Green Hornet #1
Writer: Scott Lobdell
Artist: Anthony Marques
Cover: Lee Weeks
FC | 32 pages | Pulp Adventure | $3.99 | Teen+

As a kid, I loved watching the Green Hornet and Kato on TV. In fact, I liked “The Green Hornet” even more than the “Batman” TV series, and was thrilled when they had a crossover.

But Green Hornet #1 by writer Scott Lobdell (Flash Forward, Uncanny X-Men) and artist Anthony Marques (Vampirella, Red Sonja) is the first time I’m reading a Green Hornet comic book. Spoilers ahead.

Green Hornet vs US Army

I’m happy that he’s returned to comic books through this new Dynamite Entertainment series. But I never thought Green Hornet and Kato would end up babysitting. Sort of.

Speaking of unexpected, even Britt Reid a.k.a. the Green Hornet admits he never thought in a million years that he would be squaring off against the United States Army.

Of course, he acknowledges it’s partly his fault because the public thinks the Green Hornet is a criminal.

“I’ve spent years cultivating an image of Green Hornet as a criminal mastermind. Thought I could take down the bad guys from within.

“What can I say? It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

He orders Kato to turn himself in and tell them the Green Hornet had taken him hostage. So that Kato could walk away from this. But the “world’s most stubborn sidekick” of course refuses.

Missing science reporter

It’s a bit jarring to have this first issue start with Green Hornet and Kato facing off against a small army. With a baby swaddled in the Green Hornet’s arms. This certainly isn’t the typical adventure we expect from street-level heroes like the Green Hornet and Kato.

But it helps that Lobdell is writing this. Just like many comic book geeks, I still have fond memories of his 90s run on Uncanny X-Men. This bit of meta-humor was particularly enjoyable.

“I wish I had some kind of secret origin instigated by some horrible, personal loss. Maybe I was bitten by a radioactive green hornet — or I’m part of some intergalactic police force and I’ve been assigned to sector Earth. Nope.”

I also absolutely love the art of Anthony Marques. I think it’s the perfect style for bringing the world of Green Hornet and Kato to life.

This issue takes the Green Hornet and Kato in a direction we’ve never seen them before, and I can’t wait to see how this adventure will unfold.

(Editor’s note: This review is based on an advanced review copy provided by Diamond Entertainment. Green Hornet #1 shipped on July 22.)