Judd Winick plays around with the space-opera riff that's inherent in the title character, it makes for some good super-hero storytelling. But there are a couple of elements of the script that just don't sit well with me, and I'm not the only one. Almost eclipsing those awkward moments in the plot and script, though, are Eaglesham's, Ramos's and Baumann's efforts. The art is detailed and playful, and it's a shame that Eaglesham will be leaving this title to work with CrossGen in warmer climes than those of Quebec.
Disillusioned by protecting mankind in the face of its own ignorance and hatred, Kyle Rayner and Jennie Lynn Hayden -- Green Lanterns, the both of them -- are taking something of a sabbatical on Oa. But Kyle's not looking to his cool his heels and mope. Instead, he looks to the last surviving Guardian of the Universe, Ganthet, for a new assignment. The immortal points him in the direction of a planet that's been settled by a sentient race, but is being plagued by a horde of rocky monsters that spew forth from the earth itself.
I used to equate Eaglesham's work with darker stories, and he certainly has that in him. But here, we also discover that there's a sense of wonder and fun to his work. The double-page splash on pages two and three captures a sense of joy, and the same can be said of Kyle and Jen's encounters with the rock creatures as well. Baumann brings bright greens to bear to reinforce that notion, and the blue skintone of the Oans boasts a soothing and pure feel as well. The background detail and meticulous design of the supposed antagonists of the story is impressive as well.
My problem with this issue is two-fold. Kyle needed to get away from Earth because he had trouble protecting people he had come to view as petty and unworthy, but the aliens he encounters here seem human in their attitudes and are, in fact, seem corrupt and manipulative. Furthermore, the plot -- that the rock creatures may not be so malevolent after all -- is more than a little obvious. And when one of the characters -- Jennie -- agrees with both points, it's clear there's a little problem.
Nevertheless, there's a sense of adventure and fun at play here that reminds me of why I fell in love with the super-hero genre as a kid. Kyle is selfless here, but enjoys his role as well. There's an inherent happiness at play that serves as a nice shift after the sadness and anger of the "Hate Crime" story arc that sparked this working vacation in outer space.
