Evil is relative even in space.
First of all, the cover seems to be a twisted version of the Rebirth cover in which Hal Jordan returned as a Green Lantern.
We arrive at a crucial junction in the Durlan organized war on the Green Lanterns as alliances must be made if the Corps are to survive.
Tying together the aftermath of Green Lanterns and Green Lantern Corps, this annual focuses on the sides that have formed amid the all out battle that has become the focus of the universe.
Vendetti and Jensen continue their collaboration and while the issue is jarring due to one glaring underlying effect, we get some nice moments for some unlikely characters.
Neil Edwards is the new artist here and he does remarkably well with such varied characters.
We are about to enter the main phase of the War now.
SPOILERS FOLLOW.........
This issue's biggest problem is the frequent time jumps. Trying to show how events came to be and how they're playing out takes up multiple time periods and disturbs the flow of the story.
First, we're brought to the present without any explanation as to how we got here as apparently a ship containing the escaped convicts attack Mogo and are greeted by Hal and company.
Then we're treated to the first of many 'origins' for the convicts as Evil Star gets the treatment.While it is enlightening (for a single page, that is), it is also non-essential to the present conflict.
Elsewhere, John Stewart and his crew fall prey to the Khund. I had my heart in my mouth as I thought Jensen was about to kill off Vath and Isamot, but thankfully he didn't.
Again, a flashback is shown as Non-Anj arrives on Durla and is greeted by the Khund admiral as they reassert their treaty with the Ancient Durlan hive-mind.
Then suddenly we get a origin story for Bolphunga.Didn't need that.
On the ship at yet another time period (this time 10 hours ago), we see the convicts rebel against the Durlans and kill them.
In between, we get another unnecessary back-story for Chun Yull (though we get to see Superman appear in one of the unlikeliest of pages).
Again back in the present, Chun Yull is on a rampage but Feska gets a moment to shine before John appears from the shadows telling Hal to stop.
Kanjar Ro is given the back-story treatment now before we see him and the rest rescue John's team from the Khund, allying with the Lanterns for fear of what the Durlans have planned for them.
Zuree and Oliversity's first meeting is expounded upon while in the present, the convicts and the Lanterns reach a truce.
Hunter Dog's back-story is shown and this is the first important flashback in this entire issue. Not only was he a member of the covert ops of the Corps, he is also a Durlan.
Apparently, eleven hours ago, the Durlans have ordered a hit on him by a renegade Green Lantern.
SPOILERS END...........
With multiple time jumps, this annual becomes a mess despite an intriguing plot.
Jensen and Vendetti tried to put too much on the plate in the annual and it shows. Quantity isn't always the best thing.
The art though remains strong all though.
So, I give it 6.5 out of 10.
+Some nice character moments
+Artwork is very good throughout
+A crucial plot point is revealed very well
-Unnecessary time jumps make issue unbalanced
-Too many frivolous back-stories
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