Well DC sure does like to shock you lately, especially if you are a Lantern fan. In issue #12 we lost two of the greatest as well as well-known Lanterns the universe has ever known. Then we start issue #0 going back to 9-11 when our world was forever changed.
Issue #0 focuses on a Muslim family in the years following 9-11. The member of the family we stay with is named Simon Baz. It turns out he has had a rough life due to the hatred that engulfed the states after the attacks on the towers. He was always harassed because he was an Arab-American. He did however put himself in some hot spots himself though.
For example, he has stolen a van. Not just any van, a van that has explosives in it. What dumb luck. To top it all off, he is being chased by police and he needs to figure out how to get rid of the bomb without hurting civilians. He thinks on the move and crashes the van in an abandoned auto factory.
Simon never had time to flee; he was arrested right away and was interrogated like he was a terrorist. The Feds and Homeland security tried to pull the wool over his eyes, but he is a very smart and resourceful man. He knows no fear at least that is what it seems. As they are “interrogating” him, a green power ring comes to his aid because of his ability to overcome fear. The next thing you know, he is gone and the manhunt begins.
I will admit, I am a big Hal Jordan fan, but this character as well as storyline can prove to be very exciting and worthwhile. Besides, when you get this issue you will see the fates of Sinestro and Jordan are not as it would seem from last issue, or is it?
I definitely give this issue a strong rating; let’s say 12 out of 10. If DC plays their cards right, Simon Baz can be a great addition to the Green Lantern universe. With Geoff Johns at the helm, I believe this will work.
Writer: Geoff Johns Pencils: Doug Mahnke Publisher: DC Comics
