Green Lantern (comic book)

Green Lantern is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics heroes of the same name. The character's first incarnation, Alan Scott, appeared in All-American Comics #16, and was later spun off into the first volume of Green Lantern in 1941. That series was canceled in 1949 after 38 issues. When Silver Age Green Lantern Hal Jordan was introduced, that character starred in a new volume of Green Lantern starting in 1960 and has been the main protagonist of the Green Lantern mythos for the majority of the last fifty years.

Although the Green Lantern is considered a mainstay in the DC Comics stable, the series has been canceled and rebooted several times. The first series featuring Hal Jordan was canceled at issue #224, but was restarted with a third volume and a new #1 issue in June 1990. When sales began slipping in the early 1990s, DC Comics instituted a controversial editorial mandate that turned Hal Jordan into the super-villain Parallax and created a new main protagonist named Kyle Rayner. This third volume ended publication in 2004, when the miniseries Green Lantern: Rebirth brought Hal Jordan back as a heroic character once more. After Rebirth's conclusion, writer Geoff Johns began a fourth volume of Green Lantern from 2005 to 2011, and a fifth volume which started immediately after, this time showcasing both Hal Jordan and Sinestro as Green Lanterns.

Volume 1 (1941-1949)
Volume 1 was published from 1941 until 1949 spanning a total of 39 issues. The series featured Alan Scott, the very first Green Lantern character, created by writer/graphic artist Martin Nodell and writer Bill Finger. Alan's first appearance was in the anthology series, All-American Comics #16 (July 1940). The Green Lantern character received his own self-title series in Fall 1941. The first use of the Green Lantern oath was in issue #9 (Late Fall 1943). Artist Alex Toth did some of his earliest comics work on the title beginning with issue #28 (October–November 1947). A canine sidekick named Streak was introduced in #30 (February–March 1948)and the dog proved so popular that he became the featured character on several covers of the series starting with #34. The series was canceled with #38 (May–June 1949). Although there have been several subsequent Green Lantern revival projects over the years, this remains the only series to date to spotlight the character of Alan Scott.

Volume 2 (1960-1972 and 1976-1988)
The Silver Age Green Lantern was created by John Broome and Gil Kane in Showcase #22 (October 1959) at the behest of editor Julius Schwartz. Volume 2 of Green Lantern began publication in August 1960. The series spotlighted the Silver Age Green Lantern, Hal Jordan and introduced the expansive mythology surrounding Hal’s forebearers in the Green Lantern Corps. The supervillain Sinestro was introduced in #7 (July–August 1961). In 2009, Sinestro was ranked IGN's 15th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time. Hal Jordan's love interest, Carol Ferris, became the Star Sapphire in issue #16. Black Hand, a character featured prominently in the "Blackest Night" storyline in 2009-2010, debuted in issue #29 (June 1964). A substitute Green Lantern, Guy Gardner first appeared in the story "Earth's Other Green Lantern!" in issue #59 (March 1968).

Green Arrow joined Hal Jordan in the main feature of the title in an acclaimed, but short-lived series of stories by writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Neal Adams beginning with issue #76 (April 1970) that dealt with various social and political issues in which Green Arrow spoke for radical change while Green Lantern was an establishment conservative figure, wanting to work within existing institutions of government and law. Where Oliver Queen advocated direct action, Hal Jordan wanted to work within the system; where Oliver advocated social change, Jordan was more concerned about dealing with criminals. Each would find their beliefs challenged by the other. Oliver convinced Jordan to see beyond his strict obedience to the Green Lantern Corps, to help those who were neglected or discriminated against. As O'Neil explained: "He would be a hot-tempered anarchist to contrast with the cerebral, sedate model citizen who was the Green Lantern." The duo embarked on a quest to find America, witnessing the problems of corruption, racism, pollution, and overpopulation confronting the nation. Writer Denny O'Neil even took on current events, such as the Manson Family cult murders, in issue #78 where Black Canary falls briefly under the spell of a false prophet who advocates violence.

It was during this period that the most famous Green Arrow story appeared, in Green Lantern vol. 2, #85-86, when it was revealed that Green Arrow's ward Speedy was addicted to heroin. In his zeal to save America, Oliver Queen had failed in his personal responsibility to Speedy — who would overcome his addiction with the help of Black Canary, Green Arrow's then-love interest. This story prompted a congratulatory letter from the mayor of New York, John Lindsay. Another backup Green Lantern, John Stewart was introduced in #87. Unfortunately, the series did not match commercial expectations and Neal Adams had trouble with deadlines, causing issue #88 to be an unscheduled reprint issue; the series was canceled with issue #89 (April–May 1972). Four months later, Green Lantern began a backup feature in The Flash #217 (Aug.-Sept. 1972) and appeared in most issues through The Flash #246 (Jan. 1977) until his own solo series was revived.

The Green Lantern title returned with issue #90 (Aug.-Sept. 1976) and continued the Green Lantern/Green Arrow team format. Julius Schwartz, who had edited the title for most of its run since 1960, left the series as of issue #103 (April 1978). In issue #123 (December 1979), Hal Jordan resumed the title spotlight and Green Arrow left the series. On the advice of artist Joe Staton, editor Jack C. Harris gave British artist Brian Bolland his first assignment for a U.S. comics publisher, the cover for Green Lantern #127 (April 1980). Writer Marv Wolfman and Staton created the Omega Men in Green Lantern #141 (June 1981).

In issue #182, writer Len Wein and artist Dave Gibbons made architect John Stewart, who had been introduced previously in issue #87, the title's primary character. Following the double-sized 200th issue, the format changed again, this time altering the title's name to Green Lantern Corps and focusing upon the seven members of an Earth-based contingent of the Corps (including Jordan and Stewart). The series remained as such until its cancellation in 1988 with issue #224.

Volume 3 (1990-2004)
Volume 3 began in 1990 and featured Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps in stories by Gerard Jones and Pat Broderick. By the mid-1990s, sales on the book began to fall and an editorial mandate was handed down by DC Comics to drastically change the status quo in order to revitalize the title and characters. This was given in the form of the controversial storyline "Emerald Twilight."

"Emerald Twilight" detailed that in the aftermath of the destruction of Hal Jordan's hometown Coast City (which occurred as part of "The Death of Superman" storyline), Jordan was shown going mad with grief by trying to use his power to resurrect the city and its inhabitants. The Guardians of the Universe found fault with Jordan and stated their intent to strip him of his ring. Jordan responded angrily, and sought not only the destruction of the Guardians, but the Green Lantern Corps itself. He killed countless Green Lanterns in his rampage through the universe to Oa, seemingly killed his arch enemy Sinestro, killed the Guardians and took the power of Oa's Central Power Battery for himself. Gaining unimaginable power over space and time, Jordan became the supervillain Parallax and with that, became the leading antagonist going into DC's 1994 event Zero Hour: Crisis in Time.

After this, Kyle Rayner, a young art student, was introduced as the new protagonist and the "last" Green Lantern, since there was no longer a Corps. Writers Ron Marz and Judd Winick both had long runs with the character, building Rayner's popularity so much that he was included in the lineup of Grant Morrison's Justice League relaunch JLA, and slowly reintroduced more familiar Green Lantern aspects over the ten years Rayner had in the title. Volume 3 culminated in a revival of the Guardians of the Universe, the introduction of Ion, and Kyle taking a journey into space that led directly into the miniseries Green Lantern: Rebirth.

Volume 4 (2005-2011)
After the events of Rebirth, in which writer Geoff Johns revealed Parallax to be a parasitic embodiment of fear rather than as an identity of Hal Jordan, a fourth volume of Green Lantern began publication returning Hal Jordan to the prominent Green Lantern in the DC Universe. Johns and artist Carlos Pacheco launched the new series in July 2005. Trying to rebuild his life, Hal Jordan has moved to the nearly deserted Coast City, which is slowly being reconstructed. He has been reinstated as a Captain in the United States Air Force, and works in the Test Pilot Program at Edwards Air Force Base. The series introduces new supporting characters for Hal, most notably a man from Hal's past, Air Force's General Jonathan "Herc" Stone, who learned Hal's secret as Green Lantern during a battle with the Manhunters and acts as his ally. He also begins to develop a romantic attraction with his fellow pilot, the beautiful Captain Jillian "Cowgirl" Pearlman. The returning characters also include Carol Ferris, Tom Kalmaku, and Hal's younger brother James Jordan with his sister-in-law Susan and their children, Howard and Jane.

In his new title, he faces revamped versions of his Silver Age foes such as Hector Hammond, The Shark and Black Hand. As part of DC's reconning of the entire universe, as of Green Lantern vol. 4, #10, the book has skipped ahead one year, bringing drastic changes to Hal Jordan's life, as with every other hero in the DC Universe. It is revealed that Jordan spent time as a P.O.W. in an unnamed conflict and has feelings of guilt from his inability to free himself and his fellow captives.

A new account of Green Lantern's origins was released in the 2008 Green Lantern series "Secret Origin." In this new origin, Hal Jordan, is working as an assistant mechanic under Tom Kalmaku himself, barred from flying due to his insubordination while in the USAF and his employers lingering guilt about his father's death in the line of duty, when Abin Sur, fighting Atrocitus of the Five Inversion, crashes near Coast City. Hal and the rest of the Green Lantern Corps find themselves at war with Sinestro and his army, the Sinestro Corps during the events of the Sinestro Corps War

Leading into the Blackest Night storyline, the Rage of the Red Lanterns arc features Jordan making use of both Red and Blue power rings. In the Agent Orange story arc, Hal Jordan is briefly in command of Larfleeze's power battery after he steals it from him in a battle. The orange light of avarice converses with Jordan, his costume changes, and he becomes an Orange Lantern. Larfleeze quickly takes his power battery back from Jordan. The Green Lantern mythology is center stage with the DC crossover event Blackest Night, which sees dead heroes and villains across the DC Universe becoming active as members of the Black Lantern Corps. Combating Black Lanterns with fellow DC characters Flash, Atom, and Mera, Jordan fights alongside the high profile members of every corps in the emotional spectrum, and oversees new DC characters inductions into all the other corps. Jordan and his "New Guardians" move with the other new corps members to combat the Black Lantern Corps and its leader Nekron directly.

After the conclusion to Blackest Night, the Green Lantern title tied in to the aftermath event Brightest Day, with several members of Corps from across the emotional spectrum seeking to gain control of the White Entity that settled on Earth in the final issue of Blackest Night. After the conclusion of Brightest Day, the mad ex-Guardian of the Universe Krona returns, taking control of the Green Lantern Corps and causing Hal, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and Kyle Rayner to fight their brothers-in-arms across the War of the Green Lanterns event. The War story ends with Hal Jordan killing Krona, an act which alarms the Guardians enough that they strip Hal of his ring and return him to Earth, no longer serving as Green Lantern of Sector 2814. In his place, inexplicably, is Sinestro, former renegade and enemy of the Corps, serving in Hal's place to the shock and chagrin of everyone involved.

On May 31, 2011, it was announced that all published comics taking place within the shared DC Universe would be either canceled or relaunched with new #1 issues, after a new continuity was created in the wake of the Flashpoint event. Green Lantern was no exception, and the first issue of its new volume was released on September 14, 2011.

Volume 5 (2011-current)
DC Comics relaunched Green Lantern with a new issue #1 in September 2011, written again by Geoff Johns and penciled by Doug Mahnke, as part of DC's company-wide title relaunch, The New 52. As with all of the books associated with the DC relaunch, Hal Jordan appears to be about five years younger than the previous incarnation of the character. Superheroes at large have appeared only in the past five years, and are viewed with at best, suspicion, and at worst, outright hostility.

DC Comics editorial confirmed that the entire history of Johns' previous run on the Green Lantern title is still a part of the continuity of The New 52, with major storylines "Rebirth", "Sinestro Corps War", "Blackest Night", and "Brightest Day" all still forming the backbone of the recent history of the characters. As a result, the new volume of Green Lantern continues directly from the events of War of the Green Lanterns, with Sinestro serving as a Green Lantern and Hal Jordan beginning the series powerless on Earth.

The title's first story arc, simply titled "Sinestro", deals with the former renegade's return to the Green Lantern Corps and Hal Jordan's mundane earthbound life. While on patrol, Sinestro visits his home planet of Korugar, and to his horror discovers that the remaining members of the Sinestro Corps have enslaved the planet's populace. In order to assist him in retaking the planet, Sinestro travels to Earth and creates a ring for Hal Jordan, his greatest enemy.

Simon Baz, an Arab-Muslim, becomes the newest Green Lantern in Green Lantern #0.

Collected editions
Several of the comic books have been collected into individual volumes:

Green Lantern vol. 1

 * Golden Age Green Lantern Archives (color, hardcover):
 * Volume 1 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 1) #1 and All-American Comics #16-30, 224 pages, May 1999, ISBN 1-56389-507-2)
 * Volume 2 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 1) #2-3 and All-American Comics #31-38, 232 pages, February 2002, ISBN 1-56389-794-6)

Green Lantern vol. 2

 * Green Lantern Omnibus (color, hardcover):
 * Volume 1 (collects Showcase 22-24 and Green Lantern (vol. 2) #1-21, 640 pages, November 2010, ISBN 1-4012-3056-3)
 * Volume 2 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 2) #22-45, 624 pages, November 2011, ISBN 1-4012-3295-7)
 * Green Lantern Archives (color, hardcover):
 * Volume 1 (collects Showcase #22-24 and Green Lantern (vol. 2) #1-5, 201 pages, ISBN 1-56389-087-9)
 * Volume 2 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 2) #6-13, 210 pages, ISBN 1-56389-566-8)
 * Volume 3 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 2) #14-21, 208 pages, ISBN 1-56389-713-X)
 * Volume 4 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 2) #22-29, 209 pages, ISBN 1-56389-811-X)
 * Volume 5 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 2) #30-38, 240 pages, ISBN 1-4012-0404-X)
 * Volume 6 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 2) #39-47, 240 pages, ISBN 1-4012-1189-5)
 * Volume 7 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 2) #48-57, 256 pages, ISBN 1-4012-3513-1)


 * The Green Lantern Chronicles (color, softcover):
 * Volume 1 (collects Showcase #22-24 and Green Lantern (vol. 2) #1-3, DC Comics, May 2009, ISBN 1-4012-2163-7, Titan Books, June 2009, ISBN 1-84856-224-1)
 * Volume 2 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 2) #4-9 (DC Comics, December 2009, ISBN 1-4012-2499-7)
 * Volume 3 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 2) #10-14; The Flash #131 (DC Comics, November 2010, ISBN 1-4012-2915-8)
 * Volume 4 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 2) #15-20 (DC Comics, March 2012, ISBN 1-4012-3396-1)


 * Showcase Presents: Green Lantern (black and white, softcover):
 * Volume 1 (collects Showcase #22-24 and Green Lantern (vol. 2) #1-17, 528 pages, October 2005, ISBN 1-4012-0759-6)
 * Volume 2 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 2) #18-37 and The Flash #143, 528 pages, February 2007, ISBN 1-4012-1264-6)
 * Volume 3 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 2) #39-59, 528 pages, Titan Books, June 2008, ISBN 1-84576-853-1, DC Comics, June 2008, ISBN 1-4012-1792-3)
 * Volume 4 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 2) #60-75, 392 pages, Titan Books, July 2009, ISBN 1-84856-322-1, DC Comics, June 2009, ISBN 1-4012-2278-1)
 * Volume 5 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 2) #76-89 and The Flash #217-221; #223-224; #226-228; #230-231; #233-234; #237-238; #240-243; #245-246, 496 pages, DC Comics, May 2011 ISBN 1-4012-3023-7)


 * Green Lantern/Green Arrow:
 * Volume 1 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 2) #76-82, June 2004, ISBN 1-4012-0224-1)
 * Volume 2 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 2) #83-87, 89 and back-ups from The Flash #217-219, 226, August 2004, ISBN 1-4012-0230-6)


 * DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore, includes #188: "Mogo Doesn't Socialize" by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons; The Green Lantern Corps Annual #2: "Tygers" by Moore and Kevin O'Neill; and Green Lantern Annual #3: "In Blackest Night" by Moore, Bill Willingham, and Terry Austin, January 2006, ISBN 978-1-4012-0927-8

Green Lantern vol. 3

 * The Road Back (collects Green Lantern (vol. 3) #1-8, ISBN 1563890453)
 * Superman: The Return of Superman (includes Green Lantern (vol. 3) #46, 480 pages, December 1993, ISBN 1-56389-149-2)
 * Emerald Twilight (collects Green Lantern (vol. 3) #48-50, March 1994)
 * Emerald Twilight/New Dawn (collects Green Lantern (vol. 3) #48-55, ISBN 1-56389-999-X)
 * New Dawn (collects Green Lantern (vol. 3) #51-55, October 2003)
 * Baptism of Fire (collects Green Lantern (vol. 3) #59, 66-67, 70-75)
 * Emerald Allies (collects Green Lantern (vol. 3) #76-77, 92 and Green Arrow #104, 110-111, 125-126, ISBN 1-56389-603-6)
 * Emerald Knights (collects Green Lantern (vol. 3) #99-106 and Green Arrow #136, ISBN 1-56389-475-0)
 * New Journey, Old Path (collects Green Lantern (vol. 3) #129-136, ISBN 1-56389-729-6)
 * The Power of Ion (collects Green Lantern (vol. 3) #142-150, ISBN 1-56389-972-8)
 * Brother's Keeper (collects Green Lantern (vol. 3) #151-155 and Green Lantern Secret Files #3, ISBN 1-4012-0078-8)
 * Passing The Torch (collects Green Lantern (vol. 3) #156-161 and Green Lantern Secret Files #2, September 2004, ISBN 1401202373)

Green Lantern vol. 4

 * No Fear (collects Green Lantern (vol. 4) #1-6 and Green Lantern Secret Files and Origins #1, hardcover, DC Comics, April 2006, ISBN 1-4012-0466-X, softcover, Titan Books, June 2008, ISBN 1-84576-204-5, DC Comics, May 2009, ISBN 1-4012-1058-9
 * Revenge of the Green Lantern (collects Green Lantern (vol. 4) #7-13, hardcover, November 2006, ISBN 1-4012-1167-4, softcover, October 2008, ISBN 1-4012-0960-2)
 * Wanted: Hal Jordan (collects Green Lantern (vol. 4) #14-20, hardcover, August 2007, ISBN 1-4012-1339-1, softcover, January 2009, ISBN 1-4012-1590-4)
 * Sinestro Corps War:
 * Volume 1 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 4) #21-23, Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2) #14-15 and "Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special" one-shot, hardcover, February 2008, ISBN 1-4012-1650-1, softcover, May 2009, Titan Books, ISBN 1-84576-783-7, DC Comics, ISBN 1-4012-1870-9)
 * Volume 2 (collects Green Lantern (vol. 4) #24-25 and Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2) #16-19, hardcover, July 2008, ISBN 1-4012-1800-8, softcover, Titan Books, July 2009, ISBN 1-84576-879-5, DC Comics, June 2009, ISBN 1-4012-2036-3)
 * Rage of the Red Lanterns (collects Green Lantern (vol. 4) #26-28, 36-38 and "Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns", 176 pages, hardcover, July 2009, ISBN 1-4012-2301-X, softcover, July 2010, ISBN 1-4012-2302-8)
 * Secret Origin (collects Green Lantern (vol. 4) #29-35, hardcover, Titan Books, January 2009, ISBN 1-84856-049-4, December 2008, DC Comics, ISBN 1-4012-1990-X)
 * Agent Orange (collects Green Lantern (vol. 4) #39-42, 128 pages, hardcover, November 2009, DC Comics, ISBN 1-4012-2421-0)
 * Blackest Night (collects Green Lantern (vol. 4) #43-52, 272 pages, hardcover, July 2010, ISBN 1-4012-2786-4)
 * Green Lantern: Brightest Day (collects Green Lantern (vol. 4) #53–62, 256 pages, hardcover, June 2011, ISBN 1-4012-3181-0)
 * War of the Green Lanterns (collects Green Lantern (vol. 4) #63-67, Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2) #58-60, and Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #8-10, 240 pages, hardcover, November 2011, ISBN 1-4012-3234-5)
 * War of the Green Lanterns: Aftermath (collects Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2) #61-63, Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #11-13, and War of the Green Lantern: Aftermath #1-2, 208 pages, hardcover, January 2012, ISBN 1-4012-3343-0)

Green Lantern vol. 5

 * Green Lantern Vol. 1: Sinestro (collects Green Lantern vol. 5 #1-6, 160 pages, hardcover, May 2012, ISBN 1-4012-3454-2)
 * Green Lantern Vol 2. : Revenge of the Black Hand (collects Green Lantern vol. 5 #7-12, Annual #1, 192 pages, hardcover, January 2013, ISBN 1-4012-3766-5)
 * Green Lantern Vol 3. : The End (collects Green Lantern vol.5 #13-20, 0, 224 pages, hardcover, October 22. 2013, ISBN 1-4012-4408-4)
 * Green Lantern : Rise of the Third Army (collects Green Lantern Annual #1, Green Lantern vol.5 #13-16, Green Lantern Corps vol.3 #13-16, Green Lantern: New Guardians #13-16, Red Lantern #13-16, Green Lantern Corps Annual #1, 416 pages, hardcover, September 10, 2013, ISBN 1-4012-4499-8)
 * Green Lantern: Wrath of the First Lantern (collects Green Lantern vol.5 #17-20, Green Lantern Corps Vol.3 #17-20, Green Lantern: New Guardians #17-20, Red Lantern #17-20, 416 pages, hardcover, February 25, 2014, ISBN 1-4012-4409-2)

Collections with multi-series spans

 * Green Lantern Corps: Through The Ages (collects Green Lantern (vol. 2) #30, Green Lantern (vol. 4) #3, Showcase #22, Green Lantern Gallery, Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn #4 and Green Lantern Secret Files 2005)
 * Green Lantern: In Brightest Day (Green Lantern #7, 40, 59, 162, 173, 177, 182, 183 and 188, Green Lantern (vol. 2) #51, Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #6 and Green Lantern Corps Annuals #2, ISBN 978-1-4012-1986-4)
 * Green Lantern: The Greatest Stories Ever Told (collects Green Lantern (vol.2) #1, 31, 74, 87, 172, Green Lantern (vol.3) #3, Flash/Green Lantern: Brave/Bold #2, Showcase #22 and Green Lantern Secret Files 2005, ISBN 1-4012-0961-0)