Green Lantern-Related Series Chronology: Part 1

Green Lantern: A Chronology of the DC Comics Franchise & Its Other Notable References: Part 1 - 1940-1989

1940's

All-American Comics (1939) 16-102 -- Alan Scott, the Golden Age Green Lantern’s 1^st appearance was in #16, cover-dated July 1940, of this series & he was a featured character in every issue until it ended with #102. Unlike the more well-known Green Lanterns, Hal Jordan and John Stewart, he was not a part of the intergalactic Green Lantern Corps, a concept that was introduced in what is known as DC Comics' Silver Age, which began circa 1960's.

He instead was an engineer and victim of a train crash caused by sabotage by a rival, but was protected by his lantern revealed to be magical. Alan Scott's green lantern & power ring he fashioned are magic-based & decades later, it would be revealed that they were crafted from a piece of the mystical Starheart that had crashed to Earth as a meteorite. His ring's only weakness was wood, as odd as that sounds. Green Lantern Alan Scott would also become a founding member of DC Comics' first super-team, the Justice Society of America, about a year after his debut.

http://www.comicvine.com/all-american-comics/49-20663/

The power-lusting Lord Chang was also introduced in Alan Scott's debut, All-American Comics #16, though he appeared to have been killed then. When he resurfaces in Green Lantern vol. 2, it's revealed he survived a mob's attempt on his life and has been kept alive over millennia by a piece of the same green meteor that eventually became the train lantern that saves Alan Scott's life. When he vexes Alan Scott as Green Lantern, he has become known as the villain Green Dragon.

Green Lantern vol. 1 (1941) 1-38 -- Green Lantern Alan Scott's own solo series, which is also where he first used the classic oath in #9 that Hal Jordan & much of the Green Lantern Corps would later use as a rallying cry or pledge. http://www.comicvine.com/green-lantern/49-25944/

Vandal Savage, the immortal caveman once known as Vandar Adg, is a very notable villain, introduced here in Green Lantern vol. 1 #10, in December 1943. He schemes against many of DC's heroes, usually behind the scenes, using his vast knowledge to maintain wealth, various combat skills, & secrecy.  His end goal is world conquest.


Of all this Green Lantern's villains, Solomon Grundy is probably the most memorable. He is a monster formed in Slaughter Swamp from the remains of a mobster named Cyrus Gold. Grundy debuted in All-American Comics vol. 1 #61 & would not just plague the Golden Age Green Lantern, but also the Justice Society, their legacy team of Infinity, Inc., & other heroes.

All-American Comics #89 would introduce Molly Maynne, Alan Scott's secretary, and her other identity as the costumed criminal called The Harlequin! She would eventually also ally with Green Lantern on occasion, as her main goal was to get his attention. This also lead to their romance & marriage decades later.

Some other notable villains introduced in Green Lantern Alan Scott's early adventures include The Gambler, Sportsmaster, & The Icicle.

from Sportsmaster's 1st appearance
in All-American Comics #85, 1947

Alan Scott reciting his oath, G.L. v.1 #36

There's also a wealth of information on the character of Alan Scott and his early adventures here:

https://www.cosmicteams.com/jsa/profiles/green-lantern-alan-scott.html

1959-1960's

Showcase (1956) 22-24 -- Hal Jordan’s 1^st appearance and introduction as the new Green Lantern are both in issue #22, cover-dated September/October 1959, but #23 and 24 continue his first adventures. It was revealed after some time, that the Golden Age Green Lantern Alan Scott was from the Earth-2 alternate universe, & that Hal Jordan was a part of the Earth-1 universe & that these were part of a larger multiverse. This would change in 1985-1986 with the aftermath of Crisis on Infinite Earths, which stream-lined both of those universes & more into one with a singular timeline, as was conveyed in 1986's History of the DC Universe, but this also ends up becoming part of the nature of DC Comics' various crisis stories--the multiverse having various side effects.
In Showcase #22, when Abin Sur, Green Lantern from the planet Ungara, of Space Sector 2814, crash-landed on Earth & was dying, he willed his ring's energy to find an honest man without fear & test pilot Hal Jordan was the nearest candidate meeting that description & thus he became Abin Sur's successor over sector 2814.

As it turns out, this run on Showcase was also the first appearance of Hal's most consistent love interest, Carol Ferris, daughter of Carl Ferris, owner of Ferris Aircraft, where Hal works as a test pilot. 

https://comicvine.gamespot.com/showcase/4050-1770/object-appearances/4005-11202/

Hal would also become a founding member of the Justice League of America, as seen here.

Green Lantern vol. 2 (1960) 1-200, Special 1-2 -- This series highlighted Hal Jordan and the intergalactic Green Lantern Corps, of which he's a part. The 1st issue reveals that the Green Lantern Corps is a peacekeeping & justice-seeking force created by & overseen by the incredibly ancient Guardians of the Universe, headquartered on the planet Oa, which we're originally told is the center of the Earth-1 universe. There are 3600 space sectors in this universe, as established by the Guardians, each of which they aim to assign a Green Lantern to.
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/green-lantern/4050-2839/
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/green-lantern-special/4050-4005/

Hal Jordan encounters the Guardians of the Universe in G.L. vol.2 #1.

The 2nd issue introduced the Weaponers & Thunderers of the planet Qward from the antimatter universe, as you can see by the Thunderer on the cover. The Weaponers of Qward are soon revealed as the makers of the yellow power ring for former Green Lantern-turned-major-villain, Sinestro.

This same issue also introduces the Inuit mechanic at Ferris Aircraft, Tom "Pieface" Kalmaku, who Hal Jordan befriends right away & ends the issue with him becoming his close confidant & frequent co-adventurer. Kalmaku also shows up in the live-action Green Lantern movie of 2011.

The villain named Hector Hammond was introduced in the 5th issue & was a criminal who harnessed the transforming energy from a meteorite he discovered & used it to subvert 4 scientists, experts in just as many fields, to advance his own reputation as a "renowned scientist" until Hal Jordan & Tom Kalmaku foiled his scheme. With Hammond's next appearance (issue 22), he used the meteorite energy directly on himself which transformed his appearance closer to the large-headed, swollen-brain look comic readers are more familiar with. He's especially notable as 1 of the 2 antagonists in the live-action Green Lantern movie of 2011.

The 6th issue is the 1st appearance of the alien Green Lantern Tomar-Re, from the planet Xudar, in neighboring space sector 2813. He's worth noting since he was featured in the live-action Green Lantern movie of 2011, & he's the first alien Green Lantern Hal encounters in action.

 The next issue was where the rogue Green Lantern Sinestro debuted. He would eventually come to be known as arch-nemesis to Hal Jordan and major threat to the GLC. The Weaponers of Qward end up fashioning a  power ring imbued with yellow energy for Sinestro to take his fight to Hal Jordan & the GLC. Yellow is a weakness of the Green Lantern Corps' power rings due to an impurity in the Central Power Battery.

Issue #9 introduces the next set of alien Green Lanterns (though unnamed): Xax, of Xaos; Chaselon, of Barrio III; Rori Stroh, of Rojira; Larvox, of Sputa; & NautKeLoi, of Aeros; & of them Chaselon will feature most prominently, especially as a future Alpha Lantern.

Issue #11 introduced Stel, of robotic Grenda and Medphyll, of botanical J586 (though both then unnamed). Stel will be chosen to become an Alpha Lantern much later on, and Medphyll will have a fascinating story with Swamp Thing. He also will recite his own unique, earthen oath: "In forest dark or glade beferned, no blade of grass shall go unturned, let those who have the daylight spurned, tread not where this green lamp has burned."

Sonar, DC Comics' villainous master of sound, was introduced in issue #14. He is the leader of a small Eastern European country called Modora & his ambition is to elevate it to greatness through force. He not only repeatedly plagues Green Lantern Hal Jordan, but even creates chaos with Justice League Europe later on.













Issue #16 is Carol Ferris's 1st appearance as Star Sapphire, who starts out for a long time as a villain, but much later on becomes an ally to Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps. Carol goes through quite an evolution over the decades after her introduction.

The dual-personality villain Dr. Polaris, DC Comics' "master of magnetism", might not seem like much in his debut here, but he becomes a recurring threat. Upgrading his look, he almost kills off Hal Jordan (if not for his good side) in his 2nd appearance in #46, & he plagues other heroes & teams. 

The Tattooed Man makes himself known in issue #23 & he will vex Green Lanterns & even the Justice League of America with his animated tattoos.

A tiger shark irradiated by nuclear waste mutates into a new villain simply known as  The Shark in issue #24. He will terrorize Hal Jordan even more & unsurprisingly, Aquaman, & others also.

In issue #26, Hal Jordan discovers Abin Sur trapped a very mischievous wizard named Myrwhydden inside his power ring, with his own mystical landscape.



The self-titled "cliche criminal", Black Hand, first appeared in G.L. vol. 2 #29. After a revamping of his character decades later by writer Geoff Johns, he becomes the architect behind the major company-wide crossover event story, "Blackest Night".

The next issue was the 1st appearance of Katma Tui, Green Lantern of Korugar, the successor to the rogue Lantern, Sinestro, and the first female Green Lantern we're introduced to. She'll also become future trainer & wife of Green Lantern John Stewart, while becoming an accomplished peacekeeper in her own right.

                                           
Issue #37 was the 1st appearance of the cosmic menace known as Evil Star.


G.L. v. 2 #38 is where the villain Keith Kenyon, who would later be called Goldface, first showed up. After causing trouble for multiple Green Lanterns & The Flash, he eventually reforms & becomes an ally to The Flash for a while as Commissioner in Keystone City.

Krona, one of the original/pre-Guardian Oans, is introduced in issue #40, with his & the Guardians' origins revealed. He sought knowledge of the creation of the universe that was forbidden on Oa & he was banished as an energy being sent throughout the cosmos aimlessly as punishment for his meddling. The Guardians also reveal that it was this meddling that created the multiverse, instead of a singular universe. Krona is not just the villain that causes a conflict between Green Lanterns Alan Scott & Hal Jordan in this issue, but he shows up for big storylines later, involving both the GLC & a crossover between Marvel & DC Comics. It was cool to see the teamwork between Hal & Alan in this issue, though!

Keith Kenyon as Goldface! (#48)

The super-villain Major Disaster made his "catastrophic" debut in issue #43. He becomes a thorn in the side of Green Lanterns Hal Jordan & John Stewart, The Flashes Barry Allen & Wally West, Justice Leagues Europe & International. Much later, after doing time in the "Suicide Squad", he does reform & even joins the JLA for a while.

classic cover art by Gil Kane & Murphy Anderson

showing brilliant dichotomy between

Hal Jordan & Sinestro

In G.L. v.2 #55, Hal Jordan opted to deputize an actor named Charley Vicker as a temporary Green Lantern when Vicker's brother was murdered (due to mistaken identity) by an old foe of Abin Sur's & a gang of his out for revenge on any Green Lantern on Earth that they could find. The Guardians become so impressed with Vicker's assistance that he is given the role of official Green Lantern of another sector, 3319.

This issue is Green Lantern Guy Gardner's 1st appearance. It's a "what-if?" style of story, though, as it's shown that a phys. ed. teacher, Gardner, was the other fearless candidate for the dying Abin Sur's power ring, but that Jordan had received it as he was closer.

1970's

 And #87 is John Stewart's 1st appearance. He was DC Comics's 4th heroic black character introduced, preceded by Black Racer of the New Gods, Vykin the Black of the Forever People (also New Gods), and Malcolm Duncan, ally to the Teen Titans. Since Guy Gardner wasn't available, due to injury, Stewart was chosen at this time as a Sector 2814 backup Lantern to Jordan when he needed assistance.

In between these 2 character debuts, G.L. v.2 #76 began what would be referred to as the "Hard-Traveling Heroes" era with Green Arrow being co-featured for all the way up to #122, tackling some real-to-life issues, along the way, that gave the series more of a grounded feel for a time. At the start of this run in 1970, there was also a Guardian (known later as Appa Ali Apsa) who joined Hal & Ollie on their road trip around the U.S.

tough question in GL vol. 2 #76

Justice League of America vol. 1 (1960) 140-141 -- These 2 issues in 1977 reveal the intergalactic group of androids known as the Manhunters, who were the Guardians of the Universe's original enforcers of law & order before the formation of the Green Lantern Corps. The Manhunters will play major roles in other stories later on. https://comicvine.gamespot.com/justice-league-of-america/4050-2014/object-appearances/4060-55857/

1980's

The GLC defend Oa from an assault
by Sinestro & the Qwardians! (#127)

Arkkis Chummuck was a Green Lantern hailing from planet Toomey VI in Sector 3014, and was introduced in Green Lantern vol. 2 #130's back-up story in 1980. His first appearance involved being on trial for the ritualistic consumption of his fallen foe in battle, his GLC sector predecessor, Reever. Arkkis would become most noted for his selfless bravery, including his sacrifice in battle against Maaldor the Darklord, helping defend his fellow Lanterns.

Tales of the Green Lantern Corps (1981) 1-3, Annual 1
http://www.comicvine.com/tales-of-the-green-lantern-corps/49-3077/ - This was a 3-issue mini-series that followed an adventure involving the entire GLC facing a reconstituded Krona & the undead forces of Nekron, the Unliving. Nekron would end up being the big threat in "Blackest Night" much later. The 1st issue of this is also the first appearance of Arisia, who becomes significant as a lover of Hal Jordan's starting in The Green Lantern Corps #211.
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/tales-of-the-green-lantern-corps-annual-1/4000-128645/ 

K'ryssma, of Etrea, Sector 1890, & Apros, of 7pi, Sector 3,
are introduced as Honor Guards, alongside Tomar-Re in Tales of GLC #1

Eddore, of Tront, sector 1419, also makes 
its debut here, reciting its unique oath.

Nekron, Lord of the Unliving, introduced in
Tales of the Green Lantern Corps #2

Galius Zed

Penelops

In the back-up story in Green Lantern vol. 2 #148, Ch'p from the planet H'lven, who protected Space Sector 1014, was introduced. He's significant as serving on the Earth-based contingent of the GLC later on. He resembles a larger-than-normal chipmunk.

And #149 is the 1st appearance of the alien Green Lantern Salaak, of Slyggia, in Space Sector 1418. This coincided with Hal Jordan's 1st time approaching the Guardians about resigning from the GLC. Salaak will also join the Earth-based branch of the GLC later. Much later, he becomes the senior administrator of the Corps and Keeper of the Book of Oa. But, his cynism & snarky attitude here sets the tone for his character & also serve him well at other times.

Deeter

Hollika Rahn

Green Man

All-Star Squadron (1981) 25 -- On Earth-2, here's the 1st appearance of the power pulse-powered Jade (Jennie-Lynn Hayden) & shadow-powered Obsidian (Todd J. Rice), daughter & son of Alan Scott, the "Golden Age" Green Lantern in Sept. 1983, unbeknownst to him. They debut alongside their teammates of Infinity, Inc., made up of mostly sons and daughters of the Justice Society of America. Infinity, Inc. would receive their own series soon after this in March 1984.

The minor Green Lantern villain known as Javelin was introduced in Green Lantern vol. 2 #173, cover-dated February 1984, before becoming more closely associated with the Suicide Squad. He was even  included in 2021's live-action The Suicide Squad movie.

In G.L. v.2 #181, Hal Jordan chooses settling down on Earth with his lover, Carol Ferris, over remaining with the GLC. Katma Tui was especially upset with this decision as Hal had previously persuaded her from doing the same thing on Korugar with her love, scientist Imi Kann, early on. Jordan would eventually rejoin the Corps in #199.











The next issue, Hal Jordan's former substitute Lantern on Earth, architect John Stewart, was appointed sole Green Lantern of Space Sector 2814, while Guy Gardner was not available for the role then. Katma Tui is chosen for her valued experience to go to Earth to train Stewart when he is showing some uncertainty in his role. They end up falling in love starting with a kiss at the end of #189.

KT21

Tucked away in between all of that, there was a back-up story written by Alan Moore in issue #188 that introduced the sentient planet who is the Green Lantern Mogo. Mogo would play a much bigger role for the Corps later on.

   The 1st Infinity, Inc. Annual (1985) revealed Jade & Obsidian's mother as the villain Thorn (Rose Canton). She had given them up for adoption at birth, after running away from her newlywed husband, Alan Scott, whom she had married under the guise of "Alyx Florin".

Rose Canton's past being recalled

This issue also ended with Green Lantern Alan Scott & his former foe turned frequent ally, Molly Maynne, the original Harlequin, getting married.

After only getting the chance to serve as Green Lantern for 1 day, teaming up with Green Arrow in #116, Guy Gardner charged his ring into Hal Jordan's faulty lantern which then appeared to shatter & disintegrate Gardner, but actually sent him to the Phantom Zone with a serious concussion. There he was manipulated by Zod over time & even witnessed Jordan almost marrying his precognitive girlfriend, Kari Limbo, when they had bonded over grieving Guy's presumed death. When Jordan attempted a rescue with Superman in #122, Sinestro abducted Guy to Qward's antimatter universe, where Jordan did rescue him in the next issue, but Guy's mind was fractured & he was near catatonic. Guy was out of commission for several months until he regained full consciousness, during which time Kari repeatedly checked up on him. It was here in issue #195 then that a faction of the Guardians officially endorsed Guy Gardner as a Green Lantern having formed a lantern & power ring filled with their own energies when the Central Power Battery was malfunctioning. Guy took on a unique outfit in this reintroduction, as you can see.

Last Days of the Justice Society of America Special (1986) 1 - This one-shot special was to be the swan song for the original super-hero team, after the merging of the multiverse with the Crisis. As such, it was a very fitting story told by Roy Thomas, beautifully drawn by David Ross. The surviving members of the team, besides Dr. Fate, Star-spangled Kid, & Power Girl, are tasked with fighting a never-ending battle of Ragnarok in another dimension Dr. Fate summons his teammates to (including Green Lantern Alan Scott) to stave off the end of the universe that is set in motion by Hitler using the power of the Spear of Destiny in 1945. This was effective as a respectful shelving of the characters at the time.

 

Green Lantern vol.2 #200 is the aftermath of DC's game-changing Crisis on Infinite Earths & also brought the end of an era with the Guardians choosing to leave the planet Oa with their female counterparts, the Zamarons, to pursue relations in another dimension. This led to the remaining 2800 Green Lanterns breaking up into multiple smaller factions spread throughout the universe.

The Green Lantern Corps vol. 1 (1986) 201-224, Annual 2-3 -- The series' numbering continues with a title change & a much smaller Earth-bound iteration of the GLC, led by Hal Jordan, and based in California.
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/the-green-lantern-corps/4050-3600/
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/tales-of-the-green-lantern-corps-annual-2-escapist/4000-134743/
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/tales-of-the-green-lantern-corps-annual-3-in-black/4000-136849/

The Green Lantern Corps #201 then followed the adventures of the 7-member group (consisting of Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Katma Tui, Arisia, Kilowog, Salaak, & Ch'p) that based themselves on Earth. That issue is also the first appearance of Kilowog, of Bolovax Vik, in Space Sector 674. He has later been known as a drill sergeant of rookie Lanterns and fond of the term "poozer" for those rookies.

Tales of the Green Lantern Corps Annual #2 introduced a slew of new characters, most notably the demonic Five Inversions, sole survivors of the Massacre of Sector 666, who would form the Empire of Tears, which they ruled from the planet Ysmault in Sector 2814, until they were imprisoned there by the Guardians of the Universe. Qull, of the Five Inversions, is who relays their story and more that they've foreseen to Abin Sur, which would years later lead to his crash-landing on Earth and passing his ring onto Hal Jordan. A Daxamite Green Lantern, Sodam Yat, is also introduced via prophecy in this issue. Qull also phrophesizes the Children of the White Lobe and Ranx, the Sentient City. 

T:D:H:D, the Mad God Sector 3600, was also introduced in this Annual, whose story was told by Sinestro, which also introduced Green Lanterns Cimfet Tau and Palaqua.

John Stewart & Katma Tui were married
in The Green Lantern Corps #212

Justice League vol. 1 (1987) 1 -- The original Justice League of America series ended in early 1987 with issue #261 after the events of the "Legends" crossover, which split up the Detroit-based version of the iconic team. With this new series began the Justice League International era & Green Lantern Guy Gardner was a founding & long-standing member of this iteration of the DC Comics' premier super-team. This era was known for a lot of humor at times & Guy was no small part of that, especially contrasting the others for a while with his overly cocky attitude.

https://comicvine.gamespot.com/justice-league-1-born-again/4000-105729/

In 1987's Swamp Thing vol. 2 #61, Medphyll's native planet, J586, is visited by Swamp Thing who is trying to re-establish a physical body from the lush vegetation of that world, unknowingly absorbing the sentient inhabitants in the process. Medphyll then has to figure out how to address this crisis while also not harming his plant-like neighbors.

In the 3rd Tales of the GLC Annual, from 1987, Katma Tui recounts the story of meeting & recruiting the peculiar Rot Lop Fan, from the Obsidian Deeps, of Sector 911, to the Green Lantern Corps. His species could not see color, but have excellent hearing, thus his distinctive oath.

Bynai Bruun

In Green Lantern Corps vol. 1 #217, we're introduced to the remnants of the GLC contingent of the Klyminade region, Flodo Span, Olapet, and Driq. These 3 Green Lanterns will reveal to the four Earth-based GL's they meet up with of Sinestro's murderous attack on them that killed the other five of the Klyminade group, and then together they take the fight to him and the Mad God of Sector 3600, who Sinestro had released from its Oan sciencell. Flodo Span proved instrumental in defeating T:D:H:D with his incredibly malleable form.

Millennium (1987/1988) 1-8 -- This was a big company-wide crossover event mini-series that had tie-in issues with many other DC titles & while the series was cover-dated 1988, it was all released in October & November 1987. The story centers around the Guardians of the Universe & their female counterparts, the Zamarons, having returned from their other-dimensional retreat & addressing a crisis involving the Manhunters, the Guardians' android creations from ages past.
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/millennium/4050-4011/ -- the mini-series
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/millennium/4045-40776/ -- the story arc & tie-ins

Rocket Red #7 was revealed to be a Manhunter
in Justice League International vol. 1 #9

G'nort, of the planet G'newt, in Sector 68, was introduced in Justice League International vol. 1 #10, during the "Millennium" event, as a goofball alien character, not really an official Green Lantern. He was conscripted second-hand by his uncle, G'newmann, through the Poglachians, who were posing as Guardians of the Universe working with the Weaponers of Qward seeking to discredit the Green Lantern Corps by filling it with incompetents. G'nort eventually was instated as a true Green Lantern with Guy Gardner's help.

The last 3 issues of The Green Lantern Corps (#222-224) in mid-1988 brought about the destruction of the Central Power Battery on Oa & the depowering of most of the GLC. When the GLC executed Sinestro for his many crimes, a bizarre twist revealed that if either the Guardians or their enforcers killed any male Korugarians, such as Sinestro, it would lead to the Battery self-destructing, via a pact the Guardians made ages ago, to curb their emotions when the Zamarons were procreating with Korugarian men.

Action Comics vol. 1 (1938) 601 -- A month later, Star Sapphire Carol Ferris, possessed by the Predator entity, murdered Katma Tui, former Green Lantern from Korugar and John Stewart's wife, just to spite Hal Jordan. Like I said, Carol as Star Sapphire goes through quite an evolution.
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/action-comics-weekly-601-and-the-pain-shall-leave-/4000-29632/

Priest

Cosmic Odyssey (1988) 2 -- This issue of this 4-issue event mini-series contains a pivotal point for Green Lantern John Stewart wherein he is complicit in the destruction of the planet Xanshi, through his own hubris. This event will have lasting repercussions. https://comicvine.gamespot.com/cosmic-odyssey-2-book-two-disaster/4000-30382/

Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn (1989) 1-6 -- This mini-series tells a reimagined origin story for Hal Jordan becoming a member of the Green Lantern Corps, protecting Space Sector 2814, reintroducing Tomar-Re, Salaak, Kilowog, & the Guardians of the Universe, & presenting a new threat in yellow armor known as Legion. Legion also serves as the cause of Abin Sur's ship crashing in this story.
http://www.comicvine.com/green-lantern-emerald-dawn/49-4189/