Absolute Green Lantern #5 Review

• Written by: Al Ewing

• Art by: Jahnoy Lindsay

• Colors by: Jahnoy Lindsay

• Letters by: Luca Gattoni

• Cover art by: Jahnoy Lindsay (cover A)

• Cover price: $4.99

• Release date: August 6, 2025

Absolute Green Lantern #5, by DC Comics on 8/6/25, sees Jo confronting an evil entity within Hal Jordan while Hector Hammond seeks to uncover the truth about the "anomaly."

First Impressions

My initial reaction to this issue was a mix of bewilderment and disappointment. The story felt disjointed, leaving me struggling to piece together what was happening or why I should care.

Recap

In the last issue, Absolute Green Lantern #4, Jo Mullein was held captive by an alien entity. She attempted to get free from Abin Sur by reasoning with him. in the present, Jo began to use her ring, Hal, now transformed into a nightmare version of Black Hand, attacked her. Hal tried to get Jo to confront the evil within him by facing her fear. Jo recalled how she defeated Abin Sur by touching him with her gold wedding band. That defeat led to the downfall of the Green Lantern ship and the destruction of Evergreen, granting Jo the powers she now wields.

Plot Analysis

An injured man is found under rubble, delirious and muttering about an "alien" and "Abin Sur". Two individuals in yellow hazmat suits discuss his injuries, which include a cracked femur and three smashed ribs. The leader of the rescue team, identified as Hector Hammond, tells the others to get the man to a medical center, but then changes his mind, wanting to talk to him first. The man describes a sound like "God's fist hitting the cities" and says that he was under rubble at his cafe, at the edge of the dome. He mentions that anyone who was further in was already dead and blames "the alien, Abin Sur" for getting them. The man then asks "Where is she?" referring to Jo Mullein, and recounts how Hal was outside when the roof collapsed, and he heard everything that happened next, but didn't see it.

He explains that Hal confronted the alien about what it did to Jo Mullein, claiming it turned her into "something like you" and now she is "gone". The alien reveals that "anomalies cannot exist in the spectrum of light" and that Jo will be "sought" and "hunted". The alien tells Hal Jordan to "be with fear". Hal fires his gun with gold bullets at the alien, shouting that it's for John and his home. The alien then proclaims "Judgment, Hal Jordan!" and imbues Hal with the power of the Black Hand as it "dies."

In his mind, Hal asks the Black Hand what it did and how far out the "world that's coming" is. The Black Hand says that "Judgment is no longer in progress" and that "an Abin Sur cannot now be appointed". He then tells Hal Jordan to "be with fear" and mentions "the Black Star". Hal then passes out.

After hearing the story, Hector Hammond gives orders to put the injured man in a lab and keep him alive because he wants to know more about the "Hal guy" and the "anomaly," but more importantly, he wants to find Jo Mullein. Meanwhile, Jo Mullein is seen facing off against Black Hand, who is a dark, grotesque mutation of Hal with red eyes. Hal tells Jo he killed Abin Sur because he believed it killed her. The Black Hand then reveals to Jo that she is an "anomaly," and tells her to "take off the damn ring". Jo then recalls how she kept the ring after her divorce, so she shouldn't have to give it back. The comic ends with Jo Mullein fighting Black Hand in the desert and Hector Hammond's team spotting a "green light" and something they believe is "the great one" in trouble.

Writing

The narrative feels incredibly disjointed, hopping between scenes and perspectives without much grace. It is challenging to follow the actual sequence of events, and the dialogue often adds to the confusion rather than alleviating it. Characters speak in fragmented sentences and cryptic pronouncements that do little to advance the plot in a comprehensible way. The attempt at wit falls flat when the core story is so muddled.

Art

While the art has moments of visual flair, particularly with the energy constructs of the Green Lantern, the overall execution lacks consistency. The coloring can be jarring, and some panels appear rushed or incomplete, failing to fully convey the intended emotion or action. The character designs sometimes waver, making it difficult to recognize individuals consistently across pages. It occasionally looks great, but those moments are few and far between.

Characters

Character motivations are murky at best. Hal Jordan's injured delirium is a device that keeps the reader in the dark, but it also makes it hard to connect with his plight. Hector Hammond is a generic villain, and the monstrous Black Hand/Hal persona confronting Jo Mullein is more of a plot device than a developed character. Jo Mullein herself, despite being central to the "anomaly" plot, is given little opportunity to express herself beyond reacting to others.

Positives

While the narrative may be hard to follow, the comic still manages to showcase some commendable qualities. The art, at times, is quite dynamic and clean, particularly the detailed line work. The use of color and shading effectively enhances the mood and atmosphere, which is a key component of a good comic. There are moments where the visuals truly complement the writing by conveying emotion without relying on narration. It's easy to look past rough writing when the art "looks great" or is "phenomenal" , and there are hints of this in some panels, indicating a high standard for visual quality, even if it is not consistently met throughout the issue.

Negatives

The biggest failure of the issue is its narrative ambiguity and confusion. The plot lacks a clear progression, and the disjointed scene transitions make it feel like key pages are missing. The dialogue is convoluted, leaving the reader with more questions than answers. This heavy reliance on exposition without organic integration is a significant drawback. The story’s central mystery is not intriguing but baffling, with unexplained elements and a plot that is hard to follow. This is a prime example of poor pacing, as the story feels both rushed and dragging at the same time. The result is a confusing reading experience where no significant aspect of the comic is digestible.

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About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

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Final Thoughts

Absolute Green Lantern #5 is a prime example of a comic that struggles to find its footing. The narrative ambiguity is overwhelming, leaving readers more frustrated than entertained. While there are hints of interesting ideas, they are lost in the chaotic execution of both the writing and the art. It's a shame, as the potential is there, but this issue simply fails to deliver a cohesive or engaging experience.

4/10

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