Do you know what’s scarier than an enemy that looks terrifying? An enemy that you can’t see at all. Well, since the Durlans have made their presence known and in combination with their alliance with the Khund Empire, you have the deadly combination of a strong frontal assault force and the unknown element of the Durlans. So when you are in a war against an enemy who won’t doesn’t appreciate the direct approach, you have to figure out how they think. Luckily for John Stewart and the rest of his squad (deputies included), one such character does exist. He is the Durlan, Von Daggle, former leader of the Green Lantern Corpse aka Black Ops for the Green Lanterns.

The opening feels like the start of classic spy movie, it’s a cool way to open the book. We see our friend Von Daggle as he enters in the city, looking for something. Bernard Chang bring the city streets alive in this impressive double page spread. I’m not sure who’s idea it was to go with a middle eastern influence for the market scene, and not even in the architecture but the aliens of this world wear clothes of the same ilk.

Daggle quickly finds a merchant and demands the behind the counter merchandise, only caught by the newly crowned deputies. It’s really cool when a writer thinks of alternative ways for a character out of tense situation. Jensen here uses Daggle’s shape shifting abilities in a clever way, plus Jensen has a  humorous moment between Bolphonga and a harmless innocent kid.  However even though Daggle is clever, John Stewart is clever.

To ease the tension for a bit, Jensen transitions us back to Oa and a amusing exchange between Kilowog and Iolande and it does give a small peak at Kilowogs past as he alludes to being a former scientist. It’s pretty safe to say that Jensen drew upon real life experience when scripting this scene, and Chang went it comes to Kilowogs expressions when he experienced a minor shock.

To bring the tension right back up though, we encounter Salaak and Natu in  asteroids just out of reach for Mogo. Natu’s body language says it all, she’s a character who’s tired and worried about the future of corps itself. It’s that all familiar feeling of doubt and the weight of the universe crashing down on you, and Chang depicts it with perfection.

This sentimental moment is ruined as the two are attacked by unknown assailants. Natu is captured and Salaak is left drifting towards the planet as a message. Chang here emphasizes the one panel where Natu is webbed up and all the color is completely gone with the exception of a red back round. Not sure what the exact point of this was, but it adds a unique visual flare to the page itself. Your eyes can’t help but be drawn to it.

The action resumes between Daggle and John Stewarts team, and as I stated earlier it’s cool to see a shape shifter actually use his ability in different ways in any given situation. Jensen not only uses the idea of shape shifting not simply altering one’s external look but also the internals appearance. That my friends is clever and interesting writing. Chang’s art here in this action sequences are crisp and dynamic as ever. Until Von Daggle’s ability to run out, but before they could leave the planet it turns out that the entire market were secretly Durlans.

Again, nothing is scarier than a threat you can’t see.

For the last page we join Natu in a secret cave somewhere. The unknown fiend rips the webbing allowing Natu to see her the thing holding her prisoner and it’s shocking Arkillo!.So now not only does the Corps have to deal with previously established threats, it looks like the Sinestro Corps (or at least one member of it.) Add more fuel to the fire Jensen, cause we all want to see how this explodes.

This was yet another solid issue for Green Lantern Corps, the only minor nitpick being is that the new recruits only received a page. A well done page, and it’s understandable due to sheer size this book covers.

Green Lantern Corps #28 receives a 4.5/5

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