Green Lantern #78
Published and © by DC, July 1970
Title: “A Kind of Loving, a Way of Death!”
Synopsis: Green Lantern and Green Arrow visit a reservation, battle bikers and discover Black Canary has been brainwashed by a cult.
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciler: Neal Adams
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Review: Little Me, a Washingtonian, would’ve been thrilled by this issue’s Evergreen State setting, but disappointed that the story is only marginally influenced by its location. Instead, writer Denny O’Neil taps the headlines of the day for a mature mix of plot elements including Native American rights, biker gangs and cults. There is a lack of subtlety and the coincidence of our heroes stumbling across Black Canary’s motorcycle is a lot to overcome, but O’Neil manages to craft a largely entertaining tale. Neal Adams’ art is, of course, superlative. This series set the bar for the early Bronze Age’s relevance trend.
Grade: A-
Second opinion: Included on Alan Brightmore’s “Individual Comics That You Should Not Be Without” list, from “A Consumer’s Guide to D.C. Comics, Part 2,” Comics Unlimited #51, October-November 1979. … Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003.
Cool factor: Neal Adams redefined the look of superhero comics with this run.
Not-so-cool factor: Green Arrow’s hair changes from ginger to blonde and back throughout the issue.
Notable: The “Green Lantern’s Mail Chute” letters page includes LoCs from future comic-book writers Mike W. Barr and Martin Pasko.
Collector’s note: Beware, this issue contains coupons for a New Jersey amusement park.
Character quotable: “Trust me.” – Joshua, cult leader
Editor’s note: This review was written April 26, 2026.
