Absolute Green Lantern #2

We’re in what feels like a second wave, if you will, for the Absolute universe. After kicking off last year with the introduction of Absolute variants of the main trio of DC Comics – Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman – we now find ourselves working through the brand’s marginally more side-lined heroes, one of the coolest of which is undoubtedly the grievously under-represented Green Lantern. After an intense and obscure start to this comic in its first issue, Absolute Green Lantern is back for its second release, and we’re here to talk about it!

Today, I’m talking all things Absolute Green Lantern #2, and we’ll be sure to avoid any and all spoilers, so feel free to read ahead before picking up your own copy. Without further ado, let’s get into the review!

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Absolute Green Lantern #2 Review

Image by DC Comics

As the second issue of this comic played out, I started to realise that DC Comics may have been pulling a sort of false advertising scheme here, particularly with the cover of that first issue. This is, undoubtedly so far, Hal Jordan’s story. In fact, Jo Mullein feels like a side character, and not even the most important one at that. The comic has remained true to its promises of being a ‘horror’ comic, what with its gory imagery and overall dystopian theme, so it feels strange for the alleged main character to be so viciously side-lined throughout these first two issues. Hal’s story is certainly intriguing, so I’m not that upset about it, but still – it would have been nice for Absolute Green Lantern to feel like the female-led comic we were promised.

On the topic of Jo Mullein, however, her design is certainly the standout in Absolute Green Lantern, a series that has a beautiful art style all-round. This issue of the comic takes things in a more action-oriented direction than the first issue, and luckily, the art style doesn’t lag behind these heightened stakes. As a member of the Green Lantern Corps, Jo’s design is on-point – here’s hoping that the story gives her enough to do for her look to be done justice. However, Jo isn’t the only character benefitting from Jahnoy Lindsay’s work. Abin Sur, as a character, has had all sorts of looks over the years, but I really enjoy him here. He feels more terrifying than ever, and this new design matches that energy perfectly.

Speaking of the main alien himself, the titular character of this issue, Abin Sur takes Absolute Green Lantern to new heights this week. This comic has, thus far, been the definition of ‘escalating quickly’. This fast story escalation does feel like a characteristic of the Absolute universe up until this point, but Absolute Green Lantern feels like we’ve been thrust into what would be the final act of a superhero movie within the comic’s first two issues. There’s no shortage of thrills here, that’s for sure, and I’m all for it.

Image by DC Comics

Now, a confession from the author of this review – as a whole, I’m largely unfamiliar with Green Lantern as a property. I can name you a long, long list of Batman characters, and I’ve been watching Superman movies since childhood, but beyond his appearances in the Injustice games, and the occasional involvement in a DC animated movie, I’m mostly clueless about Green Lantern, and his rogues gallery. However, that just makes this exploration of the alien side of the Absolute universe all the more enjoyable for me – where Absolute Batman is grounded in realism, and Absolute Wonder Woman deals with mythology, Absolute Green Lantern is all about the extra-terrestrial, but in a gloriously horrific way. I may not be a Green Lantern fan, but I am a horror fan – this is all reading as very promising to me.

In our review for the first issue of Absolute Green Lantern, we made a comparison to Jujutsu Kaisen, and the manga world in general, and after reading the second issue, I feel like I’m seeing this comparison materialise more and more. As far as the story goes, Hal’s ‘possession’ definitely feels in-line with Yuji’s experience with Sukuna, and the art style feels very reminiscent of the visuals seen in manga, particularly when it comes to Hal’s design. As a manga fan, I really appreciate the direction that this story is taking. It feels like the set-up for a really strong shonen manga, particularly in its willingness to draw from the horror genre.

And, as it does in shonen, Absolute Green Lantern wastes no time this issue with getting into the action. If you’re a fan of the Absolute universe in general, be prepared going into this issue. Sure, this universe isn’t afraid to get dark, but this issue is regularly disarming, and feels like it holds nothing back in showing just how brutal the world of this comic, and the world of the Green Lantern, can be. Expect the unexpected is all I’ll say – some serious stuff goes down, particularly in the second half of this comic.

Image by DC Comics

If I was to call out Absolute Green Lantern #2 for one thing, it would be that, though I’m not sure how I would have wanted these characters to react, there is an overbearing nonchalant reaction to the events of this issue. Let’s just say, if I were in this universe, I don’t think I would have recovered so quickly from what I just saw, and been able to go enjoy a drink with friends as we discussed our day. I love the coolness of these characters thus far, but please don’t let their collected attitudes come at the expense of making them feel human.

There’s really no way I can predict where Absolute Green Lantern will go next, not only because of my unfamiliarity with the Green Lantern universe, but also because Al Ewing is clearly willing to take this comic to places that there’s no way to predict. To say this series has been unstable thus far would be an understatement, but I’m all-in. What do you think of this issue of Absolute Green Lantern? Be sure to let us know in the comments, and thanks for reading!

See also: Absolute Green Lantern #1 Review

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