Absolute Green Lantern #13 Review
Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Eleonora Carlini
Colorist: Ivan Plascencia
Letterer: Lucas Gattoni
Cover Artists: Jahnoy Lindsay; Ejikure; Karl Kerschl; Rickie
Yagawa & Alex Sinclair
Editors: Ash Padilla, Andrew Marino, Katie Kubert &
Chris Conroy
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $4.99/$5.99 Card Stock
Release Date: April 8, 2026
Jo Mullein lost the wedding ring that reminds her of all her
failures amid Hector Hammond's assault on Ding-Dong Daddy’s Auto Repair. But
before she died, DEO agent Kari Limbo sensed something when she held the ring. The
Level Two Psychic uttered the words, "Sin es tro," which she equated
with "Sentence of Death."
Then, the Green Lantern appeared overhead along with
Tomar-Re. Will the alien retrieve Jo's ring and enlist her to avenge his world?
And what happened when Tomar-Re met with Guy Gardner and John Stewart? Let's
slip on our gold rings, leap into Absolute Green Lantern #13, and see!
Story
As the Blackstar Empire expands, it brings its brand of
peace and safety to other worlds. Still, it’s a demanding job. On Planet Rann,
Overseer Shade struggles to help the inhabitants embrace the Blackstar way. The
locals resist the occupation, and all Shade has to work with are raw recruits
and recent converts to their cause. So, he’s displeased when the Controller orders
him to divide his forces and intercept a Lantern traveling through his solar
system. Shade needs all his resources to suppress rebellion until the locals
accept their new rulers.
In Absolute Green Lantern #13, one example of the struggles
Overseer Rann deals with is Sardath. The Scientician was once a revered figure.
Recently, he has been conducting unauthorized experiments. When the guards drag
him in, Sardath claims he was working on something to help the Blackstar
Empire. But Rann knows how Sardath regards the Blackstar occupation and wants
to know the purpose of the Scientician’s experiments.
After showing how the Blackstar Empire dealt with Planet
J586 when the Lanterns installed a base there, Al Ewing provides another
glimpse of what the Lanterns are fighting. While his story explores their
philosophy of life, it also reveals the reason behind the Blackstars’ success.
On Earth, Hector Hammond seeks to expand his power for his own sake and enjoys
treating people like disposable commodities. The Blackstars want their subjects
to understand how the universe works so they can live in peace and prosperity.
Still, rebellion is a disease. The Blackstars can cure individuals
if they catch the infection in time. But rebellion must be excised before the
invasive disease threatens the Blackstars’ perfect society in Absolute Green
Lantern #13.
Art
Overseer Shade may regard his subjects' subservience as a
sham. Yet while the Controller gazes at the hologram of Shade, the Overseer
bows instead of watching his monitor. Images of the dangers they face reveal Jo
Mullein attacking Abin Sur, and the Lantern traveling through red space. While
a black star adorns his shiny breastplate, the red circles surrounding the
orange ones on Shade's black uniform evoke how Tomar-Re wields the red level of
light.
As Ivan Plascencia lavishes bright colors on Eleonora
Carlini’s art in Absolute Green Lantern #13, red and green dominate panels like
the powers that Tomar-Re and Jo Mullein wield. Sardath views the world through
green lenses, while red distortions reveal how the planet's inhabitants view
their occupiers. Green colors the bridge interior and the vehicle that
transports Shade into the field. Red signals danger and shows how the
Blackstars transform willful individuals into responsible members of society.
Lucas Gattoni shares conversations with uppercase black
letters in white balloons. The Controller speaks green words into
greenish-yellow balloons amid a green haze, while Overseer Shade reveals his
power via white letters in black clouds with white and red borders. Off-panel
conversations appear in white boxes with silver and black outlines, and in
black boxes with white and red borders. As the dialogue shrinks for lowered
voices, grows bold for intonation, and swells for raised voices, sound effects
amplify punishment, rebellion, alarms, and an attack that challenges the
Overseer’s worldview. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.
Final Thoughts
Tomar-Re has finally reached Jo Mullein. But the Blackstar
Empire has already sent Mogo to destroy the Earth. Before the two planets
converge, the Lantern from Earth races to intercept Mogo, while the Controller
of Mu mobilizes all his resources to stop it in Absolute Green Lantern #13.
Rating 9.6/10
To look inside, see my preview of Absolute Green Lantern #13.
For what happened last time, see my review of Absolute Green Lantern #12.
For the Blackstar attack on Planet J586, see my preview of Absolute Green Lantern #7.
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