“In Brightest Day, in Blackest Night. No evil shall escape my sight.” The Green Lantern, the protector of Space Sector 2814, has said that oath for decades. As a character, Green Lantern has been a mainstay of DC Comics since 1940, with many different heroes wielding the emerald Power Ring. Soon, DC Studios will tackle a Green Lantern TV series for HBO, simply called Lanterns. So now is the perfect time to take a deep dive into the many decades of Green Lantern comics from DC. And to help you choose, we present to you the ten greatest Green Lantern comic book runs of all time.

10. The Green Lantern

by Grant Morrison and Liam Sharp

Grant Morrison is one of the greatest writers in modern comic book history, having written definitive runs for DC’s Superman, Batman, Justice League, and Wonder Woman. While we can’t say their Green Lantern run is a truly definitive run for the character, it definitely contained many interesting moments. In 2018, Morrison took on Green Lantern Hal Jordan, for a new ongoing series simply called The Green Lantern. The intricately detailed artwork for almost the entire run was provided by UK artist Liam Sharp, doing some career-best work.

Morrison, in their usual way, wanted to get weird with it. They focused more on Hal Jordan than the cast of thousands of the previous few years of GL mythos. In Morrison’s portrayal, Hal Jordan is an ordinary guy, just one whose mind expanded after years of experiencing cosmic incidents, death, and rebirth. Not everything lands in this run, as sometimes Morrison gets too esoteric for their own good for a Green Lantern title. But some of the ideas, and especially Sharp’s artwork, make this one to check out if you love Green Lantern.

Issues in Grant Morrison’s Green Lantern Run:

The Green Lantern #1-18, Blackstars #1-3 (2018-2021)

9. Green Lantern War Journal

by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Montos

Even though he’s DC’s first African American superhero, there are too few instances where John Stewart headlined a solo Green Lantern title. The first time was the short-lived, yet weird and brilliant Green Lantern: Mosaic back in 1992. But in 2023, DC gave John another shot at a solo ongoing title, in the excellent Green Lantern: War Journal series. This book comes from the creative team of writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson, and artist Montos.

This series featured John Stewart attempting a quiet life on Earth, hoping to retire from the hero car. But soon, John is forced to wear the Power Ring once more when a deadly mystery emerges. This series reconciles the contradicting versions of the character. Was he the idealistic architect from the ‘70s, or the hard-nosed Marine from the 2000s era Justice League cartoons? Well, why not both? Sadly, this book is ending after just 12 issues this year. Yet the 11 issues we did get so far were pretty fantastic and worth your time.

Issues in Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Montos’ Green Lantern War Journal Run:

Green Lantern War Journal #1-12 (2023-2024)

8. Green Lantern Corps (vol. 1)

by Steve Englehart and Joe Staton

In the early ‘80s, Green Lantern comics were stuck in a rut. Hal had left Green Arrow behind and became a solo act after a decade. Yet aside from the back-up Tales of the Green Lantern Corps from a young Alan Moore, nothing about Green Lantern as a comic was very exciting anymore. DC decided to retire Hal and replace him with John Stewart for an extended period, and later Guy Gardner. But even that didn’t increase sales significantly. So with the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC decided to change things up big time. Green Lantern would become a superhero team book.

With issue #201, Green Lantern became Green Lantern Corps. On writing duties was Avengers and Batman veteran Steve Englehart, with stylized art by Joe Staton. After the events of Crisis, the Guardians departed this reality, leaving their Corps members to chart their own destinies, abolishing space sectors. A group of Lanterns led by Hal Jordan became a team, including John Stewart, his alien wife Katma Tui, Guy Garnder, the alien chipmunk GL named Ch’p, and a brand new Lantern named Kilowog, who would become a fan-favorite. This run proved the GLC as a team book could work, even if the series only lasted 24 issues. For some reason, this series isn’t collected today, an oversight DC should correct right away.

Issues in Steve Englehart and Joe Staton’s Green Lantern Corps Run:

Green Lantern Corps vol. 1 #201-224 (1986-1988)

7. Far Sector

by N.K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell

This limited series was written by sci-fi author N.K. Jemisin, and illustrated by Jamal Campbell. It focused on an entirely brand new hero, the Green Lantern Sojourner  “Jo” Mullein. And yes, she’s another Green Lantern from Earth (really, that’s like ten Earth Lanterns now. Enough DC!) A former military officer and ex-cop, Jo has been recruited by the Guardians of the Universe to keep the peace on a planet in the furthest known reaches of known space. She even uses a special Power Ring that slowly recharges on its own instead of needing to recharge with a battery.

The story of Far Sector starts as Jo Mullein becomes a cosmic detective, investigating the first murder victim in 500 years on a distant world. Unlike most G.L. stories, Far Sector actually remembers that the Green Lantern Corps aren’t really space soldiers, they’re actually space police. And in space and on Earth, policing, and what it means to those with no power, creates complications. This is a relatively recent series, released in 2020. But it’s a fantastic standalone story that deserves a lot more attention. Thankfully, Sojourner  “Jo” Mullein has since been incorporated into the larger DC Universe.

Issues in N.K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell’s Far Sector Run:

Far Sector #1-12, 2020-2022

6. Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn

by James Owsley, Keith Giffen, Gerard Jones, and M.D. Bright

After the end of the Green Lantern Corps, there were only two Green Lanterns on Earth again—Hal Jordan and Guy Gardner. Guy was in the popular Justice League International series, but Hal Jordan, the OG, was without a home. So in 1989, DC decided to give Hal Jordan’s origin story a modern, post-Crisis update, with the limited series Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn. It was a testing ground to see if Hal was popular enough to headline an ongoing series again. The book, by writers James Owsley, Keith Giffen, and Gerard Jones, with art by M.D. Bright, was an instant hit, spawning an immediate sequel, and eventually a new ongoing series.

This six-issue mini-series added important new elements to Hal’s backstory, like the fact that he wasn’t all that perfect and upstanding before becoming a Lantern anymore, struggling with many personal issues before Abin Sur’s Power Ring chose him. These problems included prison time for a car accident that he caused while under the influence. Emerald Dawn also introduced the idea that future arch-villain Sinestro was Hal’s trainer as a GL, something that remains a facet of his story to this day. The art by the late M.D. Bright is the right mix of modern and classic, making this still a fun read today.

We should note that one of the three writers on Emerald Dawn, Gerard Jones, is a convicted criminal charged with fairly horrible crimes, which is likely why the series has remained out of print.

Issues in Keith Giffen, James Owsley, Gerard Jones, and M.D. Bright’s Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn Run:

Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn #1-6 (1989-1990), Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn II (1991)

5. Green Lantern (vol. 2)

by John Broome, Gardner Fox, and Gil Kane

The foundation for everything we know and love about the Green Lantern mythology is firmly rooted in the Silver Age stories of writers John Broome, Gardner Fox, and artist Gil Kane. Yes, a Golden Age Green Lantern existed before during WWII, Alan Scott. Yet it was these 1960s stories that defined who and what Green Lantern really is as a concept for the rest of time. In 1959’s anthology title Showcase #22, they took the name Green Lantern and built a whole new sci-fi mythology around it. With a new lead hero, Hal Jordan, rooted in the Atomic Age space race of the day, Green Lantern as a series was much better on the second try.

During this iconic Silver Age Green Lantern run, they not only introduced Hal Jordan. They also introduced the entire Green Lantern Corps, the Guardians of the Universe, Sinestro, and so many other concepts that remain to this day. Yes, the characterizations of the characters are often bland and one-note. There’s an undeniable goofiness to it all. That was just the era. Not to mention, Hal’s adventures and adversaries are way too Earth-bound during this time. But the imaginative storytelling and Gil Kane art will win you over. Even if it would take a later generation of writers to truly make Green Lantern great.

Issues in John Broome, Gardner Fox, and Gil Kane’s Green Lantern Run:

Showcase #22-24, Green Lantern vol. 2 #1-60 (1959-1960)

4. Green Lantern Corps

by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason

Everyone cites Geoff Johns’ epic run on Green Lantern as peak superhero storytelling. As well they should. But during the Johns era, the companion Green Lantern Corps ongoing series from writer Peter J. Tomasi and artist Patrick Gleason was often just as good—sometimes even better—than the flagship book. After the successful Green Lantern Corps: Recharge mini-series, DC took a chance on an ongoing GLC series again. This series almost totally takes place in space, with Honor Guard Lanterns John Stewart, Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, and others taking center stage.

In addition to the Earth Lanterns, exciting new characters like Sinestro’s replacement GL, Soranik Natu, were introduced in this series. When Green Lantern Corps was read simultaneously with Johns’ main Green Lantern title, it all felt like one epically large cosmic story when read together. Although Watchmen artist Dave Gibbons wrote the first couple of arcs, Peter J. Tomasi takes over for most of the rest of the run. Throughout all of this, you get the gorgeous artwork of Patrick Gleason. That alone makes this run an all-timer.

Issues in Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason’s Green Lantern Corps Run:

Green Lantern Corps vol. 2 #1-47 (2006-2010),

3. Green Lantern/Green Arrow

by Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams

By the end of the Silver Age, American comics were changing. More college kids than elementary school children were reading them. The stories themselves started to deal with more mature subjects and complex characterizations—especially at DC’s rival Marvel Comics. So in 1970, DC tasked young writer/artist duo Dennis O’Neil and Neil Adams, who also reinvented Batman, with reinventing Green Lantern as a socially relevant series. And they brought on Green Arrow as a co-lead, creating one of the comics’ best bromances. Green Lantern officially changed to Green Lantern/Green Arrow with issue #76.

During O’Neil and Adams’ “Hard Travellin’ Heroes” run, Hal Jordan represented conservative, establishment America. Oliver Queen’s Green Arrow was recreated as an almost hippy, hyper-leftist superhero. The two were oil and water, and they traveled America facing the issues of the day, like racism and drug abuse. Even Manson-like cults! Sometimes the writing was a bit preachy and on the nose, but the artwork and dynamic storytelling from O’Neil and Adams always sold it. This run saw the introduction of John Stewart, another reason it’s a milestone series. Hal and Ollie would remain partners for the entire ‘70s. Yet it was the O’Neil/Adams run that is the gold standard, even still.

Issues in Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams’ Green Lantern/Green Arrow Run:

Green Lantern/Green Arrow #76-89 (1970-1972)

2. Green Lantern (Vol. 3)

by Ron Marz and Daryl Banks, Paul Pelletier

In 1994, the comic book industry took a giant hit when the so-called comic book crash happened. Sales on once-popular franchises like Green Lantern, which a couple of years prior had three titles and a quarterly, were in freefall. So DC gambled. As a result of events during their Death and Return of Superman storyline, Hal Jordan lost his marbles, killed what remained of the GL Corps, and became the villain Parallax. All in the mere span of 3 issues. Only one power ring remained, and it went to a twenty-something slacker in a Nine Inch Nails t-shirt. And with that, Green Lantern was reborn.

In 1994’s Green Lantern #50, the last Guardian of the Universe gave out-of-work artist Kyle Rayner the last Power Ring, and he shaped himself into the universe’s last Green Lantern. A total 180 from Hal Jordan, Kyle was more like the readers—young, relatable, and more interested in art than airplanes. Ron Marz took on writing chores with Daryl Banks on pencils, and together they created a hero for the ‘90s that remains a fan favorite. Kyle had Spider-Man levels of average-guy superhero soap opera, all while trying to live up to a legendary legacy. Marz wrote the first issues, during much of which Green Lantern was once again a backbone of DC’s publishing line. Hal returned a decade later, but Kyle’s run as GL is undeniable.

Issues in Ron Marz’s Green Lantern Run:

Green Lantern vol. 3 #48-125 (1994-2000)

1. Green Lantern (vol. 4, vol. 5)

by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, Ethan Van Sciver, Doug Mahnke

When it comes to Green Lantern comic book runs, few would argue that writer Geoff Johns‘ nearly ten-year run on the title is the GOAT. When Johns came on board for GL in 2004, the character was in a downturn. Kyle Rayner was still the main Lantern, but the series had lost steam after a decade. Especially without Rayner’s creator Ron Marz at the helm. Hal Jordan had gone from villain to dead to the ghostly hero the Spectre. The Corps was disbanded. It was a bit of a broken franchise. Writer Geoff Johns fixed all that almost overnight, starting with the blockbuster mini-series Green Lantern: Rebirth.

In Green Lantern: Rebirth, Johns and artist Ethan Van Sciver re-energized the series by bringing Hal Jordan back from the dead, as well as his main rival Sinestro. They also created a plausible explanation for Hal’s turn to the dark side a decade earlier, creating the fear entity Parallax, which we learned possessed Hal. During the Johns run, alongside artists like Ivan Reis and Doug Mahnke, they expanded the Green Lantern mythology like no ever had before. Together, they created some of the best ongoing superhero yarn-spinning of the last few decades.

During his tenure, Johns created the Sinestro Corps, introduced the concepts of the Emotional Spectrum, the other colored Lantern Corps, like the rage-fueled Red Lanterns, the Third Army, and maybe the peak of the franchise, Blackest Night. This mini-series introduced the zombie-like Black Lantern Corps, made up of the animated corpses of dead DC characters. Geoff Johns’ run on Green Lantern was so epic, that no writer since has ever been able to top it. For a brief time, Geoff Johns turned Green Lantern into DC’s second-biggest franchise after Batman. And it will be a long time before its light goes out in the hearts of fandom.

Issues in Geoff Johns’ Green Lantern Run:

Green Lantern: Rebirth #1–6 (2004–2005), Green Lantern vol. 4 #1–67 (2005–2011) Green Lantern vol. 5 #0–20 (2011–2013) Blackest Night #0-9 (2009-2010)

The post The 10 Greatest Green Lantern Comic Book Runs, Ranked appeared first on Nerdist.

A Green Lantern series for HBO Max has been in the works since 2019. It was originally meant to focus on many members of the intergalactic Green Lantern Corps. But then it was announced that the series would focus on one character—Green Lantern John Stewart. Now, it appears the final iteration of an HBO Max Green Lantern series has arrived. As part of their master plan for the on-screen DC Universe, James Gunn and Peter Safran announced a new DC television series called Lanterns. This live-action Green Lantern DCU entry will star Hal Jordan and John Stewart. According to the DC duo, this is “a True Detective-type mystery with our two Lanterns. A terrestrial-based mystery… that leads into the overall story… We find this ancient horror on Earth, and these guys are basically supercops on ‘Precinct Earth.'”

Many of you out there might think Green Lantern is just that guy infamously played by Ryan Reynolds once. But we’re here to tell you all about the 50-year legacy of John Stewart. And why he’s one of DC Comics’ most important characters.

John Stewart, contrary to popular belief, was not DC Comics’ first Black superhero. That honor belongs to Mal Duncan, one of the early members of the Teen Titans. A few months before Stewart appeared, Jack Kirby’s Forever People hit newsstands, which included the character Vykin the Black. Regardless, it’s safe to say that John Stewart’s Green Lantern is DC’s most prominent African-American superhero today. He has totally eclipsed the earlier debuting characters.

John Stewart’s Historic DC Comics Debut

The creative power duo of writer Denny O’Neil and artist Neal Adams created John Stewart, appearing in 1971’s Green Lantern/Green Arrow #87. This creative team reinvigorated the Green Lantern comics starting in 1970, making it more socially relevant (and allowing DC to compete with Marvel). Despite the existence of the Black superheroes previously mentioned, there was no one headlining a book, even for an issue. John Stewart did that, making his debut historic as Green Lantern.

The story “Beware My Power” introduced John Stewart as a headstrong young man, an architect who had a distaste for authority. So Green Lantern Hal Jordan and John butted heads from the very start. Especially seeing as how Hal was essentially a space cop. But because of John Stewart’s fearlessness, the Guardians of Oa chose him as Hal’s backup Green Lantern. Hal’s backup at the time, Guy Gardner, sustained serious injuries and couldn’t fill the role.

One of John Stewart’s first assignments as Green Lantern was to protect a racist politician. Despite his personal issues with the politician, Stewart completed the mission successfully. And he exposed the same politician for various crimes while doing so. This impressed Hal Jordan, who then realized the Guardians of the Universe made the right choice in selecting Stewart as Green Lantern. Sadly, readers wouldn’t see much of John Stewart after this debut on a regular basis. At least not for some time.

John Stewart Becomes Earth’s Primary Green Lantern in the DC Universe

After that issue, for much of the 1970s, John Stewart only appeared sporadically. DC had created a cool new character but didn’t seem to know what to do with him. Finally, in the early 1980s, Hal Jordan quit the Green Lantern Corps. This meant John Stewart became the Green Lantern for Sector 2814 full-time. John Stewart headlined the Green Lantern series and was the prominent Green Lantern of Earth during Crisis on Infinite Earths. It was during this time that John ditched the mask and secret identity. And he let the entire world know who he really was. He also began a romance with a fellow Lantern, Katma Tui, from the planet Korugar.

After this point, no one would ever sideline John Stewart again at DC Comics. John Stewart headlined the Green Lantern Corps team book, which put him side by side with Hal Jordan and other Lanterns. After his wife Katma was murdered, John lost his way. In his arrogance, he accidentally let a planet die during the DC event series Cosmic Odyssey. The weight of these actions would bear heavily on him for years. He finally headlined his own series in the early ’90s, Green Lantern: Mosaic. There he became the guardian of the patchwork world of Oa. And he achieved nearly godlike powers. Although it only lasted 18 issues, this series was critically acclaimed.

From Green Lantern to Darkstar, and back to Green Lantern Again

In the mid-’90s, John Stewart and all other Green Lanterns became depowered, when Hal Jordan lost control and became the villain Parallax. He destroyed all the power rings but one, which went to a new character, Kyle Rayner. For a few years, Rayner was the only Green Lantern in the universe. But as Green Lantern, he sought mentorship from John Stewart, preserving his presence in the DC Universe. Stewart was now part of another intergalactic peacekeeping force, the Darkstars. But When Rayner decided to create new rings and expand the Corps, one of the first people to get a new ring was Stewart.

Justice League and Mainstream Stardom for Green Lantern John Stewart

John Stewart’s biggest boost in popularity came in 2001. After several years of waiting, the creators of Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series brought the DC heroes together for Justice League. When they were deciding which Green Lantern to use for the team, series creator Bruce Timm chose John Stewart. He reinvented the character, making him a no-nonsense ex-marine. (The comics would later adopt this aspect of John Stewart’s backstory.) The popularity and wider reach of the TV series made it so, for many kids, John Stewart was the Green Lantern. After nearly 30 years since his creation, John Stewart finally broke into the mainstream consciousness,

An Entire Generation’s Green Lantern

The arrival of the Justice League cartoon coincided with a surge in popularity for the Green Lantern brand at DC Comics. Stewart became the lead in a new Green Lantern Corps series and was a central figure in company-wide events like Sinestro Corps War and Blackest Night. Using his architectural skills, he even designed the new Hall of Justice for the Justice League. Although he was only mentioned at the end of the only season of Green Lantern: The Animated Series, John Stewart appeared across other media, such as in Young Justice, Teen Titans Go!, and several animated films. Just this year, he starred in his own movie, Green Lantern: Beware My Power. Interestingly, Aldis Hodge, who played another DC hero, Hawkman, in Black Adam, provided his voice.

John Stewart as a Live-Action DC Universe Green Lantern

When John Stewart’s Green Lantern arrives on HBO Max as part of the DC Universe, it could be the biggest spotlight the character has ever had in media. We don’t know too much about who John Stewart will be in Lanterns. But it sounds like he’ll be part of an epic adventure.

A well-deserved reward for a character who was once just thought of as another hero’s “backup guy.” John Stewart long ago outgrew that and is now one of the most prominent heroes of the DC Universe.

Originally published on October 26, 2022.

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Last year, it was announced that a Green Lantern live-action series was coming to the new HBO Max streaming service. This series was announced as being brought to us by DC television guru Greg Berlanti, who is the man behind just about every DC series on the CW and the DC Universe streaming service.

Aside from the fact that this show was said to have a healthy budget, and be at least partially set in space, we knew nothing about it. In fact, we didn’t know if it would even feature a Green Lantern at all, as they said it would showcase the “Green Lantern mythology.” For all we knew, it could have been about Larfleeze, the Orange Lantern.

But at the TCA Winter Tour, HBO Max confirmed (via Deadline), that the series would “span several decades on focus on two stories about Green Lanterns on Earth” as well as one in space “going into the Sinestro story.”

DC Comics

Well, that actually tells us a LOT. That’s two Earth Lanterns, and a new iteration of Sinestro. Given his status as Green Lantern’s number one enemy, it makes sense to focus on him as well. An intriguing factoid in this piece of news is the idea that the show would span several decades. I think we could be seeing two separate Lanterns in two totally different eras, with their stories converging at the end. This would be ambitious, and a different way to approach a superhero series.

But which two Earth Lanterns will make the cut? There have been several over the course of the past eighty years. Here are our guesses as to which Lanterns could soon become TV stars.

Alan Scott 

DC Comics

Comics’ first Green Lantern debuted way back in 1940, and quickly became one of DC’s top characters. But he was very different from the Lanterns who would come later. His ring was magic, not alien science. And there was no Green Lantern Corps. But the basics were all there. He said a mysterious oath, charged his ring with a lantern power battery, and created green constructs with his ring. He largely disappeared after the ’40s, mostly showing up in second tier roles since then.

Probability:  Low

He’s not connected to the overall Green Lantern Corps mythos, and if you change that aspect of him, you might as well just use another Green Lantern. An updated modern version of Alan Scott appeared in recent years, now an out gay man. Maybe a combination of the two, a closeted gay man in a prejudiced WWII-era America could be interesting? So I wouldn’t totally rule him out.

Hal Jordan

DC Comics

The cocky Air Force test pilot is considered to be the Green Lantern by most fans. His appearance made the character relevant for a new generation of Atomic Age kids, who loved the sci-fi angle to his stories. It was the Hal Jordan version which introduced reader to the larger world of the Green Lantern Corps space cops, as well the Guardians of the Universe. All key elements of the mythology to this day.

Probability: High

He’s the most well known and well merchandised version of the character ever, having been around now for sixty years and counting. Also, his origins really tie in to the whole Air Force, The Right Stuff era of test pilots and astronauts. So if they wanted to create a period piece set in this time period, using the character of Hal in that era would be an ideal way to go.

John Stewart

DC Comics 

John Stewart is DC Comics’ first prominent African-American hero. He became Hal Jordan’s back-up Lantern in the early ’70s. And then later, replaced him entirely. It should also be noted that John Stewart was the GL for the Justice League animated series, making him the prime Lantern for a whole generation of kids. Had the George Miller Justice League movie gone through, he would have been our first live-action Green Lantern,

Probability: High

If the series is going the period piece route, then it would be amazing to see John Stewart as Vietnam war era Marine, who is recruited into this space cop force. Also, having an African-American man become a champion of justice in the era when the Civil Rights movement was just beginning to bear fruit might be an interesting angle to explore if we are going with a show that spans decades. He also has a good “buddy cop” dynamic with Hal Jordan.

Guy Gardner

DC Comics

The second “back up” Lantern for Hal Jordan, this red-headed “tough guy” became popular as the brash and opinionated jerk of the Justice League back in the ’80s. He’s mostly famous for the running joke of constantly getting head injuries resulting in different personalities for him. But he usually reverted to loud mouth blue collar guy.

Probability: Low

He’s good for comic relief, but his arrogant ways make him hard to be a central character on any series. But fans do love him, so he does have shot. I’d say he’s a prime candidate for a guest spot or a recurring character, but not as one of the series’ two leads.

Kyle Rayner 

’90s kids have soft spot for Kyle, as he was the GL of Earth for nearly a decade in the ’90s/early 2000s. Kyle was a slacker-type artist who is gifted the ring when Hal Jordan goes bad (he was actually possessed, but that’s a whole other story). As an illustrator, Kyle made all kinds of interesting and imaginative constructs with his ring. When Hal goes bad and destroys the Corps, Kyle is the only active GL for years.

Probability: Low

Unfortunately, Kyle’s origins as a hero are too closely tied with Hal’s turn as a villain, so I would be surprised if they introduce Kyle as a co-lead on a series. He feels like a character who should come along in later seasons, should there be any. However, if the show covers the ’90s era, few things are more popular than ’90s nostalgia these days. So it is possible.

Simon Baz

DC Comics

Simon Baz is significant because he was one of the few prominent Arab-American Muslim superheroes in comics. Created by writer Geoff Johns, Baz was victim of discrimination in a post 9/11 America, and was wrongly convicted of attempted domestic terrorism. When gifted with a Green Lantern ring, he at first doesn’t trust it, choosing to also carry a gun at all times. But Batman convinced him to drop the whole gun thing (Bruce doesn’t like those much.)

Probability: Medium

Simon Baz has since become a popular GL, and has even served with the Justice League for several years. Given that Johns is a producer on this series and is his creator, there is a chance we’ll see him. But given his ties to more recent American history, it would be surprising if only because this show “spans decades.” But having a non-white lead would be a plus to be sure.

Jessica Cruz

DC Comics

Another recent GL, Jessica Cruz is important because she is Earth’s first female Lantern of note. She is also only the second Lantern of Latin descent, after Kyle Rayner, who is half-Mexican. She has in interesting backstory, as she gained the ring while being a recluse suffering from PTSD. She survived a murder attempt, and can barely overcome her fear of leaving her own apartment. And then finds herself having to overcome much greater fears by becoming a champion of Earth.

Probability: Medium

Much like Baz, her inclusion would signify a much needed attempt at diversity. In the comics, she and Simon are a team, so a show having her as a co-lead would be fascinating. But also like Baz, she’s perhaps too modern a hero to be in a show that spans several decades. I think she and Simon might be being saved for a future Green Lantern Corps ensemble movie.

Of course, the producers of this series could surprise us and create all-new Lanterns for the series. But given the popularity of the comics, it seems unlikely. Hopefully we’ll find out soon which of DC’s Emerald Gladiators is chosen to represent the brand on television.

Featured Image: DC Comics

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After years of being sidelined by his fellow Justice Leaguers, Green Lantern will be coming back in a big way for a new HBO Max series. I’ve suggested in the past that the Green Lantern mythology would be far better suited for a prestige, big budget episodic series. But there are certain elements we think a Green Lantern series—or more likely, a Green Lantern Corps series—should showcase. And here are what I think are the essentials which would ensure success.

Go Full Cosmic 

DC Comics

Although we exist in a virtual dream world of comic book TV shows right now, just about every single one of them is Earthbound. Because of budgetary reasons, most television shows actively stay away from getting too cosmic on us. But outer space adventure is baked into the very concept of the Green Lantern mythology. They are defined as being space cops, after all.

While a handful of adventures could (and should) take place on Earth, what we really want to see is action in space and stories set on weird alien worlds. This would have all been too cost prohibitive once upon a time, but recent big budget shows like Star Trek: Discovery and Lost in Space have proven you can do a space-based series that actually looks good.

Focus on Geoff Johns’ Seminal Comic Book Run

DC Comics

The entire Green Lantern Corps mythology began in 1959 with the introduction of Hal Jordan as the Silver Age Lantern. Over the years, we’d meet many other Corps members and the lore would expand. But in 2004, DC Comics writer Geoff Johns took over the title, and during his decade-long run on the book would he greatly expand the Green Lantern’s canvas. And he would make Green Lantern a central part of the DC Universe in a way he never had been before.

During Johns’ run, he introduced larger concepts like the differently colored Lantern corps, reveal many secrets of the Guardians of the Universe, and give DC Comics one of its biggest epic storylines ever, The Blackest Night. His run is as important to Green Lantern as a series as Chris Claremont’s Uncanny X-Men run was to Marvel. Johns run should 100% be the basis for any Green Lantern TV series. The new series would be wise to have a heavy dose of Johns’ input.

Explore the Emotional Spectrum

DC Comics

One of the key components of Geoff Johns’ seminal run on Green Lantern was the creation of the Emotional Spectrum, and it should be at the core of any new series. The Emotional Electromagnetic Spectrum is an energy field fueled by the emotions of all sentient beings across the universe. The different Lantern corps have channeled and created seven powerful forms of energy based on their emotions, with a different color from the spectrum unique to those emotions.

Green is pure willpower (which one can also describe as courage), while yellow represents fear, and violet is love. Red is anger, while blue is hope. Indigo represents compassion, and orange symbolizes greed. The ultimate endgame of introducing these different corps would be to introduce the Black and White Lantern corps as well, which wield the power of life and death. This allows for several different corps with different agendas, all of which made for a decade’s worth of amazing comics stories. The Emotional Spectrum should be a key component to any mythology contained in the series.

Expand on the Guardians of Oa and Their Many Secrets

DC Comics

In the Green Lantern mythology, the Guardians of the Universe are the billion-year-old aliens who govern the Green Lantern Corps from the planet Oa. Technically, they are benevolent beings who want what is best for the universe. However, it has long been a staple of the comics that the Guardians have many skeletons in their closet. Among them are the Manhunters, a robotic police force that predated the Green Lanterns and went rogue. They were also responsible for unleashing entropy itself on the universe billions of years ago, which is why they decided to police reality in the first place. The many secrets of the Guardians of the Universe could fuel several seasons of storytelling.

Don’t Forget the Original Green Lantern, Alan Scott

DC Comics

I’ve suggested before that any Green Lantern Corps television series has got to take full advantage of the many Green Lanterns that are out there, and not just Hal Jordan. There’s not only John Stewart, but also Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, Simon Baz, Jessica Cruz, and dozens of alien lanterns we’ve met in the comics. But the Green Lantern character actually began in 1940, with Alan Scott. And although he was a very different kind of Lantern than we’re used to, including him would open up cool new possibilities for story.

Alan Scott was the first DC hero who called himself Green Lantern, and his ring was magic-based and not powered by alien science. After the early ’50s, he became a bit player in DC Comics, as the Silver Age Green Lantern Hal Jordan totally overshadowed his predecessor. But in the New 52 reboot, DC reinvented Scott as a gay man in the modern day, who lives on an alternate Earth. His ring is still magic, and he is his universe’s only Green Lantern. Including him would be a great way to pay homage to DC’s first ring bearer, and include his story in the larger Green Lantern tapestry.

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Green Lantern is one of DC Comics’ biggest properties, going back decades. But after his 2011 film debut with Ryan Reynolds was less than a success, any and all follow ups were stalled. As the comic book genre has dominated this past decade, the emerald warrior has been sidelined. But that is finally about to change, as a new Green Lantern series has been announced for the HBO Max streaming service.

DC Comics

The new series is said to take place in space, and is “Green Lantern inspired,” which suggests to us this show will be about the Green Lantern Corps, not a singular hero. And we definitely welcome this property to a serialized format. Yes, another Green Lantern related movie could have been cool. But here are seven reasons why we think the GL mythos are better suited for a series format.

TV Has Room for More Characters

The great thing about Green Lantern Corps as a concept is all the different characters who get to wear the ring. Unfortunately, in a movie, you’d only really be able to focus on one or two at best, probably Hal Jordan and John Stewart. Everyone else would have to be relegated to minor roles that don’t really do justice to those characters or their fandoms. With a TV series, even if you start with Hal and John, over the course of several seasons you can introduce Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, and all the rest, and really flesh them out over a long period of time.

 TV Allows for Classic Comic Book Storylines

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Over the past several years, the Green Lantern series has produced some true comic book epics, stories like Hal Jordan’s fall from grace in “Emerald Twilight,” his return in “Rebirth,” to “Sinestro Corps Wars,” and “Blackest Night.” All of these stories would be much better served over several years of television seasons than a handful of films that would truncate all these classics and reduce them to a Cliff’s Notes version.

 The Multi-Colored Lanterns Could Appear

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One of the great things that writer Geoff Johns has added to the Green Lantern mythos over the past 15 years is the idea of the Emotional Spectrum, and how there are several other Lantern Corps in the universe based on different colors in that spectrum. While we might get cameos from some of those other Corps in a film, truth is, in a television series you would be able to explore them in far greater depth.

 Crossover Potential with other DC Properties

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Although you wouldn’t necessarily need to air this show on the CW, tying a Green Lantern series into the network’s “Arrowverse” would allow for a great opportunity: the union of Hal Jordan with his two best friends from the comics, Green Arrow/Oliver Queen and The Flash/Barry Allen. It’s not like these series are at all averse to crossovers! Or, even better. Make this the first DCEU live-action series, and introduce your future Justice League Lantern right here.

Proper Character Development for Sinestro

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Sinestro is considered one of the great villains because we got to see him transform from Hal Jordan’s stern but successful trainer into an evil megalomaniac, best exemplified in the pages of Green Lantern: Secret Origin. Although actor Mark Strong was well cast in the movie version, his character’s transformation from good veteran Lantern to villain to the leader of his own Corp is a storyline that should be spread out over several seasons.

TV Gives Greg Berlanti a Chance for a Do-Over

Warner Brothers

Although DC TV guru Greg Berlanti was credited as the screenwriter for the 2011 Green Lantern movie, the project was all but totally taken away from him. Warner Bros. heavily rewrote his script and handed the directorial reins over to Martin Campbell. After the movie tanked, as a “sorry, we screwed up,” WB gave Berlanti the chance to make a DC TV series, and the result was Arrow. Five DC shows later, maybe it’s time to give Greg Berlanti a chance to do the Green Lantern mythos justice the way we now know he can.

A TV Series Would Give DC a Truly Diverse Ensemble

DC Comics

While the DC TV shows have been great when it comes to casting diversity, the main characters, until Black Lightning, have all been white people. Green Lantern Corps’ ensemble would entail leading roles for a black character (John Stewart), two Mexican-American characters (Kyle Rayner and Jessica Cruz), and a Muslim character (Simon Baz). If we’re roping Earth-2 canon into the mix, we’d have that realm’s LGBTQ Lantern Alan Scott. The best part: none of these individuals would be relegated to a “sidekick” position. They’re all Lanterns in their own right.

Images: DC Comics/Warner Bros.

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This Memorial Day, make sure you pay tribute to all of the soldiers who have sacrificed so much. Military service is a very special honor and responsibility that only the bravest, strongest, and most dedicated men and women could ever take on. So it should come as no surprise that many of the most famous comic book heroes have a background in the military. It’s simply one of the most heroic characteristics a writer can give their character. Sure, there are a few heroes who come immediately to mind, but some of these might surprise you. We pay tribute to our real veterans by paying tribute to our fictional characters inspired by those brave heroes who gave everything, and who fought and continue fighting to give us the freedom and safety we have today.

Captain America and the Howling Commandos

Well this should definitely come as no surprise. Steve Rodgers was a wimpy, scrawny kid from Brooklyn with a heart of gold, but his future changed completely when he underwent a procedure that endowed him with super strength, reflexes, and speed…a super soldier in every aspect. Joined by James “Bucky” Barnes, Nick Fury, Timothy “Dum Dum” Dugan, and several other members of the Howling Commandos, Captain America was able to give the American Army a fighting chance in World War 2 against the Nazi forces and Red Skull of Hydra.

Green Lantern

Two Green Lanterns, both Hal Jordan AND John Stewart, are actually seasoned U.S. military veterans. Hal was a famous fighter pilot in the Air Force, while John Stewart was a highly skilled member of the Marine Corps. Both of these men deemed themselves worthy of wielding the green ring of power and membership in the Green Lantern Corps. The Green Lantern Corps represents the strength of will power, so it should really come as no surprise that two veterans were able to take on that heavy responsibility.

Captain/Ms. Marvel

Whatever title you like to refer to her as, Carol Danvers defied her father’s wishes and joined the Air Force. She quickly rose to the top of the ranks, even working her way into a position with NASA. But in a mission gone awry, Carol was exposed to an alien device and bestowed with newfound superpowers. Coupling her military training and experience with her new gifts, Carol assumed the title of Captain Marvel. It could be argued that Captain Marvel’s military training makes her one of the most gifted strategists in the Marvel Universe.

Punisher

Frank Castle, in many ways, is the best representation of a U.S. war veteran in Marvel Comics. His lack of superpowers means that he relies solely on his training and his will-power to survive. When Frank’s wife and children are murdered by the mob, he assumes the persona of The Punisher, and exacts his vengeance on the scum of New York City. While some of his methods are controversial, Frank’s military background and level-headedness in battle are what establish him as a hero, and not a villain.

Falcon

Depending on your source, Sam Wilson’s history might differ throughout the years. But perhaps most famous is Sam’s background as a military paratrooper for the Air Force and National Guard. When Sam met up with Captain America, a newfound bond was formed, and the two became great friends, and better allies. He adopted the name Falcon, and used his crimson wings and falcon sidekick, Redwing, along with his military experience to fight crime.

The Thing

Ben Grimm has always been known as the muscle behind the Fantastic Four, but his heroics began much earlier, before his rocky transformation. As a member of the Marine Corps and a proven gifted pilot, Ben Grimm quickly became a highlighted member of the armed forces, and also worked his way up to NASA. His physical transformation with his famous teammates might have changed his looks, but Ben Grimm continued to use his military training and expertise, helping the team defeat their adversaries issue after issue.

War Machine

James “Rhodey” Rhodes, in addition to being Tony Stark’s right hand man, is a Lieutenant in the Marine Corps and one of the nation’s most gifted and decorated fighter pilots. His flight experience made him the go-to choice when Tony needed a new body to fill one of his Iron Man suits…and we all know where that led him. As the newfound superhero, War Machine, Rhodey used his military prowess and fighting tactics to dismantle his enemies.

The Comedian

Yeah, we can branch out from the usual Marvel/DC stuff for a second and appreciate a rather unsung hero of the comic/graphic novel world. Eddie Blake, better known as the snarky vigilante and mercenary “The Comedian”, is a veteran of WW2, Vietnam and countless other wars and battles, but technically never went through military training. But, as a hired gunman for the military, he helped save American lives on numerous occasions. With a pretty shady and sometimes despicable history, The Comedian is often a subject for debate, but he still made a name for himself as a proud American war veteran.

Red Hulk

Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross has long been associated with Hulk-lore, often depicted as an angry Army General (or sometimes Air Force officer) who wants nothing more than to bring the big green menace to an end. However, following a super soldier program gone wrong, Thunderbolt Ross became the enormous, super-strong Red Hulk, an anti-hero with as much or more power as the Hulk and with a military background driving his fighting tactics. His methods are questionable at times, but Red Hulk still fights with the best intentions, and carries the markings of a true American vet.

Wolverine

Logan has an elaborate military history, depending on your sources. His regeneration and slow aging make him a go-to choice on the battlefield, so it should come as no surprise that Logan is a tough and proven veteran of the armed forces. Most notably, Logan fought alongside Captain America in WW2, later reteaming with Cap in modern day. Only thing we know for sure is that we sure wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that attack on the battlefield.

Those are just some of the more famous and notable veterans in comics, but we could go on and on. One thing that’s for certain, our love and respect for our fictional heroes can never truly live up to the gratitude that we have for the real vets…those folks are and always will the real deal. They’re the true heroes. For those who are no longer with us, we cannot express our gratitude. If you served, are serving, or know someone who served…thank you for your service. We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Which superheroes do you think we should have included on our list? If you were a soldier, what hero would do relate to?

Happy Memorial Day!

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