DCU Comic Book Reviews

GREEN LANTERN #41

Agent Orange, Part Three

June 2009

Written by Geoff Johns

Pencils by Philip Tan and Eddy Barrows

Inks by Jonathon Glapion, Ruy Jose, and Julio Ferreria

Covers by Philip Tan and Eddy Barrows

Synopsis

On Okaara, Orange Lantern Larfleeze has captured Hal Jordan.  He wants the blue ring that Jordan wears.  He reaches for it.  The blue ring asks:  “What do you hope for?”  Larfleeze hopes for the ring.  The ring says, “hope is selfless,” and zaps Larfleeze.  At that moment, Jordan tries to escape.  Larfleeze attacks, biting Jordan’s arm.  Above them, the Guardians battle the Orange constructs created by Larfleeze.  The constructs grab John Stewart, intent to dismember him.  Star Sapphire Fatality arrives to save him.  On Ungara, Sinestro is visiting the grave of Abin Sur.  He then informs the rest of the Yellow Lanterns.  It is time to take back their own from the Star Sapphires.  In Sector 666, Ash is getting closer to the Anti-monitor, but fears what he will find.  On Okarra, Jordan offers to give Hal the blue ring in exchange for information, to learn how Larfleeze gained the power of the Orange Lantern.  After he finishes, Jordan attempts to remove the blue ring, but can’t.  So, Larfleeze slices off Jordan’s arm.  And takes the ring.  Larfleeze is then welcomed to the Blue Lantern Corps.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

The ending to the previous issue is pretty much the same as the last issue, with Larfleeze and the blue ring.  The only difference is that this time Larfleeze has the ring instead of just wanting it.  In situations like this, I would criticize the writer for failing to move the story forward and I suppose that is true to a certain account.  However, Johns may have not done much with the plot, but he did push the story forward with a wonderful conversation between Jordan and Larfleeze that ultimately led to the origin of the Orange Lantern.  This could’ve been dry and boring, but Johns makes the first part of the issue come alive with wonderful interaction between Jordan and Larfleeze and the definition of what hope means to Agent Orange.  And I like how Jordan barters with Larfleeze for the story, which is a welcome change from the villain simply telling the story (or in the parlance of the Incredibles, “monologuing”).  It is good, and somewhat necessary, stuff. 

The rest of the issue is Johns slowly building toward “Blackest Night.”  We get brief snippets of material, just enough to remind us of other characters and other things going on, but nothing that impacts the story of Agent Orange too much. 

I wonder if Johns created a Green Lantern bible when he was writing Rebirth a few years.  I ask this question because of the way Johns was able to merge the origin of the Orange Lanterns with Parallax and the Manhunters.  Everything just clicks together.  So, either Johns has remarkable skill and ability to weave plot points together in a credible fashion, or he worked everything out in advance and has done a remarkable job slowly building its world, giving out bits and pieces whenever it was needed.  Either way, I am impressed.

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