By [ad_1]
As a massive, reality-altering event, “Flashpoint” changed every corner of the DC Universe. It was astounding to see how, through one simple change to the timeline, Barry Allen radically transformed the lives of DC’s heroes and villains. The Green Lantern Corps was no exception to these drastic changes, especially not the Green Lanterns of sector 2814.
The first big mention of the Green Lantern Corps came in 2011’s Flashpoint #3, by Geoff Johns, Andy Kubert, Sandra Hope, Alex Sinclair and Nick J. Napolitano. In this issue, The Flash received a surge of new memories from this new timeline, seeing that Abin Sur never died, remaining the Green Lantern of this space sector. Searching for Hal Jordan, Barry found that, since he never became a Green Lantern, Hal was still a test pilot for Ferris Air. Hal made his first full appearance in 2011’s Flashpoint: Hal Jordan #1, by Adam Schlagman, Ben Oliver, Allen Passalaqua and Wes Abbott.
Apparently, during the Amazonian-Atlantean War, Hal was drafted into the air force, working alongside Carol Ferris. Hal saved Coast City from the Amazons’ Hydra, before making the ultimate sacrifice. Jordan was tasked with flying a nuclear weapon into Western Europe, aka New Themyscira, to take down the Amazons’ forcefield. Flying straight into the field, Hal sacrificed his life to achieve his mission.
Of course, Hal Jordan wasn’t the only human Green Lantern to appear during “Flashpoint.” Several other Green Lanterns’ lives were radically altered, especially since none of them became lanterns in the first place. For example, John Stewart made a single appearance in 2011’s Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance #2, by Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, Giancula Gugliotta, Hi-Fi Design and Dave Sharpe. During a flashback sequence, it was revealed that John was part of Team 7, a covert U.S. military squad posted in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, during one mission, John was killed, along with most of the team. Among the human Green Lanterns, Guy Gardner probably went through the biggest life changes.
Guy appeared in 2011’s World of Flashpoint #2, by Rex Ogle, Eduardo Francisco, Stefani Renee and Travis Lanham. In this new world, Guy moved out to Queensland, Australia, where he started the Warriors bar. Apparently, Guy moved away from his anger issues, becoming a Buddhist and moving to Australia to escape the conflict and chaos of the world.
All of these iconic Green Lanterns lived completely different lives during “Flashpoint,” showing the impact of the Green Lantern Corps on these characters. There was no appearance of Kyle Rayner during “Flashpoint,” but even so, it’s clear that he never became a Green Lantern either. Without his ring, Kyle probably became an artist, just as the other lanterns went on to jobs that they’d held in the Post-Crisis DCU. Although no humans became Green Lanterns, there was still one important Green Lantern to the “Flashpoint” universe: Abin Sur. In this timeline, Abin Sur never died, meaning he remained the Green Lantern of sector 2814. Abin fought foes such as the Manhunters, before the Guardians sent him on a mission to retrieve the White Entity of Life from Earth.
Apparently, the Black Lanterns were rising up, and they needed to be stopped. When Abin came to Earth, however, he crash-landed, nearly dying like he did in most versions of his story. Hal Jordan stumbled upon Abin’s ship, but this time, Cyborg, working for the U.S. government, came to the Green Lantern’s aid as well. Due to Cyborg’s help, Abin was determined to save Earth from the Atlantean-Amazonian War, while also retrieving the White Entity of Life. Abin also defeated Sinestro, who wanted to make The Flash change reality in his image. Abin retrieved the White Entity and became the White Lantern, protecting all life. Even though lanterns such as Hal Jordan and John Stewart never became Green Lanterns in “Flashpoint,” Abin Sur got an opportunity to live a full life in exchange. Overall, however, the world is probably better off with the original DCU’s Green Lanterns just as they’re all better off as part of the Green Lantern Corps.
About The Author
[ad_2]
