Man don’t you hate it when you fly to a deep corner of space to rescue a woman you dated a few times, only to be stopped a intergalactic cult bent on trafficking superheroes? No? Well it’s not like I can relate either, but just typing that sentence out just made me laugh. Plus it has made me realize how much fun Tim Seeley must be having writing this series. Warning the following will contain spoilers for the issue, so be sure to read your comic prior to reading this issue. You have been warned.
Yes a majority of superhero fights mostly boil down to superhero beats down super villain who has a basic motivation. I enjoyed that this slug fest pelted out deeper meanings than I initially realized. First off Simon’s face off with the Durlan opened up an aspect of superheroes that not many readers will think about, the idea that superheroes are lonely. Lonely in the romantic sense, just because of the nature of their jobs. It’s only one page but it’s just enough to give some insight on the concept of being alone for a superhero isn’t a foreign one. Continuing so, even though this Church that Jessica and Simon are battling against was built on false pretenses it was refreshing to see how this conflict affected the faithful.
Again it’s only one page, but seeing some of the refugees try and contemplate that their faith was a lie was heartbreaking. A lot of this can and should be attributed to Ken Marion’s art. Each face is different but they all tell the same story, it’s powerful and it’s done without having any of the refugees speak. I know this isn’t a a big deal when you look at the comic as one piece, but anytime I see the writer put in a sequence where their actions affect the world I will applaud them for. Namely due to the fact we don’t really see that because of how fast paced superhero comics tend to be.
I’ve always enjoyed Ken Marion’s pencils in previous issues but this particular issue they were spectacular. Focusing on the hybrid Durlan alien a bit, both is designs for this weird creature were absolutely delightful. The level of grotesque is near perfect and it’s even more grotesque when it merges and becomes a massive beast. It has the intimidation factor and Marion’s use it’s size to give it a more terrifying presence. Some might say it’s a bit of a mess but I believe that’s what give this monster it’s charm. Marion’s art for the rest of this issue was stellar. The acting he puts into each page is awe inspiring, besides the gross monstrosity the moment between a possessed Night Pilot and Scrapps was extremely intense and Marion’s art perfectly captures that tension. Another solid job from Ken Marion.
Despite all the teasing the future romance between Simon and Jessica, Seeley doesn’t end this issue with a kiss between the two. Even though the scene indicates that either Simon or Jessica would take the plunge, Seeley instead uses instead to tighten their friendship. Now of course this doesn’t mean that he won’t have them become a couple before long I’m glad that he isn’t going to rush this. As for the cliffhanger, it makes me think that a certain figure that kick started Jessica becoming a Green Lantern could be making a comeback, but it’s far to early to tell at this point. It definitely shows that despite Jessica’s personal triumphs, she sadly might be experience a relapse.
Green Lanterns #43 was a fun heart felt romp that offers substance and the flash (not the actual character). Onto the next arc!
Green Lanterns #43 earns a 4/5