Review: Green Lantern Corps #16

Guy Gardner sits depowered in a prison cell, kicked out of the Green Lantern Corps, and a blight on the brilliant Gardner family name. But it doesn’t matter what has been done to you or how people perceive you, it matters what burns inside you. And what burns inside Guy Gardner is the heart of a hero!

Peter J. Tomasi takes one of the best cosmic team books and boils it down to one man and what it truly means to carry the moniker of “hero.” Tomasi has taken a character that has been seen as a joke, a third rate GL and made him one of my favorite characters by instilling in him a sense of “never say die” attitude. This attitude is what makes any normal man stand up and take charge of a situation where others freeze in fear. This attitude is what makes you a person others can rely on, this attitude makes you a “hero.” And that is exactly what this issue is about.

Faced with the force of the Third Army, Guy must make tough decisions in order to not only save others but his family as well. It is a great character piece that shows that it doesn’t take super powers or cosmic rings in order for you to stand up against insurmountable odds, all it takes is heart. And when new GL Baz shows up with his trainer B’DG, the subtle clash between Guy and Baz makes for some great comedic moments! Plus, John Stewart is still on the trail of the pieces of Mogo and he finally realizes all may not be right on Oa.

All in all, a great look into a broken GL and another link in to the tale of “Rise Of The Third Army.” But remember to read Green Lantern #16 BEFORE you dive into this one! And be sure to prepare yourself for the epic conclusion of “Rise Of The Third Army” in the pages of Green Lantern Corps Annual #1 on sale next week!