The Saturday Issue (5)

The Saturday Issue focuses on the more visual books read here at In Libris Veritas; ranging from graphic novels to manga to game companion guides.

Green Lantern #1 (August 1960)

Writers: John Broome

Artists: Gil Kane and Joe Giella

Notable Events: The first standalone issue of Green Lantern. The Guardians of OA make first appearance.

Thoughts: This is essentially a reprint of Showcase #22 and nothing really new is added to this at all. The first part of the first story is a re-account of Hal’s origin story and then the first part of the second story is the introduction of the relationship with Carol. Everything in this one is explained to exacting detail, because apparently there were tons of people like me who notice when nothing is said about Hal being able to fly in space with no breather. The first story is also fairly reminiscent of the Venus storyline a few issues back where Hal visits the planet in order to help the natives. The same happens here, just with a different planet and a different monster. The one different thing in this is the fact that the Guardians of OA are introduced. They are essentially tiny blue aliens that sit on OA and pretend they actually do something for the universe…well I suppose they do at some point but I personally hate the little blue jerks. Which if you read modern Green Lantern issues then you’ll see why, because so far none of that is really mentioned in this.  Their part is very small in this and they serve no other purpose than to provide some background to the power lantern’s ability to spout out missions and to recap the previous ‘first issue’.

As I mentioned before Carol’s obsession is recapped as well…unfortunately. I find it hard to believe that this is an endearing feature for a woman, even back then…but I guess if a woman is becoming a stalker because she’s so head over heels in love then the man involved might see that as an ego boost. Maybe…I don’t know, personally it seems like a warning sign that she might not be one to mess with. I mean who asks their father’s permission to get married before the man ‘involved’ even knows he’s actually involved…creeps, that’s who. At any rate the storyline that comes after her ‘love’ is explained is pretty interesting though fairly tame. A puppet master is controlling people with some sort of ray gun and making them commit crimes. It’s essentially over really quick though as Green Lantern ‘pretends’ to be controlled by the beams and finds the man behind it, who happens to be wearing all yellow. I’m hoping that the enemies in this universe are all planning ahead because of GL’s yellow weakness because I don’t think I can handle a world where are villains seek to wear the most garish looking outfits just because…

It’s a decent issue, but if you’ve read Showcase #22 then there isn’t much to read here. This contains two stories: “The Planet of Doomed Men” and “Menace of the Giant Puppet”.

What would you like to see next week? More Thor and Green Lantern? Or perhaps something else? Feel free to leave your suggestions below, it can be anything so don’t be shy. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you tune in next week!