DC’s Green Lantern is once again in the spotlight thanks to the upcoming HBO series, Lanterns. Fifteen years after the Ryan Reynolds-led Green Lantern film flopped at the box office and put the emerald hero on ice for over a decade, the character is finally getting a chance at redemption thanks to James Gunn’s DCU. Audiences have already had a taste of the new Green Lanterns thanks to the inclusion of Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) in Superman, and Lanterns is set to introduce a new set of similar characters including Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), John Stewart (Aaron Pierre), and Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen).
Unlike someone like Batman, who is commonly associated with a single character before they pass down the mantle, Green Lantern is not just one hero. It is an entire organization of intergalactic space rangers that make up the Green Lantern Corps. Their duty is to police and protect the entire cosmos. They all possess the same power ring that taps into the green power of will, though each Lantern uses their power differently. With thousands of members in the Green Lantern Corps, narrowing down the list to just ten should, in theory, be difficult. Luckily, DC Comics has built up a reputation highlighting the most powerful figures in this category.
10
Simon Baz
The Miracle Worker
- Created by: Geoff Johns & Doug Mahnke.
- First Appearance: The New 52 Free Comic Book Day Special Edition #1 (May 2012)
Introduced towards the end of Geoff Johns’ epic Green Lantern run, Simon Baz is a prominent superhero of Middle Eastern descent. He’s drawn heavily from Johns’ own life experience. Because Simon doesn’t fully trust his ring, as it was created by Sinestro, he is notably still carrying a pistol. That’s pretty unique among Green Lanterns. While DC Comics has seemingly struggled to find a place for Simon Baz in recent years, there was a five-year period where he was allowed to shine, and he was key to helping defeat the first Lantern, Volthoom. Green Lantern: The End establishes that Simon Baz used his ring to help people reach their fullest potential, showcasing his strength as a teacher.
9
Guy Gardner
The Warrior
- Created by: John Broome & Gil Kane
- First Appearance: Green Lantern vol. 2 #59 (March 1968)
Guy Gardner has certainly gotten a boost in popularity thanks to Nathan Fillion’s role in Superman. He’s the Green Lantern who often gets on everyone’s nerves, to the point that Batman has even punched him out. Guy’s desire to fight makes him a viable wielder of the anger-powered Red Lantern ring, and in Green Lantern: The End, it is established that Guy is often referred to as “the warrior.” That’s much nicer than being called “the backup” Lantern to Hal Jordan. Yet despite his abrasive attitude, Guy Gardner still possesses the heart of a hero and has faced off against some of the galaxy’s most dangerous foes.
8
Alan Scott
The First Green Lantern
- Created by: Martin Nodell & Bill Finger
- First Appearance: All-American Comics #16 (July 1940)
Alan Scott is DC Comics’ first Green Lantern. Notably, he’s not part of the Green Lantern Corps. Alan Scott’s powers are mystical in nature, as he gets them from an enchanted lantern. His green energy seems to tap into the emotional spectrum in some regard, as his ring was effective against the Black Lanterns. His ring has a weakness against wood, though, so this does put him at a disadvantage at times. (Is that really any worse than the regular Green Lanterns’ weakness to the color yellow?) However, Alan Scott’s true power comes from his leadership. He was one of the founding members of the Justice Society of America and has been a long-standing member of the team, often serving as a mentor to younger heroes. He has two children, Jade and Obsidian, who have powers similar to his, and he is one of DC’s most prominent LGBTQ+ heroes.
7
Sojourer “Jo” Mullein
The Newest Lantern
- Created by: N.K. Jemisin & Jamal Campbell
- First Appearance: Far Sector #1 (November 2019)
Sojourer “Jo” Mullein is the latest new mainline Green Lantern. Introduced in the critically acclaimed Green Lantern: Far Sector, Jo is established as a former soldier and ex-cop who was recruited by the Green Lantern Corps to investigate the farthest reaches of space overseen by the Guardians of the Universe. While she’s only been around for about seven years, Jo Mullein has proven herself one of the best and most powerful members in the Lantern Corps, even being integrated into the main DC continuity thanks to the Future State comic, where she is one of the leading superheroes in a potential future of the DC Universe.
6
Jessica Cruz
The Breakout Character
- Created by: Geoff Johns & Ethan Van Sciver
- First Appearance: Green Lantern #20 (July 2013)
Jessica Cruz has quickly become one of the most popular Green Lanterns, having been featured in adaptations like The Justice League vs. The Fatal Five, DC League of Super-Pets, and will lead her own animated series, My Adventures With Green Lantern. She was originally infected with an evil, corrupted power ring from another universe before being chosen to wield a proper Green Lantern ring. What makes her unique among other Lanterns is that Jessica Cruz has PTSD, being the lone survivor among her friends who were all murdered. Yet the ring sees the potential in her to overcome that, making her the first female Green Lantern of Earth, and a trusted member of the Justice League.
5
Mogo
The Living Planet
- Created by: Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
- First Appearance: Green Lantern vol. 2 #188 (May 1985)
A sentient planet that is also a Green Lantern? It’s certainly hard to top that. While originally intended to be a one-off character, Mogo has become a major part of the Green Lantern mythology, being tasked with sending out the Green Lantern rings to new recruits when a fellow Lantern dies. Mogo has also served as the central location of the Green Lantern Corps following the destruction of Oa. For as powerful as many of the Green Lanterns might be, only a few can stand against the might of a planet.
4
Sinestro
The Fallen Lantern
- Created by: John Broome & Gil Kane
- First Appearance: Green Lantern vol. 2 #7 (August 1961)
Before he was the Corps’ greatest enemy, Sinestro was considered one of the greatest Green Lanterns. Sinestro was a respected figure in the Lantern Corps, seen as a cunning warrior. However, when it was discovered that he had used his power to subjugate his people, he was stripped of his duties and ultimately became one of DC’s greatest villains. However, he still holds a certain level of respect and legacy among the Lantern Corps. The Guardians of the Universe even recognize Sinestro’s power, as they released him from prison as a last-ditch effort to stop Hal Jordan’s murderous rampage after he was possessed by Parallax.
3
Hal Jordan
The Most Famous
- Created by: John Broome & Gil Kane
- First Appearance: Showcase #22 (October 1959)
Hal Jordan is the most famous Green Lantern, as he was one of the foundational heroes who helped relaunch the DC Universe during the Silver Age. As a fearless test pilot, Hal Jordan has often embodied the Green Lantern ideal, overcoming fear. Because the Parallax infection of Hal’s psyche has given the character a free pass for all the characters he killed in Emerald Twilight, that also means all the Lanterns he defeated don’t count either. However, as a founding member of the Justice League who has gone up against the likes of Darkseid, Brainiac, and the Black Lanterns, Hal Jordan is without a doubt one of the greatest Green Lanterns to ever exist.
2
John Stewart
The Bridge Builder
- Created by: Dennis O’Neil & Neal Adams
- First Appearance: Green Lantern vol. 2 #87 (December 1971)
Thanks to his role in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, John Stewart is the name many DC fans associate with Green Lantern. His legacy cannot be ignored, as one of the most famous Black superheroes in comic book history. Both an architect and a soldier, John Stewart’s energy constructs combine the best of mathematical precision and creativity.
His formidable intellect and talent for unconventional thinking made him the ideal choice to oversee “The Mosaic World”, a patchwork planet made up of different cities created by a rogue Guardian of the Universe. Under Stewart’s leadership, the world eventually became a peaceful utopia, with John Stewart being appointed the first mortal Guardian of the Universe. John Stewart has a rich legacy in DC Comics, and it is no surprise James Gunn’s DCU is building the character up, with him appearing in Man of Tomorrow after Lanterns.
1
Kyle Rayner
The Torchbearer
- Created by: Ron Marz & artist Darryl Banks
- First Appearance: Green Lantern vol. 3 #48 (1994)
Kyle Rayner’s strength comes as much from the character’s behind-the-scenes history as from his comic book lore. Created as a replacement hero for Hal Jordan after the controversial “Emerald Twilight” storyline, Kyle Rayner was originally not well received by DC Comics fans. However, the character endured and, over time, became a beloved part of the DC Universe. For nearly a decade, he’s served as the sole Green Lantern in the DC Universe.
DC Comics made Kyle Rayner an artist, which means his constructs have a more playful and creative flourish than any of his predecessors. Yet Kyle’s greatest strength lies in mastering all the colors of the emotional spectrum, becoming a White Lantern. As a White Lantern, Kyle can heal injuries and ailments, though he cannot resurrect the dead. Green Lantern: The End establishes that Kyle becomes a healer for millions across the galaxy. Where other Lanterns were drawn to battle, Kyle used his light to heal, making him the most powerful of all.
- Release Date
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August 16, 2026
- Network
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HBO
- Showrunner
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Chris Mundy
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
