By Cat Wyatt

In the last issue of Hal Jordan, we had the dramatic introduction of the Darkstars. Even since I’ve been anxiously waiting for this issue, as I can’t wait to see what happens next with them. It’ll be interesting to see what a more lethal version of the Green Lantern Corps will look like!

This issue starts off, unsurprisingly, with many criminals and villains dead. All over the galaxy known criminals are being routinely tracked down and taken out. In some cases, we have proof (witnesses) that the criminals attempted to surrender before they were cut down. The most striking example of this was on Planet Xix. A life sentence prison was attacked – all the guards were fine, but every prisoner was killed. The guards and people are outraged – their planet had abolished the death penalty, and they clearly don’t appreciate another force stepping in to override their rules and wishes.

In total there are forty-seven known incidents that have been caused by the new Darkstars. So obviously there’s more than one of them currently operating; there’s no way Tomar-Tu did all of this himself (though I’m sure given the chance he would have gladly done so – based on the last conversation we saw between him and Hal).

Unsurprisingly both the Green Lanterns and the Guardians are very concerned about this. Unlike the last time the Guardians had a concern brought to them – they’re opting to act defensively and step up against the Darkstars. They’re not just a threat to everyone out there – they’re a threat to the justice system the Green Lanterns have worked so hard to establish. The mighty four are all in agreement on this as well – even Guy, who is mostly okay with criminals getting what they deserve, isn’t okay with the Darkstars ceding control like this.

Backtracking all forty-seven events gives John a pretty good idea of where the Darkstars originated – Space Sector One. That gives them a place to start looking if nothing else. John picks out a pretty badass team which includes many familiar and new faces (though I will say the two-page spread of them all taking off is beautifully dramatic – and there’s a couple of Green Lanterns being shown that I would like to know more about).

Here’s where things get a bit wonky. The second the Green Lantern team arrives in sector one they start noticing something’s wrong. First Stel disappears – he’s suddenly back on Mogo (for a millisecond there I thought that he had fled, or that there was a doppelganger for him around), and then there’s suddenly Darkstars everywhere, grabbing Green Lanterns and popping them back to Mogo.

So…apparently they can phase jump. That would have been really good to know beforehand, but not much we can do about it now. In short order the whole team is back on Mogo…minus Hal Jordan (because of course).

While everyone else got sent back home, Hal was brought further in to the facility. This was undoubtedly done to show Hal the full force behind the Darkstars – countless suits prepped and ready for a fighter, while more are presumably being made. It would be a terrifying sight, considering the damage a small number have already done.

It appears that Tomar-Tu had Hal brought here so they could talk. He was a Green Lantern, and he doesn’t want to fight them. He believes that they’re fighting for the same thing; the only difference being he makes sure the job is done permanently. He makes a point of stressing that the suits are not controlling them – everything done has been done willingly by those wearing them (some of the Guardians and Green Lanterns had convinced themselves that the people inside were being controlled or brainwashed).

Oh! I almost forgot to mention the most important part. The Controllers are out of the picture. Sort of. They had intended to use the Darkstars to their own advantage (duh, it’s what they do), but the Darkstars weren’t going to allow that to happen. So now the Controllers have been bound up and are the battery source for the Darkstars phase jumping. A little grisly and unethical, to be sure, but you can’t say they didn’t have it coming.

After their talk, Hal Jordan is brought back to Mogo. Here he has a choice – allow the Green Lanterns to start a fight, or tell them to back down. I’m sure you can guess on which choice he made (the numbers are not in their favor).

I have to say, I love that they made a point of showing the Darkstars teleporting the Green Lanterns safely home. While they may not agree on the methods, this move says a lot. They don’t want to attack or fight those that don’t deserve it (though they will, if pressed), and I’d like to believe it is a small sign of respect, if nothing else. Though I could be reading into it a bit.

It’s clear that the Darkstars will fight the Green Lanterns if pressed, and likewise the Green Lanterns won’t allow the Darkstars to just show up and slaughter their prisoners. So a fight is bound to happen. The real question is, how can the Green Lanterns arrange it so they can be sure to survive (and hopefully win) the fight?

This has been a great plot so far. I love the introduction of the Darkstars – a darker and more brutal form of the law. They’re an interesting counter point to the Green Lanterns and everything they stand for. I wonder how far the Green Lanterns will go to survive and win? Will they dip into gray scale characters? Or more? I can’t wait to see.

Score: 4/5

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #43
DC Comics