Have you ever read or saw a preview to something with extremely high expectations? That sense of pure joy of what the final product could be, as one might mark down the calendar until the release of whatever that object might be. Edge of Oblivion in this instance, had the highest of expectations. With my feelings of Lost Army known, I threw all my eggs into this Green Lantern basket, and who could blame me? Tom Taylor and Ethan Van Sciver on the book and for the first three issues I was blinded!
In an earlier review I criticized Tom Taylor writing a story that almost anyone with any common sense, can see the twist. After finishing that review I hoped that for the last batch of issues, Taylor would prove me wrong and provide more nuance into a story begging for substance. However this issue absolutely hinges on the twist that could be seen from miles away, even if you are not a “Wednesday Warrior” you would be able to see this twist coming. I wouldn’t have a problem with how Taylor structured this series if there was more nuance to the Lantern’s current predicament that they are in or perhaps more development into the eventual antagonist.
At least Taylor justified the Lantern’s trust at the beginning of the series, and their innate heroism than instead of making them look like naive fools. Giving credit where credit is due, Taylor’s true concept for these two characters comes of as Titans from Attack on Titan (with a dash of Cthulhu). They are established as a threat in quick secession, which I equally enjoyed the framing of that scene. The comic dipped into horror territory when the twist actually takes place, it’s a perfect example of a change in tone that doesn’t detract from the story.
Only other complaint I had with this issue was Simon Baz’s brief “confrontation” with Marniel, and it’s because it didn’t really go anywhere. Yes it does demonstrate how fearless Baz is, but since he has a Green Lantern ring it just left me waiting for something to actually happen. Perhaps this is foreshadowing an event within the last two issues, but here is just felt pointless.
With the departure of Ethan Van Sciver to work on Rebirth, Ardian Syaf takes over penciling duties. I’m pretty sure I’ve reviewed Syaf’s art before, however it’s clear that he was trying to mimic Van Sciver’s style to a degree. It’s nearly impossible to replicate what Ethan Van Sciver does on any given page, Syaf does a great job of keeping a consistent art style for the series. The only issue I had with Syaf’s art was his storytelling at points, namely when Marniel shifted her mass to be the same size as the rest of the lanterns, and it sorta just happens. I understood after a while how it happened but it wasn’t clear initially. Besides that odd storytelling choice the art remains solid and once again the best part of the issue.
Since this issue hinges on the twist that the two seemingly benevolent beings ended up being the true villains, I wasn’t that shocked at all because of how Taylor set up this min series from issue one. At the end of the day, this slumps down Edge of Oblivion from an interesting Green Lantern story, to a below average one. On a technical level this was a good comic, but the punch is completely lacking.
Green Lantern: Edge of Oblivion #4 earns a 2/5