Throwback Thursday Reviews: Green Lantern #23 (2013)

No Time for Love, Dr. Jordan


Writer: Robert Venditti
Artist: Billy Tan, Richard Friend
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: August 7, 2013

Cover Price: $2.99

Hal Jordan has not been a great Green Lantern Corps leader.  Since assuming command Lanterns have died, Larfleeze stole Lantern property and a high level prisoner has escaped from her Sciencell.  To make things right, Hal decides to bring the prisoner back to face justice.  Although Hal is the leader of a whole Corps of Green Lanterns, he decides to attack the problem the way he usually does...alone.


Last month the escaped prisoner, Prixiam Nol-Anj, became a Star Sapphire based on her love of her Clann.  She loves them so much that she flies right to them upon escaping.  Not too smart.  Hal follows her to the planet and confronts Prixiam and her shabby Clann.  

A fight starts, Hal declares he has no time for love (Dr. Jones?), but Prixiam disagrees and shows him what Carol Ferris is up too.  We see a scene from New Guardians #22 with Carol and Kyle Rayner fighting Relic.  This scene is what I have the most problem with.  Is Hal upset that Carol is in danger?  Is he upset that she is fighting alongside Kyle? I assume the later, but the rage and/or jealousy doesn't ring true.

Then in another "Lights Out" foreshadowing, Both Hal's and Prixiam's rings lose power.  Hal barely escapes dying from the hostile environment and then flies off looking for Kyle and Carol. Yes, he just leaves Prixiam because of what I assume is jealousy.  The last panel shows a pretty pissed off looking Hal flying through space.

To say I was disappointed with Robert Venditti's story is an understatement.  I like the idea of loner Hal Jordan being put in charge of reforming the Corps.  He genuinely seemed to want to do a good job.  Then he completely abandons his mission to find his ex-girlfriend who may be cheating on him.   Hal has always flown by the seat of his pants, but now he is being controlled by what is inside those tights.

Billy Tan's art was decent, but not great.  I was impressed last month by the colorful art, but this month seemed a bit bland and washed out.  

Bits and Pieces:

Green Lantern #23 was not a good book.  Hal comes off as a jerk more concerned with his failed relationship with Carol Ferris than rebuilding the Corps.  The book looked ok but was a bit bland and uninspired in the art department.  I hope that Venditti rebounds with the next issue, but that will have to wait until after the upcoming Villains Month.

4.0/10