I guess I've always been what is vulgarly called a crook... maybe the reason is that my family -- the renowned Hand family of nearby Coastville -- was always so respectable! And I hate them all! I had to be different! Crime was my way of doing it! 
Green Lantern (Volume 2) #29 is an issue of the series Green Lantern (Volume 2) with a cover date of June, 1964.
Synopsis for "Half a Green Lantern Is Better than None!"
Black Hand—the criminal who cannot fail!
As Green Lantern busts up various crimes, William Hand is on the scene to absorb ambient energy from his power ring in order to power a device which William intends to use to send Green Lantern to another dimension. Taking on the costumed identity of Black Hand, William issues a challenge to the Green Lantern by contacting him directly through his power ring.
Meeting the challenge, Green Lantern is shocked when Black Hand begins making his body transport to another dimension, however he stops the process about half way by freezing the devices control knob with his power ring. A battle rages across the city, but Green Lantern is unable to defeat his foe because he is only half as powerful, allowing Black Hand to get away.
When he crashes in on a banquet hosted by his brothers, Black Hand reveals his true identity to them and boasts over his superiority. Suddenly, Green Lantern arrives, apparently whole and is able to defeat Black Hand. Revealing that it was a hoax and that he used his power ring and a mirror to make the illusion that he was whole again. Gaining control of Black Hand's Power Rod to restore himself before turning Black Hand over to the police.
Appearing in "Half a Green Lantern Is Better than None!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Black Hand (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- Peter Hand (First appearance)
- David Hand (First appearance)
- Joe Hand (First appearance)
- Gil Kane (Cameo)
Locations:
- Coast City
- Coastville
Items:
- Green Lantern Ring
- Green Lantern Power Battery
- Cosmic Divining Rod (First appearance)
Synopsis for "This World Is Mine!"
While Carol is waiting for Green Lantern to show up at the amusement park where he is expected to be the guest of honor, the Green Lantern statue on display suddenly comes to life and begins to destroy the amusement park. Green Lantern meanwhile is at the Justice League headquarters making his regular report when news of the attack comes in. When the JLA offers their aid, Green Lantern declines wanting to handle the menace himself.
Hal is able to stop the Green Lantern statue and repair the damage it's done before the ribbon cutting ceremony. However, the Protonic Force that brought the statue to life—originating from the Green Lantern Planet—possesses the ribbon and turns into a Living Power Ring with a topaz jewel as Green Lantern's ring will be unable to affect the yellow gem. Although the being gains the upper hand, Green Lantern is able to defeat it by drilling a hole into the Earth, and using geothermal heat to turn the topaz pink allowing him to freeze it at absolute zero and trap the Protonic Force.
Appearing in "This World Is Mine!"
Featured Characters:
- Green Lantern (Flashback and main story)
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Protonic Force (Flashback and main story)
Other Characters:
- Justice League of America
- Green Lantern (planet) (Flashback only)
Locations:
Items:
Notes
In a Secret Origins retcon, William Hand finds his device left over from a battle between Green Lantern and Atrocitus.[1]
- This issue includes a public service comic "Are you a good neighbor?" from the National Social Welfare Assembly encouraging children and teens not to litter and to clean up after themselves when they leave messes in public areas.
- This issue contains a "Hard to Believe but—" section, including several educational science facts.
- This is the first appearance of Black Hand. He appears next in Green Lantern (Volume 2) #39.
- This issue is reprinted in The Green Lantern Archives Vol. 4 and Showcase Presents: Green Lantern Vol. 2.
- "Half a Green Lantern Is Better than None!" is reprinted in The Flash #229.
Trivia
- This issue shows the Black Hand's power-stealing device to be of his own invention. During Green Lantern: Secret Origin, a retcon will show it to have originally belonged to Atrocitus of the Five Inversions. This change occurred after Infinite Crisis.
- Gil Kane makes an appearance as himself, helping to narrate the first story in a panel that breaks the fourth wall.
See Also
Recommended Reading
- Green Lantern Recommended Reading
- Green Lantern (Volume 1)
- Green Lantern (Volume 2)
- Green Lantern (Volume 3)
- Green Lantern (Volume 4)
- Green Lantern (Volume 5)
- Green Lantern (Volume 6)
- Green Lantern (Volume 7)
- The Green Lantern (Volume 1)
- The Green Lantern: Season Two (Volume 1)
- Green Lantern Corps (Volume 1)
- Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2)
- Green Lantern Corps (Volume 3)
- Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors (Volume 1)
- Green Lantern: New Guardians (Volume 1)
- Green Lanterns (Volume 1)
- Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps (Volume 1)