Written by Minh Le
Art by Andie Tong
Published by DC Graphic Novels for Kids
Pages: 143
Retail: $9.99
When a legendary member of the Green Lantern Corps passes away, the ring is transferred to her grandson: 13-year old Tai. That's right- this replacement is only 13! Does a child barely in his teens have what it takes to become the next great protector of sector 2814? The ring clearly thinks so and thus the youngest member ever admitted into the Corps begins his training.
But Tai's tenure as a Green Lantern may not last for long when he is confronted by a member of Sinestro's Yellow Lantern Corps. Suffering from years of persecution as a second generation Vietnamese immigrant, Tai is tempted by the villain's yellow ring to enact the revenge and justice he and the members of his community have so desperately yearned for. Will Tai succumb to his dark side?
Green Lantern: Legacy was a pleasant surprise. I was afraid that this new Lantern might be a complete reboot of the GL franchise and have done away with over 50 years of classic characters. If you have similar apprehensions, fret not! Many of your favorite Green Lantern characters are here including Jon Stewart and Kilowog.
I'm not sure where Hal Jordan is however. Hal nowhere to be seen or mentioned in this graphic novel. According to the book, Tai's grandmother was the Green Lantern who trained Jon Stewart. Could Legacy be an Elseworld-type story in which the ring selects merchant Kim Tran instead of test pilot Jordan? Or is this story another untold chapter of the DC Universe?
I really hope the answer is yes to the second question. I would like to see Tai added to the Green Lantern roster full-time. I know that there seems to be a disproportionate number of humans in their ranks. But hey--- What's one more great character???
This is award-winning author Minh Le's (Drawn Together) first foray into the DC Universe. And I hope he becomes a permanent fixture, just as I hope to see more of Tai Tran! Le's characters are very real. The kids sounds like kids. The villains are creepy. And while there's a very socially relevant plot behind this origin story, this isn't preachy. What Legacy does is make you think, love and empathize.
I also enjoyed the artwork by Andie Tong (Star Wars). Its not exactly very clean. But it's a great mix of American, Asian and intergalactic cultures. Sometimes, I forgot who was behind the art as many panels look a lot like that of Battling Boy's Paul Pope. But that's not an insult as I really like Pope's artwork. It just means that I am adding Andie Tong to my list of artists to be on the lookout for more from!
Together Le and Tong created a flawless new member of the Green Lantern Corps. Tai's Yellow Lantern adversary is pretty good too. In a rotten sort of way! But I kinda wish that the creative team had done a slightly better job at hiding the Easter eggs that reveal who Tai's arch-enemy is. I hate to say it, but I knew who was going to be trouble for Tai and friends from the antagonist's very first introduced panel. And no! It's wasn't just my instincts kicking in. The evidence is there- clear as day and yet a little bit of a spoiler.
Green Lantern: Legacy is a graphic novel perfect for readers 10 and up. There's a some fighting. But it's mostly the scenes of domestic terror and racism that may be a bit too intense for younger readers. This definitely is a graphic novel that promises to entertainment. But it's also a work that very well might be a helpful tool in addressing race and xenophobia to young readers.
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
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