By [ad_1]
The Green Lantern Corps show should draw from this mid-2000s story, upgrading the series from mere superhero story into contemplative science fiction.
The Green Lantern Corps is known for their intergalactic adventures, but they’re most grounded by being defined with the term “space cops.” This has been emphasized more and more in recent years, and it began to come more into focus with the 2006 relaunch of the book Green Lantern Corps.
The “To Be a Lantern” story arc created by Dave Gibbons, Patrick Gleason, and Prentis Rollins showcased the police procedural-esque nature of Green Lantern stories, as well as how the responsibility of the power ring wasn’t exactly a picnic. The upcoming Green Lantern Corps TV show could and should draw from this mid-2000s story, easily upgrading the series from a mere superhero story into contemplative science fiction.
What Is Green Lantern: To Be A Lantern?
The first story arc of the relaunched Green Lantern Corps picked up the pieces of the recently rebuilt Corps which had been brought back starting in the pages of Green Lantern: Rebirth. The Green Lantern Corps was once again policing the galaxy, with beings of various alien species’ bearing the green rings of willpower. The storyline introduced several new characters such as Soranik Natu, who was actually the daughter of the infamous villain Sinestro.
Soranik had begun to question her power ring, which she believed to be cursed due to her father using it to enslave their home planet of Korugar. This doubt sees her desert her partner, whose murder becomes central to the story arc. On the planet that said partner was defending is a prince who is absolutely obsessed with the Corps and would do anything to become part of their ranks. Other new characters include Vath Sarn, a Green Lantern whose violent temper had seen him lose several loved ones in his past. Leading the adventure was the hot-headed Guy Gardner, who almost didn’t seem fit to shepherd a new generation of Green Lanterns.
How the Green Lantern Corps Comic Should Influence the Show
This first story arc helped to propel the secondary Green Lantern comic into popularity, making the franchise second only to Superman and Batman for years to come. It also showed how Green Lantern Corps wasn’t just another cosmic sci-fi book, but instead could tap into some relatively grounded and deep themes while traversing space. That’s exactly what the HBO Max Green Lantern Corps TV show needs to succeed.
The murder mystery element of the story definitely appeals to those looking for a standard police procedural, separating it from traditional heroics and stereotypical cosmic science fiction fare like Star Trek. Having a somewhat more grounded story like this would attract those who might not usually tune into sci-fi or who are even tired of the superhero adaptation trend. The show even has Guy Gardner in a prominent role, so this already matches the comic book storyline.
“To Be a Lantern” also deals with improper use of power and privilege, as well as the actual responsibility behind that power. Soranik is haunted by how a Green Lantern ring was used to control her people, and this makes her doubt her place in the Corps. Likewise, the aforementioned prince who feels entitled to become a Lantern would be a pertinent idea, especially to showcase how much being a Lantern isn’t all fun and games. This would make the fantastical feats and incredible power of the Corps less of a superpowered fantasy and more of an actual job, warts and all.
This would definitely go far in separating the show from the shadows of the failed 2011 Green Lantern movie. That film felt criticized for many reasons, but being a somewhat cheesy flick in the midst of the success of the Dark Knight Trilogy certainly didn’t help. Adding this sense of gravitas would not only do justice to the material in live-action but set the stage for the Green Lantern Corps show to be a long-lasting success story.
About The Author
[ad_2]
