The Green Lanterns are a staple in DC Comics and are the best space heroes in comics. Sure, the Guardians of the Galaxy are cool, the Silver Surfer used to keep Galactus in check, and Space Ghost is one of the most dangerous people in his universe. However, the Green Lantern Corps has protected the entire universe sector by sector for eons.

The success of HBO’s Lanterns has everyone talking about the Green Lantern Corps. They want to know if Hal Jordan is as arrogant as the show makes him out to be (he kind of is), if Guy is that much of a jerk (he’s worse), and if John Stewart is as powerful as he’s been portrayed (he’s more powerful in the comics). What people who don’t know about DC Comics may be shocked to know is that they aren’t the only Green Lanterns from Earth.

Alan Scott (Honorable Mention)

Alan Scott’s candidacy is certainly debatable here. Yes, Scott is the original Green Lantern. He debuted in 1940 in All-American Comics #16, is a founding member of the Justice Society of America, and has been a hero in DC Comics ever since. The problem is that he’s not a member of the Corps. Nevertheless, it would have been a mistake not to add him to this list.

Alan Scott is the first DC Comics character to bear the name Green Lantern, but he doesn’t earn his powers the same way as some of the others on this list, or represent Earth in the same way. The green flame that gives him his abilities is alien, but it’s not connected to Oa. It comes from a sentient entity called Starheart which, as DC’s official database says, is “a mystical, sentient entity composed of highly concentrated magic.”

1

Hal Jordan

Hal Jordan is the first official Earthling to be given a Green Lantern Power Ring. Like many in the Corps, Hal got his ring after the previous holder, Abin Sur, was about to die in his origin story from Showcase #22, in 1959. The ring selected him because he was born without fear. This led to a ton of adventures around the galaxy and beyond, and to becoming one of the premier heroes in comics.

Hal Jordan is known as the greatest Green Lantern ever. This is a major accomplishment since many have come before him. He isn’t the most powerful, creative, or even the most well-liked. His reputation comes from having unmatched willpower and an ability to come out on top even when it looks like he’s going to fail.

Another thing Hal’s known for is his arrogance. The animated features and HBO program show this, and it’s not all exaggerated. There have been plenty of times when Jordan should have stepped down or asked for help, but his pride wouldn’t let him. In some ways, it’s why he’s the best of the corps, even when he can be frustrating.

2

Guy Gardner

James Gunn’s Superman did a great job showing the outer layers of Guy Gardner. He has the fearlessness and creativity to be one of the protectors of Space Sector 2814. He can also be brash and annoying, and it’s why Batman knocked him out with one punch. The funny thing is that those are the qualities he uses to hide his trauma.

Early in life, Guy was the victim of abuse from his alcoholic father. This caused him to never feel like he was good enough and made him overcompensate throughout life. Despite the abuse and false hubris, Guy Gardner became one of the greats. For example, after DC K.O., he became the Allsight.

Being the Allsight gave Guy the power to see the living embodiment of the Emotional Spectrum. Eventually, he was able to lend the abilities of the entire Power Spectrum to other Lanterns such as in Green Lanterns Corps #19. So far, there seems to be no limit to that power.

3

John Stewart

John Stewart’s first appearance in 1971, Green Lantern #87, was perfect. The synopsis on DC Infinite may have called him cocky and belligerent, but that was their way of getting people to read the issue. Yes, some of it was true, but all of that was necessary to live and succeed as a Black man in America in the early 1970s.

From the first time he appeared, John Stewart was overachieving. He was a brilliant man with underrated detective skills and a need to show everyone what he could do. It wasn’t out of arrogance. John knew how good he was, what it took to be a hero, and what it meant to be a Black man in his position.

Once John was given the chance, he became more than a leader. He overachieved and did things with the ring that no one had been able to accomplish, like creating sentient life. The best part about this is he’ll continue to amaze the universe with his abilities. Who knows what he’ll do in the future?

4

Kyle Rayner

Creativity is one of the top requirements to be a Green Lantern, and Kyle Rayner is the most inventive of them all. His background as an artist helps him create imaginative and fun constructs like teddy bears, space knights, and a comically huge whistle Green Lantern #39. It’s made him one of comic book fans’ favorites in the Corps and someone who should eventually make his way to James Gunn’s DCU.

Kyle has gone beyond what it means to be a Green Lantern. He’s so attuned to his emotions that he’s been a Blue Lantern. Currently, he can become a White Lantern, wielding power of the entire Spectrum and life itself when things get too dangerous. Because of that, he has demonstrably been the strongest of all the Lanterns at multiple points.

5

Simon Baz

Simon Baz deserves to have a Green Lantern Power Ring because being a Muslim in America and dealing with prejudice has given him the ability to live without fear. Sadly, he hasn’t had many big, defining moments like others on his team. However, when things are bad, Simon is always in the thick of things, protecting his teammates and innocent people.

Writer Morgan Hampton has made it a point to highlight Simon Baz in Green Lantern Corps. In that series, readers see that he’s compassionate, skilled, and more than worthy of a ring. It wouldn’t be shocking if he’s one of the people saving the day in one of the next storylines.

6

Jessica Cruz

Jessica Cruz shouldn’t have been a Lantern. In fact, she wasn’t supposed to be. Her first ring, the Ring of Volthoom, used her terror and anxiety to power her up. After overcoming her fear and sacrificing herself to save the Flash in Justice League #50 (2016).

More than anyone, Jessica has shown that fear can be overcome. After seeing her friends murdered, she was terrified to leave her house. She’s now in charge of the Lanterns, and not just the Green ones. The entire Emotional Light Spectrum is on Oa, and they’re under her command.

It should also be mentioned that (thanks to time travel) she helped train the first group of Green Lanterns (Green Lantern: Out of Time). How’s that for someone who didn’t always have an overabundance of courage?

7

Sojourner “Jo” Mullein

Sojourner “Jo” Mullein is the newest and boldest of the Green Lanterns. Like John Stewart, she has to deal with being Black in America. On top of that, she’s a woman, bisexual, and won’t hold her tongue for anyone. It’s why she laughs at fear and becomes a field leader for all the Lanterns in the Emotional Spectrum.

Out of everyone on this list, Jo Mullein has the most potential. She’s younger, meaning she has a fresher and more progressive perspective on life. Jo’s also proven to be one of the best leaders in the Corps, who always gets the most out of her people, like creating a powered mech from various Lanterns. One day, she’ll be leader of the Justice League, and we’ll look back and say, “It’s about time.”

8

Keli Quintela

Lastly, we come to Keli Quintela, who didn’t start as a Green Lantern. She gained the abilities by hacking into a Green Lantern Power Battery. Instead of using a ring, she used a cool-looking power gauntlet.

At the time, Keli Quintela wasn’t a member of the Green Lantern Corps. Now, she’s the youngest person from Earth to ever be inducted into the team. It seems irresponsible, but flying around the galaxy is probably safer than being a Robin in Gotham City.

Created By

Martin Nodell, Bill Finger, John Broome, Gil Kane, Dennis O’Neil, Neal Adams

First Appearance

All-American Comics

Alias

Alan Scott, Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, John Stewart, Kyle Rayner, Simon Baz, Jessica Cruz, Sojourner Mullein

Alliance

Justice League, Justice Society of America, Green Lantern Corps