"There are men so godlike, so exceptional, that they naturally, by right of their extraordinary gifts, transcend all moral judgment or constitutional control. There is no law which embraces men of that caliber. They are themselves law."

Green Lantern History


The Green Lantern has been around since 1940. His first appearance in a comic book was in All American Comics number 16, which was published in July of 1940 by All American Publications. All American Publications made up one of a group of companies that would go on to form DC Comics.

As such, the Green Lantern has been a mainstay of many DC Comics superhero groups and comics. Among these are the Justice Society of America, of which he was one of the original and founding members. Later on, he also appeared in the Justice League. After his initial appearance he also had his own comic book series, The Green Lantern, which survived nearly a decade until 1949.

Green Lantern can be looked at in two different perspectives; the original Green Lantern character which appeared in 1940 during the Golden Age of comic books and his subsequent revival during the Silver Age of comic books in 1959. The first Green Lantern was known as Alan Scott.

Scott was an engineer who came upon a green lantern, which contained the flame of a green meteor which came to Earth thousands of years prior. The flame instructed him on how to make a ring from the lantern, of which he could derive great power. This ring was filled with magical powers and had to be recharged.

The Silver Age Green Lantern first appeared in Showcase number 22, during September of 1959. Now known as Hal Jordan, there was more different about this Green Lantern than name only. The ring was no longer magical but now filled with technological powers.

Jordan, a test pilot, was given the ring from an alien who was actually the previous Green Lantern. Jordan was chosen, amongst other reasons, for his bravery and ability. Not just anybody would be able to gain power from the ring, but you would have to be able to wield and control it.

The changes in Green Lantern between the Golden Age and the Silver Age were a part of a movement throughout the entire comic book industry. Superheroes fell out of popularity following World War II (although The Green Lantern, a popular character, survived until 1949).

In addition, the Comics Code Authority was formed as an industry self-regulation, in order to regain lost popularity due to criticisms by the government. The superhero genre was revamped, and the Green Lantern although not the first to be revamped, was among the early handful who would reignite America’s passion for superheroes and comic books.

The Green Lanterns were protectors of various sectors of the universe and together formed the Green Lantern Corps. Hal Jordan was given a backup Green Lantern, Guy Gardner. Gardner would eventually be replaced by John Stewart. In more modern times, the Green Lantern is Kyle Rayner.