John Stewart returns as Green Lantern in this issue. After the two-part story arc involving the heavy topic of gay-bashing, we return to find that Kyle Raynor has left earth after his disillusionment with the very people he has sworn to protect.

The story starts of on an interesting note, when John is confronted with a gang of criminals importing illegal immigrants and he has to deal first hand with the ramifications of this grisly trade. After this initial conflict the story seems to dissolve and become very wishy washy. It seem as though Winick has scripted this issue especially in favour of John Stewart playing the lead.

Green Lantern helps stop a drive-by shooting by rival gang members and lends a hand to a lady being mugged by similar homeboys. These distinct ethnic references seem really weak. How come the world around the character suddenly reflects his race? If it had been like this before, then fine, but suddenly the whole environment changes as the dark skinned hero returns to the fray. In particular the reference to his flying power and his race seems very forced. You didn’t see Kyle fending of homeboys left and right in last months issue and explaining his ability to grow five o’ clock shadow because of his skin colour. This just seemed to ruin it for me. One of the things I did like was the discussion between John and Fatality; hopefully this relationship will be carried on, an interesting sub-plot.

I don’t think the pencils on this book are mind blowing. The minor characters are just not rendered very well. The tough muscle-bound guys at the docks all look identical in body shape, the only visual difference being hair colour and a moustache, otherwise its attack of the clones. One good point about Eaglesham is his ability to draw some way out Lantern “Effects” he and Winick have definitely come up with some classic ideas in this issue. If for nothing else, buy this just for the classic ring powers that you see at work. I mean how can you not love the way Stewart catches a crook escaping in a speed boat by placing him inside a bottle, or the ever-classic green cell phone, last but not least, a great scene between John and Alan using their respective Lantern powers to play a living game of chess, masterfully drawn.

The colours in this book are a great disappointment to me. I expect so much more from colourists these days; this just seems like a huge step backwards. Hey, maybe they wanted GL to have a retro feel and so employed an artist and colourist who could do that. The colour is just so flat compared to other books out there. No tonal difference, no texture, just straight forward gradient shadows and highlights. One thing I did see was a little bit of texture on the water in the dock scene, so I guess I ought to stop complaining, but really the colours just seems to help in dragging this issue down.

Overall a disappointing entrance for John Stewart, a mediocre story overloaded with ethnic reference, down the line art and bland colouring. Hopefully Fatality starts kicking some ass; otherwise this Stewart arc might be used as firewood.

Score 3/10
Reviewed By:Iain Duncan