By: Jacob Elyachar
Geoff Johns ends his massive nine-year run on Green Lantern.
The DC Comics Chief Creative Officer single-handedly revolutionized the Emerald Warrior’s universe by rejuvenating classic characters (Sinestro, Black Hand and Nekron), creating new corps (the Red Lantern Corps, Sinestro Corps) and roped the entire DCU into Hal Jordan’s world.
Here are some of the best moments from Green Lantern: Rebirth to Blackest Night.
Hal Jordan vs. Sinestro (Green Lantern: Rebirth #5-6)
The archenemies squared off for the first time in years during the latter half of the mini-series that brought Hal Jordan back to the Land of the Living.
It was the punch seen around the world as the Dark Knight sucker punched Hal Jordan. (Artwork property of DC Comics)
Batman owns Green Lantern (Green Lantern, Vol. 4 #9)
During Green Lantern: Rebirth, Bruce confronted the recently resurrected hero and received a punch in the face from the Emerald Guardian. When the Caped Crusader teamed up with Hal to take on the new Tattooed Man, Batman got even by punching Hal in the face.
The Lost Lanterns Revealed (Green Lantern, Vol. 4 #11)
When DC Comics jumped a year into the future after Infinite Crisis, the superstar writer brought back several classic Green Lanterns including Boodikka, Hannu, Tomar-Tu and Laira, who were presumed dead after the events of Emerald Twilight.
The Sinestro Corps tries to recruit Batman (Green Lantern, Vol. 4 #17)
The Caped Crusader got a surprise invitation to join the Sinestro Corps. While the Yellow Power Ring tried to symbiotically bond with the Dark Knight, his previous exposure to the Green Lantern Ring and Batman’s willpower overpowered the ring.
Sinestro gathered several of DC Comics’ most greatest villains to serve as the core of the Sinestro Corps. (Artwork property of DC Comics)
A Quintet of Evil (The Sinestro Corps Special)
Readers experienced a huge shock when they saw the final page of The Sinestro Corps One-Shot. The Sinestro Corps core members included Sinestro, Parallax, Cyborg Superman, Superboy Prime and their guardian: the dreaded Anti-Monitor.
Lethal Force (Green Lantern, Vol. 4 #23)
For the first time in its history, the Guardians of the Universe announced that they were going to lift their ban on lethal force in order to combat the Sinestro Corps.
Atrocitus and the Red Lantern Corps have gone from major Green Lantern enemies to questionable allies. (Artwork property of DC Comics)
Rage of the Red Lanterns (FC: Rage of the Red Lanterns & Green Lantern, Vol.4 #36-38)
Atrocitus and the Red Lantern Corps reared their ugly heads in during this story arc. Meanwhile, Hal Jordan meets Ganthet and Sayd’s new group of guardians: the Blue Lantern Corps.
Larfleeze (Green Lantern, Vol. 4 #39)
The gluttonous Agent Orange made his first full appearance during the title’s Prelude to Blackest Night story arc. Since his debut in the monthly Green Lantern title, he appeared in multiple DC Comics and made his television debut on the Green Lantern: The Animated Series.
Parallax Revisited (Green Lantern, Vol. 4 #50-51)
During the Blackest Night, the Black Lantern Spectre prepared to judge Hal Jordan. In order to save the Spectre, Hal became Parallax once again and saved the Hand of God from its dark influence.
Sinestro briefly bonded with the White Lantern Ring to save everyone from Nekron in the final chapter of “Blackest Night.” (Artwork property of DC Comics)
Sinestro Wears White (Blackest Night #7-8; Green Lantern, Vol. 4 #52)
Sinestro’s road to redemption started when he bonded with the White Entity in hopes to save the universe from Nekron. While Nekron defeated him and it took the strength of several superheroes to defeat the Blackest Night baddie, Sinestro showed what it took to become a hero, which evolved into a major story in Johns’ final two years on the title.
Part two will be up tomorrow and keep an eye out for Green Lantern #20 coming out this week!
