The next issue of DC Comics' Green Lantern establishes a new role for a relatively obscure character from legendary creator Jack Kirby's Fourth World -- a character who has been dead for over 30 years.
Written by Geoffrey Thorne and penciled by Marco Santucci and Tom Raney, Green Lantern #9 is set to hit comic shops this coming Tuesday, Dec. 7. "With trillions of lives on the line, a ringless John Stewart battles the Mad God for the future state of the universe!" the issue's official synopsis reads. "Meanwhile, Jo Mullein solves the mystery of the Green Lantern Corps' battery's destruction as a new and ancient enemy rises."
In an official preview for Green Lantern #9 provided by DC, John Stewart comes face-to-face with none other than Esak, who declares himself to be the harbinger of the Lightbringer. "I am Esak of New Genesis, student of Izaya and Metron," he says. "I have folded eons to build my crucibles. I will save this cosmos, but I am not the Lightbringer..."
GREEN LANTERN #9
- Written by GEOFFREY THORNE
- Art by MARCO SANTUCCI and TOM RANEY
- Cover by BERNARD CHANG and ALEX SINCLAIR
- Variant cover by ALAN QUAH
- $4.99 US | 40 pages | $5.99 US Variant (Card Stock)
- ON SALE 12/7/21
- With trillions of lives on the line, a ringless John Stewart battles the Mad God for the future state of the universe! Meanwhile, Jo Mullein solves the mystery of the Green Lantern Corps’ battery’s destruction as a new and ancient enemy rises. Is this the end of the Green Lantern Corps or will it lead to a new beginning and a resurrection for the cosmic heroes?
Esak first appeared in 1971's New Gods #4, which was written and illustrated by Kirby himself. Esak was one of the great young minds of New Genesis, though he defected to Apokolips after an accident left him deformed. Esak was ultimately killed by Orion in Kirby's "The Hunger Dogs!"-- which was published in 1985 as DC Graphic Novel #4. The character has scarcely been seen within the pages of DC comic books since his meeting his demise back in '85, with the only real exceptions being Orion #5 in 2000 and Superman #663 in 2007.
Written by Geoffrey Thorne and illustrated by Marco Santucci and Tom Raney, Green Lantern #9 goes on sale Dec. 7 from DC Comics.
Source: DC Comics