With the “War of the Green Lanterns” behind us, the Green Lantern Corps can pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and. . . what’s that? We’re still waiting on the last issue of the “War of the Green Lanterns” story? Oh. That’s embarrassing.

OK. How about, with the “Green Lantern” feature film rocking the big screen across the country and around the world, “Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors” adds to the fevered pitch. . . Huh?! Seriously?

Ugh. OK.

As a standalone story that features Peter J. Tomasi writing Guy Gardner at his most Guy Gardner-ish best, this issue gives everyone – reader, writer, and characters – a chance to grab a breath. Unfortunately, just as Guy is inhaling and dreaming of his vacation activities, Salaak throws an assignment his way: “Fly in, stop the warships, see that the dignitary is safely on her way, and fly to Earth. An hour at most. . .”

Yeah. You see it coming already, don’t you? Guy gets hoodwinked, and the story hits high gear from there. Guy’s susceptibility to the ladies’ charms is played upon, which eventually leads to Tomasi being able to write Guy Gardner as a pissed off Green Lantern, ready to kick some ass and take some names. Tomasi is given an entire issue to focus on Guy Gardner and he delivers, much to the delight of Gardner fans everywhere.

Unfortunately, there’s nothing extravagant or even memorable in this tale, save for the fact that it’s a Guy Gardner story that actually reads like a Guy Gardner story. Bernard Chang compliments that nicely by delivering a Guy Gardner story that looks like a Guy Gardner story. Chang grabs every emotion Gardner needs and throws them all into the story as fits Tomasi’s words. The end result is an enjoyable Guy Gardner tale.

Like I already said, however, it is not a particularly memorable Guy Gardner tale. It’s nice to take a break from the constant go-go-go of the hubbub and commotion that has surrounded Oa and its champions for the past half-decade, but it would have been nicer to have a memorable break. Maybe Tomasi won’t have to wait another five years to have a go at giving us another such tale. One can always hope, right?