The series starts off when the Guardians learn that Lanterns stationed in the frontier zones are being killed. Unfortunately, it will take a full 18 months for any of the Green Lantern Corps stationed at the home planet of Oa to get to those sectors of the galaxy and determine what is going on. Bent on helping his fellow Corps members, Hal (Josh Keaton) and Kilowog (Kevin Michael Richardson, Family Guy, The Cleveland Show) commandeer an experimental ship that was being developed on Oa and zip to the outer edges of known space in no time flat.
Of course, the ship's navigational system, an A.I. that Hal names Aya (Grey DeLisle), takes some convincing, but when he convinces her what it means to be a Green Lantern, she not only helps the pair, but also decides that she is going to be an active part of the group as well, so much so, that she eventually builds herself a body so she can fight alongside our heroes.
When Hal and Kilowog get to the outer edges, they find a force known as the Red Lanterns who seem to be powered by the emotion rage, as opposed to will power like the Greens, and they are not only bent on terrorizing the local planets, but their leader, Atrocitus (Jonathan Adams) has a personal grudge against the Green Lantern Corps.
Stuck in the outer edge of the galaxy, because of course the experimental engines broke down, Hal, Kilowog, Aya and a Red Lantern defector named Razer (Jason Spisak), work to not only help support the few Lanterns stationed in the outer reaches, but also enlist new Corps members when necessary. One of my personal favorite new recruits is Mogo, a living planet.
The group will also encounter the Star Sapphire Corps that use the emotion of love for their violet lantern energy, as well as a new type of lantern based on hope, a secret weapon put on the stolen ship by one of the guardians in case of an emergency.
Overall, Green Lantern: The Animated Series - Rise of the Red Lanterns: Season 1, Part 1 does a good job of kicking the series off and one of the aspects that I like about it is that it doesn't rehash Hal Jordan's origin story. While watching the movie would be a good bit of groundwork for The Animated Series, it isn't really necessary.
The only special feature on the DVD is the digital comic of "Green Lantern: The Animated Series Vol. 1, #0" and while it is a nice touch, it isn't a whole lot. Despite that, this is a good show and a DVD that both kids and adults will want to watch.
