For casual superhero fans, the Green Lantern may not be as familiar as the likes of Superman or Batman, but the character plays an integral part in the DC Comics’ universe, and his history is as complex and immense as it comes.
With the film set for release this week, there are undoubtedly a huge number of cinemagoers that have little knowledge of the Green Lantern. That being the case, THN presents this quick guide to his history, and it’s crucial you brush up on your Green Lantern lore before you’re ready to take the oath…
Hal Jordan as the Green Lantern
What is a Green Lantern?
Green Lantern is the name given to any member of the Green Lantern Corps, a group of inter-galactic enforcers who defend the universe from evil. Lanterns are chosen for their ability to overcome great fear, and their powers come from a ring, itself fuelled by the strength of willpower.
There are seven forms of emotion attributed to different colours – rage/red, avarice/orange, fear/yellow, will/green, hope/bule, compassion/indigo, love/violet, and death/black – which together form the Emotional Electromagnetic Spectrum. This was first discovered and utilized by the ancient Maltusians race. This clever bunch eventually became known as the Guardians of the Universe and relocated to the planet Oa, where they created the Green Lantern Corps. There are two Green Lanterns for each of the 3600 sectors of the universe, which they have collectively patrolled and defended for over three billion years.
The Power Rings give the Green Lanterns great power, and it is perhaps the most awesome weapon in the universe. They provide their wearer with the power of flight, superhuman strength, invisibility, and energy absorption.
They can also produce energy blasts and constructs – manifestations of the wearer’s thoughts and creations. These often take the form of weapons made from green energy and light.
However, the Power Rings do have weaknesses: they need to be recharged periodically, and their abilities are restricted against the colour yellow.
Kyle Rayner as the Green Lantern
Who is this Hal Jordan chap?
Largely considered to be the greatest of all Green Lanterns, Hal Jordan was the first human to enrol into the corps. The former test pilot was chosen for his fearlessness, and he received his Power Ring from the dying alien Abin Sur. Experienced Lanterns Kilowog and Sinestro trained Jordan, and he was entrusted to protect Sector 2814.
Hal Jordan is also a founding member of the Justice League of America, along with Superman, Batman, the Flash, Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter.
Who are the other Green Lanterns?
Since Jordan became a Green Lantern, a number of other humans have joined him in the Corps. Kyle Rayner, Guy Gardner, and John Stewart were all enlisted, and have become staple members.
There is also Alan Scott, who was first superhero to be named Green Lantern in the DC Universe. He was never a member of the Corps, but his ring utilizes the same energy. His adventures took place in an alternative reality, known as Earth-Two.
Sinestro
Woah back… what about theis Sinestro? Sounds a bit… erm, sinester for a Green Lantern…
Originally thought to be the greatest of all Green Lanterns, Sinestro eventually turned to the… er, yellow side and remains one of Hal Jordan’s greatest foes.
During his training, Jordan learned that Sinestro had been enforcing a dictatorship upon his home planet Korugar through the power of fear. He was banished by the Guardians, but created his own yellow Power Ring and founded the Sinestro Corps. His group of villainous recruits constantly battled the Green Lanterns, and wielded fear over the universe. At one stage they even brought about the fall of the Green Lantern Corps. Sinestro also used his Power Ring to awaken the space parasite Parallax, the physical manifestation of fear itself.
Parallax
A Para what now?
The Guardians imprisoned Parallax on Oa, and his powerful presence caused the Green Lantern’s weakness to yellow. Once released, he possessed Hal Jordan, who turned evil (and quite, quite mad). This occurred following the destruction of Jordan’s hometown of Coast City, and the broken hero became vulnerable to fear. Whilst under the influence of Parallax, Jordan all but destroyed his former allies and became one of the universe’s most powerful supervillains. Eventually, Jordan was able to use his amazing willpower to separate himself from Parallax. He then defeated the demonic parasite and returned to the Green Lantern Corps. Parallax would later posses Kyle Rayner, only to be thwarted and imprisoned once again.
Jordan as the Red Lantern
So we’ve got Green Lantern Corps and Sinestro Corps… any others to mention?
There are also the Red Lantern Corps, who use anger as their source of power. The alien Attrocitus formed the group, a survivor of the Massacre of Sector 666. He blames the Guardians for the massacre, and sought vengeance upon them.
Hal Jordan briefly enrolled into the Red Lantern Corps after a rare display of uncontrollable rage rendered him under to resist the red rings’ influence. Fortunately, a Blue Lantern was able to break this hold by forcing his own ring onto Jordan’s hand.
Blue Lantern?
Yes, an altogether more positive bunch. They were created to bring hope in the face of destruction, the emotion that gives them their power. Sort of intergalactic hippies. There are also Black Lanterns, a far more sinister bunch…
This all sounds a tad confusing…
That’s because it is. The history and mythology of Green Lantern is notoriously complicated. But fear not, as DC are about to reboot their entire universe, and each character and story are set to start from an all-new issue #1. Regardless of its complex backstory, the Green Lantern remains one of the most popular characters in comics.
The Green Lantern Corps
And what about this oath?
Of, course… all Green Lanterns take an oath. For those keen to join the Corps, just repeat the following:
‘In brightest day, in blackest night,
No evil shall escape my sight.
Let those who worship evil’s might,
Beware my power… Green Lantern’s light!’
Green Lantern is released in both 2D and 3D Friday June 17th
