While technically a part of the Gerard Way-curated Young Animal imprint, Far Sector seems an attempt to strike a balance between the Young Animal approach and the more traditional DC line. It mostly downplays the weirdness and irreverence of Doom Patrol in favor of telling a hard-boiled murder mystery set in a distant space colony. It's also a very self-contained book that seems squarely aimed at fans of recent DC limited series like Mister Miracle and Martian Manhunter. Clearly, DC sees the value of these 12-issue epics. They're long enough to tell a satisfying story but not so long that they wear out their welcome or force readers to contend with a rotating art team.
Readers may come into this series asking themselves why Far Sector needs to introduce yet another new Earthling Green Lantern when we have so many already. Why not simply frame the book around a newer character like Jessica Cruz or Simon Baz? But while it's far too early to tell how Jo will stack up to her colleagues, this first issue serves as a strong introduction for the character. She has a distinct voice and outlook that sets her well apart from characters like Jessica, Simon or even Hal. She's both a rookie beat cop and a jaded cynic who still appreciates the rare moments of beauty in her life. This issue provides just enough hints to suggest there's something powerful and unique about this heroine without giving too much away.In general, Far Sector #1 avoids the usual pitfalls associated with first issues. It provides just enough details about Jo and her strange environment without getting lost in pointless details and unnecessary world-building. The pacing is quick and purposeful. And despite coming from a prose background, Jemison shows a clear willingness to step back and let Campbell's art do the talking. It's only at the very end where the book seems to lose its footing. If anything, wrapping up the story a page sooner would have helped end things on a more urgent and dynamic note.
Having already thoroughly impressed on Naomi, Campbell deftly makes the jump to a distant corner of the DCU. Campbell maintains a delicate balance between reflecting the otherworldly nature and the beauty of the City Eternal. This environment and its three feuding alien races are fully realized and very distinctive. The aliens are far from humanoid in appearance, and they don't even experience traditional emotions, yet Campbell never struggles to convey their thoughts and desires. Jo's character design itself serves as an effective fusion of classic Green Lantern elements with a contemporary flourish. That more or less describes the series in a nutshell.