Green Lantern #21

Writer: Robert Venditti Artist: Billy Tan Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: June 5, 2013 Cover Price: $2.99 Critic Reviews: 35 User Reviews: 15
7.4Critic Rating
7.5User Rating

Hal Jordan becomes the leader of the most feared and hated group in the universe: The Green Lantern Corps! New faces, new threats and a new beginning for the GREEN LANTERN monthlies!

  • 9.5
    Comic Book Bin - Andy Frisk Jun 5, 2013

    So, while one era has come to an end with Geoff Johns' departure from Green Lantern, a glorious new one has begun. Instead of being a jumping off point for readers of Green Lantern though, Green Lantern #21 is not only an excellent jumping on point, but a great example of why long term Lantern fans will remain long term Lantern fans for years to come. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    The Comic Book Revue - Jay Mattson Jun 5, 2013

    Now that the terrible secrets of the original Guardians have all been revealed and all the awful prophecies have played out, it's time for a new direction for Green Lantern. Robert Vendetti is just the man to do it, and Green Lantern #21 is stellar. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    SciFiPulse - Patrick Hayes Jun 5, 2013

    Calm yourselves, Lantern fans. All is well. The adventures of Hal Jordan and his peers continue in fine, fun fashion. Read Full Review

  • 8.6
    Analog Addiction - Tony Couto Jun 6, 2013

    This issue is an exciting new chapter in the Green Lantern mythos. While Venditti is approaching the Corps and Hal from another direction, he respects all the groundwork that has been laid by Johns up to this point. From humour, to romance to cosmic adventure, Green Lantern #21 show signs of it being the start of a very fun run. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    AIPT - Jordan Richards Jun 6, 2013

    Billy Tan is on art duties now and he's not bad per se, since his action is good and he draws some decent looking landscapes and aliens. However, his people leave a lot to be desired with his facial work not being very good when it comes to expressing emotion; in particular, during the Carol and Hal scene where it looks like she always has the exact same emotion. Also, occasionally the faces seem to change shape and features, making people look different from panel to panel, and Billy seems to have trouble drawing the Lantern rings on people. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Comicosity - Matt Santori Jun 5, 2013

    In the end, we are treated to a single page portraying the near future of Green Lantern, and while that image ironically doesnt tell us a whole lot, I am confident were at the beginning of a very enjoyable run of new adventures. Skeptics, lay down your arms and give this one a shot. I think youll be pleasantly surprised by the effort. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    Chuck's Comic Of The Day - Chuck Jun 8, 2013

    Still, it's a strong start for the new team. They have big shoes to fill, but the good news is: they're walking in the right direction. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Infinite Comix - Ed Dec 31, 2013

    We are off and running in a new era of Green Lantern. This is a great start, and any fears that the universe in anyone else's hands than Johns are put to rest. We get a new direction here and it is one that a longtime fan or a new reader can wrap their arms around and embrace. If you have been on the fence about getting into Green Lantern I can only tell you this: Jump on in, the water feels fine! Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Spectrum - Jeff Bouchard Jun 19, 2013

    This issue has action throughout in addition to some key developments that will affect Hal both personally and as a Green Lantern. It was a nice way for the new creative team to establish their direction for the book. Much like in sports when a new coach replaces a Hall of Fame one after they step down, there are big shoes to fill with the Green Lantern title. Geoff Johns revitalized the Green Lantern title and added to the mythos, no one can deny that. But if Green Lantern #21 is any indication, the new creative team has a wild ride in store for Green Lantern fans that will keep them on the edge of their seats. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    One Quest - Chris Cobb Jun 7, 2013

    Venditti gives us a view of what's happening right in the beginning of the issue as we're thrust into the near future and see that not all has gone well for the Lanterns in the aftermath of the Third Army and First Lantern. That's probably what made this issue that much more interesting, we know the Corps are in a terrible place right now, and they don't even get a little down time to regroup it's right back to getting their asses kicked. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    DC Comics News - Ed Jun 6, 2013

    We are off and running in a new era of Green Lantern. This is a great start, and any fears that the universe in anyone elses hands than Johns are put to rest. We get a new direction here and it is one that a longtime fan or a new reader can wrap their arms around and embrace. If you have been on the fence about getting into Green Lantern I can only tell you this: Jump on in, the water feels fine! Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Vine - Tony 'G-Man' Guerrero Jun 5, 2013

    There is always concern when a new creative team takes over from a long running one. Robert Venditti and Billy Tan have stepped up to the challenge and there's no sign of hesitation. The series could be headed in a new direction as we're seeing new challenges and responsibilities thrusted upon Hal Jordan. It might be a little weird for fans of the character but it's a great change of pace, rather than seeing a continuation of the type of stories we've seen for years. Despite the frantic action at the beginning, this is setting up the new direction and we'll have to keep reading to see how it all plays out. Billy Tan's art fits nicely with the characters and he easily shows a great variety of alien species within the Green Lantern Corps. The next chapter of Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps is here and it's clear they are in capable hands. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Blog Of Oa - Myron Rumsey Jun 5, 2013

     I've stated before that I've been optimistic about the changes to the Green Lantern teams even though it's hard not to make comparisons to the Johns era.  Having read Venditti's run on the superb X-O Manowar reboot any anxiety I had about the fate of my favorite character disappeared and this issue reinforces my belief that while this is a new era, it will be a good one.   Four out of five lanterns     Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Book Therapy - Cody "The Thorverine" Ferrell Jun 5, 2013

    All of reader's doubts about a new creative team should be laid to rest with the first issue. It's not a completely perfect issue, but it is definitely a home run. Geoff Johns reinvented the wheel when it came to GL, but it looks like Venditti is a suitable heir to the throne"or power ring as it were. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comics: The Gathering - kanchilr1 Jun 5, 2013

    This is a new era of this wonderful gem of the DC Universe. Based on the last page of this issue there are some massive things incoming for the title. Themythosis also has picked up some great new talent. Giving the title to a fairly fresh writer likeVendittiis great move on DC's part, stick around to watch this bold decision be paid off in future issues. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comics Are Not Dead - Comics Are Not Dead Jun 7, 2013

    Green Lantern #21 is a great starting issue for Venditti's Green Lantern run. If he improves his writing from here, we could have a run that could be just as classic as Johns'.  Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Booked - Derreck Mayer Jun 8, 2013

    “In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power – Green Lantern's light!” Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Read Comic Books - Derek Baker Jun 5, 2013

    Venditti gives us a solid enough start to his run on Green Lantern. If nothing else, Tans art is enough to usher in a grand new age for the Corps. This is a very entertaining read. GL fans should be pleased and excited for the bright(est) future ahead. Read Full Review

  • 7.8
    Graphic Policy - Brett Schenker Jun 9, 2013

    Overall, the comic is really good. It might not have grabbed to the point that if I was a new reader, Id have gotten hooked and wanted more, but its a great point for new readers. Venditti had a tough task with this first issue, and he does a hell of a job balancing it all. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Modern Age Comics - Alexander Moser Jun 8, 2013

    I won't lower this comic's score because it doesn't quite compare to Johns'. The story stands out on it's own, but I don't think there's anything special here to define it any differently from another comic on the rack. The story looks like it's moving in a good direction, so I'm hoping to get a lot more out of Green Lantern. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    IGN - Joshua Yehl Jun 5, 2013

    The book has moments that are pleasantly familiar, and it feels different in regards to the role of the Guardians and the state of the Corps, not to mention Hal's new job title, but some aspects are all too familiar. You get a sense that risks were not taken in favor of making an accessible and marketable first issue. While this new start does get the job done, it doesn't quite grip you as much as it just appeases you, leaving it as a good comic book that has the potential to be a great one. Read Full Review

  • 7.2
    Nerds On The Rocks - Josh Raj Jun 6, 2013

    This is an impossible task of following such a long run by Johns. I enjoyed most of the issue, especially the flash-forward at the start, except for the part with Hal & Carol which seemed forced more than anything. I also am not a huge fan of Tan's art, and not sure if this issue hooked me the way I hoped it to. The beginning/ending teases were nice hooks for a new creative change/shift, but not sure how I felt about the still cryptic but wandering Guardians. I do enjoy that it seems the like before, the Lantern writers seems to be on the same page and coordinated well. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Jun 5, 2013

    Green Lantern #21 kicked off the new era for the franchise on the right foot. Robert Venditti and Billy Tan are able to quickly establish their vision for this series with a tease of the future and a look at the new dynamic for the series. Hal Jordan taking over as the leader of the Green Lantern Corps is something different for the character and it will be interesting to see how he handles. The new recruits add another layer to what Hal has to deal with along with his personal problems with Carol Ferris. This issue is also successful in creating a new reader friendly experience by moving forward with its plot and not relying on what came before it. If youve ever been interested in picking up Green Lantern or havent read this series in a while I recommend picking Green Lantern #21 up. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Newsarama - Richard Gray Jun 5, 2013

    Venditti is thrown in at the deep end with not just Green Lantern, but also by taking on responsibilities for Green Lantern Corps as well. In the final pages of this issue, we are given a whiff of what Venditti has in store for us in the coming issues, including the introduction of a new villain for the Forever Evil event in September. It is far too early to tell if the series is in safe post-Johns hands just yet, but it is undoubtedly pointed in the right direction. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Multiversity Comics - Vince Ostrowski Jun 7, 2013

    With mostly positive results, Venditti and Tan have crafted a first issue that acts as an “Idiots Guide to Green Lantern.” They don't take a whole lot of chances, but do promise you that their run will not try to walk in the same steps that Johns did – with the possible exception of a preview page for the upcoming year of “Green Lantern”, which was hardly exclusive to Johns, but just the type of thing he relished doing. This creative team may not take Hal Jordan and run him through the ultimate ringer like Geoff Johns did, but they've done enough here to warrant a probationary period. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Henchman-4-Hire - Sean Ian Mills Jun 8, 2013

    I think a much stronger story exists about Hal Jordan struggling with the responsibility of leading the Corps, reorganizing the Lanterns and dealing with new recruits who are scared to death of becoming GLs. That has potential. Random action scenes against Larfleeze do not, in my opinion. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Crave Online - Andy Hunsaker Jun 5, 2013

    Overall, some new blood on the GL books may be what they need. They've had their moments, but they haven't seemed to be consistently compelling lately. Maybe a fresh direction will help. Green Lantern #21 might not be a clean enough break, but hope springs eternal. Wait… that's Blue Lanterns… Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Comic Bastards - Steve Paugh Jun 6, 2013

    In the end, this isn’t a bad start, but as of now, it doesn’t feel like the flagship Green lantern title. Especially with the “not great but serviceable” art from Tan, this reads and looks more like a secondary Lantern book. I’m still going to stick with it because I am intrigued with Relic and what he has done to the Corps’ power, but this is going to have to develop a whole lot more to stay at the top of my mainstream pull list. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Heretical Jargon - Heretic Jun 7, 2013

    Overall it's a good book. Nothing to write home about, but definitely a good start to a new chapter in the Green Lantern mythos. Looking forward to what's up and coming! Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Population Go - Population Go Staff Jun 8, 2013

    This issue is a solid start to Venditti's tenure as writer, and whilst it probably won't set anyone's world on fire, it lays a sturdy foundation for things to come. There are some teething problems, but this is to be expected, and there's no reason to believe that this title won't soon be at the top of everyone's reading list as it has been for the past 9 years. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Following The Nerd - Christopher Williams Jun 7, 2013

    Overall I think the story was solid, but not great and the art could use a little more work. Not a bad start for a new creative team, hopefully they work out the kinks before too long. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Green Lantern Corps - iggy Jun 8, 2013

    Overall Green Lantern #21 is a mixed bag, some interesting characters choices and bold ideas in combination with average art at best. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Weekly Comic Book Review - Minhquan Nguyen Jun 6, 2013

    The art proves to be a worthy successor to what came before, but the writing does not, making missteps in its attempt to do something new and in the process trampling on what came before. Read Full Review

  • 4.0
    Comic Book Resources - Doug Zawisza Jun 6, 2013

    "Green Lantern" #21 provides a nice jumping on point for new readers or lapsed readers looking for a pure start. Venditti has a decent grasp on the concepts at play, going so far as to have Larfleeze and Carol Ferris pop up, tying back to Johns' work a bit, but it's quite clear the new writer wants to push Hal Jordan in a different direction with new challenges. There's a peek into what that future might hold in the form of a splash page at the end of this issue that cements one thing: "Green Lantern" is going to be a space-based comic book with Hal Jordan at the heart of it. Read Full Review

  • 4.0
    ComicList - Brandon Borzelli Jun 7, 2013

    I expect to see a drop off in quality with the departure of Johns, but this is too much. I can't see sticking with this title much longer with issues like this one. I wasn't a fan of Hal's Earth life but cutting off Carol after all the growth just doesn't make any sense. And axing the guardians so quickly is a really odd first issue choice. The battle and the prospect of a new villain leaves me hopeful that the next issue improves. Read Full Review

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