Larfleeze, also known as Agent Orange, is a supervillain appearing in comics published by DC Comics, usually as an anti hero in books featuring Green Lantern and the Green Lantern Corps. He is the primary wielder of the orange light of avarice, derived from the emotion of greed, and does not voluntarily allow others to wield it.
The character first appeared in Green Lantern vol 4 #25 (January 2008), and was created by writer Geoff Johns and artist Ethan Van Sciver.
Publication history Writer Geoff Johns developed Larfleeze as a key participant in the "Blackest Night" storyline, explaining at San Diego Comic-Con in 2009 that he came up with the name "Larfleeze" by combining the words "lard" and "sleaze". Johns also revealed that the Claim Jumper restaurant chain was his inspiration behind writing about greed."SDCC 09- DC's BLACKEST NIGHT Panel LIVE!". Newsarama. 2:40, July 25, 2009 Johns states that Larfleeze is one of his favorite characters to write because of how "out of touch" the character is, adding that, other than greed, emotions have no value to him because they do not provide him with anything material."The Eve of Blackest Night: Geoff Johns on...Everything". Newsarama. July 3, 2009 After his brief first appearance in DC Universe #0 (April 2008), the character went on to be shown in smaller teaser appearances within the Green Lantern series until his first extended appearance in Green Lantern #39 (April 2009). The issue leads into "Agent Orange" (named after the codename Larfleeze is given by the Guardians of the Universe), the storyline detailing the character's origin that also serves as a prelude to the "Blackest Night" storyline. Larfleeze's story includes an appearance in Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #2 (July 2009). In the story Tales of the Orange Lanterns: Blume Godhead, he is shown "recruiting" one of his most recognizable Orange Lanterns.Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #2 (July 2009)
Larfleeze received a back-up in Threshold, written by Keith Giffen, with art by Scott Kolins. The back-up ran from Threshold #1 (March 2013) to #5 (July 2013). The plot focused on the apparent theft of Larfleeze's power battery, and his attempt to retrieve it. The back-up spins off into a self-titled ongoing series, Larfleeze. Keith Giffen and Scott Kolins continued as the creative team, with J. M. DeMatteis introduced as co-writer. In March 2014, DC announced that the Larfleeze series would end with issue 12.
Fictional character biography
Origin Larfleeze is said to be over several billion years old. He was taken from his parents for reasons yet to be revealed and forced to work as a slave. His time as a slave deeply affected Larfleeze, who at some point began to "hear" the material possessions in the society of the people whom he served begging him to own them. Some time much later, Larfleeze escaped and became a wanted criminal.
Larfleeze joined a small guild of thieves which stole a number of artifacts from the planet Maltus, including a mysterious box supposedly worth an entire star system to the right buyer. In retaliation, the Guardians of the Universe sent the Manhunters to pursue them. Those who escaped discovered a map belonging to the Guardian Krona that told of treasure. The guild followed the map to the planet Okaara, where they discovered a power battery containing the orange light of avarice. Feeling its power "speak" to them, the criminals fought amongst themselves for it.
The Guardians offered the two surviving guild members (Larfleeze and Turpa) a deal: in exchange for the box, the Guardians would trade the orange light with two additional conditions. First, as long as the orange light remained within the Vega system, the Guardians would agree not to interfere with it. Then secondly, for the safety of others, only one of the two thieves would be allowed to keep the orange light for themselves. Larfleeze explained that the Guardians were desperate to get the box back because it contained the fear entity Parallax. Agreeing to these terms, the two guild members fought to the death for the right to own the orange light, and Larfleeze emerged victorious.Green Lantern (vol. 4) #41 (June 2009)
Agent Orange The Controllers, seeking to obtain the orange light, attack an underground palace on Okaara and come across the Orange Lantern Power Battery. As soon as they try to take it, the Controllers are overcome and killed by Larfleeze's Orange Lanterns.Green Lantern (vol. 4) #39 (April 2009)
Larfleeze is enraged at this perceived violation of the agreement he has with the Guardians, as he is unable to see a distinction between them and the Controllers. The Orange Lantern Blume later captures and seriously damages Stel, branding him with the symbol of the Orange Lantern Corps. When the Green Lanterns recover Stel and return him to Oa, a construct of Larfleeze appears from the brand and confronts the Guardians about the attempt to steal the orange battery. Although the Guardians point out that the Controllers are the source of his anger, Larfleeze refuses to listen. He declares the treaty is null and void, and that the Guardians will submit to his demands or face his wrath. In response, Scar destroys the projection and states that the Guardians do not negotiate with terrorists.
The Guardians allow the Green Lanterns to enter the Vega system and attack Okaara. Hal Jordan, a new recipient of a blue power ring created by Ganthet and Sayd, is included in the assault team. Upon arriving on Okaara, the Green Lanterns are attacked by Larfleeze's Orange Lantern constructs. During the fight, Jordan is separated from the group and encounters Larfleeze, whom he manages to subdue with his blue ring.Green Lantern (vol. 4) #40 (May 2009)
Blackest Night
During the Blackest Night storyline, black power rings invade Larfleeze's chamber and reanimate the bodies of those whose identities he has stolen to create his constructs.Green Lantern (vol. 4) #45 (October 2009) Larfleeze and Atrocitus are saved by Saint Walker, Hal Jordan, Carol Ferris, Indigo-1, and Sinestro, who recruit them to assist in destroying the Black Central Power Battery. To secure Larfleeze's compliance, Sayd agrees to be his personal Guardian if he cooperates. Larfleeze agrees and ultimately accompanies the group to Earth.Green Lantern (vol. 4) #48 (November 2009)
Ganthet duplicates Larfleeze's ring to bolster the ranks of the light-wielders against Nekron's forces. The duplicate orange power ring is able to choose someone to become a deputy Orange Lantern for a 24-hour period. Though Larfleeze protests against anyone else's wielding of the orange light, the duplicate ring chooses Lex Luthor as its wearer.Blackest Night #6 (February 2010) In the final issue of Blackest Night, Luthor is stripped of his power. As promised, Sayd becomes Larfleeze's personal Guardian when he demands payment for participating in their plan.Blackest Night #8 (May 2010)
Brightest Day
Larfleeze is shown to have taken up residence in a small, upper midwestern town. He sends his Orange Lanterns into town to steal things for him. When Hal Jordan confronts him and tells him to leave the town alone, Larfleeze tells him that he will not need to ransack the town anymore because he has learned of the legend of Santa Claus. Larfleeze intends to make lists of all the things he wants and send them to Santa Claus. Jordan reveals that he has come to Larfleeze to find out how he was able to trap the orange entity in his lantern, so that they can trap the other entities to keep them out of the hands of the one trying to collect them. Before Larfleeze can tell him, Hector Hammond arrives. After struggling with Larfleeze and Jordan for the battery, Hammond ends up swallowing the battery and is possessed by Ophidian, the Orange Lantern entity.Green Lantern (vol. 4) #56 (July 2010)
Larfleeze is later taken to Zamaron by the Star Sapphires along with Hal, Carol, the Predator, and its host Abraham Pointe. Larfleeze is present when Carol is named queen of the Star Sapphires, and states that he wants to be queen as well.Green Lantern (vol. 4) #57 (September 2010) While watching over Pointe, Larfleeze is shaken to discover that Pointe knows of his past through the Predator and discloses that Larfleeze is not his real name. Larfleeze almost kills Pointe to keep him from speaking his name before returning to Earth.Green Lantern (vol. 4) #58 (October 2010)
Larfleeze Christmas Special
On Christmas Day, Larfleeze is outraged to discover that Santa Claus hasn't brought him anything that he asked for. He attacks every costumed Santa in the nearby town, and tries to melt the North Pole, only to be stopped by Hal Jordan. Jordan tells Larfleeze of Christmas spirit, and how it comes from giving. On Hal's suggestion, Larfleeze gives away every item in his mountain of possessions, but afterwards declares that he doesn't like Christmas spirit. Jordan then suggests that he look over his Christmas list and see if he actually needed anything there. That night, Larfleeze stares at a part of his list, on which he had written "my family".Green Lantern: Larfleeze Christmas Special (February 2011)
War of the Green Lanterns When Krona's attack traps the other six New Guardians in the Book of the Black, Hal Jordan is able to escape with their rings.Green Lantern (vol. 4) #64 (March 2011) Although he initially discouraged John Stewart from using the ring due to its psychological effects,Green Lantern (vol. 4) #65 (April 2011) Hal later uses Larfleeze's orange ring in conjunction with Sinestro's ring to hold off the attacking brainwashed Green Lanterns long enough for Guy Gardner to break Parallax out of the Central Power Battery and restore their comrades to normal.Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #10 (May 2011) While trapped inside the Book of the Black, Larfleeze is forced to relive a childhood memory of slavery.Green Lantern (vol. 4) #67 (August 2011) Larfleeze is later freed from the book by Kyle Rayner. When his orange ring returns to him, Larfleeze is initially fearful, saying "Keep it away from me!" Once the ring is on his finger, however, he returns to his usual mindset.
The New 52 In The New 52 continuity reboot, Kyle Rayner becomes a magnet to the other Lantern Corps rings, which forces him to face off with the second-in-commands of the Lantern Corps. Kyle is approached by an orange ring, which is later revealed to be a disguised Glomulus.Green Lantern: New Guardians #2 (December 2011)
When Kyle Rayner learns that he needs to master all aspects of the emotional spectrum to defeat the Third Army, he approaches Larfleeze for aid. Larfleeze only consents to give Kyle access to his power if Kyle can get past him in a fight and recharge from his orange battery. Kyle manages to do so while Larfleeze is occupied battling the Third Army.Green Lantern: New Guardians #15 (February 2013) Larfleeze is later captured by Volthoom, who attempts to trap Larfleeze in various illusionary realities granting his greatest wish - including a world where Larfleeze never fell victim to the orange light. However, these illusions fail due to the extent of the orange ring's influence on Larfleeze.Green Lantern: New Guardians #18 (May 2013)
Powers and abilities
Larfleeze exclusively wields the orange light of avarice, through using his orange power ring and power battery. Some of his basic abilities are shared with other Corps: flight, aura projection, and the ability to create constructs made from light. Larfleeze is able to steal the identities of those he kills, creating orange apparitions of them. The orange light also has the power to absorb green light constructs and mystical energies (such as the magicks created by Green Lantern Torquemada). Conversely, it is depicted as being unable to absorb blue or violet light constructs.