Planet of the Apes / Green Lantern #2 hit comic store shelves this week and after the lackluster first issue the question is whether or not the second issue is an improvement over the previous installment.

Just to get it right out of the way, the answer to that question is a resounding “no” on a number of levels.  The first problem the series faces is that Justin Jordan does very little to help readers who are only a fan of one of the franchises understand the other.  Readers unfamiliar with who Taylor are not given enough information to understand the significance of the character and likewise Apes fans unfamiliar with the Lantern universe aren’t given enough information about the DC characters to know the long and complex history of Sinestro and Hal Jordan.

Besides that basic flaw there’s simply not enough meat on the bones of these first two issues to get readers invested in the story.  This particular issue has nothing going for it in terms of plot development or action – it’s a little bit of backstory about the Phantom Universal Ring couple with moving the players around the chessboard without moving them forward.  The issue was frankly tough to wade through while waiting for something, anything meaningful to happen.  The issue’s one saving grace was how it ended and the potential the next issue has.

The art in the book is as bad if not worse that the first issue.  Sure the white boots are back, but characters are just unrecognizable here in many places.  Hal Jordan bears little resemblance to how he looks and there are proportion issues galore throughout the entire issue.  As hard as this issue was to read it was painful to look at.

To make it short and sweet, Planet of the Apes / Green Lantern #2 is a misfire on every front.  It’s really quite a shame that a crossover with some of best conceived cover designs can’t manage to make what’s between the covers live up to the potential of what’s on the front cover.  Three out of ten lanterns.