Customer Reviews

Green Lantern: Secret Origin

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Green Lantern is undoubtedly one of the most recognized heroes in the DC universe. Especially the Hal Jordan version of Green Jordan. The initial concept of having a fearless jet pilot was fantastic, yet people saw fit to keep jacking around with his origin. Thankfully, Geoff Johns figured out a way to save Hal Jordan from the tangled web of death, Parallax, and the mantle of the Spectre and return him to greatness for the fans in GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH.

Since that time Johns has continued to reboot the Green Lantern universe, adding more layers to the overall concept initially created of a space lawman. Johns has introduced new villains and given dramatic facelifts to old ones. The new Hector Hammond is really creepy, and more powerful than I remember him being before.

As one of the top tier heroes at DC, Green Lantern's origin has been constantly told and retold. Every Green Lantern fan on the planet knows how Hal Jordan received his power ring from Abin Sur as that Green Lantern lay dying. Even after years of reading the series and being familiar with the character, I never even once wondered why Abin Sur was in a spaceship when he could have used his ring to simply fly through space. All the Green Lanterns do that.

In this latest graphic novel, Johns explains why Abin Sur was in that doomed aircraft, why it crashed, then goes on to embroider even more legend into the Green Lantern tapestry. Jordan's troubled family history is further revealed in this story as well, and readers get the chance to truly understand the motivation that has powered this man through so much. In addition, Sinestro shows up as he was at that time: the greatest Green Lantern that ever lived--until he turned evil later on.

This pairing of Sinestro and Green Lantern in his rookie debut offers a lot of speculation about what went on between them and what could have happened if they'd remained friends. When I first found out Johns would be revisiting Green Lantern's origin one more time, I was irritated. He had just set up the idea of the prismatic power batteries and the emotions that fuel them. I think that's one of the coolest ideas that has occurred in the DC universe in many years. But this reimagining of old heroes with new eyes that don't stray too far from the original mold is one of the author's greatest strengths. Johns bends and shapes heirloom heroes into new and thrilling stories, but he never breaks the bones.

The story of the Black Lanterns gets advanced in this graphic novel. Due to the nature of the villain involved in Abin Sur's death, and the questions that particular Green Lantern was asking right before his death, readers get a real good feel for what Johns has up his sleeve for the next act. He sows the seeds of that story arc within this one, mashing the two stories perfectly. My appetite is whetted even more now for the threat of Blackest Night.

Besides the great story, this graphic novel delivers the fantastic art of Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert. As penciler and inker, they knock this one right out of the park. The two-page spreads they do are breathtaking. Jordan looks like a man at times but definitely as a jet jockey at others, and both sides of his nature as fallible and heroic are fairly presented. When he's in the Green Lantern suit, he's the kind of hero kids want to grow up to be.

Be sure to look for the initial meeting between Hal Jordan and John Stewart (the second earth Green Lantern of the Silver Age) in the bar fight. If you're not familiar with the Green Lantern history, that one will slide right under the radar.

I wasn't looking forward to this digression in momentum of the story Johns was telling, but this one simply had to be told and it was so much more than I ever expected it to be. At this point I'm really looking forward to another digression, and this time I want to see what happens when Green Lantern goes to visit Sinestro on his homeworld for the first time. I have a feeling that would be an awesome story as well.

Green Lantern: Secret Origin collects issues #29-35 from Geoff Johns' current run on the title, and was published after Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War, Vol. 2. However, instead of continuing the story, Johns chooses to go back in time with a look at Hal Jordan's origin story.

This is a great read, and is a nice change of pace after the "blockbuster movie" status of Sinestro Corps War. Over seven issues' worth of comics, we learn about Hal Jordan's childhood and his eventual employment with Ferris Aircraft, his acquisition of the Green Lantern ring from Abin Sur, training under Sinestro, and the origin of some Green Lantern villains. True Johns has stuck in bits and pieces of this story all throughout his Green Lantern run, but it's nice to get it all collected and fleshed out. There are a few new twists, however, where the origin story has been re-tooled to foreshadow Green Lantern: Rage of the Red Lanterns and the forthcoming Blackest Night saga. I don't know if these changes will become lasting canon, but it's a nice expansion of what we know.

What's missing? The story stops right before Sinestro's turn to evil, and without this crucial moment Secret Origin does feel a bit incomplete. I also would've liked to see Johns' personal take on the Blackest Night prophecy, which is mentioned and alluded to but never fully explained. Those who want to know the actual prophecy would do well to check out a collection like DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore and read the original story.

But in all, Secret Origin is a solid effort. Ivan Reis continues to provide very modernized-yet-classic artwork for Green Lantern, and the colors and inking by Randy Mayor and Oclair Albert respectively are clean and sharp. This is a great book to recommend to new Green Lantern fans, or to refresh yourself with who Hal Jordan is and where Geoff Johns is about to take him.

NOTE: The Sinestro Corps War collected edition ends with issue #25, while Secret Origin picks up in issue #29. Issues #26-28 will be collected with Rage of the Red Lanterns. Don't worry, this doesn't ruin continuity.

This is a content update for the 2010 edition released (according to the title page) as _Green Lantern: Secret Origin (New Edition)_. The book, a retconning of GL's origin to tie it in to the then upcoming "Blackest Night" series (Blackest Night), is essentially the same as the original edition (Green Lantern: Secret Origin) but adds an introduction by actor Ryan Reynolds (reproduced in full on the Amazon product page), who plays Hal Jordon/Green Lantern in the upcoming feature film (which is heavily indebted to the "Secret Origin" arc). The additional pages (192 versus 176, according to DC) include 16 pages excerpted (teasers really) from various later _Green Lantern_ collected editions tying in further to "Blackest Night." It is a good story, but there is no real reason to get the new edition if you have the older one or the original comics, which I do.

This is without a doubt the way an origin story should be done. Every aspect is done and done well. From his childhood, to a major life changing event to becoming the hero he was destined to be Geoff Johns delivers this Green Lantern origin story perfectly.

The ending of "Sinestro Corps War" left Green Lantern fans exited and anxious for the future of Corps and the mysterious "Blackest Night" storyline that will dominate the summer of 2009. As we march closer to the end, however, Geoff Johns has chosen instead to turn to the past and to the beginning of the career of Earth's most famous Green Lantern, Hal Jordan.

"Secret Origin", in essence, is a retelling of Hal Jordan's origin, and there's something different for both old and new readers. First up is the artwork. While the departure of longtime Green Lantern colorist Moose Bauman is felt, Ivan Reis' pencils and Occlair Albert's inks remain as fine and as detailed as always and I hope they remain on the title for the long-term.

Now, onto the story. For new readers, "Secret Origin" is the perfect jumping on-point for anyone that has been drawn into the Lantern mythos as a result of the "Sinestro Corps War" storyline. Everything you need to know about the mythos can be gleaned from this introductory tale, from Hal and his family to the Guardians, Sinestro himself, and more.

For the older readers, however, "Secret Origin" may be a tad boring. Many of the scenes of Hal's youth and training have been shown repeatedly since 2004's "Green Lantern: Rebirth" and the beginning of the current volume. In addition, Johns retcons several of his own retcons from earlier in his run and given the level of attention and detail he usually applies to his work, it's annoying. Fans of 1988's "Emerald Dawn" may also feel disconcerted over seeing what was the-then retelling of Hal's origin wiped from continuity.

That having been said, there 's still a fair amount of intrigue for the older readers. Seeds are planted for "The Blackest Night" and the current "Rage of the Red Lanterns" storyline, seeds that should given fans plenty of enjoyment as they attempt to discern how they will affect events in the present and near-future. Ultimately, "Secret Origin" is a flawed, but worthy outing from Maestro Johns and company.

Let's start with the presentation. This is the first Hardcover of a Green Lantern book that have a green hardback. Once you remove the dustjacket you can see the green color of the book and even the letters on the front: Green Lantern. Shining on a plated green. Beautiful!.

This edition doesn't contain any extras nor introductions nor anything. Just the story. This is not a complaint.

Now, let's go to the meat. The story. Pretty awesome way to give a jump back at the GL origin, and include important characters and facts for the Blackest Night.

Of course this story will have more impact if you follow the road for Blackest Night. Doesn't do much by itself.

I LOVE the Hal/Sinestro relationship. Hector Hammond and William Hand are also here.

This is a good book, but you should wait for the edition that'll come up on November this year. It'll have more pages because of the introduction of Ryan Reynolds and it'll cost the same.

Great one!!

Geoff Johns follows up the Sinestro Corps War with an amazing look at the beginning of Hal Jordan's career as Green Lantern and the end of the life of Hal's predecessor, Abin Sur. Seeing the beginnings of villains such as Sinestro, Hector Hammond, and Black Hand was great and conecting it all in some way to the Blackest Night is exciting. I look forward to each and every new trade. Great stuff!

Confession: When growing up I always thought Green Lantern was a little lame. I never had any interest in space combat with green rings. Wow I sure was wrong. After randomly purchasing this based upon recommendations I have fell in love with all things Green Lantern and everything Geoff Johns has written. This is a great intro for any newbie to the series. I have now read the trades following Rebirth and have gone to the back catalog for more Green Lantern fun. "Thanks Rebirth!"

A new introduction for the green lantern story to develop the origin of the blackest night.

This is a great place to start with Green Lantern if you aren't familiar with the comic book. It also starts to set you up for all the story arcs that follow. I had a very vague idea of the comic book and the character of Hal Jordan, but this book was an awesome starting point.