Written by: Jeremy Adams
Art by: Fernando Pasarin, Oclair Albert
Colors by: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letters by: Dave Sharpe
Cover art by: Ariel Colón (cover A)
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: August 14, 2024
Is Green Lantern #14 Good?
Wowee, wow, wow. Let's just make up a name for Jeremy Adams and call him the Lemon Master because the quality of entertainment he's squeezing out of Absolute Power should make his fellow DC writers pucker up their sour faces with envy. Is Green Lantern #14 perfect? no, but Adams makes the most out of the tie-in and pushes his own story forward by loading every square inch with importance and meaning.
When last we left Hal Jordan in Green Lantern #13, Absolute Power tie-in, Hal escaped captivity and torture at the hands of Amanda Waller's minions. When Hal worked his way through the Gamorra Island prison, he discovered a huge cache of weaponry that Waller confiscated from Earth's heroes and villains.
In Green Lantern #14, we pick up immediately after the ending of issue #13. Hal Jordan spies his ring in a case among all the weaponry Waller's soldiers are crating up and preparing for shipment. Hal creates a small distraction with the help of one of Toyman's tops and knocks out the guards who have his power ring.
I like what Jeremy Adams is doing with Hal Jordan. He uses his courage and smarts to gain an advantage and, hopefully, to get back into superhero shape. That said, the last issue and the start of this one only work if Gamorra Island has the worst security in the world, not to notice a shirtless guy running down the halls.
The issue cuts to Alan Scott, who we saw willingly go off with Jadestone at the end of Absolute Power: Task Force VII #3. We now know Jadestone took Scott to the Gamorra Island prison. Scott and Jadestone play chess in Scott's cell, discussing the philosophical potential of free will, an after-effect of Jadestone absorbing the Starheart energy from Alan Scott. Jadestone excuses itself when it hears the alarm set off by Hal's actions.
Here, we see the promise of what was started in Absolute Power: Task Force VII #3 continue to play out. When Jadestone absorbed the Starheart energy, Jeremey Adams planted the seed that the Amazo robot may have gained free will. Scott smartly nurtures that seed with the hope that it will pay off. Jadestone's "conversion" is the most interesting thread in the tie-ins.
The scene switches back to Hal. He's pursued by Waller's stormtroopers, and he breaks open every case within reach to use whatever weapons he can to fend off the stormtroopers long enough to escape. Just when he thinks he might have a chance, Jadestone arrives and quickly captures Hal.
Jadestone may be wrestling with conflicting programming, but he doesn't waste time restraining Hal with a Green Lantern construct.
The issue cuts to Carol Ferris and the still-free members of the JSA inside the Tower of Fate. The JSA knows they need help by growing their numbers, but they know they'll get captured within minutes if they leave the Tower. Their solution? Ask Carol Ferris to go since it's unlikely Amanda Waller would be looking for her.
Carol's scene with the JSA is one of the highlights of this issue. Her wide-eyed wonder at sitting with a team of superheroes inside a magic tower reminds readers that superhero comics are supposed to be hopeful, optimistic, and fun. If Carol decides to become Star Sapphire full-time as a takeaway from this experience, it would be a welcome change.
The comic switches to the Great Hall of OA, where Thaaros holds a meeting with the council. Thaaros's allies are concerned about Hal Jordan's recent attack, but Thaaros assures them that Hal has been neutralized. Members of the council grumble that their world would become the target of a multi-planet offensive if it was discovered that all the ambassadors were replaced by shapeshifters. Thaaros tells his brethren not to be concerned because he intends to lead his force to a total takeover of the galaxy.
Jeremey Adams inserts a scene that feels like it comes out of nowhere, but it smartly plants intriguing seeds for the series after Absolute Power ends. It's clear Thaaros's fellow shapeshifters do not share his lust for totalitarian authority, so his fellow Durlans may not be so loyal to him for long.
The issue cuts back to Hal in the Gamorran Prison. Without a dead ring, Hal is no match for Jadestone. Hal tries to run, firing every weapon he can get his hands on, but nothing works. Out of desperation, Hal picks up and aims a stick at Jadestone, a stick that just so happens to be Abra Kadabra's wand. After a massive explosion, Jadestone concludes Hal was vaporized. In reality, Hal just gave himself and his allies a huge boost.
The issue ends with Christmas coming early, an undercover mission, and tears of sorrow and anger.
Overall, Jeremy Adams packs gobs of twists, turns, and cool developments in this issue to expand what's happening in the main Absolute Power event and make progress on the Green Lantern series. That's quite a balancing act, so kudos to Adams for another entertaining read.
How's the Art? Fernando Pasarin and Oclair Albert deliver a pitch-perfect set of visuals with action, adventure, heart, and a tiny amount of appropriate humor. The figure work, facial acting, and action all look great, and Romulo Fajardo Jr.'s coloring is on point.
Backup Story
Marc Guggenheim delivers another one-off story that centers on a Green Lantern named Shynt D'Proba. Shynt was honored to become a Green Lantern when the power ring chose him, but he soon came to suspect that the rings no longer choose bearers based on nobility and honor but on their likelihood of compliance to Thaaros.
Now a member of Thaaros's Shadow Lanterns, Shynt hatches a plan to be rid of Thaaros's manipulative influence and, hopefully, ensure his ring passes to a truly worthy successor.
Marc Guggenheim's tale of quiet dissension within Thaaros's ranks is perfectly serviceable, and the art is decent enough. That said, the real kicker of the story is the suggestion that a new Lantern will be joining the Corps without Thaaros's manipulation soon.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Final Thoughts
Green Lantern #14 is one of the strongest tie-ins to Absolute Power because Jeremy Adams gives you plenty of cool developments, action, excitement, and adventure while finding an organic way to further the plot on Green Lantern. There isn't a bad spot scene in this entire comic, and the art team delivers.
8.8/10
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Green Lantern #14, a landmark issue in the DC Comics series, promises readers an exciting and thrilling journey. In this episode, Hal Jordan, the mighty and legendary Green Lantern, faces a new and monumental challenge.
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