Green Lantern/Superman: Legend of the Green Flame

[kagome654.insanejournal.com]

So...I had no idea Neil Gaiman wrote a Green Lantern story. Apparently the tale has a pretty interesting history ('How do you lose a Neil Gaiman script?'- Mark Waid). It's a pretty decent story, with a lot of talented artists attached (plus cameos by Deadman, The Phantom Stranger* and Selina Kyle).

A little bit of background may be needed first. This story is sort of a sequel to an earlier Green Lantern tale entitled 'The List' that ran back in 1988. Hal, feeling a little lost and despondent, decides that angsting alone isn't accomplishing much and that he really needs to talk to someone. He makes a list of old friends and associates and plans to seek them out for advice. Unfortunately for him they ALL blow him off, including Ollie and Superman (also, for some reason Hal decided to go to BATMAN first. Friggen BATMAN! Who goes to Batman for emotional support?!). It's kind of an interesting little story (I may post it at some point), and Gaiman decided to write this as a continuation of sorts.

I do apologize in advance if this seems a little disjointed and hard to follow, while this is a prestige format book and longer than your average comic (51 pages) I did have to leave a lot out.

The story opens with a lantern similar to Alan Scott's being uncovered in 1949. It then cuts to The Daily Planet's newsroom several decades later. Look everyone, it's Superm-Clark Kent!




Oh, that Lois.

So anyway, the two heroes are walking through the park to the museum and Hal decides he really needs to unload all his baggage (which admittedly is quite considerable at this point) and Clark is right there, so...



Yeah, the muggers are about as successful as you'd imagine they'd be. The pair continue to the museum and have begun to mingle when Hal runs into a familiar (at least to the readers) face;



I'm not going to lie to you, Hal...a lot of people saw that. For those who may be wondering that’s Hal's Peter Lorre impression.

While exploring less crowded halls of the museum the pair stumble across what appears to be an old power battery in a glass display case. Seeing a lantern in such a place is odd enough but it is especially strange as the majority of the power batteries were destroyed when the central battery on OA exploded. Hal decided it would be a great idea to experiment on this mysterious battery and, sealing off the hall so that no one else will notice what they’re doing, changes into Green Lantern and starts to recite the Oath while pressing his ring to the strange lantern.

It doesn’t go well.



Opps.

When they wake up they have seemingly been transported elsewhere. Or, if you listen to Boston Brand, they both just plain upped and died.



Boston keeps trying to leave before giving them any straight answers. Eventually they decide on their next course of action...



It doesn’t go well...















So what happens next? Well, it involves the Phantom Stranger, a magical (and malignant) green flame and the true significance of Alan Scott’s Oath. Unfortunately I can’t post anymore without hitting the limit. I thought it was worth the effort to track the story down and recommend anyone else who is interested do the same.

ETA: Well, I should have checked the tags earlier, it seems some of this was already posted. Sorry for stepping on your toes there, ashtoreth

*Due to certain constraints the Phantom Stranger may not appear as advertised. Or at all

Comments

[kali921.insanejournal.com]

Who did the art on this issue? Because it looks like two completely different artists. I love the artwork on everything from page 16 onwards.

[kagome654.insanejournal.com]

I believe the first set of scans up until they reach the museum is Mike Allred. Terry Austin did the scene with Selina and the exploding green flames. The Deadman interlude was drawn by John Totleben, and from then on Eric Shanower depicts a lovely vision of Hell.

I need to adjust my tags, I just started randomly listing artists who contributed as I remembered them (which was a silly way to go about it).

[jlroberson.insanejournal.com]

TOTLEBEN?

I must have this. Now.

[just_mrasaki.insanejournal.com]

Maybe because there're chunks cut out of this so I'm missing parts...but I am feeling a little irritated at Clark.

[kagome654.insanejournal.com]

What in particular is irritating you?

[just_mrasaki.insanejournal.com]

I'm thinking that I'm probably just missing important parts of the story, but the whole bit when Hal is trying to tell Clark his problems and Clark just *isn't* listening. (Rescuing a cat? Nice, but your good friend is telling you about his profound problems.) And then in the later pages, he still doesn't seem all that concerned, though granted they are in a rather sticky situation. haha. Poor Hal, no love from anybody.

[kagome654.insanejournal.com]

Actually, that was one thing I didn't like about this story, Hal's problems were written off as insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Basically 'Gee, now that I've been to Hell my loneliness and existential angst seem like no big deal. So what if I'm losing friends left and right? I can go make NEW friends!' and Clark is like, 'Remember, I'm always here if you need to talk.' All I could think is 'But...Clark, you didn't exactly HELP him...'

But at least he didn't tell him to screw off like Ollie previously had, or kick him out like Bruce (and Alfred!) did.

Seriously, even Alfred was rude to him!

[liarashadowsong.insanejournal.com]

Clark rescued a cat from a tree in page three. No joke. And that's all I have to say. *3*

[kagome654.insanejournal.com]

Yeah, I thought that was pretty cute, though if I were Hal I might be a little annoyed that Clark didn't seem to be paying attention while I spilled my guts (I'm sure he can multitask, but still!)...

[unknownscribler.insanejournal.com]

Clark can perceive the torment of everybody in Hell. Of course he's paying complete attention to Hal.

[kagome654.insanejournal.com]

It's much more amusing to imagine that he's thinking 'Aww, who's a cute widdle kitty? You're a cute widdle kitty! Yes you is! You gonna get a tummy rub!' while Hal drones on in the background.

[unknownscribler.insanejournal.com]

I didn't say Clark was interested in Hal's problems, just that he was paying attention :P

[liarashadowsong.insanejournal.com]

Superman has the powers of super-hearing and super-multitasking, clearly. But in all honesty, I think Clark was paying attention to Hal. With his abilities, rescuing a cat from a tree while listening would be like if I stooped down to tie my shoe while listening, if that - can hear just fine from there, and it barely takes any concentration at all, and so excellent attention to the matter at hand can still be paid while doing so.

And rescuing cats from trees is always cute. ^_^

[kagome654.insanejournal.com]

Oh, I'm sure he was listening. I'm just one of those people who doesn't like when people are doing other things while I'm trying to have a conversation with them, so I'm projecting.

[schala_kid.insanejournal.com]

I really, really, really love when Neil plays with the DC Universe <3

[leikomgwtfbbq.insanejournal.com]

Okay, now that I know the P.S. is in there, I have to go and find this. Also, I love Neil Gaiman. So this is just all-over totally awesome.

[chipsnopotatoes.insanejournal.com]

much love for neil g. bless him for including selina kyle. i wish he'd write catwoman in the wednesday comic bulletin they're coming out in june

[vicky_wayne.insanejournal.com]

Thank you for reminding me I have to go read this again. Right now. ::runs::