*This article contains spoilers for Green Lantern #2 (2023)*
In the present day, Hal Jordan finds himself somewhat lost—a wanderer reflecting on his decisions. Readers will recall the last time Hal Jordan found himself wandering and soul-searching, he was infected by the being called Parallax. Food for thought…
In a flashback, Hal faced off against robbers who hid in a cemetery—they thought the police would be afraid to follow, and they were right. Only Hal pursued. A reminder of his lack of fear and his strength of will. Hal used his lantern ring to create green ghosts to spook the robbers. It is hard to believe this brave person is so down and out.
Though Hal Jordan is someone who never stays down, and a visit from his friend Kilowag reminds him who he is. A fighter. A ring-slinger who forged a ring out of sheer will when fighting a manhunter. And the next day, Hal finds himself a pilot of a private plane—the one Carol Ferris and her finance just so happen to be traveling on.
Of course, this is hilarious—Hal jolts the plane so the finance gets soaked with his drink and has to tidy up in the bathroom. Hal proceeds to lock the fiance in the bathroom. He and Carol get to have a conversation, Carol explaining she’s with her fiance because he does not leave. A big dig at Hal.
The issue ends with Hal being called back into the cockpit because a flock of nightmare creatures are filling the sky. “To be continued in Knight Terrors: Green Lantern #1”
I am calling into question the continuity this story is set in. Historically, Carol Ferris has been a Star Sapphire—a character with a huge role in lantern lore, even finding a violet ring of her own in Geoff Johns’ 2000s run. Yet, in this run she seems to not even mention her history with Hal among the stars and planets—as though their space adventures never happened. It’s as though she has no idea why Hal leaves.
Epilogue I: John Stewart is still lounging with his mother. John mentions he feels like other military men; he’s on eleven when there’s no danger around him. His senses are heightened and he is ready to get back into battle at any moment, though he does not want to.
This is another way of hinting John has PTSD. I hope they do something with this.
Epilogue II: In another universe, a lantern fights the Revenant Queen. However, in their universe, there is no central power battery. Instead, there is a person who acts as the central battery. This person is John Stewart, which hints to his possible importance on Earth-Prime in the coming story arc. The lantern says his oath and he and John are powered up for battle.
Overall, this issue felt better than the previous one. Where there had been slow movement and a feeling of stasis, it is replaced with genuine feeling. The reader can really feel things from this issue. They can feel the melancholy of Hal as he tries to find his place. They feel happy as Hal orchestrates a way to speak alone with Carol. They feel what John Stewart feels as he tries to slow down his life. And they feel excited as John gets powered up in the second epilogue. This issue felt wholesome.
Rating: 4/5 Stars. I felt things from this issue, things which were lacking in the previous issue. It was a fun read, it made me laugh and hurt. A solid second chapter.
Suggested reading:
Green Lantern Rebirth (2004) Learn about how Hal Jordan became victim to a beast called Parallax when he last experienced a wanderlust. Learn about Hal’s darkest moments compared to the more lighthearted nature of this series.
Double-Sized Issue Comic Blog! 
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