u/PhantomQuest

Listen up, Poozers, it's Kilowog's turn!

You get to make one, and ONLY one, change about Kilowog - what is that change? It can be anything - powers, costume, personality, history retcon, whatever, and can be an in-universe change or something with how the character is used by DC as a publisher. Only caveat is "don't be a dick" - for instance, no killing off, no wishing they didn't exist, etc.

Mine might be a bit of a controversial one because he has become iconic as the Corps' "drill sergeant", but that's always felt a bit contrived to me - the big, scary-looking tough guy is big, scary, and tough. Been there, seen that. Kilowog's original portrayal as a bit of a peacenik, a socialist-minded engineer, allllmost a pacifist even was far more interesting, and a subversion of how he looks, so I'd like to see that perspective brought back for him.

What ONE thing would you change about Kilowog?

(Image: Fernando Pasarin variant cover for Green Lantern Corps Vol 4 #2)

I'd say "bring on the bad guys!" but that's the other publisher! Let's talk about Thaal Sinestro, arguably the biggest of big bads to the Green Lantern Corps.

You get to make one, and ONLY one, change about Sinestro - what is that change? It can be anything - powers, costume, personality, history retcon, whatever, and can be an in-universe change or something with how the character is used by DC as a publisher. Only caveat is "don't be a dick" - for instance, no killing off, no wishing they didn't exist, etc.

For me, I'd keep him far, far away from any Corps, even the Yellow Lanterns (which can, and to a degree have, been somewhat redeemed and shown to be able to use fear for positive purposes). Sinestro's real power is his hypocrisy and sense of superiority - his view that only he knows best. Sometimes that elevates him to being the "greatest Green Lantern" or to creating the Yellow Lantern Corps, but I think it's intrinsic to him that his hubris always tears him down. He should forever be the outsider, raging that his way is the only way, even as everyone around him ultimately sees through his control schemes and leaves him behind. Or, TLDR, he should never have a hint of redemption, and damn sure shouldn't be accepted back into the GLC specifically!

What ONE thing would you change about Sinestro?

(Image: Billy Tan & Alex Sinclair cover for Sinestro Vol 1 #1)

The newest, and arguably most unique, Green Lantern from Earth, the hero of the City Enduring in the Far Sector, let's talk about Sojourner 'Jo' Mullein!

You get to make one, and ONLY one, change about Jo Mullein - what is that change? It can be anything - powers, costume, personality, history retcon, whatever, and can be an in-universe change or something with how the character is used by DC as a publisher. Only caveat is "don't be a dick" - for instance, no killing off, no wishing they didn't exist, etc.

For me, I think more needs to be made of how, and why, her ring is different to the rest of the Corps' - constantly recharging from ambient energy, not directly needing a battery, and explore what different powers and, perhaps, responsibilities, she has or can develop as a result. Jo seems to work best as a bit of an outsider, an auxiliary to the GLC, and I'd love to see more made of that unique standing.

What ONE thing would you change about Jo Mullein?

(Image: Jamie McKelvie variant cover for Far Sector Vol 1 #1)

The youngest human ever inducted into the Green Lantern Corps, the Teen Lantern, it's Keli Quintela! (And yes, she appeared before Jo Mullein, albeit only by a few months - Jo's turn is tomorrow!)

You get to make one, and ONLY one, change about Keli Quintela - what is that change? It can be anything - powers, costume, personality, history retcon, whatever, and can be an in-universe change or something with how the character is used by DC as a publisher. Only caveat is "don't be a dick" - for instance, no killing off, no wishing they didn't exist, etc.

Mine is a recent one - give her the Krona gauntlet back (or rather, not taking it from her in the first place). It was the one thing differentiating her from every other Lantern from Earth (OK, she's also the only non-American, but still!) and while whatever the original plan was for her being bonded to it fell by the wayside when Bendis left DC, I'd have wanted someone to explore it more fully. As is, it seems Adams wanted the gauntlet for his Krona clone'a Hal subplot, and while I appreciate he's not just tossed Keli aside, making her just another Green Lantern seems a guaranteed way for her to fall even further into the background.

What ONE thing would you change about Keli Quintela?

(Image: Alan Quah variant cover for Green Lantern Vol 6 #8)

The one-time Power Ring, now wielder of a power ring, and current leader of the Green Lantern Corps, let's talk about Jessica Cruz!

You get to make one, and ONLY one, change about Jessica Cruz - what is that change? It can be anything - powers, costume, personality, history retcon, whatever, and can be an in-universe change or something with how the character is used by DC as a publisher. Only caveat is "don't be a dick" - for instance, no killing off, no wishing they didn't exist, etc.

I'd give her a flashback miniseries that properly explains how she went from a Yellow Lantern back to Green, and use it to establish exactly why she earned the role of Corps leader. At the moment, both of those plot beats/character developments largely happened 'off screen', and the only explanations we've had have essentially been "because reasons". Yes, such a miniseries might be a case of continuity patching, but it would also be a chance for Jess to shine as a solo star - she's become just as wrapped up in being Simon's partner as he has in being hers, so a spotlight on Jess alone could be good for the character.

What ONE thing would you change about Jessica Cruz?

(Image: Emanuela Lupacchino variant cover for Green Lanterns Vol 1 #1)

On to the first of the new generation of Green Lanterns from Earth, it's Simon Baz's turn!

You get to make one, and ONLY one, change about Simon Baz - what is that change? It can be anything - powers, costume, personality, history retcon, whatever, and can be an in-universe change or something with how the character is used by DC as a publisher. Only caveat is "don't be a dick" - for instance, no killing off, no wishing they didn't exist, etc.

For me, it's gotta be the mask and the gun - lose 'em both. Al Ewing has found a way to make the mask work in Absolute Green Lantern, but for the 'main' Earth's version of Simon, having the brown Muslim guy wearing a full-face balaclava and waving a gun around is tone deaf beyond belief. He doesn't need to go entirely maskless - although that worked pretty well for a few pages in Justice League Red - but the completely covered bank robber look has got to go.

What ONE thing would you change about Simon Baz?

(Image: Doug Mahnke and Alex Sinclair cover for Green Lantern Vol 6 #16)

Sir, please, keep it PG! 🤯

We're up to the Torchbearer, the savior of the Green Lantern Corps, the GOAT, Kyle Rayner!

You get to make one, and ONLY one, change about Kyle Rayner - what is that change? It can be anything - powers, costume, personality, history retcon, whatever, and can be an in-universe change or something with how the character is used by DC as a publisher. Only caveat is "don't be a dick" - no killing off, for instance.

For me, I'd have had him bring the Corps back sooner. DC kept teasing readers with it - The New Corps mini after the events of Emerald Knights, him bringing the Guardians back as children - but never allowed him to really rebuild the Green Lantern Corps. That sort of evolution would have fit really well towards the end of Kyle's original run - I'd place it after the events of Circle of Fire, with Kyle using the power after overcoming Oblivion to jumpstart a new Corps for real, after being inspired by the Lanterns he'd subconsciously created - and could have led to a very different Rebirth for the Corps and the line as a whole.

What ONE thing would you change about Kyle Rayner?

(Image: Lucas Meyer variant cover for Green Lantern Corps Vol 4 #3)

We're on to Earth's fourth Green Lantern and sometime-Guardian of the Universe, John Stewart!

You get to make one, and ONLY one, change about John Stewart - what is that change? It can be anything - powers, costume, personality, history retcon, whatever, and can be an in-universe change or something with how the character is used by DC as a publisher. Only caveat is "don't be a dick" - no killing off, for instance.

For me, I'd remove the military links. It was a weird addition for the DCAU, and since it bled back into the comics, it's absolutely dominated John's portrayal. It's never felt like a natural fit for the character, and arguably undermines his original portrayal as somewhat anti-establishment. Focus on his socially minded work, his architecture, his community building, how he conquers fear by fighting systemic oppression - not him being able to snipe real good.

What ONE thing would you change about John Stewart?

(Image: Ariel Olivetti cover for Green Lantern Vol 3 #156)

Next up - everyone's favourite rabble-rousing former coma patient!

You get to make one, and ONLY one, change about Guy Gardner - what is that change? It can be anything - powers, costume, personality, history retcon, whatever, and can be an in-universe change or something with how the character is used by DC as a publisher. Only caveat is "don't be a dick" - no killing off, for instance.

For me, there's not a lot I'd outright change about Guy himself - I really like how his characterisation has settled into the aggravating but competent, experienced senior figure. He's someone that responsibility and respect has come to slowly, almost reluctantly, but he's quietly risen to the challenge, and now there's no-one better to have in your corner - even though he can still be an utter asshole. So the one change I'd make is bring back Kari Limbo into the main DCU, and see how they gel now Guy has (whisper it) matured... a bit. We've seen Guy/Tora on loop for a while now, and I think there's a lot more to explore with a revived/reintroduced Kari.

What ONE thing would you change about Guy Gardner?

(Image: Edwin Galmon cover for Tales of the Green Lantern Corps: Guy Gardner #1)

Another day, another Lantern!

Same rules as the Alan Scott thread yesterday: You get to make one, and ONLY one, change about Hal Jordan - what is that change? It can be anything - powers, costume, personality, history retcon, whatever, and can be an in-universe change or something with how the character is used by DC as a publisher. Only caveat is "don't be a dick" - no killing off, for instance.

For me, I'd have given Emerald Twilight more room to breathe. It's undeniably rushed, because DC wanted to arbitrarily hit the #50 milestone, but I think it could have gone down much better if Marz had been given more space. And by extension, better selling Hal's fall would have made his inevitable redemption even more powerful.

What ONE thing would you change about Hal Jordan?

(Image: Liam Sharp and Steve Oliff cover of The Green Lantern #1)

I figure this could make for some fun discussions, so I plan to do future posts for other main or major Lanterns, but let's start with the OG!

You get to make one, and ONLY one, change about Alan Scott - what is that change? It can be anything - powers, costume, personality, history retcon, whatever, and can be an in-universe change or something with how the character is used by DC as a publisher. Only caveat is "don't be a dick" - no killing off, for instance.

For me, it'd be a subtle change - make the modern version of Alan bisexual, rather than gay. I sort of get why DC went this route after bringing the JSA back into continuity, after they'd made such a splash of making New 52 Earth-2 Alan gay (which, in turn, seemed largely because they'd lost his gay son Obsidian in the N52 reboot), but I think having him as a bi man would be so much deeper. You could play up his uncertainty over his sexuality in the early 1940s - before Alfred Kinsey had even started to research the field, helping pave the way to modern LGBTQ+ identities and labels - while maintaining his queer relationships (as with Red Lantern Vladimir Sokov) without making his relationships with Molly or Rose into "lavender marriages". It would also be some much needed representation for bi men, who are often an afterthought.

What ONE thing would you change about Alan Scott?

(Image: Mateus Manhanini variant cover of Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #6)

So, David Aja did a gorgeous variant cover for Green Lantern #34, showcasing Kyle in his new costume, as designed by David Nakayama. However! He also did a version with the same composition but with Kyle in his original Darryl Banks costume! This isn't planned to be used on an actual comic at present, it's just something Aja posted on his Bluesky, but it's a fantastic piece!

Really loving this series of variants by David Aja! Hoping to see John, Jess, Simon, Jo, and Alan get one in future - Alan having the red would be a really striking standout for the "collection"! Hell, give Keli one, too!