Far Sector

NK Jemisin brings her own brand of storytelling to Green Lantern, and the result is a smashing success. Although, strictly speaking, this is a superhero story it feels much more like a regular science fiction novel - something that obviously fits well with Green Lantern, but which it rarely achieves in practice. That may be partly down to the adult rating, allowing themes we don't often see so clearly in superhero comics, with the central character being a bisexual African American woman who has tried, and failed, to be part of the system.

But it's also the comparatively in-depth look at the setting, a Dyson swarm inhabited by three alien races which has known peace for centuries and now finds its society cracking at the seams. The result is a noir-ish thriller interspersing the police investigation of a homicide with looks into the alien culture and its parallels with our own. There are some great ideas in here, and a sympathetic hero in the form of rookie Green Lantern Jo Mullein trying to fight for what's right. Emotion, often a theme in Green Lantern, is central here, but in a more sophisticated way than it normally is (fighting Red Lanterns, or whatever), partly aided by Jo having a variant ring that doesn't work in the usual way.

This is a good piece of comic book science fiction, showing what Green Lantern can do with a good writer (and artist) when some of the brakes are taken off.

A phenomenal story by N.K. Jemison (that it is a Green Lantern story is almost incidental, almost). Jamal Campbell has created a world that is amazing, just amazing - a unique combination of color, line and sheer brazen imagination. I haven't something this bold and clear yet visually complicated and rich. This is worth your time.

THAT goes on the list of favourites of the year. Holy FUCK what an achievement. I will somewhat shamefacedly admit this is my first N.K. Jemisin, but it certainly makes me want to pick up her novels! And the art, oh my goodness, I will also be looking for more graphic novels illustrated by Jamal Campbell. Every panel showcases maximum effort, not just beautiful aliens and imaginative fight choreography, but the sci fi scapes of my dreams, conveying the experience of strong emotion, the close ups on mouths or eyes that tell you everything you need to know about what's about to go down. And can we hear a hallelujah for the superhero wearing a variety of casual and dressy clothes and hairstyles in their downtime?! Not to forget the writing: The discussions around emotion, the hope and tensions of peoples with a war torn history living together, the weighty comparisons to humanity's flaws, the rookie finding her way in a new position, guided by an ethical compass above all, the humour, the references; I do not have the words to summarize everything I loved about this book. I want more graphic novels about strong, vulnerable, occasionally goofy with it, brave, sassy, (com)passionate bi/pan/xeno(?) sexual Green Lantern Sojourner ‘Jo' Mullein, who has successfully managed to actually get me interested in my first Green Lantern graphic novel ever. I have to assume work of this calibre means there already exists a demand for more in the future. Oh, pretty please. 🙏🏻 
⚠️ References to racism, police brutality, enslavement