by Matt Sernaker, Managing Editor

This week, fans will get to experience the first Alan Scott solo series since the 1950s, as Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #1 hits local comic stores across the country. Writer Tim Sheridan (Teen Titans Academy) Artist Cian Tormey (Superman: Son of Kal-El), Colorist Matt Herms (The Flash), and Letterer Lucas Gattoni (Blue Beetle: Graduation Day) present the first chapter of Scott’s new adventures. How does Alan’s story connect to recent events in the DC Universe, and who is the mysterious Red Lantern?

Official Description:
A POWERFUL TALE OF ALAN SCOTT’S EARLY DAYS AS GREEN LANTERN! Alan Scott’s early days as the Green Lantern are seen in a new light! The Green Lantern is the most powerful member of the JSA, beloved by all of America, but his personal life is a well-kept secret. This is a story about love, about fear, and most of all about courage to stand up to that fear. Alan Scott’s past is the key to his future when the Red Lantern appears, ready to strike down the mighty Green Lantern!

Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern, might not be as prevalent in pop culture as Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner or Kyle Rayner, but his story paved the way for decades of epic superhero adventures. Since his first appearance in 1940, the character has played a pivotal role in comics as a member of the Justice Society of America (JSA). His 1940’s Golden-Age solo series also introduced villains like Vandal Savage and Solomon Grundy, both of which continue to threaten the modern DCU. In more recent years, the character came out to his family (a truly heartwarming story), and the character has continued to operate as an openly gay hero ever since.  With the Dawn of the DCU currently providing readers with some of the best DC stories in decades, the Green Lantern family is finally getting back to being in the spotlight. 

The first chapter of Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #1 jumps between time periods, reintroducing readers to Scott’s origins and his first encounters with the JSA. With the recent Golden Age reintroductions to the time stream (see Flashpoint Beyond) the story of the Green Lantern isn’t exactly as it once was. Sheridan does a wonderful job balancing the two stories, adding context to Scott’s backstory while ensuring the more pressing personal elements are handled with care. The interaction with J. Edgar Hoover was one of the highlights of the first book, and Scott’s motivations and hesitation about openly revealing his sexuality became more defined as the story processed. There are some amazing story beats in this book, with personal moments beautifully captured by Tormey and Herms. I absolutely loved every page of this book, especially the color pallet that was used to depict the Golden Age elements in a classic manner. 

Sheridan and the team have been vocal about how important this character is to them, and that passion is clearly displayed through every single panel of Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #1. The Green Lantern renaissance continues with the launch of this new series. Get your copy this week at your local comic store.

Rating:

ComicsOnline gives Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #1 – 5 out of 5 reminders of how many powers the original GL had.

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