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{{short description|Multiple superheroes from the DC universe}}
[[Image:Greenlanternrebirth6.jpg|right|thumb|230px|Cover to ''Green Lantern: Rebirth #6'', art by [[Ethan Van Sciver]]. Featured left to right are [[Guy Gardner (comics)|Guy Gardner]], [[Kyle Rayner]], [[Hal Jordan]], [[John Stewart (Comics)|John Stewart]] and [[Kilowog]].]]
{{About|the fictional characters|other uses|Green Lantern (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox comics set index
|image = Green Lantern Rebirth 6.jpg
|caption = Cover of ''[[Green Lantern: Rebirth]]'' #6 (May 2005)<br />Pictured left to right: [[Guy Gardner (character)|Guy Gardner]], [[Kyle Rayner]], [[Hal Jordan]], [[John Stewart (character)|John Stewart]], and [[Kilowog]].<br>Art by [[Ethan Van Sciver]].
|alt =
|publisher = [[DC Comics]]
|debut = ''[[All-American Comics]]'' #16
|debutmo = July
|debutyr = 1940
|debutyr1 = 1959
|debutyr2 = 1968
|debutyr3 = 1971
|debutyr4 = 1994
|debutyr5 = 2012
|writer1 = [[Martin Nodell]]
|creators = '''Alan Scott:'''<br/>[[Martin Nodell]]<br/>[[Bill Finger]]
<br/>'''Hal Jordan:'''<br/>[[John Broome (writer)|John Broome]]<br/>[[Gil Kane]]<br/>'''John Stewart:'''<br/>[[Dennis O'Neil]]<br/>[[Neal Adams]]
|characters = [[Alan Scott]]<br/>[[Hal Jordan]]<br/>[[Guy Gardner (character)|Guy Gardner]]<br/>[[John Stewart (character)|John Stewart]]<br/>[[Kyle Rayner]]<br/>[[Simon Baz]]<br/>[[Jessica Cruz]]<br/>[[Sojourner Mullein]]
|seealso = [[Green Lantern Corps]]
|cat =
|subcat = All-American Publications
|hero = y
|villain =
|sortkey = Green Lantern
|addcharcat1= DC Comics superheroes}}
'''Green Lantern''' is the name of several [[superhero]]es appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]]. They fight evil with the aid of rings that grant them a variety of extraordinary powers, all of which come from imagination, fearlessness, and the electromagnetic spectrum of emotional willpower.<ref name="dc-ency-aw2">{{Citation|last=Wallace|first=Dan|title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia|page=93|year=2008|editor-last=Dougall|editor-first=Alastair|contribution=Green Lantern's Power Ring|place=New York|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]]|isbn=978-0-7566-4119-1|oclc=213309017}}</ref> The characters are typically depicted as members of the [[Green Lantern Corps]], an intergalactic law enforcement agency.
 
The first Green Lantern character, [[Alan Scott]], was created in 1940 by [[Martin Nodell]] with scripting or co-scripting of the first stories by [[Bill Finger]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=TwoMorrows Publishing – Alter Ego #5 – Mart Nodell Interview|url=https://twomorrows.com/alterego/articles/05nodell.html|access-date=2021-11-27|website=twomorrows.com}}</ref> during the [[Golden Age of Comic Books]] and usually fought common criminals in Capitol City (and later, [[Gotham City]]) with the aid of his [[magic ring]]. For the [[Silver Age of Comic Books]], [[John Broome (writer)|John Broome]] and [[Gil Kane]] reinvented the character as [[Hal Jordan]] in 1959 and introduced the Green Lantern Corps, shifting the nature of the character from fantasy to science fiction. During the [[Bronze Age of Comic Books]], [[Dennis O'Neil]] and [[Neal Adams]] introduced [[John Stewart (character)|John Stewart]], a new member of the Corps who was one of DC's first Black superheroes. Other notable Green Lanterns include [[Guy Gardner (character)|Guy Gardner]], [[Kyle Rayner]], [[Simon Baz]], [[Jessica Cruz]] and [[Sojourner Mullein|Jo Mullein]].
:''For the DJ, see [[DJ Green Lantern]].''
 
The Green Lanterns are among DC Comics' longest lasting sets of characters. They have been adapted to television, video games, and motion pictures.
'''Green Lantern''' is the name of several [[fictional character|fictional]] [[superhero|superheroes]] in the [[DC Comics]] [[DC universe|universe]]. The first was created by writer [[Bill Finger]] and artist [[Martin Nodell]] in ''[[All-American Comics]]'' #16 (July 1940). The best-known is [[Hal Jordan]], created by [[John Broome]] and [[Gil Kane]] in ''[[Showcase (comics)|Showcase]]'' #22 (Oct. 1959).
 
Each Green Lantern possesses a "[[Power ring (weapon)|power ring]]" that gives the user great control over the physical world as long as the wielder has sufficient willpower. While the ring of the [[Golden Age of Comic Books|Golden Age]] Green Lantern ([[Alan Scott]]) was magically powered, the rings worn by all subsequent Lanterns were the creations of the [[Guardians of the Universe]], who granted such rings to worthy candidates. These individuals made up the intergalactic [[police force]] known as the [[Green Lantern Corps]].
 
After [[World War II]], when sales of superhero comic books generally declined, DC ceased publishing new adventures of the Alan Scott Green Lantern. At the beginning of the [[Silver Age of Comic Books]], DC editor [[Julius Schwartz]] had writer Broome and artist Kane revive Green Lantern as a new character, [[test pilot]] Hal Jordan, who became a founding member of the [[Justice League|Justice League of America]]. In the early 1970s, writer [[Denny O'Neil]] and artist [[Neal Adams]] teamed Green Lantern with archer [[Green Arrow]] in groundbreaking, socially conscious, and award-winning stories that pitted the sensibilities of the law-and-order-oriented Lantern with the [[populism|populist]] Green Arrow. Several cosmically themed series followed, as did occasional different individuals in the role of Earth's Green Lantern. Most prominent of these are [[John Stewart (comics)|John Stewart]], [[Guy Gardner (comics)|Guy Gardner]], and [[Kyle Rayner]].
 
Green Lantern has proven to be one of DC's most popular superheroes. Each Green Lantern was a member of the [[Justice Society of America]] or the Justice League, and John Stewart was featured in the ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' [[animated series]].
 
==Publication history==
{{see also|Green Lantern (comic book)}}
===Golden Age===
 
=== Golden Age ===
Green Lantern (sometimes called The Green Lantern in the early days) was created by [[Martin Nodell]] (using the name Mart Dellon) and [[Bill Finger]]. He first appeared in the [[Golden Age of comic books]] in ''[[All-American Comics]]'' #16 (July 1940), published by [[All-American Publications]], one of three companies that would eventually merge to form [[DC Comics]]. This Green Lantern was '''[[Alan Scott]]''', an engineer who had come into possession of a magic lantern. From this, he crafted a [[magic ring|power ring]] which gave him a wide variety of powers. The limitations of the ring were that it had to be "charged" every 24 hours by touching it to the lantern for a time, and that it did not work on wood.
 
[[Martin Nodell]] (initially using the pen-name Mart Dellon) created the first Green Lantern in collaboration with [[Bill Finger]]. He first appeared in the [[Golden Age of Comic Books]] in ''[[All-American Comics]]'' #16 (July 1940), published by [[All-American Publications]], one of three companies that would eventually merge to form [[DC Comics]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Benton |first1=Mike |title=Superhero Comics of the Golden Age: The Illustrated History |date=1992 |publisher=Taylor Publishing Company |___location=Dallas |isbn=0-87833-808-X |pages=[https://archive.org/details/superherocomicso0000bent/page/104 104]-105 |url=https://archive.org/details/superherocomicso0000bent |url-access=registration |access-date=15 January 2020}}</ref>
[[Image:GreenLantern40.jpg|thumb|175px|right|Green Lanterns of two worlds: Hal Jordan (left) meets Alan Scott in ''Green Lantern'' #40 (Oct. 1965). Cover art by [[Gil Kane]] & [[Murphy Anderson]].]]
Green Lantern was a popular character in the 1940s, featured in both ''All-American Comics'' and in his own title and co-starring in ''[[Comic Cavalcade]]'' along with [[Flash (comics)|The Flash]] and [[Wonder Woman]]. He was a charter member of the [[Justice Society of America]], whose adventures ran in ''[[All Star Comics]]''. After World War II, the popularity of superheroes declined. The ''Green Lantern'' comic book was cancelled with issue #38 (June 1949). ''[[All Star Comics]]'' #57 (1951) was the character's last Golden Age appearance.
 
This Green Lantern's real name was [[Alan Scott]], a railroad engineer who, after a railway crash, came into possession of a magic lantern which spoke to him and said it would bring power. From this, he crafted a [[magic ring]] that gave him a wide variety of powers. The limitations of the ring were that it had to be "charged" every 24 hours by touching it to the lantern for a time and that it could not directly affect objects made of wood. Alan Scott fought mostly ordinary human villains, but he did have a few paranormal ones such as the immortal [[Vandal Savage]] and the zombie [[Solomon Grundy (character)|Solomon Grundy]]. Most stories took place in New York. Green Lantern rings are made from magic.
===Revival during the Silver Age===
 
As a popular character in the 1940s, the Green Lantern featured both in anthology books such as ''All-American Comics'' and ''[[Comic Cavalcade]]'', as well as his own book, ''Green Lantern''. He also appeared in ''[[All Star Comics]]'' as a member of the superhero team known as the [[Justice Society of America]].
In 1956, DC Comics successfully revived superheroes, ushering in what became known as the [[Silver Age of comic books]]. Rather than bringing back the same Golden Age heroes — as [[Atlas Comics (1950s)|Atlas Comics]], the 1950s precursor of [[Marvel Comics]], unsuccessfully tried to do — DC reimagined them as new characters for the modern age. Following the successful revival of the Flash in ''[[Showcase (comic book)|Showcase]]'' #4 (Oct. 1956), a new Green Lantern was introduced in ''[[Showcase (comic book)|Showcase]]'' #22 (September-October 1959).
 
After [[World War II]] the popularity of [[superhero]]es in general declined. The ''Green Lantern'' [[comic book]] was cancelled with issue #38 (May–June 1949), and ''[[All Star Comics]]'' #57 (1951) was the character's last Golden Age appearance. When superheroes came back in fashion in later decades, the character Alan Scott was revived, but he was forever marginalized by the new [[Hal Jordan]] character who had been created to supplant him (see below). Initially, he made guest appearances in other superheroes' books, but eventually got regular roles in books featuring the Justice Society. He never got another solo series, although he did star in individual stories and in the single-issue 2002 comic book ''Brightest Day, Blackest Night.''<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Seagle|first1=Steven T|title=Green Lantern: Brightest Day, Blackest Night|last2=Snyder|first2=John K III|publisher=DC Comics|year=2002}}</ref> Between 1995 and 2003, DC Comics changed Alan Scott's superhero codename to "Sentinel" in order to distinguish him from the newer and more popular science fictional Green Lanterns.
This Green Lantern was [[Hal Jordan]], a test pilot who was given the ring by a dying alien, [[Abin Sur]], and who became a member of the [[Green Lantern Corps]], an interstellar organization of police overseen by the [[Guardians of the Universe]]. The Corps' rings were powerless against anything colored yellow, due to a necessary impurity in the ring. Jordan's creation was motivated by a desire to make him more of a [[science fiction]] hero, editor [[Julius Schwartz]] having been a longtime science-fiction fan and literary agent who saw [[pop-culture]] tastes turning in that direction.
 
In 2011, the Alan Scott character was revamped. His costume was redesigned to be all green and the source of his powers was changed to that of the mystical power of nature (referred to in the stories as "the Green").
The Silver Age Green Lantern was unique in several ways. He was the first DC superhero to use his powers selfishly (in his romance with [[Carol Ferris]]) and he was the first DC superhero with a family. Written by [[John Broome (writer)|John Broome]] and drawn by [[Gil Kane]], these stories have been reprinted in deluxe hardback editions.
 
===Silver Age===
This Green Lantern was a founding member of the [[Justice League|Justice League of America]] and starred in his own title as well; in issue #40 (Oct. 1965), he met his Golden Age predecessor, who was established to live on the [[Multiverse (DC Comics)|parallel world]] of Earth-Two, separate from Jordan's Earth-One. The two Lanterns struck up a close friendship and have periodically come to each other's aid. Hal Jordan's Green Lantern also became close friends with the Flash, and the two heroes appeared frequently in each other's comics to team up.
In 1959, [[Julius Schwartz]] reinvented the Green Lantern character as a science fiction hero named [[Hal Jordan]]. Hal Jordan's powers were more or less the same as Alan Scott's, but otherwise this character was completely different from the Green Lantern character of the 1940s. He had a new name, a redesigned costume, and a rewritten origin story. Hal Jordan received his ring from a dying alien and was commissioned as an officer of the [[Green Lantern Corps]], an interstellar law enforcement agency overseen by the [[Guardians of the Universe]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Albert|first=Aaron|url=http://comicbooks.about.com/od/greenlantern/p/glhaljordan.htm|title=Green Lantern – Hal Jordan Profile|access-date=17 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117112607/http://comicbooks.about.com/od/greenlantern/p/glhaljordan.htm|archive-date=17 January 2013}}</ref>
[[Image:GreenLantern86.jpg|thumb|left|175px|"My ward is a junkie!" ''Green Lantern'' #86 (Nov. 1971). Cover art by [[Neal Adams]].]]<!--confirmed: he both penciled & inked-->
With issue #76 (April 1970), the series made a radical stylistic departure. Editor Schwartz, in one of the company's earliest efforts to provide more than light [[fantasy]], worked with the writer-artist team of [[Denny O'Neil]] and [[Neal Adams]] to spark new interest in the book and address a perceived need for social "relevance" — a general [[pop-culture]] [[catchphrase]] of the time. They added the character [[Green Arrow]] (with the cover though not the official indicia retitled ''Green Lantern Co-Starring Green Arrow'') and had the pair travel through America encountering "real world" issues, to which they reacted in different ways — Green Lantern as fundamentally a lawman, Green Arrow as a [[liberal]] [[iconoclast]]. Additionally during this run, Green Arrow's teen sidekick [[Speedy]] (the later grownup hero [[Arsenal (comics)|Arsenal]]) developed a [[heroin]] [[addiction]] that he was forcibly made to quit. The stories were critically acclaimed, with publications such as ''[[The New York Times]]'', ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', and ''[[Newsweek]]'' citing it as an example of how comic books were "growing up".<ref>Wright, Bradford W. ''Comic Book Nation''. Johns Hopkins, 2001. Pg. 227</ref> However, the O'Neil/Adams run was not a commercial success, and after only 14 issues the two left the title.
 
Hal Jordan was introduced in ''[[Showcase (comic book)|Showcase]]'' #22 (September–October 1959). [[Gil Kane]] and [[Sid Greene]] were the art team most notable on the title in its early years, along with writer [[John Broome (writer)|John Broome]]. His initial physical appearance, according to Kane, was patterned after his one-time neighbor, actor [[Paul Newman]].<ref name="stow">{{cite web |last1=Stowe |first1=Dusty |title=15 Things You Didn't Know About Green Lantern |url=https://screenrant.com/green-lantern-trivia-facts/ |website=Screenrant.com |date=3 August 2017 |publisher=Screen Rant, Inc. |access-date=9 November 2019}}</ref>
===Awards===
The series and its creators have received several awards over the years, including the 1961 [[Alley Award]] for Best Adventure Hero/Heroine with Own Book; and [[Academy of Comic Book Arts]]' [[Shazam Award]] for Best Continuing Feature in 1970, for Best Individual Story ("No Evil Shall Escape My Sight", ''Green Lantern'' #76, by Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams), and in '''year tk'' for Best Individual Story ("Snowbirds Don't Fly", ''Green Lantern'' #85 by O'Neil and Adams).
 
===Later developments===
Writer O'Neil received the Shazam Award for Best Writer (Dramatic Division) in 1970 for his work on Green Lantern, [[Batman]], [[Superman]], and other titles, while artist Adams received the Shazam for Best Artist (Dramatic Division) in 1970 for his work on Green Lantern and Batman. Inker [[Dick Giordano]] received the Shazam Award for Best Inker (Dramatic Division) for his work on Green Lantern and other titles.
With issue #76 (April 1970), the series made a radical stylistic departure. Editor Schwartz, in one of the company's earliest efforts to provide more than fantasy, worked with the writer-artist team of [[Dennis O'Neil|Denny O'Neil]] and [[Neal Adams]] to spark new interest in the comic book series and address a perceived need for social relevance. They added the character [[Green Arrow]] (with the cover, but not the official name, retitled ''Green Lantern Co-Starring Green Arrow'') and had the pair travel through America encountering "real world" issues, to which they reacted in different ways — Green Lantern as fundamentally a lawman, Green Arrow as a [[Liberalism|liberal]] [[iconoclasm|iconoclast]]. Additionally during this run, the groundbreaking "[[Snowbirds Don't Fly]]" story was published (issues #85–86) in which Green Arrow's teen sidekick [[Speedy (DC Comics)|Speedy]] (the later grown-up hero [[Roy Harper (character)|Red Arrow]]) developed a [[heroin]] [[Substance use disorder|addiction]] that he was forcibly made to quit. The stories were critically acclaimed, with publications such as ''[[The New York Times]]'', ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', and ''[[Newsweek]]'' citing it as an example of how comic books were "growing up".<ref>Wright, Bradford W. ''Comic Book Nation''. Johns Hopkins, 2001. p. 227</ref> However, the O'Neil/Adams run was not a commercial success, and the series was cancelled after only 14 issues, though an additional unpublished three installments were finally published as back-ups in ''[[The Flash (comic book)|The Flash]]'' #217–219.<ref name="back45">{{cite journal|last= Wells|first= John|date= December 2010|title= Green Lantern/Green Arrow: And Through Them Change an Industry|journal= [[Back Issue!]]|issue= #45|pages= 39–54|publisher= [[TwoMorrows Publishing]]}}</ref>
 
The title saw a number of revivals and cancellations. It changed to ''Green Lantern Corps'' at one point as the popularity rose and waned. During a time there were two regular titles, each with a Green Lantern, and a third member in the Justice League. A new character, [[Kyle Rayner]], was created to become the feature while Hal Jordan first became the villain [[Parallax (comics)|Parallax]], then died and came back as the [[Spectre (DC Comics character)|Spectre]].
==Character biographies==
[[Image:Alan scott-ross.jpg|thumb|left|Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern. Promotional cover art for ''JSA'' #77, by Alex Ross.]]
===Golden Age Green Lantern: Alan Scott===
{{main|Alan Scott}}
 
In the wake of ''[[DC: The New Frontier|The New Frontier]]'', writer Geoff Johns returned Hal Jordan as Green Lantern in ''[[Green Lantern: Rebirth]]'' (2004–05). Johns began to lay the groundwork for "[[Blackest Night]]" (released July 13, 2010)<ref>{{cite book|title=Green Lantern: Blackest Night (9781401227869): Geoff Johns, Doug Mahnke: Books |isbn = 978-1401227869|last1 = Johns|first1 = Geoff|year = 2010| publisher=DC Comics }}</ref>), viewing it as the third part of the trilogy started by ''Rebirth''. Expanding on the Green Lantern mythology in the second part, "[[Sinestro Corps War]]" (2007), Johns, with artist [[Ethan van Sciver]], found wide critical acclaim and commercial success with the series, which promised the introduction of a spectrum of colored "lanterns".
Thousands of years ago, a mystical "green flame" fell to Earth. The voice of the flame prophesied that it would act three times: Once to bring death, once to bring life, and once to bring power. By 1940, the flame had been fashioned into a metal lantern, which fell into the hands of Alan Scott, a young engineer. Following a railroad bridge collapse, the flame instructed Scott how to fashion a ring from its metal, to give him fantastic powers as the superhero Green Lantern. He adopted a colorful costume and became a crimefighter. Alan was a founding member of the [[Justice Society of America]]. He is also an honorary member of the [[Green Lantern Corps]].
 
=== Timeline ===
===Silver Age Green Lantern: Hal Jordan===
{{Green Lantern timeline}}
[[Image:Jordan pacheco.jpg|thumb|Hal Jordan, the second and best-known Green Lantern. Promotional cover art for ''Green Lantern'' Vol. 4, #1, by Carlos Pacheco & Jesús Merino.]]
{{main|Hal Jordan}}
 
===Awards===
The second Green Lantern was Harold "Hal" Jordan, who in 1959 comics was a second-generation [[test pilot]], having followed in the footsteps of his father, Martin Jordan. He was given the power ring and battery (lantern) by a dying [[Extraterrestrial life|alien]] named [[Abin Sur]], whose [[Starship|spaceship]] crashed on [[Earth]]. Abin Sur used his ring to seek out an individual who was "utterly honest and born without fear" to take his place as Green Lantern. Jordan became a founding member of the Justice League of America and as of the mid-2000s is, along with John Stewart, one of the two active-duty Lanterns in Earth's sector of space.
The series and its creators have received several awards over the years, including the 1961 [[Alley Award]] for Best Adventure Hero/Heroine with Own Book<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/alley61.php|title=1961 Alley Awards|access-date=22 November 2011|year=2006|author=Joel Hahn|work=Comic Book Awards Almanac}}</ref> and the [[Academy of Comic Book Arts]] [[Shazam Award]] for Best Continuing Feature in 1970, for Best Individual Story ("No Evil Shall Escape My Sight", ''Green Lantern'' (vol. 2) #76 by [[Dennis O'Neil]] and [[Neal Adams]]),<ref name="Shazam1970">{{cite web|url=http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/shazam70.php|title=1970 Academy of Comic Book Arts Awards
|author=Joel Hahn|work=Comic Book Awards Almanac|year=2006|access-date=22 November 2011}}</ref> and in 1971 for Best Individual Story ("Snowbirds Don't Fly", ''Green Lantern'' (vol. 2) #85 by O'Neil and Adams).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/shazam71.php|title=1971 Academy of Comic Book Arts Awards
|author=Joel Hahn|work=Comic Book Awards Almanac|year=2006|access-date=22 November 2011}}</ref>
 
Writer O'Neil received the Shazam Award for Best Writer (Dramatic Division) in 1970 for his work on ''Green Lantern'', ''[[Batman]]'', ''[[Superman]]'' and other titles, while artist Adams received the Shazam for Best Artist (Dramatic Division) in 1970 for his work on ''Green Lantern'' and ''Batman''.<ref name="Shazam1970"/> Inker [[Dick Giordano]] received the Shazam Award for Best Inker (Dramatic Division) for his work on ''Green Lantern'' and other titles.<ref name="Shazam1970"/>
===Modern Green Lanterns===
====Robert Taggett====
[[image:greenlantern156.jpg|thumb|left|John Stewart. Promotional cover art for ''Green Lantern'' Vol. 3, #156, by Ariel Olivetti.]]
{{main|John Stewart (comics)}}
 
In [[Judd Winick]]'s first regular writing assignment on Green Lantern, he wrote a storyline in which an assistant of Kyle Rayner's emerged as a gay character in ''Green Lantern'' (vol. 3) #137 (June 2001). In ''Green Lantern'' (vol. 3) #154 (November 2001) the story entitled "Hate Crime" gained media recognition when his friend Terry Berg was brutally beaten in a homophobic attack. Winick was interviewed on Phil Donahue's show on MSNBC for that storyline on August 15, 2002<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.antiquetrader.com/tag/comics-buyers-guide|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530125410/http://www.cbgxtra.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1191|url-status=dead|title=Comics Buyer's Guide|archive-date=May 30, 2010|website=Antique Trader|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref> and received two [[GLAAD Media Award]]s for his Green Lantern work.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=2238|title=Green Lantern Honored by GLAAD|author=Jonah Weiland|date=13 June 2003|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=22 November 2011}}</ref>
The third Green Lantern was John Stewart, an unemployed [[architect]] who was selected by the Guardians to replace [[Guy Gardner (comics)|Guy Gardner]] as Jordan's backup. When Jordan resigned from the Corps for an extended period of time, Stewart served as the regular Lantern for that period. Since then, Stewart was in and out of action due to various circumstances, but by the 2000s began serving with Jordan as one of his sector's two designated regular-duty Lanterns.
 
In May 2011, Green Lantern placed 7th on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/top/comic-book-heroes/7|title=Hal Jordan (Green Lantern) – #7 Top Comic Book Heroes|website=IGN|date=May 2011|access-date=22 November 2011|archive-date=10 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210005105/http://www.ign.com/top/comic-book-heroes/7|url-status=dead}}</ref>
====Guy Gardner====
[[image:GL guy bg.jpg|thumb|right|Guy Gardner. Prmotional cover art for ''Green Lantern Corps: Recharge'' #1, by Patrick Gleason.]]
{{main|Guy Gardner (comics)}}
Guy Gardner was the second choice to replace Abin Sur as Green Lantern of sector 2814. During ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'', the Guardians split into factions, one of which appointed Gardner their champion. He has gone through many changes, including wielding [[Sinestro]]'s Qwardian [[Power ring (weapon)|power ring]], the gaining and losing Vuldarian powers, and readmission to the Corps during ''Green Lantern: Rebirth''. He later became part of the Green Lantern Honor Guard, and oversees new Green Lanterns' training.
 
====Kyle Rayner=Legal disputes ===
DC Comics has been involved in two disputes concerning Green Lantern trade marks before the United States Patent and Trade Mark Office, the first in 2012 and the second in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stewart|first=DG|date=August 26, 2020|title=Happy 80th birthday, Green Lantern|url=https://www.worldcomicbookreview.com/2020/08/26/happy-80th-birthday-green-lantern/|access-date=January 19, 2021|website=World Comic Book Review}}</ref>
{{main|Kyle Rayner}}
Kyle Rayner was a struggling freelance artist when he was approached by the last Guardian of the Universe, [[Ganthet]], to become a new Green Lantern with the last power ring. Ganthet's reasons for choosing Rayner is unrevealed. Despite not being cut from the same cloth of bravery and fearlessness as Hal Jordan — or perhaps because of that — Rayner proved to be popular with readers and his fellow characters. Having continually proven himself on his own and with the JLA, he became known amongst the Oans as "The Torch Bearer". He was responsible for the rebirth of the Guardians and the re-ignition of the Central Power Battery, essentially restoring all that Jordan had destroyed as Parallax. Rayner later began operating as the Green Lantern known as Ion.
[[Image:Glkyle.PNG|thumb|left|Kyle Rayner. Promotional cover art for ''Green Lantern'' Vol. 3 #152, by Jim Lee & Scott Williams.]]
 
==Characters==
=== Superheroes who wore the Power Ring ===
===Golden Age Green Lantern===
*Other DC Superheroes who have wielded the GL Ring and/or powers temporarily include [[Superman]] (''Action Comics'' #642), [[Dick Grayson|Nightwing]] (''Action Comics'' #642, ''DC Comics Presents'' #6), [[Green Arrow]] (''[[Green Lantern: Rebirth]]'' #4), and [[Zatanna]] (''Green Lantern'' (2nd series) #42, ''Green Lantern'' 80-Page Giant #2). The dark form of the newest [[Supergirl]] (Kara Zor-El), induced by black kryptonite, has also wielded John Stewart's Ring (''Supergirl'' #4). It is unknown if the normal Supergirl has the ability to do so. Batman has also used the ring, on Hal's suggestion, to see his parents to overcome his fear (Green Lantern #9). The villain [[Star Sapphire]] briefly had control of the ring (also in ''DC Comics Presents'' #6).
*[[Alan Scott]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-05 |title=Golden Age Green Lantern Alan Scott Returns In First Solo Book In 80 Years |url=https://screenrant.com/dc-comics-alan-scott-green-lantern-new-series/ |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref>
*DC Superheroes who have filled the role in DC's Elseworlds or other alternate universes include [[Clark Kent]] (''Superman: Last Son of Earth''), [[Bruce Wayne]] (''In Darkest Knight''), [[Barbara Gordon]] (''JLA: Created Equal''), [[Uncle Sam (comics)|Uncle Sam]] (''Superman/Batman'' #15), and [[Big Barda]] in ''JLA: Another Nail''.
 
===Silver Age Green Lantern===
==Powers and abilities==
*[[Hal Jordan]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-16 |title=Hal Jordan Is DC's Most Boring Green Lantern & That's His Greatest Strength |url=https://screenrant.com/hal-jordan-dc-most-boring-green-lantern-greatest-strength/ |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref>
{{main|Power ring (weapon)}}
All Green Lanterns wield a power [[Power ring (weapon)|ring]] that can generate a variety of effects and energy constructs, sustained purely by the ring wearer's strength of will. The greater the user's willpower, the more effective the ring. The limits of the power ring's abilities are not clearly defined and it has been referred to as "the most powerful weapon in the universe" on more than one occasion. Across the years, the ring has been shown capable of accomplishing ''anything'' within the imagination of the ring bearer. Often the rings are used to form solid-light constructs, the power and size of which are limited only by the ring-bearer's willpower.
 
===Bronze Age Green Lanterns===
Power rings of various wielders have exhibited (but are not limited to) the following:
*[[Guy Gardner (character)|Guy Gardner]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-02-04 |title=All the Different Green Lanterns of Earth, Explained |url=https://collider.com/green-lanterns-explained/ |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref>
*Plasma based constructs limited to the willpower of the bearer
*[[John Stewart (character)|John Stewart]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-20 |title=10 Best Green Lantern Comic Book Storylines |url=https://screenrant.com/best-green-lantern-comic-book-storylines/ |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref>
*Semisentient computers, including Book of Oa reference, from laws to the history of the universe
*Flight across the cosmos through wormholes
*Finite power source, but no longer limited to 24 hours. Kyle Rayner's ring was the first ring to absorb more power than originally thought, having stored the main power battery's energy following its explosion on Oa.
*Force field generation
*Radiation simulation, including Kryptonite
*Upon death of the wielder, the ring automatically looks for a replacement.
 
===Modern Age Green Lanterns===
==Television==
*[[Kyle Rayner]]<ref name=":0" />
Several Green Lanterns have appeared in animated TV shows, both as regular characters and as guest stars.
*[[Simon Baz]]
*[[Jessica Cruz]]
*[[Sojourner Mullein]]
*[[Teen Lantern|Keli Quintela]]
 
===Others who have headlined as Green Lantern in a Green Lantern comic book or related title===
===Regular roles===
*[[Jade (DC Comics)]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-16 |title=Stargirl: Jade, the Arrowverse's Newest Green Lantern, Explained |url=https://www.cbr.com/stargirl-dc-comics-jade/ |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref>
Hal Jordan was the featured character in a solo series which was part of ''[[The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure]]'' ([[1967]]) as well as part of the Justice League segments. These would be the character's first animated appearances. In addition, Hal Jordan's Green Lantern was an occasional supporting character in the various ''[[Super Friends]]'' incarnations.
*[[Sinestro]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-14 |title=Green Lantern: Sinestro's Hero/Villain Origins Explained |url=https://screenrant.com/green-lantern-sinestro-hero-villain-comic-origin-explained/ |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref>
*Jediah Caul<ref>{{Cite web |title='Threshold' showcases big, bold sci-fi concepts |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/01/14/threshold-science-fiction-comic-book-series/1831991/ |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>
*Tai Pham <ref>{{Cite web |title=Green Lantern: Legacy |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/610866/green-lantern-legacy-by-minh-le/9781401283551|access-date=2023-06-11 |website=penguinrandomhouse.ca|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Green Lantern: Legacy |url=https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/green-lantern-legacyaccess-date=2023-06-11 |website=dc.com |language=en-US }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Green Lantern: Alliance|url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/696713/green-lantern-alliance-by-minh-le/access-date=2023-06-11 |website=penguinrandomhouse.ca|language=en-US}}</ref>
 
==Powers and abilities==
[[Image:Justice_league_green_lantern.jpg|thumb|200px|Green Lantern John Stewart in ''Justice League''.]]
{{Main|Power ring (DC Comics)}}
John Stewart is a member of the Justice League in the [[Justice League (animated series)|''Justice League'' animated series]]. In this series, Stewart's ring was initially constrained to permitting him to fly, generating a protective force field, creating walls, and firing energy blasts; this limitation was established as being due to Stewart's mindset, not an inherent limitation of the ring itself (the series' version of John Stewart is a former [[US Marine Corps|Marine]], not an architect.) After being berated by Katma Tui for his unimaginative use of the ring, Stewart has increasingly generated complex tools (to defuse a bomb in one instance) and weapons. In a development not seen in any other version of the Green Lantern mythos, Stewart's eyes glow green as a side effect of the Ring's radiation (the glow fades when the ring runs out of power). In addition, the ring is effective against yellow; Stewart is seen fighting [[Sinestro]] in one episode and the yellow energy does not prove to be a significant problem for the Lantern, although in a later episode of Justice League Unlimited, the Flash threw yellow [[Jell-o]] at him and his force field broke. Another feature of this series is Stewart's dramatic lovelife.
Each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants them a variety of abilities. The ring is powered by willpower. The full extent of the ring's abilities has never been rigorously defined in the stories, but two consistent traits are that it grants the power of flight and that all of its effects are accompanied by a green light.
 
==Green Lantern Oath==
{{spoiler}}
In issue #9 of the original Alan Scott ''Green Lantern'' comic book, scriptwriter [[Alfred Bester]], best known as a major [[science fiction]] novelist of the 1950s (and one who had included rhymed [[couplets]] in his work) introduced the Green Lantern Oaths:<ref>{{cite book |author=Cowsill |first1=Alan |title=DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle |last2=Irvine |first2=Alexander |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=McAvennie |first4=Michael |last5=Scott |first5=Melanie |last6=Wallace |first6=Daniel |last7=Dougall |first7=Alastair |last8=Cerasi |first8=Christopher |publisher=DK Publishing |year=2019 |isbn=9781465496089 |page=41 |oclc=1121593768}}</ref>
After a failed romance with fellow Justice League member [[Hawkgirl]], Stewart begins a relationship with [[Vixen (comics)|Vixen]], although an episode where he travels into the future seems to indicate that he will come to have a son with Hawkgirl later on. However, with the recent appearance of the Carter Hall/Katar Hol incarnation of [[Hawkman]] in the series, that changed, and the two did not end up together after all (though it's still left up in the air at the end of the series - Hawkgirl considers Hawkman a stalker, not a boyfriend, and she still loves John). Hawkman also concludes at the end of the episode that he and Hawkgirl are just not fated to be with each other.
{{endspoiler}}
 
{{poem quote|In brightest day, in darkest night
===Guest appearances===
No evil shall escape my sight!
*[[Kyle Rayner]] appeared as Green Lantern in one episode of ''[[Superman: The Animated Series]]''. This incarnation appeared to be a hybrid of Kyle Rayner and Hal Jordan, since he was recruited by [[Abin Sur]], fought Jordan's old enemy Sinestro, and looked more like Jordan than Rayner (although Hal Jordan's name is clearly visible, painted on the nose of an airplane at a military base). Rayner was later inducted into the Green Lantern Corps. [[Guy Gardner (comics)|Guy Gardner]] makes a cameo as the mugger who steals [[Jimmy Olsen]]'s camera.
Let those who worship evil's might
Beware my power ― Green Lantern's light!}}
 
This oath was revived for the Hal Jordan version of the character. [[Alan Moore]] and [[Geoff Johns]] introduced variants.<ref>{{cite book|page=317|title=Icons of the American Comic Book: From Captain America to Wonder Woman|author=Randy Duncan, Matthew J. Smith|year=2013|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=9780313399244}}</ref> Oftentimes "darkest night" is changed to "blackest night", which inspired the name of the crossover event [[Blackest Night]]. In reference to the oath, the sequel to Blackest Night was called [[Brightest Day]].
*Rayner was briefly mentioned in one episode of ''Justice League'' and he appeared as one of the Green Lanterns attending Superman's funeral in ''Hereafter''. He later reappeared after the series became ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' in ''The Return'', bearing a far greater resemblance to his comics counterpart. Rayner's appearance (where he and the Corps unsuccessfully attempted to defend Oa from [[Amazo]]) finally explained why John Stewart was the Green Lantern of Earth; Rayner had been stationed on Oa all along.
 
==In other media==
*A character known as Green Guardsman (whose real name was Scott Mason) appeared in a ''Justice League'' episode in which John Stewart and several other members traveled to a parallel universe. This other universe had its own superhero group, the Justice Guild, whose members were modeled on Golden Age versions of the [[Justice Society of America]] characters. Green Guardsman was an homage to the Golden Age Green Lantern. His power ring was unable to affect [[aluminum]].
{{Main|Green Lantern in other media}}
 
===Film===
*The Justice League version of John Stewart appeared in several episodes of ''[[Static Shock]]'', both as a member of the League and in a solo appearance.
 
==== Standalone film ====
*A two-part episode of ''[[Batman Beyond]]'' featured a future Justice League Unlimited that included a Green Lantern who was an eight-year old child; he later reappeared as a young adult in the Justice League Unlimited episode ''Epilogue'' (the character was created for this appearance, and has not appeared elsewhere). His name was [[Kai-ro]], a tribute to [[Kairo (Superman/Aquaman Hour)|Kairo]], Green Lantern's alien sidekick on ''The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure''.
Hal Jordan made his live-action debut in the 2011 film [[Green Lantern (film)|of the same name]], portrayed by [[Ryan Reynolds]].<ref name="reynolds">{{cite news|url=http://weblogs.variety.com/bfdealmemo/2009/07/ryan-reynolds-is-the-green-lantern.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104001536/http://weblogs.variety.com/bfdealmemo/2009/07/ryan-reynolds-is-the-green-lantern.html |archive-date=January 4, 2010 |title=Ryan Reynolds is the 'Green Lantern'|first=Mike|last= Fleming|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=July 10, 2009|access-date=July 15, 2012}}</ref> The film originally intended on launching a new DC Comics cinematic franchise with a sequel and an untitled [[Barry Allen|Flash]] film, but due to the film's failure, nothing moved forward.
 
====DC Extended Universe====
*Hal Jordan appeared briefly in the ''Justice League Unlimited'' episode ''The Once and Future Thing, Part 2: Time, Warped'' in which the time-traveling villain [[Chronos (comics)|Chronos]] caused the timeline to become unstable, with characters changing or disappearing as their history was altered. At one point, John Stewart morphed into Jordan, who aided the other characters for several minutes before changing back into Stewart. Jordan was played by [[Adam Baldwin]].[http://imdb.com/name/nm0000284/]
{{Main|DC Extended Universe|Zack Snyder's Justice League}}
[[John Stewart (character)|John Stewart]] was scheduled to appear in [[Zack Snyder]]'s director cut of ''[[Justice League (film)|Justice League]]'', portrayed by Wayne T. Carr, but the scene was reworked with [[Martian Manhunter]], portrayed by [[Harry Lennix]], at the request of Warner Bros.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/justice-league-snyder-cut-green-lantern-wayne-carr/|title=Justice League Green Lantern Actor Responds To Not Being in Snyder Cut|website=[[Screen Rant]]|last=Hermanns|first=Grant|date=April 28, 2021|accessdate=October 18, 2021}}</ref>
 
===Television===
*On the animated TV series "[[Duck Dodgers (TV series)|Duck Dodgers]]," the episode entitled "The Green Loontern" includes appearances by many members of the Green Lantern Corps. In this episode, a mixup at the [[dry cleaners]] results in Dodgers ([[Daffy Duck]]) getting Hal Jordan's outfit and ring. Filmmaker and comics fan [[Kevin Smith]] provided the voice of Jordan for this cameo.
In the live-action television series ''[[Stargirl (TV series)|Stargirl]]'', [[Alan Scott]]'s power battery is shown in a flashback to when the [[Injustice Society]] attacked the [[Justice Society of America]]'s headquarters. JSA member [[Pat Dugan]] hid his power battery in his basement. In the [[Stargirl (season 2)|second season]], Alan Scott's daughter [[Jade (DC Comics)|Jennie-Lynn Scott]] finds Alan's power battery and activates it. She absorbs the battery's energy and breaks it. She then leaves Blue Valley to find her missing brother [[Obsidian (comics)|Todd Rice]].
 
====DC Universe====
* [[Howard Murphy]] played Green Lantern in the live action ''[[Legends of the Superheroes]]'' TV specials in 1979. The role of [[Sinestro]] was played by comedian [[Charlie Callas]].
A live-action ''Green Lantern'' television series was announced to be in development at [[HBO Max]] set to feature the [[Alan Scott]], [[Guy Gardner (character)|Guy Gardner]], [[Jessica Cruz]], and [[Simon Baz]] versions of Green Lantern along with an original character Bree Jarta with [[Finn Wittrock]] and [[Jeremy Irvine]] portraying Gardner and Scott respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2022-10-26 |title='Green Lantern' HBO Max Series Shifts Focus; Showrunner Seth Grahame-Smith Exits |url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/green-lantern-hbo-max-series-shifts-focus-showrunner-seth-grahame-smith-exits-1235155124/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> The series will be set in multiple time periods focusing on a separate story for each of the Green Lanterns for that time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2020-01-15 |title=Greg Berlanti 'Green Lantern' HBO Max Series Details Teased At TCA |url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/green-lantern-greg-berlanti-details-hbo-max-series-tca-1202831967/ |access-date=2022-04-03 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> In October 2022, it was announced that the series had instead been extensively redeveloped into a solo project centered around John Stewart.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Goldberg |first1=Lesley |date=2022-10-26 |title=Greg Berlanti's 'Green Lantern' HBO Max Series Being Redeveloped, Loses Writer (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/greg-berlanti-green-lantern-series-hbo-max-redeveloped-1235248929/ |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> In December 2022, sources claimed the series was scrapped, but James Gunn say the series is still in production.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbr.com/hbo-max-green-lantern-scrapped/ | title=UPDATE: HBO Max's Green Lantern Series Still on Track | date=26 December 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://comicbook.com/dc/news/dc-studios-green-latern-tv-series-hbo-max-canceled-james-gunn-debunks/ | title=DC's James Gunn Debunks Claim That Green Lantern HBO Max Series Was Canceled | date=26 December 2022 }}</ref> The series' title was revealed to be ''[[Lanterns (TV series)|Lanterns]]'' in January 2023. The version with Berlanti was confirmed to have been cancelled, with this new series focusing on Stewart and [[Hal Jordan]] as part of [[DC Studios]]' new [[DC Universe (franchise)|DC Universe]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=January 31, 2023 |title=DC Slate Unveiled: New Batman, Supergirl Movies, a Green Lantern TV Show, and More from James Gunn, Peter Safran |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/james-gunn-unveils-dc-slate-batman-superman-1235314176/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131171111/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/james-gunn-unveils-dc-slate-batman-superman-1235314176/ |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |access-date=January 31, 2023 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> In October 2024, [[Kyle Chandler]] and [[Aaron Pierre (actor)|Aaron Pierre]] were cast as the DCU's Jordan and Stewart.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Borys Kit,Rick |date=2024-09-23 |title=Kyle Chandler to Star in HBO's 'Lanterns' Series |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/kyle-chandler-hbo-green-lantern-series-hal-jordan-1236009683/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kit |first1=Nellie |last2=Andreeva |date=October 9, 2024 |title='Lanterns': Aaron Pierre Cast As John Stewart In HBO's DC Series|url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/aaron-pierre-cast-john-stewart-lanterns-hbo-dc-1236111350/ |access-date=October 9, 2024 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]}}</ref> The series is set to release in 2026.<ref name="2026Release">{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=February 24, 2025 |title=James Gunn & Peter Safran Provide Update On DC "Gods & Monsters" Film & TV Plans: Details On 'Clayface', 'Lanterns' Premiere, 'Batman Brave & The Bold' & More |url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/dc-gods-and-monsters-latest-1236299103/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250224184939/https://deadline.com/2025/02/dc-gods-and-monsters-latest-1236299103/ |archive-date=February 24, 2025 |access-date=February 24, 2025 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref>
 
==In academic and journalistic jargon==
*The unsuccessful 1997 [[television pilot|pilot]] for a live-action ''Justice League of America'' television series included [[Matthew Settle]] as Guy Gardner, although the pilot's Green Lantern used only the name and costume of the comic-book Gardner. In personality and appearance, he much more closely resembled Hal Jordan. He wore a mask and insignia similar to that worn by Kyle Rayner as a part of his original costume. His ring closely resembled that of Alan Scott. However, this ring didn't bestow the power of flight upon its wearer; instead, Gardner flew by using the ring to generate a helicopter rotor.
 
Some political pundits and academic political scientists use the phrase "Green Lanternism" (or "political Green Lanternism") to refer to the common tendency to demand perfection or omnipotence from political leaders, and to blame actually unsolvable or inevitable problems on political leaders' alleged weakness or malice, as if political office-holders' powers and abilities, like Green Lantern's powers and abilities, were limited only by their personal strength of will.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Farrell |first=Henry |date=July 25, 2016 |title=Globalized Green Lanternism |url=https://academic.oup.com/globalsummitry/article/2/1/13/2355286 |journal=Global Summitry |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=13–21|doi=10.1093/global/guw005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fdu.edu/news/fdu-poll-green-lanternism-holding-down-bidens-approval-ratings/ | title=FDU Poll: "Green Lanternism" holding down Biden's approval ratings | date=10 May 2022 }}</ref>
==Green Lantern oath==
Green Lantern is famous for the oath he recites when he charges his ring. Originally, the oath was simple:
 
:...and I shall shed my light over dark evil.
:For the dark things cannot stand the light,
:The light of the Green Lantern!
(This oath was later given as an in-joke to [[Tomar-Re]], Green Lantern of sector 2813, and the first other Lantern [[Hal Jordan]] met)
 
In the mid-1940s, this was revised into the form that became famous during the Hal Jordan era:
 
: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!
 
The word blackest is often replaced with darkest to avoid racist connotations. The above is the most popular version of Green Lantern's oath. [[Science fiction]] writer [[Alfred Bester (author)|Alfred Bester]], who wrote many Green Lantern stories in the 1940s, has been credited as the creator of this oath. However, in an interview with journalist [[F. Gwynplaine MacIntyre]] at the 1979 [[World Science Fiction Convention]] in Brighton, England, Bester stated that the brightest day oath was already in place before he began writing for the character.
 
It has since been established that each Green Lantern has his, her, or its own oath. For example, Medphyl, the Green Lantern of the planet J586 (Seen in [[Swamp Thing]] # 61, "All Flesh is Grass"), a planet where a sentient plant species lives, has the following oath:
 
:In forest dark or glade beferned
:No blade of grass shall go unturned
:Let those who have the daylight spurned
:Tread not where this green lamp has burned.
 
Other notable oaths include that of [[List of Green Lanterns#Jack T. Chance|Jack T. Chance]]:
 
:You who are wicked, you are evil and you are mean, you slut!
:And I'm the nastiest creep you've '''ever''' seen you big butt!
:Come one, come all, put up a fight. I'll smudge your makeup all through the night
:I'll pound in your asses you gay little lasses with Green Lantern's light!
:Yowza.
 
and that of [[List of Green Lanterns#Rot Lop Fan|Rot Lop Fan]], a Green Lantern whose species lacks sight, and thus has no concepts of brightness, darkness, day, night, color, or lanterns:
 
:In loudest din or hush profound
:My ears hear evil's slightest sound
:Let those who toll out [[evil]]'s knell
:Beware my power, the [[Musical scale|F-Sharp]] [[Bell (instrument)|Bell]]!
 
In the animated TV series ''[[Duck Dodgers]]'', [[Daffy Duck]] temporarily becomes a Green Lantern after accidentally picking up Hal Jordan's laundry. In the first part of the episode he forgets the real quote and makes up his own version, which goes:
 
:In blackest day or brightest night
:Watermelon, cantaloupe, yadda yadda
:Erm...[[Batman#Golden Age|superstitious and cowardly lot]]
:[[Pledge of allegiance|With liberty and justice for all!]]
 
==Green Lantern parodies/references==
*Green Lantern is mentioned in the hit 1966 song "[[Sunshine Superman (song)|Sunshine Superman]]" by British [[folk music|folk]] musician [[Donovan]].
*The American sitcom ''[[Seinfeld]]'' made references to Green Lantern in three episodes: "[[The Barber (Seinfeld episode)|The Barber]]" (Nov. 11, 1993), "[[The Stand In (Seinfeld episode)|The Stand In]]" (Feb. 25, 1994) and "[[The Strong Box (Seinfeld episode)|The Strong Box]]" (Feb. 5, 1998).
*[[Doctor Spectrum]] - There are three versions of Dr. Spectrum from three different dimensions in the Marvel Universe, none of which come from the normal Marvel continuity.
**The version of Dr. Spectrum that had the most development was a member of the [[Squadron Supreme]]. Dr. Spectrum used to be an astronaut, adventurer and something of a playboy. On one of his space missions, he saved the life of a benevolent alien of the Skrull race. In gratitude for rescuing him, the Skrull gave Joe Ledger the Power Prism, an energy synthesizer his people had created.
**The version of Dr. Spectrum in ''[[Supreme Power]]'' series is a rebooted version of this character. In this version, Joseph (Joe) Daniel Ledger is a Colonel in the United States Army, who perform [[covert operations]] missions. He is considered the perfect soldier: an army man who follows any and all orders and is a natural killer. Joe Ledger was the only candidate who was focused and single minded enough to be able to control the power prism found in Hyperion's space ship.
**There is also an evil version of Dr. Spectrum who was a member of the Squadron Sinister, who had several incarnations. Although the Squadron Sinister Dr. Spectrum preceded the Squadron Supreme version in appearance, the former is considered the original as the latter was revealed to be just a copy.
*The Beacon - in [[Big Bang Comics]].
**Beacon of Earth A, corresponding to the 1960s version: Dr. Julia Gardner
**Beacon of Earth B, corresponding to the 1940s version: Scott Martin
*The Green Ghost - from ''[[Invincible (comic)|Invincible]]'' series.
*[[Gregory Helms|The Hurricane]] - [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE)'s character. Gregory Helms is a comics fan and has a Green Lantern tattoo on his right biceps. His love of comics was turned into a wrestling character or "gimmick".
*[[Green Lambkin]] - a [[funny animal]] version, first appearing in ''[[Captain Carrot and his Amazing Zoo Crew]]'' #14, April 1983. Given his ring by the Goat-Guardians of the planet Uh-Oh, the Green Lambkin was a member of [[Just'a Lotta Animals]], fighting evil alongside heroes such as Batmouse and Super-Squirrel on the parallel world Earth C-Minus.
*[[DJ Green Lantern]] - Hip hop DJ artist adopting character's name.
*In Issue #10 of [[Warren Ellis]]' [[Planetary]], "Magic and Loss", there is a race of red-robed beings providing blue lanterns to those worthy of being "Policemen." One noble alien is selected, and a glowing blue lantern (a "mind-powered weapon") is placed within his chest. The alien, now capable of space-travel, heads to Earth where he is captured, [[Vivisection|vivisected]], and has the blue lantern extracted by Dr. Randall Dowling of [[the Four]], after having his powers nullified through the use of red-hued light. Following this, [[Lamplighter]] gained the power of the lantern and joins the group Stormwatch, a multi-national superhero organization sponsored by the [[United Nations]].
*[[Iron Lantern]], an [[Amalgam Comics]] character who was a combination of Hal Jordan and [[Marvel Comics]] character [[Iron Man]].
*The Star Knights are an [[homage]] to the Green Lantern Corps in the [[Mutants and Masterminds]] [[Role-playing game]].
*The protagonist of ''No More Magic'', a novel by [[Avi]], is an avid reader of comic books, and in particular, a fan of the Green Lantern series.
*The comic book read by Walt on the TV series [[Lost (TV series)|Lost]] features both Green Lantern and [[Flash (comics)|Flash]]
*In the Warner Brother's superhero comedy "[[Freakazoid!]]", the villain Armando Guitierrez, upon discovering that Freakazoid is not vulnerable to Kryptonite, attempts to menace him with a yellow piece of paper. Freakazoid simply shakes his head and says "That's the green lantern."
*The Green Swoosh as protrayed by Johnny Bravo, the power does not come from a ring, but instead superpowered boots.
*[[New Zealand]] band the [[Mutton Birds]] has a song called Green Lantern, about someone whose status in life has diminished. The refrain has the narrator assuring the subject, "you're still the Green Lantern to me."
 
==See also==
* [[Doctor Spectrum]], a [[Marvel Comics]] [[pastiche]] of Green Lantern
*[[List of Green Lanterns]]
* ''[[Green Lantern: The Animated Series]]''
* [[Green Lantern Corps]]
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
<div class="references-small">
<references />
* [http://glfreak.mybesthost.com Green Lantern - The Central Battery]
* [http://glcorps.dcuguide.com/book2.php The Book of OA]
* [http://members.tripod.com/~Lantern_light/ The Green Lantern Shrine]
* [http://www.glcorps.org/ The Unofficial Green Lantern Corps Web Page]
* [http://www.gammabase.com/rebirth/ Green Lantern Rebirth]
* [http://www.jlresource.com/good/glc.php Green Lantern Corps. JLResource.com entry]
* [http://www.jlresource.com/good/greenlantern.php John Stewart JLResource.com entry]
* [http://darkmark6.tripod.com/green_lantern_index.html Index of Hal Jordan's (and John Stewart's) Earth-1 adventures]
* [http://www.emeralddawn.com/ Emerald Dawn]
 
==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.niftycomics.com/fanboy Bite Me Fanboy film site] (includes Green Lantern references)
* {{official website}}
* [http://emerald-warrior.tripod.com/ The Emerald Warrior]
{{Wikiquote}}
* [http://www.monitorduty.com/mdarchives/2006/02/alan_kistlers_p_4.shtml Profile by Alan Kistler]
 
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