GREEN LANTERN 129 PAGE 1 TITLE SPLASH BY JOE STATON & FRANK MCLAUGHLIN

I’m a late(r) bloomer as regards Joe Staton. He didn’t entertain my childhood as he’s worked mainly for DC and indeps but what I’ve read as an adult I really enjoyed (Femme Noir, Family Man, The Huntress, his Doom Patrol and JSA work) and his long association with the Green Lantern franchise (and that stuff is begging for a proper collection, DC), his inks on the late Sal Buscema on Hulk and of course his own E-Man have long been strong potential reading interests. He is a strong storyteller and a great cartoonist/stylist.

So I was looking for a nice example of his work for my collection.

While I’ve never read that issue or run, this title splash wowed me on multiple occasions as it seemingly bounced from auctions to auctions over the years and for various reasons, I recall that it escaped me at least twice before third became the providential charm.

I find it’s quite the simple and yet super dynamic mid-flight splash. Staton drew a strong figure for his Hal Jordan, athletic but not over bulky. I find that the horizontal position he used to portray the flight is fantastic and realistic in that it’s exactly how I’d picture someone with the power of flight would fly.

And of course, the raging storm behind him is simple but makes for an amazing background. The fact that his flying trail is delineated by the rain as the farther away it is, the more the rain covers the trail. The negative space used to indicate the striking lightning is also brilliant. And that rain! I mean, we are talking JrJr rain level here (most of which is probably due to the inker).

I confess not being overly familiar with McLaughlin’s works but he does a superb job with that rain here. Look at those heavy and pouring clouds up above. And I find that his inks tend to ground Staton’s art where he could be leaning on the more cartoony side (even though that was truer later in his career).

So I’m very happy with my first Staton as you can tell. I would not say done in one because I could certainly see myself adding more pieces from other titles from his long career. But as far as GL is concerned, it’s probably hard to beat.

(the fact that the legendary Denny O'Neil wrote that issue is certainly a plus as well)

This is part 1 of my 2026 CAF birthday party.