The List (Aka: Hal Jordan has no friends)
Jun. 16th, 2009 02:23 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
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A while ago I posted Neil Gaiman's 'Green Lantern/Superman: Legend of the Green Flame'. I prefaced the entry by saying it was a continuation of sorts of an older story known as 'The List' (published in Action Comics Weekly #606). I've finally decided to post part of that story, which depicts a surprisingly vulnerable Hal Jordan and (even more surprising) an uncharacteristically rude Alfred Pennyworth.

First, a little background-
Hal Jordan has just returned from space. He's recently been held captive in another galaxy, is on the outs with his girlfriend, is homeless (his apartment having been destroyed), jobless, directionless and totally miserable. To make matters worse people on Earth seem to be afraid of him.

He decides to contact John. Unfortunately as bad as Hal's life is at the moment...well, poor John's is ten times worse.

I think it was emotionally mature for Hal to realize that he needs support and advice. He could have just as easily decided that he needs to work out his problems alone...which would have lead to a lot of ineffectual angst.
I'm a little less impressed by his lack of judgment when it comes to determining who would be the best to talk to about such things. If you're looking for emotional support and guidance Wayne Manor should NOT be your first stop....

Believe it or not, Bruce let him down easily compared to some...

One of the sequels to this story involved him talking to Dinah about his problems. Apparently someone finally remembered they were actually fairly good friends (which makes his treatment of her in 'Cry for Justice' all the more irritating) and it, unsurprisingly, went a lot better than this. Unfortunately I don't have that issue, so I can't post anything from it.
So, we're off to see everyone's favorite archer (Haha...ha).



...Ouch. Someone remind me why these two are friends again?
Anyway, I really liked this story. I don't mind Johns' characterization of Hal as much as some, but he does seem to have a limited emotional range. He always seems to be either full of righteous indignation, talking like a quippy action hero, or angsting in a very macho sort of way that seems oddly shallow. I miss the occasionally goofy Hal, the who is not embarrassed to be a little vulnerable and emotional and can (and has!) 'weep/ed openly and without shame.'

First, a little background-
Hal Jordan has just returned from space. He's recently been held captive in another galaxy, is on the outs with his girlfriend, is homeless (his apartment having been destroyed), jobless, directionless and totally miserable. To make matters worse people on Earth seem to be afraid of him.

He decides to contact John. Unfortunately as bad as Hal's life is at the moment...well, poor John's is ten times worse.

I think it was emotionally mature for Hal to realize that he needs support and advice. He could have just as easily decided that he needs to work out his problems alone...which would have lead to a lot of ineffectual angst.
I'm a little less impressed by his lack of judgment when it comes to determining who would be the best to talk to about such things. If you're looking for emotional support and guidance Wayne Manor should NOT be your first stop....

Believe it or not, Bruce let him down easily compared to some...

One of the sequels to this story involved him talking to Dinah about his problems. Apparently someone finally remembered they were actually fairly good friends (which makes his treatment of her in 'Cry for Justice' all the more irritating) and it, unsurprisingly, went a lot better than this. Unfortunately I don't have that issue, so I can't post anything from it.
So, we're off to see everyone's favorite archer (Haha...ha).



...Ouch. Someone remind me why these two are friends again?
Anyway, I really liked this story. I don't mind Johns' characterization of Hal as much as some, but he does seem to have a limited emotional range. He always seems to be either full of righteous indignation, talking like a quippy action hero, or angsting in a very macho sort of way that seems oddly shallow. I miss the occasionally goofy Hal, the who is not embarrassed to be a little vulnerable and emotional and can (and has!) 'weep/ed openly and without shame.'
no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 08:49 am (UTC)(Oddly enough it was actually John's idea in the first place, which is kind of surprising given how grounded he usually is).
After exhausting any legal means he could think of to get John out, Hal eventually decided the only thing he could do is bring John his ring and lend him part of his power so he could escape. John not only escaped, but released all the other prisoners as well. In the following weeks he became cozy with the leader of the African Nationalist Resistance, not realizing how extreme certain factions of the group were. Eventually a member that John had released murdered a white official and his wife in their bed. Hal blamed himself, considering himself responsible for all of John's actions at that point.
Superman agreed. He gave Hal a 'courtesy call' and told Hal he either had to deal with John and the entire mess or Superman would. Hal was not impressed. Neither was I, since I thought it would have been better (and less condescending) for Clark to talk to John directly, but eh...he probably wanted to avoid adding to the tension as Nambia and America were already involved in a pretty heavy propaganda war and his presence wouldn't have helped matters.
It's an interesting story (Green Lantern Special #1, written by Owsley). I may have to post it at some point.
Also, I need some John icons...
no subject
Date: 2009-06-19 09:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-09 04:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-10 01:22 am (UTC)