Oprah VS Green Lantern

Okay, maybe not really versus, there's no epic battle between Oprah and Green Lantern - or is there?

Things don't seem to be off to a good start, Green Lantern is late and Oprah ain't happy.

Where is GL? Is he in outer space battling aliens? On an emergency mission with the Justice League?

Nope! He's just overslept. Hal Jordan may be Green Lantern but he's still at the mercy of an alarm clock.

Good thing he's got that ring to help him shave, comb his hair, spray on deodorant, and brush his teeth - all at the same time.

He should have no trouble getting to the studio on time now right?

A robbery and police shoot out isn't something he can simply fly by and ignore, even if Oprah is waiting.

That doesn't mean he's going to waste time - One ring construct in the form of a giant green gorilla coming right up.

Whatever works GL, what ever works.

Green Lantern finally makes it to the Oprah Show with just seconds to spare.

Hal, as Green Lantern, is appearing on the show to clear up some of the recent events surrounding himself, former GL John Stewart and Carol Ferris.

In previous issues Carol, in her Star Sapphire persona, attacked John Stewart and his wife Katma. She also attacked Hal, destroying a fighter jet and blowing up part of a building in the process. Carol even faked her death, framing John, who is now in jail. I'm hoping to post all about that at another time. It's got art by the legendary Gil Kane.

I thought with Oprah ending her show recently and the Green Lantern movie opening, I'd post this first. Seemed more interesting and relevant.

Let's get back to Hal's interview with Oprah.

It had been going okay, he explained about the Guardians of OA and the multiple members of the Green Lantern Corps. Things start to change though when Oprah asks why he, above all others, was picked to be a Green Lantern.

Oh dear, not quite the reaction Hal was expecting I'm sure.

Completely without fear? That does sound a bit crazy. What kind of person has a lack of fear?

Hal briefly thinks about Guy Gardner, another Green Lantern from Earth. Guy is a jerk and obnoxious, but that's more to cover up his insecurities, not because he's crazy. 

Hal is also confronted by a psychologist in the audience who wonders how someone without fear made it through life and into adulthood.

Another woman feels that a true hero is someone who overcomes their fear.  

GL, it's never a good idea to compare yourself to a police officer - especially when talking to the wife of one.

Hal does his best to reassure Mrs. Hough that he doesn't think he's any better than her husband, or anyone else.

The story then shifts to introduce us to Detective Joey Hough. He's been enjoying a nice cup of coffee and has caught his wife's conversation with GL.

Tragically that will be the last time he sees her.

Being the exact hero his wife has just described him as, Detective Hough is attacked and killed trying to protect others.

Peter David is an amazing writer, he got me to care about two minor characters I'd just met and would never see again. The detective and his wife were just emotional pawns in this story.

I also thought having Oprah appear was brilliant. If super-heroes were real, they would so be on the Oprah Show. She is the only TV personality powerful enough to actually get guests likes Superman and Wonder Woman. Can you imagine her interviewing Batman? HA!HA! 

Action Comics Weekly #608 and #609
Writer: Peter David 
Art team: Todd Smith and Dan Bulanadi
1988

Hump Day Heroics with Hostess Cakes

"The Bobsled Run" 
    Starring Green Lantern

Green Lantern continues to make the world safe for Twinkie loving bobsledders in the new Green Lantern Movie, opening June 17th!