Comic Review: Green Lanterns #52

Green Lanterns #52

DC Comics

Writer: Dan Jurgens

Artist: Marco Santucci

Dan Jurgens rarely writes a bad story, but I’m not sure he’s ever written a great story.  Despite his long and impressive career at DC, Dan Jurgens doesn’t have the same cult following as other writers in the industry.  I think this is because Jurgens always delivers solid books, but never makes the story a must read.  So when DC announced Jurgens was taking over one of my favorite books, I had a pretty indifferent reaction.  However, his first issue really hooked me in.  The book changed from a Simon and Jess buddy-cop book to a Green Lantern Corps style book.  Although I loved Simon and Jess, the concept of the first story was enough to hook me in.  So is Green Lanterns the book where Jurgens finally shines or is it just more run of the mill ring-slinging?

Green Lanterns #52 directly continues the story from the previous issue.  The Lanterns are in disarray due to malfunctioning power rings.  Instead of providing assistance, the rings issue false commands to trick their owners into turning on one another.  I love this idea by the way.  The misinformation spread throughout the battles make for a clever new way to add suspense to the story.  This issue follows the Corps as they battle an army of Ravagers.  Instead of relaying Guy Gardner’s orders, Simon Baz’s ring tricks Simon into thinking he can’t trust his fellow Lanterns.

In the midst of all this action is the new villain, Eon.  I’m still super confused about Eon’s place in the story.  The opening sequence of the issue shows that the one behind the corrupted rings is still a mystery.  So if Eon isn’t the one controlling the rings, who the heck is he?  His only role in the story seems to be showing up and shouting, “We are of the one.  You are not of the one.  You will never be of the one.”  I’m not really sold on his character yet, and hopefully, he’ll use more than the same three lines of dialogue in future issues.

I’m not loving Jurgen’s dialogue in this issue.  Instead of sounding like actual characters, the Lanterns spout lines of exposition to make sure the audience knows what’s going on.  It doesn’t feel like particularly bad writing, but I think the characters could have used more personality.  This might be because there are so many characters in this book to juggle.  A typical Green Lantern Corps book follows a few of the Earth Lanterns, but in this issue, we have Hal, Kyle, John, Guy, Simon, Jess, Kilowog, and others.  In the future, I hope Jurgens settles down on the few Lanterns that he wants to focus on.  With Morrison and Sharp announcing a new Hal Jordan book, I would hate for Simon and Jess to fade from the spotlight.  Even if other members pop up, I hope Simon and Jess will be featured prominently.

Marco Santucci is responsible for art in this issue.  I don’t really have too much to say when it comes to the art.  Similar to Jurgen’s storytelling, Santucci’s pencils get the job done but don’t get me excited.

Jurgens run on Green Lanterns is off to a decent start.  I would be lying if I didn’t say I was more excited about Morrison’s upcoming Lantern book, but I think this run has some potential.  If Jurgens can follow through with the corrupted rings story and create similarly interesting concepts, this could be a great book.  But right now, Green Lanterns seems like traditional Jurgens, for better or for worse.