***Contains Spoilers***
The run spanning Green Lantern (Vol. 3) #99-128 marks the end of Ron Marz’s tenure on the title, with a series of character-driven tales and the Emerald Knights arc. During this run, Kyle Rayner continues to mature as a hero and a person, all while navigating relationships, team-ups with his fellow Lanterns, and the occasional cosmic-level threat. With Hal Jordan making a temporary return from the past, and the narrative digging into the evolving dynamics between Kyle, Jade, and Donna Troy, the run is more like a slice-of-life drama than a groundbreaking superhero epic.
The slow, steady evolution of Kyle Rayner as a character is the heart of this stretch. By this point in the series, Kyle has grown noticeably more self-assured, though he still stumbles when it comes to managing his personal relationships. It’s refreshing to see a superhero make mistakes and grow from them without the stakes necessarily involving a city in flames. His arc feels more human here, as he juggles his residual feelings for Donna Troy while building a new romance with Jade. I’ll admit, I wasn’t thrilled about Kyle and Jade getting together at first—I was firmly on “Team Donna.” But as their relationship evolved, it won me over, and by the end of the run, I found myself rooting for them.
The return of Hal Jordan from the past in Emerald Knights was a fun way to bring all four main Earth Lanterns (Kyle, Hal, John Stewart, and Guy Gardner) into the spotlight without undoing the events of Emerald Twilight. Seeing their distinct personalities bounce off each other, especially in the more lighthearted moments, reminded me of what makes the Green Lantern mythos so engaging. Guy’s bar, Warriors, remains a charming recurring setting, and it was a nice touch to see it integrated into the story.
While nothing here is particularly profound, the focus on smaller, character-driven stories gave the series a grounded quality that I appreciated. These issues feel like a day in the life of Kyle Rayner, with glimpses of his struggles as an artist, a hero, and a young man trying to figure out life. It’s relatable and, at times, even endearing.
For all its charm, this run didn’t feel particularly essential. Most of the stories are entertaining but lack the kind of high stakes or thematic depth that would make them truly memorable. Even Emerald Knights, despite its clever premise, doesn’t deliver any lasting impact on the Green Lantern mythos. It’s a fun arc, but it ultimately feels like an excuse to let Kyle meet a pre-Parallax Hal without any lasting consequences.
Ron Marz’s final stretch on Green Lantern delivers some fun, character-driven stories, but it never quite rises above being “just okay.” Kyle’s growth as a character is satisfying, and the interactions with Hal, John, and Guy add some much-needed levity. Still, the run lacks the kind of punch that would make me want to revisit it. 2-star — I liked it enough to finish it, but I wouldn’t pick it up again.
Feature Image Green Lantern #106 cover art by Terry Austin & Paul Pelletier