Really enjoyed the cooperation between the 2 Lanterns, but for someone new to DC I didn't really know who Polaris is and felt that portion of the story was lacking where the rest was strong. Maybe if they would have revealed why the villain was doing what he did it would have been better for me.

In Green Lanterns Vol. 3: Polarity, Sam Humphries gets into the hangups that plague these characters, going beyond the surface to aspects that differentiate these characters as individuals, and it makes for involving reading. Humphries offers Simon Baz especially a lot of nuance -- that he carries (or carried) a gun along with his Lantern ring largely out of fear, and also that Humphries expands upon Simon's friendship with his brother-in-law. For the first time in this series we get a clear picture of Simon's former life as a criminal, and there's a lot of good drama in how Simon's new heroism has estranged him from his best friend and former partner-in-crime Nazir.

These complicated familial relationships are true specifically to Simon, making for a story one couldn't just tell by slotting in Hal Jordan or Barry Allen. Further, Humphries does well spinning off from Justice League vs. Suicide Squad to parallel Dr. Polaris' efforts to save his own brother. The final chapter, with art by Robson Rocha, has a painterly, lushly colored appearance; the prolonged scene of Polaris' brother's death and Simon's attempt to save him is quite unexpectedly moving. Humphries achieves here a real sense of suspense, due in large part to making the proceedings uniquely relevant to the characters themselves.

'Green Lanterns Vol. 3' by Sam Humphries has been a really fun series to read. I love the journey of Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz as they deal with being heroes.

Green Lanterns wield a lot of power, but Baz and Cruz are still new enough to the hero game to get excited about helping out the Justice League or getting invited to Gotham City to help Batman on a case. Jessica struggles with anxiety, and Simon feels inadequate. These are problems for a power that works on sheer willpower.

This volume is a series of shorter stories. There is a story arc in Gotham involving citizens acting violently based on fear. There is a story about the first lantern, Volthoom, that doesn't seem to have anything to do with our heroes (but it's a storyline that I suspect is still building). The final story involved Doctor Polaris and Amanda Waller. This last story is interesting in it's complexity.

The story writing is very good. I love how flawed and excited these characters are. They are new to the game, and we get some internal looks at what they seem to be going through. The art is consistently good throughout, even over a bunch of different artists.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

ARC from Netgalley.
Green Lanterns continues to be one of the best Rebirth titles DC has going for it. The two part team-up with Batman felt like it should have gone right along with the main Batman title it was so well written. Encountering a Yellow Lantern Fear based virus distributed via an online video, leading to an encounter with Scarecrow? Genius! Plus we see Simon finally get rid of the gun...
NSA sends Simon and Jessica to track down Doctor Polaris (think DC Magneto) and that fight is epic in both drama and action, with the Watchtower actually being pulled out of orbit and the GLs' having to put it back.
The true gem of this Volume is the one that most readers will probably overlook. The first issue in the Volume deals with Jessica's anxiety issues. I applaud DC for bringing to light that anxiety is a real issue and even a being whose powers come from Willpower can be affected. Depression and anxiety are lies, DC... thanks for not shying away from the real issues.
Overall, I can't wait for the next Volume, to find out where Simon and Jessica are tested next.
High recommend..... though I really wish they would lock down a steady artist.

This is the first Green Lanterns story I have read and I must admit I enjoyed it. Joining it in Vol 3 was a bit difficult not knowing characters etc but overall it was a solid story. The art work and panel layout is superb that helped the story run well - I loved some of the subtle touches in the layout that really showed the quality that DC seem to now be aiming for in some of their publications. Highly recommended read.

Hmmm... Taken as a book this is too incoherent - dragging Batman in when the Yellow Lantern power seems to pick on Gotham, then going way back to the first Power Ring ever, then waffling on in a very bad pseudo-psychological way with a boring story to close. I had lauded the series before now for being a suitable mix of old bits of the GLU and new, but the mixture here is all over the place, and it's completely ignorable. Two and a half stars - it's only the fact the creators have learnt not to have the two heroes tell us who they are every bloody page that I feel like rounding it up.

Starts off with an wonderful issue focusing on Jessica's anxieties, showing just what it takes for her to get through the day. Then Batman comes a calling when some Sinestro corps related crimes show up in Gotham. The premise is a bunch of nonsense but there are some great interactions between Batman and Baz. Then we get the origin of Rami and the First Lantern, Volthoom. Last up Jessica and Baz go after Polaris. Polaris is trying to treat his brother's cancer while dealing with his mental health issues. We get some great parallels between Polaris and what Simon just went through with his best friend and brother-in-law.

I really like how Humphries concentrates on what our two main characters are thinking, relaying their insecurities and fears as they try and form constructs. It does help show just how "green" they are at their jobs.

First we get to be in Jessica's head for a day in the life of her as a Green Lantern. Or as she calls herself, the anxiety Lantern. We sorta knew some of it about her before, but this just made it crystal clear and with this issue and some others, Simon and Jessica are my two second favorite Lanterns by a long shot now (John Stewart will always be number one).

Anyway, then they get called in by Batman to figure out something that seems to be happening with yellow light spectrum energy, and Simon has a personal breakthrough of his own.

Then they go up against Dr. Polaris, who is sort of off the deep end because his brother is dying. Oh, and we get the start of another (ugh) Volthoom story, as well as his origin story. Guess we'll see the rest of it in a future TPB.

Overall it was a fun TPB, I can't wait to see more of Jess and Simon.

I was given this ARC by Netgalley on behalf of DC Entertainment.

I warmed up to this title. It me a while to appreciate the new lantern partners. Once you do, you can sense these characters will have a lot to contribute to the lantern mythos as they flesh out their role and backgrounds. Promising.

I received a copy of Green Lanterns Vol. 3: Polarity from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Now that I’m fully caught up in Green Lanterns, I find myself lamenting the wait for the next volume to release. There’s just so much the Green Lanterns have to offer. The plot was intriguing, the artwork stunning (as usual), and the characters engaging.
I’ve always been a fan of the art style used in all of the Green Lantern series, and this is no exception. I love that they always use crisp art along with vibrant colors to help distinguish characters and their ability sets (the lantern spectrums). Even the non-Lantern characters get this treatment. It’s really quite interesting, and has a positive effect on the series.
Quite a lot is happening in this volume; character development/struggles, Green Lantern politics (if you want to call it that), two different plots, and a couple of different cameos. I’m actually impressed they were able to weave it all together in such a cohesive manner. Everything had a tie-in or a reason for being brought up.
Jessica is still struggling with her anxiety, a fact that Simon is getting better at understanding. He knows he won’t always be able to say the right thing to help, but it doesn’t matter as long as he’s there for her when she needs him. Slowly the two of them are starting to really work things out, both as partners and as friends. I keep thinking they’re going to cross over the line with Jessica’s anxiety, and make her annoying or dependent or something. And I keep being surprised. Jessica is stronger every issue – figuring out how to fight her anxiety, how to fight herself, how to keep going. I can’t say enough positive things about it.
Simon has his own struggles too, which I also love (though I don’t think I connect to him as well as Jessica simply because I’ve been in her shoes, so to speak, but not his). He deals with a lot of guilt about the past, as well as concerns about him not being good enough or strong enough. It’s the reason why he carries his gun around. He doesn’t trust the ring (and thus himself) to protect him when he needs it the most. To him the gun is the equivalent of a safety blanket. Growing out of needing a safety blanket is tough, but we all have to do it someday. I loved seeing Simon figure everything out and come to the realization that he didn’t need it anymore.
Again I find myself talking more about the characters than the actual plots involved. There are two major plots in this volume. The first one involves Batman. I know! Can you imagine how amazing and terrifying it would be to have the Batman asking you for assistance? I’m not sure I could handle the pressure. Thankfully our green duo rises to the challenge, and Simon actually learns a lot about himself along the way. The other plot is the namesake of the volume, with Polaris tearing the city apart in a convoluted attempt to save his brother. Things get pretty gut-wrenching really fast, especially for Simon. The situation with Polaris’ brother being sick reminds him too much of when his brother-in-law was in a coma. It gets in his head and causes him to struggle with the power that he’s normally so confident with. I actually loved the shift here – Simon had to tap out, forcing Jessica to be the strong one for them. If that isn’t proof that they’re a good team, I don’t know what is.
I was concerned from the moment John Stewart ordered Simon and Jessica to be brought to them. My first concern was leaving the Earth unprotected (you know, if you don’t count all the other superheroes running around). My second concern was whether or not they would take the time to assess a situation before recalling them. What it they got grabbed mid-battle? Would John (or whoever was in charge of pulling them back) be aware of that? It seems like a risky move to me, but then again I’m not the captain of the Green Lanterns.
I’m said that I have such a long wait for volume four, but I’m impatient like that. I feel like the series is really settling into its groove, so to speak. I can’t wait to see what is in store next - after all, the whole Rami plot hasn’t been resolve yet. I can’t imagine leaving Volthoom to his own devices for extended periods of time is a smart move.

By this point, I'm no longer half-expecting this series to run out of steam. Humphries has found smart ways to integrate his character work into the larger adventure stories. I'm a little weary of Jessica's holding pattern, but taking her through Gotham presented a new angle on her issues and gave her some growth, while starting to draw on Simon's past for the next arc, which focused more on him. The first issue here is dreadfully slow – it's essentially a catch-up for new readers, so it's a good starting point, but a placeholder for anyone familiar with the character.

The Doctor Polaris stuff works well. It's paced properly to get to the heart of Simon's issues (which grow nicely out of the Gotham story as well as Simon's origin stuff) as well as deepening Polaris. The final issue's genuinely suspenseful and exciting, with several key moments of drama.

These two characters might still sort of be “those other Lanterns,” but they're now at least as interesting as their more famous co-workers.

This was simply amazing. I honestly cannot describe how much I am loving both the Green Lanterns and Hal Jordan & The Green Lantern Corps series (they will be crossing-over soon as well!).

Once again the art work was amazing. I have no idea how they manage to not oversaturate the page with green considering how much it is used. Also my eyes were drawn to where the ‘action; of each panel was, but still not forcing me to not take in everything as I always like to see what is happening in the background.

This volume comprises of Jessica and Simon having to help Batman in Gotham, then we get some backstory for Volthoom, the first Lantern. Finally Doctor Polaris makes some moves that force the Green Lanterns to try and stop him. Both Simon and Jessica have some amazing character development in this volume, with Jessica still learning to control her anxiety and Simon trying to learn to trust his Green Lantern Ring. Whilst this is only the tip of what occurs during volume 3, it would be best for you to read what both Jessica and Simon go through yourself to fully understand why these choices are major decisions.

This Green Lantern series is just blowing me away and if you have not gotten onto reading this, then this volume is a great place for you to.

Please see link for my full review!I had the opportunity to read the third trade of the Green Lanterns Rebirth. I have been following Green Lanterns since the first trade paperback came out and I am loving the new lanterns. Jessica Cruz is definitely my spirit animal. 

Official Synopsis: The Green Lanterns head to Gotham City to team up with Batman! Facing their fears, the team must bring down the Scarecrow and a new toxin. Then, the First Lantern returns, seeking his power back. Plus, Polaris strikes again!
Volume 3 covers #15-21

Writer:                                                              Artist:

Sam Humphries                                              Robson Rocha

Story:

I felt that the Batman issues should have had a longer arc. Usually trades only have one arc and some one shot issues. This is not the story for this trade. There is the Scarecrow/Fear Toxin story plus the first lantern and Polaris. It just seems like a lot for one trade. My favorite issue was #15. Jessica Cruz relates to many people on a human level. The fact that she is able to overcome her fear and anxiety to be a Lantern is a triumph. I have been enjoying this run of Green Lanterns and I think it is because that the characters are brought down to a human level. Yes, they have powers but they fight normal issues and problems. 

Art:

The art is good. I am not much of big art person. I loved the art on the first lantern. The art reflects the story beautifully. The only issue is that the lantern messages are in a lime green that can be hard to read some times. 

Overall:

I like the trade. 4 out of 5 stars. The third volume is set to hit comic book shops on September 19, 2017.

Sam Humphries' run of GREEN LANTERNS continues to be one of the best things put out by DC Comics in recent years! I had no interest in the Green Lanterns universe or mythos until I read Humphries' stories. Librarians, pick up the volumes of this series for your collection! Simon Baz is a Lebanese-American Muslim man and Jessica Cruz is a Latina with severe anxiety (which is respectfully handled).