Who is Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)?

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Who is Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)?: Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) is one of the most iconic characters in the DC Comics universe. Created by writer John Broome and artist Gil Kane.

Hal Jordan first appeared in Showcase #22 in October 1959. He is widely recognized as the second Green Lantern to hold the title, succeeding Alan Scott, who was the original Golden Age Green Lantern.

Origin Story

Hal Jordan is a fearless test pilot working for Ferris Aircraft. His life changes forever when he encounters a dying alien named Abin Sur, a member of the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic peacekeeping force powered by willpower and advanced technology.

Abin Sur’s Green Lantern ring, a powerful artifact capable of creating energy constructs based on the wearer’s imagination and will, chooses Hal as its successor due to his great courage and strong willpower.

Role in the DC Universe

Hal Jordan becomes the Green Lantern of Sector 2814, which includes Earth, and is tasked with maintaining order and justice in this region.

As a member of the Green Lantern Corps, Hal often collaborates with other Lanterns, such as John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and Kyle Rayner, as well as heroes like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, to combat threats both terrestrial and cosmic.

Powers and Abilities

Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern ring grants him a wide array of abilities, including:

  • Energy Constructs: The ability to create solid light constructs limited only by his imagination and willpower.
  • Flight: Both in planetary atmospheres and through the vacuum of space.
  • Protective Shield: A force field that allows him to survive in extreme conditions.
  • Universal Translator: Enables communication with beings of different languages.
  • Self-Sustenance: Eliminates the need for food, water, and oxygen.

The ring’s power is fueled by a central battery on the planet Oa, and its energy must be periodically recharged using a personal power battery. During the recharge, Hal recites the iconic Green Lantern oath:

“In brightest day, in blackest night,
No evil shall escape my sight.
Let those who worship evil’s might,
Beware my power—Green Lantern’s light!”

Legacy

Hal Jordan is not just a hero; he’s also a complex character who has faced his share of struggles. He has grappled with guilt, loss, and even corruption, as seen during the “Emerald Twilight” storyline, where he briefly becomes the villain Parallax.

Despite these challenges, Hal remains a central figure in the Green Lantern mythos and an enduring symbol of courage and determination.

Fun Fact: The Green Lantern Corps’ motto, “Willpower overcomes fear,” is a central theme in Hal Jordan’s journey as a hero.