Review: Green Lantern Vol. 3- The End

Quick Summary

Pros: Simon Baz’s introduction is fun and exciting. His character is also interesting and brings up some compelling social issues. The book’s second half is an action-packed finale to a high stakes arc. It also explores some deep emotions through several of its main characters. The artwork is positive and pairs well with the story.

Cons: Some aspects of the finale will not be as highly appreciated by newer readers.

Overall: This is an excellent volume that gives a worthwhile conclusion to one of the most memorable eras in Green Lantern history. It starts by introducing readers to a new Green Lantern through a story that involves social reflection, action, and fun. Then, it goes on to detail an epic, emotional, and highly entertaining finale that shows what an amazing character Hal Jordan can be. Readers looking for an incredible Green Lantern book, especially those familiar with Hal Jordan’s history, should not miss this one.

Story

Green Lantern Vol. 3: The End, by Geoff Johns, is a stellar volume that succeeds on nearly all fronts. The first half of the collection is fun rising action that introduces readers to Simon Baz. This new character’s actions are entertaining to see play out and his connection to social issues makes for some great political commentary. Then, the book’s second half refocuses on Hal Jordan and the climax of this arc. This provides a meaningful look into Hal’s progress over the last several years that pairs well with an epic display of action. Finally, the book concludes with some great emotions that punctuate the end of an era in Green Lantern history.

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The End opens by introducing readers to the latest human member of the Green Lantern Corps. Simon Baz is designed as a character who represents a mix between Hal Jordan and Sinestro’s values. This produces a hero who is willing to do whatever it takes to protect the people around him, even if this means stepping outside of the law. He also proves to be an entertaining character, who’s introduction is a wonderful mix of action, through a battle with the Justice League, and fun, through a team-up with an alien squirrel.

Simon’s induction as a Green Lantern is also significant as it makes him the first Muslim Green Lantern and instantly turns him into one of the most prominent Muslim superheroes. His backstory and superhero origin directly incorporate his religion. His early years saw a historic rise in America’s Islamophobia and discrimination against anyone of Middle Eastern descent. His more modern years saw him blamed for a crime he did not commit, an accusation further bolstered by racism. All of these tense social and racial issues are handled well within this story and open the avenue for further social commentary through this new character.

After Simon’s introduction, the narrative refocuses back on Hal Jordan. At this point in time, Hal is on the verge of death with no way to get back to fight the event’s main villain, the First Lantern. However, at this point in time, he makes a choice that, in my opinion, secures his place as history’s greatest Green Lantern. He kills himself. He makes this decision armed with a Green Lantern’s greatest weapon, willpower, and nothing else. However, his gamble pays off and the arrival of a Black Lantern Ring allows him to return to the world of the living.

Now back to life, Hal rejoins the fight against the First Lantern. It is an epic showdown that pulls in nearly a decade of Green Lantern stories into one moment. This triggers a convergence of multiple Lantern Corps, an emotional trip into Hal’s childhood, and the personification of Death joining the fight. The entire conflict is epic and ends with the First Lantern and the Guardians defeated. Though experience with Geoff Johns’ past Green Lantern titles makes this final moment better, even new readers should be able to appreciate the unbridled power on display throughout this final chapter. 

Alongside all of this epic action, the end of The End also slips in a few touching moments that gave me chills when reading them. Seeing a bright future for each of this event’s main characters gives a wholesome touch to a volume that is mostly about death and destruction. Meanwhile, Hal and Sinestro’s farewell is a gut-wrenching twist of emotion that feels particularly poignant after their past two volumes of pseudo-comradery. Finally, the implication that, one day, Sinestro rejoins the Green Lantern Corps as one of its historians is the perfect icing on the cake. All of this makes an already great event even better.

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Art

The artwork in The End is highly positive and works well and a visual complement to the quality of the storytelling. Doug Manhke’s work is wonderfully detailed and creatively structured. The level of detail makes the situations of this comic seem even more serious and the creativity really helps bring the Lantern constructs to life. This work is then contrasted against several beautiful pages from Szymon Kudranski. These pages, which focus on events in a specific location, are a dramatic shift in the aesthetic that perfectly captures the mood of the scenes they depict. The contrast between these two art styles allows both to stand out even further, which enhances aspects of the storytelling. Overall, the visuals in this book are great and help this read as a whole.

Continuity

Green Lantern Vol. 3: The End continues the story from Green Lantern Vol. 2: The Revenge of Black Hand (Review). This volume also contains issues that form parts of the Green Lantern: Rise of the Third Army and Green Lantern: Wrath of the First Lantern crossover events and, thus, references the events of the issues it crosses over with. Our upcoming reading orders for these events will explain exactly how they cross over.

The story here continues in Green Lantern Vol. 4: Dark Days.

This volume also references other comic books, detailed below:

• Mogo was killed back in Green Lantern Corps #60, collected in War of the Green Lanterns.
• Many references are made to the battle against Krona and the last climatic meeting of the separate Corps. This all took place in Green Lantern: War of the Green Lanterns.
• Tomar-Re died in Green Lantern Vol 2 #198, collected in Green Lantern: Sector 2814 Vol. 3.
• Many pieces of Hal Jordan’s life are shown. These include:
  • His separation from Paralax in Green Lantern: Rebirth, part of Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Book One.
  • His battle against the Manhunters in Green Lantern Vol. 4 #12-13, collected in Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Book Two.
  • His fight against Sinestro and the Yellow Lanterns in Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps War.
  • His encounter with the Red Lanterns in Green Lantern: Rage of the Red Lanterns.
  • His encounter with Larfleeze in Green Lantern: Agent Orange.
  • The war against the dead in Blackest Night.