10 Must-See Green Lantern Story Arcs We Want in the DC Universe

The Green Lantern saga holds significant relevance within the DC Universe (DCU), presenting a plethora of compelling storylines ripe for adaptation. The upcoming Lantern series will prominently feature Hal Jordan and John Stewart, while James Gunn’s reimagined Superman is set to introduce fans to Guy Gardner. As the DCU begins to take shape, the inclusion of three Green Lanterns hints at an exciting expansion of their mythos.

Historically, the Green Lantern franchise has struggled in the realm of live-action adaptations, especially following the disastrous 2011 film featuring Ryan Reynolds, which became infamous for its poor performance and negative reception—often the subject of Reynolds’ own humorous jabs. However, with the anticipated HBO series “Lanterns,”there is hope that the DCU may finally do justice to this vast and vibrant universe, striving for a more grounded take on these larger-than-life characters. There are numerous story arcs we would love to see come to life in this new iteration of the DCU.

10 Blackest Night

A Galactic Finale of the Undead

The storyline “Blackest Night”could be likened to DC’s version of Avengers: Endgame, albeit with a twist—imagine a scenario where iconic heroes return from the dead as Black Lanterns, necessitating the remaining heroes’ attempt to stop them. This cosmic tale not only involves new Lanterns drafted from deceased heroes across the DC universe but also depicts them wielding Lantern rings of various colors to combat the encroaching darkness of the Black Lantern Corps.

As the climax of the War of Light arc initiated by Geoff Johns with “Green Lantern: Rebirth,”adapting “Blackest Night”into a shared cinematic universe poses significant challenges. The narrative involves substantial character casualties, so weaving in a series of meaningful deaths before the event could be tricky. Nonetheless, a conclusion of this magnitude has the potential to be a monumental moment in superhero cinema.

9 Emerald Twilight

A Controversial Journey for Hal Jordan

With Kyle Chandler portraying Hal Jordan inching closer to 60, the possibility of exploring the challenging “Emerald Twilight”storyline grows more plausible. As John Stewart assumes the role of the primary Green Lantern in future Justice League narratives, time may be of the essence for Chandler’s Hal Jordan. “Emerald Twilight”presents a tumultuous arc wherein Hal, driven mad from the destruction of his city, goes on to obliterate the Green Lantern Corps, leading ultimately to his own demise and paving the way for Kyle Rayner’s introduction.

8 War Of The Green Lanterns

Intra-Corps Conflict

With the upcoming appearances of Guy Gardner, Hal Jordan, and John Stewart, a broader exploration of the Green Lantern lore seems imminent. “War of the Green Lanterns”is particularly intriguing; it details a civil war among the Corps, with Hal, John, Guy, and Kyle taking on rogue members under a mind-controlled Guardian’s leadership. This storyline presents a rich backdrop to delve into the inner workings of the Green Lantern Corps while introducing an array of colored rings to assist in their struggles.

7 Rage Planet

An Earth-Centric Narrative

Set to unfold in a format reminiscent of “True Detective,”the upcoming HBO series “Lanterns”intends to maintain a grounded approach. If the DCU opts to anchor its Lantern narratives on Earth, adapting “Rage Planet”could facilitate the inclusion of various Lantern Corps while adhering to a localized storyline. Following the exploits of Green Lanterns Jessica Cruz and Simon Baz as they try to thwart Atrocitus—the leader of the Red Lanterns—this tale could be reimagined to feature Hal and John in a buddy-cop dynamic dealing with the chaos of the Red Lantern influence.

6 Hard Traveling Heroes

A Legendary Crossover

The classic “Hard Traveling Heroes”mini-series, first published in 1970, features Green Lantern teaming with Green Arrow—two characters who, despite their ideological differences, embark on a significant journey together. This story is pivotal for both characters, as it dives into their contrasting moralities and the social issues of their time—elements that remain largely relevant today. Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan could shine in a narrative that emphasizes the intricacies of teamwork amidst divergence.

5 Wrath of the First Lantern

Expanding the Lantern Lore

“Wrath of the First Lantern”represents a deep dive into the intricate lore of the Green Lantern Corps. This saga revolves around Volthoom, the First Lantern, attempting to eradicate both the Guardians and the Corps itself. Renowned for being immortal, Volthoom’s existence spans over ten billion years, and the narrative intricately examines the complex relationship between Hal Jordan and Sinestro—a relationship marked by tension yet rooted in mutual respect. This exploration could significantly enrich the DCU’s character dynamics.

4 Sins of the Star Sapphire

The Power of Love

Geoff Johns’ innovative storytelling redefined the Green Lantern mythos, particularly with the introduction of the emotional spectrum and the various Lantern Corps. “Sins of the Star Sapphire”explores the Star Sapphire Corps, who draw their power from love—often clashing with the Green Lantern Corps, particularly through Carol Ferris, Hal Jordan’s love interest. This narrative could provide a fresh perspective on relationships within the Lantern universe while adding depth to Hal’s character arc, as it touches on themes of love and conflict.

3 Rage of the Red Lanterns

The Darkness of Rage

As part of the emotional spectrum introduced by Johns, the Red Lanterns provide a darker edge to the Green Lantern narrative. “Rage of the Red Lanterns”focuses on the origins and motivations of this fierce Corps, led by the formidable Atrocitus. Their unique powers derived from unbridled rage position them as serious threats against Green Lanterns, offering excitement and tension that could invigorate the DCU’s cinematic landscape.

2 Agent Orange

Larfleeze and the Orange Lanterns

“Agent Orange”is noteworthy for introducing Larfleeze, one of Green Lantern’s most underappreciated adversaries, whose greed powers the Orange Lantern Corps. This storyline reveals the complexities of Larfleeze, a character who embodies avarice and possesses the ability to create an army of avatars from those he has slain. Portraying Larfleeze’s antics and formidable abilities would undoubtedly add a unique layer of humor and threat to the DCU.

1 Sinestro Corps Wars

A Clash of Powers

Arising from the tensions between Green Lanterns and Sinestro—the ultimate Green Lantern nemesis—the “Sinestro Corps War”is a seminal story within the Green Lantern canon. This narrative examines the formation of the Sinestro Corps, who rely on fear to power their rings, leading to an all-encompassing war with the Green Lanterns. Should this epic storyline be translated to the big screen, it could redefine superhero cinema with its dramatic stakes and elaborate moral dilemmas.

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