Here we are once again with another farewell before DC begins the Convergence. If you’re reading this (thanks by the way) then chances are you’re surrounded by a group of people who love you and will support you in the darkest of times. However some of us can be stubborn and will attempt to bear the burden alone, which leads us to forget why we have friends to begin with. That isolating feeling becomes more welcoming over time despite it’s false promise of peace. Our own inner demons are the greatest enemies any of us will face.

If Justin Jordan’s point of this final arc for New Guardians was the power of friendship, then mission accomplished. While under the disguise of the “rally” moment, which is true to form in superhero comics. With how Jordan structured New Guardians post Lights Out, each of the characters have a personal connection to Kyle’s recent journey. Giving more impact to them showing up than say the rest of the Green Lanterns or even the Justice League showing up to help. It’s almost as if Jordan is trying to put a neat bow on everything before he leaves.

I personally felt that this issue was Neves best issue from bell to bell. The story flowed as it should with no dramatic shifts in his storytelling. What I really admired was the touches of nuance he added throughout the issue. Namely seeing Oblivion morph into some more grotesque until he becomes something akin to a kaiju. On the flip side, seeing Kyle become more sickly as Oblivion becomes more powerful. It isn’t subtle by any means but seeing the art mirror the story being told always adds more immersion.

I do have a gripe with this issue and that’s the formation of The White Lantern Corps. The way Kyle formulates his plan to stop Oblivion is just genius in concept but when you see what happens on the page it feels a bit deus ex machina. Yes the fundamental theme of asking your friends for help is there and the message isn’t lost but seeing another corps crop up as a result just feels like it’s adding to something that doesn’t need further additions. Oblivion had to be taken down somehow but in my personal opinion the formation of another lantern corps just didn’t feel right.

Going into this issue and the lack of Kyle mentions in future Green Lantern issues, it’s not hard to believe that this was going to be the end of Kyle. Thankfully Jordan doesn’t kill of Kyle and instead gives us a happy ending. It’s almost a breathe of fresh air since most superhero comics do everything in their power to make their heroes appear more flawed than they actually are. So to see Kyle and Carol fly off to wherever their next adventure is (with bright smiles I might add) was an beautiful way to end the series. Hopefully we’ll see Kyle and Carol together again one day.

Green Lantern New Guardians #40 earns a 4/5

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