Given that my expectation for DCs Zero Month books was simply to be one-shots that provide (marketing and sales-friendly) jump-on points for new readers, Green Lantern #0 was a great surprise. Not only did it succeed on that level, but the issue also stands as a great next step in the ongoing Lantern saga and a compelling beginning for an intriguing new character. This is indeed a high water mark towards which the rest of Septembers offerings can aspire. Read Full Review

We have a new Green Lantern and it's a great introduction. We've seen many different Green Lanterns on Earth and from different planets. It's might seem easy to simply create a new one but it's not easy to create a really cool one. That's exactly what we have here. Right from the beginning, you get the sense that this is a different type of Lantern. He comes from a different place and not necessarily because of his race. I'm a huge Hal Jordan fan but I am totally okay with Hal being out of the picture so that we can see more of Baz. It might not make sense that this is an issue 0 since it won't fit in sequentially in the series but as an introduction to a new character, Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke do a spectacular job. There are plenty of other characters missing in the New 52 but as a new character, Baz will definitely earn his spot as another great DC character. Read Full Review

Speaking of Hal Jordan and Sinestro, the end of this issue does give us a clue to their fate. What this means for their futures, I cannot say. I do know that it left me looking forward to upcoming issues. Geoff Johns is an expert at having that effect on just about every issue he works on. As for the art, Doug Mahnke's pencils set the perfect mood for this story. I honestly can find nothing to complain about. 10/10 from me! Read Full Review

Already, Johns has established Simon Baz as one of the coolest new characters to hit DC's 'New 52' since it began. Some might say that the newest Green Lantern hasn't had enough page time to warrant a decision on his fate. But seriously, he's freaking awesome. Read Full Review

I am agog at how well-crafted this issue turned out to be. Even on the admirable Aquaman Johns hasn't been this rock solid in a long, long while, and Mahnke's brilliant art just sends the quality over the edge. Read Full Review

As much as I've dug the buddy cop elements of Green Lantern as of late, Green Lantern #0 seems to be pushing the boundaries of the mythology much like the early days of the War of Light did a few years ago, but from a very new and very specific character-centric approach. Welcome to the DCU, Baz. Read Full Review

Highly publicised by the mainstream media, DC's first major Arab-American superhero makes his debut in the form of Simon Baz, who is introduced as being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Touching on the prejudice against Muslims in America since 9/11, the book carefully establishes Baz as his own man, and someone who will bring a distinctive spin to the Green Lantern history. Read Full Review

This is a great starting point for new readers and a great addition for regular readers like myself who just adore the Green Lantern mythos and what Geoff Johns has planned for it. Don’t even think about missing this one. Read Full Review

It's a decent issue, and might be a collectible (depending on whether or not GL Baz catches on), but I still say it should have the number 13 on the cover. Read Full Review

There has been some fervor over placing the power ring on the finger of a Muslim, but Johns proves character isn't defined by your location, religion, skin color or current situation. While most heroes don't start out as car thieves, but then again, most stories don't involve men flying with the assistance of a little green ring that has seemingly magical properties. Johns clearly has a journey scripted for Simon Baz and taking Hal Jordan and Thaal Sinestro off the table was a shrewd move to augment Baz's chances at properly growing and evolving. I'll admit to knowing very little about Muslim beliefs and practices, but that certainly didn't hamper my ability to thoroughly enjoy "Green Lantern" #0. Read Full Review

A lantern who as per the teasers and cover, wears a full mask and carries a gun. Why does he carry a gun? Why has the ring chosen this man, a criminal? What lies in store for one of my favourite teams in the DC universe (the Green lantern corps)? I must know, I MUST KNOW. So I guess that means the issue is effective. Read Full Review

First things first, I'm a Detroit boy, just like Geoff Johns, so I loved the references to streets and things that I know around here like the Detroit Free Press Newspaper, that was cool and definitely made things feel more realistic for me. That aside, this was a good story. I liked the introduction of Simon Baz, the story was interesting, I'm curious as to why he stole that van but we'll know soon enough hopefully. I'm wondering how the fact his ring said error will play a part in Baz's time as Green Lantern. All in all I enjoyed this story, it wasn't perfect but it set up a lot of questions, introduced Simon Baz as an interesting character, and it was new but enjoyable and easy to follow. Read Full Review

As a side note there is an interesting bio of Hal Jordan in the back of the issue which lists his first appearance being Justice League #1.  Some fans have questioned that and I don't think it's a matter of DC saying that nothing published before the relaunch happened as much as saying that from a timeline standpoint that's the first appearance of the character in the books published in the post-Flashpoint DCU.   Read Full Review

As always Green Lantern continues to be one of DCs most entertaining titles. Green Lantern #0 is no exception. I wasnt entirely sure if I would enjoy this book without Hal Jordan at the helm, but Id be lying if I said I wasnt intrigued what comes next for Simon Baz. Issue #0 is definitely of your attention. Read Full Review

It will be intriguing to see how much of a role Simon Baz will play in the ‘Rise of the Third Army' story arc. Read Full Review

While this issue was written quite well, it did not exactly portray the society of my hometown accurately. You can read more of that in my upcoming column this week on Dearborn and what was wrong with the way Johns portrayed it. Read Full Review

Simon Baz story is clearly setting up the Rise of the Third Army cross event. I have to say that I surprisingly liked this issue. For the longest time I felt that Green Lantern was terrible. Ever since the reboot I found it to be a bit boring but Simon Baz story has definitely peaked my interest! I still have a serious problem with the cover because there is no reason why he should have a gun in his hand. I also do not think he should have a tattoo because no devout Muslim would but I guess Simon is already on the bad side of Allah so what does it matter. This is a must read for every Green Lantern fan! The writing and art is top notch and I doubt you will be disappointed Read Full Review

So maybe it accomplished just enough. I didn't get the green space action I've been missing, I've still got a lot of questions about the new guy that Superman is beating the heck out of in a future event, and I thought the cliffhanger was an odd choice but I'm buying the next issue and enjoyed the read…sounds like a win. Read Full Review

Doug Mahnke’s art, while always exceptional, is a little phoned in this time. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still good work, but it doesn’t have the flair the usual Mahnke work does. I like his ideas behind Simon Baz. He’s strong, and has much the same presence that John Stewart has. While not dazzled by Mahnke’s performance here, I am excited to see where he goes with Baz and his uniform and how he uses his powers. Read Full Review

This comic is definitely entertaining no doubt about it. Johns tells a very fun origin story that has some suspense and a little bit uniqueness to it. As such, it's a great jumping on point even though it seems to end abruptly. Then again, this gives the reader to come back next time. This is worth a look. Read Full Review

I'm sure that Baz's Muslim heritage is sure to cause some controversy but but liked his introduction here. It was very well told and, so long as DC doesn't allow the writers to make Baz into a character with a chip on his shoulder, there's definitely an interesting tale to be told here. I look forward to reading more about Baz in the pages of the other Green Lantern titles in the coming months. Read Full Review

This issue was written by Geoff Johns with pencils by Doug Mahnke and inks by Christian Alamy, Keith Champagne and Mark Irwin. It gives an introduction to the character of Green Lantern Simon Baz, but not a lot of depth. I agree with my colleague who wrote the previous review on the issue that Johns has a knack for creating character personas over a number of issues, so time will tell how that goes, and this issue really would not have even made it as an interlude for the Rise of the Third Army story without the appearance of Hal and Sinestro at the end (as I suspect they will have a major role to play in how this event plays out). Read Full Review

So there is now another new Green Lantern on Earth. Of course this will bring up the argument of does there really need to be another one, but we should be focusing on the fact that Hal is gone (until he can come back to save the day) and we have the possibilities for a run of new stories from a hopeful dynamic character. Green Lantern #0 did a superb job of fulfilling the concept of the zero issue and gave us background on Simon before he becomes the central focus of the coming issues. With some nice pacing and a couple really nice beats, coupled with above average art, Geoff and company gave Simon Baz a warm welcome into the DC Universe and get 3.5 out of 5 stars. Read Full Review

While this book didn't get me excited to see more Baz, I am still curious to see how he develops into a Green Lantern. The epilogue also has piqued my interest as well since I am a huge Hal Jordan fan. This entire run as made me a big fan of Sinestro back in green so it will be interesting to see how this all plays out. Suspiciously absent from this issue were the Guardians. I always like to see what's going on with them from time to time. Overall it was a good story, but lacked a little bit in the Green Lantern department for me. I'm hoping #13 will toss us headlong into the fray. Read Full Review

Overall the story is a good set up from our new Green Lantern friend nothing really stands out except we now have a Muslim-American instead of our true blue American fighter pilot of Hal Jordan, who isn’t gone just to clarify that. It’s average and I’m a little interested where his role is in the Lantern Corps will be. And one final thought that’s bugged us all since seeing the cover, why does he need a gun when he has a power ring? Read Full Review

Maybe I was too excited about this, or I've been spoiled for several years on the superior Lantern stories that have happened, but the story so effected my grade. Geoff, you can do so much better. Read Full Review

While this is definitely a new take on Green Lantern, I think he is already losing his tenuous appeal. Read Full Review

I do wish I had better to say about this issue of Green Lantern. It fails as a zero issue by virtue of it not even trying to be one. The potential of Simon Baz is buried under a suspected terrorist angle that really makes no attempt to be unique from the billion other times this has been done. That's without even factoring in how disappointing it is for DC to link their high profile Arab-American character to terrorism at all. What little of the character is allowed to shine through does little to justify him as a new Green Lantern in a cast of Green Lanterns that is already too overcrowded in the context of the New 52. Aside from some quality art by Doug Mahnke, this issue falls short in every respect. Read Full Review

It's such a shame that this issue isn't stronger. Simon Baz shouldbe the Hot New Character of 2012, and this issue shouldblow doors down. And yet, "Green Lantern" #0 is yet another example of the low standard of quality that the DCnU seems to have all around. It really isn't thatbad when looking at some of their other offerings, but it's also not good either; it simply exists, a set of stapled pages sitting on stands in comic shops and select bookstores around the country as a firm reminder of what DC and Geoff Johns currently are. In time Johns may regain his mojo and Baz may grow to be a very endearing character within the DCnU " but between that horrendous cover and the subpar sequence of events that are contained within the issue, your $2.99 will be muchbetter off staying in your wallet for now. Read Full Review

Overall, I'd have to give Green Lantern #0 two stars (out of five). It didn't suck me into the GL universe as a new reader, I wasn't entirely gripped by Baz or his story, and the writing felt both linear and simple.  Read Full Review

As much as I’m against yet another human getting a GL ring (Earth now has 5 GLs and Korugar has 2, and no other world has more than 1!), I can’t help but enjoy Johns origin of Simon Baz. If there’s one thing Johns excels at, it’s origins. Also, I think he kind of exaggerated all the Muslim racism but that’s ok

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Mout - Mar 1, 2024

There's no exaggeration

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