Green Lantern is an ongoing American 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 (July 1940), and was later spun off into the first volume of Green Lantern in 1941. After 38 issues, that series was cancelled in 1949. When the Silver Age Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, was introduced, the character starred in a new volume of Green Lantern starting in 1960.
Although Green Lantern is considered a mainstay in the DC Comics stable, the series has been cancelled and rebooted several times. When sales began slipping in the early 1990s, DC Comics instituted a controversial editorial mandate that turned Jordan into the supervillain Parallax and created a new 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 and made him the protagonist once again. After Rebirths 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 initially showcasing both Hal Jordan and Sinestro as Green Lantern.
Publication history
Volume 1 (1941–1949) Volume 1 was published from 1941 until 1949, spanning a total of 38 issues. The series featured Alan Scott, the first Green Lantern character, created by writer/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-titled series in fall 1941.Wallace "1940s" in Dolan, p. 37: "In Fall's Green Lantern #1, the ring-slinging hero received his own series with story and art duties handled by Bill Finger and Mart Nodell." The first use of the Green Lantern oath was in issue #9 (late fall 1943).Wallace "1940s" in Dolan, p. 45: "Green Lantern created a catchphrase for the ages in this issue, with the first reading of what would become the official Green Lantern oath. In a tale by writer Al Bester and artist Martin Nodell, Alan Scott charged his mystical ring [while reciting an oath]." Artist Alex Toth did some of his earliest comics work on the title beginning with issue #28 (October–November 1947).Wallace "1940s" in Dolan, p. 56: "This issue featured some of the earliest DC work by talented young artist Alex Toth...Alongside other newcomers such as Joe Kubert and Carmine Infantino, Toth helped bring a fresh look to the pages of DC." 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.Wallace "1940s" in Dolan, p. 59: "The debut of Streak the Wonder Dog in a story by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Alex Toth wasn't a good sign for Green Lantern...Streak took over the cover of issue #34 in September, but he couldn't save his master's series from cancel[l]ation the following year." The series was cancelled with #38 (May–June 1949).Wallace "1940s" in Dolan, p. 61: "In a sign of the end of the Golden Age of Comics, Green Lantern ended its run with a story by John Broome and Irwin Hasen. To add insult to injury, Green Lantern was nowhere to be seen on the cover of Green Lantern #38." Although several subsequent Green Lantern revival projects have started over the years, this remains the only ongoing series to date to spotlight the Alan Scott character.
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)Irvine, Alex "1950s" in Dolan, p. 95: "DC had decided to revamp a number of characters to inject new life into the genre. Writer John Broome and artist Gil Kane ensured that Green Lantern got his turn in October's Showcase #22." at the behest of editor Julius Schwartz. Volume 2 of Green Lantern began publication in August 1960.McAvennie, Michael "1960s" in Dolan, p. 101: "Almost a year after being deemed worthy of carrying the Green Lanterns' precious Battery of Power in Showcase #22 (October 1959), test pilot Hal Jordan had earned the right to fly solo in his own ongoing series" The series spotlighted the Silver Age Green Lantern, Hal Jordan and introduced the expansive mythology surrounding Hal's forebears in the Green Lantern Corps. The supervillain Sinestro was introduced in #7 (July–August 1961).McAvennie "1960s" in Dolan, p. 103: "On 'The Day 100,000 People vanished', the Guardians warned Hal Jordan of the culprit responsible: Sinestro, a renegade Green Lantern who had been stripped of his power and banished to the Anti-matter Universe of Qward." 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.McAvennie "1960s" in Dolan, p. 105: "In his first confrontation with Star Sapphire, Green Lantern didn't realize he was actually battling his lady love, Carol Ferris. As was revealed by scribe John Broome and artist Gil Kane..." Black Hand, a character featured prominently in the "Blackest Night" storyline in 2009–2010, debuted in issue #29 (June 1964).McAvennie "1960s" in Dolan, p. 111: "Scribe John Broome and artist Gil Kane split this issue into two stories...William Hand, introduced in a cameo by Kane, informed readers of a power light he invented to collect remnant energy from Green Lantern's power ring." A substitute Green Lantern, Guy Gardner first appeared in the story "Earth's Other Green Lantern!" in issue #59 (March 1968).McAvennie "1960s" in Dolan, p. 129: "John Broome's script and Gil Kane's renderings debuted a character who would one day become a Green Lantern – Guy Gardner."
Green Arrow joined Hal Jordan in the main feature of the title in an acclaimed series of stories by writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Neal Adams beginning with issue #76 (April 1970) and ending with issue #89 (April–May 1972) that dealt with various social and political issues in which Green Arrow spoke for radical change while Green Lantern was an establishment liberal figure,McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p.139 "Real-world politics have always gone hand-in-hand with comics and their creators' own personal perspectives. Yet this was never more creatively expressed than when writer Denny O'Neil and artist Neal Adams paired the liberal Green Arrow with the conservative Green Lantern." 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. O'Neil took on then-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.
During this period, the most famous Green Arrow story appeared, in Green Lantern vol. 2, #85–86, when Green Arrow's ward Speedy was revealed to be addicted to heroin.McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 146 "It was taboo to depict drugs in comics, even in ways that openly condemned their use. However, writer Denny O'Neil and artist Neal Adams collaborated on an unforgettable two-part arc that brought the issue directly into Green Arrow's home, and demonstrated the power comics had to affect change and perception." 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 City, John Lindsay. Another backup Green Lantern, John Stewart, was introduced in #87.McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 150: "An injury to Guy Gardner prompted the Guardians of the Universe to recruit African-American architect John Stewart as green lantern Hal Jordan's new back-up" 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 cancelled 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)McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 171 "After a four-year hiatus, Green Lantern's ongoing series made a triumphant return to DC's publishing schedule...Returning writer Denny O'Neil partnered himself with artist Mike Grell, choosing to focus the title on sci-fi and super-heroics." and continued the Green Lantern/Green Arrow''' team format. O'Neil continued to write the stories, which were drawn by artists such as Mike Grell and Alex Saviuk, while muting the social and political themes that had characterized the stories that had been drawn by Neal Adams. Julius Schwartz, who had edited the title for most of its run since 1960, left the series as of issue #103 (April 1978).Julius Schwartz' run on Green Lantern at the Grand Comics Database In issue #123 (December 1979), Hal Jordan resumed the title spotlight and Green Arrow left the series.McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 183: "After forty-six issues fighting side-by-side with green Arrow, Green Lantern flew solo once more." 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).Manning, Matthew K. "1980s" in Dolan, p. 193 Green Lantern #141 "DC's newest science-fiction franchise, a band of over one hundred aliens called the Omega Men." " They gave Green Lantern a run for his money in this issue written by Marv Wolfman, with art by Joe Staton, and the Omega Men went on to gain their own ongoing series in 1983."
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.Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 209: "Architect John Stewart was chosen as Green Lantern Hal Jordon's permanent replacement as guardian of space sector 2814 in this issue by writer Len Wein and artist Dave Gibbons." Following the double-sized 200th issue by writer Steve Englehart and Joe Staton, the format changed again, this time altering the title's name to Green Lantern CorpsManning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 219: "The adventures of everyone's favorite space cops were given a new title thanks to writer Steve Englehart and artist Joe Staton. Now focusing not just on Green Lantern Hal Jordan, The Green Lantern Corps gave an equal spotlight to all the defenders of Space Sector 2814." 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. Between volumes 2 and 3, Green Lantern stories, mostly featuring Hal Jordan, appeared in Action Comics Weekly.
Volume 3 (1990–2004)