The Green Lantern franchise is one of the wildest and often, most creative parts of the entire DC Universe. Over the years, there have been dozens of talented people have contributed to the mythos and helped shape its unique identity.
Green Lantern is more than just a man amazing Green Lantern stories, but for those who need a little help, Screen Rant has assembled the 15 best stories featuring the Emerald Knight.
15 Emerald Twilight (1994)
Created by Ron Marz, Bill Willingham
Torn apart by anger and grief after the destruction of Coast City, Hal Jordan falls from grace and turns against his beloved Green Lantern Corps in a mad attempt to bring his hometown back. “Emerald Twilight” was a tragic, yet gripping story that upended the status quo for years. Not only did it turn a beloved hero into the villainous Parallax and also paved the way for a new Green Lantern, Kyle Rayner.
"This arc gets a lot of hate - understandably so, it turns everyone's favorite Green Lantern into a homicidal maniac - but love for Hal Jordan aside, it's certainly the boldest direction DC may have ever gone. The hero always wins at the end of these stories, so what happens when the hero suddenly becomes an unstoppable villain? It's a fascinating prospect that makes for exciting, unpredictable storytelling while introducing a hero for a new generation of Lantern fans - Kyle Rayner. " - Joe Myrick, Comics Writer
14 The Green Lantern (2019)
Created by Grant Morrison, Liam Sharp
Comic book legend Grant Morrison teamed up with visual master Liam Sharp to produce one of the most interesting takes on the Green Lantern mythos in a post-Geoff Johns era. Hal Jordan travels from case to case, all across multiverse as he takes down criminals, fights back against conspiracies, and takes powerful cosmic threats head-on. Composed of two volumes and a interquel miniseries, this series is for Green Lantern fans who want pure cosmic fun.
“When The Green Lantern series was framed as the police procedural too good for Grant Morrison NOT to write once the idea was formed, it was guaranteed to be on any shortlist for the best Lantern series ever written. But to pair the blend of fantasy, science fiction, horror, and undeniably British humor with the talents of Liam Sharp? An absolute masterstroke. To say it's every bit the visual experiment as it is a written one is the best compliment I can give the series. So it may not be everyone's cup of tea, but those who like it? They'll love it for life." - Andrew Dyce, Comics Editor
13 Flash &Green Lantern: The Brave and the Bold (2000)
Created by: Mark Waid, Tom Peyer, and Barry Kitson.
Despite their presence in the modern-day DC Universe, the early 2000s seriously lacked the presence of one of the finest superhero friendships. However, Flash & Green Lantern: The Brave and the Bold took readers back in time for some brand-new glimpses into the past that showcased just how great a team Hal and Barry Allen really were. From classic scrapes with their iconic enemies to Flash’s bromance with Hal being threatened by Green Arrow, this book has a lot of wit and charm.
“The Silver Age was over long before I ever got into comics. However, this book will instantly transport anyone back in time to a more wacky and fun DC Universe. Mark Waid and Tom Peyer match the humor and tone of the era with a more modern flair and Barry Kitson’s art takes their words to another level. If nothing else, read it for the issue where Wally West temporarily becomes ‘Kid Lantern’. - Justin Epps, Comics Writer
12 Green Lanterns (2016)
Sam Humphries, Tim Seeley, Dan Jurgens, Carlo Barberi, Ed Benes, Ronan Cliquet, Eduardo Pansica, Robson Rocha, Mike Perkins
During the New 52, the Green Lantern corner of the DC Universe grew a bit bigger with the introduction of Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz. DC Rebirth provided an opportunity for fans to get to know these two intimately in Green Lanterns. Baz and Crew undergo a trial by fire and the result is a fan-favorite run that helped popularize and make readers connect with these two beloved rookie Green Lantern Corps .
“DC Comics made a solid choice giving Simon and Jess their own book. They could have easily gotten lost had they just been side characters in the complimentary Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps book. Instead, we got to see an amazing bond grow between these two. It was a crucial series that helped put bring the newest Green Lanterns on the same level as their predecessors.” - Justin Epps, Comics Writer
11 Blackest Night (2009)
Created by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis
A crucial point in Geoff Johns’ Green Lantern saga, Blackest Night sees a blast from the past return to extinguish the very light of life in the DC Universe. Nekron, the Lord of the Unliving, creates the Black Lantern Corps to resurrect heroes and villains across the galaxy and consume their still-beating hearts. As the Green Lanterns fight to stop this undead threat, long-dead allies come back to torment the people they once loved.
“Blackest Night was the first comic event I ever saw unfold in real-time. Every chapter, every tie-in, is nothing short of amazing. The terror, the tension, and the unexpected deaths hit just as hard as a horror movie and that’s in no small part due to Ivan Reis’ work, which will have even the most hardened fan cringing or gasping out loud. It’s truly something to see.”- Justin Epps, Comics Writer
10 Far Sector (2019)
Created by N. K. Jemisin, Jamal Campbell
N.K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell went above and beyond in their Young Animal story Far Sector, which introduced the modern fan-favorite Green Lantern Sojourner ‘Jo’ Mullein. Jo is assigned to investigate a murder in a city, the first one to occur in half a millennium. The Green Lantern is drawn into a mystery full of twists and turns and winds up in the middle of a war between a city’s leaders and its citizens.
“The Young Animal imprint took a lot of big swings and none of them paid off better than Far Sector. The introduction of Jo Mullein was a welcome one, but beyond introducing an amazing and badass character like her, Far Sector’s strength lies in being a pound-for-pound solid murder mystery that delightfully incorporates sci-fi. It’s a fantastic modern Green Lantern story that is absolutely perfect for new and curious readers.” - Justin Epps, Comics Writer
9 Green Lantern: A New Dawn
Created by: Ron Marz and Darryl Banks
The tragedy of losing Hal Jordan and the entire Green Lantern Corps was tough, but there’s always light after the dark, and for the DC Universe, that light comes in the form of Kyle Rayner. The “New Dawn” storyline shows Rayner’s foray into the superhero world as the last remaining Green Lantern. It’s not an easy task as the young hero is put immediately put through the ringer, but Rayner’s first steps wind up defining his path as one of the DC Universe’s greatest Green Lanterns.
“Generally, you’re always a fan of the Green Lantern you were introduced to first. While Kyle wasn’t my main Green Lantern, Ron Marz and Darryl Banks made a believer out of me with this story. You wouldn’t think a kid who’s given a Power Ring by happenstance could wind up being a real hero, but Kyle almost instantly proves how right he was for the job.”- Justin Epps, Comics Writer
8 DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore (2006)
Created by Alan Moore, Bill Willingham, Curt Swan, Joe Orlando, Jim Baikie, Murphy Anderson, Jim Aparo, Joe Staton, Rick Veitch, George Pérez, Bruce Patterson, Gil Kane, John Byrne, Kevin O'Neill, Rick Magyar, Al Williamson, Brian Bolland, George Freeman, Dave Gibbons, Klaus Janson, Kurt Schaffenberger, Paris Cullins, Terry Austin
DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore collects several of Moore’s works, including his work with Green Lantern. “Tygers” takes a contemplative look at Hal Jordan’s predecessor, Abin Sur. “In Blackest Night” sees Katma Tui branching out to recruit the first member of the F-Sharp Bell Corps. And “Mogo Doesn’t Socialize” examines some of the most curious of the Green Lantern Corps like sentient math equations or smallpox viruses.
“Even though they constitute 24 pages, Alan Moore crafted some of the most innovative Green Lantern stories. “In Blackest Night” introduced the concept of a Green Lantern in a galaxy where there is no light, while the dark “Tygers” told of a prophecy that laid the groundwork for the 2009 crossover Blackest Night. Yet the best story of them all just might be “Mogo Doesn’t Socialize,” the story that revealed Green Lanterns come in all shapes and sizes… including sentient planets.” - Nathan Cabaniss, Comics Writer
7 Green Lantern Corps: Recharge (2005)
Created by Geoff Johns, Dave Gibbons, Patrick Gleason
Bringing back Hal Jordan was only one half of the equation in the big Green Lantern revival in the mid ‘00s. Green Lantern Corps: Recharge really got things going by having Kyle Rayner and Guy Gardner to step up as over 7000 new officers are recruited into the latest Green Lantern Corps. Just as Green Lantern: Rebirth helped set the stage for Hal Jordan, this story lays the groundwork for the rest of DC’s Lanterns.
“This series was doomed to live in the shadow of the titanic Green Lantern: Rebirth, but is a standout story for all its own reasons. The creative team doesn't need further praise, but the cast absolutely earns it. This era of DC Comics may be most famous for setting up a Lantern mythology to last decades, but it also established the Green Lantern Corps as an entity, a team, and organization, and a roster of characters completely divorced from Hal Jordan. Long live the Green Lantern Corps!" - Andrew Dyce, Comics Editor
6 Green Lantern: War Journal (2023)
Created by: Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Montos
John Stewart retires from the Green Lantern Corps to return home and tend to his ailing mother. But deep in the cosmos, a terrifying threat is determined to claim John’s power and unleashes the terrifying menace known as the Radiant Dead upon the DC Universe. With a handful of allies by his side, John embarks on a mission that takes the Green Lantern to the ends of space to save existence from his greatest threat yet.
“I was already a fan of Phillip Kennedy Johnson and this book only deepened my appreciation for him. War Journal is an amazing character study of John as fans get to see him air his thoughts on family, duty, and battle. Montos really gives his all in this book and shows off just the kind of firepower John Stewart is packing with his absolutely stellar art. Seriously, if you love Green Lantern, do not miss this book.”- Justin Epps, Comics Writer
