Review: Green Lantern: The Animated Series: “Into The Abyss” (Season 1 Episode 4)

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:1053:]]This Cartoon Network version of Green Lantern may be on Saturday morning kids’ TV, but there is nothing immature about the show’s handling of the character or his situations.

Episode 4, “Into the Abyss,” is another fine example of just how carefully – and maturely – the producers and writers are treating this material.

This week, Hal & Crew, still on the edge of space, are called upon to save a cargo ship caught in a dangerous “black hole.” With help from rogue Red Lantern Razer, who got great character treatment last week, and Aya, The Interceptor’s A.I., Hal and Kilowog must bring the ship and its valuable cargo to safety before they’re crushed — alive!

I just cannot say enough about both the writing and the animation in this program. Each character, as in a great comic book, has his own voice. Hal is his usual cocky, brash and awesome self; this show captures all of that without making him look like a jerk. Kilowog has that familiar Ben Grimm nature about him, and the voicing artistry is perfect.

I did not think I would like the computer animation because I am an old-school, hands-drawn animation fan, but it does lend itself to the outer space, futuristic feel of this show and I applaud how much detail and emotion they wring each week from this process.

Overall, this series has been — er uh — super. I look forward to each new episode.