History was made when Abin Sur chose Hal Jordan to be his successor as Green Lantern. However, under different circumstances, it could have been someone else selected for the role. It could have been Guy Gardner. Hal Jordan happened to be the closest choice, a good reminder that life is all about luck and timing.
This alternate scenario was explored in Green Lantern #59 (1968), which marked the first appearance of Guy Gardner. He was then a physical education instructor from East City, relegated to being backup should anything happen to Jordan. This Silver Age version of the character, created by John Broome and Gil Kane, is quite different from the modern Guy Gardner, well-known for his bowl cut and brash personality.
Originally portrayed as a somewhat ordinary and non-dysfunctional individual, Guy Gardner was revamped in the 1980s thanks to writers Steve Englehart and Joe Staton. They redefined him as an obnoxious and hot-headed Lantern. And through the work of many writers, Guy Gardner has revealed many facets of his complex personality, going through numerous changes, retcons, and challenges. Despite his offensive and impulsive nature, Guy also demonstrates, with time, incredible loyalty, devotion, and determination, making him one of the greatest warriors in the universe.
Currently, the brash version of Guy Gardner from the JLI era is making his debut in the DC Universe in Superman (2025), portrayed by Nathan Fillion. This is just the beginning for our bowl-cut hero, as he will also appear in the second season of Peacemaker and the upcoming Lanterns series.
As Guy is ready to make a splash on both the big and small screens, we are highlighting his comic book history. From his first appearance in the 1960s and his revamped introduction in the 1980s, through his time as a member of the Justice League and his role in the Green Lantern Corps, discover some great comics featuring Green Lantern Guy Gardner!
Guy Gardner Reading Order, The Best Stories with the Green Lantern
Credit where credit is due, this reading list wouldn’t have been possible without the work of @XGuardianAngel7.
Guy Gardner Origin Stories
Like most DC Comics Characters, the origin story of Guy Gardner has been revisited, updated, and retconned more than once throughout the years and the several DC relaunches. From his first appearance to his New 52 darker history, those stories highlight how Guy became a Lantern and/or his past:
- Green Lantern (1960) #59 – This is Guy Gardner’s first appearance, introducing how the character was almost chosen by Abin Sur as the Green Lantern of Earth.
- Secret Origin (1986) # 7 – A post-crisis origin story revisiting Guy Gardner’s past and retconning his dimensional exile.
- Guy Gardner: Year One (#11-14) – Your 90s Guy Gardner origin story by the one and only Chuck Dixon (Robin: Year One), with art from Joe Staton.
- Green Lantern Corps (2012) #0 – Peter J. Tomasi and Fernando Pasarin revisit Guy Gardner’s origin at the start of the New 52 era.
- Secret Origins Vol 3 #11 (“Red Roots”) – Landry Q. Walker and Scott Hepburn also revisit Guy’s origin in the New 52 era but with the purpose of highlighting his journey leading him to being a Red Lantern.
Guy Gardner, from The Silver Age to Steve Englehart’s revamp
The Silver Age version of Guy Gardner differs significantly from the character we know today. In his earliest appearances, he is portrayed as a typical nice guy and hero who finds himself seriously injured. This period is often recommended for seasoned readers and those interested in comic book history.
- Green Lantern (1960) #59 – The introduction of Guy Gardner as Hal Jordan’s backup. Collected in DC Finest: Green Lantern – Earth’s Other Green Lantern
- Green Lantern (1960) #87 – This is John Stewart’s first appearance as Guy is injured and Hal needs another substitute.
- Green Lantern (1960) #116, #122-123 – Guy Gardner finally makes his first appearance as a Green Lantern during the classic Dennis O’Neil era.
Steve Englehart became the main writer for Green Lantern, starting with Green Lantern vol. 2 #188, during a time when John Stewart was the lead character. Englehart questioned why multiple Green Lanterns weren’t active simultaneously and decided to reintroduce Hal Jordan while completely updating Guy Gardner. He gave Gardner a strong and arrogant personality, while artist Joe Staton redesigned the character, drawing inspiration from Major Ronald Merrick from the TV series The Jewel in the Crown. Guy Gardner was reintroduced in issue #193 and featured during the famous Crisis on Infinite Earths event.
- Green Lantern (1960) #193
The Re-intro Guy Gardner collected in Green Lantern: Sector 2814 vol. 2 - Crisis on Infinite Earths
Collects Crisis on Infinite Earths #1-12. - Green Lantern: Sector 2814 vol. 3
Collects Green Lantern vol. 2 #194-200. #194-198 ties into COIE.
While this is where the modern Guy Gardner started to emerge, he made a name for himself by being a member of the JLI…
Guy Gardner and the Justice League International
If you’re interested in learning about what inspired the DCU movie version of Guy Gardner, look no further than his time in Justice League International. However, be aware that this portrayal is not of the heroic version of the Justice League, but rather the sitcom version, where one of Guy’s most iconic moments is getting punched by Batman!
- Justice League International Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects Justice League #1-6, Justice League International #7-25, Justice League America #26-30, Justice League Annual #1, Justice League International Annual #2-3, Justice League Europe #1-6 and Suicide Squad #13. - Justice League International Omnibus Vol. 2
Collects Justice League America #31-50, Justice League Europe #7-25, Justice League America Annual #4, Justice League Europe Annual #1, Justice League Quarterly #1, and Justice League International Special #1. - Justice League International Omnibus Vol. 3
Collects Justice League America #51-60, Secret Origins #33-35, Justice League America Annual #5, Green Lantern #18, Justice League Quarterly #2-5, JLA 80-Page Giant #1, Formerly Known As The Justice League #1-6, JLA: Classified #4-9, Justice League Europe #26-36, DC Retroactive: JLA–The ’90s #1, Justice League Europe Annual #2, and Justice League International Special #2.
Optional. In parallel to JLI, Guy Gardner is a supporting player in the Green Lantern Vol. 3 where he teams up with Hal Jordan and John Stewart to protect Earth and rebuild the Corps.
- Green Lantern: The Road Back
Collects Green Lantern vol. 3 #1-8. - Green Lantern (1990) #1-25
Those issues are uncollected for the moment. Guy quits the team at issue #25.
Guy Gardner Reborn in the 90s
Guy Gardner became a popular character, deserving of his own title. His ongoing series lasted 44 issues, a period that has not yet been collected by DC Comics but most issues beyond #9 are available on digital. During this time, writers such as Chuck Dixon explored his origins, while Beau Smith began to showcase Guy’s more vulnerable and heroic side. Starting with issue #17, the title was changed to “Guy Gardner: Warrior,” as Guy adopted this new alias (also the name of his bar) to fight crime. As Guy Gardner is not a Lantern during this period, know that Kyle Rayner was the lead at the time.
- Guy Gardner Reborn #1-3
- Guy Gardner #1-10
- Guy Gardner #11-14 (Year One storyline)
- Justice League America #83
- Guy Gardner #15-16
- Guy Gardner: Warrior #17-44
Guy Gardner, member of the best Green Lantern Corps!
A new era started for the Green Lanterns with the arrival of Geoff Johns on the main title, who brought back Hal Jordan to the front and gave back Guy Gardner a ring! This is the most celebrated period in the Green Lantern series. While we recommend reading the entire era for the full experience, you’ll find Guy Gardner in the Green Lantern Corps series written by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason (a duo also famous for Super Sons).
This is an eventful period for the Lanterns and Guy, with many events such as Sinestro Corps War, Blackest Night, and War of The Green Lanterns. There is also no doubt that this is also a time of character growth for Guy Gardner, who is allowed to shine as a member of the Corps and in solo with the Green Lantern Emerald Warriors series.
- Green Lantern: Rebirth
Collects Green Lantern: Rebirth #1-6. Also available in Absolute Green Lantern: Rebirth. - Green Lantern Corps by Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects Green Lantern Corps: Recharge #1-5; Green Lantern Corps #1-38; Green Lantern #21-25; Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special #1; And Stories From Showcase ’95 #7-8, Blackest Night: Tales Of The Corps #1-3, And Untold Tales Of Blackest Night #1.- Green Lantern Corps Recharge is considered one of Guy Gardner’s best stories.
- Green Lantern Corps by Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason Omnibus Vol. 2
Collects Green Lantern Corps #39-47 #59-60, Green Lantern Corps (The New 52) #0-20, Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #1-13, Blackest Night #8, Green Lantern #65-67, Green Lantern (The New 52) #17, #20, Green Lantern Corps Annual #1, and a story from Green Lantern 80th Anniversary JOO-Page Super Spectacular #1. - War of the Green Lanterns: Aftermath
Collects Green Lantern Corps vol. 2 #61-63, Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #11-13, and War of the Green Lantern: Aftermath #1-2.
Guy Gardner as an Agent of the Red Lantern Corps
During his run, Geoff Johns developed the Emotional Electromagnetic Spectrum that serves as the power source for all the Lantern Corps. Red is for rage, a colour that resonates with Guy Gardner who eventually joins the Red Lantern Corps during Charles Soule’s run on the series. This period also marks the time when Supergirl becomes a member of the Red Corps.
- Red Lanterns Vol. 4: Blood Brothers
Collects Red Lanterns #21–26, Green Lantern Annual #2. - Red Lanterns Vol. 5: Atrocities
Collects Green Lantern/Red Lanterns #28, Red Lanterns #27, #29-34, Red Lanterns Annual #1, Supergirl #31. - Red Lanterns Vol. 6: Forged in Blood
Collects Red Lanterns #35-40, Red Lanterns: Futures End #1
After his time in the Red Lanterns Corps, Guy Gardner was transported to an unknown sector with other Lanterns. The group led by John Stewart will have to band together if they want to find their way home.
- Green Lantern Corps: Lost Army
Collects Green Lantern Corps: Lost Army #1-6. From Cullen Bunn and Jesus Saiz - Green Lantern Corps: Edge of Oblivion
Collects Green Lantern Corps: Edge of Oblivion #1-6. Follow-up to Lost Army by Tom Taylor and Ethan Van Sciver.
Guy Gardner in Rebirth and Beyond
The Green Lantern Corps has vanished, creating a void that the Sinestro Corps eagerly filled with their ruthless form of law and order. Hal Jordan is determined to fight back, as a new era for the Corps is on the horizon. Guy Gardner is once again part of the Corps in Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps and will have his moments during this series.
- Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 1: Sinestro’s Law
Collects Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps: Rebirth #1, Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #1–7 - Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 2: Bottled Light
Collects Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #8–13 - Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 3: Quest for Hope
Collects Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #14–21 - Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 4: Fracture
Collects Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #22–29 - Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 5: Twilight of the Guardians
Collects Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #30–36.- # 32 is part of Dark Nights: Metal: The Resistance
- Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 6: Zod’s Will
Collects Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #37–41 - Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 7: Darkstars Rising
Collects Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #42–50
Where is Guy Gardner right now? You will find Guy and many other Lanterns in the latest Green Lantern Corps series from Jeremy Adams and Morgan Hampton.