Look, I'm as big a Green Lantern fan as there is, but even I have to it, there's one villain that rightfully deserves to have some kind of win. I know Hal Jordan is a great hero, and he keeps the universe safe, but even Hal he'd agree one foe got an incredibly raw deal.

It's not like Green Lantern doesn't already have tragic villains. Sinestro was arguably trying to do the right thing (in his mind) before being disgraced from the Corps. And even a monster like Black Hand never really had a chance. But one villain has had such a bad journey, I can't help but think he deserves some kind of victory, no matter how small.

Green Lantern's New Villain Sorrow Should Get at Least One Win

This Poor Sap Has Just Had Misfortune After Misfortune

In case you haven't been reading Jeremy Adams and Xermánico's Green Lantern (which you absolutely should), you might not be familiar with a character named Nathan Broome. Broome was introduced in Green Lantern #2 as Carol Ferris' fiancé, who Carol had met while Hal was off-world. And yeah, I hate love triangles as much as anyone else, but unlike the Pauls of the world, I thought Nathan was actually a likable character. He wasn't a jerk to Carol, and he actually tried to get along with Hal (the Green Lantern, of course, was trying to woo Carol the entire time).

Carol attempted to move past her relationship with Hal for good and opted for an impromptu Vegas wedding. Nathan went along with it, just happy to finally tie the knot. However, the couple's marriage ceremony was interrupted by a Star Sapphire ring, which sought out Carol because Green Lantern was in trouble. Carol turned runaway bride and went out into space for Hal, leaving poor Nathan at the altar. Nathan was incredibly heartbroken after the wedding fell through, and thanks to the devastation to the Emotional Spectrum caused by Lord Premier Thaaros, Nathan’s sadness manifested as a new emotional energy.

Nathan was now the villainous Sorrow, who was trapped in a never-ending cycle of sadness.

Nathan was now the villainous Sorrow, who was trapped in a never-ending cycle of sadness. Sorrow tried seeking revenge on Star Sapphire, who saw what had happened to Nate for the first time. Sorrow's empathetic abilities allowed him to inflict powerful sadness on others. Unfortunately, he ran off before he and Carol could make up. Sorrow is still consumed by his pain and is willing to do anything to see it out. He's even teamed up with Starbreaker, who has promised to help end Nathan's pain, but is actually interested in using Sorrow's power to create a 'Starbreaker Corps'.

Sorrow Needs a Win, But What Does That Look Like?

Defeating Green Lantern or Finding Peace Within Himself?

I had been wondering when someone was going to add an emotion like sadness to the Emotional Spectrum, but now I actually kind of regret it. Nathan wasn't a bad person, just a guy who was in the wrong relationship at the wrong time. Now he's consumed by the most painful feelings someone can experience and there is virtually no way of stopping it. It's no wonder he hates the Emerald Knight so badly. If I went through half of what Nathan did, I'd want to kick Green Lantern's butt, too.

The truth is, Hal and Carol both caused Nathan extreme emotional pain.

We’ve only gotten to see Hal and Nathan fight once, and it was over before it began. But Sorrow is a large part of the current arc, which involves Starbreaker gathering resources to create a new Power Battery and capitalize on Sorrow's power. I've got no doubt that we're going to be seeing more from Sorrow, but I hope his presence isn't minimized in favor of Starbreaker. Sorrow has a deep connection to both Green Lantern and Star Sapphire and I really want to see their confrontation come to a head, hopefully with Sorrow getting some sort of victory.

Hal and Nathan fought in the recent Green Lantern: Fractured Spectrum #1 special!

Now, when I say I want Sorrow to win, I don't mean he needs to literally defeat Green Lantern and bring abject misery to the DC Universe. I want him to find peace. The truth is, Hal and Carol both caused Nathan extreme emotional pain. It's not their fault that lined up with the Emotional Spectrum acting erratically, but they played a part in Sorrow's situation. It's up to them to help him find peace so he can get back to normal and finally move on with his life.

Sorrow Isn't Too Far Gone Yet, But Green Lantern Needs to Act Fast

The Emotional Spectrum is Too Unpredictable Right Now

I don't think it's impossible to save Sorrow. It's going to be hard, sure, because he's in such pain and Nathan isn't thinking straight. Plus, as long as the Emotional Spectrum is broken, this is an extremely volatile and unpredictable situation. But Nathan's been through hell and I think if Green Lantern and Star Sapphire are willing to put in the work, they can help Sorrow overcome the extreme sadness plaguing him.