Warning! Spoilers ahead for Absolute Green Lantern #1! In a transformative shift, the Green Lanterns find themselves in a precarious yet invigorating position, navigating challenges that could be pivotal to their survival. The Absolute Universe has emerged as a formidable landscape where DC’s most revered heroes, including the Emerald Knights, are tested amid chaos.
Originating from Darkseid’s energy that infiltrated the Prime DC Universe and settled on Earth-Alpha, the Absolute Universe is a realm dominated by despair. However, even in this bleak atmosphere, heroes are beginning to rise, notably the Green Lanterns. Stripped of their traditional Corps and Power Rings, they possess an essential quality that could prove vital in this altered reality.
The Absolute Green Lanterns: United Before Joining the Corps
Long-Established Bonds Before Abin Sur’s Emergence
In Absolute Green Lantern #1, authored by Al Ewing and illustrated by Jahnoy Lindsay and Lucas Gattoni, we encounter Hal Jordan on a solitary walk along a highway. His interaction with a suspicious cop quickly escalates, but in a flash, the officer disappears. Continuing his journey, Hal seeks solace at a diner, where a news report features a newly materialized structure in Evergreen, astonishingly resembling the emblem of the Green Lantern Corps.
Flashback to five days earlier, Hal enjoys a casual lunch in Evergreen with his friends Jo Mullein and John Stewart. Their light-hearted chatter about life takes an abrupt turn when they hear a thunderous crash outside. Rushing out, they encounter the glowing alien structure that has mysteriously appeared in their town, soon discovering that it accompanies the arrival of Abin Sur, the alien who once brought the Green Lantern legacy to Earth.
Fast forward to the present, Hal’s revelation about Evergreen ignites panic among the diner’s patrons, putting him in jeopardy. He unveils the ‘gift’ from Abin Sur—a formidable black energy coursing through his hand that poses a lethal threat to anyone who challenges him. In a tumultuous scene where Hal contemplates the burden of his newfound power, Jo Muellin arrives, now imbued with Green Lantern energy, to offer support.
Green Lanterns: Equipped to Face Abin Sur’s Trials
The Core Asset of the Lanterns Remains Untouched
The Absolute Universe, molded by Darkseid’s energy, thrives on chaos, presenting insurmountable hurdles to its few heroes. Unlike their usual lives where Batman’s resources are a boon and the Flash has a legacy of speed, these heroes are forced to navigate a world devoid of their foundational support. Yet, there’s a silver lining: the heroes retain certain strengths, essential for their survival in this distorted reality.
The Green Lanterns may find themselves in troubling circumstances—crafted without a Corps and facing a more formidable Abin Sur, who seems to utilize Hal’s black energy as a weapon. Despite these daunting realities, the intrinsic bonds among Hal, Jo, John, and even Guy Gardner echo the strength found in their Prime Universe counterparts. They may lack the guidance of a Guardian of the Universe or the wisdom of the Book of Oa, but their friendship remains their most powerful asset.
As the world grows increasingly ruthless around them, Hal is thrust into challenging experiences early on in this saga. The cornerstone of the Green Lanterns’ endurance lies not in their powers, but in the steadfast relationships they cultivate. Hal and Jo’s connection is set to be a critical lifeline, ensuring they support one another through the unpredictable trials of the Absolute Universe.
The Power of Friendship: The Green Lantern’s True Strength
A Hopeful Outlook for the Heroes in Absolute Green Lantern
As the journey unfolds, this critical alteration in the Green Lanterns’ backstories could be exactly what they require to confront the adversities posed by Abin Sur. Together, these friends are equipped to face whatever challenges arise; their unity is far more potent than any magical artifact. Although the Absolute Universe is unpredictable, one thing is certain: the Green Lanterns will not confront these trials in isolation.
Absolute Green Lantern #1 is now available from DC Comics.