Title: Green Lantern: Earth One
Volume: 1
Stand-Alone: Yes
Universe: Earth One
Writer(s): Gabriel Hardman
Illustrator(s): Corinna Sara Becko
Publisher: DC Comics
Format: Hardcover
Paperback Release Date: March 20th 2018
Pages: 137
Genre(s): Comics, Science Fiction
ISBN13: 9781401241865
Also in the Earth One series:
Superman: Earth One (Vol. 1) by J. Michael Straczynski
Batman: Earth One (Vol. 1) by Geoff Johns
One of DC’s most iconic superhero gets the Earth One treatment in this recent volume written by the creative couple Gabriel Hardman and Corinna Sara Becko. This line of graphic novels takes some of DC Comics’ characters and gives them a brand-new modern retelling of their origin story. Completely free of any continuity issues possible with these character’s stories, fans can enjoy some of the most original and riveting ideas that writers have been suppressing within themselves for countless years. Green Lantern: Earth One rises to be one of the better accomplishments so far in this line-up and promises to keep you hooked till the very end.
Playing around with a well-established superheroes’ origin story can be a little tricky when you’ve always known it to follow one particular line of events. This is why I’ve always found that these retellings are absolutely enthralling and perfect for new readers who have never heard of or never looked into the hero’s lore. What Gabriel Hardman and Corinna Sara Becko successfully deliver in Green Lantern: Earth One is the story of Hal Jordan as the hopeless explorer who dreads his return to Earth and prefers a never-ending deep space exploration to the stagnant and mundane technology-filled Earth life. But once he discovers a strange corpse wearing a distinguishable ring, his life takes a abrupt turn towards the unknown.
This modern sci-fi epic throws Hal Jordan into his role as the Green Lantern at a cost. While he fearlessly embraces his destiny, he also slowly but surely discovers countless lifeforms as well as the tragedies that struck each one of them. It’s upon learning about the Manhunters that he runs into the biggest challenge he’s ever crossed paths with, but also the most important trial into understanding what the Green Lantern Corps was always about. This first volume does a magnificent job in covering the character’s development from scratch and showcases Hal Jordan’s struggles as a newbie ring-bearer, but also his infinite will power and pure desire to do good. I did sometimes find it odd that Hal Jordan’s reaction to all the strange things he gradually came across was close to indifference, yet something about the character’s longtime desire to go through a mind-blowing life-changing event made me overlook it all as a simple hint of ability to have excellent composure. He is an astronaut after all.
The artwork is impeccable and stunning in my books. Unconventional for a Green Lantern story, this volume reorients itself towards a much more darker, grimmer and terrifying art style. With something much more closer to a ragged penciling, it easily captures the eerie vibes of space and all that is supernatural. I did find that some of the transition between panels were rough and could’ve benefited with a couple of more pages just to add a bit more fluidity to some sequences, but it’s nothing that hinders the enjoyment. In fact, I really loved the silent deep space moments where the action did all the talking. The ending did also feel heavily accelerated, but it goes perfectly with the heavy action sequences.
Green Lantern: Earth One (Vol. 1) is an excellent graphic novel to pick up and discover for anyone who has been curious about the Emerald Warrior. It captures the the heart of what a Lantern is all about and delivers it all with great knowledge of the character’s lore.
THANK YOU TO PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE CANADA FOR SENDING ME A COPY FOR REVIEW!
MY OVERALL RATING: ★★★★☆
Have you read it yet?
Do you plan to?
What do you think about Green Lantern: Earth One (Vol. 1)?
Share your thoughts with me!
Till next time,
Roars and Echoes 
I don’t read this stuff nevertheless great review 🙂 Lashaan.
I love your expressions in the writing.
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It’s never too late to explore graphic novels. 😉 Thank you! I appreciate that! ☺️
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So, are the Earth One kind of like the old Elseworld run of comics?
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Sort of, yes. But there are still Elseworld stories being written on the side, not part of a series or anything. This “series” just forces the stories to have a similar purpose (modernize the character’s origin story).
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Ok, so a reboot without doing an actual reboot. Sneaky! 😉
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I’d like to experience “terrifying art style” myself, I will definitely have to check this out. Thanks for highlighting this, Lashaan😁
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It’s not horror though, but if Gabriel Hardman and his wife wanted to, they could’ve easily done an amazing horror story with the artwork style in this one. It’s still pretty adequate for a story set in space with all kinds of creatures and a bunch of explosive action sequences! 😀 Thanks for reading, Tammy! ❤
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It definitely looks unconventional! I love the art style, and I’ll have to check it out!
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So glad to hear that!! It’s definitely a nice style, and I feel like it fit the bill quite well for this Green Lantern story. 😀
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A superhero astronaut? Yes! I’m so in.
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Hahahah yes! The original Hal Jordan was actually a fighter pilot, so this astronaut twist was pretty cool, and actually works well for a superhero that usually deals with space activities! 😀
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I agree with you that the art is dark and grim. It’s the first thing I noticed when checking out your post! For some reason, I associate Green Lantern with a more positive vibe. But, I don’t know where that came from… Perhaps the Justice League cartoon of my youth? 😉
I’ve heard mixed reviews about the whole Earth One series components. Right now, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman are on my list, but that’s it. The wait at the library is huge!
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You’ve watched the animated Justice League show back in the dayy!?! YAASSS ❤ I loved it so much as a kid too!!! And yes, it's definitely not common to see dark and grim artwork go with Green Lantern. His stories are done with a more flashy, bright and clean artwork.
Yep, anything that plays around with a heroes' origin story is always tricky. The Batman Earth One Vol. 1 wasn't my favourite at all for example; but of course I'm a huge Batman fan and super critical about anything related to him hahah Glad to hear Green Lantern got to be on your list though and hope it won't disappoint you when you get the chance to try it out! 😉 I still need to try the Wonder Woman one. It has a writer on it that tends to always deliver the unexpected and that Earth One story was no different (I've seen mix reviews about it, but I'll definitely check it out). 😀 Happy reading!
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Of *course* I watched that show. That, X-Men, Batman: The Animated Series, and later Batman Beyond really formed the bedrock of my childhood TV watching. 😉
My brother said great things about Wonder Woman Earth One. We both love the art too. So pretty. Who knows if I’ll actually like the storyline… sometimes, that isn’t the point. Sometimes, I definitely read just for the art. 😀
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Waaaahhh!! You just scored major points in friendship with that mention alone 😂 They were also huge parts of my childhood! Especial Batman: TAS!!
Perfect then ahahha pretty cool that you also got a bro that can tip you in on some of the good stuff out there. And that’s definitely true. The art sometimes justifies a full purchase event if the story isn’t phenomenal. 😂
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Great review for this Lashaan. 🙂 I have to admit the only experience I have with Green Lantern is the movie with Ryan Reynolds that was released a few years ago so I’m glad to here this volume was better than the film was! 😀 Also the artwork looks incredible, and from the sounds of review it seems like it added to the story as well.
Again great review. 🙂 ❤
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Thanks Beth! Hahahahah noooo! You have to erase that movie from your memory!! It definitely left a bad name for the character too. 😦 I do hope that they’ll do a better job with the character on the big screen in the near future. This Earth One story was definitely really fun and well-done. Definitely worth trying out, if ever curious. 😉
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That’s all right, and don’t worry I know that film is nothing compared to the comic books. Even as a film (taking away the comic book adaptation for a moment) it wasn’t amazing.
Same here, and thanks. I’ll keep it in mind for sure! 😀
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This sounds excellent- I think it’s really good that it’s unconventional and different. And it’s brilliant that it captures the heart of the story. Fantastic review!
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Anything that is done in the Earth One line-up must definitely come out as unconventional and different, but also good. Otherwise, it’ll just be forgettable and pointless. I’m pretty happy that Green Lantern got a nice treatment with this writer and artist. It turned out to be a great story for anyone to pick up and enjoy. Thank you! 😀
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Awesome! You’re welcome!
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I saw the movie with Ryan Reynolds ages ago, and I liked it because it was interesting to learn of his origin. However, I don’t know if the story is based on this book, as you pointed out that this is a retelling.
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When I saw it way back when it was released, I didn’t hate it at all but I definitely did find it unmemorable. It’s actually known as one of the worse DC movies out there. It’s not based on this story on particular indeed. Hal Jordan in the movie was a a fighter pilot and that’s how his true origin story begins and then finds the ring that will change his life. In this story, they made him an astronaut (which sort of makes more sense when you think about how he’s a intergalactic superhero in the end).
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I’ve not been a huge admirer of these Earth One titles but I have heard some good positive things about this volume. I love Hardman’s art (his work on Boom’s Planet of the Apes, RoboCop and Kong of Skull Island books is simply amazing) and I’m intrigued by the though of a grittier, less optimistic approach to Green Lantern – one of my DC faves.
Wonderfully insightful review my friend, I’m definitely going to check this out eventually!
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After reading Batman’s and Superman’s first Earth One stories, I wasn’t a big fan either. I still would read these stories to see what kind of twist they give to their stories, and to see the artwork, but otherwise it’s not a series that I would recommend actively. Wow, your experience with his art is way bigger than I thought it could possibly be for anyone. This Green Lantern Earth One story was pretty well done for me, but I wouldn’t know what someone with a lot of Hal Jordan knowledge would think of. I still believe that Earth One story work better for readers who don’t know too much about the hero or is to new to the comic book world. Thanks for reading, man. It’s great to hear from you!
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No worries sir, I definitely look forward to giving this volume a look.
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Actually this sounds incredible! A much better version of his origin story actually. I wonder if I can get a copy of this… I love jagged art style, though not sure with all the color. I am kinda dying of curiousity though why 4 Stars!? Did you enjoy the original origin story better?! 😉 Anyway you convinced me!
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Hahahah I have nothing against the origin story, but this retelling does make it easier to “believe” how he turns into the Green Lantern. Little things make it a 4 and not 5 for me. It not having completely blown my mind or not having dove deep into some fascinating themes, for example. I do mention some things about the artwork that nagged me a little too. If you do ever decide to pick it up, I hope your experience with it will be at least satisfying! 😉
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