Green Lanterns, Volume 2: The Phantom Lantern by Sam Humphries

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book collects Green Lanterns #7-14 with Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz. This time, we get two inter-related story arcs. The Exiled Guardian that arrived in Issue 6 is present for Baz's family Halloween but also is kidnapped by hostile aliens who want what he possesses which turns out to be the phantom ring which sets up the titular Phantom Lantern Arc.

The series really does focus on these two characters and their own personal struggles. Yet, it doesn't depend on retreading the same ground, going back to the same well over and over again. The two are definitely comfortable with another as a team. Jessica shows more of a sense of humor and friendliness. She has insecurities and fears that come through the story particularly that she may not really fit as a Green Lantern due to the power of the Phantom Ring's ability to bring out whichever energy is the strongest. I like the resolution to that arc a whole lot. Simon is not sure he's strong enough. They literally have to face their fears in the course of the story.

At the same time, the Phantom Lantern is a great character: a man who was saved by Hal Jordan and who became obsessed with becoming a Green Lantern. He gets the phantom ring and we find he may be the worst person in the world to wield it due to his emotional instability and his tendency to drift across the emotional perspective. He's dangerous and unstable, but he's not a monster. It's interesting to see how this plays out.

The long-exiled first lantern was the key to helping him achieve his goal, but what that figure is playing at remains a mystery until the end and even then, it appears only acquired a means to an end.

Overall, this book exceeded the first and I like Simon and Jessica more than I did after the first volume. This is probably the biggest surprise I've had in reading DC Rebirth. Highly recommended.



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