Written by Sam Humphries
Art by Ethan Van Sciver
Colors by Jason Wright
By Matthew Iung
This is a terrifying comic. It features things like attempting to raise the dead, disintegrating people with the power of a Lantern Ring and negative light demon constructs. In short, a Green Lantern Ring finds a young Bruce Wayne on the night his parents his parents killed. After trying to run down his parents killer, he overrides and unlocks its ability to use Lethal Force. From there we get to see him murder a lot of people.
The book is visually terrifying Van Sciver is putting the gore on display with heads being removed, people being torn apart or melted. Van Sciver’s images are complemented by Wright’s variation of colors from scene to scene. Readers are also treated to a double page splash featuring the Guardians, at least twenty green lanterns and a horrifying demon construct. The art team is really giving it their all on this book and it really compliments Humphries well-laid story.
This one-shot feels the most complete so far and perhaps that’s because it takes a different look at the origin of the character. It’s a bit of a different angle on the lantern powers and abilities as well as being somewhat reminiscent of books like Superman: Speeding Bullets or Green Lantern: Emerald Twilight. Really taking advantage of its opportunity to twist and distort the character of Batman. Humphries also infuses some old school horror from beyond into the Rings blackout power. The creatures that emerge from the shadows initially are long-limbed, covered in eyes and full of teeth. Later on in the book, however, we see that they have taken on bat-like qualities and now have wings and hellish gargoyle-like features.
As with all of the one-shots thus far it also shows us that Hal was scooped up by Doctor Fate just like Flash. Over this one is a pretty solid one-shot. However as is the sport of to be expected these one-shots are becoming repetitive, especially only giving one issue to tell the story of an entire alternate world.
Verdict, Give it a read. This one-shot has felt the most complete thus far and has some really fun horror from beyond aspects and elements to it. That coupled with the excellent art team makes this book worth your time.
