Space is what defines Green Lantern as unique from other heroes like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and Aquaman. The Man of Steel has the bright streets and the sky above Metropolis. The Dark Knight has the alleys of Gotham City. The Emerald Gladiator, Hal Jordan, has the far reaches of space. Green Lantern: The Animated Series #6 is yet another issue with Hal on the other side of the galaxy with Kilowog, Red Lantern Razer and Aya aboard the Guardians' prototype ship, the Interceptor. It feels as if this idea has gone on for at least five issues too long.
Even after watching the series premiere episode, and picking up the comic series zero issue, where the premise is presented that Atrocitus is leading his Red Lantern Corpse in hunting down and exterminating Green Lanterns, starting at the opposite edge of the galaxy from Oa, there seems to be more questions than answers. First, why do the Guardians need a ship such as the Interceptor? That seems more like a toy line introduction than a plot point. Another question that might involve licensing is, why the Red Lanterns? Where is Sinestro and the Sinestro Corps? Is that all tied up in a knot with the Green Lantern film franchise? How is it possible to reform and rehabilitate a Red Lantern? That seems to be what is happening to Razer. Slowly, he is giving up his anger and hate and learning trust, co-operation and teamwork. Valuable lessons to teach in an all-ages book, but it just doesn't seem to ring true with the basic premise of the Red Lanterns; or any of the corpse. The reason a ring choses a wearer is because they are either strong willed, scary, angry, greedy or hopeful. How is it possible to change a hateful, angry Red Lantern's stripes?
That seems to be what's happeneing as the Interceptor, with Hal, Kilowog, Razer and Aya aboard arrives at the remains of a destroyed world. It appears that the Red Lanterns devasted the world. Razer believes that there is nothing left, but Aya detects a surviving life sign. Hal races off to investigate. Kilowog warns that it may be a trap. Aya says that the life sign is not human.
If Hal is not supposed to be able to change from being an impulsive, rash, quick thinker, why should it be expected that the other Lanterns around him would learn and develop and grow beyond their basic nature?
Hal comes across the world's lone survivor, a young alien girl. She appears to be alone and scared. He reaches out to comfort her. Suddenly, Hal is surrounded by an army of Red Lanterns. Led by none other than Atrocitus. This is a pretty cool surprise twist. Like something from The Twilight Zone. It's pretty ambitious from the award-winning Tiny Titans, and Patrick The Wolf Boy team of Art Baltazar and Franco. It's an easy effect to imagine, but not so easy for penciller Darid Brizuela to pull off. as hard as it is to believe, it does look Hal is staring down Atrocitus and the Red Lantern Corps.
When they catch up to him, Razer, Kilowog and Aya tell Hal he looked like he was in a trance next to the little girl. The Red Lanterns have apparently disappeared.
After a short debate, they all agree to get the little girl back to the ship. Obviously, it's been awhile since Hal watched an epsiode of Star Trek, or any of it's spinoffs. They've all accepted that the best course of action is to rescue this little girl and take her away, as the last survivor from this dead world. Unfortunately for Razer, she recognizes him as a Red Lantern.
Green Lantern:The Animated Series could have worked better alongside either The Batman Adventures, Superman Adventures, Justice League Adventures, Teen Titans, Go! or the Legion of Super-Heroes book. By itself, now, the book stands out like a sore thumb with a bad title. This book has so much potential and expectation to live up to. This time it's not really reaching for it, which is surprising, considering the creative team. Maybe it's not as comfortable a fit as Tiny Titans was.
Suddenly, Hal is surrounded by an army of Red Lanterns. Led by none other than Atrocitus. This is a pretty cool surprise twist. Like something from The Twilight Zone. It's pretty ambitious from the award-winning Tiny Titans, and Patrick The Wolf Boy team of Art Baltazar and Franco. It's an easy effect to imagine, but not so easy for penciller Darid Brizuela to pull off. as hard as it is to believe, it does look Hal is staring down Atrocitus and the Red Lantern Corps.
