[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Tom Taylor
Art: Bruno Redondo & Juan Albarran
Colors: Gabe Eltaeb
Letters: Wes Abbott
Summary
The main theme of the world of Injustice is what happens when super-heroes go bad? These series based on the video games have explored a world that is sometimes familiar, but mostly unfamiliar. Often, the two cross paths and it creates an exciting moment for the reader that is unlike any other. However, even more impactful is when that moment is not only recognizable, but insightful to the characters involved.
Hal Jordan is not necessarily looking for a second chance, but necessity requires that he make a play for one. The Red Lanterns are attacking Oa in full force. The new Lantern Lobo is doing his best to be inappropriate as well as effective. In the melee, Sinestro saves Hal’s life…. Hal’s conscience, in the form of an imagined Guy Gardner asks Hal what that’s all about. Sinestro explains that he needs Hal, he was Hal’s best student and he needs him if he’s going to save his daughter. He can’t rely on rookies. It’s a beautiful moment as Sinestro himself appears to be embracing the notion of second chances even if he doesn’t state it explicitly.
Guy tells Hal that in order to stop the Red Lanterns, he must bring the Corps together. Despite Hal’s own feelings, he must step up, it’s the only way they will stop the Reds. Hal does, and the Corps responds and it brings a huge smile to Sinestro’s face. Hal’s gambit works and he’s able to get to Sayd and remove the Starro from her face. Sinestro sees this as his opening and he rushes to Soranik to attempt to save her. And he does, but just before he can get the Starro off of her, she hits him with a ring construct that pierces his abdomen. She is saved, but Sinestro dies.
As the dust settles, Superboy, Wonder Girl and Starfire realize that a new threat has arrived…a Brainiac army?
Positives
Second chances are always intriguing. There’s been a lot done with Sinestro’s character over the past 10 years to paint him as anti-hero as opposed to outright villain. This has created the notion that the fallen Sinestro may have a hero inside him yet. Tom Taylor capitalizes on that notion in this issue as he saves no only Hal, but his daughter Soranik as well. The complex emotions are expertly depicted on Sinestro’s face by Redondo and Albarran and Eltaeb uses a fade to shadow to indicate Sinestro’s passing. This moment is the highlight of the issue.
The following image of a doubled-over Soranik in a field of Lanterns with heads bowed shows not only Soranik’s loss, but the fact that the other Lanterns know that Sinestro was one of their best and died in service to the Corps despite his fall. Redemption? Maybe. Emotionally charged drama? Yes!! Tom Taylor doesn’t need to write anything about what Soranik is feeling, the images by Redondo and Albarran tell it all. This moment is perfectly captured by the art team.
Negatives
For a comic that reads quickly, there is always a major character moment that overrides the action to take the issue to another level. This leaves little room for negatives….
Verdict
This issue could very easily be about the Red Lanterns and Green Lanterns having a final showdown, but it instead the characters of Hal Jordan, Sinestro and Soranik Natu come to the forefront and make this an emotionally charged masterpiece as opposed to a simple battle issue.
