Green Lantern in other media

The many incarnations of the DC Comics superhero Green Lantern has appeared in numerous media over the years.

Television

Animation

Hal Jordan was the featured character in a solo series which was part of The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure (1967) as well as part of the Justice League segments. These would be the character's first animated appearances. Gerald Mohr is the voice of Green Lantern.

In addition, Hal Jordan's Green Lantern was an occasional supporting character in the various Super Friends incarnations: "Challenge Of The SuperFriends", ', and '. Michael Rye is the voice of the Green Lantern for these appearances.

Justice League

John Stewart is a member of the Justice League in the Justice League animated series. In this series, Stewart's ring was initially constrained to permitting him to fly, generating a protective force field, creating walls, and firing energy blasts; this limitation was established as being due to Stewart's mindset, not an inherent limitation of the ring itself (the series' version of John Stewart is a former U.S. Marine, not an architect). After being berated by Katma Tui for his unimaginative use of the ring, Stewart has learned to generate complex tools (to defuse a bomb in one instance) and weapons. In a development not seen in any other version of the Green Lantern mythos, Stewart's eyes glow green as a side effect of the Ring's radiation (the glow fades when the ring runs out of power). The series has been inconsistent about the ring's effectiveness against yellow; Stewart is seen fighting Sinestro in one episode and the yellow energy does not prove to be a significant problem for the Lantern, although in a later episode of Justice League Unlimited, the Flash threw yellow Jell-o at him, breaking his force field. Stewart's voice is provided by Phil LaMarr.

History

While specific details have been vague at best, much of the history of John Stewart can be determined through various comments and revelations over the course of the series. Stewart grew up in a predominantly Black-American urban neighborhood of Detroit (where, in his adult life, he declined the offer of private housing on the Justice League Watchtower, and rented a room from a Korean landlady). As a child, he was a big fan of "Justice Guild of America" comics (loosely based on the Justice Society of America). Stewart credits these comics with teaching him what it meant to be a hero.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps as a young man. His service dates are unknown, but it can be assumed it was at least for several years, given how much he absorbed the military’s demeanor and methods into his own. It was here that Stewart learned how to fight and strategize, as well as becoming a good friend of fellow Marine Rex Mason. After his service ended, he was chosen to be a Green Lantern, and trained in ring usage with Katma Tui, with whom he developed a romantic relationship. It is unknown how the relationship ended.

Because Sector 2814—the one that includes Earth—had a Green Lantern already (Abin Sur), Stewart spent fifteen years patrolling another sector in the universe. It was during this time when, pursuing space pirate Kanjar Ro, Stewart believed himself to be responsible for the destruction of the planet Ajuris 4—later revealed to be a falsehood concocted by the Manhunters.

When Abin Sur was murdered by Sinestro and passed his ring on to Kyle Rayner, Stewart was transferred to take over 2814 so that Rayner could train with Katma. It is at this point that "Justice League" joins John’s story, when he answers a telepathic call from the Martian Manhunter, which leads him to join a battle against an alien invasion force, with the help of four other heroes.

Characterization

During the course of the series, Stewart would be the main focus in more stories than any of the seven members of the League: "In Blackest Night", "Legends", "Metamorphosis", "The Savage Time", "Hearts and Minds", "Secret Society", and "Starcrossed" (though he shares the focus with Wonder Woman in "Savage" and with Hawkgirl in "Starcrossed").

The most crucial development during this time was the love story between him and Hawkgirl (real name: Shayera Hol). Shortly after they admitted their feelings for each other, "Starcrossed" occurred, revealing that Hawkgirl was a spy for the Thanagarian forces, and that she has betrayed their secrets to her home Thanagarians. Worse than that, she’d been promised/engaged to the leader, Hro Talak (whose name is an anagram for that of the Silver age Hawkman Katar Hol), before she even came to Earth. Over the course of the "Justice League" finale, Shayera and Hro fell out of love with each other and Shayera helped save Earth from destruction. After the battle, the League votes on whether to allow her back, but she resigns and flies off into the sunset without John ever telling her that he still loved her.

During Shayera’s self-imposed exile, the League expands to 57 members (in the retitled "Justice League Unlimited") and Stewart gets a new girlfriend: superheroine and supermodel Mari Jiwi McCabe/Vixen. At first he treats this as a rebound relationship, but once Shayera returns to the League, he's conflicted by feelings for both women. These feelings are exacerbated in "The Once and Future Thing", when he travels to the future and meets his son with Shayera, Warhawk. He does not immediately share this revelation with her. Upon meeting Carter Hall, the would-be Hawkman, John makes the decision to inform Shayera of the son he met in the future. However, as his relationship with Mari had advanced (and Mari had been quite seriously injured before), he makes the decision to not leave Mari just because destiny would seem to decree it; he tells Shayera that whatever happens needs to happen because of how they feel "now".

In the episode "In Blackest Night", Stewart resigns himself to the treatment of the residents of Ajuris 4, believing he has destroyed a planet (unaware that he has been framed), claiming that superheroes need to be held accountable for their actions. In "Metamorphosis", he deals with the opposite problem, noting how wealthy and carefree his old Marine pal Rex Mason is, and wonders if being a Lantern has cost him social and romantic opportunities. The episode "Only a Dream" explores Stewart’s fears over how his hometown has become as alien to him as the farthest reaches of the galaxy, and how he worries about the Lantern energy being the only thing of focus in his life.

Controversy

When Bruce Timm first announced the lineup for "Justice League", there was a good deal of commotion over the choices of John Stewart and Hawkgirl. [http://jl.toonzone.net/lantern/lantern.htm] Regarding Stewart, the first complaint was that he had been included simply to have a black man on the team. Fans were angered for one of two reasons; they were not including the “real” Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, or they were not keeping in line with the continuity established in "Superman" by including Kyle Rayner, who was the current Green Lantern of the comic books at the time.

Timm did admit that one of the reasons for Stewart’s inclusion was that he brought diversity to the team, but also felt that Stewart was a more interesting character. Timm was fond of pointing to Dennis O’Neil’s original incarnation of the character, who was a complex character, and it was from that position that they ran with it.

The other major controversy, especially amongst Internet fans, was Stewart’s use of the ring. In the first season of the series, John would use his ring in a very straightforward, no-frills manner. Where a Lantern in the comics might form a clamp to restrain a fleeing vehicle, John would simply encase it in a bubble. Many felt they could accept this new character, but were disappointed with the limited imagination with which the power ring was used. Bruce Timm admitted that they could have been more creative in the first season with Stewart’s power-ring usage, and in the episode “Hearts and Minds,” Katma Tui even berates John for his lack of creativity. In the later seasons Stewart showed more creativity with his ring.

It’s worth noting however that John’s business-like use of his power ring fit with his character in Justice League’s early seasons, and provided a clue in the "Static Shock" episode “Fallen Hero,” where the more creative use of the ring by Sinestro, impersonating Stewart to besmirch his good name, was a tip-off that something wasn’t right. In his audio commentary for "Legends", Timm states that they also avoided using more complex constructs because he and his creative staff thought a modern audience would not accept it as being too much like "Superfriends", and that going for straight up beams or bubbles were meant to differentiate Stewart from Kyle Rayner, who had used his ring in a very creative manner in his guest starring role on the preceding Superman series.

Guest appearances

*Kyle Rayner appeared as Green Lantern in "In Brightest Day...", an episode of . This incarnation appeared to be a hybrid of Kyle Rayner, John Stewart, and Hal Jordan, since he was recruited by Abin Sur, and fought Jordan's old enemy Sinestro (voiced by Ted Levine). He looked more like Jordan than Rayner (although Hal Jordan's name is clearly visible, painted on the nose of an airplane at a military base). The tie-in with John Stewart is due mainly to the fact that Rayner's Green Lantern "uniform" is the uniform donned by Stewart in the comic series. (this is, perhaps, after the fact, as Stewart didn't resume his role as Green Lantern in the League until after he was incorporated in the JL animated series, however his costume had for some time been unique and distinctive) Rayner was later inducted into the Green Lantern Corps. Guy Gardner makes a cameo as the mugger who steals Jimmy Olsen's camera. Rayner is voiced by Michael P. Greco.

*Rayner was briefly mentioned in one episode of Justice League and he appeared as one of the Green Lanterns attending Superman's funeral in "Hereafter". He later reappeared after the series became Justice League Unlimited in "The Return", bearing a far greater resemblance to his comics counterpart. Rayner's appearance (where he and the Corps unsuccessfully attempted to defend Oa from Amazo) finally explained why John Stewart was the Green Lantern of Earth; Rayner had been stationed on Oa all along. Will Friedle provides Rayner's voice in "The Return."

*A character known as Green Guardsman (whose real name was Scott Mason) appeared in the two-part Justice League episode "Legends", in which John Stewart and several other members traveled to a parallel universe. This other universe had its own superhero group, the Justice Guild of America, whose members were modeled on Golden Age versions of the Justice Society of America characters. Green Guardsman was an homage to the Golden Age Green Lantern. His power ring was unable to affect aluminum. The voice of the Green Guardsman is provided by William Katt.

*The Justice League version of John Stewart appeared in several episodes of Static Shock, both as a member of the League and in a solo appearance. Phil LaMarr reprises his Justice League role as Green Lantern, as well as providing the voice for Static.
*"The Call", a two-part episode of Batman Beyond, featured a future Justice League that included a Green Lantern who was an eight-year old child; he later reappeared as a young adult in the Justice League Unlimited episode Epilogue (the character was created for this appearance, and has not appeared elsewhere). His name was Kai-ro, a tribute to Kairo, Green Lantern's alien sidekick on The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure. Kai-ro is voiced by Lauren Tom.
*Hal Jordan appeared briefly in the Justice League Unlimited episode The Once and Future Thing, Part 2: Time, Warped in which the time-traveling villain Chronos caused the timeline to become unstable, with characters changing or disappearing as their history was altered. At one point, John Stewart morphed into Jordan, who aided the other characters for several minutes before changing back into Stewart. Jordan was voiced by Adam Baldwin. [22]

*On the animated TV series "Duck Dodgers," the episode entitled "The Green Loontern" includes appearances by many members of the Green Lantern Corps. In this episode, a mixup at the dry cleaners results in Dodgers (Daffy Duck) getting Hal Jordan's outfit and ring. Filmmaker and comics fan Kevin Smith provided the voice of Jordan for this cameo.

The Batman

In the fourth season finale of "The Batman", "The Joining", the Justice League was introduced. Hal Jordan was included among its members, in a non-speaking cameo. He next appeared in the fifth season ep "Ring Toss", voiced by Dermot Mulroney and again in the 2-part series finale, "Lost Heroes."

Live action

*Howard Murphy played Green Lantern in the live action Legends of the Superheroes TV specials in 1979. The role of Sinestro was played by comedian Charlie Callas.

*The unsuccessful 1997 pilot for a live-action Justice League of America television series included Matthew Settle as Guy Gardner, although the pilot's Green Lantern used only the name and costume of the comic-book Gardner. In personality and appearance, he much more closely resembled Hal Jordan. He wore a mask and insignia similar to that worn by Kyle Rayner as a part of his original costume. His ring closely resembled that of Alan Scott. However, this ring didn't bestow the power of flight upon its wearer; instead, Gardner flew by using the ring to generate a helicopter rotor.
*Before the project was cancelled, Common was cast as John Stewart in the live-action Justice League of America movie.

Film

Before being pushed back, John Stewart was going to be the Green Lantern in a live action adaptation of "Justice League", directed by George Miller. Columbus Short was considered for the role, but turned it down. [cite news | author = Larry Carroll | title = Columbus Short Turns Down Lantern Ring For ‘Justice League’ | publisher = MTV | date = 2007-10-30 | url = http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/10/30/columbus-short-turns-down-lantern-ring-for-justice-league/ | accessdate=2007-10-30] Rapper Common was set to play John Stewart before the film was tabled.

Hal Jordan is one of the main characters featured in the DC Universe animated film "". He is voiced by David Boreanaz, while love interest Carol Ferris is voiced by Brooke Shields. In a non-speaking role, the Golden Age Green Lantern Alan Scott also makes a small appearance during the Main Titles at the beginning of the film.

Director Greg Berlanti was signed on in 2007 to co-write and direct a "Green Lantern" feature film, featuring Hal Jordan as the main character. The other writers working on the screenplay include Michael Green (who had done work on "Heroes" for television and "Superman/Batman" for comics) and Marc Guggenheim (known for his comic work on "" and "Wolverine"). The film is currently scheduled for release in 2010, but the film has been in initial development for over a year. [cite news | author = Borys Kit | title = Berlanti's not yellow: he'll do 'Green' | publisher = The Hollywood Reporter | date = 2007-10-29 | url = | accessdate=2007-10-30] It was recently reported from a small script review the story details of the movie. It appears that the Emerald Dawn story serves as a major influence of the film's plot, with Hal Jordan receiving the ring and going to Oa to be taught by Sinestro. He would fight Legion as the main villain and Hector Hammond would be the threat to Earth. It is unknown whether Sinestro would appear as a villian in the movie or if he would be saved for another film. There will be an appearance from both Guy Gardner and a small cameo made by Clark Kent. Other characters appearing are Martin Jordan, Carl Ferris, Carol Ferris, Thomas Kalmaku, Tomar-Re, Kilowog, and, of course, the Guardians of the Universe. (Go to iesb.net for story details.) David Boreanaz has expressed interest in playing Hal Jordan.

Producer Donald De Line stated in a recent interview that he hopes shooting will begin in Spring 2009.

It was recently reported that Warner Bros. top choice for Green Lantern/Hal Jordan is Ryan Gosling.

Video games

John Stewart is a playable character in "Justice League Heroes".Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner are unlockable characters as well.

Hal Jordan will be a playable character in the upcoming Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe game. [ [http://kotaku.com/5029247/green-lantern-joker-join-mk-vs-dc-universe-line-up Kitana, Jax, The Joker, and Green Lantern Confirmed] ]

Green Lantern parodies/references

Comics

*Marvel Comics' Nova, Quasar and Freedom Ring have all been considered similar in powers and concept to Green Lanterns. Nova being most like Hal Jordan, although many years younger, while Quasar and Freedom Ring resembled Kyle Rayner. However, it should be noted that Quasar was created fifteen years before Kyle Rayner, so this was a fallacy. The Star Brand, a concept in Marvel's "New Universe," a comics line introduced in 1986, also was thought by some to bear certain similarities to Green Lantern.
*Doctor Spectrum - There are three versions of Dr. Spectrum from three different dimensions in the Marvel Universe, none of which come from the normal Marvel continuity.
**The version of Dr. Spectrum that had the most development was a member of the Squadron Supreme. Dr. Spectrum used to be an astronaut, adventurer and something of a playboy. On one of his space missions, he saved the life of a benevolent alien of the Skrull race. In gratitude for rescuing him, the Skrull gave Joe Ledger the Power Prism, an energy synthesizer his people had created.
**The version of Dr. Spectrum in "Supreme Power" series is a rebooted version of this character. In this version, Joseph (Joe) Daniel Ledger is a Colonel in the United States Army, who perform covert operations missions. He is considered the perfect soldier: an army man who follows any and all orders and is a natural killer. Joe Ledger was the only candidate who was focused and single minded enough to be able to control the power prism found in Hyperion's space ship.
**An evil version of Dr. Spectrum was a member of the Squadron Sinister. Although the Squadron Sinister Dr. Spectrum preceded the Squadron Supreme version in appearance, the former is considered the original as the latter was revealed to be just a copy.
*The Beacon - from Big Bang Comics.
**Beacon of Earth A, corresponding to the 1960s version: Dr. Julia Gardner
**Beacon of Earth B, corresponding to the 1940s version: Scott Martin
*The Green Ghost - from "Invincible" series.
*Green Lambkin - a funny animal version, first appearing in "Captain Carrot and his Amazing Zoo Crew" #14, April 1983. Given his ring by the Goat-Guardians of the planet Uh-Oh, the Green Lambkin was a member of Just'a Lotta Animals, fighting evil alongside heroes such as Batmouse and Super-Squirrel on the parallel world Earth C-Minus.
*In issue #10 of Warren Ellis' "Planetary", "Magic and Loss", there is a race of red-robed beings providing blue lanterns to those worthy of being "Policemen." One noble alien is selected, and a glowing blue lantern (a "mind-powered weapon") is placed within his chest. The alien, now capable of space-travel, heads to Earth where he is captured, vivisected, and has the blue lantern extracted by Dr. Randall Dowling of the Four, after having his powers nullified through the use of red-hued light. Following this, Lamplight gained the power of the lantern and joins the group Stormwatch, a multi-national superhero organization sponsored by the United Nations.

*One of the stories in "Endless Nights", entitled "Dream: The Heart of a Star" introduces "Killalla of the Glow," one of five ancient Oans learning to harness the "Glow" of their sun. She meets the incarnation of her sun, Sto-Oa (meaning "The Light of Oa"), and falls in love with him, despite being the lover of Morpheus.
*Christian Walker becomes a member of the Millennium Guard, an agency similar in jurisdiction to the Green Lantern Corps, in "Powers".

Television

*In the ReBoot TV series there is a group know as the Guardians. Their mission is to "mend and defend," they have Keytools, devices that are capable of almost infinite feats by just changing their configurations, thus showing a great similarity to the Power Rings. In the latest movie, the Keytool Glitch gain energy-based powers that work just like the Power Rings.
*The American sitcom "Seinfeld" made references to Green Lantern in three episodes: "The Barber" (November 11, 1993), "The Stand In" (Feb. 25, 1994) and "The Strong Box" (Feb. 5, 1998).
*The comic book read by Walt on the TV series "Lost" is "Green Lantern/Flash: Faster Friends" #1.
*In the Warner Brothers animated series "Freakazoid!", villain Armando Guitierrez, upon discovering that Freakazoid is not vulnerable to kryptonite, attempts to menace him with a yellow piece of paper. Freakazoid shakes his head and says "That's the Green Lantern."
*The Green Swoosh as portrayed by Johnny Bravo. His power does not come from a ring, but instead superpowered boots.
*In the UK comedy series "Coupling" (2001), there is a short reference to Green Lantern and his ring in the episode "Her Best Friend's Bottom"
*In an episode of "Dexter's Laboratory" titled "You Vegeta-believe It!", Dexter builds a gardening tool called the Green Thumb 1, which has several functions parodying the powers of Green Lantern's power ring.
*In the "Duck Dodgers" episode "The Green Loontern", Duck Dodgers has his dry cleaning mixed with the Green Lanterns and joins the Green Lantern Corps.
*On the reality animated TV parody show Drawn together, Captain Hero (when he is under stress) makes a reference that he wishes that the Green Lantern were there because "he always knew how to help me relax"
*In 2007, ls:tv (Leeds Student Television, a member of the National Student Television Association) aired a short sketch series entitled "The Green Intern" in a comedy program called "Bits".
*Bradin Westerly on the TV series "Summerland" is a Green Lantern fan. In an episodeFact|date=April 2007, he argues with another character about who knows more about Green Lantern.
*In "The Simpsons Movie", when asked by Marge about the significance of "EPA," Comic Book Guy mistakes it for the scream made by Green Lantern when thrown by Sinestro into a vat of acid. Sinestro does, in fact, throw Green Lantern into a vat of acid in a comic released shortly after the Simpsons Movie was released, and he does in fact scream "EPAAAAAAAAA!"
*In episode "A Hero Sits Next Door" of comedy show "Family Guy", the 1970s Superfriends are pictured, including Hal Jordan.
*Professional Wrestler "Gregory Helms" sports a Green Lantern logo tattoo and portrayed a superhero character (Hurricane Helms) based on Green Lantern.
*The character Sheldon Cooper on "The Big Bang Theory" (an American television program) often wears a Green Lantern t-shirt, as well as other superhero t-shirts.
*Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann consists of many references to Green LanternFact|date=August 2008. The power source of the protagonists, Spiral Energy, is created from willpower and often charged by repeating a mantra ("Who the hell do you think I am?!"). The villains resent Spiral Energy and plan on eliminating it to create a universe that is safe and predictable by spreading fear throughout the galaxy, similar to the Sinestro Corps.

Music

*Green Lantern is mentioned in the hit 1966 song "Sunshine Superman" by British folk musician Donovan.
*The New Zealand band the Mutton Birds has a song called "Green Lantern", about someone whose status in life has diminished. The refrain has the narrator assuring the subject, "you're still the Green Lantern to me."

Other

*The Hurricane - World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)'s character. Gregory Helms is a comics fan and has a Green Lantern tattoo on his right biceps. His love of comics was turned into a wrestling character or "gimmick".
*The Star Knights in the Mutants and Masterminds Role-playing game are an homage to the Green Lantern Corps.
*The protagonist of "No More Magic", a novel by Avi, is an avid reader of comic books, and in particular, a fan of the Green Lantern series.
*Green Lantern is a featured character in the short fan films "Losing Lois Lane" and "Grayson". Although these fan films are based respectively on the Superman and Batman mythos, Green Lantern is presumably featured for his long-time membership in the Justice League of America).
*Liberal pundit and blogger Matthew Yglesias has ascribed to conservative advocates of U.S. military intervention in the Middle East the "Green Lantern Theory of Geopolitics." Pointing out that what the Green Lantern's power ring can do is "limited only by ... the user's combination of will and imagination," Yglesias characterized adherents to this "theory" as people who believe "American military might is like one of these power rings.... that, roughly speaking, we can accomplish absolutely anything in the world through the application of sufficient military force. The only thing limiting us is a lack of willpower." [http://yglesias.tpmcafe.com/blog/yglesias/2006/jul/10/the_green_lantern_theory_of_geopolitics] [http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?articleId=11732] "The Green Lantern Theory" has since become an meme among liberal bloggers. [http://crookedtimber.org/2006/12/21/the-empirical-basis-of-the-green-lantern-theory/]

References