Another winner for DC Rebirth. This new Green Lantern title truly is new—its Green Lanterns plural, and it stars a pair of rookies, Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz, who are forced to work together to protect the Earth while primary GL Hal Jordan is off in deep space.

It’s basically the superhero equivalent of The Odd Couple, and there’s a reason such pairings work so well from the entertainment standpoint. Forget about opposites attracting—what they really do is emphasize each other’s strengths and flaws. As the book explicitly states (unnecessarily), Simon is all impulse and Jessica is all anxiety.

A hotheaded superhero is nothing new, but one who’s fighting to overcome crippling anxiety is a lot less common. It gives her a compelling internal struggle, as she must prove to herself that she’s worthy of being a Green Lantern. It also ties in neatly with the basic premise—Green Lanterns are chosen based on their ability to overcome great fear, and Jessica is actively trying to put her tremendous fear behind her. Both characters are strong protagonists, but she injects a new kind of energy into the GL universe.

I’m glad DC books are becoming enjoyable again. My wallet is less glad.

Writer: Sam Humphries

Artists: Robson Rocha & various

Publisher: DC Comics

How to Read It: back issues; Comixology; included in Green Lanterns vol. 1: Rage Planet (TPB)

Appropriate For: ages 12 and up