“The one thing a green lantern is suppose to be is fearless," states Hal Jordan as he contemplates his future as the Green Lantern. An above average man, test-pilot, and friend Hal is uncertain of what evil lurks beyond his apartment and if he is qualified to become a Green Lantern. Read on to learn about Hal Jordan the Green Lantern and this superhero's fifty-year-old legacy.
The Golden Age: Origins of Green Lantern
After a railway crash, Alan Scott, a railroad engineer came into possession of a magic lantern. This green lantern spoke to him and said it would bring him power. Deciding he needed something more portable then a lantern, he crafted a magic ring. The ring gave him a wide variety of powers with only one limitation it had to be “charged” every 24 hours by touching it to the lantern for a period of time. Ironically it did not work on objects made of wood. In July 1940, the very first issue of Green Lantern appeared in All-American comics. The writer Bill Finger worked closely with his artist Martin Nodell for nine years until popularity of superheroes declined. The Green Lantern comic was canceled after World War II, its final issue being #38 in June 1949.
Silver Age revival, The Rise of Hal Jordan as Green Lantern
After successfully revising comic book superheroes in the late 1950s, DC Comics began a new era known as the Silver Age of comic books. By October 1959, the Green Lantern returned with a whole new personality and story. His new name was Hal Jordan, an aircraft test pilot, who relished challenges and enjoyed living life to the fullest. Fast cars, fast women and fast airplanes, Hal pushed himself to his absolute limits in the face of danger. He held an unlimited reserve of fearlessness, tackling anything standing in his way. Above all else he lives 100% in the moment and if he fails, then at least he tried. The one characteristic making him a unique individual is when faced with extreme hardship, instead of becoming crippled or afraid, he dusts himself off, builds up his courage, faces his fear and continues moving forward. His first appearance was in Showcase, issue #22 (September-October 1959). At the beginning of this issue, Hal Jordan finds a dying alien, Abin Sur, who gives him a power ring and invitation into the Green Lantern Corps.
Green Lanterns’ Power Ring and Uniform
Created by the Guardians of the Universe, each power ring is given to a member of the Green Lantern Corps. Known as “the most powerful weapon in the universe,” a power ring can create whatever the wearer imagines. The only limitation is the ring-bearer’s willpower. When active, the power ring acts as a force field, allowing the user to fly, travel across inhospitable environments (underwater, outer space, etc), and enter hyperspace to move immense distances. Several features of the power ring are that it can act like a highly advanced computer system it can act as a universal translator, create electromagnetic radiation of various frequencies and distribute a beam of light similar to a powerful laser. A power ring can generate its wearer’s Green Lantern uniform, which appears over normal attire and becomes invisible at will. Based on anatomy, personal preference and social norms of the race, each uniform varies from Lantern to Lantern. However, every uniform must openly display the symbol of the corps.
Resources
“Gateway to Comic Book Movies – Green Lantern.” Tor.com Stephen Aryan
"Ryan Reynolds’ Introduction to ‘Green Lantern: Secret Origins'." comicbookmovie.com Ryan Reynolds
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