With Guy Gardner appearing in James Gunn’s Superman and the launch of Lanterns on HBO featuring Hal Jordan and John Stewart, the Green Lanterns are officially part of the new DC Universe, bringing fresh interpretations of some of DC Comics’ most iconic heroes.
Ever since DC Comics introduced the multiverse in 1961 with the classic Flash of Two Worlds, in which Barry Allen accidentally vibrates his way to Earth-Two and meets the original Flash, Jay Garrick, the publisher has never stopped exploring parallel worlds and alternate realities featuring different versions of its characters.
This guide covers Green Lantern stories set outside DC’s main continuity, including tales on alternate Earths, Elseworlds, intercompany crossovers, and comic book tie-ins to television series and films.
Elseworlds and Alternate Earths
Absolute Universe/Earth Alpha – This Young Universe appeared at the beginning of the All In Era, and has been corrupted by Darkseid, who infused it with Despair. At the moment, the Green Lantern mythos is completely reimagined by Al Ewing and Jahnoy Lindsay. Without the Corps…without the ring…without the willpower, what’s left is the Absolute Green Lantern!
What looks like an alien monolith appeared in the town of Evergreen and severed the town from the outside world, leaving its citizens to be…judged. Jo Mullein seems inexplicably caught in the middle of the chaos, while Hal Jordan has found himself in the crosshairs of an alien force that may prove even more dangerous than the monolith itself. See our Guide to DC Absolute Universe.
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Earth One – Absolute Universe was not the first time that DC Comics had introduced a new reality in which Earth’s superheroes had just begun their careers. The company did the same in 2010 with the Earth One imprint, delivering a series of graphic novels that revisited the origin stories and early years of several superheroes and updated them for a modern audience. Gabriel Hardman and Corinna Bechko reimagined Green Lantern Hal Jordan and his universe. Not to be confused with the “Earth-1” of Silver Age era.
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Earth-9 – This is the home of Tangent Comics, a DC Comics imprint created in 1997–1998. It was developed from ideas by Dan Jurgens and consists of various one-shots. Its heroes have the same names but vastly different characteristics. The Green Lantern of Earth-9 has no connection to Oa and doesn’t have a power ring. Instead, she wields a literal green lantern, a mysterious object that gives her control over the spirits of the dead.
- Tangent Comics: Green Lantern #1, collected in Tangent Comics Vol. 1
- Tangent Comics: Tales of the Green Lantern #1, collected in Tangent Comics Vol. 3
- Tangent: Superman’s Reign #1-12, collected in Tangent: Superman’s Reign Vol. 1 and Vol. 2
Writer Tate Brombal and artist Werther Dell’Edera have recently delivered a new take set in the Tangent Universe, or more precisely, taking place on this Earth’s post-apocalyptic future
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Earth-98 – From author Minh Lê and artist Andie Tong comes the story of a new young hero Designed for readers aged 8 to 12. When 13-year-old Tai Pham inherits his grandmother’s jade ring, he discovers that she was secretly a member of the Green Lantern Corps.
- Green Lantern: Legacy
- “Dress Code” from DC Festival of Heroes: The Asian Superhero Celebration (2021) #1
- Green Lantern: Alliance
- Green Lantern: Destiny [2027]
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New 52 Earth 2 — New 52 introduced a completely new version of Earth 2 where DC’s trinity of Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman have been defeated. On this Earth, Alan Scott was an openly gay man and media mogul who was given the power of The Green to fight the threat of The Grey. See our Complete New 52 Earth 2 Guide.
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Other Elseworlds
- Green Lantern Annual (1990) #3 — By David DeVries and Dean Zachary. Set in an alternate reality where the Nazis won World War II, this story was part of the 1994 Elseworlds Annuals crossover event. Each annual told the story of their respective character in an alternate universe. This one features John Stewart as the main Green Lantern, while Hal Jordan and Guy Gardner are Nazis. Collected in Elseworlds: Justice League Omnibus Vol. 1.
- Batman: In Darkest Knight — One-shot by Mike W. Barr and Jerry Bingham. On Earth-32, Bruce Wayne becomes the Green Lantern instead of Hal Jordan. The character also appears in a few issues of Countdown Arena. Collected in Elseworlds: Batman Omnibus Vol. 1.
- Green Lantern: 1001 Emerald Nights — One-shot by writer Terry LaBan and artist Rebecca Guay blending the Green Lantern mythos with the legends of The Arabian Nights. Featuring Scheherazade, Ibn Rayner, and Al Jhor Dan. Collected in Elseworlds: Justice League Vol. 3.
- Green Lantern: Evil’s Might #1-3 — A miniseries by Howard Chaykin, David Tischman, and Marshall Rogers taking place in 1888 in New York City and retelling the origins of Alan Scott with Kyle Rayner in the lead role. This can be considered the Green Lantern’s version of Gotham by Gaslight. Uncollected but available on digital.
- Just Imagine Stan Lee with Dave Gibbons Creating Green Lantern #1 —Part of a series of one-shots showing Stan Lee’s take on the names and concepts of DC’s greatest heroes. On Earth-6, Leonard Lewis is an archaeologist who becomes the target of a global conspiracy before being transformed into the Earth’s greatest champion. Collected in Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating the DC Universe Book One.
- New Frontier — This is Darwyn Cooke’s love letter to the Silver Age, with the emergence of a new breed of hero at the dawn of the Cold War on Earth-21. Although it is an ensemble tale, Hal Jordan could perhaps be considered the protagonist of this book, and is portrayed extremely well. If you’re not a fan of Hal, this is the story that will change your mind. Collected in many collection, including more recently in DC: The New Frontier: DC Compact Comics Edition.
Inter-Company Crossovers
Star Trek/Green Lantern — By Mike Johnson and Angel Hernandez comes the collide of two franchise, with The crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise meets the Green Lantern Corps
- Star Trek/Green Lantern: The Spectrum War
- Star Trek/Green Lantern: Stranger Worlds (sequel to Spectrum War)
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DC/Marvel Crossovers
- Green Lantern/Silver Surfer: Unholy Alliances #1 — By Ron Marz and Darry Banks. Green Lantern Kyle Rayner must face off against the despot and former Herald of Galactus, Terrax. Meanwhile, the Silver Surfer comes face-to-face with the Cyborg-Superman that destroyed Coast City. But this is only the beginning as the cosmic beings known as Thanos and Parallax start manipulating the game board. Collected in DC Versus Marvel Omnibus.
- Iron Lantern #1 — By Kurt Busiek and Paul Smith. The Invincible Iron Man and the Green Lantern are merged to create the Iron Lantern. Collected in DC Versus Marvel: The Amalgam Age Omnibus.
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DC/Hanna-Barbera
- Green Lantern/Space Ghost Special #1 — By James Tynion IV, Christopher Sebela, and Ariel Olivetti. Trapped in a strange rift in time, Green Lantern Hal Jordan and Space Ghost are forced to battle a variety of foes – and each other! Collected in DC Meets Hanna-Barbera Vol. 1.
- Green Lantern/Huckleberry Hound #1 — By Mark Russell and Rick Leonardi. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the early 1970s, Green Lantern John Stewart and Huckleberry Hound join forces to take a stand on the issues of that era. Available on digital only.
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- Green Lantern vs. Aliens — A 4-part story By Ron Marz and Rick Leonardi. Kyle Rayner as he must don the mantle of Green Lantern to turn back the tide of Aliens that Hal Jordan once permitted to live. Collected in Dark Horse Comics / DC Comics: Justice League Vol. 2
- Planet of the Apes: Green Lantern — A Six-Part limited series By Robbie Thompson, Justin Jordan and Barnaby Bagenda. The Lanterns are pitted against Ape in the ultimate fight for power after Cornelius unearths The Universal Ring that wields the strength of the entire Lantern spectrum, making it too powerful for any one being.
Television and Movie Tie-Ins
Green Lantern: The Animated Series — Tie-in to the Cartoon Network Animated series that was aired between 2011 and 2013, following the adventures of Hal Jordan and his fellow warrior ally Kilowog against the Red Lanterns and the Manhunters
- Green Lantern: The Animated Series (#0-5)
- Green Lantern: The Animated Volume 2 (#6-11)
- #12-14 are uncollected
Green Lantern: The Movie Prequels — A Collection of Five One-Shots tying in to the Green Lantern Movie featuring Sinestro, Abin Sur, Tomar-Re, Kilowog, Hal Jordan.
Other Stand-Alone Stories and Lost Tales
These stand-alone stories are mostly ‘lost tales’, stories written later, generally set in the characters’ past, and with an unclear place in the canon. While they are not generally considered to be part of the main continuity, a case could be made for them. You can enjoy them at any time, and choose for yourself if you want them in the canon or not!
- Flash & Green Lantern: The Brave and the Bold — By Mark Waid and Barry Kitson. Explore Hal Jordan and Barry Allen’s friendship throughout six stories set in different periods, the last one around Green Lantern #125.
- Silver Age: Green Lantern (2000) #1 — A nostalgic single-issue comic by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson, featuring Hal Jordan facing off against his arch-nemesis, Sinestro. Uncollected.
- Green Lantern: Willworld — A 2001 original graphic novel written by J. M. DeMatteis and illustrated by Seth Fisher. The story follows an inexperienced Hal Jordan in a surreal rite of passage when he wakes up on a strange, hallucinatory world with no recollection of his journey there. This is generally considered non-canon, although it can be read as part of Hal’s original training in the main continuity.
- DC Retroactive — a line of one-shots revisiting previous iconic eras written by their emblematic writers.
- Green Lantern 70s: writer Dennis O’Neil returns to the character for a brand-new story starring Hal Jordan. Collected in Green Lantern / Green Arrow: Hard-Traveling Heroes Omnibus.
- Green Lantern 80s: Len Wein and Joe Staton bring their storytelling flair to John Stewart. Collected in DC Universe by Len Wein.
- Green Lantern 90s: Ron Marz and Darryl Banks are reunited for a lost Kyle Rayner tale. Uncollected.
- Green Lantern: The Power of Green #1 — A rare promotional comic book published by DC Comics in partnership with ConEdison in 2010, featuring Hal Jordan vs. Solomon Grundy.