The previous issue ended with the chilling arrival of Hector Hammond, who claimed the crash site for himself. In Absolute Green Lantern #5, we see exactly what that means. The horror shifts from cosmic dread to corporate ruthlessness as Hammond takes control, while Jo Mullein and Hal Jordan are forced to face the consequences of their actions. Here is the detailed breakdown of the story in Absolute Green Lantern #5, up to the cliffhanger.
The Survivor in the Rubble
The issue opens with Todd Rice, the owner of the Atom Bomb Café, trapped under the rubble of his destroyed business.
- The Judgment: Todd is drifting in and out of consciousness, hearing the voice of the alien entity. The voice tells him: “Judgment is not in progress. An Abin Sur cannot be appointed.”
- The Verdict: The entity labels Todd an “Unknown within the spectrum of light” and commands him to “Be with Fear.”
- The Rescue: Todd’s hallucination is broken by real voices. Rescue workers find him trapped, noting he has a cracked femur and smashed ribs.
Enter Hector Hammond
As the rescue team prepares to help Todd, a new authority figure steps in.
- The Cruelty: One of the workers tries to comfort Todd, but is immediately fired by his boss for speaking out of turn.
- The Introduction: The boss reveals himself to Todd. He is Hector Hammond, and he makes it clear he is in charge. He tells Todd, “I’m the man who decides if you get medical treatment or not.”
- The Interrogation: Hammond isn’t interested in saving lives; he wants information. He forces the delirious, injured Todd to talk about what he saw—specifically about “the alien” and “Abin Sur.”
The Delirious Confession
Todd, in pain and confusion, recounts the events of the previous issues to Hammond.
- The Testimony: He describes the “fist of God” hitting the town and how he survived because he was on the edge of the dome. He mentions that Hal Jordan was outside and survived the collapse.
- The Key Intel: Todd babbles about Jo Mullein, claiming the alien “turned her into something like you.” This catches Hammond’s attention immediately. He realizes Jo is an “anomaly” that the alien could not process.
- The Decision: Satisfied that he has a lead, Hammond orders his men to “stick the guy in one of the labs” to keep him alive for future use, showing zero empathy for Todd’s suffering.
The Standoff in the Desert
The scene shifts to Hal Jordan and Jo Mullein, who have escaped into the desert.
- Hal’s Rage: Hal is furious and terrified. He blames Jo for everything—the destruction of Evergreen, the death of the town, and the madness of the Black Hand inside him. He screams that the Black Hand is getting stronger because of her presence.
- The Accusation: Hal accuses Jo of “stealing the power of the Abin Sur.” He demands she take off the ring, yelling, “You are anomaly, Sojourner Mullein!”
- The Refusal: Jo refuses. She reminds Hal of the oath: “In the brightest day and the blackest night.” She stands her ground, despite Hal’s threats.
- The Fight: Hal attacks her, fueled by the Black Hand. He claims the ring is his because he “paid for it” (referencing the price he paid to Abin Sur in Issue #1). But Jo is no longer just an architect; she is wielding the Green Lantern.
The Ignition Key
Back at the crash site, Hammond’s scientists are trying to breach the alien ship/construct but failing.
- The Puzzle Box: Hammond calls the alien object a “puzzle box” that they don’t know how to open.
- The Activity: Suddenly, sensors pick up a massive spike of energy in the desert. It’s the Green Light.
- The Realization: Hammond watches the readings with glee. He realizes that Jo Mullein isn’t just a survivor; she is the key. “She’s not the key to a puzzle box… she’s the key to the ignition!”
- The Command: As the energy spikes, the entity’s voice returns, acknowledging the new status quo: “Sojourner Mullein. Hal Jordan. BE WITHOUT FEAR.“
TO BE CONTINUED!
Read: Absolute Green Lantern #4: The Truth About Evergreen and the Judgment of Oa
