Summary
- Absolute Green Lantern debuts a new continuity, reimagining the hero in a totally new universe (alongside new versions of Batman, Flash and more.)
- Green Lantern Dark is a horror spin on the franchise, with Gotham villain Solomon Grundy now leader of a zombie army.
- Civil Corps begins a civil war among the different Lantern Corps, with hints Kilowog may return as a villain.
It's a great year to be a with a gigantic civil war and hints of a beloved hero turning villain.
Yesterday, DC announced an Absolute Green Lantern series at its 'Jim Lee and Friends' . The series - written by Al Ewing (Immortal Hulk) and drawn by Jahnoy Lindsay (Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow) - will introduce the Green Lantern of DC's new Absolute continuity. This fresh continuity will spin out of DC's ongoing Absolute Power event, and see new versions of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash and now Green Lantern in an alternate reality with its own history and rules. The first revealed hero of Absolute Green Lantern is a new version of Sojourner Mullein, with images shared by outlets including AIPT showing the hero crackling with power.
According to Newsarama, the story will be a "complete reimagining" and "first story" (per Scott Snyder) starring Mullein alongside new versions of Hal Jordan and John Stewart. Popverse quotes Snyder as boasting that the series will be "as good as Immortal Hulk and the best things [Ewing] has ever done."
Sojourner Mullein is the star of Far Sector, and has a unique ring that can recharge under its own power. Absolute Green Lantern will debut a new take on this character.
DC's Absolute comics offer up radical new takes on characters that aren't possible in the mainstream DC Universe.
ABSOLUTE FLASH: DC's New Version of The Hero Revealed in First Official Image
The first official look at DC's new ABSOLUTE FLASH, the speedster of its new alternate universe, has finally arrived. But who will claim the title?
Absolute Green Lantern Totally Reinvents the Hero in New Continuity
Green Lantern s Other Justice League Icons in Reinvented ABSOLUTE Canon
DC's new Absolute universe is a brand new continuity which will reimagine its most iconic heroes. The intent (again, per Snyder) is to give fans an exciting new way to enjoy their favorite heroes, with radical new takes on characters that aren't possible in the mainstream DC Universe. Ewing previously wrote the critically beloved horror comic Immortal Hulk for Marvel but also has experience with the spacefaring Guardians of the Galaxy, making the new Absolute Green Lantern a must-read for fans.
The release date for Absolute Green Lantern has yet to be announced.
However, the big Green Lantern news didn't stop there, as today's 'What’s Happening in the DC Multiverse' offered fans even more insight into the ring-slinger's future.
Green Lantern Dark will follow a mystic Lantern fighting to survive in a world where the undead already won.
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At 'What’s Happening in the DC Multiverse,' creators Tate Brombal (Something is Killing the Children) and Werther Dell’Edera (House of Slaughter) discussed the Green Lantern Dark, in which a mystic reimagining of Green Lantern will battle for survival on a post-apocalyptic world conquered by zombie-like monsters. The first issue's summary reads:
Green Lantern Dark by Tate Brombal and Werther Dell’Edera reimagines the DC Universe as a dark fantasy wasteland where monsters overrun a post-apocalyptic earth. The battle between good and evil ended long ago.
Now, darkness prevails as humanity struggles to survive on a corrupted planet. Only one hero remains, the one who wields the green flame that can return light to a dark world—The Green Lantern. But she’s been missing for years, and, on the isolated island of New England, the horrors only get worse by the night.
The series will redefine Gotham villain Solomon Grundy as the terrifying leader of the undead, with a Green Lantern who commands a mystical green flame standing against him. The creators confirmed that the comic is inspired by the '90s Tangent Comics: Green Lantern series, and embraces wild horror themes that make the most of the alternate-reality Elseworlds imprint.
"I wouldn’t say Xermanico and my book is an entry point as much as a GIGANTIC CRAZY RESET OF THE GL UNIVERSE… Just for clarification."
– Jeremy Adams
"You're Being Remade as an Avatar of an Old God": Green Lantern's Horrifying New Redesign Is His Darkest Ever
Green Lantern is the DC Universe’s last hope against Olgrun. But the mad Old God is this close to turning John Stewart into his personal vessel.
Green Lantern Faces Civil War and the Return of Kilowog
The Dark Star Resurrection Hints Hal's Old Friend Could Turn Enemy
Also at 'What’s Happening in the DC Multiverse,' Jeremy Adams discussed the Green Lantern #16 (with artist Xermánico) and Green Lantern Civil Corps Special (co-written with Phillip Kennedy Johnson, drawn by Salvador Larroca.) The issues will deal with the "Dark Star resurrection," with Adams hinting at major consequences for iconic Lantern Kilowog. Given Kilowog's recent (apparent) death, it's possible that this tease means that the Green Lantern's lovable drill sergeant has been recruited by their enemies and will play a huge role in the inter-Corps civil war.
Writer Jeremy Adams previously shared on X that "I wouldn’t say Xermanico and my book is an entry point as much as a GIGANTIC CRAZY RESET OF THE GL UNIVERSE… Just for clarification." The Civil Corps special will be part of DC's new 'All In' initiative, launching alongside its new Absolute comics imprint.
'All In' takes place within DC's main continuity, and will see major characters get huge status quo changes (while remaining within establishing canon), essentially marking an ideal entry point for new readers (with many series such as Action Comics and Batman & Robin also getting new creative teams.) New series will also launch as part of the initiative, with 'What’s Happening in the DC Multiverse' also announcing The New Gods from Ram V and Evan Cagle.
An example of the drastic changes DC is launching with 'All In' includes the debut of a new Superwoman character in Superman #19. Coupled with the total reboot of the Absolute line, the intent is to totally revitalize DC's comics line in a single stroke, but without losing any of its ongoing stories or lore (as infamously happened in its 2011 'New 52' reboot.)
With a civil war on the horizon, Absolute Green Lantern reinventing the Corps and Green Lantern Dark giving the hero a total horror makeover, it's an amazing time to love Green Lantern, with more information to come in the following days and weeks on each new series.
Green Lantern Dark #1 is coming October 23 from DC Comcis, with Green Lantern Civil Corps Special #1 coming October 9 and Green Lantern #16 coming October 16.
Sources: AIPT; Will Salmon, Newsarama; Tiffany Babb, Popverse; Jeremy Adams
