With the town still cut off, John Stewart tries to understand what’s going on, but he might learn more than he wants. Your Major Spoilers review of Absolute Green Lantern #3 awaits!

ABSOLUTE GREEN LANTERN #3

Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Jahnoy Lindsay
Colorist: Jahnoy Lindsay
Letterer: Lucas Gattoni
Editor: Andrew Marino
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 4th, 2025

Previously in Absolute Green Lantern: After enduring the ordeal of when the alien Abin Sur captured their entire town and subjected it to his judgement, Hal Jorden and Sojourner Mullein have emerged changed in ways they aren’t sure they can explain.

THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE

Absolute Green Lantern #3 opens up with John Stewart examining a golden ring he found on the ground. He’s joined by a man named Todd, and they talk about how it seems like any outsider who comes near the town is psychically driven away without noticing anything. John explains that the ring came from a motorcycle rider who crashed against the green barricade that’s keeping everyone inside; it’s the only thing that’s made it through. In present day, Hal tries to convince Jo to let the blackness that’s controlling him to consume her green light. She refuses, and the two come to blows, resulting in Hal being flung halfway across the desert. Back in the past, John tries to gather as much gold as he can find, including a gold painted toy of The Blue Devil from Hal. He, Hal, and Jo go to the barricade. They are able to pass the toy through the barricade. But when they use Jo’s real golden ring, it actually dispels part of the barricade. Then Abin Sur arrives, with judgment in tow.

FINALLY PICKING UP THE PACE

Absolute Green Lantern has been a meditative experience so far, at times being downright slow through its first two issues, but it seems like things are ready to really get going here in the third issue. Not only do we get some movement in the past storyline that moves it closer to the present storyline. We also get to see some conflict between Jo and Hal. This is also the first issue where we get Abin Sur as something more than just a powerful entity; his appearance in this issue is spooky and helps shine a light on some of the cosmic horror elements that have been lingering in the background. Where this series so far, and especially this issue has excelled at, has been making sure the characters are appropriately out of their depth with everything that’s going on. No one has been shown to be hyper-capable, and any revelation about their situation has been worked out through logical means or has been thrust upon them by an outside force, which makes for a special and compelling type of drama. The dual narrative structure is starting to show some cracks though. This issue could’ve easily removed the scenes between Hal and Jo at the diner and still have hit all its major plot points. Those scenes feel like they are there simply to make sure there’s some action in this issue, which is appreciated, but feels unnecessary.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REAL SHOWDOWN

It took a bit for me to get used to the somewhat anime-inspired style of the art in this series. But, in Absolute Green Lantern #3 we get to see some hints at how cool this style can be. When Jo and Hal come to blows, the mixture of their powers has a look of ink pouring in on some sort of surface that repels liquid, then we get one of our first hints at a construct when Jo sends Hal flying, and it’s pretty cool.

BOTTOM LINE: A TURNING POINT IN THE SERIES

Absolute Green Lantern still feels like it’s in its ramping-up stage, but this issue makes it clear that it’s not just spinning its wheels. From the payoffs on the horror themes, to some plot development, and some strong character moments, this issue feels like a bit of reassurance that this series can make good on its intentions and promises. 4 out of 5 stars.

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