With Absolute Green Lantern #1, DC closes out the second wave of its Absolute Universe titles, and if this is the finale for now, it’s an impressive one. Following the success of Absolute Flash and Absolute Martian Manhunter, this latest installment delivers on the promise of the Absolute line: bold storytelling, experimental visuals, and fresh takes on familiar characters. If this trend continues—and let’s hope it does—we could be looking at the early foundations of an Absolute Justice League or even an Absolute Aquaman. But for now, Hal Jordan takes center stage, and the results are electrifying.
One of the standout elements of the Absolute series has been its commitment to putting the artwork first, allowing each book’s visual storytelling to define its tone. Absolute Green Lantern is no exception, handing the artistic reins to Jahnoy Lindsay. While Lindsay might not have had the same name recognition as some of his Absolute predecessors, he proves immediately that he belongs in this high-profile lineup. There’s a clear manga influence in his style, which breathes new life into the Green Lantern mythos. His characters are expressive, his action sequences pulse with kinetic energy, and his use of color—particularly the striking contrast of green light against dark cosmic backdrops—is nothing short of mesmerizing.
Lindsay’s work is particularly effective in capturing Hal Jordan’s emotional turmoil. This isn’t just a hero facing another intergalactic crisis—this is a Hal who is going through it. Lindsay’s ability to convey raw emotion, especially through Jordan’s eyes, adds an extra layer of depth to the storytelling. The book is also packed with stunning splash pages that command attention, each bursting with a surge of Green Lantern energy that makes the book feel larger than life.
But Absolute Green Lantern isn’t just a visual showcase. Writer Al Ewing, known for his masterful blend of high-concept sci-fi and character-driven storytelling (The Ultimates, Immortal Hulk), is the perfect choice to helm this new take on Hal Jordan. Ewing has a knack for finding fresh angles on legacy characters, and here, he leans into one of the most debated aspects of Green Lantern lore: the role of the Corps as an intergalactic police force.
From the opening pages, Ewing makes it clear that the idea of policing—both on Earth and in the wider cosmos—will be central to this run. A tense encounter between Hal and a highway patrol officer sets the stage for deeper explorations of power, authority, and responsibility. Some Green Lantern stories embrace the idea of the Corps as cosmic law enforcement, while others shy away from it. Ewing seems determined to tackle the implications head-on, and given his track record, it’s bound to be a thought-provoking ride.
More than just a strong first issue, Absolute Green Lantern feels like a mission statement for what the Absolute Universe can achieve. It’s an accessible entry point for new readers while offering layers of depth for longtime fans. The combination of Lindsay’s dynamic visuals and Ewing’s smart, genre-savvy writing makes this a standout debut—one that not only reinvigorates Hal Jordan’s story but also signals exciting possibilities for the future of the Absolute line.
If this is where Absolute Green Lantern begins, then the sky—or perhaps the entire universe—is the limit.