Green Lantern #38 — Jeremy Adams’ LA Food Wars Meet Hal’s Mysterious Quest
Kyle Rayner navigates a volatile fast-food rivalry in Los Angeles while Hal Jordan’s secretive mission puts him at odds with the Guardians. Jeremy Adams and Xermanico deliver a dynamic double-header of street-level conflict and cosmic intrigue.
There’s a unique kind of tension that comes when you mix cosmic power with the petty stakes of a Los Angeles diner. Jeremy Adams has always had a knack for grounding the Green Lantern mythos in the tangible, and Green Lantern #38 is a perfect example of that balance in motion. We’re looking at a drop that feels fresh on the shelf, pulling the ring-bearers into a setting that’s equal parts neon-soaked noir and high-stakes sci-fi drama.
On one side of the counter, Kyle Rayner is right in the thick of a cold-cut war that’s threatening to boil over into something much more dangerous. Fast food is big business in LA, but according to Adams, the ingredients in these fryers are hiding secrets far darker than beef tallow. It’s a rivalry that’s shifting from a business dispute to a frontline conflict, and Kyle is the only one who can keep the peace before things get hot.
Meanwhile, across the sector, Hal Jordan is on a quest that has the Guardians of the Universe scrambling. Their desperation to stop him suggests they aren’t just worried about his safety—they’re worried about what he might uncover. The tension here isn’t just about physical fights; it’s about trust, secrets, and the weight of responsibility that comes with wearing the ring.
The art by Xermanico brings a gritty, kinetic energy to the street-level action in LA, making every panel feel like it’s moving. Eddy Barrows’ cover captures the tension of the moment perfectly, hinting at the chaos about to erupt. This issue is a great jumping-on point because it gives you two distinct flavors of the Green Lantern universe in one package: the personal, grounded conflict of Kyle and the larger, mysterious intrigue surrounding Hal.
If you enjoy stories where the big cosmic threats are balanced with very human (or rather, very ring-bearer) problems, this is a stack you’ll want to keep close. The way Adams juxtaposes the mundane with the miraculous is always a treat, and Xermanico’s art makes sure the stakes feel immediate. It’s a solid, engaging issue that rewards readers who like their sci-fi with a side of heart.