Each Friday, we'll be letting a different DC.com writer share what they'll be reading over the weekend and why you might want to check it out. Here's this week's suggestion for a perfect Weekend Escape!
 

You have never seen a Green Lantern comic like this before. This Elseworlds horror story features a hoard of Solomon Grundy “zombies,” otherworldly monsters, a Celestial Wyrm, a wicked witch and way more. I am talking about the recent Green Lantern Dark, from Tate Brombal and Werther Dell’Edera, a cosmic horror apocalypse that is too unique to put into words. Good thing the graphic novel collecting issues #1-7 is now available for you to sink your teeth into!
 

THE PREMISE:

This Elseworlds story takes place in a post-apocalyptic world that has fallen to darkness and has lost all of its heroes…except for one. The legend of the Green Lantern instills hope in the hearts of Earth’s remaining survivors. Her mysterious green flame is rumored to have the power to return light to the world. Too bad she hasn't been seen in years.

All that changes when her fate and the fate of a young girl named Lunette become intertwined when Solomon Grundy and his undead horde of monsters target a small town of survivors in New England. All the while, the witch queen Demonia’s army of infernal creatures wreak havoc on the world, empowered by the suffering of humankind. Oh, and also there’s a giant interstellar wyrm! But I don’t want to spoil that by saying any more.
 

LET’S TALK TALENT:

If you’re a fan of BOOM Studios’ Slaughterverse, you're going to be very familiar with this incredible creative team.

On writing duties we have Tate Brombal, known for House of Slaughter, Batgirl and most recently, New Titans. Brombal crafts an incredibly unique world with new Green Lantern lore set in a disturbing and all-encompassing apocalypse unlike any other I have seen. Brombal is no stranger to excellent world building considering he helped craft the lore of BOOM’s Something is Killing the Children. The dialogue in Green Lantern Dark? Flows like water. The emotional gravity? Out of this world. The stakes? Couldn't be higher. I could go on and on, but I really should get to this book’s amazing artist.

The would be none other than Werther Dell’Edera, the co-creator of Something is Killing the Children and prolific cover artist. His work seemingly draws inspiration from manga and animation and is uniquely distinct, adding to the often surreal tone of Green Lantern Dark. The facial expressions? Outstanding. The designs of the monsters? Unreal! The set designs? Masterful. Dell’Edera’s visual worldbuilding pairs perfectly with Brombal’s script, which is amplified and brought to life further by Giovanna Niro’s incredible color palette. This creative team is a match made in heaven…or hell!
 

A FEW REASONS TO READ:

• A unique take on the Green Lantern mythos: In the mainline DC Universe, you typically associate Green Lantern with the science fiction genre. Think clean-cut bright green constructs and grandiose space travel in the modern day. Green Lantern Dark takes the imagery and themes of the corps and goes crazy with it. Rina Mori, the Green Lantern of this world, looks a lot like a witch shrouded in a black, hooded cloak, wielding an antique lantern that hangs from a wooden staff. Her powers are referred to as “wishes” or “spells” powered by willpower and are visually similar to magical powers you’d see in a fantasy setting. This is a bold and unique take on Green Lantern lore, which is why I love Elseworlds so much!
   
• Green Lantern Dark features scary and lovable monsters: It is safe to say Dell’Edera’s an expert when it comes to monsters. The visual designs of the creatures, paired with Brombal’s script, transport you to a truly terrifying world. Some of these creatures are the stuff of nightmares, while others are a little lovable—like a shapeshifting beast named Garfield. *wink wink* From parasitic “dread leaches” to kaijus with razor sharp teeth, there’s a lot for monster lovers to sink their teeth into here, especially considering the book follows a semi-episodic “Monster of the Week” format.

• An unlikely hero steps up: I love it when stories follow an unlikely hero called to action. Rina is a Green Lantern who struggles with willpower and her mental health. She became a Green Lantern due to circumstances beyond her control and inherited a broken world and the responsibility, and power, to be a hero. When we meet her at the beginning of this story, she’s finding her purpose at the bottom of a bottle and masking her vulnerability behind a stoic, uninterested exterior. Her character growth coincides with her relationship with the young Lunette, whose bravery and optimism teaches Rina what it means to be a hero.
   
• You’ll see familiar faces, as well as new ones: In true Elseworlds fashion, you’ll see some incredibly unique takes on classic DC characters, as well as some brand-new ones—each with a unique design and role in this post-apocalyptic story. Seasoned DC Comics fans will spot more than a few Easter eggs and references, while newer DC fans can enjoy this world with no prior context needed!
   

WHY IT’S WORTH YOUR TIME:

Green Lantern Dark is a genre-defying Elseworlds story that combines elements of horror, fantasy and sci-fi. Featuring some seriously badass women at the forefront of this tale of terror, there is a lot to love. This is a story of strength, hope and resilience—as well as truly devastating emotionally-driven moments that ground the book perfectly. Green Lantern Dark is one of the most unique Elseworlds stories I have ever read. It’s a thrilling rollercoaster that had me immersed with every single page turn. You don’t know what to read this weekend? Pick up the trade collection now! Do it!!!
 

Green Lantern Dark by Tate Brombal, Werther Dell’Edera and Giovanna Niro is available in bookstores, comic shops, libraries and digital retailers as a hardcover graphic novel. It can also be read in full on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE.

Sami DeMonster writes about superheroes, horror and sci-fi for DC.com and reviews comics every week on social media. Follow her at @samidemonster on Instagram and Substack.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Sami DeMonster and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.