The Green Lantern #8 Is A Humorous, But Honorable Homage To The O’Neil And Adams Classics

I’ve been waiting ever since the tease at the back of The Green Lantern #1 for this one; Grant Morrison and Liam Sharp’s venerable tribute to the stone-cold classic Green Lantern and Green Arrow team-up of the early 70’s that ran from issue #76 of Green Lantern right through to issue #89, (plus the short stories that appeared  the back of The Flash issues #219 – 219 and #226) from Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams. And, I’m happy to report that The Green Lantern #8 does a damn fine job of boiling down these handful of tales and remixing their best breaks and beats into a humorous but honourable homage to the originals. From Morrison’s riffs on O’Neill’s socially conscience street level stories to Sharp’s channelling of Adams still-living spirit, this is a super fun issue, even if you don’t know much about the original run it’s referencing.
Staring off as a a couple of friends getting together and taking down a drug dealer in the middle of a deal (as you do), it soon escalates into something far more bizarre and Morrison like. Nothing, however, that wasn’t seen back in the day as the disparate worlds of Hal and Ollie – sci-fi meets Scorsese –  but with more of a fresh take on proceedings. Soon Arrow and Lantern have hunted down these dealers but very quickly, as noted above, things take a ride on the more wild side offering up even more of those crazier, kookier DC characters Morrison seems to mine like rare minerals from the deepest, darkest depths of DC’s archives, only adding to this already weird and wonderful issue.

Sharp has purposefully incorporated various classic comic book artists in this run, depending on the genre the issue dives into, and here we see many a familiar layout and dynamic shot, echoing the forced perspectives that gave Adams’s character even more drama and emotion. Often, the binding tissue across the decades is barely skin deep, but when it is more noticeable, it’s done with affection and the knowledge that needs like you and I will actually get even more of a kick out of this book. And, for those who do not know – even now – of the comics that The Green Lantern #8 are based upon, you may find yourself looking out for them next time you visit your LCBS or favourite online store.
What has improved over the years is the colouring, with Steve Oliff’s nimble skills and oft-times purple hues complementing the greens that this issue needs to include when dealing with two characters with a liking for the same colour in their attire. It certainly helps dial down the green effectively.
Morrison and Sharp have both done their homework once again and it’s a fond reminder of these old strips while also gently poking fun at them too, tongue in cheek and very much with a conspiratorial wink towards the reader. But, there is still room for Morrison and Sharp to include some new faces too, with such menaces as the famously named Glorigold Degrand and the murderous society of Hadea-Maxima; both central to this issue’s standalone story. Still one of DC’s more bizarro series on the stands – feeling oft-times more like a Vertigo take on the character – but one I am loving.
Who knows, maybe one day this run of Green Lantern’s current adventures through space, time and the streets on the seedier side of the DCU, will be as fondly remembered and riffed upon by future Green Lantern chroniclers.
The Green Lantern #8 is out now from DC Comics.