InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I am the King of Pants!"

kagome654 (kagome654) wrote in scans_daily,
@ 2009-06-16 14:23:00

Current mood:	cheerful
Entry tags:	char: green arrow/oliver queen, char: green lantern/hal jordan, char: green lantern/john stewart, char: superman/clark kent, creator: christopher priest/james owsley, creator: tod smith

The List (Aka: Hal Jordan has no friends)
A while ago I posted Neil Gaiman's 'Green Lantern/Superman: Legend of the Green Flame'. I prefaced the entry by saying it was a continuation of sorts of an older story known as 'The List' (published in Action Comics Weekly #606). I've finally decided to post part of that story, which depicts a surprisingly vulnerable Hal Jordan and (even more surprising) an uncharacteristically rude Alfred Pennyworth.

First, a little background-
Hal Jordan has just returned from space. He's recently been held captive in another galaxy, is on the outs with his girlfriend, is homeless (his apartment having been destroyed), jobless, directionless and totally miserable. To make matters worse people on Earth seem to be afraid of him.

He decides to contact John. Unfortunately as bad as Hal's life is at the moment...well, poor John's is ten times worse.

I think it was emotionally mature for Hal to realize that he needs support and advice. He could have just as easily decided that he needs to work out his problems alone...which would have lead to a lot of ineffectual angst.

I'm a little less impressed by his lack of judgment when it comes to determining who would be the best to talk to about such things. If you're looking for emotional support and guidance Wayne Manor should NOT be your first stop....

Believe it or not, Bruce let him down easily compared to some...

One of the sequels to this story involved him talking to Dinah about his problems. Apparently someone finally remembered they were actually fairly good friends (which makes his treatment of her in 'Cry for Justice' all the more irritating) and it, unsurprisingly, went a lot better than this. Unfortunately I don't have that issue, so I can't post anything from it.

So, we're off to see everyone's favorite archer (Haha...ha).

...Ouch. Someone remind me why these two are friends again?

Anyway, I really liked this story. I don't mind Johns' characterization of Hal as much as some, but he does seem to have a limited emotional range. He always seems to be either full of righteous indignation, talking like a quippy action hero, or angsting in a very macho sort of way that seems oddly shallow. I miss the occasionally goofy Hal, the who is not embarrassed to be a little vulnerable and emotional and can (and has!) 'weep/ed openly and without shame.'

(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)

	dcanacek 2009-06-16 11:42 pm UTC (link)
	There was an issue in the Mike Grell GA run where Ollie did something stupid (again) and was moping about it. Hal comes to Seattle and takes Ollie fishing. They talk, they fight, they help each other resolve the matter and they show why they were friends... So what the HELL is this? (Reply to this) (Thread)

jlroberson
2009-06-17 12:54 am UTC (link)

Well, who wrote this? Because it gives the impression of someone who doesn't care much for Hal, and also doesn't really understand his history.

I mean, Bruce is nicer to him than Ollie is. I'm sorry, but as I recall, those two were never good friends. Friendly foils, maybe.

But of course, what it really is, is that, post-Crisis, GA at the time had successfully transitioned to "mature readers" comics, and was profitable. GL, as I mentioned, was on his way out just as much as Barry Allen had been. Hal wasn't cool. Simple as that.

But after the Crisis, there's a lot of "I don't know you, go away" going on among DC characters. Byrne's Superman has a lot of that. It was very much a "go away gramps" attitude, really.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

	thehefner 2009-06-17 02:43 am UTC (link)
	What's great about that issue is that, in the light of this story, it really shows depth to Hal's own character. He lets himself be Ollie's punching bag to bring his friend out of his funk, even after Ollie was a total dick to him. Hal and Ollie. They love each other. With their fists. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	jlroberson 2009-06-17 06:53 am UTC (link)
	Hmm. according to the GCD, this was James Owsley. Now I'm surprised, because he DOES understand GL and Hal, as I recall. And this is 1988--VERY fresh off the Crisis. (Reply to this) (Parent)

(Read comments) -