An Eye for an Eye
Atrocitus and the Spectre strangely take over this issue of Green Lantern as the Butcher finally takes a host in what is a great story for the character of Atrocitus but not so much for anyone else.
Out of all the new characters to come out of the Emotional Spectrum, Atrocitus has probably been the most interesting. He was introduced to us as a rage-filled monster, which he continues to be, but Geoff Johns has continually expanded on the character's reasons for being so. We already knew he was a survivor of the Massacre of Sector 666, but this issue gives an actual glimpse at the horrors he endured, giving us something tangible that makes it hard to honestly blame Atrocitus for his rage. This makes him a very conflicting character, because it becomes equally hard to condemn him as it is agree with him. In the same issue as he protects a life against the Spectre, he ruthlessly murders two random bystanders to help find the Butcher. Atrocitus is a monster, but who wouldn't be?
As great as Atrocitus is this issue, the Spectre is weak. Weak in power is not what I mean. Although, that has been a steady criticism of the way Johns has treated the Spectre in his stories. What I mean is that Johns just does not have a strong grasp of writing the Spectre. He completely ignores the fact that the Spectre has a host, which is odd given how the host is referenced twice in indirect ways. But Johns writes the Spectre as if he is just writing... the Spectre. Crispus Allen plays no factor at all, and isn't the host supposed to be a pretty major one when it comes to the Spectre? It is to the ridiculous extent that they have even removed Crispus' beard from the Spectre. What is that? How does Atrocitus get to be the voice of reason to the Spectre when Crispus should be right there already in the driver's seat? It's a terrible take on the Spectre that completely disregards one of the key points of the character.
Despite the title and the cover, Hal Jordan does not actually appear anywhere in this issue. Villain spotlights are not unheard of, especially as far as Geoff Johns' comics go, but it is dumb to have a character on the cover who isn't in the issue. All that said, the lack of Hal didn't really hurt the story at all. I think that if most people are really honest about it Hal Jordan hasn't been the reason to read this title for a few years now since probably before the Sinestro Corps War.
Even though it is dragged down somewhat by a poor handle on the Spectre, this is another strong issue of Green Lantern that, in all honesty, cuts out the middle man and presents the strong focus on Atrocitus that people have been waiting for.
