Originally Posted by
j9ac9k
-- Man, I hate to say it but I might be glad that we're taking a detour over to "Knight Terrors" the next few months. Maybe it'll be more interesting than the setup we've been given so far. This issue annoyed the frick out of me, and it's mostly about Adams's take on Hal. (and also disappointment over his take on Carol) but the overall tone so far feels too old school. It's not that Hal's acting out of character, but as others have said about last issue, this is all well-worn territory. He may not be the "cocky jerk", but "self-doubting loser" isn't a great look either. Maybe it's for newer readers who haven't seen all this before, but for me this feels like Hal's regressed, rather than capturing good nostalgia feels. There were a few enjoyable bits, but this is the internet, so I'm going to list my grievances, both big and nitpicky:
-- Seeing the cops during Hal's fight with Red Anger?... Crimson Metalhead?... was a waste of a page. They deserved one panel, then ... maybe show us the fight?
-- Does Adams think the Manhunters were people in armor? Or is he referencing something I'm not aware of because there have been Manhunter robots and people in Manhunter costumes, but has there ever been Oan energy powered Manhunter armor? If not, I don't like how they're glossing over that it's unusual, as though Manhunter armor is a thing. It's also just so convenient that armor that was sold on ebay ended up in Coast City so Hal could use it. I know everything's contrived, but it feels like Adams was supposed to have Hal leave the Corps but still have his ring, so it felt like box-checking rather than a story, like any other time a hero gives up their superhero identity and works their way back to it. (which of course Hal's done before)
-- The DT scene was fun, but it was just silly that they ran to the cops asking to be sent to jail. It felt like a bad cartoon.
-- So Hal was actually fired - great. Adams says he wants people to love Hal, but being incompetent in his job doesn't make me like him. Hal whining about it and second-guessing his decisions again doesn't make me like him. Kil telling Hal to stop whining brought back bad memories of Ollie's "get a life" speech.
-- Yeah, and Hal's behavior towards Carol and her fiance doesn't make me like him. I don't think I've ever seen Carol's hair miscolored before. New pet peeve - at least Hal's boots were correct.
-- "Hal leaves." Ugh - that old chestnut. Didn't Carol take off to space with Kyle and the New Guardians or something? I didn't read that title, but it would have been nice for Adams to reference her time as Star Sapphire and that both of them have grown since the old days. So now, Carol once again represents stability and settling down. Fart.
This isn't a complaint, but I guess we'll have to wait months to find out how Hal survived that fall? My guess is Kilowog, but who knows? Maybe it was Clark, since he mentioned him. Or maybe it was sheer willpower?