The end of an era with Green Lantern #20

I got into comics late in life. I joined the DC continuity in 2008 right after the Sinestro Corps War and have been hooked on Green Lantern since. I’ve read everything released after Johns’ Rebirth and some stuff before to fuel my emerald addiction. After all that, Green Lantern #20 hit me like the departure of good friend. 

Geoff Johns holds nothing back in his final issue; delivering the kind of engaging dialogue, deep characters, and riveting action that we’ve come to expect from him. Pretty much every major event has left some kind of mark that is felt in this book. (Book is a good term since its an 86 page comic.)  All the characters we love make an appearance that makes this a true send off for Johns. 

Of all the great parts of this finale, the relationship between Hal Jordan and Sinestro takes the cake. Looking at the various comicbook relationships, I’ve always felt that Hal and Sinestro had something truly special. Sinestro’s smug wisdom butting up against Hal’s blind courage creates volatile situations that often have unpredictable consequences. Their final exchange was simple but powerful. It was the perfect description of their friendship that could have only been properly portrayed by Johns after years of development. 

This conclusion leaves the question, what will the future hold for Green Lantern?  Geoff Johns’ final book could easily be the final Green Lantern book ever. He wraps the story and tells the future of the various human members of the Corps leaving the reader surprisingly satisfied with the way things end. Starting next month, the new creative teams of all the Green Lantern teams begin their tenure. The overall story of Green Lantern has been stirred up to where it could go anywhere at this point. I look forward to seeing the future of Green Lantern in these new hands but will always fondly remember the past in brightest day and blackest night.