Who is your Favorite Green Lantern?

[MisterVimes]

I sit here at my beautiful desk in my all glass office in the middle of the forest (envy me) with my Green Lantern ballcap on. Monday I was wearing my GL tee-shirt. I have a GL ring signed by GL creator Mart Nodell. Julius Schwartz once said I was probably the world biggest Green Lantern fan.

Recently, the talented Geoff Johns (JSA, Flash, Hawkman) has revamped the Green Lantern series and (to the disappointment of some and the joy of others) brought back Hal Jordan as GL.

That all being said, there is no right answer. Who is your favorite? I tried to include as many of the popular ones as possible. Heck, I even included Mogo... of course that still leave Salaak, Aris, Eddore, Gnort, Charlie Vickers, Ch'p...

Discuss :)

[Cancer]

Hal Jordan. Mind you, I don't think I've read a comic with Green Lantern in it since, oh, 1970, and certainly not on a regular basis since 1965.

Man, that's 40 years ago. Am I really that old? :rolleyes:

[MisterVimes]

Hal Jordan. Mind you, I don't think I've read a comic with Green Lantern in it since, oh, 1970, and certainly not on a regular basis since 1965.

Man, that's 40 years ago. Am I really that old? :rolleyes:

You might entertain yourself by running by a comic shop and grabbing a copy of the new series... it's good stuff.

[Redmenace]

Alan Scott for me. The first super hero comic I ever read had the original GL fighting Solomon Grundy. Something about the power and possibilities of the ring hooked me. No slam on the others, though.

[MisterVimes]

Alan Scott for me. The first super hero comic I ever read had the original GL fighting Solomon Grundy. Something about the power and possibilities of the ring hooked me. No slam on the others, though.

Strangely enough, my 15 year old son agrees with you. I hooked him on JSA and then gave him my old 1940's GL reprints and my All-Star Squadrons and he is now solidly in the Golden Age camp. After reading the GL revamp he said: "Hal Jordan is cool... but Alan Scott is the REAL Green Lantern"

I couldn't argue.

[Darren Watts]

It's the bizarre diversity of the Corps that was always the coolest aspect for me, so I'll go with Mogo. Where's Chaselon, Larvox, Sodam Yat, or Medphyll? Or that one guy in the F-Sharp Bell Corps? "Let those who heark to Evil's knell, beware my power, the F-Sharp Bell!"

dw

[Enforcer84]

Abin Sur.
:D


I chose Alan Scott

[MisterVimes]

It's the bizarre diversity of the Corps that was always the coolest aspect for me, so I'll go with Mogo. Where's Chaselon, Larvox, Sodam Yat, or Medphyll? Or that one guy in the F-Sharp Bell Corps? "Let those who heark to Evil's knell, beware my power, the F-Sharp Bell!"

dw

Rot Lop Fan, another of Alan Moore's contributions to the GLC. The lifeforms on Rot Lop Fan's world are unable to perceive light. Without an understanding of light and color, "green" and "lantern" had no meaning to him, and could not be translated by the power ring.

And you'll be happy to know that they are rebooting the GLC with its own series in a few months. Looks like a good creative team as well.

[MisterVimes]

Abin Sur.

Abin Sur was great, there is a very nice Alan Moore GLC story featuring Sur and the Empire of Tears.

[OddHat]

Alan followed by Hal. Alan was the original, a two-fisted hero that also happenned to have an object of vast magical power. Hal gave us the Lensman-tribute corps and some of the best sci-fi adventures of the Silver age, as well as playing a key role in the transition to DC's Bronze Age.

I'm glad I stopped reading most comics before they trashed Hal.

[MisterVimes]

I'm glad I stopped reading most comics before they trashed Hal.

They fixed it... *hypnotic voice* Go buy a copy... go buy a copy...

[MisterVimes]

Since I grew up reading Hal Jordan as GL he is my favorite. Those old GL/GA stories were some of the best I have ever read to this day. Of course I like Kyle quite a bit as well. I think Kyle too being a GL to a whole new level. I never really got into John Stewart [it seemed as though having a black GL was only because Marvel was doing a black Ironman] and I have no idea how Guy Gardner ever earned a ring.

I love the concept of the GLC but couldn't get into the earth-bound GLC series a few years back. To me a GLC comic should be 3-6 issue story arcs showing different members [as well as how they intereact together].

The Oneil/Adams GL/GA's were classics. They discussed things no other comic book did in the early 70's: Racism, Sexism, Drug Abuse, Homelessness and still managed to tell a good story without being preachy.

To DC's credit, John Stewart became a GL in 1972, about 15 years before Jim Rhodes got 'Ironed'.

Guy was a perfect candidate for the ring, but it was the explosion of a damaged power battery that lead to his insanity.

If you like the star spanning GLC keep an eye out for the upcoming series.

[teh bunneh]

I grew up with Hal, but I grew to like Kyle quite a bit -- probably because of Grant Morrison's writing in the JLA reboot.

Though I like Hal, I'm rather sad that they're bringing him back. Why can't anyone stay dead? It cheapens the concept of death if the skeleton in black has a revolving door on his mansion. :no:

Bill.
(At least Barry Allen is still dead... isn't he?) :fear:

[Lonewalker]

Gotta go with Kyle...on account of he "doesn't do bubbles." Whoever was writing/drawing Green Lantern when Rayner was the man with the Ring certainly played up Kyle imaginative nature. I was into that.

Lonewalker

[MisterVimes]

If my memory is correct John "officially" became the GL in mid-to-late 1984. I seem to recall Jim becoming Ironman in early-to-mid 1983. I'm too lazy to go and look through my boxes though. :)

You are correct, though I believe it was a few years after that. I should say that John was made a GL in 1973-74 as Hal's back-up.

[Hermit]

I poke fun at Hal, but he is my favorite ( I try to pretend the whole Paralax incident never happened) with Kyle a real close second.

Chiefly though, I'm a fan of the whole GLC concept!

[MisterVimes]

I poke fun at Hal, but he is my favorite ( I try to pretend the whole Paralax incident never happened) with Kyle a real close second.

Chiefly though, I'm a fan of the whole GLC concept!

Heh. I'd forgotten the whole Hal vs Cap thing *G*
If you hated Parallax, check out the mini-eseries that just ended. Fixed without a ret-con

[Ghost Archer]

The Oneil/Adams GL/GA's were classics. They discussed things no other comic book did in the early 70's: Racism, Sexism, Drug Abuse, Homelessness and still managed to tell a good story without being preachy.

Being a huge Green Arrow fan, this is precisely why I prefer Hal Jordan. I do have to admit the only reason I know of John Stewart is because of the Justice League on TV and Guy Gardner because he was the butt of a good many jokes at the hobby shop I ran in the early '80s.

[Iuz the Evil]

Wasn't there a Daxamite GL? Or was that the 'phantom Green Lantern made by subconscious thoughts' I'm recalling?

[Hermit]

Heh. I'd forgotten the whole Hal vs Cap thing *G*
If you hated Parallax, check out the mini-eseries that just ended. Fixed without a ret-con

Thanks for the suggest. :)

[csyphrett]

Hal and Alan always came across as the man with the plan, but my favorite has to be Jack T. Chance, who I think was killed after the Corps was shut down.
CES

[Darren Watts]

Rot Lop Fan, another of Alan Moore's contributions to the GLC. The lifeforms on Rot Lop Fan's world are unable to perceive light. Without an understanding of light and color, "green" and "lantern" had no meaning to him, and could not be translated by the power ring.

And you'll be happy to know that they are rebooting the GLC with its own series in a few months. Looks like a good creative team as well.

Yeah, I think that's my favorite GL story ever. Katma tries to teach him the Oath, and it comes out "In untranslatable, in untranslatable, no evil shall escape my untranslatable. Let those who worship Evil's might, beware my power, untranslatable." All three Moore stories (Mogo and the "Why Abin Sur is in a spaceship in the first place" story) are great. I'm also a fan of the Englehart and O'Neill runs, many of the early Broome/Kane stories, the Wolfman-started "Exile" run, and some of the Jones/Giffen stories. Can't say I've cared too much in the last decade- Kyle did nothing for me, though I didn't mind him in JLA. Rebirth was okay- I admired it more as a feat of writing sleight-of-hand trying to undo the damage done to Jordan as a character than as a story in and of itself. dw

[Darren Watts]

Wasn't there a Daxamite GL? Or was that the 'phantom Green Lantern made by subconscious thoughts' I'm recalling?

Sodam Yat is the Daxamite GL. Except he doesn't exist yet- he's only appeared in prophecies and "untold stories." He was supposed to appear in Moore's big post-Crisis epic (which never happened after Moore's first falling-out with them) and be the guy who takes out Superman, after society has collapsed and the world is ruled by competing "Houses" of superhumans. (The plot hinges around two events- a mysterious murder in a bar and the pending arranged marriage and alliance between the children of Superman/Wonder Woman (the House of Steel) and Captain Marvel (the House of Thunder.)) dw

[Log-Man]

Guy Gardner is the One True Green Lantern. :rockon:




End of story. :cool:

[RDU Neil]

Hey... where is the "I think Green Lantern is the stupidest name for a charachter EVER!" choice?

While cool in concept... even cooler in costume... (and Alan Scott is my fave)... I mean, c'MON! Green Lantern!

What kind of name is that!


"I am the mightiest hero... I am... The Blue Flashlight!" :stupid:


"Beware my power... the power of the Crimson Pepper Grinder!" :rolleyes:

"Scourge of the underworld... The Chartruse Air Conditioner!" :nonp:


I mean... geeze! :)

[assault]

Being a huge Green Arrow fan, this is precisely why I prefer Hal Jordan. I do have to admit the only reason I know of John Stewart is because of the Justice League on TV and Guy Gardner because he was the butt of a good many jokes at the hobby shop I ran in the early '80s.

I voted for Alan Scott, with Hal as my second choice.

John Stewart became Hal's backup during the O'Neill/Adams run of GL/GA, after Guy Gardner had an accident. He was, unfortunately, something of an "angry young Black man" stereotype originally.

I like the various weird GLC types, too.

And Gnort, of course. Go Justice League Antarctica!

[Hermit]

And Gnort, of course. Go Justice League Antarctica!
Someone has to protect the penguins. :)

[Worldmaker]

Wasn't there a Daxamite GL? Or was that the 'phantom Green Lantern made by subconscious thoughts' I'm recalling?


There have been at least two. One was recently featured in a team-up with Power Girl. The other was Sodam Yat, who is described as being "hailed as the ultimate Green Lantern".

[Worldmaker]

My favorite Green Lantern was always Rot Lop Fan, a GL from a species of naturally blind beings. With no concept of what "sight" means, and thus no concept of what either "Green" or "Lantern" means, he is rather the wielder of the F-Sharp Bell.


"In loudest din or hush profound,
my ears catch evil's slightest sound.
Let those who toll out evil's knell,
Bware my power:
The F-Sharp Bell!"

[assault]

Someone has to protect the penguins. :)

Or protect us from the penguins, as the case may be. :)

[Gary Ciaramella]

Hal Jordan, sometimes you just can't beat the standards. :rockon:

[Twilight]

My favorite Green Lantern was always Rot Lop Fan, a GL from a species of naturally blind beings. With no concept of what "sight" means, and thus no concept of what either "Green" or "Lantern" means, he is rather the wielder of the F-Sharp Bell.


"In loudest din or hush profound,
my ears catch evil's slightest sound.
Let those who toll out evil's knell,
Bware my power:
The F-Sharp Bell!"

Ok I don't recall having given rep to Worldmaker in the first place, though the boards seem to think I have. Anyway once I have the ability to rep you I shall do so Worldmaker, simply for typing out the unutterably cool F-Sharp Bell oath. :rockon:

[MisterBaldy]

Hal Jordon...all the way!!!

I stopped reading Green Lantern after his original departure.

[Theron]

I had to go with the original, but it was a very near thing with several possible outcomes.

And I can't believe you left out Gnort "Muh middle name is Esplanade" Gneemacher! How could you?

[Hawksmoor]

Kyle.

Why?

He does the most with his ring. Has the imagination to really let it sing. He might lack Hals' willpower (I consider Hal's willpower to be Superman's Strength on a mental level) but he is faster on the uptake and more creative with applications.

Hawksmoor

[BNakagawa]

No love for G'nort?

Feh.

[proditor]

Alan Scott for me. Hard to do better than the original here.

If given a second choice, I'm sticking with Kyle. I grew up reading Hal, but Alan and Kyle are to me, the quintessential lanterns based on two very differing criteria.

[rjcurrie]

I voted for Alan Scott. Although, a part of me was tempted to vote for Kilowog. There's something about a Brick/Gadgeteer who also has a Green Lantern ring.

[Lord Mhoram]

Alan is Okay, but I love the SF Lanterns of the Silver age.

Kilowog is cool, and Kyle is my second favorite....

But Hal all the way baby. I was sort of hoping the new GL series would be the Hal and Kyle show, but we are going to get that GL corp mini series so I am really happy about that. :)

[McCoy]

G'nort. G'nort all the way.

Of those listed, I chose Tomar-Re, for his spectatular failure in preventing the destruction of Krypton. What a Green Lantern Kal-El would have made if Krypton had not blown up!

[Spectrum]

I went with Kyle. I never read much of any of the previous Lanterns but with what little I read of Hal he just didn't come across as all that interesting to me. I liked Kyle because I thought he had a kind of everyman feel to him (something I attribute to my Spidey fandom) and he was by far the most creative with ring which was always entertaining.

However I found myself annoyed by what they did to him just prior to bringing back Jordan (basicaly screwing over his personal life) and to me it feels like they screwed him over to apease the whinny Hal fans.

[Agent X]

I went with Kyle. I never read much of any of the previous Lanterns but with what little I read of Hal he just didn't come across as all that interesting to me. I liked Kyle because I thought he had a kind of everyman feel to him (something I attribute to my Spidey fandom) and he was by far the most creative with ring which was always entertaining.

However I found myself annoyed by what they did to him just prior to bringing back Jordan (basicaly screwing over his personal life) and to me it feels like they screwed him over to apease the whinny Hal fans.
I suspect it has more to do with sales and what they think they will profit most from. I guess there are more whining Hal fans than whining Kyle fans, probably in equal proportions to the overall "fan" population.

[csyphrett]

They screw up any hero's personal life right before they screw up his status quo, not just Kyle. I can think of at least a dozen examples off the top of my head.


CES

[MisterVimes]

Hal and Alan always came across as the man with the plan, but my favorite has to be Jack T. Chance, who I think was killed after the Corps was shut down.
CES

He did have the coolest oath:

"You who are wicked, evil, and mean
I'm the nastiest creep you've *ever* seen!
Come one, come all; put up a fight;
I'll pound your butts with Green Lantern's light.
Yowza."

[MisterVimes]

Sodam Yat is the Daxamite GL. Except he doesn't exist yet- he's only appeared in prophecies and "untold stories." He was supposed to appear in Moore's big post-Crisis epic (which never happened after Moore's first falling-out with them) and be the guy who takes out Superman, after society has collapsed and the world is ruled by competing "Houses" of superhumans. (The plot hinges around two events- a mysterious murder in a bar and the pending arranged marriage and alliance between the children of Superman/Wonder Woman (the House of Steel) and Captain Marvel (the House of Thunder.)) dw


Quit Darren... I'm still trying to get over the fact that we'll never read this *sniff*

[MisterVimes]

Kyle.

Why?

He does the most with his ring. Has the imagination to really let it sing. He might lack Hals' willpower (I consider Hal's willpower to be Superman's Strength on a mental level) but he is faster on the uptake and more creative with applications.

Hawksmoor

The new miniseries, rather than bury Kyle, makes Kyle look very strong and he is actually the one that brings Hal back (sop to speak). There is also an exchange between Hal and Kyle where Kyle explains that he is not like the rest of the GLs, that HE (Kyle) knows fear.

Hal (not missing a beat) says: "Yet you just faced down Sinestro. That's what makes you a hero."

It was a great moment.

[MisterVimes]

Alan is Okay, but I love the SF Lanterns of the Silver age.

Kilowog is cool, and Kyle is my second favorite....

But Hal all the way baby. I was sort of hoping the new GL series would be the Hal and Kyle show, but we are going to get that GL corp mini series so I am really happy about that. :)

The new GL series seems to be an ensemble book (much like Johns' JSA and Flash). Right now it is focusing on Hal's return, but we are expecting the book to be a TRUE GL book and feature Kyle, Guy, John and Hal, with the new GLC as a companion book.

Here's hoping.

[MisterVimes]

However I found myself annoyed by what they did to him just prior to bringing back Jordan (basicaly screwing over his personal life) and to me it feels like they screwed him over to apease the whinny Hal fans.

It's the dead girlfriend syndrome. The sales on the book were abyssmal and the thought was to "clean-slate" Kyle before making changes to the book. The sales dropped further and the return of Hal was decided upon after it was noticed that appearances by Hal/Spectre boosted sales in slow books.

Basically, the fans wanted to read about Hal and not Kyle. Now they get both (as well as bringing Guy back into the Corps).

[McCoy]

The new miniseries, rather than bury Kyle, makes Kyle look very strong and he is actually the one that brings Hal back (sop to speak). There is also an exchange between Hal and Kyle where Kyle explains that he is not like the rest of the GLs, that HE (Kyle) knows fear.

Hal (not missing a beat) says: "Yet you just faced down Sinestro. That's what makes you a hero."
Tangent alert. Why does Sinestro always come after Earth's Green Lantern? Isn't Katma-Tui the one wearing the ring that use to be his?

[Supreme Serpent]

Tangent alert. Why does Sinestro always come after Earth's Green Lantern? Isn't Katma-Tui the one wearing the ring that use to be his?

'Cause Earth's GL's have books they appear in? :think:

Maybe it's just a mad-on for Jordan and Jordan's "heirs".

[Lord Mhoram]

The new GL series seems to be an ensemble book (much like Johns' JSA and Flash). Right now it is focusing on Hal's return, but we are expecting the book to be a TRUE GL book and feature Kyle, Guy, John and Hal, with the new GLC as a companion book.

Here's hoping.

Yeah. And I understand that if the GL Corps: Recharged is a success it will either turn into a monthly kind of thing (sort of like the classifieds) or there will be different GL Corps minis (not unlike what Astro City is doing now). Either way Cool!!

I'd love to see the new GL an group book, coming off much like Rebirth did. I have always been a fan of the Corps, rather than any individual Green Lantern.

[Lord Mhoram]

'

Maybe it's just a mad-on for Jordan and Jordan's "heirs".

That is part of it. Sinestro has a huge history with Hal, being his first GL trainer and all. By this point I think it is just habit. :)

[JmOz]

I voted for Kilowag, but my true favorite was this one female GL who stared in a series of backups called "Green Magic". Her world was divided between the science & the wizards, well the short of it is that she was of the science but because of the powers she had via the ring it looked more like the wizards...

Real good back up feture...

[Red Knight]

I voted for Kyle... I grew up with the Saturday morning cartoon, Superfriends and/or Clash of the SUperfriends. In there, Hal was a super-goodie-goodiw who made boxing gloved and catchers mits to do battle. I have to admit that I was not at all impressed with Green Lantern at that time.
<presses fast-forward button>

A good friend of mine introduced me to Green Lantern shortly after Kyle took over. I instantly feel in love with the character and writing. I liked the fact that the Lantern could make a myriad of items. Gone were the days of boxing gloves.. the true versitility / power of the ring was realized.
I started to fall out with GL, when Kyle became Ion. Then when Kyle became darker and broodier than Batman.... I stopped reading it.

As far as bringing Hal back????? I'll read it to see how it goes. If the goodie-goodie attitude comes back.... I'll say goodbye.

I have to agree with Keyes_bill..... Dead should mean Dead.... Let's leave the "coming back from the dead stuff" to the soap-operas.

[MisterVimes]

Tangent alert. Why does Sinestro always come after Earth's Green Lantern? Isn't Katma-Tui the one wearing the ring that use to be his?


Katma is dead I believe and Sinestro has a serious hate on for Hal. Hal was his one time student and has beaten him badly so many times. He hates Earth because he hates Hal.

[MisterVimes]

Yeah. And I understand that if the GL Corps: Recharged is a success it will either turn into a monthly kind of thing (sort of like the classifieds) or there will be different GL Corps minis (not unlike what Astro City is doing now). Either way Cool!!

I'd love to see the new GL an group book, coming off much like Rebirth did. I have always been a fan of the Corps, rather than any individual Green Lantern.

I'm glad someone else is reading this series. It's very good stuff.

[MisterVimes]

I voted for Kilowag, but my true favorite was this one female GL who stared in a series of backups called "Green Magic". Her world was divided between the science & the wizards, well the short of it is that she was of the science but because of the powers she had via the ring it looked more like the wizards.

Hollika Rahn, cool character. She was one of the corps that joined the Darkstars with John Stewart and Charlie Vickers when the Corps ceased to exist.

[Brandi]

Haven't read enough of the comics to make an informed vote, but I must say that Animated-Universe John Stewart's very well-done.

[MisterVimes]

Haven't read enough of the comics to make an informed vote, but I must say that Animated-Universe John Stewart's very well-done.

That's a valid choice. The JL/JLU series has made him his own man. He is much more interesting than he ever was in the comics.

[RDU Neil]

Haven't read enough of the comics to make an informed vote, but I must say that Animated-Universe John Stewart's very well-done.

I'd have to second this. Best part of the cartoon series (before JLU got so good) was that John Stewart was fully realized as a charcter that never really showed in the comics.

I have to admit I did like Green Lanter: Mosaic... back in the day.

[MisterVimes]

I have to admit I did like Green Lanter: Mosaic... back in the day.

Back when I owned a comic shop, Cully Hamner (the artist of mosaic) was a customer... We kept saying: "Yeah, I like your art, but you're too radical for the mainstream."

Oh... and I didn't invest in Yahoo when I had a chance either :stupid:

[Enforcer84]

Looks like Hall has more fans than I thought.

[Enforcer84]

But not old enough to favor Alan

[MisterVimes]

Looks like Hal has more fans than I thought.

Hence the sales records the book is busting

[shaunclinton]

JSA is a great book, I'm almost ashamed to admit that I wait for the TPB's rather than getting the comics!!! Must be getting old!

As for Alan, one of my favourite storylines involving him was during the whole Underworld Unleashed when his wife bargained for youth so she could be with him and he headed off to Hell to confront Neron and get back Molly's soul. He ends up shrunk to tiny size and tied to Neron's chest, but then in the final issue of the miniseries he is freed by an energy blast of some sort from one of the heroes. I always loved the next bit, he says something like "Give me my shot..." and then Neron takes one of the few hits he feels from a huge green fist shooting straight up under his jaw. Loved Sentinel ever since.

Also, is it just me or have they retconned Alan into one of the most powerful metahumans on the planet? If not in fact the most powerful? It's been mentioned a whole bunch of times in the DCU in the last year or two! Just hyperbole perhaps?

[assault]

Well I think Hal started in 1959 or 1960 with several years of western comics between Alan and Hal. I would say most gamers under 45 have had no exposure to Alan except in All-Star Squardon, Infinity, Inc, and JSA [and JSA only being in the last few years].

There was a short-lived JSA series in the late 80s or early 90s, plus a mini-series, and sundry other things. There were also occasional Hal/Alan crossover stories in Green Lantern.

Critically, however, there were the JLA/JSA crossovers, which is where Alan got most of his Silver Age exposure. Even the worst of these stories rocked.

I'm appalled that Kyle the wannabe seems to be gradually be overhauling Alan in the poll. :angst:

[Agent X]

I voted for Kyle... I grew up with the Saturday morning cartoon, Superfriends and/or Clash of the SUperfriends. In there, Hal was a super-goodie-goodiw who made boxing gloved and catchers mits to do battle. I have to admit that I was not at all impressed with Green Lantern at that time.
<presses fast-forward button>

A good friend of mine introduced me to Green Lantern shortly after Kyle took over. I instantly feel in love with the character and writing. I liked the fact that the Lantern could make a myriad of items. Gone were the days of boxing gloves.. the true versitility / power of the ring was realized.
I started to fall out with GL, when Kyle became Ion. Then when Kyle became darker and broodier than Batman.... I stopped reading it.

As far as bringing Hal back????? I'll read it to see how it goes. If the goodie-goodie attitude comes back.... I'll say goodbye.

I have to agree with Keyes_bill..... Dead should mean Dead.... Let's leave the "coming back from the dead stuff" to the soap-operas. Dude, Hal Jordan used to make Giant Bowlers throw bowling balls at the bad guys, for example.

[assault]

Dude, Hal Jordan used to make Giant Bowlers throw bowling balls at the bad guys, for example.

Hal Jordan also used to travel around the US in a pickup truck with Green Arrow and a little blue dude, dealing with racism, drug addiction and all the "grim 'n' gritty" bits of life, long before "realism" and whiny angst became mandatory.

Before and after this, he starred in some of the finest comic book space opera ever published. And Alan Scott, Guy Gardner, John Stewart, Katma Tui etc were there beside him at least some of the time.

Kyle is a creation of the 90s fad for replacing long established characters with lamer imitations.

He probably suffers from Liefeld Syndrome, too. :)

[Agent X]

Hal Jordan also used to travel around the US in a pickup truck with Green Arrow and a little blue dude, dealing with racism, drug addiction and all the "grim 'n' gritty" bits of life, long before "realism" and whiny angst became mandatory.

Before and after this, he starred in some of the finest comic book space opera ever published. And Alan Scott, Guy Gardner, John Stewart, Katma Tui etc were there beside him at least some of the time.

Kyle is a creation of the 90s fad for replacing long established characters with lamer imitations.

He probably suffers from Liefeld Syndrome, too. :) I'm pretty tired of the new hero being a teenager/twenty-something OR being a grim dude with beard stubble.

Hal Jordan rocked and anyone who thought they had run out of stories to tell about him needs to get their imagination examined.

[MisterVimes]

Critically, however, there were the JLA/JSA crossovers, which is where Alan got most of his Silver Age exposure. Even the worst of these stories rocked.

The first comic I remember buying was JLA 100 (1972). It was the annual JSA/JLA Crossover with the Seven Soldiers of Victory as well.

It was there that I discovered Wildcat, Starman and Alan Scott... I've been a Golden Age fan ever since.

They also published secret origins back then and every issue was two-story reprint from the early siler or late golden age. They were great stuff.

[MisterVimes]

JSA is a great book, I'm almost ashamed to admit that I wait for the TPB's rather than getting the comics!!! Must be getting old!

I do exactly the same thing. It's cheaper and it's more satisfying to read an entire story arc at one sitting.


Also, is it just me or have they retconned Alan into one of the most powerful metahumans on the planet? If not in fact the most powerful? It's been mentioned a whole bunch of times in the DCU in the last year or two! Just hyperbole perhaps?

I think it all started with the Golden Age Elsewhere TPB by Robinson. In there without a Golden Age Superman, Alan is portrayed as The Big Guy. And may of the Post-Crisis All-Star Squadron stuff portrayed GL as top of the heap.

[MisterVimes]

Hal Jordan rocked and anyone who thought they had run out of stories to tell about him needs to get their imagination examined.

AMEN!

[Kirby]

My personal favorite is Guy Gardner. While obnoxious and annoying at times, I feel he's had the most difficult obstacles to overcome. Beginning with Hal being closer but Guy being the better candidate, the explosion that changed him, his girlfriend leaving him (for Hal, too, right?). I liked how back in Justice League (years ago) they would show his softer side while trying to date Ice (even when he'd try and take her to XXX movies). He had some of the most original ideas for sfx on the power rings and he nearly took down Desparo single-handedly until the rest of the league showed up (and his obnoxious side took over and he let himself be distracted).

Then there is the classic "one punch" which is really the only way Batman could beat him (Guy fighting 'fair' with Batman not). There were some humorous 'sweet Guy' issues, up to fighting Lobo, and when Guy became his "usual self," thrashed Lobo. I didn't really like how they treated Guy in his own series.

Or so memory serves.

I don't have anything against Hal, never really read Kyle's stuff (probably less than a dozen comics that had him in them). John Stewart always seemed to be whining about something and I couldn't stand Mosaic (a huge let-down to me) and was glad when my subscription to that was canceled/ended. My favorite alien GL would be Kilowog and there was something about Katma Tui. After Guy Gardner though, my favorite was the GLC series as opposed to any individual.

[Jeff T.]

Nope. I tried.


Can't think of much of anything good about any Green Lantern. Where's the option for Marvel's Quasar? :)

[Red Knight]

Hal Jordan also used to travel around the US in a pickup truck with Green Arrow and a little blue dude, dealing with racism, drug addiction and all the "grim 'n' gritty" bits of life, long before "realism" and whiny angst became mandatory.

Before and after this, he starred in some of the finest comic book space opera ever published. And Alan Scott, Guy Gardner, John Stewart, Katma Tui etc were there beside him at least some of the time.

Kyle is a creation of the 90s fad for replacing long established characters with lamer imitations.

He probably suffers from Liefeld Syndrome, too. :)

I can assure you that Kyle does not suffer from the Liefeld Syndrome. I just thought that the goodie-goodie aspect of Hal Jordan was a little too much. Hal was viewed as the perfect hero. Too good to be true...

Another issue I had was he was the "Man with no fear". Not having fear is a psychological disorder... It was his own arrogance that allowed Parallax to do what it did. To me.. the fall of Hal was inevitable and made sense. I read the Rebirth series and I liked it... I just hope that Hal doesn't fall back onto his old tricks... or at least the writers. Let us not forget that the old comics fit the times they were in. Society wanted heroes to be icons of humanity. Now people want the heroes to reflect humanity. No.. they don't all have to be whiny teenagers filled with angst, but how about a character that at least seems partially real??

[OddHat]

No.. they don't all have to be whiny teenagers filled with angst, but how about a character that at least seems partially real??

Brave, emotionally strong, honest, dedicated, and honorable people all seem fairly real to me. I've been lucky enough to know a few of them in my life. Pride and self-righteousness sometimes do get worked into the mix, but I don't worry much about that, except to work around it.

What this comes down to is that what seems like a "real" peronality is going to vary depending on life experience and point of view of the audience.

Also, considering the times and the medium, the iconic Silver Age heroes had personalities at least as real as anyone else in comics.

[Red Knight]

Brave, emotionally strong, honest, dedicated, and honorable people all seem fairly real to me. I've been lucky enough to know a few of them in my life. Pride and self-righteousness sometimes do get worked into the mix, but I don't worry much about that, except to work around it. .

I agree with that also... I too work with people that exhibit these traits... but just not to the all-consuming level that Hal personifies.



What this comes down to is that what seems like a "real" peronality is going to vary depending on life experience and point of view of the audience.

Also, considering the times and the medium, the iconic Silver Age heroes had personalities at least as real as anyone else in comics.

The Silver Age Heroes' personalities were indicative of the era.. It reminds me of the Leave It To Beaver kind of show. That is what people wanted to see. We look at LITB now and laugh..
"Golly Gee.. I guess you were right to punch me... But I forgive you. Let's go get root beer float."

To me the old Hal smacked of this also.

I'm not saying that Kyle is the perfect Lantern either. Actually, I stopped reading the comic when he became uber-dark. But to start off with, he was a young man trying to figure out where he belonged in the superhero community.

[MisterVimes]

The Silver Age Heroes' personalities were indicative of the era.. It reminds me of the Leave It To Beaver kind of show. That is what people wanted to see. We look at LITB now and laugh..
"Golly Gee.. I guess you were right to punch me... But I forgive you. Let's go get root beer float."

To me the old Hal smacked of this also.

I'm not saying that Kyle is the perfect Lantern either. Actually, I stopped reading the comic when he became uber-dark. But to start off with, he was a young man trying to figure out where he belonged in the superhero community.


It comes down to this: Somewhere along the line the comics publishers (I blame Image) got the foolish notion that readers wanted Gen-X wastrel 'heroes'. They wanted the heroes to have feet of clay and to be as messed up as The Jerry Springer crowd would have us believe we are. We got people who were abused as children, alcoholics, drug addicts and jack-booted thugs. Everyone started wearing trenchcoats and leather jackets. Real heroes were replaced by psychotics (Batman and Captain America).

And it sold... for a while and then folks started to notice it was all style and no substance. They wanted their heroes to be a little bit better than they were. I mean, isn't that WHY they are heroes? And now the best selling team book at DC is JSA, the heroes of the Golden Age. Marvel has gone back to page one with the Avengers. Everything old is new again.

[Agent X]

I can assure you that Kyle does not suffer from the Liefeld Syndrome. I just thought that the goodie-goodie aspect of Hal Jordan was a little too much. Hal was viewed as the perfect hero. Too good to be true...

Another issue I had was he was the "Man with no fear". Not having fear is a psychological disorder... It was his own arrogance that allowed Parallax to do what it did. To me.. the fall of Hal was inevitable and made sense. I read the Rebirth series and I liked it... I just hope that Hal doesn't fall back onto his old tricks... or at least the writers. Let us not forget that the old comics fit the times they were in. Society wanted heroes to be icons of humanity. Now people want the heroes to reflect humanity. No.. they don't all have to be whiny teenagers filled with angst, but how about a character that at least seems partially real?? You are aware that the writing of Hal Jordan in an attempt to bring in Kyle was extremely inconsistent with what Hal Jordan was about?

[Agent X]

I agree with that also... I too work with people that exhibit these traits... but just not to the all-consuming level that Hal personifies.



The Silver Age Heroes' personalities were indicative of the era.. It reminds me of the Leave It To Beaver kind of show. That is what people wanted to see. We look at LITB now and laugh..
"Golly Gee.. I guess you were right to punch me... But I forgive you. Let's go get root beer float."

To me the old Hal smacked of this also.

I'm not saying that Kyle is the perfect Lantern either. Actually, I stopped reading the comic when he became uber-dark. But to start off with, he was a young man trying to figure out where he belonged in the superhero community. Leave It To Beaver was an extremely well-written show and did a good job of dealing with ordinary subjects and keeping them entertaining. It was also pretty darn realistic while dealing with those ordinary subjects even if the language used may not have been as colorful as that many people spoke at the time.

[Agent X]

It comes down to this: Somewhere along the line the comics publishers (I blame Image) got the foolish notion that readers wanted Gen-X wastrel 'heroes'. They wanted the heroes to have feet of clay and to be as messed up as The Jerry Springer crowd would have us believe we are. We got people who were abused as children, alcoholics, drug addicts and jack-booted thugs. Everyone started wearing trenchcoats and leather jackets. Real heroes were replaced by psychotics (Batman and Captain America).

And it sold... for a while and then folks started to notice it was all style and no substance. They wanted their heroes to be a little bit better than they were. I mean, isn't that WHY they are heroes? And now the best selling team book at DC is JSA, the heroes of the Golden Age. Marvel has gone back to page one with the Avengers. Everything old is new again. It makes me wonder (well, not really) what kind of issues guys like Frank Miller have going on in their past.

[MisterVimes]

It makes me wonder (well, not really) what kind of issues guys like Frank Miller have going on in their past.

Despite all of Frank's issues, in the end, Batman (DKR) and Daredevil were both truly heroic in less than heroic circumstances. Alan Moore and Frank Miller have both apologized for bringing about Grim-n-gritty. Frankly, it wasn't their fault, their product was good. It was the imitators that followed that aped the style without the substance.

And then there is Sin City... which is a different conversation all together. :bmk:

[Red Knight]

The early to mid eighties were flooded with the darkness of the grim-n-gritty world. Cyberpunk was the main theme in many stories. Technology out of control... Corporations dominating our lives and violence escalating beyond our control....

Then one day .... the world started to look like the TV... or was TV looking like reality... or were they feeding each other??

I speak from experience in that crime is on the increase and violence is infiltrating all aspects of our lives.

As much as a "true hero" is fun to read... the reality gap is growing larger and larger... there is less connection between them and what is outside our windows. Heroes that have "issues" are more realistic than those who do not. My hope for Hal is that they don't just let all that has happened drop away and become forgotten. He did a lot of bad stuff... granted he was possessed at the time, but there is a lot he has seen and done that don't just fall away.

[ShinDangaioh]

I grew up with Hal as Green Lantern, but the stories I read were boring.

As to Green Lantern/Green Arrow, it might have been 'groundbreaking', but why did a black guy chew out an intergalactic space cop?

That said.

Of the choices, I'm going to go with Guy Gardner. The explosion of the power battery made him insane and brain damaged. It wasn't retconned into him, it was built into him via the events that happened.

Guy Gardner is an everyday person that is likable in his own way.

Guy and Kyle have the most developed personalities of the Green Lantern Corps