“Green Lanterns: Rebirth” #1 is a light and breezy one-shot that is a perfect jumping on point for new readers. After last week’s “DC Universe: Rebirth” #1, it appears Geoff Johns and Sam Humphries are continuing that book’s game-changing mandate by focusing on fun and forging deeper relationships.
Written by Geoff Johns and Sam Humphries
Illustrated by Ethan Van Sciver and Ed BenesCreative powerhouse Geoff Johns puts the ring on again as he, co-writer Sam Humphries and artist Ethan Van Sciver debut a new era of emerald greatness! Rookie Green Lanterns Jessica Cruz and Simon Baz tackle the universe’s toughest beat: Earth.
“Green Lanterns: Rebirth” #1 is comparable to a zero issue, where we are given the heroes’ background, a tease of future conflicts (both personal and villain-related), and reasons to come back for the first issue. This book succeeds on all three of those levels and is a fun segue to an intriguingly promising story. Longtime “Green Lantern” scribe Geoff Johns co-writes this issue with Sam Humphries, who begins his stint as sole writer beginning with the first issue later this month. There is just enough exposition, mystery, and quick examples of each of the Lanterns’ personalities to whet the appetites of both longtime and new readers. After reading “Green Lanterns: Rebirth” #1, it clearly becomes obvious why Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz are deserving of their own title.
Johns and Humphries are usually adept in this “zero” issue at utilizing exposition without giving it a clunky or impersonal feeling. Except for rare occasions, they succeed to catch us up in “Green Lanterns: Rebirth” #1 without that clunkiness in the dialogue. The three narrators in the issue have distinct voices. Simon Baz, created by Johns and introduced in his classic Green Lantern run, is a Muslim and an outcast who must deal with judging eyes from all corners of his life. Jessica Cruz is a woman who has lived a secluded life and now battles a crippling fear that has hindered her and her relationships. These heroes are relatable because of their personal battles and their desire to do good deeds despite peoples’ (and their own) preconceived notions and judgements. The third narrator is a longtime Lantern villain who is certain to be a stimulating thorn in the sides of Simon and Jessica. Johns and Humphries give us clear reasons for wanting to follow these characters into their first issue.
Johns and Humphries smoothly pace this “Rebirth” issue that becomes even more satisfying with a second read. This is epic storytelling even when there is simply a conversation between Jessica and her sister. This is mainly because of the artists. Ethan Van Sciver and Ed Benes divvy up the artistic duties, with both of them zeroing in on the characters’ faces and their actions. There is a silver screen quality to their panels and layouts that fit the writers’ vision of making this a personal science fictional tale on an epic scale.
After doing some of his best recent work in “DC Universe: Rebirth” #1, Van Sciver continues to give us more of that high quality art with “Green Lanterns: Rebirth” #1. From the gorgeous opening celestial splash page (given a painterly quality by the colorist Jason Wright) to the final page’s splash reveal, there is an intricateness to his work that is breathtaking at times. His line work is crisp, clear, and devoid of heavy and distracting inking. We can see characters’ faces and eyes clearly and, for the majority of the pages, can intensely feel their emotions. It’s refreshing to see Simon and Jessica’s goofy grins during one particular meeting because that is exactly how you or I would react in that situation. Like Johns and Humphries, Van Sciver is having a purely fun time drawing these people and this world. He also pencils some pretty creepy teeth.
Benes’ art, although not as detailed as Van Sciver’s contributions, retains that epic quality and isn’t a jolting experience when compared to his fellow artist. There are some moments of inconsistency. His scene with Simon Baz at the beginning of “Green Lanterns: Rebirth” #1 is of a higher quality than his scene between Jessica and her sister. The Baz scene’s art is less scratchy and the faces are more consistent than his other pages. His art at certain moments, however, have faces that have an almost unearthly plastic quality that can be distracting. Overall, his art is consistent when it concerns presenting an issue that is exciting from beginning to end.
Continued belowColorist Jason Wright is also someone who transforms “Green Lanterns: Rebirth” #1 into a consistent whole. Green, appropriately prevalent throughout, is given a tactile luminosity no matter the hue. A splash page with a full body reveal of one Lantern by Van Sciver bursts beautifully off the page with a kinetic energy. Wright works best with Van Sciver, yet also effectively uses muted colors in the quieter opening scenes by Benes. A Green Lantern book requires a bold colorist and Wright succeeds in making statements with his color palette. The final page may be the best one in the issue.
Although the more “popular” Lanterns are going to be appearing in another title soon, “Green Lantern: Rebirth” #1 is an opening salvo and semi-mission statement that successfully justifies why Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz are worthy of their own book. Each one of these characters are deserving of their own separate title, yet the way they are brought together is a sure way to forge a new relationship. With this issue, as well as the other “Rebirth” issues this week, it appears that relationships will be the main foundation of the DC Universe.
Final Verdict: 8.0 – “Green Lanterns: Rebirth” #1 proves there can never be too many Lanterns. Simon Baz returns after too lengthy of a sabbatical while Jessica Cruz returns quickly after last week’s “Justice League” #50 and its astounding developments.
