In this article, we hand over the responsibility to you, the reader.
Green Lanterns are major characters in DC Comics and, in spite of what some non-comic fans might believe, there are actually thousands of them as opposed to there just being one.
The Green Lantern Corps are essentially an intergalactic police force with superpowers and individuals are picked out from all 3600 sectors of the DC universe.
Guided by the powerful Guardians, they wear rings of immense power that allow them to create powerful energy constructs using their willpower – as well as other stuff like fly, fire energy blasts, erect forcefields and augment their own physical attributes.
We want to know which Green Lantern you think is the best. Is it one of the major Earth-based examples who we will list here? Or is it a different Lantern entirely? Have a look through our list and then feel free to leave your opinions at the bottom!
Hal Jordan
Hal Jordan is probably the most famous Green Lantern and was the version infamously portrayed by Ryan Reynolds in the terrible 2011 live action film.
Jordan – a pilot in the United States Air Force – was the first Earth inhabitant to be inducted into the Green Lantern Corps and was a founding member of the Justice League.
He first appeared on panel in 1959 and has gone on to be an extremely popular character.
At different points in his history, he has wielded the power of the Red Lantern Corps, the Orange Lantern Corps, the Sinestro Corps, the Blue Lantern Corps, the Black Lantern Corps, the White Lantern Corps, Parallax and the Spectre.
Is Jordan your favourite Green Lantern?
Kyle Rayner
Kyle Rayner is a Green Lantern who first appeared in 1994.
Prior to him being selected to wield the power of the green ring, Rayner was a freelance graphic artist and, as such, has become one of the more creative members of the Green Lantern Corps since his introduction.
Rayner even redesigned his own costume to better fit his personality, emphasising his creative flair.
He has also been a member of the Justice League, the New Titans and the New Guardians and he has also wielded the powers of the Blue Lantern Corps, the Sinestro Corps and the White Lantern Corps.
Do you like Rayner enough to call him the greatest Green Lantern?
John Stewart
John Stewart was the first black superhero to appear in DC Comics back in 1972.
Stewart – an architect and veteran marine – was chosen as the backup Green Lantern to Hal Jordan, but has since gone on to be a key hero in his own right.
There are rumours that he is set to be the main Green Lantern in the DC Cinematic Universe, with Tyrese Gibson potentially portraying the character.
He has also been a member of the Justice League, the Guardians of the Universe, the Darkstars and the U.S. Marine Corps and he has wielded the power of the Indigo Tribe.
Is Stewart your pick for the greatest Green Lantern?
Guy Gardner
Guy Gardner first appeared back in 1968 and, in spite of having the same name as him, he is not named after the NASA astronaut (he’s actually named after comic book fan Guy H. Lillian III and writer Gardner Fox).
Red-haired Gardner is by far the most hot-headed Green Lantern and often lets his temper get the better of him. Nonetheless, he is very competent.
Prior to donning the green ring of power, Gardner was both a juvenile delinquent and, as an adult, a social welfare caseworker who dealt with prison inmates and their rehabilitation.
He has also been a member of the Justice League, the temporary leader of the Red Lantern Corps and a member of the Corpse – the top-secret black ops division of the Green Lantern Corps.
Does Gardner earn your vote for greatest Green Lantern ever?
Alan Scott
Although he’s only an honorary member and not officially a part of the Green Lantern Corps, Alan Scott – a railroad engineer – was indeed the first Green Lantern.
A Golden Age hero, Scott first appeared in 1940 and obtained his power ring after it was de-authorized by the Guardians.
He has been a member of the Justice Society of America, Checkmate, the All-Star Squadron and the Sentinels of Magic.
Classically, his ring runs on magic and not the Central Power Battery of Oa like other Green Lanterns.
In spite of this, is this aged hero your favourite Green Lantern?
A Different Green Lantern
There are, of course, countless other Green Lanterns from DC Comics past and present – as discussed on the opening page of this article.
These include characters who originated on Earth, like Jade and Simon Baz, and numerous extraterrestrial characters like G’Nort, Abin Sur, Salaak and beings as varied as the fly-like Bzzd and the planet-sized Mogo.
Do any of these additional Green Lanterns – or any that we haven’t mentioned – qualify as the best ever in your opinion?
What do you think? Who is the greatest Green Lantern in DC Comics? Is it any of the famous Earth-based Lanterns or a different one entirely? Have your say below.
