayner narrates his youngest days. This builds into the origin of his time with Alex DeWitt. Readers watch as the early days of their union weren’t exactly a honeymoon phase. The crowning moment is a bad night out at a club. Its’ fallout turns into his iconic induction into the GLC. For anyone needing a refresher course, this was well presented.

Marion and Gandini lean into the optimistic side of Rayner for the opening pages. The times in school and his mother opt to craft the peaceful side of his life. Alex’s debut adds more weight into these scenes. Panels move quickly to head into the club scene head-on. A near full page welcomes a certain Guardian in confronting Rayner with his life-changing moment. The panels lead into two half images. One of which is his first suit. The final piece is a chronological recap of his time with the lanterns. It is a great look at the past before jumping into the future.

READ LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW HERE!

“Brighter Day - The Origin of Hal Jordan” by Adams, Jurgens, Rapmund, Lucas & Sharpe looks at Jordan’s life through Krona’s eyes. The villain's time in the book has been very spread out. Returning like this helps to re-ignite the spark in that story. Jordan’s recap is very steady in presentation. Readers can easily get behind his upbringing and time as a pilot. The Abin Sur discovery is another highlight moment which the writing nails. This concludes much like Rayner’s with a but more depth involved in this recap due to Krona.

The art is very classic in presentation. Krona’s broken stare at the audience helps to create the tense understanding of his mission. Panels lock into Jordan’s fearless persona. Even at a young age, this aspect isn’t hidden. Readers watch as the mood rises as his life progresses. Jurgens and the team nail the emotional tragedies that follow him to Ferris Air. A half page panel locks in on his ring moment. It is concluded by a superb full page legacy image. The page is a fantastic send-off as he searches for clues.

“Light in Darkness” by Marz, Darryl Banks, Chris Sotomayor & Dave Sharpe showcases a hidden moment with Rayner as he comes to term with his impact on the GLC. Readers watch as two young Lanterns get an assist in their current trouble. The writing creates a solid moment of “hero worship” due to what Rayner has done as a Lantern. This leads into a steady landing of legacy as Rayner provides a great internal monologue to finish.

Banks and Sotomayor deliver on the vintage Rayner moment with many exciting panels. His half page debut disrupts the event in a very positive way. The detail to his genie construction is a nice visual amongst the conflict. This moves into a nice fallout where the emotions start becoming exposed. The art spotlights previous Lanterns during his pieces of advice. Events end on a very fitting half panel. The lantern in the darkness is such a metaphor for how the Lanterns see the universe.

FINAL GRADE: 8.6

One Lantern leaves, another arrives ready to take the responsibility in this exceptional legacy issue . Adams & Martz remind readers why Jordan and Rayner are timeless heroes with the writing. Each art team crafted their own unique looks into the Green Lantern Mythos. The result is a celebration that you don’t want to be late for at the comic shops! Check it out.

Let me know your thoughts on Green Lantern #33 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!