About Heroes

Author: Geoff Johns
Penciller: Ivan Reis
Inker: Oclair Albert
Colors: Ranov Mayor

Secret Origin kicks off with this issue and to my recollection this is the sixth time since I’ve been collecting comics the origin of Hal Jordan is retold. But Johns makes this one a little different. Sure it’s that same scene with his dad and the plane wrecking we’ve seen over and over, but it seems there are things in this issue that will set the pieces for The Blackest Night.

The issue starts with an inner monologue by Hal Jordan. Reminiscing of his dad and how he told him he could be whatever he wanted to be. Bam! We are back in that popular scene that Johns always goes back to; Hal’s dad flying a Ferris plane and Hal admiring from below holding his dad’s jacket. His father’s plane blows up in front of his eyes (ohh yeah and Carol Ferris was there too). Hal grows up and purposely gets kicked out of the air force academy to visit his dying mother. Seriously this is nothing you haven’t read before, even if you’ve just started reading GL with John’s run. The only difference I see here is there is more detail about Hal's mother and the appearence of Abin Sur and his revelation about Blackest Night.

The connection between Hal and the Blackest Night doesn’t really happen until the last page and last panel to be precise. But, this is really nothing new either, since it’s all been hinted in recent issues of GL. That’s why I love the GL series so much, the writer’s ability to hint to the readers a great conspiracy behind the origin of Hal and the GL Corp without actually going back and doing an origin issue. So this is why I have mix feelings about this. Don’t get me wrong the story is still solid and you really get an emotional depth from the characters, but so far this seems like a director’s cut of Emerald Dawn. You still get your money’s worth in this issue though, with the fantastic art of Reiz and Albert and the great colors that Mayor provides. Even though Reiz seems to be playing around with his style. Fans old and new should still enjoy this issue and even though it won’t be in your face thrilling action that the previous GL issues have been, it will still move you as much. B