New kids on the block.
Evil on Earth will have a harder time escaping sight in this newly (re)birthed DC Universe, as the planet’s Green Lantern contingent has upped its ranks. Geoff Johns and Sam Humphries bring their combined storytelling light to the Green Lantern mythos, their latest debut focusing on the greenest of Lanterns, Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz. Green Lanterns: Rebirth #1 offers a great first look at two as of yet underutilized characters, in turn providing a welcome hook for further adventures yet to come.
Given that he first appeared all the way back in 2012 Simon Baz is hardly “new”, but despite his time in the Corps and subsequent stint on the Justice League of America, the character in many ways still feels very much like a rookie. As such, his pairing with the new newly deputized Jessica Cruz makes perfect sense. This first issue does a great job of exploring the pressure and expectation each character feels at being the next in a line of Earth-based Lanterns, their eventual team-up offering an excellent segue into both the Green Lanterns title and the mythology at large. It also provides a solid starting point from which to explore their development both individually and as a pair, their unique back stories well presented and informative for readers new and old alike.
While the buddy-cop-in-space aspect works great, the rest of the issue has to work a bit harder to get off the ground. Working as the first foray into new series territory, the debut features a new character, an old foe, and a famous guest star. For the most part Johns and Humphries balance these many interlocking pieces well, but there are times where the feeling of setup threatens to overwhelm the great character work in play. When the exposition tapers down, however, the dynamic between Simon and Jessica really shines, something that will hopefully grow even further now that the initial plot points are in play.
On the art side of things, Lantern vets Ethan Van Sciver and Ed Benes trade pencil punches, the duo combining for an excellent first installment. Considering the contrast between Van Sciver’s hard line detail and Benes’ softer pencil work, it’s actually a bit surprising just how seamlessly the two work together. Part of that likely comes from their clear familiarity with the subject matter, but it also speaks to the consistent palette colorist Jason Wright brings to the table. Aside from a brief bit of ring slinging there’s not much in the way of action to this first issue, but the book’s ominous final page certainly hints at more visual engagement yet to come. And really, when you have both Van Sciver and Benes in one book, even just for an issue, it’s hard not to walk away impressed.
As both the next evolution of Green Lantern storytelling and a new debut in its own right, Green Lantern: Rebirth #1 is a solid first step. In Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz, Johns and Humphries have two unique and engaging characters, the early dynamic presented here one easily worth following. With the setup out of the way and an ending hook adding momentum, the future of this title looks very bright indeed.
The Verdict
Green Lanterns: Rebirth #1 is a strong start to an engaging premise. While setup heavy, it also contains a strong sense of character, something reflected in the easy, if reluctant, chemistry between its leads. The early lack of a true series artist makes expectations tough to come by, but the overall tone presented here offers plenty of promise going forward.
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