Green Lantern Vol. 1: Sinestro (The New 52) [Hardcover]

Geoff Johns (Author), Doug Mahnke (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: May 22, 2012

A New York Times Bestseller

As part of the DC Comics—The New 52, the first six issues of the star-spanning series from superstar writer Geoff Johns and artist Doug Mahnke is collected here in hardcover!

In the aftermath of a deadly showdown between the Green Lantern Corps and a mysterious foe from the past, Hal Jordan has been stripped of his ring. Left standing is an unexpected new Green Lantern in town: Sinestro! And now, this renegade GL has set a course for Korugar with one purpose: To free his homeworld from the scourge of his own Sinestro Corps, with the not-so-willing help of Hal Jordan!

The volume collects issues 1-6 of Green Lantern, part of the DC Comics—The New 52 event.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Hal Jordan has more personality than he has in ages, and it feels like a whole new book.” – MTV Geek 

About the Author

Geoff Johns is Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment. He has written highly acclaimed stories starring Superman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Teen Titans and The Justice Society of America. He is the author of the New York Times bestselling graphic novels Green Lantern: Rage Of The Red Lanterns, Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps War, Justice Society Of America: Thy Kingdom Come and Superman: Brainiac, and is the author of DC Comics' biggest, most recent events, Blackest Night, Brightest Day and several books included in the DC Comics—The New 52 event. Johns has also written episodes of the TV series Smallville and Robot Chicken. He is writing the story of the DC Universe Online massively multiplayer action game from Sony Online Entertainment LLC.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics; First Edition edition (May 22, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401234542
• ISBN-13: 978-1401234546
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 1 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Geoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He began his comics career creating and writing Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. for DC Comics.

His first comic assignment led to a critically acclaimed run on the The Flash and JSA for DC Comics. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and imaginative writers in comic books today, working on titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, The Flash: Rebirth, Superman: Secret Origin, Action Comics, Adventure Comics, Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005 and 2007 and 2008 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff penned the acclaimed "Legion" episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as a writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN. Geoff is currently working on film projects with Warner Brothers to be announced soon.

Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank among many others.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Hal Jordan and Sinestro: The Odd Couple May 22, 2012

By Anarchy in the US

Format:Hardcover

In 8 years since Geoff Johns took over Green Lantern, Hal Jordan has reclaimed his position among Batman and Superman as top tier characters in the DC Universe that expanded upon the entire GL mythology including the entire light spectrum of lantern corps., and Blackest Night, and a whole bunch of continuity like never before. What Johns also did was make Hal Jordan's greatest villain Sinestro, far more complex and villainous being then ever done. After Green Lantern: War of the Green Lanterns and War of the Green Lanterns: Aftermath, Sinestro went from being that top villain, and thanks to an odd twist of fate became a Green Lantern again, while Jordan was discharged from the GL Corps. all just before The New 52 Re-boot. Now Johns begins this new chapter in the GL legacy with Sinestro at the helm and this looks to be quite a different chapter at that.

GREEN LANTERN: SINESTRO collects issues #1-6 and begins with Hal Jordan (again, discharged from the Corps.) back on Earth and trying to fit back into modern society, which hasn't been working out for him in his favor (all done in a comedic fashion). All the while back at Oa, Sinestro wants nothing of being a GL again, but has no choice in the matter but to follow the orders of the Guardians. Sinestro wants to take back his Yellow Lanterns, but finds out they strayed away from his teaching due to his new allegiance to the GLs...Sinestro then needs Hal Jordan by his side to take back his old Corp...but with a huge catch. All the while Hal and Sinestro go at it, the Guardians are tired of Hal, Sinestro, and the other lanterns going against them and want to start a new corps.; a third corps. What we get is one heck of a funny, interesting, and buddy comic of two rival's butting-heads and working together for a greater cause.

Geoff Johns writes a very different book to start the New 52, with Sinestro taking over as main character and Hal being the "side kick". The tone is lighter and far more talkative then any book Johns has done in his 8 year run on GL, which is quite refreshing to try out for long time readers of Johns run. It does have some action to it, but subtle. We sort of had a smidgen of this in (Green Lantern: Brightest Day (Green Lantern Graphic Novels)), but it's in full swing in this book. Hal has a series of comedic turns trying to live on Earth now without a power ring and seeing Sinestro as a GL for the first real time and getting into his mindset is interesting considering we get behind his actions now, not denounce them when he was the villain. And when Hal and Sinestro actually have to work together, it's that rarity when the hero and villain's ideologies and egos clash for an entertaining read to watch unfold, especially for long time readers.

Doug Mahnke's art is great as ever. A sense of sketchy and clean and be crazy designs in his splash pages that carry well with Johns story narrative. His art never gets old. Mike Choi's art in issue #6 is decent but hurts the flow narrative. It's utterly different from Mahnke's art with younger, more anime-styled characters. I don't mind it since the one issue is a transition piece for the next arc, but it's still noticeable.

As for a possible setback, the tone change for established fans might not like this. As mentioned before, this is quite a talkative arc compared to other GL arcs in the past and it might seem tame to some readers. The other thing is for new readers who have probably been thinking about jumping on Johns run on GL at some point. Well I'm going to go out on a limb here and say this is decent start for new readers. New readers get a relative generalization of the GL lore and mythos, but new readers will miss out on a lot of information with the character dynamics and future plot points that established readers have been following. Much of the great chemistry in reading about Hal and Sinestro is based off of the long history these characters have, as well as most of the conversations being expositions about the built-up mythos, all of which will be lost to new readers. Add to this, many plot points in the future to come will revert back to previous knowledge of the GL mythos that new readers again will be lost in. So although GL:Sinestro is probably the best/roughest choice to jump on in Johns run for newbie's, I highly recommend as a prerequisite go start back at (Green Lantern: Rebirth (New Edition)) and work your way all the way up to this point. I assure you it's for the best.

GREEN LANTERN VOL.1: SINESTRO is the start/prelude of what looks like another long and interesting journey in the GL legacy, with Sinestro and Hal looking like the ultimate odd couple in comics that long time readers get an opening taste of what's to come down the road. New readers can jump on, but be extremely cautious if you do. A new chapter in GL lore in on the horizon and it all starts here.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Green Lantern continues to shine under Geoff Johns' direction September 13, 2012

By Mathachew

Format:Hardcover

I am a recent comic book enthusiast, having read many Batman, Superman and Green Lantern graphic novels. Over the last few months, I have read a good portion of Geoff Johns' Green Lantern stories, and he has done a tremendous job making Green Lantern not only relevant, but elevating him as a top tier superhero. I am only recently exposed to The New 52 movement and have some reservations on it as a whole considering the problems that appear to keep coming up. However, I was quite happy to learn that Green Lantern's story would continue where the incredible War of the Green Lanterns left off instead of starting over, providing a seamless transition for Green Lantern.

Green Lantern Vol. 1: Sinestro has a slower, but great story and beautiful artwork. The only exception to the artwork in issue #6, a style I never have cared for and simply fails in comparison to the first five issues. This volume provides some great insight into both Hal Jordan and Sinestro, and is the start of what will likely become another great story with a very uncertain future. A solid four start graphic novel.

One final note. If you have not read War of the Green Lanterns, then I strongly recommend you do so, but before reading that, reading the Brightest Day arc would help too as some of the issues provide the setup to WOTGL. I also recommend reading them in chronological order (search: green lantern brightest day reading order). It is a lot to read and slightly cumbersome, but you will be in for a treat.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterful June 11, 2012

By Hitmanclark

Format:Hardcover

Some may say I'm overrating this book. I've read reviews elsewhere accusing the book of being too "safe" for five stars, and that it didn't progress the story. I disagree.

This book is just tremendous, from open to close. It progresses the story, but it does so in a different way. Rather than another epic battle, Johns and Mahnke decide to slow things down a bit and reestablish the characters that make this whole series tick. Here we see Hal Jordan dealing with the unfortunate fallout of War of the Green Lanterns, while Sinestro deals with fallout of a different variety. These two sworn enemies are drawn together by events, and they have to work together, whether they like it or not.

This story represents a long-overdue slowdown in Green Lantern. For the last five years, Hal and company have been "warring" non-stop -- against the Sinestro Corps, the Red Lanterns, Larfleeze, the Star Sapphires, the Black Lanterns and, finally, each other. Here we're allowed to take a breather and remember what makes Hal Jordan tick, what truly drives Sinestro (hint: it's not "I'M EVIL AND LIFE MUST BE DESTROYED!") and how the people that matter to both men deal with their current lots.

This is a great continuation of the GL saga, with none of the baggage associated with other New 52 titles.