Warning: Spoilers for Green Lantern: War Journal #10!
Summary
The biggest clown in the history of both theJustice Leagueand theGreen LanternCorps may end up being the DCU’s last hope. As prestigious as the position can be for some, not all Green Lanterns are created equal. Several Lanterns are revered and respected in the larger scope of the universe, whilesomeone like Guy Gardneris best known for getting punched in the face by everyone he meets.
Guy Gardner may finally be on his way to getting some respect, starting withGreen Lantern: War Journal#10 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Montos, Adriano Lucas, and Dave Sharpe. When the new Green Lantern, Shepherd, is on the brink of death in outer space, he’s shocked to wake up to find that his savior is the infamous Guy Gardner.
He’d be the last one anyone - either the Corps themselves, or the audiences reading at home - would ever expect, but Guy Gardner might end up being the one to save the Corps from ultimate destruction, especially as he declares his intention to “bring Stewart home.” John Stewart is considered one of the moster powerful Green Lanterns of all time, andnow John’s life is in Guy’s hands.
Batman Punching Out Green Lantern Accidentally Saved His Character
Green Lantern fans may know Guy Gardner as a DC mainstay, but it was actually Batman who saved his entire character (by knocking him out).
The Justice League’s Clownish Guy Gardner Saves a Green Lantern
And Could Save the Rest of the Corps
Guy Gardner first made his DC Comics debut in 1968’sGreen Lantern#59 by John Broome, Gil Kane, Sid Greene, and Gaspar Saladino, but his time with the Justice League in the ’80s is what completely revamped his character, turning him into the “himbo” self-parody that he is today. In no time,Guy was reduced to being nothing more than a joke.One punch from Batmanproved to be enough of a KO shot to Guy’s character, completely defining his character for years to come. However, he isn’t a joke to the point of no return.
Guy Gardner played a major — and hilarious — role inJustice League Internationalby the legendary team of Keith Giffen, J. M. DeMatteis, Kevin Maguire, and many others along the way.
It appears as if DC may be taking steps toremodel Guy Gardner’s image in the grander scheme of things. InWar Journal#10, rather than a joke, he’s positioned as a calculated savior, saving Shepherd froma newly villainous Green Lantern Corps, putting on a front for his leaders before whisking Shepherd off, promising to free him once they’re far enough away. This save isn’t an isolated incident either, as elsewhere, in the backup story forGreen Lantern#12 by Jeremy Adams and Kevin Maguire, Guy stumbles upon the Eye of Krona, which could be the key to changing"everything for the Lanterns."
Guy Gardner Could Change the Green Lanterns Forever
And DC Could Change Guy Gardner Forever
For several decades, Guy Gardner has carved a niche for himself as DC’s biggest loser — or at least the biggest loser in the Green Lantern Corps. However, if DC plays its cards right,Guy Gardner could be rebooted for an entirely new generation, just as he was changed drastically in the ’80s from his ’60s introduction. Guy is consistently placed in more heroic, pivotal positions lately, and if he manages to change (and maybe even save) theGreen LanternCorps, Guy Gardner’s character could be revitalized into a game-changer — maybe even for a new iteration of theJustice League.
Green Lantern
Green Lantern is the name given to multiple enforcers of intergalactic justice in the DC Universe. Green Lanterns can harness the cosmic energy of willpower, and create unique spectral objects to face off against their enemies. Though some Green Lanterns have assisted with the Justice League, they primarily belong to the Green Lantern Corps.
