Let us turn back the way-back machine all the way back to a time when Hal wasn't the greatest Green Lantern ever, Carol Ferris had yet to be taken over by a nutty Alien Queen, and Hector Hammond could still shop for hats as Secret Origins continue with Part Two.

In all fairness, I really was more looking forward to seeing Abin Sur than Hal.  I know Hal's origin.  I know his backstory.  Last issue was incredibly well-written but I was far intrigued by Abin's last page scene.  So, happy moment... this issue starts by picking it up.

As we open, Abin is flying towards Earth in a ship with Atrocitus of the Empire of Tears and prisoners of Ysmault to find the source of the Power of Black (see DC Universe 0 to find out who THAT is).  He's mistrusting his ring to keep him alive in space... yet still trusts it enough to shackles Atrocitus?  Consistency, Abin.  Consistency.  Nevertheless, the mad alien breaks through and we're finally shown who damaged Abin's ship and killed him: the creator of the Red Lantern Corps.  Is this plot point going to be brought up for Blackest Night?  I'd bet money on it.

Elsewhere, Hal's been demoted to mechanic and is itching to get back into the air.  With Carl Ferris and his daughter Carol in charge now, however, it looks like Hal is out of luck.  Sitting in the charred remains of his dad's old plane when he's pulled to the remains of Abin's ship and you can figure what goes next.  After Hal gets his fancy ring, it's time to save Laminski, the guy who keeps calling Tom "Pieface" (thank God for Crises of Hal would look as big a jerk as this guy) and makes it known his plans to bed Carol (that seems to happen a lot to Carol... you know the planning, anyway).  After saving Laminski (but still wrecking his plane Hal-style... heh) GL makes his first public appearance and make googly eyes (well, as close as he can with those pupil-less eyes in the mask) before hes interrupted by her fate-revealed-in DCU 0-this-week boyfriend... Hector Hammond!

As always, even when it's probably the umpteenth time I've read Hal's origin, Geoff still stuffs enough fun and intrigue in to get your money's worth.  I liked that issue in some way tied to DCU 0 this week with Hammond and the Black Hand.  The art is top-notch as always with Reis.  My joy was a little hindered by small things like Abin being a dope about the prison bubble and the fact that covering the part of your face around your eyes somehow hides your ID (though that's not Reis' fault obviously), but those are just nit-picks.  Geoff Johns cranks out yet another good tale out of the Green Lantern lore as we spiral closer and closer to the Blackest Night.