Book Blurb

Lantern Sojourner “Jo” Mullein protects the City Enduring, a Dyson swarm that is home to three distinct species. The City has maintained peace for centuries by implementing the Emotion Exploit, a genetic modification that blocks its citizens’ ability to feel emotion. After a citizen is brutally murdered for the first time in 500 years, Lantern Mullein’s investigation uncovers a movement set on abolishing the Emotion Exploit.

About Far Sector

While I don’t typically read DC comics, I picked up Far Sector primarily because I have heard great things about N. K. Jemisin’s sci-fi and fantasy work (The Fifth Season, The City We Became) and because Jamal Campbell’s art is absolutely amazing. I loved Campbell’s work on Naomi as well. This series, which won a Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story or Comic, is Jemisin’s comic book debut. If you’re not well versed in DC Comics, that’s okay because you don’t need to know anything about Green Lantern to enjoy this standalone mini-series.

Twelve issues of Far Sector were published from 2019 to 2021 under the DC’s Young Animal imprint, in collaboration with Gerard Way. And yes, it’s that Gerard Way—musician and author of The Umbrella Academy. DC’s Young Animal line brings in characters from the larger DC Universe and reimagines them. A collected TPB edition of Far Sector is now available.

Review

Despite my limited knowledge of Green Lantern and the DC Universe, this story was easy enough to follow. A murder mystery set in a metropolis, there’s intrigue, social unrest, and plenty of action. It’s got a detective noir vibe that is reflected in Campbell’s illustrations. The sector’s tumultuous history and the unique cultural norms of each race are organically incorporated into the narrative so I never felt lost or confused while reading. The balance of text and art was exactly right.

I loved Jo’s background and motivations, and how she recognizes the parallels between the City’s social and political issues and those on Earth. The references to Internet culture were lots of fun. Keeping in mind that I have little knowledge of the Green Lantern character, I thought Jo’s powers were awesome and I liked that the limitations (which are atypical for Lanterns) resulted in a higher stakes storyline.

Campbell brings movement and life to the pages with his beautifully rendered art, capturing the scale and wonder of the metropolis as well as character emotions. I especially loved the way the @Ats are portrayed. There are some gory scenes, though if it helps to know: the alien blood is green. 💚