Written by: Morgan Hampton, Jeremy Adams
Art by: Fernando Pasarin, Oclair Albert
Colors by: Arif Prianto
Letters by: Dave Sharpe
Cover art by: Fernando Pasarin, Oclair Albert, Arif Prianto (cover A)
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: August 13, 2025
Stepping into Green Lantern Corps #7 felt like being hit by a cosmic wave of emotional detachment. The premise is intriguing, offering a unique twist on the typical superhero narrative. The art immediately draws you into a bleak yet compelling universe.
Recap
In Green Lantern Corps #6, the universe was in disarray, with the fracturing emotional spectrum allowing ancient cosmic vampires known as Sun-Eaters to return from exile under Starbreaker's command. These beings feed on energy, and their re-emergence threatened to lay waste to stars and planets. The Green Lantern Corps found themselves ill-equipped to handle this new threat, so they raced to complete the reconstructed Emotional Spectrum batteries before Starbreaker could ignite his own battery and fracture the spectrum. The stage was set for a desperate fight against an enemy that thrives on the absence of what makes sentient beings powerful.
Plot Analysis
On the peaceful planet Farengale, the Starbreaker Supremacy is in full swing. The inhabitants, now devoid of emotion, passively accept their fate, staring with disinterest as their world faces impending doom. A chilling inner monologue describes this as a "mercy," as without fear, they will not be plagued by terror. The narrator coldly observes them as "a flock of lambs being led to the slaughter," emphasizing the unsettling calm of the emotionally vacant populace.
Meanwhile, on OA, in John Stewart's quarters, his Green Lantern ring manifests as his mother's voice, attempting to communicate the gravity of the situation. She explains that a wave has stolen emotion from the universe, leading people to welcome death without resistance. John, however, dismisses the manifestation, stating that his mother's essence was merely a lie he told himself, and the "mother" he sees is just his pain and regret made manifest by the ring. With all emotion gone, there is no reason for his ring to maintain the illusion, revealing it to be "just a ring."
At Green Lantern Corps Central Command, Aya and Jadestone discuss their immunity to the emotional draining wave. Aya, a sentient AI placed in the Interceptor with a mission to protect the Central Power Battery, believes that what they perceive as emotion is merely programming, a "false construct." Her companion, Jadestone, agrees that they remain fully functional because they are not organic life forms, acknowledging that their feelings, though real to them, are based on logic. John Stewart's ring, however, interjects, posing the philosophical question: "What is real?"
The inorganic beings conclude that they are the only ones capable of helping the universe, as the Justice League and the Lanterns have refused their assistance, unable to understand the situation without their emotions. They decide to explain the crisis to the emotional inhabitants using "reason," the only thing they believe the emotionally compromised can understand. As they proceed with their plan, attempting to physically intervene and reason with the unresponsive populace, including the former Green Lanterns, the scene takes a dramatic turn when they conclude the only hope they have is to visit the Source Wall and free the only beings capable of restoring the Emotional Spectrum.
Detailed Review
Writing
Morgan Hampton and Jeremy Adams craft a thought-provoking narrative that delves deep into the nature of emotion and reality. The dialogue, particularly between John Stewart and his ring, or Aethe and Jadestone, is sharp and philosophical, raising significant questions about what it means to be alive and to feel. The pacing is well-managed, allowing for both action and introspection, ensuring the plot moves forward while still giving space for character development.
Art
Fernando Pasarin and Oclair Albert's artwork, coupled with Arif Prianto's colors, is phenomenal. The visual storytelling perfectly complements the writing. The detailed line work vividly portrays the desolate, emotionless landscape of Farengale and the internal struggle of John Stewart. The use of color is particularly effective; the muted tones on Farengale emphasize the lack of emotion, while the vibrant greens of the Green Lantern energy stand out, symbolizing hope and defiance.
Characters
The characterization in this issue is strong, particularly for John Stewart. His struggle with the manifestation of his mother and his eventual rejection of it as a mere construct of his pain is a powerful moment. Aethe and Jadestone, as inorganic beings grappling with their own form of "emotion" or programming, offer a unique and compelling perspective on the crisis. Their logical approach to an emotional problem provides a fascinating contrast to the organic characters.
Positives
This issue truly shines in its ability to blend high-stakes cosmic action with profound philosophical questions. The exploration of what constitutes "reality" and "emotion" through the lens of both organic and inorganic beings is brilliantly executed, offering a fresh take on the standard superhero fare. The artwork is consistently stunning, with dynamic compositions and atmospheric coloring that enhance the narrative's bleak beauty. The character development, especially John Stewart's internal conflict, feels genuine and impactful, adding significant weight to the unfolding crisis.
Negatives
While the philosophical debates are engaging, some readers might find the abstract nature of the "emotionless wave" a bit too conceptual, making it harder to fully grasp the immediate stakes beyond the characters' internal struggles. The pace, at times, leans more towards contemplation than action, which might not satisfy those looking for constant superhero brawls. Additionally, the brief, violent outburst from the emotionless individual feels a bit abrupt and could have been developed further to emphasize the true danger of the situation.
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
Green Lantern Corps #7 is a truly standout issue that elevates itself beyond typical comic book storytelling. It's a masterful blend of intellectual depth and visual brilliance, offering a compelling narrative that challenges readers to ponder what it means to be human in a universe stripped of its most fundamental essence. This issue is a must-read for anyone looking for a comic that's as thought-provoking as it is visually impressive.
9/10
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