If you told me in '86 I'd like them better than Hal, I would never have believed it.

There are some pairings in comics that are virtually unbreakable: even though DC might try to get some mileage from Wonder Woman and Superman together, c'mon. You know Supes is going to be back with Lois sooner or later. Diana and Steve Trevor, maybe, maybe not. I'm always surprised when this one hasn't been rolled back, although I'm happy she's done better; and at first glance of the cover I thought it was going to be the break-up/reset. From 2015, Green Lantern #38, "Leave" Written by Robert Venditti, art by Admira Wijaya.

As often happens, we randomly saw the previous issue a couple months back. After the Godhead crossover, the Guardians of the Universe have the traditional performance review for Hal, and they have notes: maybe he saved the universe, but he disobeyed orders by bringing in Black Hand, and Oa was gone. Hal is sent back to earth while the Guardians chew over what to do with him, on leave. Before he can get there, there's also the now-traditional jurisdictional dispute, as earth is now Red Lantern turf, overseen by Guy Gardner! Hal doesn't want any trouble, just a quiet beer. Yeah, like that's gonna happen.

Hal's evening is immediately crashed by Guy, who ropes him into a game of pool; but Barry calls next, having run over from Central to say hey. Guy, in a bit of remarkable helpfulness, had called him; although both of them seem oblivious to Hal's sourpuss as they complain about everything going on for them. After the mandatory barroom brawl, they get thrown out, and Hal finally blows up at them both: he'd wanted an evening without Lanterns or the JLA. He wants to go back in the bar alone, but is stopped by Carol; leaving Guy and Barry to finish boozing together. It's weird to see Carol in casual, contemporary clothing; I think she was business wear in most of her GL appearances I remember.

While Carol was currently with Kyle Rayner, she still cared about Hal, and wanted to check up on him. While they both seemingly felt surprised they didn't end up together, and weren't opposed to maybe reuniting later, right now she tells him he's the only one that can answer what he's supposed to be. (Kyle doesn't show up here, since I figure he'd be the type to trust Carol absolutely and not get weird and jealous. Maybe when he first started, but not now.) Still, Hal seems like kind of a dick to everyone here: Guy was trying to help in his Guy-way, since he knows bothering Hal takes his mind of his own problems. Barry needed a friend and advice and gets neither; and Hal acting less cocksure than usual with Carol almost seems like a ploy to get her back.

Back in Green Lantern #200, Guy and Carol both attack Hal; almost 30 years later they're incredibly supportive and more likeable than him. Some things in comics do change, eventually!