A
power ring is a
fictionFiction is a branch of literature which deals, in part or in whole, with temporally contrafactual events...
al object featured in
comic bookA comic book is a magazine made up of narrative artwork, often accompanied by dialog and often including brief descriptive prose...
titles published by
DC ComicsDC Comics is one of the largest and most popular American comic book and related media companies, along with Marvel Comics. It is the publishing division of DC Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary company of Warner Bros. Entertainment...
. It first appeared in
All-American ComicsAll-American Comics was the flagship title of comic book publisher All-American Publications. It ran for 102 issues from April 1939 to October 1948, at which time it was renamed All-American Western...
#16 (July 1940), and was created by
Bill FingerWilliam "Bill" Finger was an American comic strip and comic book writer best known as the uncredited co-creator, with Bob Kane, of the DC Comics character Batman, as well as the co-architect of the series' development. In later years, Kane acknowledged Finger as "a contributing force" in the...
and
Martin NodellMartin Nodell was an American cartoonist and commercial artist, best known as the creator of the Golden Age superhero Green Lantern. Some of his work appeared under the pen name "Mart Dellon."-Early life and career:...
. Power rings are considered to be the most powerful
weaponA weapon is a tool used to apply force for the purpose of hunting, attack, self-defense, or defense in combat.Weapons can be as simple as a club, or as complex as an intercontinental ballistic missile, and include those that damage individual or group morale.-Prehistoric weapons:Very simple weapon...
s in the
DC UniverseThe DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
, as their scope is limited only by the
imaginationImagination, also called the faculty of imagining, is the ability of forming mental images, sensations and concepts, in a moment when they are not perceived through sight, hearing or other senses...
(and in the case of
Green LanternsThe Green Lantern Corps is the name of a fictional intergalactic police force appearing in comics published by DC Comics. They patrol the farthest reaches of the DC Universe at the behest of the Guardians; a race of immortals residing on the planet Oa...
,
willpowerWill, or willpower, is a philosophical concept that is defined in several different ways.-Will as internal drive:Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche defines will similarly to the "any internally motivated action" usage, but more narrowly. In this sense, will is more a "creative spark," a certain...
) of the wielder.
Origin
The first appearance of a power ring was in
All-American Comics #16 (July 1940), the flagship title of
comic bookA comic book is a magazine made up of narrative artwork, often accompanied by dialog and often including brief descriptive prose...
publisher
All-American PublicationsAll-American Publications is one of three American comic book companies that combined to form the modern-day DC Comics, one of the world's two largest comics publishers...
, which featured the first appearance of
Alan ScottAlan Scott is a fictional character, a superhero in the and the first superhero to bear the name Green Lantern.-Publication history:...
. According to Mordecai Richler, the character and the concept of a magic lamp had its origins with Hassidic mythology. Creator Marty Nodell has cited
Richard WagnerWilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, conductor, theatre director and essayist, primarily known for his operas...
's opera cycle
The Ring of the Nibelungen and the sight of a trainman's green railway lantern as inspirations for the combination of a magical ring and lantern.
Alan Scott's ring is powered by the Green Flame (revised by later writers to be a mystical power called the Starheart), a magically-empowered flame contained within an orb which was fashioned into a lantern and ring by the character. Unlike the objects featured more prevalently in modern comics, "[s]cience in the original Green Lantern series was never a concern." This early version of the ring is shown as being powerless against wooden objects.
When the Green Lantern character was reinvented, beginning with the introduction of
Hal JordanHarold "Hal" Jordan is a fictional character, a DC Comics superhero. He is DC Comics' second Green Lantern and the first earthman ever inducted into the Green Lantern Corps and founding member of the Justice League of America...
, the magical ring concept was replaced with a scientifically-based one. The new version of the ring is created by the
Guardians of the UniverseThe Guardians of the Universe are a fictional extraterrestrial race in the DC Comics universe. They first appeared in Green Lantern Vol. 2 #1 , and were created by John Broome and Gil Kane....
, who also create the
Green Lantern CorpsThe Green Lantern Corps is the name of a fictional intergalactic police force appearing in comics published by DC Comics. They patrol the farthest reaches of the DC Universe at the behest of the Guardians; a race of immortals residing on the planet Oa...
. They divide the universe into 3600 sectors, each patrolled by a Green Lantern equipped with a power ring to assist them in their duties. The new concept for the ring also came with new limitations (though they would be removed or altered in later volumes). Specifically, the ring's charge would only last 24 hours and, "due to a flaw in the unique metal that powers the battery," was ineffective against anything yellow. The power ring is fueled by the willpower of its wearer.
Capabilities
The power ring's most distinctive effect is the generation of green, solid-light constructs, the precise physical nature of which has never been specified. The size, complexity, and strength of these constructs is limited only by the ring-bearer's willpower; whatever the wearer imagines, the ring will create. No hard upper limit to the power ring's capabilities has yet been demonstrated and it is often referred to as "the most powerful weapon in the universe."
In the concluding issue of the
Green Lantern: Rebirth mini-series, attention is paid to how the style of constructs varies with the character and mindset of the person creating them.
Hal JordanHarold "Hal" Jordan is a fictional character, a DC Comics superhero. He is DC Comics' second Green Lantern and the first earthman ever inducted into the Green Lantern Corps and founding member of the Justice League of America...
tends to create solid, workman-like constructs.
John StewartJohn Stewart is a fictional character, a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Green Lantern vol. 2 #87 , and was created by Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams.-Publication history:...
, an architect by trade, creates constructs with carefully-designed internal workings, almost like three-dimensional blueprints.
Kyle RaynerKyle Rayner is a fictional character, a superhero from the DC Comics universe, known for most of his publication history as Green Lantern, and at the time, the only member of the intergalactic police force known as the Green Lantern Corps, and at times as Ion.Created by writer Ron Marz and artist...
, an artist, envisions highly detailed or wire frame constructs.
Guy Gardner'sGuy Gardner is a fictional character, a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. He is a core member of the Green Lantern family of characters, and for a time was also a significant member of the Justice League family of characters.He was created by John Broome and Gil Kane in Green Lantern #59...
ring is constantly sparking, even at rest, and his creations are simple, and often blurred by the excess energy his willpower causes. The alien
KilowogKilowog is a fictional superhero from DC Comics, and a member of the Green Lantern Corps.-Origins:A towering alien with a brutish and porcine appearance, Kilowog is renowned throughout the Green Lantern Corps as the primary trainer of the Corps' newest recruits...
's ring, for reasons yet unrevealed is (according to Hal) "the only one that makes a sound," producing a loud sonic boom upon activation.
When active, a power ring will encase its user in a protective, life-supporting force field. This force field allows the user to fly, travel through inhospitable environments (
outer spaceOuter space comprises the relatively empty regions of the universe outside the atmospheres of celestial bodies. Outer space is used to distinguish it from airspace and terrestrial locations....
, underwater, etc.), and enter
hyperspaceHyperspace may refer to:* A Euclidean space of dimension greater than three...
in order to move vast distances quickly. The ring also generates its wearer's Green Lantern uniform: the uniform appears over their normal attire and vanishes at the user's will. The uniform varies from Lantern to Lantern, based on anatomy, personal preference, and the social norms of their race. The only rule in this regard seems to be that the uniform must openly display the symbol of the corps, though even this has been modified based on preference (a
vampireVampires are legendary creatures said to subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, generally by drinking their blood. Although typically described as undead, some minor traditions believed in vampires that were living people....
-hunting Lantern adapts the symbol into a cross, and a blind Lantern with no concept of light or color uses the image of a
bellA bell is a simple sound-making device. The bell is a percussion instrument and an idiophone. Its form is usually a hollow, cup-shaped object, which resonates upon being struck...
).
Power rings also appear to be highly advanced
computerA computer is a machine that manipulates data according to a set of instructions.Although mechanical examples of computers have existed through much of recorded human history, the first electronic computers were developed in the mid-20th century . These were the size of a large room, consuming as...
s; they are able to talk to and advise the wearer as to various courses of action, as well as act as a
universal translatorThe universal translator is a fictional device common to many science fiction works, especially on television. First described in Murray Leinster's 1945 novella "First Contact,", the translator's purpose is to offer an instant translation of any language...
. Power rings are capable of generating electromagnetic radiation at various frequencies. This radiation can be focused by the wearer into a beam, similar in appearance and effect to a powerful
laserA laser is a device that emits light through a process called stimulated emission. Laser light is usually spatially coherent, which means that the light either is emitted in a narrow, low-divergence beam, or can be converted into one with the help of optical components such as lenses...
. The ring can also scan for energy signatures or particular objects. Less frequently used capabilities include splitting atomic nuclei and manipulating subatomic particles (thereby transmuting chemical elements). A power ring is also capable of creating fully-functional duplicates of itself. While power rings have to be worn to be effective, at several points Green Lanterns have shown the ability to summon the ring to them from a distance (even if someone else is wearing it) or order it to carry out commands automatically after being removed. Some power rings have been shown to be genetically keyed to the wearer, like
Kyle RaynerKyle Rayner is a fictional character, a superhero from the DC Comics universe, known for most of his publication history as Green Lantern, and at the time, the only member of the intergalactic police force known as the Green Lantern Corps, and at times as Ion.Created by writer Ron Marz and artist...
's, though villains have circumvented this this through various means. For instance, Manhunters use tissue samples to make Kyle's ring think it is still on his hand. When a Green Lantern is slain, their ring will automatically seek out a suitable replacement.
Limitations
Power rings typically hold a limited charge. In earlier appearances, they required recharging every 24 hours, but more recently it seems that they possess a fixed amount of regular charge. Green Lantern Corps rings typically reserve a small portion of their power for a passive force field that "protects the wielder from mortal harm." In dire emergencies, that energy reserve can be tapped at the expense of said protection. Power rings are usually recharged by a Green Lantern's personal battery, which looks like an old fashioned lantern made of dark green metal. The user typically points the ring towards the lantern, and usually gives the Green Lantern oath (below) while recharging the ring. These batteries are directly linked to the Central Power Battery on
OaOa is a fictional planet that lies at the center of the DC Comics universe. Since its inception, Oa has been the planetary citadel of the Guardians of the Universe and the headquarters of the Green Lantern Corps.-History:...
and do not themselves need recharging.
Originally, power rings were unable to affect objects colored
yellowYellow is the color evoked by light that stimulates both the L and M cone cells of the retina about equally, with no significant stimulation of the S cone cells. Light with a wavelength of 570–580 nm is yellow, as is light with a suitable mixture of somewhat longer and shorter wavelengths...
, though Lanterns have typically found ways around the limitation by indirect manipulation. For example, if the Lantern is faced with a yellow gas approaching him, a
fanA hand-held fan is an implement used to induce an airflow for the purpose of cooling or refreshing oneself. Any broad, flat surface waved back-and-forth will create a small airflow and therefore can be considered a rudimentary fan...
can be created to blow it away since the fan only directly affects the normal air around it, not the gas.
The reason why the rings are unable to affect yellow objects has changed significantly from writer to writer, in early stories, it was because of a design flaw,
Gerard JonesGerard Jones is an award-winning American author and comic book writer.-Biography:Jones was born in Cut Bank, Montana, and raised in Los Gatos and Gilroy, California...
revised this, in a story that revealed that the Guardians could change the weakness randomly and at will . More recent stories by the writer
Geoff JohnsGeoff Johns is an American comic book and television writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, in particular for the characters Green Lantern and the Flash...
have again revised this again, and stating that the "yellow impurity" was the result of the
ParallaxParallax is a fictional comic book supervillain in the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Ron Marz and artist Darryl Banks for Green Lantern Parallax is a fictional comic book supervillain in the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Ron Marz and artist Darryl Banks for Green Lantern Parallax is...
, yellow energy being made of pure fear imprisoned in the Central Power Battery. This change to the fictional history, also allowed certain characters to overcome the yellow weakness by recognizing the fear behind it and facing that fear.
By far, the most significant limitation of the power ring is the willpower of the wielder. The requirements needed to wield a power ring have changed sporadically during the history of
Green Lantern titles, often creating
continuityIn fiction, continuity is consistency of the characteristics of persons, plot, objects, places and events seen by the reader or viewer. It is of relevance to several media....
confusions. Allowing power rings to fall into the wrong hands has been a favorite plot device in many previous Green Lantern stories. However, only people with exceptional willpower can use a power ring, a restriction which makes use of the rings by average individuals incredibly difficult (if not impossible). For instance, when
Green ArrowGreen Arrow is a fictional character, published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in 1941...
used a power ring to attack Sinestro, it pushed the hero's body to the point of exhaustion. Mind control, hallucinogens, psychic attacks, "neural chaff" and other phenomena that disrupt thought processes will all indirectly impair a power ring's effectiveness. More abstractly, so can a weakening of resolve and will. For example, during the
Millennium"Millennium" was comic book crossover story line that ran through an eight-issue, self-titled, limited series and various other titles cover dated January and February 1988 by DC Comics. The limited series was published weekly, which was a departure for an American series...
crossover, Hal Jordan fights a Manhunter who psychologically attacks him, to make him doubt that the people he is protecting value the principles he is fighting for. Jordan's resolve begins to weaken and his ring loses effectiveness until one of his charges strikes the Manhunter, declaring that she does deeply value Jordan's principles as well. With this dramatic affirmation, Jordan's faith in his cause is restored and the ring instantly returns to full power. The ring, though, does have some psychic defenses: Guy Gardner's ring apparently is able to put up psi-shields around him and Blue Beetle in their battle against the
Ultra-HumaniteThe Ultra-Humanite is a fictional character, a supervillain appearing in stories published by DC Comics. The Ultra-Humanite first appeared in Action Comics #13 in 1939 and is one of the earliest comic-book supervillains.- Golden Age :...
. There is also a limit to the amount of willpower the ring can take, as seen when John Stewart attempted to use his ring to re-build a destroyed planet, only to have his ring inform him, "
Willpower exceeding power ring capabilities."
In the current incarnation of the Corps, the ring originally possessed programming to prevent the wearer from killing sentient beings. Hal Jordan was thought to have used power rings to kill a number of Corps members during
Emerald Twilight"Emerald Twilight" is a 1994 comic book story told in Green Lantern #48-50, written by Ron Marz, and published by DC Comics. It caused great consternation among comic fandom, as it transformed the well-established silver age super-hero Hal Jordan into the super villain Parallax...
, though he did tell Kilowog that he "left them enough power to survive." During the
Sinestro Corps War event, they were revealed to be alive, held prisoner by the
Cyborg SupermanHank Henshaw is a fictional supervillain featured in the DC Comics universe, primarily as an enemy of Superman and Green Lantern. He first appeared as the Cyborg Superman during the Reign of the Supermen storyline following Superman's death, but is also known frequently as "The Cyborg" .In 2009, Hank...
on the planet Biot. These Lanterns are referred to as the "Lost Lanterns". Any attempt to kill using a green power ring was automatically diverted, and in some cases resulted in the ring locking out the user. However, this restriction was rescinded by the Guardians to combat the Sinestro Corps, then for the general execution of their duties.
It has been revealed that only a pure form of willpower can use the ring effectively. When
Green ArrowGreen Arrow is a fictional character, published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in 1941...
tried to use
Hal JordanHarold "Hal" Jordan is a fictional character, a DC Comics superhero. He is DC Comics' second Green Lantern and the first earthman ever inducted into the Green Lantern Corps and founding member of the Justice League of America...
's power ring against Sinestro, it caused him great pain and difficulty because (according to Sinestro) Green Arrow's will was "cynical". It has also been shown that the user's stamina is drained with every construct. When Green Arrow fires a small arrow-like construct from the ring, he describes the experience as feeling like losing a week's worth of sleep. When he questions Kyle Rayner about this, Kyle affirms that the feeling is normal.
Oaths
All power rings need periodic recharging. The process is not instantaneous, so many Green Lanterns recite an oath while the ring charges. The oath is not required to charge the ring, but is recited to reaffirm the person's commitment to the Green Lantern Corps, and to measure the time it takes the ring to charge. While many Green Lanterns create their own oath, the majority use the Corps' official oath as a sign of respect. In the interests of
political correctnessPolitically Correct may refer to:*Political correctness, language, ideas, policies, or behaviour seeking to minimize offence to groups of people-See also:*Politically Correct Bedtime Stories, book by James Finn Garner, published in 1994...
on the part of
DCDC Comics is one of the largest and most popular American comic book and related media companies, along with Marvel Comics. It is the publishing division of DC Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary company of Warner Bros. Entertainment...
(or, in context, Hal Jordan), the word "blackest" was replaced by "darkest"; this practice has been abandoned with the reinstating of the Green Lantern Corps. As additional Corps have been introduced into DC continuity, with their own power rings (see below), corresponding oaths unique to each Corps have been formulated as well.
Kyle Rayner's Ring
After the destruction of Coast City during the "Reign of the Supermen!" story-arc, Green Lantern Hal Jordan goes mad and betrays the Corps. He defeats most of the Corps on his way to Oa, enters the Central Power Battery, and absorbs most of its energies along with the yellow impurity to become the villain
ParallaxParallax is a fictional comic book supervillain in the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Ron Marz and artist Darryl Banks for Green Lantern Parallax is a fictional comic book supervillain in the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Ron Marz and artist Darryl Banks for Green Lantern Parallax is...
. With the Central Power Battery destroyed, all the remaining power rings stop working. In desperation
GanthetGanthet is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in the 1992 graphic novel Green Lantern: Ganthet's Tale , by Larry Niven and John Byrne.-Background:Ganthet is one of the Guardians of the Universe...
, the only surviving Guardian, uses what little power remains to create a new power ring and gives it to Kyle Rayner.
Kyle's ring is unique throughout the history of the
Green Lantern characters, and was for a time the only working power ring throughout the DC Universe. His ring is not dependent on the Central Power Battery, and is free from
the yellow impurityParallax is a fictional comic book supervillain in the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Ron Marz and artist Darryl Banks for Green Lantern Parallax is a fictional comic book supervillain in the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Ron Marz and artist Darryl Banks for Green Lantern Parallax is...
. However, the ring does not prevent mortal damage automatically. The ring no longer needs to be charged every 24 hours; instead, its use is based on how much power it absorbs when recharging and how much is expended when it's in use. For example, after the destruction of Oa, Kyle's ring has more power than ever before and does not need to be recharged for an extended period of time. Unlike Hal Jordan's ring, it is unable to make copies of itself. After Kyle became settled into his role as the new Green Lantern, a Hal Jordan from the past visits Kyle's time after his own death as Parallax. He gives a copy of his ring to Kyle, which has the ability to replicate itself. Kyle attempts to use Hal's ring to restart the Green Lantern Corps with limited results.
The apparently random induction in the Corps, more than once contested by Ganthet as simple fatality during most of the
Green Lantern v3 run, is later
retconRetroactive continuity is the deliberate changing of previously established facts in a work of serial fiction. The change is informally referred to as a "retcon", and producing a retcon is called "retconning"...
ned into the very first induction of a new
breed of Lanterns. Since the Corps become aware of the Emotional spectrum, and the crippling effects the yellow light of Fear radiated by Parallax has over the green light of Will radiated by Ion, the Lantern Rookies are not anymore chosen by merely
People unable to feel fear, but from
people able to feel, and overcome, their fears. Since Kyle had always being able to do so, wrestling against his fears for his entire life, his ring gained immunity against the
Yellow Impurity and his particular, fortified will, was instrumental in bringing upon the rebirth of the Corps and setting an example to follow for the newer recruits.
Other Corps
In addition to the Green Lantern Corps, there are at least seven other variations on the power ring, each connected to a particular
colorRoy G. Biv is a mnemonic for the sequence of hues in the visible spectrum, in rainbows, and in order from longest to shortest wavelength:* Red* Orange* Yellow* Green* Blue* Indigo* VioletAnother way to remember it is:RichardOfYorkGaveBattle...
as well as a corresponding
emotionAn emotion is a mental and physiological state associated with a wide variety of feelings, thoughts, and behavior. Emotions are subjective experiences, often associated with mood, temperament, personality, and disposition. The English word 'emotion' is derived from the French word émouvoir...
from which they derive their abilities. The known variations of power rings are:
redRed is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked human eye...
(
rageIn psychiatry, rage is a mental state that is one extreme of the intensity spectrum of anger. When a person experiences rage it usually lasts until a threat is removed or the person under rage is incapacitated. The other end of the spectrum is annoyance...
),
orangeThe colour orange occurs between red and yellow in the visible spectrum at a wavelength of about 585–620 nm, and has a hue of 30° in HSV colour space. It is numerically halfway between red and yellow in a gamma-compressed RGB colour space The complementary colour of orange is azure, a slightly...
(
avariceGreed in psychology is an inordinate desire to acquire or possess more than one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth.-Theology:...
),
yellowYellow is the color evoked by light that stimulates both the L and M cone cells of the retina about equally, with no significant stimulation of the S cone cells. Light with a wavelength of 570–580 nm is yellow, as is light with a suitable mixture of somewhat longer and shorter wavelengths...
(
fearFear is an emotional response to a threat. It is a basic survival mechanism occurring in response to a specific stimulus, such as pain or the threat of danger. Some psychologists such as John B. Watson, Robert Plutchik, and Paul Ekman have suggested that fear is one of a small set of basic or...
),
greenGreen is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 520–570 nanometres. In the subtractive color system, it is not a primary color, but is created out of a mixture of yellow and blue, or yellow and cyan; it is considered...
(
willpowerWill, or willpower, is a philosophical concept that is defined in several different ways.-Will as internal drive:Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche defines will similarly to the "any internally motivated action" usage, but more narrowly. In this sense, will is more a "creative spark," a certain...
),
blueBlue is a colour, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 440–490 nm. It is considered one of the additive primary colours. On the HSV Colour Wheel, the complement of blue is yellow; that is, a colour corresponding to an equal...
(
hopeHope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best....
),
indigoIndigo is the color on the electromagnetic spectrum between about 420 and 450 nm in wavelength, placing it between blue and violet. Although traditionally considered one of seven divisions of the optical spectrum, modern color scientists do not usually recognize indigo as a separate division and...
(
compassionCompassion is a human emotion prompted by the pain of others. More vigorous than empathy, the feeling commonly gives rise to an active desire to alleviate another's suffering. It is often, though not inevitably, the key component in what manifests in the social context as altruism...
),
violetAs the name of a color, violet is used in two senses: first, referring to the color of light at the short-wavelength end of the visible spectrum, approximately 380–420 nm when indigo is recognized as a distinct color, or more commonly 380–450 nm...
(
loveLove is any of a number of emotions and experiences related to a sense of strong affection and attachment. The word love can refer to a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes, ranging from generic pleasure to intense interpersonal attraction...
), and
blackBlack is the color of objects that do not emit or reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum; they absorb all such frequencies of light...
(
deathDeath is the termination of the biological functions that define a living organism. It refers to both a particular event and to the condition that results thereby. The true nature of the latter has for millennia been a central concern of the world's religious traditions and of philosophical...
). According to Ganthet, the farther from the center of the spectrum the color is, the more control the ring's power has over its user. Therefore, green rings are the most stable, while red and violet rings exert the most influence over the behavior of their users. Artist
Ethan Van SciverEthan Van Sciver is an American comic book artist, best known for illustrating a number of titles including Green Lantern, Superman/Batman, New X-Men, and currently, The Flash: Rebirth. He is known for having consistently detailed rendering in his work.-Early life:Van Sciver was born in Utah, and...
, who worked with
Geoff JohnsGeoff Johns is an American comic book and television writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, in particular for the characters Green Lantern and the Flash...
on the concept of a spectrum of power rings, described their development:
Van Sciver designed aspects of the other Corps. According to Johns: "Ethan redefined the way Green Lanterns' energy is used visually. He started the "siren" symbol and now it's everywhere. He also designed the various Corps' symbols and there's a rhyme and reason to them all."
In
Green Lantern and
Green Lantern Corps comics, these additional Corps are introduced as part of a forbidden chapter on cosmic revelations in the Book of Oa. Included in this chapter are the prophecies about the
Blackest Night. At the end of the
Sinestro Corps War"Sinestro Corps War" is an American comic book crossover event published by DC Comics in its Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps titles. Written by Geoff Johns and Dave Gibbons and drawn by Ivan Reis, Patrick Gleason, and Ethan Van Sciver, the 11-part saga was originally published between June...
, former
GuardiansThe Guardians of the Universe are a fictional extraterrestrial race in the DC Comics universe. They first appeared in Green Lantern Vol. 2 #1 , and were created by John Broome and Gil Kane....
GanthetGanthet is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in the 1992 graphic novel Green Lantern: Ganthet's Tale , by Larry Niven and John Byrne.-Background:Ganthet is one of the Guardians of the Universe...
and
SaydSayd is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. She is a now exiled member of the Guardians of the Universe. Where most of the Guardians are void of emotion and rigid in their compliance to standard policy, Sayd's sensibilities were more in line with those of Ganthet, a Guardian known for...
reveal to the four Earth-based Green Lanterns the final verse of the prophecy. They explain to the Lanterns (and the reader) that the prophecy describes the formation of five more Corps in addition to the Green Lantern and Sinestro Corps; one for each of the remaining colors of the emotional spectrum. They go on to say that after these additional forces have come together, war will break out between the seven Corps until they destroy each other and the universe. These seven Corps described within the
Blackest Night prophecy are joined by a final Corps not described in the text. Slowly revealed through the machinations of the Guardian
ScarScar is a supervillain in the . She first appeared as an unnamed Guardian of the Universe in Green Lantern #25, and was first named in the February 2009 Origins and Omens backup stories.-Background:...
and the mysterious appearance of a black power battery within various issues (beginning with the
Anti-MonitorThe Anti-Monitor is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain and the antagonist of the 1985 DC Comics miniseries Crisis on Infinite Earths. He first appeared in Crisis on Infinite Earths #2 , and was destroyed in Crisis on Infinite Earths #12, only to return after a long absence in Green...
's absorption into it at the conclusion of the
Sinestro Corps War"Sinestro Corps War" is an American comic book crossover event published by DC Comics in its Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps titles. Written by Geoff Johns and Dave Gibbons and drawn by Ivan Reis, Patrick Gleason, and Ethan Van Sciver, the 11-part saga was originally published between June...
), a Black Lantern Corps is also formed.
A different, less catastrophic rendition of the need for the Seven Lights to come together is offered by Indigo-1, the elusive leader of the
Indigo TribeThe Indigo Tribe is a fictional organization appearing in comics published by DC Comics. They debuted in Green Lantern #25 and were created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver.-Fictional group history:...
during the Blackest Night crisis, in which the Seven Lights of the Emotional Spectrum, and their physical
avatarIn Hinduism, Avatar or Avatara usually implies a deliberate descent from higher spiritual realms to lower realms of existence for special purposes, often translated into English as incarnation.Avatars that are of importance are mainly those of the Supreme Being...
s, are the splintered remains of the
White Light of Creation, the Wave of Light that, at the dawn of time, pushed back the Black Light of the Void enough to bring life in the still lifeless universe. When the Black, feeling somehow
intruded by the White Light gnawing at its dominion, fought back, a period of roughly 700 terrestrial years ensured, after that the Black was repelled, but not before being able to splinter and weaken the White Light of Creation in seven lesser lights, still holding, if working on accord, the power to fight the Black Light, but on a diminshed capacity than before. Far from being as the death of the Universe, the merging of the lights is seen by the Indigo Tribe as the only hope to repel the Black, preventing it from extinguishing the Lights, and thus life
Red
The Red Lanterns are first mentioned in
Booster GoldBooster Gold is a fictional character, a superhero in publications from DC Comics. Created by Dan Jurgens, he first appeared in Booster Gold #1 and has been a member of the Justice League, DC Comics' all-star team of heroes...
(vol. 2) #2 in a note written on
Rip HunterRip Hunter is a DC Comics character who first appeared in Showcase #20 . Following 3 more appearances in Showcase , Rip Hunter was given his own series, which ran for 29 issues . He later starred in the eight-issue Time Masters series , written by Bob Wayne and Lewis Shiner...
's chalkboard that reads "Beware the Red Lanterns???". In issue #10 of the same title, another note appears that reads "RED LANTERNS = BLOOD."
AtrocitusAtrocitus is a fictional character, an alien supervillain in the DC Comics Universe. Created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver, Atrocitus is the former arch-nemesis of former Green Lantern Sinestro. He first appears in Green Lantern #25 in a two-page "War of Light" spread, and made his...
, a member of the Empire of Tears on the prison planet Ysmault, forges the first Red Power Battery from the innards of Qull, the being who told Abin Sur the prophecy of "the Blackest Night".
LairaLaira Omoto is a fictional character in comic books from DC Comics. Laira is originally introduced as an average height well-muscled female humanoid Green Lantern with purple skin and auburn hair. She first appeared in Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #6 in the story entitled "What Price...
, one of the "Lost Lanterns", was recruited into the Red Lantern Corps after her expulsion from the Green Lanterns. However, she was ultimately killed by Sinestro, just as she began to break free from the Red Lantern ring's control over her.
A red ring feeds on the rage of its user and anyone nearby, and is charged by the blood of those the user kills. Contrary to Green Lantern rings, which provide helpful commentary, red rings are depicted as constantly emitting violent commands ("Kill," "Rage," "Pain," "Hatred," etc.), driving their wearers insane with rage and reducing them to little more than snarling beasts. However, Saint Walker states that the rings are deliberately set to select beings with uncontrollable rage. The energy of red rings replaces the user's blood, which can then be regurgitated through the bearer's mouth in a highly corrosive form. The red ring's energy is also capable of corrupting the energies of other power rings, preventing them from functioning properly. The aura of a red ring is savage and rough in comparison to a green ring. The Blue Lanterns' energy is the only known power source capable of neutralizing the Red Lanterns' influences, and in combination with the Green Lanterns' energy can destroy the red ring.
The Red Lantern Corps oath is recited as follows:
Orange
An orange ring is powered by avarice. According to Ganthet, "the orange light of avarice will be discovered and manipulated by a being whose greed knows no bounds." Unlike the other Corps, Larfleeze (primarily known as "Agent Orange") is the only individual to wield the power of the orange light. The story of how he came to be the sole owner of the orange power battery is detailed in the
Agent Orange story-arc running from
Green Lantern (vol. 4) #39-42 (April-July 2009). The Guardians of the Universe are described as making an agreement with Larfleeze long ago in return for a box containing the fear entity: Parallax. The agreement allows him exclusive control of the orange light with the condition that he remain in the Vega system. During the
Agent Orange arc, Larfleeze attracts the attention of the Guardians again through an act of terrorism prompted by an intrusion from the Controllers on his home planet, Okaara. A Green Lantern force confronts him, and (after being unable to decide between releasing him and destroying him) create another deal with him at the expense of the Blue Lanterns.
Even alone, Larfleeze is a formidable opponent for the Green Lantern Corps. The power of the orange light allows Larfleeze to steal the identities of those he kills, transforming them into an Orange Lantern construct. By being in constant contact with his main power battery, Larfleeze has become one with his power source. This allows him to maintain a power level high enough to support an entire Corps of orange light constructs even when separated from it. Larfleeze and his constructs are shown to be resistant to magic and the abilities of green power rings, but do not retain the same protection against blue or violet rings.
Geoff Johns confirmed, at San Diego Comic Con 2009, that the oath required to recharge Larfleeze's ring has not been heard despite rumors of it being the word "mine" (a demand regularly made by both Agent Orange and his Orange Lanterns). Regardless, in an interview with
NewsaramaNewsarama is an American website that publishes news, interviews and essays about the American comic book industry. In addition, the site hosts an Internet forum for comic-book fans.-History:...
, he also stated that the Orange Lantern oath was his favorite.
Yellow
The first yellow ring was acquired by Sinestro following his banishment to the anti-matter universe of
QwardQward is a fictional world existing within an antimatter universe that is part of the . It was first mentioned in Green Lantern # 2 .-History:...
, and could only be recharged by fighting a Green Lantern. Years later, after losing the ring to Guy Gardner and reacquiring it, Sinestro created the Sinestro Corps. The yellow rings used by the Sinestro Corps are fueled by
fearFear is an emotional response to a threat. It is a basic survival mechanism occurring in response to a specific stimulus, such as pain or the threat of danger. Some psychologists such as John B. Watson, Robert Plutchik, and Paul Ekman have suggested that fear is one of a small set of basic or...
, and
Lyssa DrakLyssa Drak is a fictional alien supervillainess published by DC Comics. First appearing in Green Lantern vol. 4 #18 , she was created by Geoff Johns and Dave Gibbons.-Fictional character biography:...
explains that members of the Sinestro Corps are chosen for their ability to create great fear in others. Through a string of
Green Lantern stories titled
Tales of the Sinestro Corps, she describes the numerous ways in which Sinestro Corps members spread fear through the universe. At the conclusion of these tales, she explains to Amon Sur that in order to become a member of the Corps one must free themselves from a small prison. With their yellow power ring completely drained of its energy, they must provide it with the spark it needs to accomplish this feat by facing their own greatest fear. According to Ethan Van Sciver, the ring's symbol is based on ancient carvings made by beings who had looked into the gullet of Parallax and survived.
When recharging their power rings, members of the Sinestro Corps recite the following oath:
- "My power" becomes "his power" when recited by other members of the Corps.
Blue
As the Sinestro Corps War comes to a close, in
Green Lantern (vol. 4) #25, former Guardians of the Universe
GanthetGanthet is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in the 1992 graphic novel Green Lantern: Ganthet's Tale , by Larry Niven and John Byrne.-Background:Ganthet is one of the Guardians of the Universe...
and
SaydSayd is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. She is a now exiled member of the Guardians of the Universe. Where most of the Guardians are void of emotion and rigid in their compliance to standard policy, Sayd's sensibilities were more in line with those of Ganthet, a Guardian known for...
are shown using the emotion hope to create the first blue power ring. In their discussion, they mention the formation of their Blue Lantern Corps. The first Blue Lantern introduced is Saint Walker, who comes to the aid of the Green Lanterns after they were ambushed by Atrocitus and his Red Lantern Corps. It's learned that Saint Walker is from Sector 1, and he locates their second recruit (Brother Warth) in Sector 2. In this way, Warth recruits a new Blue Lantern from Sector 3, and so on.
Though Saint Walker describes the blue light as being the most powerful, Atrocitus reveals that without an active Green Lantern in their proximity they are only capable of the default flight and protective aura abilities. While inside of the proximity of a Green Lantern's influence, a blue power ring has the ability to heal wounds, neutralize the corrupting effects of a red power ring, recharge a green power ring to twice its maximum power level, and can drain the power from yellow power rings. A noteworthy ability of blue rings is the power to scan a target's psyche and create illusions based on their hopes. A blue power ring is capable of feeding off the hope of other beings, eschewing constant recharging while still performing impressive feats, including reversing a dying sun's age by 8.6 billion years. The home planet of the Blue Lanterns and the Blue Power Battery is the planet Odym, a beautiful and diverse planet orbiting the star
PolarisPolaris is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor. It is very close to the north celestial pole , making it the current northern pole star.Polaris is about 430 light-years from Earth...
.
Just as the Green Lanterns and other Lantern Corps recharge their own rings, the following is the oath used by Blue Lanterns to recharge their blue power rings:
Indigo
The Indigo Tribe, wielders of the indigo light of compassion, make their first extended appearance in
Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #1 (July 2009). Very little is known about them and they are considered to be unknown within the DC Universe at large. Indigo and her tribe are first shown speaking a language that is unable to be translated by a green power ring (which has a full catalog of all known languages). Ethan Van Sciver, who created the initial design for the Indigo Tribe, explains that members of the group abandon everything and devote themselves to compassion. As such, their uniforms have a basic, hand-made appearance, their bodies are adorned with the Indigo Lantern symbol in body paint, and they carry carved, lantern-like staffs with them. This corps exists to spread goodwill throughout the universe. The Indigo Tribe is led by a pale female alien named Indigo-1, and Ganthet and Sayd have said that the Blue Lanterns must seek out and form an alliance with the Indigo Tribe.
The Indigo Tribe has the unique ability to absorb the energies of other rings through their staffs. The energy is then channeled into their ring and (depending on the motivation behind the energy) turned against its source. When Indigo-1 encounters a mortally wounded Green Lantern who attempts to keep her from getting involved in his battle with a Sinestro Corps member, she uses his power to provide him with a
mercy killingThe expression coup de grâce means a death blow intended to end the suffering of a wounded creature. The phrase can refer to killing civilians or soldiers, friends or enemies and with or without the consent of the sufferer...
. When the Sinestro Corps member subsequently attacks her, spouting banter meant to intimidate her, Indigo-1 uses his power to create an enormous, monstrous, yellow light construct that scares her attacker away. The exact function of indigo power staffs and their relationship to power rings of all colors is still unknown. During the Blackest Night, the Indigo Tribe use their staffs to combine Hal Jordan's green light with theirs, which has the effect of separating Black Lantern rings from their bearers.
The oath that Indigo Tribe members use in order to recharge their indigo power rings has yet to be revealed and may be spoken in a language that readers cannot understand. Geoff Johns has said that the Corps oaths have a tempo regardless of what language they're spoken in, adding: "But speaking of languages, the Indigo Tribe speaks an interesting one."
Violet
At the conclusion of the
Mystery of the Star Sapphire story-arc, the Zamarons realize that the power of the
Star SapphireStar Sapphire is the name of several supervillains in DC Comics, all connected in origin. For millions of years, an immortal race of warrior women, the Zamarons, had chosen physically identical mortals from across the cosmos to serve as host body for their Queen, whom they called Star Sapphire...
is too great for them to control and forge a violet power battery and power ring out of the Star Sapphire gem. This allows them to distribute its powers throughout an entire Corps of Star Sapphires. The first new recruit to the Star Sapphires was Miri Riam of the planet Lartnec, who had just lost her husband to an attack by
MongulMongul is the name of two fictional characters that appear in comic books published by DC Comics. The original Mongul first appeared in DC Comics Presents #27 , and was created by Jim Starlin and Len Wein...
. Established
Green Lantern characters have also been inducted into the new Corps, including
FatalityFatality is a fictional character, a supervillain in the DC Comics universe.-Fictional character biography:The eldest child of the planet Xanshi's ruling family, the girl who would one day call herself Fatality was sent off-world to be educated by the Warlords of Okaara...
and
Carol FerrisCarol Ferris is a fictional character in the . She is one of many characters who has used the name Star Sapphire, and is a long-time love interest of Hal Jordan, the Silver Age Green Lantern.-Early history:...
.
Violet power rings are fueled by the emotion of
loveLove is any of a number of emotions and experiences related to a sense of strong affection and attachment. The word love can refer to a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes, ranging from generic pleasure to intense interpersonal attraction...
, one of the two emotions (the other being rage) that most influence their user. At present, members of the Star Sapphires have only been depicted as being female; however, during the
Blackest Night panel at Comic Con International 2009, Geoff Johns explained that "anyone can join, but most men are not worthy." A unique ability of violet power rings is the power to encase their targets in violet crystal. While trapped within these rehabilitation crystals, members of other corps have been shown to be slowly converted into Star Sapphires. During the process their rings are drained of their original abilities and replaced by the violet light. Violet rings are able to detect when true love is being threatened, can create a connection to an embattled heart and use it as a tether, and are also shown as being able to show others their greatest love. The aura of the violet ring is asymmetric and ornate, reminiscent of vines and feathers. The Star Sapphires are shown as being connected to an entity called "the Predator", which exists as the physical embodiment of love.
Just as the Green Lanterns and other Lantern Corps recharge their own rings, the following is the oath used by Star Sapphires to recharge their violet power rings:
Black
In the concluding issues of the
Sinestro Corps War story-arc,
Superboy-PrimeSuperboy-Prime, also known as Superman-Prime, is a DC Comics superhero turned supervillain, and one of several alternate Supermen. The character first appeared in DC Comics Presents #87 , and was created by Elliot S! Maggin and Curt Swan.Superboy-Prime is from the universe which contained the...
hurls the
Anti-MonitorThe Anti-Monitor is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain and the antagonist of the 1985 DC Comics miniseries Crisis on Infinite Earths. He first appeared in Crisis on Infinite Earths #2 , and was destroyed in Crisis on Infinite Earths #12, only to return after a long absence in Green...
into space. He crashes onto the dead planet of Ryut and is encased within a Black Power Battery of unknown origin. The symbol on black power rings (a triangle pointing downwards, with five lines radiating upward from the base) is the same symbol used by Green Lantern super-villain
Black HandBlack Hand is a DC Comics supervillain and a recurring foe to Green Lantern. He first appeared in Green Lantern #29 and was created by John Broome and Gil Kane...
. It is also the symbol of the Hand family's mortuary. Black Hand becomes the first Black Lantern after killing his family and committing suicide. Scar comes to him and
regurgitatesVomiting is the forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth and sometimes the nose. Undesired vomiting may result from many causes, ranging from gastritis or poisoning to brain tumors, or elevated intracranial pressure...
the first black power ring. It places itself on his finger and bids him to rise. Scar then explains that Black Hand is the living embodiment of the Black Lantern Corps as
IonIon is a fictional character, a DC Comics superhero. Created by writer Judd Winick and artist Dale Eaglesham for Green Lantern #142, Ion was devised as the new superhero identity for Green Lantern protagonist Kyle Rayner. It was later revealed to be a benevolent symbiote, bestowing its power to a...
, Parallax, and the Predator are to the green, yellow and violet lights of the emotional spectrum respectively.
Black power rings are wielded by the deceased. In addition to the abilities granted to them by the rings, Black Lanterns retain any superpowers they may have had in life. If the ring bearer's body is severely damaged or destroyed, the black ring will partially reconstruct the body, restoring it to a working state. During the creation of
Blackest Night, Johns wanted to resurrect the Black Lanterns in a way that seemed horrifying and emotionally disturbing to the living characters they encountered. To accomplish that effect, the Black Lanterns have personalities and actively seek out those who will be affected by their appearance. Well known DC characters resurrected as Black Lanterns include: Earth-Two Superman, the
Martian ManhunterJ'onn J'onzz, also referred to as the Martian Manhunter, is a fictional character that appears in publications published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #225 J'onn J'onzz, also referred to as the Martian...
, and the original
AquamanAquaman is a fictional comic book superhero who appears in DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in More Fun Comics #73 . Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles, Aquaman later starred in several volumes of a solo title...
and
FirestormFirestorm is the name of three fictional comic book superheroes published by DC Comics. Ronnie Raymond the first Firestorm debuted in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man vol. 1 #1 , and was created by Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom. Martin Stein the second Firestorm debuted in Firestorm the Nuclear Man vol...
.
The first black power rings possess no charge, but each time a Black Lantern kills someone and removes their heart, .01 percent power is restored to every ring in the Corps. The exact limitations of black power rings have not yet been fully explored; however, even at low power levels, black rings enable their user to fly and create black energy constructs. They are also immune to magic. Black power rings are capable of regenerating typically fatal injuries inflicted upon their users (including decapitation). Black Lanterns are also able to read the emotions of the living as a colored aura that correlates to the emotional spectrum (red for rage, violet for love, etc). The black rings produce a tar-like substance that "roots" them into the host body, making it impossible for them to be removed through physical force. The Atom, having shrunk himself into a black ring, reveals that it is composed of dark matter and is channeling energy to an unknown source. The black rings seem unable to read dead or dying hearts, as seen when Dick Grayson froze himself and Tim Drake with one of Mister Freeze's guns, stopping their hearts from beating and fooling the Black Lanterns in pursuit. The Indigo Tribe members are able to affect black rings by channeling the energy of another corps through their staff, separate the rings from the Black Lanterns they control (those rings intoning "Connection severed."). They are able to destroy Black Lanterns Ralph and Sue Dibny, their bodies turning to ash. The heroes theorize that these really aren't the dead revived but rather the black rings are using their forms to attack. The Black Rings are powered by
NekronNekron is a fictional demon, a comic book character published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Tales of the Green Lantern Corps vol. 1 #2 , and was created by Mike W. Barr, Len Wein and Joe Staton.-Origins:...
.
As with the other Lantern Corps, Black Hand devised an oath for the Black Lanterns:
Corpse disks
In
Green Lantern Corps, an additional division of the Green Lanterns is introduced: "the Corpse." This elite, top secret, black ops division of the Green Lantern Corps does not incorporate the use of standard power rings into their work. Instead, they swallow a small disk that gives them all the powers of a standard ring for the equivalent of five Earth days. Rather than generating a typical Green Lantern uniform, Corpse disks create a completely black uniform with a mask that totally covers the user's head. Their energy aura is also purple instead of green. The disks are meant to encourage discretion, as a Green Lantern ring is a distinct and recognizable weapon. Not only are Corpse abilities less conspicuous, but (in the event of a failed mission) no connections will be made between them and the Guardians of Oa.
Manhunter pistols
Before the development of the power rings, two groups are depicted as preceding the Green Lantern Corps within DC continuity. The first, the Manhunters, are armed with energy pistols that are specially attuned to the hand-held battery from which it draws power. The battery itself holds a connection to the central power battery on Oa; operating as its own source of energy. This mode of energy transference is not unlike the kind used by power rings. After the Guardians lost control of the Manhunters, the Hallas, a race of green-skinned aliens from Sector 2814, are shown as pre-Corps Oan enforcers in
Green Lantern vol. 2 #90 (August 1976). Like the Manhunters, they are also shown wielding stun guns attached to lantern batteries.
Power Ring
Power Ring is also the name of several supervillains residing in different
alternate universesParallel universe or alternative reality is a self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a multiverse, although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute physical reality...
within the DC Universe that are associated with either the Crime Syndicate of Amerika or Crime Society of America. They appear to be
mirror imageA mirror image is a reflected duplication that appears identical but in reverse. As an optical effect it results from reflection off of substances such as a mirror or water...
counterparts of current Green Lanterns: including
Hal JordanHarold "Hal" Jordan is a fictional character, a DC Comics superhero. He is DC Comics' second Green Lantern and the first earthman ever inducted into the Green Lantern Corps and founding member of the Justice League of America...
,
Kyle RaynerKyle Rayner is a fictional character, a superhero from the DC Comics universe, known for most of his publication history as Green Lantern, and at the time, the only member of the intergalactic police force known as the Green Lantern Corps, and at times as Ion.Created by writer Ron Marz and artist...
, and
John StewartJohn Stewart is a fictional character, a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Green Lantern vol. 2 #87 , and was created by Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams.-Publication history:...
. Their power rings are cursed with the entity Volthoom, who communicates much like the artificial intelligence of Corps power rings. Otherwise, their powers and abilities are similar to the positive-matter power rings.
Though he was erased from existence at the conclusion of the
Crisis on Infinite Earths limited series, the Earth-One
Yellow LanternYellow Lantern is a fictional DC Comics supervillain. He is the Bizarro version of Green Lantern, created by Bizarro, the imperfect clone of Superman...
is a similar
bizarroBizarro is a fictional supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Superboy #68 , and was created by writer Otto Binder and artist George Papp....
character with an especially strange power ring. Once the charge of his yellow power ring ran out, it was rendered effectively useless as he was unable to recharge it with any of the green power batteries he encountered. The
New EarthThe multiverse is the hypothetical set of multiple possible universes that together comprise all of reality.Multiverse may also refer to:-In fiction:* Multiverse , the fictional multiverse used by DC Comics...
version of Yellow Lantern, introduced in
Action Comics, did not have the same problem recharging his own power ring. He was, however, depicted as incompetent, unaware of the extent of his abilities, and incapable of maintaining control over his disobedient power ring.
Starheart
The first
superheroA superhero is "a fictional character of unprecedented powers dedicated to acts of derring-do in the public interest"...
to use the name Green Lantern in comic books,
Alan ScottAlan Scott is a fictional character, a superhero in the and the first superhero to bear the name Green Lantern.-Publication history:...
, uses a power ring that draws energy from the Starheart. Before the creation of the Corps, the Guardians gather all the magic they can and imprison it in an orb called the Starheart. In his original appearance, a flashback sequence depicts how a fragment of the Starheart falls to Earth, is discovered by a Chinese occultist, and fashioned into the shape of a lantern. After traveling the world for some time, the lantern eventually comes into Scott's possession. To channel its power, he removes a portion of it and molds it into a ring. The only weakness of the ring is that it cannot be used to affect things made of wood. Residual effects from wearing it were, however, passed down to Scott's children, the
metahumanMetahuman is a term to describe superhumans in DC Comics' shared universe, the DC Universe. It is roughly synonymous with both mutant and mutate and posthuman in the Wildstorm and Ultimate Marvel Universes. Use of the term in reference to superheroes was coined in 1986 by author George R. R...
s
JadeJade is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Comics DC universe. Known affectionately as "Jennie" or "Jen", she is the daughter of Alan Scott, the Golden Age Green Lantern. Her mother is Rose Canton, the Golden Age villain known as Thorn...
and
ObsidianObsidian is a fictional superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in All-Star Squadron #25 , and was created by Roy Thomas and Jerry Ordway.-Fictional character biography:...
.
Jade was able to tap into the Starheart naturally and use its power without the necessity of a ring. For a time, Alan Scott absorbed the Starheart, and was able to use the power in a similar fashion. When Jade died,
Kyle RaynerKyle Rayner is a fictional character, a superhero from the DC Comics universe, known for most of his publication history as Green Lantern, and at the time, the only member of the intergalactic police force known as the Green Lantern Corps, and at times as Ion.Created by writer Ron Marz and artist...
absorbed her energy, and could tap into both the Starheart and the Central Power Battery as Ion. During the
Sinestro Corps War story-arc, Rayner was separated from the Ion entity (a benevolent symbiote and living embodiment of willpower) and became a normal Green Lantern again after being given a standard green power ring. It is unclear if Rayner's link to the Starheart remains, or if it was transferred with the Ion symbiote to its newest host,
Sodam YatSodam Yat is a fictional character, an extraterrestrial superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Tales of the Green Lantern Corps Annual #2 , and was created by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill...
.