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Blue Lantern Corps

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Blue Lantern Corps
File:BlueLanterns01.jpg
Saint Walker and Brother Warth from Green Lantern vol. 4, #36
Art by Christian Alamy
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceGreen Lantern (vol. 4) #25 (December 2007)
Created byGeoff Johns (writer)
Ethan Van Sciver(artist)
In-story information
Base(s)Odym
Roster
See: below

The Blue Lantern Corps is a fictional organization appearing in comics published by DC Comics. They debuted in Green Lantern (vol. 4) #25 (December 2007) and were created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver.

Fictional group history

The Blue Lantern Corps are one of the seven corps empowered by a specific color of the emotional spectrum within the DC Universe. They have begun to fill an increasingly important role within Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps as major participants within the upcoming Blackest Night crossover event. First formed by the banished former-Guardians Ganthet and Sayd, they are based on the planet Odym and their powers are fueled by the emotion hope.

The creation of the Blue Lantern Corps is rooted in the events that transpired during the Sinestro Corps War story line. During the first half of the event, Ganthet and Sayd serve as a dissenting voice among the Guardians as they acknowledge that the Blackest Night prophecy within the Book of Oa is coming to pass.[1] Their willingness to embrace emotions and the love they have for one another leads to the two being banished from Oa.[2] Two issues after their exile, Ganthet reveals the Blackest Night prophecy to the reader, Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, John Stewart, and Kyle Rayner. In his description he says: "Elsewhere, a flicker of hope will shine from deep space, like a lighthouse warning the ships away from the rocks. The blue light will hold the line in spirit if not in strength." It's revealed at the end of the issue that Ganthet and Sayd have settled on a planet (later named as Odym), have created a blue power ring, and intend to form their own Corps.[3]

Rage of the Red Lanterns

In the Rage of the Red Lanterns plot line, Ganthet and Sayd's Blue Lanterns are finally introduced. The Green Lantern Corps have just been ambushed by the Red Lantern Corps, kidnapping Sinestro from their custody. Hal Jordan, reeling from the effects of an attack from (newly added Red Lantern) Laira, finds himself being healed by the powers of Saint Walker.[4] Saint Walker introduces himself to the Green Lanterns as the Blue Lantern of sector one. By being in his emotional proximity, Jordan's power levels are boosted as long as Walker hopes for his well being. Though Stewart is suspicious of Walker's intentions, Walker's ring creates an illusion based on Stewart's psyche, freeing him from the effects of the Red Lantern attack that caused it. With Stewart placated, Walker takes Jordan to Odym. There, the reader is introduced to the second member of the Blue Lantern Corps, as Walker and Jordan watch Warth being given a blue power ring by Ganthet and Sayd. After which the two former-Guardians ask Jordan to aid the Blue Lanterns in rescuing Sinestro from Atrocitus, as his survival is important in the upcoming War of Light.[5]

Jordan reluctantly accepts Ganthet's request, and goes with the Blue Lanterns to the Red Lantern home planet: Ysmault. Along the way, Walker tells Jordan that the Green Lanterns are nothing but a police force, and that he would lead the Blue Lanterns like no other. Though Jordan tells him he has no intention of leaving his Corps, the reader observes Walker telling Warth that it's imperative that Jordan become a Blue Lantern. On Ysmault, Jordan locates Sinestro, but is promptly ambushed by the Red Lanterns. He's captured by Atrocitus' forces, and though Atrocitus tells Laira that Jordan's flesh and blood belong to her, her attack is interrupted by the arrival of the Sinestro Corps. Chaos ensues, but is relieved when Walker and Warth come to his aid. They are not only shown boosting Jordan's power but also capably handling the two battling Corps. Warth easily keeps the two from fighting one another, while Walker keeps Atrocitus himself at bay (though admittedly is unable to douse his red fire). During the conflict, Jordan seems to be able to appeal to Laira's true self despite the red power ring's control on her. Any true reversion of its effects are halted, as Sinestro kills her. Outraged, Jordan attacks Sinestro, and is so overcome with rage that Laira's red power ring chooses him as its new host. Atrocitus welcomes him to the Red Lantern Corps.[6]

Despite Walker's claim that the power of the blue light is greatest in the spectrum, it's then that the reader is made clear of what Atrocitus claimed to know as the weakness behind the Blue Lanterns. Atrocitus points out that hope is nothing without willpower to enact it. Walker concedes that with Jordan's green power ring inactive and no other green aura influencing them, that he and Warth are reduced to the basic abilities of flight and aura projection. Despite his disadvantage, Walker holds true to his earlier assertion that Jordan would join his Corps. He places his own ring on Jordan's hand. As a result the red power ring is destroyed and Jordan is released from its influence. Feeling their powers drained by the coalescing blue energy, the Sinestro Corps flees. Surging with blue and green power, the outpouring of energy from both of Jordan's rings defeats the Red Lantern Corps. In the aftermath of the conflict, the reader is able to observe Scar remarking on the forces gathering for the upcoming war. During which, Atrocitus is shown performing a ritual to discern the location of the Blue Lantern Corps home planet. In the same collection of scenes, Ganthet and Sayd are shown talking with the third Blue Lantern: Hynn.[7]

Agent Orange

After the conclusion of Rage of the Red Lanterns, the Blue Lanterns and Jordan return to Odym. Jordan is unable to remove the blue power ring and finds that it's interfering with the use of his green power ring. Ganthet explains to Walker that they did say Jordan would lead the Blue Lanterns, but not as a Blue Lantern himself. As a Green Lantern, Jordan's will would have been capable of charging the entire Blue Lantern Corps. Sayd says that a new blue power ring will need to be made for Walker, as they're unable to remove his original one from Jordan. Ganthet tells Jordan that, in order to remove the ring, he must use it by finding something to hope for. Jordan leaves Oa, and Ganthet tells Walker and Warth that they must continue to recruit others to their Corps. The Blue Lanterns have a new mission: to locate those who wield the indigo light, for hope and compassion must work together. On Oa, the Guardians find that they are unable to remove the blue power ring from Jordan as well.[8] Distracted from the blue power ring by terrorist demands from Agent Orange, the Guardians launch an assault on Okaara in the Vega system. Jordan's blue power ring continues to cause problems as the Green Lanterns come to conflict with Larfleeze's Orange Lantern constructs. Becoming separated from the group however, Jordan's blue ring does attract Larfleeze's attention.[9] Larfleeze lusts after the blue ring, but finds that his constructs are not immune to the blue light as they are from the green. The blue power ring refuses to be stolen by Larfleeze, claiming that hope is selfless. Larfleeze attempts to remove it by force, by severing Jordan's hand with an axe made from orange light.[10] Though it isn't initially clear to the reader, Larfleeze fails again. Sensing his hope of being relieved from the constant hunger he feels, the blue ring creates an illusion which fools him into believing he succeeded in stealing it; Jordan's hand is, in fact, intact, and the Blue ring is still on his finger. Jordan returns to battle Larfleeze with the Green Lantern Corps. During the battle, Jordan's blue power ring continues to repeatedly ask him what he hopes for. In frustration, Jordan says that he hopes that once the battle with Agent Orange is over that it will stop asking him what he hopes for. The blue ring registers this as a sincere hope, recharges all of the Green Lantern Corps' power rings, and allows Jordan to subdue Larfleeze. After Jordan gains control of his ring, it removes itself from him and leaves to find a new recipient in Sector 2828.[11]

The Guardians realize that if they take the orange power battery from Larfleeze, someone else would inevitably find it, becoming a new Agent Orange. Preferring to know where Agent Orange was, they decide to negotiate with Larfleeze once more. The details of the negotiation aren't fully revealed to the reader, however it is shown that Larfleeze asked the Guardians where he could find a blue power ring. On Odym, Ganthet, Sayd, and the Blue Lanterns are shown walking on a beach and talking with their newest member: Sister Sercy. The issue ends with Larfleeze launching an attack on the Blue Lantern Corps.[11]

Blackest Night

Main article: Blackest Night

During the Blue Lanterns' struggle against Larfleeze, a number of black power rings come to Odym. Unable to detect any dead bodies on the planet's surface to attach themselves to, the rings hover in the sky, waiting for a death to occur.[12] Hal Jordan, Sinestro, Carol Ferris, and Indigo-1 arrive on Odym during the conflict between the Blue and Orange Lanterns in order to recruit Saint Walker to help form a white light composed of the seven lights of the emotional spectrum that will defeat the Black Lantern Corps. Under the influence of Jordan's green power ring, the Blue Lanterns' rings are charged by Jordan's willpower and capable of combating Larfleeze's constructs. The constructs suddenly disappear as Larfleeze finds himself being attacked by the reanimated corpses of his Orange Lanterns, now members of the Black Lantern Corps.[13] Saint Walker, Ganthet, and Sayd join the team Jordan and Indigo-1 have assembled, and accompany them to recruit Larfleeze and Atrocitus. Despite saving him from the Black Lanterns, Larfleeze is resistant to join the group due to the nature of his power and an interest in obtaining his own Guardian. In order to secure his participation, Sayd offers him her servitude in return for his compliance. Atrocitus is also unwilling to assist the team, attacking Jordan and Sinestro in his rage. To calm Atrocitus, Saint Walker shows him an illusion where he and a female of his species are happily being invited to the Blue Lantern Corps. When the illusion proves insufficient, Saint Walker convinces the Red Lantern to join them by relating the story of how his family died in an effort to save his world.[14]

Prominent members

Hal Jordan as a member of two Lantern Corps in Green Lantern vol. 4, #38 (March 2009).
  • Barry Allen (of Sector 2814): One of the renowned speedsters who took the name of The Flash. Forensic scientist Barry Allen is chosen to become a deputy Blue Lantern during the war against the Black Lantern Corps.[15]
  • Brother Hynn (of Sector 3): Shown in the midst of his selection process with Ganthet and Sayd at the end of the Rage of the Red Lanterns arc.[7] His name is revealed in promotional imagery for Blackest Night.[16]
  • Brother Warth (of Sector 2): An elephant-like alien who bears a strong resemblance to the Hindu god Ganesha that is recruited by Saint Walker. In the same way, he will recruit the next member of the corps and so on.[5]
  • Hal Jordan (of Sector 2814): A Green Lantern officer given a blue power ring by Saint Walker as a way of freeing him from the possession of a red power ring.[7] Neither Jordan nor the Guardians (including Ganthet and Sayd) are able to remove the blue power ring without Jordan uncovering his greatest hope. It is later revealed that Ganthet and Sayd planned to combat the The Blackest Night by having Jordan lead the Blue Lantern Corps (empowering them with his great willpower).[8] The blue ring later left Jordan to find a suitable bearer after the Green Lantern Corps' battle with Agent Orange.[11]
  • Saint Walker (of Sector 1): Bro'Dee Walker, a saint on his homeworld (as seen in Blackest Night: Tales Of The Corps #1 of 3), becomes the recipient of the first blue power ring after he aids his people in finding hope despite their sun's approaching death.[5][17] He aids Hal Jordan and the other Green Lanterns after they are ambushed by Atrocitus and his Red Lantern Corps.[4] Walker gave his original ring to Jordan in order to heal him from the effects of being bonded with a red power ring.[7]
  • Sister Sercy (of Sector 4): Presumably recruited by Hynn, her name is revealed in promotional imagery for Blackest Night.[16] She is officially shown as having joined the Blue Lanterns just before Larfleeze's arrival on Odym and comes from a world long oppressed by Evil Star (another old Green Lantern foe).[11]

Oath

Just as the Green Lanterns and other Lantern Corps recharge their own rings, the following is the oath used by Blue Lanterns to recharge their blue power rings:

In fearful day, in raging night,

With strong hearts full, our souls ignite,
When all seems lost in the War of Light,

Look to the stars-- For hope burns bright!

— Ganthet and Sayd, Green Lantern (vol. 4) #36 (December 2008)

Powers and abilities

Main article: Power ring

All Blue Lanterns are armed with a blue power ring, fueled by the emotion hope. Geoff Johns stated on ComicBloc that "the Blue Lanterns are the most powerful Lanterns...but there's a catch to it all..."[18] Blue Lanterns must be near an active Green Lantern's power ring to tap into their own rings' full power. Otherwise, the rings are only capable of the default abilities of flight and the generation of a protective aura. This flaw is a result of the fact that the power of hope is nothing without the willpower to enact it.[7] Blue rings must be fueled by true hope in order to operate at their user's command. For instance, when Hal Jordan hopes for world peace in an attempt to make his ring work, it detects his insincerity and remains uncooperative.[9]

While under the influence of a nearby green power ring, Blue Lanterns have the ability to heal wounds.[5] The ring's power can be supplemented with the hope of other living beings; for instance, Saint Walker and Warth were able to reduce a dying sun's age by 8.6 billion years because of the hope emanating from the inhabitants of a nearby planet. A blue ring can negatively impact the performance of rings on the opposite side of the emotional spectrum. It can neutralize the corruptive effects of red power rings, block the energy-stealing properties of orange rings, and drain the power of yellow power rings.[5][7][10] Conversely, a blue ring can charge a green power ring to twice its maximum power level.[5] This effect can also negatively impact a green ring, as close proximity to the blue central power battery will overcharge a green ring, causing it to implode (taking the user's hand with it).[5] Blue power rings manifest their constructs by reading the target's psyche. For instance, when John Stewart attempts to apprehend Saint Walker out of anger, Walker's ring causes Stewart to see himself flying with his late wife (Katma Tui) in order to calm his rage. Geoff Johns also confirmed that blue rings grant precognitive visions to their wielders.[19]

References

  1. ^ Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special #1 (August 2007)
  2. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #23 (November 2007)
  3. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #25 (January 2007)
  4. ^ a b Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns #1 (October 2008)
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Green Lantern (vol. 4) #36 (January 2009) Cite error: The named reference "gl36" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  6. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #37 (February 2009)
  7. ^ a b c d e f Green Lantern (vol. 4) #38 (March 2009)
  8. ^ a b Green Lantern (vol. 4) #39 (April 2009)
  9. ^ a b Green Lantern (vol. 4) #40 (May 2009)
  10. ^ a b Green Lantern (vol. 4) #41 (June 2009)
  11. ^ a b c d Green Lantern (vol. 4) #42 (July 2009)
  12. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #45 (August 2009)
  13. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #47 (August 2009)
  14. ^ Green Lantern (vol 4) #48 (January 2010)
  15. ^ Blackest Night #6 (December 2009)
  16. ^ a b Blackest Night #0 (July 2009)
  17. ^ Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #1 (July 2009)
  18. ^ Geoff Johns (January 20th, 2009). "Post 22". ComicBloc. Retrieved 2009-03-27. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ The Eve of Blackest Night: Geoff Johns on...Everything, Newsarama, July 3, 2009
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