Green Lantern: Rebirth [Paperback]

Geoff Johns (Author), Ethan Van Sciver (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: May 11, 2010

The sold out 6-issue miniseries event of 2004-2005 — written by Geoff Johns (BLACKEST NIGHT, TEEN TITANS) with art by Ethan Van Sciver and Prentis Rollins — is available in this new edition, complete with the preview story from Wizard Magazine as well as a number of extras previously only available in ABSOLUTE GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH!

Hal Jordan was considered the greatest Green Lantern of them all. But Jordan lost control, allowed himself to be corrupted and transformed into the villainous Parallax. Later, Jordan reappeared and made the ultimate sacrifice — a sacrifice that allowed him to become the Spectre, the Wrath of God.

After several years of activity on Earth, The Spectre became restless and sought a way to prove himself worthy of that noble reputation. See how a man born without fear and seeking to rebuild his life, puts cosmic forces into motion that will have repercussions not only on Earth but across the universe. This volume sets up the events of BLACKEST NIGHT and revitalized Green Lantern as one of the most important heroes of the DCU!

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In 1994 DC Comics decided to shake up the long-running Green Lantern by killing off Hal Jordan, wielder of the ring of power since 1959, and bestowing power and costume on someone new. After a decade of fans' protests, however, a five-issue-spanning Rebirth resurrected Jordan (in superhero comics, no one ever really dies) and restored the original Green Lantern concepts. Bringing Jordan back wasn't easy because he had gone insane, murdered his fellow Green Lanterns, become all-powerful villain Parallax, and finally been transformed into the latest embodiment of godlike vengeance spirit the Spectre. Popular DC writer Johns set things right by means of a necessarily convoluted and contrived resurrection ploy that yet supplied the intergalactic brawls and superhero valor the fans demand. Meanwhile, Ethan Van Sciver's drawing epitomized the cluttered, over-rendered style dominating superhero comics today (in reviving classic characters, DC might have considered restoring the visual clarity of earlier comics eras, too). Rebirth was a smash serialized; the collected edition should be equally popular. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (May 11, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401227554
• ISBN-13: 978-1401227555
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 0.4 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (96 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars One of DC's finest December 20, 2005

By Tom Knapp VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

He turned evil and tried to destroy the world. He was killed by his closest friend, but came back even more powerful -- and more evil -- than before. He had a last-second change of heart and sacrificed himself to reignite the sun. His spirit was used to drive the earthly manifestation of the Wrath of God in a war against injustice. And he was replaced in his old job by a younger, hipper hero.

And yet, Hal Jordan's return as Green Lantern was always inevitable. The question was how -- and how well -- it would be done. Geoff Johns succeeded admirably in "Rebirth," a book that neatly reconciles the various personae of Hal Jordan in one man -- the one he was always meant to be.

"Rebirth" isn't just another chapter in the ongoing story of the Green Lantern Corps. It's an in-depth study of the mythology of the Guardians, the rings of power and the entities that bear them. It is a dazzling portrayal of personality and conflict, not just of Jordan and his immediate circle of friends, but of many familiar DC characters. And, it's a much-needed reinvention of Jordan himself -- the hero he was and, for many readers, always would be.

The art by Ethan Van Sciver is ultra-realistic, his lines are crisp, clean and startlingly expressive. Johns' story flows from the pages in bright colors and shadows, and the glowing green light of Lantern's power will dazzle your eyes with blinding intensity. It's a brilliant story, artfully written and packaged, of incredible scope. "Rebirth" is truly one of DC's finest.

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars After reading this, I taught my son that daddy's wedding band is a power ring. You'll do the same. January 25, 2006

By Windbreaker

Format:Hardcover

Can Geoff Johns do any comic wrong? He writes the most amazing stories. This one is so big, involving so many characters and so much continuity, but it is SOOOO fun! This collects the 6-issue mini.

#1-#2. Everyone knows that Hal Jordan is being brought back as GL, but it's not easy - Batman remembers all too well that Jordan is responsible for horrible chaos in the past, and is very reluctant to trust him. Really, can you blame him?

#3. We get the works here: drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat, big action, the JLA, the secrets behind Spectre/Parallax/Jordan, and one mischievous lover of yellow. I couldn't be more pumped for the new start of the ongoing Green Lantern series.

#4. The last page of this book will send shivers down your spine. It is that good. The whole series has been building up to this point, and it pays off.

#5. Hal Jordan vs. Sinestro in an AMAZING battle! The art was spectacular, and the layout very good. So many great splash pages that maximized the action scenes. In the final scene, Batman holds Jordan back from fighting against Parallax. Bats still doesn't trust him, given his murderous past while under the influence of other beings.

#6. The 5 lanterns take on Parallax together, and we get resolution for the JLA-Jordan conflict. Big action, nice character moments.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars YEARS OF QUESTIONS FINALLY REVEALED! October 26, 2005

By Tim Janson HALL OF FAMETOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Green Lantern: Rebirth ties up loose plot lines and reveals answers to questions that have plagued Green Lantern fans for decades, such as what really is the story behind the power ring's impurity and its vulnerability to yellow, as well as some startling new information about GL's arch-enemy Sinestro. No one re-tools their major characters like DC, due in part to their own lack of confidence in the character often times. And no one has had a bumpier ride in recent years than poor Hal Jordan. Seeing Coast City destroyed Hal tries to recreate it leading to a conflict with the Guardians, and Hal's usurping the power of the central battery to become Parallax, destroying most of the Guardians and other Green Lanterns, before finally sacrificing himself to save Earth's sun. Hal would then become bonded with the Spectre as the new Spirit of Vengeance.

All of the surviving Green Lanterns play a role in the book including Kyle Rayner, John Stewart, Killowog, and yes, even Guy Gardner. While off at the edges of space Kyle learns finds an alien race living in terror. His ring translates the name "Parallax". Kyle returns to Earth as he and the other Green Lanterns soon come under the influence of a menacing influence. Guy Gardner even has his body turned inside out as he's taken for treatment to the JLA and Mr. Terrific. Meanwhile Hal is having his own problems controlling the Spectre's thirst for vengeance which is growing more and more aggressive, literally turning the hand of the villain "Black Hand" to coal.

The Justice League is growing suspicious of Hal as well, particularly Batman who has never had a great affinity for Jordan to begin with. Soon the appearance of Ganthet, the last of the original Guardians, brings some startling revelations about the history of the Guardians, Parallax, the power rings, Sinestro, and the source of the impurity. I won't play spoiler and reveal and of this, but the words astonishing and shocking come to mind right off the bat. You know of course that Hal returns as Green Lantern and has his first formal introduction to the man who replaced him, Kyle Rayner. He also has a long overdue confrontation with Batman who still doesn't trust him.

In many ways, this is Kyle Rayner's finest hour as he provides the first warnings about Parallax, and takes on a supped-up Sinestro on his own...just in time for Hal to return, not to mention Guy Gardner. Long time Green Lantern fans are sure to be ecstatic about the return of one of the original Silver Age icons as they never really took to Rayner or Stewart and Gardner was generally only good for a few laughs. How DC handles Hal (not to mention the Spectre) from here on out becomes the new question. The story wraps up nicely and for a change we have a story that doesn't leave issues dangling. The Story was written by Geoff Johns, one of the most stalwart and reliable scribes in comics today. The art by Art by Ethan Van Sciver and Prentis Rollins was very solid without being too "showy".

The hardcover book also provides background information and creator commentary on various aspects of the story which also serve to help tie things all together. A gallery of alternate covers is also included. Green Lantern: Rebirth is without a doubt one of the most important storylines from DC in recent years.

Reviewed by Tim Janson